Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (10/2/20)
Roman Reigns IS your Tribal Chief!
Friday Night SmackDown belongs to The Big Dog!
After brutalizing one cousin and intimidating the other, Roman Reigns is STILL razing, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion of the World, and will be crowned Tribal Chief!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AJ Styles VS Jey Uso; Uso wins.
- John Morrison VS Otis Dozovic; Otis wins.
- Sheamus VS Chad Gable; Sheamus wins.
- Six Man Tag: Baron Corbin, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Matt Riddle & Lucha House Party; Riddle & Lucha House Party win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Jeff Hardy; Zayn wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Roman Reigns opens SmackDown!
The Big Dog didn’t just #ShowUp&Win at Clash of Champions, he manhandled, mugged and all around bullied his own blood relative, Jey Uso, just to hold onto the WWE Universal Championship. He and “executive counsel,” Paul Heyman, head to the ring as the fans boo and give thumbs down on their ThunderDome screens. Heyman grabs the mic to say, “You’re gonna have to forgive me this evening. I’m a little bit nervous. I have known this man and his entire family since the day that he was born. And I always looked forward to this actual moment, because we all knew this was destined to happen.” Tonight, we are all here to “officially declare Roman Reigns as the Tribal Chief.” And not just of his own family, the Anoa’i, or of just Friday Night SmackDown or even the WWE. He is the Tribal Chief of the entire WWE Universe. That is why it is necessary Roman is your Universal Champion.
Let’s set the stage appropriately and with respect. “From the high paramount Samoan chief, Peter Maivia, to Roman’s uncle Afa, to Roman’s father, Sika…” Roman asks for the mic and Heyman gives it. Roman doesn’t want Heyman to call him that. Heyman doesn’t need to acknowledge him, because he didn’t. His brother did, but he did not. In fact, he needs to come out here. Roman asks Jey Uso to come out to the ring. Jey Uso does head to the ring, a bandage on his head showing what Roman was willing to do to him. Jey has a mic as he stares Roman down. “I don’t know you.” Is this his cousin? His blood? His family?
At Clash, Roman showed his true colors. Jey did, too. Roman beat Jey’s ass, but he didn’t break his spirit. Jey was ready to go to war, and if Jimmy didn’t throw in the towel, the title would be Jey’s. Roman seems almost confused by this. “You think I’m proud of what I did? Clash of Champions, that was the worst night of my career.” Professionally and personally, it was the worst night of Roman’s life. Did Jey think Roman intended to do that? Roman was doing Jey a favor. Roman just wanted to put Jey in the main event, put his name on the marquee! Roman was giving Jey the big payday and helping him do stuff for his wife and kids. Roman loves Jey even more than Jimmy does. The Usos say Day One, that applies to Roman, too. Roman was just trying to raise Jey up.
All Jey had to do was acknowledge him. All he had to do was say the words and accept Roman as the chief. This has been Roman’s birthright, but he still earned it and Jey saw it the whole way! All Roman wanted was to represent the family to the fullest, and share the main event with Jey. And what did Jey do? Disrespected Roman. Embarrassed Roman. Embarrassed the family! And he broke Roman’s heart. Even now as Roman is speaking, Jey is looking at the title! Is it that important to Jey? Is it all he wants? Does he want another shot? Is that it? Then fine, Jey has another shot. At Hell in a Cell, if Jey wants it. But Roman is telling Jey now, “this match will have the highest stakes that any match has ever had in WWE history.”
Roman hugs Jey and tells him he still loves Jey. If it was anyone else. Roman would do it. But this time, there will be consequences. Roman drops the mic and leaves, but what does he mean by all that? Jey speaks up to say, “Uce! Yo! Whatever the stakes are, you’re on, Uce!” Roman smirks and chuckles but he continues to walk away. Has Jey just stepped into a trap at Hell in a Cell?
But wait, AJ Styles heads to the ring! He mockingly asks, “Is the luau over?” Styles missed it, huh? C’mon, does it matter who sits at the head of the table and who has the most chicken bones? No. But what does matter, Jey, believe it or not, is Jey! Jey matters to Styles, yeah! Styles doesn’t want Jey to take another beating like he did last Sunday, so how about letting someone more qualified go after the Universal Championship? Styles says Roman can be the chief. Sacrifice a goat or something if you have to! Just go on living, because “we all know your older brother is the better athlete.” Jey can stay the “runt” like he’s always been. Jey tackles Styles!
Jey is firing off all his frustrations on Styles, goes out to LEAP off the announce desk to hit Styles down!! Jey is fired up, will he get to fire off more after the break?
AJ Styles VS Jey Uso!
SmackDown returns and this match is happening! Will the Phenomenal One back up all his talk and prove Jey isn’t ready? Or will Styles be put in the Uso Penitentiary?
The bell rings, Styles says the truth hurts, “ya runt!” Jey runs at him again but Styles fires off first! Styles talks more trash, Jey keeps running at him but Styles kicks him hard and clubs him down! Styles CHOPS Jey in the corner, whips him corner to corner, but Jey slides and stops to uppercut! Jey scoops and slams Styles down, then runs to leaping headbutt! Styles gets to a corner, Jey runs in but only gets buckles! Styles snapmares Jey and KICKS him! And then boots him down And drops a knee! Styles covers, TWO! Styles keeps his cool as he stalks Jey to ropes. Styles chokes Jey on the ropes, the ref counts, Styles lets off. Styles drags Jey around and gets the legs, ROPE GUILLOTINE!
Jey gasps and sputters, Styles drags him up but Jey jawbreakers back! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, drags Jey back up and in, but Jey flapjacks out of the Styles Clash! Styles hobbles up, Jey clotheslines him over and out! Jey fires up, builds up speed, but Styles KICKS him back! Styles drags Jey off the ropes for a suplex to the DESK! Jey tumbles to the floor as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Jey throws body shots on Styles. Jey runs but into a kitchen sink knee, that he makes into a roll up! TWO, styles scoops and hits Jey with a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jey survives but Styles looms over him. Styles stomps Jey around, drags Jey up and snapmares him to put on a chinlock. Styles digs a knee into Jey but Jey endures. Fans clap and rallay up as Jey fights to his feet. Jey throws body shots but Styles clubs him and puts him in a corner. Styles runs in but Jey dodges! Mule kick and uppercut! Styles boots back but runs into a pop-up SAMOAN DROP! Jey fires up as he back suplex NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Jey keeps his cool. Jey goes to a corner and waits for Styles to rise. Jey runs out, Styles dodges the superkick to PELE!
Styles brings Jey up fast, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives again and Styles is shocked! Styles stands, drags Jey back up and reels him in. Jey resists the Styles Clash, tries to Alabama lift, and he puts Styles on the apron! Jey kicks, Styles blocks but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Styles staggers around, Jey builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans clap more as Jey brings Styles up and puts him in the ring. Jey climbs, leaps, USOS SPLASH onto knees! Styles has evened things and both men are down. Styles crawls to the apron, prepares the elbow pad and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Styles is stuck on ropes, Jey hits another SUPERKICK! Jey fires up, and SUPERKICKS again!
Styles is in the drop zone and Jey goes up top! USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey wins!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
Jey Uso just pinned a former WWE World, United States and Intercontinental Champion in AJ Styles! If this doesn’t prove Jey is ready, nothing will! Will Jey prove he’s right about Clash of Champions when he steps into Hell in a Cell?
Sami Zayn speaks.
“I know you’re expecting me to gloat. Gloat about winning one of the greatest Ladder matches in WWE history. Gloat about being the undisputed Intercontinental Champion. Gloating about the world seeing my genius on full display.” But to be honest, tonight isn’t about Sami. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions tonight, and one of the emotions is resentment. Because thinking about the risks Sami had to take just to defend what was always his, he wanted to take his anger to management. But the real ones to blame are the fans! No one said a word when he was wrongly stripped! And instead, there was a tournament to crown a FRAUD champion, and the fans all went with it!
When Styles won the FRAUD championship, you swallowed what you were given! When Hardy beat Styles for it, you again accepted it at face values. And surprise, surprise, it is on The Great Liberator, the only one with principles here, to do what the others should’ve done all along. Sami throws away the other title into the trash, just like Hardy’s championship dreams will be after tonight. Clunk, the belt is in the can. But will Hardy just take Sami’s belt in the end?
John Morrison VS Otis Dozovic!
SmackDown returns to the Guru of Greatness heading to the ring to settle things with The Dozer! Miz is taking Otis to court, but will Otis take Morrison to school first?
The bell rings and Otis rushes Morrison. Morrison waistlocks, Otis powers him to a corner but Morrison kicks him away and lounges on the ropes. Otis runs in into a kick, Morrison then slides away. Otis keeps after Morrison but gets another kick! Morrison grins but Otis CLOBBERS him! Otis stands on Morrison with all 333 pounds! Otis drags Morrison up, whips him to ropes and back drops, but Morrison lands on his feet! Morrison runs but gets run over! And again! Otis pops Morrison up for the flapjack! Fans cheer as Otis blocks a kick for an EXPLODER! Otis fires up, runs and corner splashes! Morrison is down and Otis pumps up! Otis caterpillars for the ELBOW! Otis goes up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, Otis wins!!
Winner: Otis Dozovic, by pinfall
To think a match involving the human wrecking ball would go so fast! But now Otis will focus on his court battle with Miz! Will Otis win just as fast against such a frivolous lawsuit?
Sheamus VS Chad Gable!
This is far from the first time the Celtic Warrior and Shorty G have done battle. But things might be even more vicious than the first time, because Sheamus wants to show Big E he is ready for the Falls Count Anywhere challenge! With the 2020 WWE Draft on top of it all, will he be ready for what could be the Fella’s farewell to Friday Nights?
The bell rings, Sheamus rushes Gable but Gable dodges the Brogue to roll him up! TWO, Sheamus runs ag Gable but gets the POST! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES Sheamus, bridging cover, TWO! Gable goes up, moonsaults but Sheamus dodges! BROGUE!! Sheamus doesn’t cover, he wants to make Gable pay! ANOTHER BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
Sheamus may have beaten down Shorty G, but it’ll be very different against Big E! When they can go anyway in the ThunderDome, where will the feud end?
Kevin Owens gets his index cards back.
The Prizefighter goes over them to make sure what he wants to ask Alexa Bliss is all there. But he doesn’t see the Firefly Fun House and Fiend taking over the television behind him! Will Kevin regret touching on that… “sensitive” subject?
SmackDown presents the Kevin Owens Show!
The Brand to Brand Invitation allows The KO Show to return, and Kevin welcomes us back! Kevin is pumped to be here, because after the Draft, Kevin might be calling SmackDown home. He jumped at the chance to host this special edition, because there’s someone on SmackDown who Kevin has a LOT of questions for. Kevin might be on Raw but he watches Fridays. The person he’s talking about is his guest, Alexa Bliss! The Five Foot Fury has pyro as she makes her way out to the ring. Alexa takes a seat, Kevin thanks her for accepting his invitation, and says he’s been paying attention. He has so many questions as to what is happening to her. Kevin’s seen this change in her. A shift in attitude and this anger. Kevin is reminded of what he sees in Aleister Black.
Alexa isn’t sure what Kevin means. Kevin wants her to admit she isn’t the same as she was five years ago at the PC. She was happy and cheerful, but that’s not her anymore. “People change, Kevin. You should try it some time.” Doesn’t Kevin want to change and be better? Yes, he does! He’s been trying to! He’s down terrible things, yes, but he’s trying to better himself. But this isn’t about him, this is about her. Kevin needs to understand this… Darkness that has taken over her. If he can understand Alexa’s change, he can understand Aleister’s. Well, people fear what they don’t understand.
But has Kevin ever been around “him?” It’s terrifying yet captivating all at the same time. “Your spine gets so cold when you’re in his presence. When he touches you, your whole body goes numb.” And when he looks you in the eyes, it’s like he sees through you, and you can’t look away. Not that Kevin knows that feeling. This isn’t about Aleister, is it? And Kevin won’t get the answers he needs. It’s like she’s brainwashed. Yes, her brain has been washed. The lies are washed away and she sees the truth. Alexa has been changed, Kevin. Cleansed, even. That smile creeps Kevin out, but he’s here, isn’t he? He’s everywhere. Alexa can hear him now. #LetHimIn! And the lights go out!! The Fiend is here and he has Kevin in the MANDIBLE CLAW!! The Fiend smothers Kevin to the mat!!
The Fiend leaves Kevin sputtering and coughing as he stares into the camera. He looks at Alexa, who hasn’t taken her eyes off him. The two stare at each other, and he offers her his hand. Alexa stands up and takes it! She smiles to the camera, and SmackDown goes to break! Is Alexa going to be part of the Firefly Fun House?!
Six Man Tag: Baron Corbin, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Matt Riddle & Lucha House Party!
The Wolf King teams with the SmackDown Tag Team Champions as the war between him and the Original Bro rages on! Will Corbin be given a pass to the Champions’ Lounge after this? Or will Riddle gladly get #LuchaLit with the Golden Lynx and the King of the Ropes?
Speaking of, before the match, Kayla Braxton interviews this “unusual team” about how this match came together. Well, after Riddle’s loss to Corbin, he was like “(Disappointed) Bro…” But LHP came over and said competing in WWE is a marathon, not a sprint. After that, Riddle was like, “(Inspired) Bro!” So he figured, with the Draft coming up, this would be his only time to team with his new bros. Lince Dorado says negativity drags you down. They encouraged him to keep fighting the good fight. And after they take it to those three in the ring, they can stay #LuchaLit. But wait, where is Kalisto? Kalisto stayed in the locker room. He might have troubles with his mask given how big his head has gotten. But the Lucha Dragon aside, will Lince, Metalik and Riddle be able to mesh and win?
The trios sort out and the King of Strong Styles starts against #TheLuchazord. Nakamura kicks Lince and knees him against the ropes already! The ref counts, Nakamura whips but Lince hits a huricanrana! And dropkick! Lince stomps away on Nakamura but here’s Kalisto! Kalisto is upset they left him behind but Lince keeps on Nakamura. SmackDown goes to break, will Kalisto joining the party throw things off?
SmackDown returns and Corbin stomps away on Gran Metalik! Corbin sucker punches Riddle, the ref has to keep Riddle and Lince back, and that allows Corbin and the tag champs to mug Lince! Kalisto protests but Corbin tags Cesaro. The Swiss Cyborg suplexes Metlaik up and holds him there while doing squats, before dropping him down! Cover, TWO! Tag to Nakamura, the tag champs mug Metlaik and Nakamura clamps on a facelock. Nakamura grinds Metalik down, squeezes tighter but he sucker punches Lince! Nakamura grins as he brings Metalik back up, INVERTED EXPLDOER but Metalik lands on his feet! Metalik dodges and rolls back to go up and tornado DDT Nakamura! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Metalik and Nakamura crawl, hot tags to Corbin and Riddle! The Bro spins Corbin for a PELE! Corbin is in a corner, Riddle rallies with forearms and the BROSPLODER! Corbin dodges the kick and the moonsault but not the BROTON! PENALTY KICK!! Cover, Nakamura breaks it! Lince runs in, dodges Nakamura, GOLD REWIND! Cesaro tags in and BLASTS Riddle with a European Uppercut! Cover, Lince breaks it! Lince sees Corbin coming and dumps him out! Metalik FLIES out onto Corbin! Cesaro whips, Lince handsprings again but Cesaro catches the Rewind for a back suplex. Lince lands on his feet, waistlocks and shoves Cesaro but Cesaro reverses, Kalisto’s enziguri hits Lince!
Cesaro kicks Lince out but he turns around into a FINAL FLASH! And then the got wrench, BRO DEREK! Cover, Riddle and LHP win!
Winners: Matt Riddle & Lucha House Party, by pinfall
There was a misstep between Kalisto and Lince, but in the end, they and Riddle pull off a win! Lince is still pissed at Kalisto, though, and Riddle tries to keep them from fighting. Is the party inevitably coming to an end?
SmackDown hears from the mysterious woman!
“Sometimes, you need to take a good, hard look in the mirror to remember who you are. And I admit it, I forgot.” She got a little lost along the way. But she knows exactly who to blame: all of the fans! They wanted her to play by our rules. Dance around, have fun, and look where that got her? Nowhere! Then she remembered, she’s CARMELLA! She’s better than each and every one of us. But what she isn’t is our Princess. So whether it’s Raw or SmackDown, it won’t matter. This time, she’s UNTOUCHABLE. “Unless I don’t wanna be.” Who will draft the formerly Fabulous Princess of Staten Island to make their roster untouchable?
Sasha Banks is back!
She still has a neck brace but she also still has her swagger! But what will The Boss have to say about her injury as well as Bayley? We find out after the break.
SmackDown returns, Sasha is in the ring and says, “Really, Bayley? Did you think me not being medically cleared would stop me from beating you down at Clash of Champions?” After all these years of “using” Sasha, Bayley would learn something from Sasha! Like how to have a backbone! But Bayley is nothing but a coward! “A coward that needed me time and time again to keep your title!” Bayley was using Sasha for her accomplishments, and to become the longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion ever.
Bayley isn’t here because she’s afraid, but Sasha promises that on draft night, it will be their time to fight FOR the SmackDown Women’s Championship! “Because you and I both know, when it comes down to you and me, and there’s nobody there to save you… You don’t stand a chance, B*TCH!!” THE NECK BRACE COMES OFF!! And so will the gloves! Will Sasha take the title off Bayley before the WWE shakes things up again?
SmackDown makes a match for Draft Night!
After The Fiend attacked Kevin Owens on behalf of Alexa Bliss, he and the Prizefighter will fight for the first time ever! Will Bray Wyatt’s monstrous side win his first match on television?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Jeff Hardy!
The Great Liberator threw away “the fraudulent” belt that still had the Charismatic Enigma’s side plates, because he only wants the belt he’s always had! But will Hardy render the undisputed Intercontinental Champion OBSOLETE when these two fight again?
SmackDown returns as Hardy makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and another battle for its future begins!
Sami rushes Hardy and they tie up and Sami powers Hardy to a corner. Sami fires off haymakers, the ref pulls him off but Sami just digs his boots in! The ref counts, Sami lets off, but then stands on Hardy’s head! Sami lets off at 4, Hardy coughs and sputters, but Sami brings him up to punch. Hardy counter punches and fires off! Hardy headlocks, Sami powers out but Hardy runs him over! Things speed up, Sami jumps but into Hardy’s dropkick! Hardy knew to go after the ribs, and he keeps on them with shoulders in the corner. Hardy clubs Sami, rams him again, but lets up at the ref’s count. Hardy stomps Sami, Sami bails out but Hardy pursues to put him back in the ring. Sami kicks low and throws haymakers right back.
Sami keeps on Hardy with the fists, and some trash talk. Sami has exposed a buckle and goes to bump Hardy but Hardy stops himself! Hardy whips Sami away, and back drops Sami! Sami flounders out of the ring and Hardy asks what happened to the buckle pad! The ref looks around but Hardy wrecks Sami with a dropkick in the meantime! Hardy goes out, looks for the buckle pad, too, but it’s nowhere to be found. Hardy runs at Sami, leaping off the steps, POETRY IN MOTION into the barriers! Sami saves himself and Hardy crashes down, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns once again, and Hardy fights up out of Sami’s chinlock. Hardy throws body shots as the fans rally, and Hardy jawbreakers back! Sami staggers, Hardy runs, but Sami LARIATS! Cover, TWO! He tries again, TWO! Hardy hits Sami back but Sami clubs him down. Also, the mystery of the missing pad is solved: Sami took it off while we were all distracted by Hardy’s entrance! Though, of course it was Sami. In the present, Sami hobbles over and drops an elbow on Hardy before wrapping on another chinlock. Hardy endures and fans continue to clap and give thumbs up. Hardy elbows Sami, fights up and throws more shots, but Sami throws Hardy down by his hair!
Sami catches his breath, drags Hardy back up and throws him out of the ring. Hardy flops to the floor, Sami goes out to bring him back up, to RAM into barriers! The ring count climbs to 5 but Sami puts Hardy in at 7. Cover, TWO! Sami tries again, TWO! Sami keeps his cool while Hardy flounders to a corner. Sami hops up a corner and leaps at Hardy, flying elbow! Cover, TWO!! Hardy survives by mere milliseconds! Sami drags Hardy up, scoops and slams him, then goes back to the corner. Sami climbs up as fans give thumbs down, and Hardy trips Sami! Sami lands on his great liberator! Hardy climbs up, brings Sami up, and hits a SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down but fans fire up on their screens!
Sami and Hardy stir as a standing count begins. Hardy sits up first but Sami follows. They’re up at 7, Sami throws a haymaker but Hardy gives it back! They brawl back and forth, Hardy gets the edge and whips, but Sami reverses, only for Hardy to clobber him! Atomic drop! Leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sami survives but Hardy is too tired to be frustrated! Hardy waits for Sami to stand, kicks but Sami backslides out of the Twist! TWO, Hardy swings into a lift, but sunset flips! Cover, TWO!! Sami scrambles, Hardy swings into an EXPLODER into buckles! Sami holds Hardy off and grins as Hardy drags himself away. Sami sees the bare buckle and goes after Hardy. Sami brings Hardy up, whips but Hardy holds ropes!
Sami keeps trying, Hardy throws haymakers! Hardy kicks, Sami blocks but Hardy spinning back kicks! Sami is in a corner, Hardy runs in but only gets buckles! Sami hits BLUE THUNDER! Cover, TWO!! Hardy survives again and now Sami is the one too sore to be frustrated. Sami and Hardy slowly rise, Sami brings Hardy up and to the top rope. Sami climbs up, Hardy throws haymakers and headbutts, then shoves Sami down! Hardy stands up, aims, SWANTON BOMBS onto knees! Hardy clutches his head, Sami watches him writhe. Sami wants Hardy to stand, and Hardy is in the other corner. Sami runs in, Hardy moves, Sami has to avoid the bare buckle! Hardy kicks, Twist denied but Hardy elbows Sami away! Hardy goes up, Sami trips Hardy up and Hardy hits the bare steel!! Cover, Sami WINS!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
The Great Liberator planned ahead like he did at Clash of Champions, and wins, just like he did at Clash of Champions! Will Sami hold onto this gold with all the tricks in the book?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode for SmackDown, but as a go-home to the 2020 Draft, well, it felt like another weak go-home of old. Sheamus VS Gable was filler just to give Big E’s promo a place to air. But the Falls Count Anywhere match next week is going to be great. I’m pretty sure Big E wins and Sheamus is drafted to Raw, making this a good-bye (to SmackDown) match for Sheamus. Otis VS Morrison was sadly treated as filler, even though it should’ve been bigger given this is the MITB briefcase story. Otis says he’s going to represent himself in the “civil case trial,” and that’s a bit disappointing because I was hoping for David Otunga to make a comeback. But I suppose Otis Dozovic putting on a lawyer act will be hilarious.
The Six Man Tag was pretty good, and it worked out for Riddle to get the pin on someone other than Corbin so that the math between those two stays even. The dysfunction in LHP is growing, I really hope we see it play out because there’s a good chance some dumb decisions are made during the Draft, like splitting LHP up that way. I’m a bit surprised Sasha Banks is going to wrestle again so soon, but I suppose the Draft episode will feel bigger with a title match. Bayley VS Sasha is definitely going to be PPV worthy even for just television, and I have a feeling that, similar to Big E VS Sheamus, winner stays and loser goes to Raw. And in no big surprise, Carmella is the glamorously mysterious woman. She could easily go to Raw to feud with Asuka, but if Sasha wins, maybe Carmella stays.
The Kevin Owens show was a great segment, but I’m not 100% sure on how Alexa was acting here. Alexa having a switch to flip was better, but I suppose this is just how that Alexa is when she isn’t attacking someone. Fiend VS Kevin next week will be great, and I wonder if Alexa or even Aleister gets involved. The Draft might actually be able to bring some depth to Kevin’s current story of trying to redeem himself and Aleister’s shift to an even more menacing persona. The WWE Intercontinental Championship match was great, Sami pulls off quite the magic trick with that buckle pad, and it of course comes into play. Sami keeps the title, and I feel like the Draft will keep him on SmackDown. The US Championship is part of the Hurt Business story, and that story is more than certainly staying on Raw.
My Score: 8.2/10
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A truly BIG main event for the New Japan Cup!
As the New Japan Cup continues on, the second round only gets bigger! Boltin Oleg battles Henare in a massive main event!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Chase Owens & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Oskar & Yuto win.
- “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Daiki Nagai VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
- Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Hartley & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma VS Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi; Tsuji & Takagi win.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Ren Narita VS Satoshi Kojima; Narita wins and advances.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS HENARE; wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Ren Narita w/ The House of Torture VS Satoshi Kojima!
The Souled Out Son of Strong Style cheated the Holy Emperor in the first round, but now he runs into the King of Bread Style in the second! Will Ren just keep stacking the deck? Or will the Cup be very cozy?
Kojima makes his entrance undisturbed, then Ren makes his entrance, already showing his hand with Don Fale, Chase Owens & Dick Togo accompanying him. The introductions barely finish and Ren attacks! The fans boo but Ren TOSSES Kojima out! Ren argues with the ref, which lets the House mug Kojima! They whip Kojima into railing, then they put him in the ring. Ren storms over to stomp away on Kojima at the ropes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Ren stops at 4. Ren runs, BOOTS Kojima, then runs again to BOOT him again! Ren runs again, but Kojima dodges to then RUN Ren over! The fans cheer and Kojima makes the pecs dance!
Kojima fires up as he storms over to Ren in the corner. Kojima fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans cheer but the ref counts, only for Kojima to unload the whole clip! Kojima whips corner to corner, but Ren grabs the ref! This lets Dick CLOBBER Kojima and TOSS him out! That lets Chase whip Kojima into railing! And then Fale BODY BLOWS! The fans boo but the House plays dumb. Ren goes out after Kojima, brings him around, and whips him into more railing! Kohima slumps against the railing, but Ren wraps the leg around them! The House distracts the ref from seeing Ren grab a chair! Ren SMACKS Kojima’s leg!
The fans boo but Ren SMACKS Kojima off the apron. Ren then whips Kojima into railing again! Ren puts the leg around railing again, and he pulls on the foot! The fans boo but the ref is too busy with the House. The ref finally sees Ren and counts. Ren stops at 4, kicks Kojima, then rolls into the ring. Kojima hobbles and falls but the fans rally behind him. The ref starts a ring count while Kojima clutches his knee. Kojima rises at 9 of 20, and rolls in at 12. The fans applaud but Ren stomps Kojima down! Ren then drags Kojima to the corner, and he bends the leg against the post! The ref counts, Ren stops at 4, but he SLAMS the leg into the post!
The fans boo but Ren stalks Kojima in the ring. Ren drags Kojima around, stomps away on the leg, then turns him over for a HALF CRAB! Kojima endures, reaches out, and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Ren holds on until the ref counts 4. The fans boo Ren but he tells them to shut up. Ren then soaks up the heat before he drags Kojima up. Ren puts Kojima in a corner, and he wraps the leg around ropes! The fans boo again, the ref reprimands and counts again, but Ren stops at 4. Ren stomps the bad leg, then he goes corner to corner, only for Kojima to dodge! Kojima fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS again!
The fans cheer as Kojima empties another clip! Kojima whips corner to corner, then runs up to FOREARM SMASH! “ICCHAZO, BAKAYAROU~!” The fans fire up as Kojima goes up, COZY ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but Kojima stays on him with a flurry of forearms, then the ROLLING ELBOW! Kick and DDT! Kojima rises up, brings Ren around, and cravats. Ren fights with body shots, then ducks the lariat to leg roll and KNEEBAR! The fans rally for Kojima as he endures! Kojima reaches out, fights around, but Ren pulls on the leg! Then Ren drags Kojima from the ropes to KNEEBAR again! Kojima still endures as the fans rally up!
Kojima fights his way over, rolls and rolls, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Ren lets go in frustration. Ren huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Kojima up to BLIZZARD PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Kojima survives and Ren is frustrated again but the fans cheer. Ren vows to end this now, and he goes up the corner. Kojima stands, but he avoids Hell’s Guillotine! Kojima kicks and cravats, COZY CUTTER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kojima rises, and he throws off the elbow pad! The fans cheer as Kojima runs, but the ref is used as a shield! Then Ren SHOVES Kojima into the ref!
The ref tumbles out of the ring, and the fans boo as The House rushes Kojima! They mug Kojima at the ropes! Then they bump Kojima off buckles, whip him corner to corner, and Dick runs in for the ELBOW! Chase adds as forearm SMASH, then Fale SPLASHES! They snapmare Kojima, Dick goes up top, DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Ren stomps Kojima! Dick takes the timekeeper’s table?! Dick puts that in for Chase to set up in a corner! Ren stands Kojima up, and clinches again, but Kojima fights with elbows! Chase CLUBS Kojima, then Fale holds him up. Chase runs, but Kojima BOOTS him away! Kojima sends Fale into Chase!
The fans cheer as Chase falls, and Kojima RAMS Fale out of the ring! But Ren has his pushup bar! Kojima LARIATS it away?!? The fans fire up as Kojima kicks and BRAINBUSTERS! Cover, but the ref is still down! Kojima is frustrated, but he just powers up the arm! COZY- NO, Ren dodges, kicks, and DOUBLE- NO! Kojima stops the facebuster to then COZY LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Kojima crawls, the ref is back, and we have a cover! But Chase YANKS the ref out! The fans boo again, but now Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Kojima! The table is now repositioned to be in the drop zone!
The fans boo as the House puts Kojima on the table, and Fale goes up! DIVING SPLASH down through the table!! The fans boo but the House hides the evidence! Now they get the ref back in, and Ren hits the DOUBLE CROSSER!! Cover, Ren wins!
Winner: Ren Narita, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Another night, another way for the House of Torture to cheat. Ren adds Kojima to the growing list of names, but will the NEVER Openweight Champion never stop his evil ways?
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS HENARE!
The big man from Kazakhstan already has the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships, and the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, but he’s on a roll here in the Cup! Will he be able to put the Mauler behind BARS? Or will Henare conquer Boltin in the name of The United Empire?
The bell rings and the big men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And RAM again! The fans fire up as the forearms start flying! Henare ROCKS Oleg again and again, then runs to RAM Oleg! Oleg stays up to ROCK Henare! Oleg runs and RAMS Henare, but Henare stays up! So now both men run and they RAM shoulders again! The fans cheer as these two go forehead to forehead, then return to going forearm for forearm! Shot for shot, back and forth, and the fans rally up again. Henare gets the edge, but Oleg CHOPS him! Henare ROCKS Oleg, runs, but Oleg drops down, and jumps up to SHOULDER TACKLE!
Henare is down, Oleg runs the ropes, BOLTIN SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Oleg stays on Henare and RAMS him into the corner! Oleg RAMS Henare again and again, then CHOPS! Oleg winds up to CHOP again, but Henare just snarls. Oleg CHOPS again, but Henare puts him in the corner to CHOP and CLUB on repeat! Oleg fires forearms in return, but Henare CHOPS again! The fans applaud as Henare whips corner to corner, but Oleg reverses! Oleg runs in, Henare dodges, and Henare comes back to RAM Oleg! Oleg rebounds, but into a WHEEL KICK! Henare adds a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oleg toughs it out, but Henare KICKS him in the back!
Oleg writhes, but Henare winds up and KICKS again! The fans rally as Henare then runs to RUGBY KICK! But Oleg rolls through! Oleg ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CLOBBERS Henare right outta the ring! Henare stumbles into the railing then falls down! The fans fire up, and Oleg goes out to fetch Henare. Oleg CLUBS Henare, CLUBS him again, but Henare fires a body shot! Henare SMACKS Oleg off apron, then whips him into railing! The fans cheer while Oleg slumps down. Henare storms up on Oleg, wrenches and whips him again, but Oleg reverses! Henare hits railing! The fans rally up, Oleg storms over, and Oleg whips Henare, only for Henare to reverse!
Oleg hits railing, but he comes back! Only for Henare to fireman’s carry! SNAKE EYES off the railing, then Henare LARIATS Oleg up and over! The fans cheer while legs in front of the fans. Red Shoes checks on Oleg and he’s okay to continue. Red Shoes says to get this back in the ring, but Henare goes looking underneath it. Henare brings out chairs! Red Shoes reprimands but Henare tells him to shut up! Henare goes to Oleg, growls at the fans, and he CLUBS Oleg. Henare ROCKS Oleg in the back, then reels him in. But Oleg fights the suplex! Oleg tries but Henare fights the suplex. Oleg scoops Henare to SLAM him on the apron!
The fans cheer as Oleg huffs ‘n’ puffs, then he climbs up to join Henare. Oleg suplexes, but Henare lands safe in the ring! Henare RAMS down low, but Oleg ROCKS Henare back! Henare ducks the shot to full nelson! Oleg fights the nelson but Henare HOTSHOTS Oleg! Oleg wobbles, Henare runs, and Henare BLASTS Oleg off the apron! Oleg crashes into railing, as well as the chair pile on the floor! The fans rally for Oleg while he’s down, but Henare goes to fetch him. Henare fireman’s carries to WASTELAND SLAM and SENTON! The fans are torn as Henare snarls. Henare drags Oleg up and into the ring, but Red Shoes refuses to count the cocky cover!
Henare argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes says it needs to be a serious cover. Henare drags Oleg up, but Oleg fires forearms! Henare CHOPS Oleg, then snapmares him. Henare runs to RUGBY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Oleg toughs it out. Henare stalks Oleg, and has the half nelson! Oleg fights the full nelson, but Henare RAMS him into a corner! Henare runs up, but Oleg dodges the knee! Oleg scoops, but Henare slips free! ULTI- NO, Oleg fights the nelson again and RAMS Henare into buckles! Henare BOOTS Oleg, but Oleg scoops to SLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down, then rally up as they rise.
Oleg whips Henare to the corner, runs in and SPLASHES, then whips corner to corner. Oleg runs in again, and another SPLASH! Oleg goes to gut wrench but Henare CLUBS free. Henare ELBOWS Oleg, goes up, but Oleg catches his crossbody! Then Shake, Shake Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg scoops Henare again, to SLAM him into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Henare survives but the fans rally up again. Oleg drags Henare up, fireman’s carry, but Henare fights free! Henare has to catch his breath, so Oleg CHOPS him! Oleg then suplexes Henare, but Henare fights it!
Oleg still tries, but Henare slips free! Oleg again fights the nelson, but Henare ducks an elbow! Henare spins Oleg for the suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Oleg rolls away to a corner, but Henare rises up. Henare runs in, LARIAT! Then a whip to the ropes, but Oleg holds ropes! Oleg BOOTS back, runs up but into the scoop, SPIN-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO! But now Henare has the ULTIMA WEAPON! The fans rally up as Oleg endures the full nelson! Oleg fights up, up, but Henare puts on the pressure! The fans rally as Oleg is fading! Oleg gets a second wind to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Henare holds on!
Red Shoes counts, Henare lets go at 4, and Henare argues with the ref. Oleg sputters while Henare paces. Henare aims from a corner as Oleg stands, and Henare runs in for the- NO, Oleg fights the Rampage! FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! Oleg squeezes tight, but Henare wrenches out to ROCK Oleg! The fans rally again as Henare fires off fast hands from all sides! Then he SMACKS Oleg, and winds up to BODY BLOW! The fans for Oleg while he’s down, but Henare stands him up. Henare runs, LARIATS, but Oleg stays up! Henare runs again, and LARIATS! Oleg staggers to a corner, Henare runs in, and LARIATS again!
Oleg just fires up!? Oleg shoves Henare, LARIATS, then they DOUBLE LARIAT! They DOUBLE LARIAT again but no one falls! Oleg runs, but into the SAMOAN DROP! Oleg roars as he rises up! Henare ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a clinch! BELLY2BELLY! Both men stand, and Henare hits a RAMPAGE outta nowhere! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again! Henare is frustrated, but he watches Oleg crawl to the corner. Oleg drags himself up with the ropes, and Henare runs in! NATIVE KNEE! The fans are torn as Henare roars, and he brings Oleg back up. Henare puts Oleg up top, then ROCKS him!
Henare goes up, up, and SUPERPLEXES! The fans fire up while Henare crawls to cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans cheer again! Henare huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands Oleg up, but DROPKICKS him away! The fans fire up, and Henare returns to RUGBY KICK! Oleg rolls through, and he catches the Native Knee! POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Henare survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg shakes it off and stands back up. Oleg RIPCORDS Henare right up from the mat! Henare fights free of the fireman’s carry, and he CHOPS! Oleg comes back to CHOP Henare! The fans cheer as both men wobble. Henare comes back to CHOP!
Oleg CHOPS Henare! Henare drops to a knee from that one, but now Oleg eggs him on. Henare grits his teeth, stands up, and CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS, Henare CHOPS, repeat! Henare LARIATS but Oleg stays up! Henare LARIATS again, and then DOUBLE LARIATS! Both men lean on each other while the fans fire up! Henare and Oleg hold onto the other’s waistband as they throw LARIATS back and forth! The fans fire up as the shots keep going! Oleg gets the edge, then he stands Henare up to CHOP! Henare drops to his knees! The fans fire up as Oleg stands Henare up, but Henare HEADBUTTS! Oleg roars, but Henare LARIATS him down! Cover, ONE?!?
The fans are stunned but Henare just gets moving, and he BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives another shot and Henare is beside himself! Henare hurries to drag Oleg up, but Oleg fights the lift! The fans rally but Henare’s own back won’t let him lift Oleg. Henare changes the plan with a HEADBUTT! And he roars as he reels Oleg back in! But Oleg fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Henare survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg drags Henare up, fireman’s carries, and he goes to the corner. Henare fights free to be on the corner! Oleg ROCKS Henare, then he climbs up!
The fans rally, but Henare fires body shots. Oleg ROCKS Henare, then adjusts position! Fireman’s carry, but Henare fires hands! Henare slips back, and HEADBUTTS Oleg down! Henare now adjusts position, and he leaps into a fireman’s carry?!? POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE! Then Oleg fireman’s carries again, runs and KAMIKAZE!! Cover, OLEG WINS!
Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
It was a battle of big meaty men slapping meat, but Henare was out-hossed tonight. What will it take for Henare to break through and reach that next level?
As for Oleg, he grabs the mic, and he tells Henare, “Thank you for your hard work!” The fans cheer that! Oleg tells Henare thank you, and he hopes they can do this again. Oleg then tells the fans, that to be honest, this was his first main event singles match. He will be sitting cross-legged for a moment, and he says for his first New Japan Cup, his first 1v1 main event, from the bottom of his heart, he is very happy right now. The fans cheer that! Oleg says especially today, the only thing that really matters is that he got to win in a NJPW ring, against a strong Māori warrior like Henare.
Oleg knows he hasn’t been doing this that long, just three years. But that’s amazing, isn’t it? He knows he has a hard time with Japanese, but for these three years, he’s been a professional wrestler! He’s been professional wrestling! It’s been a real fight in this ring, it’s always high risk in this sport, and everyone is fighting and doing their best. To be in the same ring as them, he is very thankful. The fans cheer that, too! Oleg says thanks for NJPW letting a man from Kazakhstan wrestle on this cerulean blue. “OGA! OGA! OGAAAA! <Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! Oh, yeeeeah!>” Oleg is all fired up, but will he soon put the Cup behind BARS?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for the New Japan Cup, kicking off a very busy weekend for this tournament. Good tune-ups, but a lot of those matches had the same results as last time. Very good stuff from Narita VS Kojima, but naturally, the House cheated. Great match from Oleg VS Henare, and great win for Oleg. Oleg is getting a great push between having tow titles and now going into round three of the tournament. Given he has those titles, I don’t see Oleg going much further, and maybe the person he loses to gets their title shot.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Hear ye, hear ye!
Tonight, Interim NXT General Manager, Robert Stone, calls a Town Hall meeting for Evolve because there is some big news to announce! But what could it be?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Harlem Lewis VS Sam Holloway; Harlem wins.
- Harley Riggins w/ Kam Hendrix VS Trill London; Riggins wins.
- WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Final Evolution: Kendal Grey VS Tyra Mae Steele; Kendal wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Robert Stone is in the ring.
The stars of Evolve surround the ring, and Suit Man Stone says, “Ladies and gentlemen, this right here around the ring is the future of the WWE.” The fans cheer that. Stone says we all know Evolve has been built on ambition and want, but it needs authority. So Stone and Shawn Michaels put their heads together, and they have found the perfect person to run Evolve. Your NEW Evolve General Manager is… TIMOTHY THATCHER! The fans cheer that! The Professor of Pain goes to the ring, and Stone tells Tim that no doubt about it, he’s been a great Player Coach, but it is time to explain his role.
Thatcher will now go all around the world to scout independent talent to help enhance Evolve and the WWE ID Program. Thatcher will be the perfect Evolve GM! The fans and superstars cheer that, and Thatcher thanks Stone. Thatcher really appreciates the trust that Stone and Mr. Michaels have in him, and everyone around the ring right now. But uh, Thatcher is no GM. Huh? Thatcher says no, Evolve is where the work starts. Hard work is rewarded here. So it is more like a work site. Don’t call him the GM, but the FOREMAN of Evolve! The fans like the sound of that! Stone says okay, then as the Foreman of Evolve, Thatcher will have to make some tough decisions.
Thatcher’s first two tasks are the two champions, Jackson Drake & Kendal Grey. Those two are about to become full-time NXT Superstars. Yes, Thatcher understands. Evolve is about building, from building new talent to building new opportunities. One door closes, another one opens. Therefore, the champions shouldn’t just disappear. They gotta earn their way out! Thatcher has already asked Drake and Kendal for one more title defense. Those will be their “Final Evolutions.” If they win, they get to leave as champion, but the titles will be vacated. And if they lose, we got a brand new standard bearer here in Evolve!
The fans appreciate the idea, and Thatcher says Kendal’s “Final Evolution” will be here tonight, against the Olympic Gold Medalist, Tyra Mae Steele! The fans are torn, but that’s a huge match made for the main event! Will Grey survive with her gold? Thatcher then says next week is Drake’s “Final Evolution,” and he will face… Stone says yeah, think about it! Now he’s cooking! Well, HARLEM LEWIS makes his entrance, and he says, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. If that clown, Jackson Drake, is having one last match here in Evolve, I want it!” Thatcher shouts at Harlem, “None of this! None of this! This isn’t going off the rails! Not on my watch!”
Thatcher already knows that every time the men’s title gets mentioned, here comes Harlem storming out here. Thatcher already planned that! And he has a match for Harlem already. Everyone else can clear out, because it is time for Harlem to get to work! The fans like the sound of that, but who will Harlem be facing tonight? And who will get their shot at Jackson Drake next week for his “Final Evolution?”
Kendal Grey watches this backstage.
The Ice Woman is already in her gear, and she says this is so crazy. One last match, one last title defense, one last time representing Evolve as champion. Evolve gave her a place to find herself, to find confidence in that ring, and she’ll never forget the ones supporting her since day one, chanting her name since the first time she came out. This will forever be her first home. But tonight is business. Kendal knows Tyra Mae Steele is dangerous. Tyra’s an Olympic Gold Medalist, and as a technical wrestler, she’s the only one who has Kendal beat. But that’s fine, because Kendal doesn’t back down from any challenges!
Kendal thrives under pressure, she thrives when times get hard! It took her months to get to the top of the mountain, she’ll be damned if she doesn’t go out on top! Chantel Monroe, Kali Armstrong, Wendy Choo, Karmen Petrovic, PJ Vasa! You name ’em, she’s taken ’em down. And Tyra’s just next on the list. So when she gets her hand raised one last time on Evolve, she walks into NXT full-time with momentum on her back. Time to strap up! Kendal is ready, but will that be enough to achieve her Final Evolution?
Harlem Lewis VS ???
Evolve returns from break as the Long Island Jackhammer waits on who he gets to fight. It’s… SAM HOLLOWAY! Harlem wants his title match with Jackson Drake, but will he have to get it the hard way against Holloway?
The bell rings and Harlem runs right up on Holloway! Harlem throws hands but Holloway THROWS Harlem to a corner! Harlem comes back, throws more hands, but Holloway scoops and SLAMS! Holloway eggs Harlem on, then scoops to SLAM again! Holloway runs, but Harlem dodges the elbow drop! And then he LARIATS Holloway up and out! The fans are torn, but Harlem runs up and WRECKS Holloway with a dropkick! Harlem fires forearms, but Holloway ducks under, picks Harlem up, and POSTS him! The fans fire up while Harlem flounders on the floor. Holloway refreshes the ring count to storm up on Harlem.
Holloway drags Harlem up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then puts him in the ring. The fans cheer as Holloway goes up the ropes for the ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Harlem survives but Holloway stays close. Harlem RAMS Holloway while fans rally up. Harlem scoops, but Holloway CLUBS him down. Harlem fires back with forearms, then runs, but Holloway hurdles! Then he BOOTS Harlem down! The fans fire up while Harlem flounders to the ropes. Holloway CLUBS Harlem, then digs his boot in! The ref counts, Holloway steps back, but Harlem puts Holloway in the corner for fast hands! The ref counts, but Holloway ROCKS Harlem!
Holloway runs up, T-REX DROPKICK! Then a cover, TWO! Harlem survives and Holloway grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally up. Holloway clamps onto Harlem’s arms and pulls him into the motorcycle stretch! The fans rally as Harlem endures. Harlem fights up, breaks free, and he DROPKICKS Holloway! Holloway comes back, but into an ELBOW! Holloway pushes Harlem to the corner, but Harlem kicks low! Harlem then goes up, up, and ELBOW DROPS on Holloway’s back! The fans rally as Harlem reels Holloway in, but Holloway is too big to suplex! Holloway GOURD BUSTERS Harlem instead!
The fans fire up as Holloway runs up, but Harlem dodges! Holloway hits buckles, Harlem runs up, but Holloway catches him! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Harlem survives again and Holloway grows further frustrated. The fans rally for “SAM! SAM! SAM!” Holloway underhooks but Harlem wrenches free! Harlem KNEES low, then scoops, but Holloway fights free! BUTTERFLY PLEX into buckles! Harlem writhes while the fans fire up! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Harlem survives and Holloway is furious! But now Holloway waits on Harlem for the guzel! CHOKE- NO, JUMP KNEE from Harlem! Harlem builds speed and BLINDSIDE LARIATS!
Harlem snarls, powers up, and he scoop SLAMS Holloway! And then he suplexes for the BOOM SLANG!! Cover, Harlem wins!
Winner: Harlem Lewis, by pinfall
Like it or not, Harlem may have just proven himself worthy of the title match! If Thatcher does choose him, will nothing stop Harlem from taking that title from Jackson Drake?
Luca Crusifino speaks.
The former Consigliere to the D’Angelo Family looks very different from those days. “Evolve, do you feel that? Do you feel that bass in your chest? That spark that’s in the air? Well get ready, because Luca Crusifino is arriving! And when that beat drops, I’m tripping through the light, I’m rolling with the rhythm, and I’m cruising to the peak here in WWE Evolve! And just because I’m vibing, just because I’m smiling, just because I move the way that I do does not mean that I’m not dangerous. I’ve been through the silence. I found my inner self. And I figured it out. When Luca Crusifino is vibing on the frequency of love, fluidity and fun is when he is his most effective.
“On this mode, nothing can fracture my inner peace or kill my vibe. My opponents start seeing colors that they didn’t even know existed. I live through the drop, and I thrive off the energy of the big moment. I relish in the euphoria of the crowds. And when cruise begins to rise, all my opponents’ heads begin to spin, and I make Evolve revolve around Luca Crusifino.” The Legal Eagle has transformed into a technicolor butterfly, but will he still reach the highest heights in WWE?
Tyra Mae Steele speaks.
The challenger is already fired up! “Yes! Finally! I have been waiting for this moment! And now, I finally get my first ever championship match here in the WWE! Kendal, you walked into this locker room as an undefeated amateur wrestling champion. Heck, you’ve defeated every single person who’s stepped up to you in Evolve. But you’ve never gone against an Olympic Gold Medalist. And we both know that the mat and ring are two separate things. But when that bell rings, it doesn’t matter. What matters is whoever gets that 1-2-3. Now, I know that you’re moving on, Kendal. And this is going to be your Final Evolution, win or lose.
“But me? I can’t afford to lose. And I won’t be satisfied until MY name is etched in the history books as the Women’s Evolve Champion!” Tyra is ready, but will she be the one to finally dethrone Kendal?
Harley Riggins w/ Kam Hendrix VS Trill London!
Gnarly Harley and The Kam-era Man are feeling good after how they bullied and beat down Tate Wilder last week. Between not being medically cleared and too angry to focus, The Modern Day Cowboy was kept out of the building for tonight. Will Riggins get to gloat another week? Or will the Electric Enigma show what it is to keep it Trill?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Trill. Kam tries to swipe but the ref has him stay back. Riggins and Trill tie up, and Riggins powers Trill to a corner. Riggins whips corner to corner but Trill goes up and over. Trill handsprings just to show off, and then he arm-drags! And arm-drags again! The fans cheer as Trill has the armlock! Riggins fights around, fights up, and wrenches to wrangle Trill. The fans boo Riggins, but Trill fights up. Riggins wrenches, the fans cheer “Trill! Trill! Trill!” Trill rolls, stands, but Riggins THROWS him by his hair! The fans boo but Riggins bends fingers! Trill kips up, goes to the ropes, and uses them to rebound and arm-dag!
Trill dodges Riggins then DROPKICKS! Riggins bails out, Kam is there to coach him up, but Trill WRECKS them both with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Trill goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Down goes Kam and Riggins! Trill is all fired up, as are the fans, and Trill puts Riggins in. Trill ROCKS Riggins, but Riggins HOTSHOTS him, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Riggins rains down fists from all sides while the fans boo. Riggins drags Trill up, talks trash, and then runs to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Trill survives and the fans fire up! Trill ROCKS Riggins again and again, but Riggins pulls hair! Riggins whips Trill, then tilt-o-whirl SLAMS! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Trill survives again, but Riggins clamps on with a headscissor squeeze! Trill endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO! Trill is free, and he ROCKS Riggins again and again! Trill whips, Riggins reverses, but Trill ELBOWS! And ELBOWS again! Trill trips Riggins, then SENTONS! And basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Riggins is still in this but Trill hurries to drag him to the drop zone. Trill goes up the corner, throws off his shirt, but Kam gets on the apron! The ref keeps Kam back, but Riggins ROCKS Trill in the distraction! Riggins hauls Trill up for a fireman’s carry, T K O! Cover, Riggins wins!
Winner: Harley Riggins, by pinfall
It’s easy to tackle for loss when it’s 2v1, isn’t it? They did it to Trill like they did to Tate, but Chuey Martinez is ringside to interview them. Impressive win for Riggins’ first singles match, but uh, Kam was here so… Is this the new team? What’s up? Riggins knows they’re all fans, but around here, these guys do whatever they want! Oh, like they did to Tate? Yeah, is Tate crying about it? Chuey says Tate will be back. Riggins says they’re in the ass-kicking business, and business is booming! But wait! Dante Chen storms out here! Riggins mocks Chen for being picked last at recess, and Kam asks Dante if he’s mad Team PC didn’t even consider him.
Chen simply shouts, “ENOUGH!” He never would’ve joined Team PC. He welcomes ID talent! These guys do not represent the Performance Center! They are a disgrace! What?! Chen won’t stand by after seeing what they did to Tate! Kam says Dante’s coming out here all bold stepping up. If he wants to test that toughness, he’ll step into the ring next week with “Showtime,” Kam Hendrix! Riggins wants to fight right now, but Chen says Kam is on! The fans like the sound of that! Will the Singaporean Warrior teach Kam & Riggins a thing or two about respect?
Timothy Thatcher settles into his new office.
He can’t quite get his flashlight to work, until he goes and blinds himself with it. And then in steps Aaron Rourke! Thatcher sells hello to Mr. Rourke, and Rourke says hello to Mr. Thatcher. Or should he say, Mr. Foreman? Very spiffy. Yes, well, “Mr. Foreman” if you please. Okay, Mr. Foreman~. Well, alright, maybe not… Okay, then, Timothy. Rourke will get to business: He truly believes that in life, opportunities are earned, not given because we “think” we deserve them. And next week, Jackson Drake gets to have his Final Evolution. His curtain call, his final time in the spotlight of Evolve, his last chance to walk in as champion. Jackson has earned that.
But y’know what he doesn’t deserve? To walk out as champion! Drake doesn’t deserve to hold up the belt, then vacate it, as if he’s the one who built this place. Rourke knows the Vanity Project has been doing the same song and dance since day one: Cheap shots, shortcuts, and inflated egos. The personal worst is their horrendous outfits. They even have the nerve to act like they run Evolve! Rourke’s final straw was the Ten Man Tag! They just up and left in a 3v5 against a pack of wolves. Yes, but Team ID rose to the occasion. Well, Rourke will never not take a compliment. They survived, but that’s what Evolve does. You survive, you grow, and you earn.
And truthfully, Rourke feels like he represents Evolve: opportunity, development, improvement. Thatcher’s seen the past year, Rourke has given his all to show that he is the Diamond in the Rough! And he is damn proud to represent WWE ID. Thatcher agrees, Rourke’s improved every aspect of his game. Rourke says it is time he stepped up to be a leader. It is time that the Dime Piece shines in the spotlight. He just wants an opportunity. He is the man that stops Jackson Drake from rewriting history! He is the man to make sure Drake’s evolution ends while his begins! He is the m an to make sure this title stays here, right where it belongs!
Respectfully, Rourke is just asking Thatcher to give him the match. Thatcher says Harlem did make a compelling argument tonight. But he’ll get his time. It is Rourke’s time next week. Really?! Thank you, Mr. Foreman! Of course. Good luck next week. The Dime Piece is ready to cash in, but will he be able to take out Heartbreak Drake?
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s card!
On top of Rourke getting his shot at the Evolve Championship, and on top of Kam Hendrix VS Dante Chen, we will also see Laynie Luck VS Zena Sterling
WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Final Evolution: Kendal Grey VS Tyra Mae Steele!
Win, lose, or draw, this technical dream match will be the farewell match for Kendal Grey. Can the Ice Woman overcome Miss America? Or will Tyra survive the Grey Area and come out with gold on the other side?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, Evolve makes history!
The bell rings and the two feel things out. The fans rally as Kendal shoots in, but Tyra counters with a THROW! Tyra waits on Kendal, and we see Wendy Choo and Laynie Luck hanging out in the VIP Lounge, eager to see who they’ll be chasing for this title. Kendal and Tyra go again, and Kendal waistlocks. Tyra switches, Kendal switches, and repeat. Tyra SLAMS Kendal down, then rolls her around. Cover, ONE, but Tyra rolls Kendal around more. Kendal switches, Tyra switches back, and the fans rally up. Tyra rolls Kendal to a cover, ONE! Kendal switches, Tyra switches back, bridging cover, TWO! Kendal fights up as the fans rally again.
Kendal stands, but Tyra spins her to fireman’s carry takeover! The fans applaud the technical display and Kendal nods. The two reset, tie up, but Kendal slips around and gets moving. Tyra tries but Kendal blocks a hip toss to take things to the corner, tornado fireman’s carry takeover! The fans cheer, and Tyra smiles as she shrugs that off. The two reset, but then Kendal dropkicks the leg! And dropkicks Tyra down! Cover, ONE! Kendal facelocks while the fans rally up again. Tyra rolls but Kendal rolls with her as the fans duel. Tyra fights up, and she RAMS Kendal to the corner! Then Tyra TOSSES Kendal across the ring!
Tyra storms up on Kendal to whip her hard into a corner! The fans continue to duel as Tyra whips Kendal corner to corner hard! Kendal writhes but Tyra gets her up to whip hard into another corner! The fans don’t slow down and neither does Tyra! She whips, but Kendal stops herself to ELBOW back! Kendal then goes up, out, and slides under to get moving, only for Tyra to SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while Kendal flounders to the apron. Tyra runs and WRECKS Kendal with a dropkick! Kendal writhes on the floor, Tyra taunts her, and Evolve goes to break.
Evolve returns as Tyra RAMS Kendal in a corner! Then she runs and returns to RAM Kendal again! The fans rally and duel as Tyra sets up again, runs back in, and RAMS Kendal again! The ref counts, but Tyra picks Kendal up to SLAM her down! Cover, TWO! Tyra stays on Kendal with a smile and a rear mount. Tyra has a leg, then the chinlock, it’s a TMSTF! The fans rally as Tyra thrashes Kendal around! Kendal endures, fights free of the leglock, then fights to her feet. Kendal fires body shots again and again, then ROCKS Tyra! But Tyra picks Kendal up, only for Kendal to sunset flip! TWO, but Kendal kicks low!
Kendal CHOPS Tyra, CHOPS again, then whips. Tyra goes up to HIP ATTACK Kendal! The fans cheer as Tyra then storms up on Kendal. GUT WRENCH PLEX! Kendal flounders across the ring, but Tyra storms up on her for another GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans rally and duel as Tyra stalks Kendal again, for a third GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans rally as Kendal goes to a corner. Tyra runs in and RAMS Kendal, then she stares down the camera as if she’s staring at everyone watching on Tubi! Tyra shoves Kendal from the corner, pushes her to the cover, TWO! Kendal survives the onslaught, but Tyra clamps on with a chinlock stretch!
The fans rally and duel as Kendal endures all over again. Kendal fights but Tyra bends her back! Tyra thrashes Kendal, but Kendal refuses to give in! Kendal pries at the hold as she stands back up! Kendal fires body shots, but Tyra KNEES low! Tyra GUT WRENCH- NO, Kendal flips through! They both build speed, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while they’re both down! Kendal crawls to a corner, Tyra goes to the other. Tyra runs up, but into a KNEE! Kendal then goes up, over, comes back, and she ELBOWS Tyra! And ELBOWS again! Kendal whips, Tyra reveres, but Kendal dodges!
Kendal SNAP GERMANS on the return! The fans fire up, and the straps come down! Kendal fire sup, clinches, and T-BONE PLEXES! Tyra staggers up, Kendal gets her again! A shove to the corner, then a JUMPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Tyra survives and both Wendy and Laynie like what they see. Kendal hurries to the apron, then to the corner. Kendal climbs as the fans duel as hard as they can. But Tyra is right on her! Kendal fights the bearhug with forearms! Tyra falls, Kendal adjusts, and Kendal leaps, only for Tyra to get under! Tyra comes back, OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kendal survives and everyone is shocked!
Tyra is frustrated, maybe even exhausted, but she drags Kendal up. Fireman’s carry, but Kendal rolls through! Kendal wheelbarrows, but Tyra makes that a GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women rise up, and Tyra waistlocks again! But Kendal wheelbarrows to a cover, TWO! Tyra has it, TWO! Both women stand again, SHADES OF GREY OUTTA NOWHERE!!! Cover, Kendal wins!!
Winner: Kendal Grey, by pinfall (still WWE Evolve Women’s Champion)
In the blink of an eye, Kendal Grey puts this one away! Kendal gets the mic to say she’s speechless! But she does say thank you to all the fans for supporting her since day one. Evolve gave her a place to find herself, and she wouldn’t have been able to do it without the fans. And just like she’s been taking over Evolve, she’ll now take over NXT every Tuesday. Thank you all, truthfully! The fans chant back, “Thank You, Kendal!” Her Final Evolution is a victorious one, but Kendal’s final act as champion is handing the belt over to Foreman Timothy Thatcher, officially vacating it. Kendal hugs and shakes Thatcher’s hand before she departs.
Evolve ends with a highlight reel of Kendal’s young career, from the Evolve premiere, both Successions, and even her part in the Women’s Iron Survivor match at Deadline 2025. Grey Graps has truly evolved, will nothing stop her from doing the same on NXT?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of Evolve to truly start on a new chapter here. The news leaked a couple weeks ago that Thatcher would be made the new authority figure in Evolve, and I like that he’s going with a special title “Foreman,” akin to Stevie Turner being the “Prime Minister.” This concept of “Final Evolution” being a sendoff for Evolve stars being called-up to NXT is really good, too, even if the timing is odd. We just had Succession 2, title changes could’ve just happened there. But Kendal getting to set the tone for the Final Evolution, it is great for her that she got another win before vacating the title and leaving on a high note. Great video package afterward, too.
Good stuff in the chase for the Men’s Championship. Harlem Lewis still wants the shot he was promised by Kam Hendrix, but they haven’t really addressed how that was just the deal with Kam, not something Evolve management is acknowledging. Harlem still got a great win over Holloway, and he’ll surely be in the running as “Season 2” continues on. Very good promo from Rourke and Thatcher to set up Drake VS Rourke. I hope they have Rourke actually win the title, a lot of his promo’s thesis was that Drake has been too cocky and underhanded as a Heel. I personally felt they could’ve taken the title off Drake when it was Sean Legacy challenging, or Cappuccino Jones just last week for Succession, so it should be the Final Evolution that finally dethrones the inaugural champion.
Very good match from Riggins VS Trill, but too bad for Trill as he keeps losing. Dante Chen confronting the bullies is good stuff, he and Kam will have a very good match. I wonder if Tate Wilder returns during that match to cost Kam. I could see Kam & Riggins VS Tate & Chen in a tag match, too, before Tate gets to go 1v1 with someone. And with all these moving parts, I’d expected Tate rebuilds momentum and heads for the title as we get past WrestleMania season.
My Score: 8.7/10
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