The Toxic Rockstar still has the spotlight!

The NXT Women’s Championship is still Jacy Jayne’s thanks to BLAKE MONROE! What will Jacy have to say about her reign continuing on?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Trick Williams, Joe Hendry & Mike Santana VS Dark State; Dark State wins, by disqualification.
• WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong VS Karmen Petrovic; Kali wins by disqualification and retains the title.
• Family Business Triple Threat: Tony D’Angelo VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo VS Luca Crusifino; Tony wins.
• Six Woman Tag: Masha Slamovich & ZaRuca VS The Fatal Influence; Masha & ZaRuca win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Fatal Influence is here!

And sadly, Jacy Jayne is still NXT Women’s Champion as she leads Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx to the ring. Ironically, it isn’t even because of Fallon & Jazmyn this time, it was because Blake Monroe betrayed Jordynne Grace! Seems like a pattern when it comes to The Glamour, IYKYK. But The Influence get the mics anyway, and Jacy says, “Everyone please excuse my voice tonight. Jordynne Grace elbowed me in the throat and damaged my vocal chords.” The fans cheer that! Even so, Jacy continues by saying on to bigger and better. They’ll get the elephant in the room out of the way.

On Saturday, at the Great American Bash, things did not go her way. And that is because certain members of Fatal Influence dropped the ball. Jacy looks right at Fallon & Jazmyn as she says that. Then she says that she knows Jazmyn tried her best, but sometimes your best just isn’t good enough when you’re standing next to someone like Jacy. Luckily for Fallon & Jazmyn, they redeemed themselves at Evolution, where the best women wrestlers in the world took center stage. And Jacy did what she does best, and that’s shock each and every one of the fans. Fallon says the looks on the faces in State Farm Arena were priceless

All they’re wondering now is, when is the shock gonna wear off? Because Jacy is going to be champion for a very, very long time. And Jacy will continue to do what no one thought she could, or one one has ever done before. Like this Sunday, TNA Slammiversary, when Jacy goes 1v1 with Masha Slamovich. That’s right! Champion VS Champion, Winner Takes All! And Jacy will give it to Masha, she is great with that no nonsense, no brains attitude. But Jacy will be the one to walk out of New York with both championships! But wait! Masha is HERE! The fans fire up as Masha goes to the ring and has a mic of her own.

Masha tells Jacy, “The only reason that you’re still holding that NXT Women’s Championship is because Blake Monroe smashed Jordynne Grace in the back with that title. You lost on Saturday, and at Evolution, it took FOUR of you to win. So on Sunday, I’m gonna shock the entire world of Women’s Pro-wrestling when I become the first TNA wrestler to hold that NXT Women’s Championship!” The fans cheer that, but Jacy promises Masha that she’ll never touch HER NXT Women’s Championship. On Sunday, Jacy walks out with both titles to be the ONLY double champion- WAIT! Sol Ruca is here!

Jacy is upset that she’s getting interrupted again but Sol needs Jacy to hold on just a moment. Jacy’s the only one with two titles? Okay, we know Grace put Jacy through the wringer, but damn, dude. Wait, Sol will help you count. Sol has the Women’s North American Championship across her chest, and she spins to show that the Women’s Speed Championship is across her back! So if Sol puts her money on anyone, it’s Masha. And last Zaria checked, Sol was the MVP of the weekend. Sol had THREE matches back-to-back. And unlike Fatal Influence, ZaRuca doesn’t need to talk to make a statement. They just need to get in the ring.

Jazmyn says do not insult them like that. Zaria is just upset that this group are all real friends. And at least when Fatal Influence has a problem, they talk it out. Instead of ZaRuca, where it’s all “by accident.” Well the brawl pops off, that’s no accident! Sol DROPKICKS Fallon, Zaria RAMS into Jacy again and again, and Masha DECKS Jazmyn! Zaria feeds Jacy into Sol’s SUPERKICK! Zaria ROCKS Jacy, Masha DECKS her! The fans fire up while the Fatal Influence flounders away! Will Masha make sure Jacy Jayne is humbled once and for all? Or will that ego only grow exponentially on Sunday?

Six Man Tag: Trick Williams, Joe Hendry & Mike Santana VS Dark State!

The TNA- Er, Trick’N A World Champion is not happy tonight. Not just because he has to team with the two men he’s facing on Sunday, but because those guys put him through a table at the Great American Bash! Then he’s accused of being in league with Saquon Shugars, Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Cutler James. Can Trick beat the allegations by working together with the Prestigious and the Proud? Or will Dark State prove that whether it is NXT, TNA, or beyond, #NoOneIsSafe?

But then Santana FLIES to wipe Dark State out first! The fans fire up as Santana & Hendry go after these four wild dogs! Trick is a bit uncertain but Santana puts Saquon in. The bell rings, Santana dodges Saquon and BOOTS him! Santana goes up and over, blocks a kick to ENZIGIRI back! Santana then wrenches for the atomic FACEBUSTER! And SENTON! The fans fire up with Santana and he brings Saquon to a cover, ONE! Santana wrenches, wristlocks, but Trick tags himself in. Trick scoops Saquon to SLAM! And then scoops to SLAM again! Then he dodges a shot to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Saquon blocks a chop to throat chop!

Saquon shoves, Trick slips around to whip. Osiris sneaks a tag before Trick’s LEG LARIAT! Saquon wants Trick to take it easy, and Trick mocks Hendry. Hendry tells Trick to watch out, and Trick turns around into a LARIAT! Big Osiris talks trash as he looms over Trick, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Osiris bumps Trick off buckles. Osiris fires hands, then he SCRAPES Trick’s face off the ropes! Osiris fires body shots, tags Saquon, and Saquon RAMS Trick! Saquon feeds Trick to Osiris’s scoop and SLAM! Then Osiris scoops Saquon to SLAM him onto Trick! The fans boo but Saquon scrapes his sole off Trick’s face. Saquon CLUBS Trick, brings him around, and he tags Osiris back in. Feed to another scoop and another SLAM, then Osiris scoops Saquon again. SLAM onto knees! Trick gets the better of them and he fires hands! Osiris KNEES low, clinches, and back suplexes, but Trick lands out!

Trick staggers, Santana tags in! Santana dodges Osiris, BLASTS Dion & Saquon, then fires off CHOPS on Osiris! Santana bobs ‘n’ weaves as Osiris throws hands, then he ROCKS Osiris. The fans rally, Santana whips, but Osiris reverses. Santana springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Santana stays focused, but Dion distracts the ref! The ref keeps the raging Dion back, and Cutler trips Santana up! The fans boo, Santana warns Cutler, but Osiris THROWS Santana to the corner! LARIAT! Tag to Dion and he tags Saquon. They send Dion in and he RAMS Santana, and Saquon adds a DROPKICK!

Saquon & Dion feed Santana to Osiris for a scoop and POWERSLAM! Saquon covers, TWO! Santana toughs it out and the fans rally up, but Saquon drops knees. Tag to Dion and he fires forearms and body shots. Dion whips Santana, LARIATS him down, then covers, ONE!! Santana is still in this but Dion keeps him down with a rear bearhug. The fans rally for Santana as he endures. Santana fights up, only for Dion to SLAM him down! Dion squeezes tight, leans on Santana, but the fans rally. Santana fights up again, reaches out, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns, Santana is still fighting the bearhug, and he elbows his way free! Santana runs up to BLAST Osiris, Saquon gets away, and Dion picks Santana up! Dion throws Santana away, Santana DECKS Saquon! Dion waistlocks again but Santana bucks the O’Conner to then roll back and STUN- NO, Dion makes it a SLAM! Dion has Santana caught in the bearhug again! The fans rally for Santana, reaches out, but Dion keeps him from the ropes. Santana fires elbows again, but Dion CLUBS him on the back! Dion storms up, tags Osiris, and he sends Dion in. Santana goes up and over, Dion runs into Saquon!

Santana slips around Osiris, shoves him into Dion, then goes for his corner! Dion & Osiris hurry to drag Santana back! They whip Santana, he BOOTS Saquon! Roll back and DOUBLE STUNNER! The fans fire up as Santana is all alone! Saquon tags in and hurries to grab a leg! Santana BOOTS him away again! Hot tag to Hendry! The fans fire up as Hendry rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! Hendry fires hands on Osiris, but Osiris just smiles! Osiris swings, but into a wrench and DDT! Osiris flounders, Hendry dodges Dion to scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM! Kip up and… Saquon shoves him! Hendry catches Saquon on the return!

FALL AWAY SALM! Kip up and… TURN! The fans fire up with Hendry as he choke grips Saquon. Saquon fights free but Hendry fireman’s carries! WIDOWMAKER! Cover, Dark State breaks it! Santana & Trick storm in, it is another brawl! The fans fire up, Osiris TOSSES Trick while Hendry & Santana TOSS Saquon & Dion! Osiris runs up, Santana DUMPS him out! The fans fire up again as the TNA stars coordinate. Trick joins in, but he wants to take the lead because this is HIS brand! Santana & Hendry DECK Trick together! Santana goes up, out, then SUPERKICKS Cutler away! Hendry runs, Santana goes up, HIGH JUMP and MOONSAULT! Down goes Dark State!!

The fans are thunderous as Santana & Hendry rise up! Hendry & Santana put Dark State all in, and they figure they can take two each. But then wait, who is this now? THE SYSTEM!? TNA invades NXT in return for what Dark State did! Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & Johnny Dango Curtis help Santana & Hendry beat up Dark State 5v4! But that throws this match right out the window!

Winners: Dark State, by disqualification

The fans fire up as Santana, Hendry, Edwards, Myers & JDC stand tall! Security pulls Dark State out of there while Hendry & Santana warn Trick that he’ll get his! Is the Trick’N A Era about to come to an end?

Arianna Grace talks with the Women’s Locker Room.

Miss NXT knows Evolution was wonderful, but that battle royal was missing some… royalty! Wouldn’t they all agree? Karmen Petrovic sarcastically agrees. But honestly, it was also missing some of that #ShingShing. Evolve Women’s Champion, Kali Armstrong, laughs as she enters and asks Karmen what the heck was she gonna do in that battle royal? Cuz she damn sure wasn’t gonna win it! As a champion, Kali should’ve been in there! And then, Kali would be on her way to Paris for another title match. Karmen says she gets it, Kali is “feeling herself” after her first title defense and a win over the one and only Natalya.

But since Kali wants to come in here and run her mouth, maybe Karmen can talk with Ava and get a match to take that title right off Kali. Kali says Karmen has no idea who she’s talking to, does she? Because she doesn’t back down from nobody, and especially not Karmen. Talk to Ava, they can get it crackin’ tonight! Karmen says they sure will! Arianna says that escalated quickly. But is Karmen going to prove she’s ready to Evolve? Or will she get run through by the Kali Connection?

Jordynne Grace arrives!

The Juggernaut storms through the parking lot and into the building. Will the Fatal Influence make sure they’re not around for her to find them?

WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong VS Karmen Petrovic!

NXT returns as Sword Girl Karmen makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, history will be made with this Evolve title defended on NXT TV!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Kali THROWS Karmen down, and Kali talks trash already. Kali and Karmen reset, and Karmen sweeps the legs! Then she LEG LARIATS! Karmen taunts Kali back, then KICKS! KICKS! And steps over to HEEL KICK! Karmen whips, Kali reverses, but Karmen goes up to SOBAT! Karmen runs up, ducks, but Kali ROCKS her with the left! Then DECKS her with the right! The fans fire up, Kali reels Karmen in and whips her to ropes. Karmen ducks ‘n’ dodges but Kali scoops to POWERSLAM! Kali builds speed, but Jordynne Grace trips her up!? And then drags her out to URAKEN!?

Winner: Kali Armstrong, by disqualification (still WWE Evolve Women’s Champion)

Kali keeps her title but now she wanted to do it! Grace doesn’t care about anyone else right now as she then storms up on Karmen, blocks a kick, and hits the MUSCLE PLEX! Grace demands a mic, a mic is given, and Grace shouts, “BLAKE!!” The fans fire up as Grace says she is not leaving this ring until Blake gets out here to tell us why she did what she did! Stevie Turner & Robert Stone show up instead and tell Grace that Blake isn’t even here so she has to calm down. Grace does not calm down, but then the tron plays a message! “Breaking news! Blake Monroe despises everything about Jordynne Grace!”

What? Footage replays of Blake playing up being a friend, and then he betrayal! “Blake Monroe believes Jordynne Grace isn’t even worthy to carry her shoes, much less the NXT Women’s Championship. When you look at Blake Monroe, and then you look at Jordynne Grace, who would you rather be? Yeah, she thought so.” Blake then speaks for herself by saying, “Oh, it’s not your fault, JG. But you are cordially invited to sit front row next week in Houston when I make my NXT singles debut! Then you’ll see the difference between me and you.” Stone says see? That’s enough, right? Blake isn’t here, Grace has to wait until next week.

Stevie tries to usher Grace out of the ring, but Grace DECKS her, and SPINEBUSTERS Stone! Grace is furious as she storms to the back! Ava and security show up and Ava tells Grace that she needs to stop! Grace storms off, will Blake regret every turning on the Juggernaut?

LFG’s Team Undertaker is backstage.

And they’re feeling great! Dani’s got a point, Shiloh’s got a point, they are unstoppable! Sunday is big, but Tuesday sees Taker head home to Houston for NXT! Bayley Humphrey says that is gonna be sick! But wait, Trick storms through. He tells them to watch out! Did they not see what happened to him out there? Oh, okay, they’re on the hit A&E show, so they think they can do whatever they want, huh? Newsflash: When the Trick’N A Champion tells you to move, you move! And if you’re feeling froggy, let’s jump! LFG, let’s talk about it! Drake Morreaux wants to step up but Shiloh has him stand down.

Trick says don’t hurt yourself now. Maybe go ask Taker if it’s a good idea stepping to Trick or not. Trick tells this is a waste of time anyway. He doesn’t see what Taker sees in them. Trick storms off, and then Shiloh gets a call. It’s from Taker! Shiloh answers, was the American Badass watching? What advice is he about to give his team about dealing with bullies?

Jasper Troy enters Ava’s office.

He knows she wanted to see him, and she says what happened on Saturday was unacceptable. Yes, Troy’s PLE debut match against Je’Von Evans didn’t go his way, but attacking Ricky Saints like that was the wrong choice. Troy can’t just attack those who upset him. Troy says he was just standing there, they bumped into him. Ava says Troy may have won LFG Season 1, and he may want to keep that momentum going, but he is in NXT now. If he wants to prove himself, he does it in the matches she puts together. Okay, let him get this straight: he was minding his own business, Ricky Saints bumps into him, so he got what was coming to him!

Ava says this is NXT. They settle things int he ring. Next week< Troy VS Saints, 1v1 in Houston. Troy smiles and says, “Say less. Ricky Saints is gonna bend the knee, then I’m gonna break him.” Troy storms off, will the MonStar bring absolute destruction to H-Town?

Backstage interview with Lash Legend.

Kelly Kincaid is with the woman who had a dominant performance in the Evolution Battle Royal, lasting until she was the runner-up! The Bougie Bully says that’s right! Lash Legend talked a big game, backed it up in her city of ATL, and she threw out some big names! Zelina Vega, Nikki Bella, and even Nia Jax! Girl, she could’ve won the whole thing, just saying. But then what does Lash plan to do next? Well, we’ll see on Sunday that one woman will walk out with two titles. So on Tuesday in Houston, Lash will greet the double champ. If it is Masha, then she meets the one ‘n’ only. And if it’s Jacy, then-

Jaida Parker walks in chanting, “Miss Parker! Miss Parker!” She asks if Lash remembers hearing that, because Jaida sure does. And well, Lash ain’t the only woman that made an impression. Hell, Jaida threw out the future Hall of Famer, Natalya! And she had Lash’s city chanting her name. If it is anyone confronting the double champ, it is Miss Parker, #ClockIt. Lash says the delusion! Girl bye. Jaida and Lash might just clash, who will be deemed worthy of challenging the dual NXT-TNA Women’s Champion?

Family Business Triple Threat: Tony D’Angelo VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo VS Luca Crusifino!

Once upon a time, a young man became The Don of NXT, and it was the dawn of something special. Tony D would bring in his best friend as his Underboss. Then he would bring in his cousin, Adrianna Rizzo, as his enforcer and voice of reason. And lastly, he would bring in a Legal Eagle to be the Consigliere. The D’Angelo Family did many great things, collected many championships, but there were cracks in the foundation cause by ego and jealousy. The foundation has cracked, the house must fall! This is the final ride, but who will stand tall atop the rubble?

NXT returns as Tony makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up, even as Tony stands in the corner, facing the post. Stacks tells Tony not to turn his back on him! Stacks storms up, turns Tony around, and Tony fires haymakers! Tony puts Stacks in the corner, fires hands, but Luca storms up. Tony ROCKS Luca! Luca and Stacks each grab an arm, Tony breaks free and throws more hands! Tony runs, he CLOBBERS Luca, then CLOBBERS Stacks! Tony kicks Luca, clinches, and lifts him for a SPINEBUSTER! Tony rains down fists, stands Luca back up, but Luca wrenches. Tony dodges, Stacks ROCKS Luca, then reels him in.

Tony runs up and he LARIATS Stacks into giving Luca the DDT! The fans fire up, Tony covers Luca, but Stacks drags Tony away! Tony BOOTS Stacks, Stacks wants Tony to hold on, and Stacks scrambles to the corner! Stacks looks around between steps and post, but he finds no crowbar. Tony says he knows Stacks better than he knows himself, he took the crowbar away! Stacks runs up but Tony fires haymakers! Tony RAMS into Stacks again and again, then TOSSES him across the way! The fans fire up but then Luca CLOBBERS Tony! The fans fire up again, Stacks runs up, but into a QUICK DRAW!

Luca drags Stacks up, kicks Tony first, then adds him to the mix. The fans rally as Luca tries, but he can’t double suplex Tony & Stacks! Tony & Stacks DOUBLE SUPLEX Luca! Only for Luca to DOUBLE DDT counter! The fans fire up with Crusifino and he brings Tony up. Luca whips, Tony reverses, but then Luca DUMPS Tony out! Luca dodges Stacks, JUMP KNEES, and Tony drags Stacks out! They scrap, but Luca WRECKS them both with a dropkick! Luca puts Stacks in the ring, the fans chant, “That’s My Lawyer!” But Tony waistlocks Luca! Luca holds onto the ropes for dear life! Stacks runs up and BOOTS Tony down!

Stacks then triangle jump LARIATS Luca down onto Tony! The fans boo as the Underboss has control, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Stacks talks trash before he goes out to fetch Tony. Stacks talks more trash, RAMS Tony into the apron, then stands Luca up. Stacks whips Luca hard into steel steps! The ref checks Luca but Stacks is on him first. Stacks sits Luca up to SMACK him off the steps! Tony CLUBS Stacks! Tony whips Stacks into Luca! The rat and the lawyer are down, but Tony puts Stacks in the ring. Cover, TWO! Stacks stays in this, he fires body shots but Tony CLUBS him! Tony bumps Stacks off buckles, watches him stagger and fall, then brings him up again. Tony bumps Stacks off buckles, Stacks staggers around, and he falls! REAR NAKED CHOKE!

The fans fire up as Stacks endures! But Luca runs in and SENTONS! Luca drags Tony up, ROCKS him, then fires body shots. Luca ROCKS Tony again and again, then stomps a mudhole in. Stacks grabs Luca to put him through the ropes! Stacks CLUBS Luca, goes up a corner, and he GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, Tony breaks it! The Don keeps this going, and he stares down with Stacks. stacks SLAPS Tony, Tony SLAPS back, and then they throw hands! Tony gets the edge but Stacks fires body shots. Stacks whips, but Tony rolls Stacks up, TWO! Stacks has a YES LOCK! But Luca clamps onto Stacks with a BULLY CHOKE!

Luca pulls, but Stacks reaches back to CLAW Luca’s eyes! All three men are loose, but Stacks puts Luca in a corner. Stacks stomps away on Luca, then he storms over to stomp away on Tony! Stacks digs his knee into Tony as NXT returns to single picture. Stacks steps off to then call his shot. Stacks runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL! And then CANNONBALL for Tony! Cover, TWO! Stacks rains down fists on Tony, talks trash to him, then goes back to Luca. Stacks brings Luca up, the fans all cheer for either Tony or Luca, but Stacks fires those hockey scrum shots on Luca. Tony clamps onto Stacks with a dragon sleeper, and gives him the body shots!

Tony suplexes, Stacks slips free, and he shoves Tony into Luca! Luca falls outta the ring, Stacks fires off on Tony! Stacks talks trash, gives him the kiss goodnight, and he whips, only for Tony to reverse! Tony TOSSES Stacks out onto Luca! The fans fire up for that D’Angelo classic! Tony goes out and lines up another shot, he LARIATS Luca! Stacks avoids the hit by crawling under the ring! The fans boo but Tony drags Stacks out! STACKS HAS THE CROWBAR! Stacks swings, Tony narrowly avoids it, but then Stacks kicks Tony away! Stacks runs up, Tony ducks while also hitting a BODY BLOW!

Tony runs back in, but Stacks sends him into the steel steps! Stacks puts Tony in the ring, and he DROPS THE DIME! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives the knee drop and Stacks is furious! Stacks kicks Tony to the apron, drags him through the ropes, and fires off hands! Stacks goes up the corner, takes aim, and GUILLOTINE- NO, Tony dodges the stomps! Luca UPPERCUTS Stacks! Luca whips Stacks back to the corner, runs back in, but Stacks dodges! Luca hits buckles, Tony CLBOBERS Stacks! But then Luca grabs Tony! Tony fights the suplex, Stacks waistlocks Luca! Tony slingshots to get up and over, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX!

The fans fire up and Tony hurries to cover Luca! TWO! The fans fire up, Tony is beside himself, but the fans are with him. Tony has Stacks and puts him up top. Tony climbs, but Luca gets under Tony! Tony still has Stacks in the clinch, it’s a D’ANGELO DOOMSDAY! Luca powerbombs Tony while Tony overhead suplexes Stacks! The fans are thunderous and are now behind Luca! Luca rises, runs corner to corner, and he UPPERCUTS Stacks! Then he runs up on Tony! Tony dodges to LARIAT Stacks! Tony returns to LARIAT Luca! Tony keeps moving, but Stacks BOOTS Tony! Stacks tackles Tony, jackknife roll, but Tony rolls through! BUCKLE BOMB!

Luca BOOTS Tony, whips him, but Tony reverses. Luca tumbles up and out, then slingshots back in, DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE on Tony & Stacks! The fans fire up as Luca runs again, to LAW BREAKER on Tony! Fisherman USHIGOROSHI for Stacks! Cover, TWO!! Stacks survives and Luca is beside himself! The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” Luca drags Stacks up, Tony runs in, but Luca BOOTS Tony! And SUPERKICKS! Luca and Stacks hit SHATTER MACHINE on Tony?!? But then Stacks POSTS Luca! Cover on Tony! TWO!?!? The Don survives and shocks Stacks! The fans are thunderous, but Stacks spots the crowbar!

Stacks crawls that way, but Luca grabs Stacks’ hand! Luca YANKS Stacks outta the ring, then Luca takes the crowbar! The fans fire up as Luca says Stacks ruined the family! Luca takes aim, but Stacks RAMS Luca into the post! Stacks hast he crowbar, he aims, and says Luca always belonged in the shadows. Stacks swings, Luca dodges, and Tony SPEARS Stacks through a wall!! The fans go nuts as The Don and Underboss just busted through the perch! And then Tony TOSSES Stacks back to ringside! The fans are thunderous as Tony puts Stacks in the ring. Luca storms up but Tony HEADBUTTS him! And SPINEBUSTER through the desk!!

SPINEBUSTER for Stacks in the ring, and Tony covers, TONY WINS!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall

The Don made this family, and in the end, he was the one to put it to rest. But if there is no more D’Angelo Family, then is there no more Don of NXT? What will the future hold for all three men now that they’re all men apart?

The No Quarter Catch Crew talks backstage.

It has been a week and Tavion Heights still can’t understand why Wren Sinclair threw the towel in. She says she cares about Tavion, and Charlies Dempsey wasn’t going to let up. She knows Tavion is a badass, but he can’t be badass if he gets injured. Tavion is still upset, but Wren asks if he’d really risk his whole career on a torn muscle just to get out of NQCC? Tavion says it isn’t even about leaving NQCC! But look at Myles Borne! Myles got his shot, Tavion wants his own! Tavion knows what he can do as a singles wrestler! And the truth of the matter is… Tavion trails off as he sees Charlie Dempsey walks in.

Charlie says it’s okay, Tavion, he can keep going. Tavion says yeah, Dempsey beat him, so he has nothing to say to Charlie. Right, other than blame poor Wren here. Charlie says better luck next week, because they can always go again. Before Tavion can answer, Wren says they’re going to be too busy next week. Doing what? Doing something for Wren for once! She is facing Blake Monroe in her home state of Texas! Tavion says heck yeah! Tavion tells Charlie they’ll table their issue for now, they should do this for Wren. Charlie says sure, they’ll table this, for now. Wren tells them to stop, can’t she get a week?

And for the record, she would never leave them. So if they wanna be in her corner, totally their choice. Wren heads out, can the NQCC keep it together for all their benefit?

Josh Briggs is in the ring!

The fans boo the Bullhead Brawler as he has the mic, and he says, “Saturday at the Great American Bash, I watched the opportunity of a lifetime get squandered. I did everything that I could to make sure that my friend left with the NXT Championship. Look, he didn’t want to win as bad as I wanted him to win. That’s not even why I’m mad. How long has Inamura been here? What? Maybe a little less than a year? And he already got an NXT Championship match on a PLE? Bro, I’ve been here for four years having some of the best matches in NXT history, and I haven’t even sniffed an NXT Championship match.”

The fans boo and chant “You Suck!” at Briggs, but Briggs says Inamura is… What do you call it? Too nice. Inamura is too nice, and this is a cutthroat business. If you have an opportunity, you take your shot and win by any means necessary! But wait, OBA FEMI is here! The fans fire up for The Ruler heads to the ring. Briggs and Oba stare down, and Oba has a mic of his own to say, “Josh, you know Saturday was never supposed to be about you. But you were present in the guise of being in Inamura’s corner. But your presence that day cause some troubles. What you don’t understand is that whether you were there or not, The Ruler was always going to come out on top.”

The fans cheer but Briggs shakes his head. Oba says because of Briggs, that match was ruined! The people are questioning the validity of Oba’s victory, and it is all because Briggs! Briggs ruined it with his jealousy! JEALOUS?! Briggs saw Oba drowning in the deep end, and Inamura let Oba up for air. Oba has been taken to his limit every week, and he’s about to break. Nothing lasts forever. And Oba knows now that Inamura is a man of honor, but he also knows for damn sure that Briggs is not! The fans boo, but Inamura storms out here to confront Briggs. Briggs doesn’t speak for Inamura! What is Briggs even doing right now?

Briggs says he is doing what Inamura should’ve done at The Bash. Oba says we all know Inamura deserves another shot at the title, and that Briggs doesn’t deserve a single thing! Briggs says no, the only reason Oba thinks that is because Oba knows Inamura won’t do whatever it takes! Inamura speaks up, “Damare! <Shut up!>” Inamura tells Briggs that Inamura is his own man! And he will do what it takes to win, but he’ll do it with HONOR! HIS WAY! The fans cheer that! Briggs says if Inamura is so confident, then how about this? Next week, Houston, TRIPLE THREAT for the NXT Championship! Inamura says yeah, sure!

Oba says Briggs’ pride will be his downfall. Is this really what Briggs wants? BRIGGS THROWS HANDS! The fans fire up for the brawl, Briggs shoves Inamura away and keeps after Oba! Oba turns things around, Briggs dodges so Oba ends up hitting Inamura! Oba and Briggs brawl again, Inamura storms up but Briggs ELBOWS Inamura! Briggs LARIATS Oba up and out, and then Briggs realizes what he did to Inamura. Briggs walks over to his friend, but too late for that as Inamura shoves Briggs! Oba wants back in, but refs and security rush out there! Will the NXT Championship match be bigger in Texas?

Ethan Page speaks.

O Canada plays in the background as All Ego says, “The past two weeks we have celebrated some great days. July 1st, Canada Day, where Canada gained it’s independence from Great Britain. Amazing. As well as July 4th, where we all celebrated this great nation turning 249 years old! Incredible. And this Saturday, The Great American Bash, All Ego Ethan Page, North America’s favorite athlete, competed against Ricky Saints in a Falls Count Anywhere match where I almost broke my back, risking life and limb to turn back Ricky Saints and successfully defend the North American Championship for the countries it represents.

“Now personally, I’m ready for a celebration. Just not tonight. And not because of the fickle people of Orlando. But because I truly can’t think of a better place to celebrate such a huge triumph than the heart of America, Houston, Texas. God bless each and every one of you, and God bless America.” The Egomaniac might be a bit sarcastic here, but will he have his own great North American bash next week?

Backstage interview with Ricky Saints.

Kelly Kincaid is now with The Absolute, and she asks that after the brutal Falls Count Anywhere on Saturday, how is he feeling? Saints will put it this way: a lesser man wouldn’t be standing here right now. When he came to NXT, he promised everyone that he was going to be the man around here, and the only way to do that is to show up and show out every time out. Saints did that on Saturday. Yes, Ethan retained, but that is not without Saints mentioning Jasper Troy. Troy picked the wrong place but the right guy in Ricky. What Troy lacks in experience, he makes up for it in his rage. That rage has cost Troy some matches, but guess what? It’ll cost Troy again in Houston.

Saints promises that Troy finds out why Saints is everything that he says he is, and that is Absolute. Saints heads out, will he bring down the MonStar?

BREAKING NEWS for NXT Houston!

That call to Shiloh earlier was about Taker’s appearance on NXT next week. Taker even tweeted that Trick better watch himself! TNA Championship or not, Trick better stay out of Taker’s yard. Will Taker and Trick have it out with more than just words when NXT arrives in Houston?

Masha & ZaRuca prepare backstage.

All three are confident that they’ve got this handled tonight against Fatal Influence. Sol assures Masha she’ll easily become a double champion. Masha thanks them for that, but guess what? That’s Sunday. This is tonight. Time to kick some ass! They head out, but The Culling is in the background. Izzi Dame finds Tatum Paxley hunkered in a corner and tells her to stand up. Tatum doesn’t want them to be mad at her. They lost at Great American Bash and at Evolution, it’s all her fault! Izzi says she isn’t mad at Tatum, she’s mad at Sol. They’ll always be friends, that’ll never change. Wow, no one’s ever said that to her before.

Izzi says that’s the problem with this place. But Tatum doesn’t have to worry about that with The Culling. Okay. Then Tatum has an idea. Oh? Izzi, Spears & Vance are intrigued, what could be going on in Tatum’s twisted mind?

Six Woman Tag: Masha Slamovich & ZaRuca VS The Fatal Influence!

The Russian Dynamite, The Sol Surfer & The Agent of Change stand against the Toxic Rockstar, Toxic Cowgirl, and their soccer ace, a lot of gold shining in the spotlight. But who will be riding high just days away from TNA Slammiversary?

The trios sort out and… Wait, is that Lexis King in the crowd? Wearing noise-cancelling headphones? The Drama King has been really weird lately, hasn’t he? Anyway, we start with Fallon and Zaria. They tie up, are in a deadlock as Fallon can’t push Zaria back. Zaria SHOVES Fallon down, Fallon gets up, and Zaria runs in. Fallon dodges, comes back, but Zaria grabs her around the neck! Fallon breaks free, kicks a leg, then ROCKS Zaria! Fallon runs, Zaria shoves her away to then CLOBBER her! Zaria tags Sol, then she wrenches Fallon. Sol goes up, AX HANDLES the arm, then wrenches Fallon to YANK the arm.

Sol hits an ARM CODE BREAKER, then tags Masha in. The fans fire up as Masha snapmares Fallon again and again and again! Fallon is dizzy, Masha KICKS her in the back! Then KICKS her in the front! Cover, TWO! The fans do the wave for “SOL~!” Fallon HEADBUTTS Masha, she bumps her off buckles, then tags Jazmyn. They mug Masha with kicks and knees, then a springboard FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Jazmyn runs up, Masha drop toeholds her onto ropes! Masha goes out to BOOT Jazmyn in, then she runs to LARIAT Jazmyn! Jazmyn scrambles away, Jacy tags in while berating Jazmyn for messing up.

Jacy storms in but the fans are on Masha’s side. The two circle, Jacy kicks but Masha blocks to roll her up! TWO, Masha Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Jacy swings, but Masha stops the crucifix, only for Jacy to arm-drag! Jacy ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Jacy runs up to ELBOW Masha down! Cover, TWO! Jacy scuffs Masha and says Masha is not on her level! This is Jacy’s ring! But Masha fires boxing elbows and a ROUNDHOUSE! The fans fire up while Jacy flops down. Masha runs in at the corner to ELBOW Masha! Tag to Zaria, then she tags Sol. Masha feeds Jacy to the DOUBLE HIP TOSS, and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP!

Masha adds a PENALTY KICK! Sol covers, TWO! Sol wrenches Jacy, YANKS the arm, but wait, Ava is in the crowd now, trying to get Lexis’ attention. She snatches the headset off him! They argue, Sol picks Jacy up, but Fallon runs in! But instead of the save, Sol SMACKS Fallon with Jacy’s boots! Then she hits the SLAM! The fans fire up as Sol then stands on Jacy to hang ten! Jazmyn runs up, Sol scoops her to SLAM her onto Jacy! Cover, TWO! The fans also taunt Lexis, “Hey hey hey, good-bye~!” Jacy whips Sol, Sol ELBOWS back, but Jazmyn HOTSHOTS Sol! Jacy SUPERKICKS Sol, then tags in Fallon! Fallon swings on the post to KICK Sol down!

The fans boo but Fatal Influence soaks up that heat as NXT goes picture in picture.

Jacy taunts Zaria and Masha while Sol sputters. Fallon drags Sol up and SMACKS her off the apron. Fallon puts Sol in the ring, covers, TWO! Fallon argues the count, then she clamps onto a neck wrench. Sol endures but Fallon fires knees! Sol falls, Fallon covers, TWO! Fallon drags Sol up but Sol fires body shots. Solo ROCKS Fallon, Fallon BOOTS Sol! Fallon bumps Sol off buckles, tags Jazmyn, and they mug Sol. Jazmyn digs her boot in, steps off as the ref counts, and Jazmyn brings Sol around to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Jazmyn keeps Sol hooked! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover again, TWO!

Jazmyn bridges to have a CHANCERY on Sol! Sol endures, fights, but Jazmyn flips around to keep Sol from her corner. Sol BACKDROPS Jazmyn! Jazmyn sunset flips, Sol rolls through, but Jazmyn sweeps the legs! Jazmyn dribbles Sol off the mat, puts her in the corner, tag to Jacy. Jacy stomps a mudhole, digs her boot in, but stops at 4. Jacy digs her boot in again, again stops at 4, then HIP DROPS Sol! Jacy clamps onto Sol with a chinlock, and NXT returns to single picture. Sol fights up, she RAMS Jacy into buckles, but Jacy holds on! Sol RAMS Jacy in again, is free this time, but Jacy jumps back on!

Jacy has a SLEEPER now, but Sol hits a BACKPACK SENTON! The fans fire up while both women are down! Sol and Jacy flounder, crawl, and hot tags to Jazmyn and Zaria! Zaria rallies on Jazmyn, BOOTS Fallon, then hits a BIG back suplex on Jazmyn! GERMAN SUPLEX for Fallon! The fans fire up with Zaria and she runs up to fireman’s carry Jazmyn. Fallon makes the save, Jacy makes the tag. Zaria runs up, Fallon & Jazmyn dodge and Jacy SUPERKICKS Zaria! Fallon & Jazmyn BLAST Masha & Sol! Then Jazmyn DROPKICKS Zaria! Zaria staggers, Jacy runs to hit the NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO!

Jacy is furious but the fans fire up. Jacy whips Zaria to the corner, back body blocks, then she tags Fallon. Fallon hits her own back body block, then tags Jazmyn, Jazmyn stomps a mudhole in, tags Jacy, and Jazmyn sends Jacy in, only for Zaria to ELBOW her away! Zaria DECKS Fallon, BOOTS Jazmyn, then goes up to DOUBLE FLYING LARIAT on Jacy & Jazmyn! Hot tag to Masha! The fans fire up as Masha rallies on Jacy! SUPERKICK for Jacy, BOOT for Jazmyn, then SHINING WIZARD for Jacy! And a BOOT! Masha runs to ROLLING WHEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Jacy survives but Masha stays focused.

The fans fire up with Masha and she drags Jacy up. Masha suplexes, but Jacy cradle counters! TWO!! Masha rises, Jacy ducks the buzzsaw to ROCK her with a forearm! Cording hold, KNEE SMASH, LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Masha is tougher than that but Jacy tags Jazmyn. They drag Masha over, then Fallon tags. Fallon & Jazmyn double whip to DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Then they both run, Jacy tags in, DOUBLE BULLDOG leads to the ROCKSTAR KNEE!! Cover, Zaria breaks it! The fans fire up but Fallon COHPS Zaria! Sol grabs Fallon’s arms to SURFBOARD BACKSTABBER! Jazmyn runs up, dodges, NYX KICK! Zaria SPEARS Jazmyn!

The fans are thunderous with Zaria, but wait! Izzi & Tatum are here to distract! Sol CANNONBALLS Tatum without question! Zaria CANNONBALLS Izzi, too! Spears says focus on the match! Hank ‘n’ Tank are here! They go after The Culling, and now it is a 4v4 co-ed brawl! That leaves Masha alone! Jacy & Fallon double whip, Masha crisscrosses them and HEEL KICKS Fallon! Masha dodges Jacy to then HEEL KICK her! Masha has Jacy, reels her in, hooks a leg, SNOW PLOW SUPLEX!! Cover, Masha & ZaRuca win!

Winners: Masha Slamovich & ZaRuca, by pinfall

The TNA Knockouts Champion just pinned the NXT Women’s Champion, but the NXT fans are all for it! Will Masha soon be TNA & NXT Women’s Champion? Or will the Fatal Influence find a way to defuse Russian Dynamite?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT to follow up the big Atlanta weekend, but not quite as powerful as last night’s Raw. Classic move to have opening promo set up main event, and Fatal Influence spinning their dysfunction as somehow healthy was a good Heel move. Good brawl from that promo, very good match in the main event, but of course The Culling starts beef again. Looks like we can get a Mixed 8 Person Tag of The Culling VS ZaRuca, Hank ‘n’ Tank out of this, and then maybe we get title rematches. As I said on Saturday, Izzi should support Tatum to go for the Women’s North American Championship, that’d be a nice change for the story.

That bit with Lexis King was weird, but I guess it goes in line with how weird he was being last week. Is Lexis slowly turning his character away from the obnoxious Drama King and heading for a Loose Cannon Brian Pillman Junior deal? Honestly, I dig that. After AEW folded Varsity Athletes to give way to Premier Athletes, Julia Hart found her House of Black persona, but Griff and Brian floundered. Griff recovered by joining Cole Karter as first Maria Kanellis’ team and then they formed Frat Housed, but Brian never really found himself in AEW. Or perhaps was never given the chance, looking back at “Lineage” with Arn & Brock Anderson not even being officially announced.

Great promo from Ethan Page to hype up next week, and it really seems like NXT Houston next week is going to be a huge episode. Ethan’s celebration of himself is surely “ruined” by Je’Von Evans to set up something for Heatwave. Good promos from Jasper Troy with Ava and then Ricky Saints backstage to set up their match. That’ll be great stuff, and could set up the winner for a shot at THE NXT Championship for Heatwave. And that’s because we’re getting an awesome Triple Threat next week for that title. Great promo from Briggs, Oba and Inamura, and it’s kinda like we’re recreating Oba VS Briggs VS Dijak, just with Inamura. But would they really have the title change hands on TV, even with it being live in front of a Houston crowd?

Very good Six Man Tag from Dark State VS Trick, Hendry & Santana, and it works that The System showed up to go after Dark State. The disqualification finish keeps Trick, Hendry & Santana all fairly strong going into their title match, but again there is Thursday and TNA Impact to figure out some final go-home math. As I said on Great American Bash, I think Dark State helping Trick is the best way for him to win so it keeps Hendry and Santana strong. At the same time, this so easily makes for a 5v5 of Team TNA VS Team NXT, aka Hendry, Santana & The System VS Trick & Dark State. Survivor Series is in November, NXT hasn’t planned that far out, but they could do something to match the theme.

Also good bit from Trick with Undertaker’s LFG team. Taker showing up for NXT Houston was one thing, but now he and Trick might have it out. At the very least, Taker helps set up like Trick VS Drake Morreaux, or Shiloh Hill, whoever is doing better in LFG. Good stuff featuring Kali Armstrong and the Evolve Women’s Championship tonight, but I did not think it’d be as a vehicle to feature Grace brutalizing people and calling out Blake Monroe. Good promo from NQCC to show there are still tensions, but also to set up Wren VS Blake. Blake surely wins, but she and Grace are obviously going to face off at Heatwave.

And great stuff with the D’Angelo Family “final ride.” This is perhaps the first time there’s been a three-way breakup of a group. Tag teams fall apart all the time, and factions either divide into halves or kick members out as they need to, but this was three men all agreeing they need to ditch the other two if they wanna get ahead. And as I’d been saying during this, that’s true, because none of them are reaching THE NXT Championship as they are. Stacks is still labeled Heritage Cup Champion, so it’s just a matter of him fishing it out of the river, but Tony can now move up to face whoever wins the Triple Threat in Houston. Bada bing, bada boom, Tony is new Grand Slam Champion in NXT.

My Score: 8.8/10

The landscape has changed drastically!

Gunther is still WWE World Heavyweight Champion, but NAOMI is the NEW Women’s World Champion, and they’re both here, tonight on Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez w/ Dominik Mysterio VS The Kabuki Warriors; Raquel & Roxanne win.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: Lyra Valkyria VS Bayley; Lyra wins and will challenge Becky Lynch for the title at SummerSlam.
• Nikki Bella VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Nikki wins.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet: CM Punk wins and will challenge GUNTHER for the title at SummerSlam.

PLAY BY PLAY

Naomi is here!

Birmingham, Alabama fires up as the NEW WWE Women’s World Champion makes her way to the ring! Naomi not only wears the belt, but her gear has a newspaper pattern with the headlines all about her win at Evolution. Naomi takes the mic and says, “Uh-huh! Uh-huh! UH-HUH!” The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” but Naomi says no no no no no no! NOPE! She doesn’t wanna hear none of that now! They weren’t feeling the glow, but they feeling her now, ain’t you? And why y’all acting like y’all saw this coming? They all assumed she was after Tiffany Stratton. But she warned us. She warned ALL of us! Ain’t nobody know her next move until she makes it!

That is why she is her the NEW WWE Women’s World Champion! The fans fire up for that! Naomi says she is so done with that foolishness on SmackDown. Bianca, Naomi wants you to take a good, cold, hard look at this. Naomi didn’t betray Bianca, she outgrew her. And if she’s keeping it 100, Bianca and Jade never really wanted Naomi to succeed. They wanted her as a friend, a partner, as a third wheel, as a FLUNKY, so long as it was convenient for them! Naomi mocks the “What?” and says who has the upper hand now, B*TCHES!? Jade might’ve got her lick back on Evolution, but Naomi made history!

Naomi may be new on Raw, but all you raggedy heifers in the locker room, she strongly advises you to #ProceedWithCaution! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out! Birmingham fires up for Mami as she makes her way to the ring, staring Naomi down the entire way. Rhea steps into the ring, mic in hand, and she says one thing Naomi should know about her is she’s not cautious. Rhea is reckless and she’s pissed! Because Rhea walked into Evolution with two goals: To finally beat Iyo Sky, and to get back the Women’s World Championship. And now, all because of Naomi, Rhea still has those two goals.

Congrats, Naomi, you just made it onto Rhea’s list! But wait, here comes IYO SKY! The fans fire up again as now the Genius of the Sky goes to the ring! Naomi is growing more and more annoyed as Iyo grabs herself a mic. Iyo tells Rhea that with respect, get in line behind her! Iyo walked into Evolution the Women’s World Champion, so now she will get back HER title from Naomi! The fans cheer that! Naomi says, “I dunno what you just said, but you and her can get y’all entitled asses outta my face and to the back of the line!” The fans boo but neither Rhea or Iyo take kindly to that. Naomi laughs as she says they’re going to the backity back of the line!

Rhea says how dare Naomi get in their match! Naomi didn’t even deserve that shot! The arguing gets loud, Adam Pearce hurries out here to calm everyone down. What he has to say next pertains to all three of them. Firstly, congratulations to Naomi and welcome to Monday Night Raw. Naomi has always made the most out of her moments, and last night, the single biggest moment of her career, congratulations! The fans cheer that! But Iyo, Rhea, he gets it. That moment came at their expense so he gets why they’re pissed. But he has to say it, that match they had was absolute magic. The fans cheer that, too!

Pearce continues by saying it is simple. In three weeks, SummerSlam in New Jersey, the first-ever TWO NIGHT SummerSlam ever, so it is bigger than ever! The attractions have to be bigger! The box office has to be bigger! The magic has to be bigger! And as big as it was at Evolution, WWE has to blow the proverbial roof off of Metlife Stadium! The fans do cheer that, and Pearce says that is what they will do! It will be Iyo Sky VS Rhea Ripley VS Naomi for the Women’s World Championship in a Triple Threat! They will make magic at SummerSlam! The fans cheer, all three women are ready, but who will defy the odds to be the one?

The Judgment Day meets in the clubhouse.

Finn Balor is wearing his WWE World Tag Team Championship belt while carrying the other four! JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio step in, they have a good chuckle, and Finn says he shined Dom’s belt up real nice for him. Dom thanks Finn, but says he can’t relax with AJ Styles stalking him. Dom never knows where AJ is! Finn says Dom can relax, because as long as Dom has that doctor’s note, he is untouchable. Now, let’s focus on fully supporting the brightest stars of the weekend, the Women’s Tag Team Champions! Finn hands those belts over to Roxanne & Raquel, they thank him, and Roxie wishes she could take the credit, but all the hard work was done by Raquel.

Raquel says Roxie did hold her own, and she kept her word. But let’s keep that same energy tonight as they go against Kabuki Warriors 2v2. JD even sets that match up on WWE 2K. For that matter, Asuka & Kairi Sane have been causing some trouble, so Finn got them some extra protection. From one champ to the other champs, maybe Dom should escort the ladies out there? Roxie likes that idea, but Dom asks why it has to be him. Well think about this: The Judgment Day can show the world how strong they are, and Liv Morgan loves those titles. They gotta do everything they can to keep those belts in the clubhouse.

Finn says, “For Liv!” Dom fist bumps Finn and says, “For Liv.” Dom accompanies Roxie & Raquel while JD & Finn run the match on the sim. Finn looks to the Liv memorial and says this is for her. But is it, though? Is it?

Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez w/ Dominik Mysterio VS The Kabuki Warriors!

Raw returns as Judgment Day make their entrance, Empress of Tomorrow & Pirate Princess already waiting. The teams sort out, Big Mami Cool starts against Kairi and they circle. Kairi slips around, waistlocks, but ducks an elbow. Kairi eggs Raquel on, dodges her again, then tilt-o-whirls, but Raquel throws Kairi away! Raquel CLOBBERS Kairi, but Kairi scrambles away. Asuka tags in and the fans fire up. Asuka and Raquel circle, Asuka blocks a shot but Raquel shoves her away. They go again, Asuka again snatches an arm, but Raquel scoops! The fans rally and Asuka slips around for a SLEEPER! Raquel hurries to a corner and RAMS Asuka into buckles!

Roxie tags in, Raquel snapmares Asuka, and Rosie runs to tilt-o-whirl RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie brings Asuka up, SLAPS her, but that just upsets Asuka. The fans rally up and Asuka says okay, bring it on! Roxie swings, misses, and Asuka fires off fast hands! And a KNEE! Asuka fires KAWADA KICKS, then KICKS Roxie down! The fans fire up with Asuka, she brings Roxie away, tag to Kairi. The Kabuki Warriors double whip, KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG and basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up, Kairi brings Roxie to a cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Kairi brings her up to TOSS her to a corner.

Kairi storms up to CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! Kairi lines up a DOUBLE CHOP! The fans fire up, Kairi runs, SLIDING D! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out, Dom soaks up heat for Judgment Day, but Kairi whips. Roxie reverses, Kairi goes up, but Roxie dumps her over! Kairi slides under but Roxie holds ropes! Roxie STOMPS Kairi, Raquel tags in, and Raquel drags Kairi up. Kairi shoves Raquel, then jumps on for a TRIANGLE HOLD! Raquel endures, Asuka intercepts Roxie! ARMBAR! The fans fire up as Judgment Day endures! Raquel powers up and POWERBOMBS Kairi onto Asuka! Then she deadlifts again, HOTSHOT off the ropes!

The fans boo but Dom wants to make sure Maggle saw that. Cole says yes, he sees what’s going on, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Raquel keeps Kairi from the corner. Kairi turns waistlock into wheelbarrow and then into a STUNNER! Raquel staggers back. Roxie tags in, and Roxie keeps Kairi from Asuka! Kairi hops on one foot, ENZIGIRIS Roxie, and the fans fire up! Kairi crawls, hot tag to Asuka! Asuka fires off KICKS on Roxie! Asuka whips, Roxie reverses, but Asuka HIP ATTACKS Raquel! Then Asuka dodges, bypasses, and CLOBBERS Roxie! The fans fire up, Asuka runs in at the corner, HEEL KICK! Raquel runs up but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Roxie tries but she gets a POP-UP KNEE! The fans fire up, SLIDING KICK from Asuka! Cover, TWO!

Asuka is frustrated but the fans rally behind her. Asuka brings Roxie up, wrenches, and she tags Kairi. Kairi fires the fans up and climbs, but Roxie fights the dragon sleeper! Asuka still stands Roxie up for a FLYIGN KABUKI ELBOW! Cover, Raquel breaks it! Asuka has Raquel, Raquel shoves her away, and then Raquel runs up! Asuka DUMPS Raquel out, tags in, and brings Roxie up. Asuka whips, Roxie reverses, but Kairi tags back in! Asuka dodges, Roxie hits buckles, and Kairi goes up again! But DOM distracts the ref! IN-SANE ELBOW DDT!! Cover, but the ref is too busy with Dirty Dom! The fans boo, but Asuka runs Dom off!

The ref finally sees the pin, but Raquel breaks it! Raquel drags Kairi out to RAM her into barriers! Raquel puts Kairi back in, but Asuka runs up! Raquel scoops, Asuka slips free, and Asuka POSTS Raquel! The fans fire up and Dom is worried. Asuka tags back in, she climbs up, and Roxie stands into the MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Asuka hurries to get Roxie again. Asuka URAKENS, SOBATS, KCIKS, HAYMAKERS, then SUPERKICKS! Roxie wobbles, Asuka GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans fire up but Dom gets on the apron! Asuka tells Dom to get down, he doesn’t so she URAKENS him down! But Roxie rolls Asuka! with Raquel pushing her! JUDGMENT DAY WINS!

Winners: Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez, by pinfall

Dirty Dom’s “bad ribs” don’t seem so bad if he’s able to do all this! But will the numbers keep Judgment Day on top like always? Or can justice finally be served?

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed.

Jackie Redmond is with the Wise- er, Oracle, as well as the behemoths in Seth Rollins’ stable, and she does bring up Seth Rollins’ knee injury. Do we have the results of his evaluation from today? Heyman sighs and says no, he does not. It is just too soon. And c’mon, honestly. Seth Rollins has until next June to cash in his Money in the Bank contract. So until we crash into that deadline, his health right now is honestly irrelevant. What IS relevant tonight is the fact that tonight, Bron Breakker runs the gauntlet! Tonight, Bron Breakker goes through everything and everyone in his way! Tonight, Bron Breakker emerges as the NEW #1 Contender!

Tonight, Bron Breakker stamps his ticket to SummerSlam, goes on to defeat Gunther at SummerSlam, and becomes your next WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Bron glares into the camera, will he run through four other men to be the one facing Der Ring General?

Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.

Raw returns from break as Jackie is now with The Morrigan at gorilla. Jackie says tonight, Lyra and Bayley go 2 outta 3 falls, the winner going on to face Becky Lynch one more time for the Women’s Intercontinental Champion, all at SummerSlam. That means there are so many layers to this. How much is this about Becky and the title? And how much of this is personal with Bayley? Lyra asks if Jackie is serious. She is so sick talking about Bayley! This match will put the Bayley talk to bed, and put things back to how it should’ve been: Lyra VS Becky. After tonight, you can ask Lyra about her upcoming title match at SummerSlam.

Jackie says that’s fair. But- Oh, Bayley steps in! Bayley tells Lyra that whoever loses tonight is at the back of the line! As much as Lyra wants this, Bayley NEEDS this. Lyra says Bayley makes it all about herself, as she always has. Lyra actually respects that. Lyra says she’ll see Bayley out there, but Bayley says maybe what’s best for Lyra is to stay out of Bayley’s way. Bayley makes her entrance first, but will she have the last word on this grudge match? Or will it be a turn of fortunes for Lyra?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: Lyra Valkyria VS Bayley!

The bell rings for the first fall, and the two tie up. Lyra headlocks, hits the takeover, and she grinds Bayley down. Bayley fights up, powers out, but Lyra comes back to headlock! Lyra grinds Bayley down, the fans rally, and Bayley powers up to power out. Lyra comes back to headlock yet again! Bayley lifts, she puts Lyra on the top rope, but Lyra still has the headlock. The ref counts, Both women let off, but Bayley pats Lyra on the head. The fans are torn but Lyra frowns. Lyra and Bayley circle, tie up, and Lyra arm-drags! And arm-drags! And then hurdles over Bayley’s tackle! Bayley tumbles out, Lyra eggs her on, and the fans duel.

Bayley storms in. Lyra dodges, and Lyra hits the HIP TOSS! Lyra pats Bayley on the head! The fans rally harder, Bayley SLAPS Lyra and rolls her up, with tights! Bayley scores first!

Lyra: 0; Bayley: 1

Lyra is livid but Bayley nods as that is the veteran savvy. Can Lyra avoid a sweep? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns again as the second fall is going, and Bayley grinds Lyra’s arm down. The fans rally up, Lyra rises, and Lyra fires forearms. Bayley fires back, they trade shots, and Bayley knees low! Bayley runs, but Lyra ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up, Lyra eggs Bayley on, then Lyra rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! SOBAT! KICK! RAM! KICK! HEEL KICK! The fans fire up as Lyra reels Bayley in, TORNADO- NO, Bayley stops the DDT! Bayley runs up, but Lyra hurdles! Bayley stumbles, Lyra SHOTGUNS her into buckles! Lyra drags Bayley up, TORNADO DDT and a roll through, to then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Bridging cover, TWO!

Bayley escapes that bridge and Lyra grows frustrated. The fans rally up as Lyra stalks Bayley to a corner. Lyra stomps a mudhole into Bayley, stops as the ref counts 4, and Lyra stands Bayley up. Lyra whips but Bayley reverses, and Lyra hits buckles hard! Bayley hesitates, perhaps feeling a little bad about that, but then she CLOBBERS Lyra! Cover, TWO! Bayley keeps on Lyra with stomps to the back! Lyra goes to ropes, Bayley brings her up and whips her hard into another corner. Lyra falls against the ropes but Bayley is on her again. Bayley CLUBS Lyra, but Lyra kicks back! Bayley trips Lyra, Lyra kicks and kicks and kicks free!

Bayley tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally, and Lyra fights through the pain to WRECK Bayley with a dropkick! Lyra fires up, the fans are with her, and Lyra brings Bayley up to the apron. Lyra fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free with elbows! Bayley lifts, APRON BACK SUPLEX! Lyra sputters and the fans fire up again! Bayley hurries to get Lyra in the ring, fireman’s carries, and SWINGING SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and Bayley grows frustrated. Bayley SLAPS Lyra on the back, then looms over her. Lyra glares at her in defiance. Bayley says if Lyra wants it so bad, here it is! Bayley rains down fists, then hauls Lyra up!

Bayley lifts, Lyra fights it, but Bayley turns takeover into stepover, LA MAGISTROL but Lyra smothers it! Lyra has the cover, and SCORES!

Lyra: 1; Bayley: 1

The fans fire up as we’re all tied up, and Bayley cannot believe it! It all comes down to the final fall and the fans rally up. Bayley dares Lyra to get up then! Then she runs to KNEE Lyra back down! Cover, TWO!! Lyra lives and Bayley can’t help but smile from how impressive Lyra is. The match continues on, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, the fans duel, and Lyra RAMS Bayley in the corner. Lyra then hits a DRAGON SCREW! Bayley writhes, crawls, but Lyra stalks her. Lyra runs up but Bayley puts her in the ropes! HOTSHOT STUNNER! Lyra flops and flounders while the fans rally up again. Bayley rises, runs up, but Lyra rolls her! Bayley rolls through to KNEE Lyra down again! Bayley leans against the ropes to catch her breath, and Lyra rises again. Bayley storms up but Lyra blocks the whip by holding ropes. The ref counts, Bayley CLUBS Lyra’s arm off the ropes, then clinches for BAYLEY- NO, Lyra fights the suplex with elbows!

Lyra puts Bayley in the corner, jumps up, but Bayley puts her up top! Lyra BOOTS Bayley away, then aims, PEREPETEIA onto a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives a different turn of fortunes and Bayley is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Bayley drags Lyra into the drop zone. Bayley climbs, but Lyra springs up to trip Bayley up! Lyra goes up, Bayley fights back with body shots! Bayley SHOVES Lyra down, but Lyra returns again! RISING FOREARM! Lyra cravats, SUPER POWERSLAM! Gut wrench, DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Bayley survives and Lyra is beside herself!

The fans again declare “This is Awesome!” as Lyra goes for a leg. Bayley kicks her away and Lyra goes to a corner. Bayley runs in, Lyra pops her up and out! Bayley’s leg jams! Lyra drags Bayley up but Bayley drags her to the outside! Bayley tries again but Lyra fights the back suplex! Lyra fireman’s carries but Bayley CLUBS away on Lyra! Lyra CLUBS the leg! And CLUBS it again! Lyra fisherman’s, APRON FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bayley hits hard then flops to the floor! The fans rally while Lyra slowly sits up. Lyra brings Bayley up, Bayley shoves her away! Bayley rolls into the ring, Lyra hurries but Bayley baseball slide dropkicks!

Lyra comes back at 7 of 10 but Bayley is on her! OKLAHOMA ROLL, TWO! Lyra is up, she trips Bayley to a jackknife bridge, TWO! The fans fire up, Lyra goes to a corner and Bayley shakes out the bad leg. Bayley eggs Lyra on, then runs in, but Lyra slips to the outside! Bayley hits buckles, Lyra DECKS Bayley! But Bayley kicks Lyra’s legs out! Lyra falls to the floor, Bayley goes outside and DAREDEVIL- NO, Lyra blocks the dropkick! Bayley kicks free and the fans fire up. Bayley runs up and SUSNET FLIP BOMBS Lyra into steel steps! The fans go nuts, Bayley puts Lyra in, and Bayley climbs! The fans fire up as Bayley is up top, MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Lyra survives, but Bayley clamps on the CROSSFACE! Bayley wants to make a statement! Lyra endures, reaches out, and claws her way over! But Bayley kicks off the ropes to roll Lyra! Lyra fireman’s carries! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Cover, LYRA WINS!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

In an epic comeback, Lyra wins 2-1 and has one more shot at The Big Time! But speaking of, Becky is here! The fans are torn seeing The Man hold up the title as she storms to the ring. Becky and Lyra are face to face once again, and Lyra promises to have her revenge! Will nothing stop Lyra from turning things around? Or will Becky keep holding her down?

Backstage interview with Stephanie Vaquer.

Jackie is now with La Primera and congratulates her on not only winning the Evolution Battle Royal, but also on earning her title shot. She must be so excited. Vaquer starts in Spanish, then translates to English that she came to the WWE to be a champion. In Paris, La Primera will be a champion. Then speaking of Clash In Paris, we can confirm that Vaquer competes for the Women’s World Championship. What are her thoughts on the Triple Threat set for- Chelsea Green “coughs” to interrupt, and she uses some French to say excuse her, but she has some thoughts. Chelsea thinks SHE should represent the WWE in Paris.

Really, who would we rather have in the City of Lights? “La Primavera,” which must be Spanish for loser~… Or La Chelsea Green, which in Canadian means winner~! Vaquer says if Chelsea really wants to know what La Primera means, take your best shot! The Secret Her-vice stands in the way, and Chelsea says she’d love to, but… She has her best shot against a WWE Hall of Famer. So for now, just look but you can’t touch. Get it? The Hot Mess heads out, Alba & Piper following. But will Fearless Nikki make sure The Green Administration learns to respect the Bella Army?

Karrion Kross speaks.

“Good people of the world, your favorite bad guys are now here to save the day. And where is Sami Zayn? He’s not here. Sami Zayn is hurt. Scarlett, do you believe that?” She does not, because Sami is a liar! Kross agrees. “All this big talk a few weeks ago about who’s a coward, who shows up, falls flat on their face, gets up and tries again, and here we are, Sami Zayn is nowhere to be found. Sami Zayn is hurt MY ASS!” Kross will share what he thinks: He gave Sami an ultimatum that Sami didn’t like, and Sami has folded. So guess what? Sami can stay home, and he shouldn’t come back until he is ready to say the words: KROSS TOLD THE TRUTH!

Nikki Bella VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!

Raw returns as The Hot Mess has joined Nikki in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, break, and the fans rally behind Nikki. They tie up again, go around, and Chelsea’s height is just enough leverage to push Nikki back. Nikki turns things around to have Chelsea on the ropes, the ref counts, and Nikki backs off at 4. Chelsea is upset but Alba & Piper calm her down. Chelsea and Nikki go again, tie up, and Nikki arm-drags! Then she slips around to roll Chelsea up, TWO! Chelsea runs up, Nikki drop toeholds her! Nikki taunts Chelsea, but Chelsea SLAPS her! Then she runs away from Nikki!

Nikki grabs at Chelsea, Chelsea uses the ropes as a defense, and the ref backs Nikki off. Chelsea sucker punches Nikki! The fans boo but Chelsea CLUBS away on Nikki! Chelsea whips, Nikki tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Chelsea stumbles up, Nikki ROCKS her! Nikki salutes, then dodges Chelsea to wrench and suplex! The fans fire up but Chelsea bails out. Nikki is annoyed that Chelsea wants a timeout, but that’s not this kind of match. Nikki storms out after Chelsea, the Secret Her-vice step in. The ref reprimands, Nikki goes to the ring, but Chelsea is there! Nikki blocks a boot to fire forearms! Nikki whips, Chelsea reverses, but Nikki ELBOWS in return!

Nikki goes up but Chelsea kicks the legs out! Nikki is in the ropes, Chelsea hits a DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Nikki tumbles out of the ring and Chelsea greens. The fans rally and the ring count climbs, but Chelsea soaks up that heat. Chelsea goes out to drag Nikki up and talk more trash. Chelsea THROWS  Nikki into barriers! Piper & Alba applaud but Chelsea tells Birmingham that their favorite isn’t good enough! Chelsea throws off her gloves, puts Nikki in, then runs to SLIDING FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Nikki is still tough but Chelsea stays on her. Chelsea KNEES Nikki in the back, KNEES her again, and pulls Nikki’s hair!

The ref reprimands, the fans rally, and Nikki fires elbows into Chelsea. Chelsea throws Nikki down by her hair! Chelsea clamps on a chinlock, there is some dueling starting, and Nikki fires body shots. Nikki runs but Chelsea reels her in! Nikki hits a KNEE SMASH! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Both women slowly rise, Chelsea runs up, but Nikki dodges! Nikki rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT, then she whips Chelsea to a corner. Nikki runs in, LARIATS, and she goes up, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Nikki fireman’s carries but Chelsea fights free! Chelsea turns Nikki, salutes, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Chelsea and her Secret Her-vice are upset, but Nikki isn’t a former champion for nothing. Chelsea drags Nikki up, chicken wings her, and turns her, but Nikki turns things around! BELLA BUSTER! Piper distracts the ref, Alba grabs Nikki, but Nikki POSTS Alba! Nikki DECKS Piper, but Chelsea pulls Nikki’s hair! Chicken wings, but Nikki rolls Chelsea up, rolls through, and torture racks! Chelsea fights that, Nikki fireman’s carries, T K O! Cover, Nikki wins!

Winner: Nikki Bella, by pinfall

But Piper CLOBBERS Nikki! The fans boo but Alba joins in, the Secret Her-vice feeds Nikki to a SUPERKICK! They whip, Piper scoops, BLACKHOLE SLAM! The fans boo more as Piper & Alba help Chelsea stand, but here comes Vaquer! The Dark Angel ROCKS Alba, SUPERKICKS her, then slides into the ring! She dodges Piper to DROPKICK her! Alba is back but Vaquer ROCKS her again! ANGEL’S WINGS! The fans fire up as Vaquer saves the living legend. Vaquer helps Nikki to her feet and they hug it out. Will Vaquer & Nikki work together to handle this Hot Mess?

The New Day & Grayson Waller talk with Adam Pearce.

Xavier Woods says they are still grieving the “death” of this tag division, and the first stage is bargaining. Wait, what? Well, the point is, they’re going to bargain with Pearce for a rematch by presenting him with this gift. Waller reveals two perfectly cut, grain fed, all organic… wigs. Y’know, for his bald head. It is human hair, hard to come by. When does The New Day get their rematch? Pearce says New Day don’t just “get” one. But don’t worry, next week on Raw, we find who the NEW #1 contenders will be. Yes, New Day will have an opportunity to earn the title match. Do not flip their wigs! Pearce flips them for the New Day, then heads out.

Pearce then spots The Judgment Day on their way out! Just the people he was looking for! Ladies, congrats on the win tonight. Dom, you must be feeling great! Athletic, nimble, spry, hopping around out there. How is he? Dom says it was the adrenaline. Oh? Y-Yeah, and he’s still tender. Plus, still not medically cleared. Pearce says what’s funny about that doctor’s note is, after Dom’s little antics out there, Pearce called WWE Medical. Next week, they will reevaluate Dom! But don’t worry, if he’s not cleared and gets a new doctor’s note, nothing to worry about. But if he IS cleared, then as fast as Pearce can, he will write a contract for Dom VS AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Championship!

Pearce storms off again, and Finn tells Dom no worries! There’s no way the doc will clear Dom. Dom says yeah, of course not. But then Styles is just around the corner, praying to God that Dom is healthy. Styles then signals he’s watching Dom. Dom counters that prayer with his own prayer to NOT be cleared! His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, will The Phenomenal One finally have retribution on Dirty Dom?

Penta prepares backstage.

The Man with Zero Fear is just one of five men to run tonight’s gauntlet, and Gunther walks over to stare him down! Gunther smiles, will this be the match-up we see at SummerSlam? For now, Der Ring General continues on towards gorilla, what will he have to say about retiring Bill Goldberg on Saturday?

Backstage interview with Rusev.

Jackie is with the Son of Thunder and says she has meant to congratulate him, as a couple of weeks ago, he and Sheamus put on one of the hardest hitting matches in recent memory. And in the end, it was Rusev who came out on top. The question is now, where does Rusev plan to go from here? Rusev says he has been called a god, but he might just be a saint warding off Irish snakes. But now, the world knows what Jackie knows, what Rusev knows, and what Sheamus now knows: Rusev is better, tougher, and superior to the Celtic Warrior! That is why Sheamus was glad to see Rusev go last week.

But wait! Sheamus steps into the room! The Fella says hey, Saint Patrick. Don’t worry, Sheamus isn’t here to ambush him, that’s not his style. But Sheamus did speak to Pearce, and Pearce saw how Rusev stole that match. So guess what? Pearce agrees that Rusev is a dirty, cheatin’ bastard. So now, they’re having a rematch! Rematch!? Yeah! Rusev didn’t think they were done after that, did he? That banger was the appetizer, save room for the main course. Oh right, Rusev doesn’t know about Sheamus’ new catchphrase: It is banger after banger after banger after banger after banger! Rusev says he came here to dominate gold, not gingers!

The Bulgarian Brute storms off, but will he and The Celtic Warrior go until there’s nothing left to give?

GUNTHER goes to the ring!

Birmingham is a bit torn seeing Der Ring General make his way out, World Heavyweight Championship still around his waist. But Gunther is all smiles as he grabs a mic and steps through the ropes. The fans boo but Gunther smiles more. “Well, I don’t get the issue, because I am in a great mood today! Because this past Saturday, on Saturday Night’s Main Event, I, Der Ring General, Gunther, retired Bill Goldberg!” The fans are again torn, but the chant of “GOLD~BERG!” echoes out. Gunther says he knows they aren’t the brighest in Alabama, but Goldberg is not here tonight! He’s not coming!

Because Gunther held every promise that he made before that match! Gunther bullied Goldberg, humiliated him, pushed him around, blew him up, choked him out, and he ENDED the myth of Bill Goldberg! The fans still chant “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther says there is only one question left to raise; Who’s Next? The fans boo Gunther mockingly using Goldberg’s catchphrase, but Gunther does want to know how is up next. But no worries, we’ll have an answer soon. In the next few months, Gunther will take a seat in the nice VIP suite to watch five of the finest competitors in the WWE today indeed compete for Gunther’s amusement.

And to identify who will be the official challenger for Der Ring General at SummerSlam. The winner of tonight’s gauntlet match, Gunther doesn’t care. For him, when the bell rings, they are all the same. But the sirens blare and it is Bron Breakker who makes his way out first! The fans fire up for the unpredictable badass, the attack dog of The Visionary’s stable, as he stares Gunther down, The Oracle right behind him. Gunther does not back down as Bron steps into the ring. These two stare down but Gunther smirks even. The fans bark for Bron, and Heyman… offers a handshake? Gunther shakes Heyman’s hand, and Heyman grabs his own mic.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman.” Gunther interrupts?! The fans boo that, but Gunther says we all know who Heyman is. Gunther has made his point, he is not interested in listening to what Heyman has to say, so he is going to leave now. Gunther drops the mic, but Bron stands in the way! Heyman says stick around a moment, Gunther, because this applies to you. Tonight, Bron Breakker runs the gauntlet, becomes #1 contender, goes on to the main event of SummerSlam, and he will beat Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. Now, understandably, that’s no easy task, we all saw how Gunther beat Goldberg.

But Gunther has never been speared until he’s been speared by Bron Breakker! Heyman will make this perfectly clear: Bron Breakker IS the Next Big Thing! Bron Breakker IS the Big Dog! And this is Bron Breakker’s yard! They’re not looking at just another contender, this is a STEINER! The fans cheer that! So y’know what that means? Bron will break through every barrier put in front of him, break through glass ceilings, and break Gunther’s ass at SummerSlam! There is going to be a NEW World Heavyweight Champion, a long term champion, and his name… is Bron… Breakker! The fans bark, and now Bron lets Gunther pass.

Gunther is moderately amused, but fans are chanting for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” The Best in the World is in the mix, but who is Bron’s first opponent? We find out after the break!

WWE World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet!

Raw returns and PENTA is first up! Will either one of these starters make it to the end? Or will it be much harder to run such a star-studded table?

Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman VS PENTA!

The bell rings the fans rally up as these two stare down. The dueling gets louder as the two circle. Then Penta fires off fast hands! Penta stomps away in the corner, throws down more hands, then fires up at the count of 4. The fans fire up with Penta, but Bron clinches to EXPLODER! The fans bark and Bron puts Penta in a corner. Bron RAMS into Penta again and again, then stops as the ref counts. Bron storms up on Penta, whips him to ropes, but Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Bron tumbles to a corner, the fans fire up, and Penta runs in. Bron puts Penta on the apron, Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES!

The fans fire up and Penta feeds off the energy. Penta stands Bron up to wind up and CHOP! The fans “WOO~” and Penta keep son Bron. Bron headlocks back, Penta powers up and out, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed! Bron CLOBBERS Penta! The fans bark, Bron huffs ‘n’ puffs, then he sees Penta go to the apron. Bron runs up, but Penta DUMPS Bron out! Bron tumbles, Penta slingshots in and builds speed, to FLY out onto Bron! The fans fire up as Bron goes down, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Penta is slumped over on the steel steps! The fans bark, Bron grins, and the ring count climbs. Bron drags Penta up, KNEES him low, then trophy lifts Penta! Bron SNAKE EYES Penta off the steps! Penta falls in a heap, Birmingham barks it up again, and Heyman is smiling ear to ear. Bron drags Penta up, puts him in the ring, but the fans duel. Bron stares down the fan wearing the Penta mask, then goes back to the real Penta. Bron stomps away, then hauls Penta up. Bron suplexes high and hard, then covers, but he lets off to do pushups! The fans are torn as Bron is playing with his food now.

Bron drags Penta up, TOSSES him to the apron, then brings him up. Penta fires body shots, then HOTSHOTS! Bron staggers away, Penta hurries back up, but Bron returns to pick Penta up! OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Penta toughs it out and Bron seethes. Gunther is indeed watching from the skybox while the fans rally up. Gunther is stoic as Bron clamps onto Penta with a chinlock. Penta fights up to fire body shots! Bron KNEES low, then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! Bron hauls Penta up, and he OVERHEAD SUPLEXES again! The fans bark, Bron goes to the corner, and Bron runs in! Penta SUPERKICKS Bron first!

Penta runs, dodges, mule kicks a leg out, then he runs to SLING-DOG! Bron goes to a corner, Penta GAMANGIRIS, then he HEADSTAND DROPKICKS! Bron sputters, Penta brings him up, and Penta whips. Bron reverses, Penta goes up, over, and BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Bron stays in this, Gunther stays unimpressed, but the fans fire up. Penta aims from a corner, runs in, but into a JUMP KNEE! Bron fireman’s carries Penta but Penta fights free! Penta pump handles, but Bron fights free! Penta SUPERKICKS again, runs, and springboards, INTO THE SPEAR!! Cover, Bron ELIMINATES Penta! One down, three to go! But who’s next? L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!

Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman VS LA Knight!

The Mega Star still owes all of Rollins’ goons a beating, but can he bring Bron down? Or is he just the next man to be broken?

Knight rushes in, Bron runs up but Knight fires hands! They go back and forth, bark and “YEAH!” echoing! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” as Knight has the edge, but Bron KNEES low! Bron whips, Knight bounces off buckles to LARIAT! Knight has Bron up, suplexes, but Bron blocks! Bron suplexes, Knight lands out to NECKBREAKER! Knight mocks the twitching, then he covers Bron, TWO! Knight stays focused as he wrenches Bron and YANKS the arm. And YANKS it! And YANKS it again! And again! And again! Knight wrenches the arm, KICKS the arm, then runs up, but Bron DUMPS Knight out! So Knight drags Bron out to join him!

Knight POSTS Bron, SLAMS the bad arm against the post, then SLAMS it again! The fans rally up and “YEAH!” as Knight follows Bron back into the ring. Bron kicks low, choke grips, and he trophy lifts !@But Knight slips free! Knight KICKS the bad arm! The fans rally as hard as they can for Knight and he LARIATS Bron up and outta the ring! Heyman is not happy, but Knight WRECKS Bron with a dropkick! Bron hits desk but Knight gets him up to SMACK him off it! Knight dribbles Bron, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up and SMACKS Bron off the desk extra hard! The fans fire up for Knight and he goes back for more.

But Bron YANKS Knight into the desk! Knight’s ribs are still hurting from all the damage Bron & Bronson have been doing! GUT BUSTER! Knight flounders into the ring, Bron is after him, but Knight ELBOWS Bron away. Knight goes up, Bron YANKS him down! Knight hits the buckles along the way! Knight is in danger but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Bron mocks Knight spelling it out. Knight sputters as he is on the mat again, but the fans rally. Knight rises but Bron pushes him to the ropes. Bron CHOKES Knight, the ref counts, and Bron stops at 4. Bron huffs ‘n’ puffs but Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight backs Bron down, runs, but Bron kitchen sink knees! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Bron is annoyed. Bron stalks Knight and clamps on a rear bearhug! The fans rally as Knight endures the squeeze. Knight fights around, rises up, and he pries at the hold. Knight fires elbow after elbow! Knight runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but DOUBLE LARIATS bring both men down!

The fans fire up while Heyman is now annoyed. Knight grimaces but he sits up first. “This is Awesome!” as Knight goes to the ropes. Knight stands, he storms up, and he dodges a haymaker to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT! Then a whip into the corner, and JUMP NECKBREAKER! Kick and DDT! Knight goes to a corner, hops up, and spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Heyman is very worried right now as Bron slowly rises. Knight spins Bron, B F- NO, Bron powers out, then RAN- POWERBOMB!! Knight turns that around to cover, TWO!!

Bron survives that sudden turnaround and even Heyman is surprised! Knight brings Bron up, torture racks, but Bron fights free! Bron clinches, Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bron wobbles, Knight kicks, B F- NO, Bron CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo but Bron fireman’s carries! GUT BUSTER DROP! Bron goes to a corner, the fans bark it up, and Bron runs in! SPEAR!! Cover, Bron ELIMINATES Knight! Gunther says okay, but that means there’s two more. And next up is MAIN EVENT JEY USO! Birmingham YEETS as Jey arrives, will he earn himself one more match with Der Ring General?

Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman VS Jey Uso!

Jey sees Bron is running on fumes and that’s good for him! Bron chugs water to refresh, and the fight is on! Jey fires haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Pop, lock ‘n’ put some stank on that HAYMAKER! Bron goes to ropes, Jey LARIATS Bron up and out! Jey doesn’t let off, he just DIVES! Down goes Bron at the ramp! The fans fire up and Jey goes back to the ring! Uh, uh, YEET! Jey bounces with the fans while Bron sputters on the outside, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns yet again, and Bron has Jey up top. Bron throws hands, reels Jey in, and SUPER- NO, Jey fights the lift! Jey fires body shots, then a HEADBUTT! Bron falls, Jey adjusts, and Jey CROSSBODIES! Down goes Bron and Jey has the cover, TWO! Bron is still in this and we get a shot where Gunther watches that flight, still unimpressed. Jey runs up to ELBOW Bron in the corner, PELES, and Bron sits down. “UCE! OH!” Jey runs to HIP ATTACK! Bron flops over, Jey hurries to cover, TWO! Bron is still in this but Jey keeps his focus. Jey goes up the corner, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Bron trips Jey up!

Bron fires hands, then climbs up to go after Jey. Jey fires body shots on Bron  to then ROCK him. Bron staggers back, but he springs right up! SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Jey stays in this but Bron shocks everyone by still busting that move out! Heyman is frustrated with that count, but Bron brings down the straps. Gunther smirks at best as Bron builds speed! But Jey SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Jey runs, to SPEAR Bron!! Jey hurries to cover, TWO?!? Bron survives and the fans go nuts! Jey hurries to put Bron int he drop zone and he climbs a corner! But BRONSON REED YANKS JEY DOWN!!

There’s no disqualifications in this gauntlet?! Since when?!? But that is moot as Bron SPEARS Jey!! Cover, Jey ELIMINATES Jey!! A massive assist from the Colossal Aussie, and Gunther might be upset like the rest of us. But this leaves none other than C M PUNK! It’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME, but will Punk give this match a fantastic finish?

Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Bronson Reed VS CM Punk!

Punk fires off on Bron right away! Punk whips Bron to the corner, runs in, SHINING WIZARD! BULLDOG! The fans are going wild for Punk as he LARIATS Bron up and out! Punk finally takes off the jacket, and he stares Heyman right down. The fans are going nuts while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more, and Punk gets Bron back in the ring. Punk wrenches, YANKS the arm, and then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Bron stays in this but Punk stays on him with an armlock. Born endures the grind, but Punk whips him hard into the corner! Bron falls, the fans rally, and Punk looms over Bron. Punk brings Bron up, “This is Awesome!” as Punk wrenches and lifts for an atomic drop! Punk goes to a corner, climbs up, and he AX- NO, Bron catches Punk! OVERHEAD SUPLEX! The fans rally as Bron turns things around. Bron puts Punk in a corner to RAM him again and again!

Bron sits Punk down, digs his knee in, then he goes side to side for a KNEE! Bron mocks the chants, the fans boo, and then Bron mocks Punk. He asks “Stu,” is it clobbering time yet? Nope, it’s breaking time! Bron ROCKS Punk, then has him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Punk sputters and crawls but Bron looms over him. The fans rally, Bron stand Punk up, and Bron clinches to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Punk flounders away again  and Bron storms over that way. Bronson applauds, Heyman smiles, and Bron suplexes high and hard Cover, ONE!! Punk shows some grit but Bron just clamps on with a chinlock.

Punk endures, the fans rally, and Punk rises. Punk fires body shots, then he fireman’s carries! But Bron flails and slips free! Bron shoves Punk, scoops, BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Bron tells Punk that he’s not going to win, so there is surely a better solution than what Punk is doing. Bron whips Punk to a corner, runs up, but Punk BOOTS Bron first! Punk goes up, but Bron is after him! SUPER STEINER but Punk sunset flips! TWO!! Bron escapes that turnaround and Heyman is stunned silent! The fans rally as hard as they can for Punk, he and Bron rise up, and Bron storms up. Punk ROUNDHOUSES Bron down, but he also falls!

The fans fire up again while both men are down. Gunther remains stoic, but the fans rally as Punk stands again. Bron slowly follows, and Heyman is telling Bronson something. Punk throws hands on Bron, backs him down, then whips him to ropes. Punk CALF KICKS Bron down! Bron is up but Punk has him again, NECKBREAKER! Punk runs corner to corner to SHINING WIZARD! Then a short arm LARIAT! Punk changes up the formula just a bit, and he goes up the corner! Bronson springs into action! The ref reprimands, Punk fires hands, and Bron falls! Punk goes up, aims, and hail to the king, MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!!

The fans cannot believe it, but Bron survives! Only to end up in the ANACONDA VICE!! Bron flails, punches Punk, but Bronson storms in! The fans boo as Bronson ELBOW DROPS Punk! The ref reprimands and the fans boo this farce! Did Heyman negotiate this No Disqualification nonsense? But wait! JEY USO returns! If they can do it, then so can Punk &  Jey! Jey rushes in, fires hands on Bronson, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey SUPERKICKS Bronson outta the ring! Then he DIVES! Down goes Auszilla! Punk and Bron stand, and Bron roars! Bron runs in, but Punk KICKS him first! Fireman’s carry and GO TO SLEEP!! Cover, PUNK WINS!!

Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Gunther finally reacts by standing up to say “congratulations” to Punk. Punk points back at Gunther, promising that the title will be his! Punk has been chasing gold, will he finally have it? Wait, BRONSON CLOBBERS PUNK! Bronson takes Punk down, HAMMERS away on him, but Jey gets back in! Jey fires hands on Bronson, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” The HAYMAKER rocks Bronson! Bron SPEARS Jey! Bronson sets Punk up, Bron builds speed, SPEAR!! Fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” but Bronson drags Punk and Jey over to the drop zone! The enemies of The Visionary are in danger as Bronson climbs, BUT WAIT! ROMAN REIGNS IS HERE!?!?

Birmingham erupts and Heyman cannot believe it! Roman Reigns, The ORIGINAL Tribal Chief, returns and he SUPERMAN PUNCHES Bronson! He dodges Bron, DUMPS him and rains down fists! Bronson is back and he has Bronson, but Roman fireman’s carries him?!? SAMOAN DROP!! Then a SUPERMAN PUNCH for Breakker!! Birmingham is going into orbit with the OOAH~! SPEAR!!! Roman Reigns has demolished Rollins’ henchmen and the fans are going nuts chanting for “O T C! O T C!” Roman goes to Jey and helps him stand. They shake hands, and then Roman looks to Punk. Punk stands up on his own, and the fans go nuts seeing Punk and Roman stand together!

The fans sing for “Roman, Roman Reeeigns~! Roman, Roman Reeeigns~!” as he paces. Heyman has seen a ghost and then some, is “the vision” for WWE’s future doomed now that Roman stands in their way?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Raw to follow up the WWE’s big wrestling weekend, and it was another awesome display of the Women’s Division. The eight matches on Evolution, the first three tonight, ELEVEN CONSECUTIVE MATCHES of just incredible wrestling that was also women’s wrestling. Great opening promo from Naomi with Rhea and Iyo to then set up their Triple Threat Women’s World Championship match for SummerSlam. That is going to be an awesome match, but I feel like Naomi will find a way to win since she only just got this title. And if Naomi is on Raw now, that opens the way for Tiffany VS Jade at SummerSlam via Jade’s Queen of the Ring right to challenge.

Good promo from Vaquer with Chelsea, and then very good match of Nikki VS Chelsea, and naturally Nikki overcame the Green Administration to win out. Vaquer helping Nikki out after clearly means we’re getting a tag match, Vaquer & Nikki VS Piper & Alba, though it would be interesting if Brie Bella joined in so it could be a Six Woman Tag to include Chelsea. But even if it’s just 2v2, that’ll be a momentum builder for Vaquer as she prepares to challenge for the title in Paris. It wouldn’t really hurt Vaquer if her first attempt at the top title is a loss, because that’ll be an awesome match in Paris no matter who she faces.

Awesome Best 2 Outta 3 Falls from Lyra and Bayley, and Lyra winning is the right choice. Lyra and Becky are going to settle their story with SummerSlam, and then if Lyra wins, she and Bayley can run it back one more time. Or Becky and Bayley have their own grudge match feud while Lyra gives title opportunities to the rest of the roster. Great Judgment Day segments, from Finn once again manipulating things to Dom helping Roxie & Raquel defeat The Kabuki Warriors. Dom gives himself away, and a hilarious bit with him and Styles dueling to get God to help their cause. Pretty sure Dom will try but comically fail to convince the doctor to keep him on injury reserve, and we will get Dom VS Styles at SummerSlam.

Great promo from Kross to call out Sami Zayn, and I’m thinking Sami shows up to confront Kross in return. They’ll set up a great SummerSlam match to settle this, and who knows how that goes. New Day and Waller had a good bit with Pearce, and I wonder if we get a Triple Threat or bigger tag match. Pretty sure we get New Day, War Raiders,  and Creed Brothers, and while New Day still make feuds entertaining, I wonder if this is the chance for American Made to move up. Very good promo from Rusev with Sheamus to set up a rematch, and I’m again hoping we get quite a few matches out of these two before naming one of them a contender.

And then speaking of contenders, great stuff with the World Heavyweight Championship story, even in Rollins’ absence. Heyman brings up the point that Rollins has 11 months left on the contract, but hopefully it won’t be anywhere near that long before we see him again. Very good promo from Gunther with Heyman and Bron, and then just an awesome main event. Bron doing most of the work was great mostly for him because it shows he can go. Like, Ironman match levels of stamina. And I really do wanna know what kinda garbage is that to do No Disqualifications specifically with interfering.

That nonsense aside, Punk of course won this because of how they teased Punk VS Gunther during the Gunther-Goldberg-Rollins-Knight Saturday Night’s Main Event. And if this was always the plan, bringing Roman Reigns back now is great stuff. Roman does it more to save his cousin than Punk, and with Rollins out, it does help to make things 2v2, Roman & Jey VS Bron & Bronson. I can already see now how Roman and Jey will hit stereo spears to take the big men down. As for Gunther VS Punk, with Rollins unable to cash-in, that would let Gunther and Punk have a full on match and that could really go either way. Gunther is strong as ever, but Punk has been waiting for his return to the world title scene, so this could be the time to pull that trigger.

My Score: 9/10