Coverage

(NOAH) NOAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER VOL.135 ~ 10TH JUNE 2021

Hisame covers NOAH headlines from the CyberFight Festival, a little bit of the future events and Misawa Memorials coupled with Great Muta negotiations!

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2021

Hi5ame

Hisame covers NOAH headlines from the CyberFight Festival, a little bit of the future events and Misawa Memorials coupled with Great Muta negotiations!

NEWS

Naomichi Marufuji, new GHC Heavyweight Champion

Green lights where shining as Naomichi Marufuji walked out to the ring on the 6th June in Saitama. There was a slight stare off with between himself and Keiji Mutoh, and it looked as if the ref had to take it off of him to stop him from shoving it in his face.

The match was technical. Mutoh knew he had to keep Marufuji down and worked on his knees and elbows. Mutoh’s psychology in the title match was not to play the old man as he had done with Go Shiozaki, frustrate into mistake (Kaito Kiyomiya) or wear down (Masa Kitamiya), but to attack the weapons. There was also an element of nostalgia as this was the closest Mutoh was ever going to get to a singles match with Mitsuharu Misawa. Each time Marufuji got up, Mutoh pulled him back down. Each submission and hold sapped something from Marufuji, but as Kenta Kobashi on commentary had put it, he had come to the ring with “the weight of NOAH on his back”, and he refused to submit. Marufuji even took three Shining Wizards, he kicked out of these and remained with his shoulder raised.

Mutoh’s damage had done its work, slow to pin after high impact moves such as the Shiranui, but it wasn’t enough and while he didn’t grow frustrated, Mutoh did. He even bought out The Moonsault, but Marufuji stubbornly kicked out. It was Marufuji who was playing Mutoh at his own game, and he beat him to usher in his fourth championship reign, which now ties him with Takashi Sugiura and Go Shiozaki.

Staring across the mat at each other, after a few seconds they did the M’s alliance pose, and Mutoh rolled out of the ring. Jun Akiyama (DDT Champion) and Miyu (Tokyo Joshi Princess Champion) came down to celebrate with Marufuji. On the microphone, they all thanked everyone for coming, and Marufuji thanked Mutoh for joining NOAH. Backstage he said that he could never surpass him and wanted to keep working hard with him. As for his next challengers, he had only two requirements; that they be NOAH’s premier heavyweights and they be in NOAH. So far no one has come forward to challenge.

At the end of CyberFestival, Marufuji posed in the ring with Jun Akiyama (DDT champion) and Miyu Yamashita (Tokyo Joshi Pro champion). Akiyama showed how much of a class act he is, by holding the ropes open like a gentleman for Yamashita. To Marufuji this moment was very special, as it bought both himself and Akiyama back together after everything that had passed between them. He also later admitted that while women had asked for matches against him, he was thinking of asking for a match against Yamashita.

Daisuke Harada & Hajime Ohara crowned new GHC Junior Tag Champs

The match could only start with Daisuke Harada vs Yoshinari Ogawa, Ogawa even shoved the ref aside to start with Harada as the bitterness between the two runs very deep. Harada fought with gritted teeth, and he was going to need grit as was not only Ogawa playing very clever mind games with him, making him believe that he was going to do something but not actually do it, STINGER also attacked his knee. This was something Harada expected from Ogawa, but not something he had ever seen in the HAYATA he had known, especially when HAYATA would give him his head into getting to the ropes and then drag him back at the last moment. Each time Harada fell outside of the ring, Ogawa was waiting. No matter how much they attacked his knee, no matter how close to fainting he was when Ogawa used the Figure 4, quitting would mean that Ogawa had finally won. It was not an option.

As much as HAYATA had changed some things remained the same, and it was because of this that Harada was able to turn the tide and tag in Ohara. With Harada on the outside, his knee damaged, it left Ohara alone with STINGER who he was at the mercy of. Ohara had his own plan for such a situation, and it was to make Ogawa angry, and so when Harada was able to tag in and take over, Ogawa was not in a position to be anything other than worn down by the attacks to the head and then the Katayama German Suplex for the win. If you like technical wrestling, then this match is for you.

No challengers have emerged yet, and in any case the juniors are preparing for something else (see below), but after defeating STINGER at CyberFight Festival (once again Daisuke Harada got the win, but over Seiki Yoshioka this time, not Ogawa), we may soon see a shift in the NOAH Juniors which will disrupt the already fragile balance. After the match, Yoshinari Ogawa got up on the apron, faced Momo No Seishun who stared him down, and then stood with his hands on his hips at ringside with a thoughtful look on his face…

Atsushi Kotoge retains the GHC Junior Heavyweight, three contenders and a classic NOAH Junior way of settling issues

After Kotoge had defeated old friend\old rival Yuya Susumu in 12 minutes and 31 seconds and retaining the GHC Junior Heavyweight title, the NOAH Juniors swarmed the ring each eager to be the first challenger. Wild eyed dark Seiki Yoshioka butted heads with Kotoge, Ikuto Hidaka started to make a challenge only to have the mic snatched from him by Tadasuke who made a quacking noise (i.e. he said “blah, blah, blah”). Kotoge, who knew that he had to solve this in a delicate manner that wouldn’t cause fights to break out in a notoriously unstable division, suggested they resolve this issue in one way that all NOAH Juniors understood and respected. A mass rumble that will take place on the 26th June. The winner will face Atsushi Kotoge on the 27th.

However, not all of the NOAH Juniors are willing to participate in this. STINGER have (naturally) said nothing but they will probably be in it, but NOSAWA Rongai saying that “NOAH Junior titles are currently monopolized by three idiots who only think of themselves (the half assed cool guy, the run of the mill younger brother of a butcher and Mui Bien who can’t see what is around him)”, says that he will not. Atsushi Kotoge had also invited Momo No Seishun to participate, and Junta Miyawaki says he will win and challenge, Hajime Ohara that this is a chance to concentrate on the singles, and Daisuke Harada claiming that he is the only one who can win and face Kotoge.

THE AGGRESSION split (kind of)

With Masa Kitamiya turning his attention from the GHC Heavyweight to the GHC Heavyweight Tag, THE AGGRESSION made a successful defense against Funky Express (Shuhei Taniguchi and Mohammed Yone) at the Misawa Memorial on the 31st May. During the match, Katsuhiko Nakajima had accidentally caught Masa Kitamiya square in the face with a kick, and this triggered Kitamiya to attack him afterwards. As Kenoh stormed the ring to demand in shock what Kitamiya thought he was doing, Kitamiya spoke on the microphone and standing over the fallen Nakajima stated that he couldn’t stand teaming with Nakajima anymore, and that he had hated him since he entered Kensuke Office. Thanking Kenoh for everything, he then left Kongoh. Backstage Kitamiya said he couldn’t stand pretending anymore that everything was fine between them, when in reality they were “bitter enemies in the same boat”.

Attempting to resolve the issues between them, NOAH bought them together for a title defense interview the next day. If experience has told us anything, it’s the heavyweights who fight at press conferences, and today’s chaos was to be spectacular. Kitamiya started by saying how much he had always hated Nakajima, and he proposed a cage match (a first in NOAH) to keep all outside influences out and to let them fight it out without interference. Nakajima, laughing at him for saying he hated him, agreed to the match but said that when Kitamiya lost, he had to shave his head in order to “go back to the beginning”. Kitamiya agreed to it in his usual foul mouthed manner, and then the issue of what was going to happen to the belts came up.

KITAMIYA: I have a belt. I am holding it, and I won’t give it back. This is Masa Kitamiya’s GHC tag belt.

NAKAJIMA: Like I said earlier, I was the one who won it and I was the one who defended it, so it’s mine, right?

Deciding there were no more questions and that they should finish early, Nakajima got up to pose for pictures with Kitamiya. He kicked him and a brawl broke out, both rolling on the floor and Nakajima losing a shoe. When they eventually broke free of each other, they glared, snatched their belts up and left. NOAH have had a loser gets his head shaved match before (KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji cheated so that Tsuyochi Kikuchi was the loser), but this will be the first time ever there will be a cage. Event will take place at “Cage War” on the 26th June.

Sugi, Saku & Sasadango

Takashi Sugiura successfully defended the GHC National against Kazushi Sakuraba at the Misawa Memorial show on the 31st May. The match itself combined both MMA and wrestling, which is something that has come to define the GHC National, and had its silly moments at the start. Sugi and Saku made up with a handshake and a playful lunge from Takashi Sugiura, and then Deino and Super Sasadango Machine made their way to ringside. Sasadango had evidently worked out how to invade a promotion properly. Making their pitch via a PowerPoint presentation, Sasadango proposed either match whereby you spun around on the hilt of a baseball bat, or the “Sugi & Saku” belts were put on the line. Sakuraba had completely lost it by now, and so it was up to Sugi to decide, so he went with the title match…for belts that are not officially sanctioned. The match would take place at CyberFight Festival. No one has come forward to challenge for the GHC National yet, but Sugi said he wants either a gaijin (none in NOAH at the moment) or someone outside of NOAH to come forward.

CyberFight Festival 2021

The inaugural CyberFight Festival was a complete success, and while Sanshiro Takagi didn’t exactly confirm that it would take place in 2022, he didn’t deny it either.

Highlights

Shuhei Taniguchi and Yuji Hino (old teammates in The Hooligans), faced each other down in the opening Battle Royale and sparks flew between them. Masao Inoue (who had worn a pink hardhat to the ring), got beaten up by a Joshi wrestler, and Mohammed Yone came down to the last man but was eliminated.
Junta Miyawaki got his first big win outside of NOAH by using an Inverted Cross armbar on Toui Kojima.
In a match in which Deino somehow controlled himself, Takashi Sugiura and Kazushi Sakuraba came to the match wearing masks, Sugi hit Sasadango with a baseball bat and ended the match with pantyhose over his head (which he kept on), Sugi and Saku managed to retain their titles. Sakuraba spent the latter stages of the match in hysterics with his head buried in the turnbuckle, afterwards he couldn’t stop laughing at Sugi wearing the tights.
Kenoh’s rage towards Sanshiro Takagi and DDT as a whole started the moment Takagi stepped out with his team and he wasted no time attacking him. Fans were given a little taser of Manabu Soya vs Kazusada Higuchi, but sadly this was interrupted by Kenoh screaming at Takagi at ringside. When stiff slaps and kicks were over, the match (much to Kenoh’s public horror but private enjoyment) became very DDT with the referee being trapped in a mantrap and his face covered by a bunny mask, a giant fist fired at Kenoh to biff him, Takagi diving from the top turnbuckle with giant moth wings and a bucket, and then most famous of all and with a hashtag that trended, Kenoh on a bike. The match was won when Sanshiro Takagi pinned Haoh, and Kenoh stalked off to lick his wounds (throwing down a iron barrier on the way out), and borrowing a line from Kaito Kiyomiya to say “I don’t understand wrestling”. Takagi later called him a “dumbass” and said he felt like his jaw was broken.

Kaito Kiyomiya failed to win the tag match against DDT’S Konosuke Takeshita and Yuki Ueno, and he was the one pinned. After this Kiyomiya seemed to adopt an air of instability and madness, an eerie wild grin on his face as he walked to the back and gave a rambling promo which culminated in his walking off and saying “It’s just a passing point. Just a passing point. Just a passing point”.

Minus STINGER, Kaito Kiyomiya and Yoshiki Inamura, the rosters of NOAH, DDT, Ganbare and Tokyo Joshi Pro came out to stand together at the top of the ramp after the event.

Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial

With the event in Ota being cancelled short notice and the replacement event held at Korakuen Hall on the 30th May in a rush, NOAH will hold a second memorial to Mitsuharu Misawa. This will take place on the 13th June, the twelve year anniversary of his passing, and although it will be empty arena will have the usual traditions – the bell salute, the music, the streamers and the picture. Matches will all be a surprise and will be announced by entry theme.

MUTA the WORLD

According to his agent, Keiji Mutoh, The Great Muta is jealous of Mutoh’s success and in order to sell copies of his new book, will be descending from the underworld on the 27th June to face an unknown opponent. Muta has chosen his who this is going to be, but unfortunately communications between the overworld and the underworld are not that good as Mutoh said there was interference when Muta named him. The Great Muta is rather pleased that the match will be empty arena as it means he can blow poison fog at his opponent.

EVENT RECAPS & POST MATCH PROMOS

EVENT RECAP: Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial 2021 ~ Forever in Our Hearts (Monday May 31st, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo) ~ Post match interviews

EVENT RECAP: CyberFight Festival 2021 (Sunday 6th June, Saitama Super Arena) ~ Post match interviews.

ELSEWHERE IN NOAH

~ YO-HEY, Yasutaka Yano and Kai Fujimura have shown no symptoms during their two week isolation and will return to the ring. All three have returned to training. Kotaro Suzuki doesn’t seem to have had symptoms or been hospitalized.

~ Kenta Kobashi will be the special guest commentator at the Mitsuharu Misawa memorial, and Bull Nakano will be a special guest commentator at Cage War.

~ Yoshiki Inamura has new ring wear which has a tire track on the sides, a tire track hairstyle and he carries a tire to the ring.

~ Someone got the title cards wrong at CyberFight, apparently “Daisuke Harada, HAYATA & Seiki Yoshioka” are in Momo No Seishun! When did that happen? NOSAWA must be a genius booker as according to this logic, Harada beat one of his teammates to win the match.

~ Katsuhiko Nakajima tried to pin Sanshiro Takagi with the cocky pin. The referee refused to count it. ~ Kenoh posted this candid picture in “Weekly Pro”. He was talking about Masa Kitamiya passing through Kongoh in his column….

CURRENT CHAMPIONS

GHC Heavyweight Champion: Naomichi Marufuji
Challenger: TBA
GHC Junior Champion: Atsushi Kotoge
Challenger: TBA following the NOAH Junior Rumble on the 26th June
GHC Heavyweight Tag Champions: The AGGRESSION (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya)
Challengers: TBA
GHC Junior Tag Champions: Daisuke Harada & Hajime Ohara
Challengers: TBA
GHC National Champion: Takashi Sugiura
Challenger: TBA

THIS WEEK IN NOAH

Sunday 13th June: Memoriam: Mitsuharu Misawa (2009)

Sunday 13th June: Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial (19:00 JST)

*The Misawa memorial will be broadcast live both on ABEMA and on WrestleUniverse. WrestleUniverse will have English commentary. ABEMA has been advertised as a free broadcast, but I don’t know if this will mean that it is only free to view in Japan. ABEMA can only be viewed live so you won’t be able to watch the show if you miss it as the replays are now only available to subscribers, therefore it would be better for you to subscribe to WrestleUniverse.

LINKS

Takashi Sugiura’s measures against ground fighting & fails in rock-paper-scissors “special training” to stop the negative chain of the fight with Sakuraba

NOAH’s June Schedule

Nakajima vs Kitamiya, grudge battle decision “Cage match loser gets head shaved”, both refuse to give up the belts, big fight at press conference.

“Doesn’t think of NOAH at all” ~ Kenoh criticizes President Sanshiro Takagi

“Unique Musou”, Yoshiki Inamura proves a different dimension monster in the team battle against DDT’S Takeshita & Ueno

Fourteen wrestler press conference: Marufuji’s “inspirational confrontation” hypothesis of Mutoh battle, Sugiura acts recklessly with shocking confession at NOAH’s CyberFight Festival

Yoshiki Inamura’s Pork Chankonabe

Picture credit: NOAH, Weekly Pro

GIF credits: NOAH Official YouTube, WrestleUniverse

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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July 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Who will be waiting in the wings for the AEW World Champion?

In the wake of Blood & Guts, twenty men compete in the Royal Rampage battle royal! But who will stand tall at the end as the next #1 contender?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Fatal 4 Way Tag: Private Party VS The Righteous VS The Outrunners VS Rush & Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis; win(s).
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Kris Statlander w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Leila Grey; wins.
Royal Rampage: ??? wins and will challenge for the AEW World Championship at AEW Grand Slam.

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (7/26/24)

SmackDown throws down the gauntlet!

Published

3 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Who will make it to the end?

While SummerSlam is on the horizon, SmackDown prepares NEW #1 contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships, through a gauntlet match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

LA Knight VS Santos Escobar; Knight wins.
WWE Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Gauntlet: The Bloodline wins and will challenge DIY for the titles.
Bayley & Mia Yim VS Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis is on the phone.

He has a lot going on, but he’ll call back. The Bloodline steps up, and Aldis says sorry, given their actions last week with Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens that gave Tonga Loa an eye injury, Loa is not cleared to compete. So unfortunately, The Bloodline must forfeit their spot in the tag team gauntlet. Tama Tonga asks what Aldis just said, but Aldis says he heard just fine. Forfeit? They ain’t forfeiting nothing! Solo Sikoa has Tama stand down. And he appreciates Aldis’ concern, but The Bloodline is not forfeiting. Understood? Loa is part of The Bloodline, but so is Jacob Fatu! So instead, it will be Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu in that match. If that’s okay with Aldis.

Aldis says it is, actually. They’re still in. Solo tells Fatu to bring those titles back home. Solo wants all the titles on SmackDown. The Samoan Werewolf steps up to replace The Silverback, will any of the other teams survive that match now?

LA Knight heads to gorilla.

And he tells the cameras, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The Mega Star says we’re making a pitstop before SummerSlam. Santos Escobar couldn’t remember how many times he’s been dropped on his head by Knight, so Knight will be the professor, class is in session, and we’ll teach Santos some history. Then in Cleveland, Logan Paul isn’t learning math, he isn’t learning statistics or English. But he will be taught what it’s like to get his keister kicked in by the Mega Star! YEAH! And no matter what class, the curriculum is always the same, with everybody saying… L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!! Knight makes his way out, will he be rolling into SummerSlam? Or will Santos pass the test?

LA Knight VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez!

The bell rings, Santos runs up but Knight dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! Santos headlocks, Knight powers out but Santos runs him over. Things speed up, and Knight hip tosses! And then arm-drags! Knight has the armlock, the fans rally, but santos fights up. Santos pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but santos puts Knight in a corner. Santos whips, Knight reverses to WRING the arm and drop a leg on it! Knight wrenches and YANKS the arm again and again. “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, then ELBOWS Santos down! The fans fire up with Knight and he RAMS Santos into a corner. Knight climbs up to rain down fists!

Fans “YEAH!” all the way to seven times before Santos YANKS Knight down! Santos kicks and stomps Knight in the corner. The fans boo but Lopez mocks Knight’s “yapping.” Santos CHOPS LARIATS Knight! Santos CHOP LARIATS again, then reels him in for a snap suplex! Santos stands up, brings Knight up to SLAM him down, then he steps through for a SHARPSHOOTER! Knight scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Knight then stands to fire off haymakers! Knight whips, and he LARIATS Santos down! Knight brings Santos up but Santos drop toeholds him into ropes! Santos distracts the ref and Lopez SLAPS Knight!

Santos runs in to 619! A shot taken at Rey Mysterio, and Santos soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Santos DOUBLE KNEES Knight in a corner! Cover, TWO! Santos is annoyed but he clamps on a cobra clutch. The fans rally as Knight endures. Knight fights up, throws body shots, then runs, to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Knight whips, Santos reverses and scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Santos is annoyed again and he stalks Knight to a corner. Santos says this is not Knight’s game, it’s Santos’s! Santos rains down fists in the corner but lets off as the ref counts. Santos soaks up heat, but Knight ELBOWS him back! Knight whips Santos hard to a corner, then SHOVES him in!

Knight stomps a mudhole, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner to KNEE Santos down! Knight whips, Santos reverses but Knight ducks the lariat to kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Santos stays in this, Lopez coaches him, but Knight is on him first. Knight lifts Santos to a torture rack, but Lopez slides in! The ref stops her, that distracts Knight, and he lets Santos down. Lopez backs off as Knight storms over, and Knight goes back for Santos. Santos ELBOWS Knight! Santos runs, but into a POP-UP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Lopez again gets on the apron but the ref tells her to stop.

And here comes LOGAN PAUL! ONE LUCKY- NO, Knight dodges to LARIAT! Logan falls, but Santos SUPERKICKS! Santos brings Knight around, fireman’s carry, PHANTOM- NO, Knight slips free to B F T! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

But then Logan CLOBBERS Knight after all! The fans boo as the Maverick stomps away on Knight! Logan drags Knight up, but Knight RAMS him into a corner! Knight stomps away on Logan now, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight runs corner to corner, but Santos KNEES Knight down! The Emperor helps the champ up, and they beat Knight down together! Then Santos drags Knight into the drop zone for Logan as he goes up top. Logan FROG SPLASHES Knight! The fans boo but Logan soaks it up. Logan leaves Knight down and out, but will Knight be the one leaving The Land with the gold?

Backstage interview with Naomi.

Byron Saxton asks her why she thinks Blair Davenport initially showed her respect, only to then attack her from behind. Naomi doesn’t know the issue with Blair is, because she hasn’t even done anything to the newbie! But Blair is playing mind games, which won’t work. Naomi has something for Blair, though. Not only will Naomi make Blair #FeelTheGlow, but she’ll respect it! And then in step Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair, and they say that’s right! Blair is a Lame, and she gets what is coming. Just like Alba & Isla will. Speaking of, Bianca & Jade are gonna call out the champs-for-now and handle business.

Naomi says go handle it, then. The StrongEST Duo heads out, will they be able to get that rematch with the wicked witches?

Backstage interview with Logan Paul.

Byron catches up with The Maverick and asks him what happened. Logan says that’s an appetizer for SummerSlam, the first course of a three course meal. Logan will whoop Knight, in his hometown, in front of his friends and family, everyone he knows and loves. Plus, he got off the phone with “Mr. Cleveland” himself, and there will be a surprise homecoming planned just for Logan. Then can we get an idea of what- Nope! Silly question. But tune in next week, it’ll be a great night.

Logan promises Knight that he won’t just be facing the US Champion at SummerSlam. Knight will be facing the pride of Cleveland, the ultimate underdog turned top dog, and Knight ain’t ready for that. YEAH! Logan is more confident than ever, but will that make things that much sweeter when LA beats Cleveland’s own in his hometown?

Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair head to the ring!

Just as promised, they’re here to call out the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca & Jade get the mics, and The EST says she loves the fans and would stay her all day, but she’ll cut to the chase. Alba & Isla have been ghosting Jade & Bianca ever since winning at Clash at the Castle. Alba & Isla said they’d be here tonight, right? Right. And they’d bring the titles, right? Right. So where they at? The StrongEST Duo looks around, and tell the champs to stop duckin’ ‘n’ dodging. Come to the ring with the belts, and get these hands. The music hits, but then Alba & Isla hit from behind! The Unholy Union beat down the former champs!

Alba digs her boots into Jade, then CLUBS her down. Isla drags Bianca up but Bianca fights free! Bianca spins Isla, torture racks, but Isla lands safe on the apron! Only for Bianca to DECK her! Jade then grabs Alba, and hoists her up to THROW her out onto Isla! And in heels! The fans fire up while Alba & Isla regroup and retreat. Will there be no running from the storm that is coming for them?

B-Fab talks with the Street Profits.

It’s time to do this. It’s their moment, their time. And in steps Terence Crawford! The boxing champ is here, and he shakes hands with everyone. B-Fab says The Profits may not be Crawford, but tonight, they will be whooping feet! And from Ford to Crawford, Black Airforce Energy, go do your thing on August 3rd. Crawford appreciates that. But for real, he’ll be watching them, too. Good luck out there. They hug it out, Dawkins is ready to turn up! Will the Profits be up and win their golden tickets to the titles? Or will taking on five other teams be a tall order even for them?

Tiffany Stratton looks at her Money in the Bank briefcase.

It is being held together by colorful tape after what Bayley did to it last week. Nia Jax walks over and says don’t worry, she’ll get Tiff a brand new briefcase that will be perfect for her. And Tiff could cash in on Bayley tonight, but Nia has that guaranteed match at SummerSlam, and Nia would hate Tiff dropping the title so soon. Tiff says she’d never do that to Nia. Besides, Tiff just wants to get revenge. Nia says she thought so. Tiff still pouts over her busted briefcase, but will she and The Queen of the Ring bust up Bayley and Michin in return?

WWE Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Gauntlet!

Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa are still champions after facing A-Town Down Under a second time, so now it’s on to something new. Six teams are going to compete until only one team stands tall, who survives to go for the gold this summer?

The first team out? The newest combo of Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews, who are ready to #BurnTheShips and sink the competition! Their opponents? Legado del Fantasmo’s Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo! Will they look to add to the legacy and finally grab those tag titles?

Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!

The bell rings and Legado just attacks! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but the cousins stomp away on Corbin. Angel stays in to stand on Corbin, Berto RAMS Crews into steel steps! Angel then runs up, but Corbin dodges and SPLASHES! Corbin reels Angel in for a short arm LARIAT, then he reels him in for an ELBOW! Then a SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Corbin stands Angel up but Angel CHOPS! Tag to Berto, and Angel sidesteps so Berto can GAMANGIRI! Roll-up, SUPERKICK, and Corbin tumbles out! Berto DIVES and down goes Corbin! Legado stands tall while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Berto drags Corbin up, manages a fireman’s carry, but Corbin fights free with elbows. Corbin ducks a buzzsaw but not the ENZIGIRI! Berto runs corner to corner but Corbin TOSSES him into buckles! DIY are watching backstage, hot tags to Angel and Crews! Crews rallies on Legado, mule kicks and BOOTS Angel, then dodges Angel to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up with Crews as he kips up! Angel takes a swing, Crews gets under to GERMAN SUPLEX! Crews holds on, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! And GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Angel flounders, fans fire up, and Crews goes corner to corner to SPLASH!

Crews pushes Angel out of the corner, goes up top, and FLYING- KNEE from Angel! Angel underhooks to TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, Corbin breaks it! Berto runs up to LARIAT Corbin up and out! But Corbin drags Berto out to RAM him into steel steps! Angel KNEES Crews, reels him in, WING- NO, Crews slips free! Corbin sneaks a tag, Crews BOOTS! END OF DAYS! Cover, Corbin & Crews ELIMINATE Legado! But no time to rest, here come the Street Profits!

Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews VS The Street Profits!

Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins take their time stepping up to the ring, and Ford starts against Crews. They circle, Crews kicks then whips. Ford goes up and over then handsprings away. Ford smiles, Crews smiles, and things speed up! Crews handsprings over Ford’s dropdown, then he hurdles! Crews drops then DROPKICKS Ford, and he brings Ford back up. Crews suplexes, holds Ford up, but Ford slips free to back suplex! High and hard for Crews, Dawkins tags to cover. TWO!! Crews is somehow still in this, but Dawkins brings him up. Dawkins whips, Crews goes up and over and keeps moving. Crews jumps the dropdown then whips.

Crews hurdles., Dawkins handsprings, and DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! Hot tag to Corbin, hot tag to Ford! Ford fires hands on Corbin, but Corbin UPPERCUTS! Ford falls to the apron, but he RAMS back in! Ford slingshots, into a HAYMAKER! The golden gloves hit hard, and then Crews says let’s do it! Corbin runs, Crews TOSSES him out onto the Profits! The fans fire up as the Wolf flies, and SmackDown goes back to break!

SmackDown returns again and Corbin has Ford up top! Ford fights with body shots, then he HEADBUTTS Corbin down! Corbin hurries to his feet, and gets under Ford’s leap! Corbin BOOTS Ford, goes up, and he FLYING LARIATS! B-Fab panics but Corbin hauls Ford up for a POWERBOMB! Flip over, but then Ford ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Corbin and Ford crawl, hot tags to Dawkins and Crews! Dawkins rallies on Crews, but Crews avoids the splash! Crews comes back to SPLASH! Crews runs, but Dawkins ducks to ENZIGIRI! Crews comes back to ENZIGIRI!

The fans fire up with Cres, but Dawkins catches him for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Cover, Corbin breaks it! Ford runs up, Corbin DECKS him! Corbin runs in at the corner, but Ford dodges and Corbin POSTS himself! Dawkins runs at Crews but Crews DUMPS him out! Ford and Crews stare down, then they both build speed! They both FLY out onto the other’s partner! The fans are thunderous, Crews puts Dawkins in, and then Crews goes up top. “This is Awesome!” as Crews FROG SPLASHES but has to roll through! Dawkins DECKS Crews with a big right! Tag to Ford, and Dawkins brings Crews up.

Dawkins whips, pop-up, REVELATION! Cover, Profits ELIMINATE Corbin & Crews! Corbin & Crews put up a valiant effort, but the Profits move on to face… #YESBOY! Pretty Deadly!

The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!

Kit Wilson & Elton Prince run up, run in, then Elton bails out! Kit rolls Dawkins, TWO! Kit hurries to cradle Dawkins, TWO! Kit tries a roll-up again, with tights! TWO, and Dawkins FLAPJACKS Kit down! Kit flounders, Dawkins tags Ford. The Profits double whip,. then CLOBBER Kit! DIY likes that, and then the Profits hit a BACK SUPLEX SPLASH! Elton runs in, but he gets a DOUBLE FLAPJACK onto Kit! Ford covers Kit, TWO! The fans rally, Ford CLUBS Kit, then brings him up. Kit RAMS Ford, swings, but into a back suplex! Elton tags in and Kit slips free. Ford kicks and suplexes, but Elton CHOP BLOCKS Ford!

But Elton miscalculates, Kit still takes a BRAINBUSTER! Elton stomps Ford around, drags him to a cover, TWO! Elton pushes Ford to the corner, Kit tags in, and they stomp away on Ford’s leg as Elton holds it down! The ref counts, Kit UPPERCUTS Ford, then he tags Elton. Now they stomp the leg while Kit holds it! The ref reprimands, Kit lets off and Elton ROCKS Kit with a right. Pretty Deadly say “YES BOY~!” They sing it, even, still pitching their musical. Tag to Kit, but Ford fights with body shots and elbows! Elton blocks a kick, hands it to Kit, and Elton KNEES Ford’s hamstring!

Ford grits his teeth, clutches his leg, but Kit cravats to CHOKE him against ropes. Kit lets go, Elton DECKS Ford, and Kit basement dropkicks! Kit drags Ford around for a HALF CRAB! Ford clamps onto the ROPEBREAK! So Kit DDTS the leg! The fans rally for Ford but Kit taunts Dawkins. Kit then sucker punches him! Kit goes back to Ford, the ref stops Dawkins, and Kit stomps away on Ford’s leg. Kit pulls on the foot, but Ford resists the turnover! Ford kicks at Kit again and again, but Kit still steps over! Ford fights and BOOTS free! Elton tags in, but hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Elton, then whips.

Elton reverses but Dawkins hurdles and UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up with Dawkins and he aims at a corner. Dawkins runs in to CYCLONE SPLASH! ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Elton survives but the fans rally up. Dawkins whips Elton, Elton grabs ropes and BOOTS, then tag to Kit. Dawkins ROCKS Elton and whips, but Elton reverses. Hurdle and DDT! Kit covers, TWO! Dawkins survives, Pretty Deadly seethes, but Kit tags Elton. They run UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, then Elton RAMS Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT again! Fireman’s carry, ASSISTED GUT BUSTER! Cover, Ford breaks it!

The fans are thunderous and Kit is furious! Kit whips but Ford reverses and TOSSES Kit out! Elton DUMPS Ford out! Dawkins ROCKS Elton! Ford tags, Dawkins lifts Elton, BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Profits ELIMINATE Pretty Deadly! But here comes The OC’s Gallows & Anderson! We hit the halfway point of this gauntlet, will the Profits survive? Or are things about to get Too Sweet? We find out, after the break!

The Street Profits VS The Good Brothers!

SmackDown returns as Karl Anderson JUMP KICKS Ford! Then Luke Gallows SPLASHES in the corner! Anderson snapmares, covers, TWO! Ford survives but Anderson stalks him to ropes. Anderson CHOKES and CLAWS Ford, but he lets off as the ref counts. Anderson snapmares Ford, clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Ford down. Ford endures, reaches out, and the fans rally. Ford fights up, throws body shots, and pries the hold open, but Anderson kicks low! Anderson CLOBBERS Ford, covers, TWO! Ford is still in this but Anderson drags him up. Anderson whips Ford to the corner hard, then tags Gallows.

The Good Brothers mug Ford, then Gallows runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Gallows stands Ford up to scoop and SLAM him! Tag to Anderson and Anderson covers, TWO! Anderson brings Ford up and around to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Anderson clamps on a neck wrench, and even pulls on Ford’s ear! The ref reprimands, Anderson lets go, and fans rally up. Tag to Gallows. the Good Brothers mug Ford more. Gallows then brings Ford around, snap suplexes, and covers, TWO! Gallows HAMMERS away with elbows, then clamps on a chinlock. Ford endures, the fans rally up, but Gallows leans all his weight on Ford.

Ford fights up to his feet, throws body shots, but Gallows CLUBS him down. Gallows scoops Ford, but Ford swings around to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Anderson! Anderson whips Ford to an open corner, runs in, but Ford TOSSES him out! Anderson slips apron and falls to the floor! Gallows runs up but Ford DUMPS him out! Hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins builds speed and he FLIES onto The Good Brothers! Dawkins avoids hitting the desk and the fans are thunderous! Dawkins roars, puts Anderson in, and then runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Anderson is frustrated but he tags Gallows. The Good Brothers haul Dawkins up for a fireman’s carry. Anderson runs but Ford trips him! Dawkins rolls Gallows up, PROFITS ELIMINATE GOOD BROTHERS!! The fans fire up and yet… That leaves The Bloodline for last. As if this team wasn’t dangerous enough, the Profits are practically running on fumes at this point! Can Ford & Dawkins survive? Or will they fall victim to the Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy? We find out, after the break.

The Street Profits VS The Bloodline!

SmackDown returns again and Tama beats Dawkins down in a corner! The fans chant “SOLO SUCKS!” but Tama tags Fatu. They DOUBLE HEADBUTT Dawkins down, then Fatu drags him up. Fatu bumps Dawkins off buckles, runs in and SPLASHES! Tag to Tama, and he runs up, gets a boost from Fatu, BIG CANNONBALL! Dawkins goes down but the fans chant, “WE WANT ROMAN!” Solo soaks up that heat while Tama CHOKES Dawkins on ropes. The ref counts, Tama lets off, and Solo CHOKES Dawkins now! B-Fab protests but Solo gets away with that. The Bloodline raise their ones, then Tama tags Fatu.

The mugging continues, and Fatu HEADBUTTS Dawkins down. Solo says that’s right, take them out. Fatu CHOKES Dawkins then HEADBUTTS! The ref backs Fatu off but that lets Solo get a cheap shot in! Fatu BITES Dawkins’ fingers! Fatu then stomps him around, and he runs corner to corner, but Dawkins dodges! Fatu’s splash gets him stuck on the ropes! Solo is upset as Dawkins crawls for his corner! Fatu slumps back, the fans rally as hard as they can, hot tags to Tama and Ford! Ford LARIATS, LARIATS then dodges to SPINEBUSTER! Tama flounders, Ford SUPERKICKS Fatu! Ford drags Tama up but Tama slips around to back suplex!

Ford lands out! Ford kicks, KICKS and- NO, Tama ducks the enzigiri! Tama CLUBS and whips but Ford reverses! Ford runs up, but Tama puts him on the apron! Ford ROCKS Tama, climbs up and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Tama stays in this, and DIY is intrigued. Ford hurries up the corner again, but Tama ROCKS him! Tama goes up to get Ford, SUPERPLEX! Cover, Dawkins breaks it! Fatu runs in but Dawkins TOSSES him back out! Tama runs to slip and trip Dawkins up! The Bloodline mugs Dawkins, but Ford FLIES over the corner!! Down goes everyone! Ford rises and the fans are thunderous again!

Ford puts Tama in, climbs back up, and Solo is stressing out! FROM THE HEAVENS, but Tama moves! Fatu tags in, Ford hobbles up, into a LARIAT! Fatu DIVES onto Dawkins and takes him out! Fatu returns for Ford, but Ford dodges and runs, but into the POP-UP- DDT!! Ford takes Fatu… NO, Fatu is rising! POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! Fatu then puts Ford in the drop zone, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Bloodline wins!

Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)

Replacing Loa wasn’t a detriment, it only made the team stronger! And now that they’re targeting the tag titles, will The Bloodline dominate under Solo Sikoa like they did under Roman Reigns?

Grayson Waller & Austin Theory interrupt!

They don’t care what Corey Graves & Wade Barrett are talking about, they’ve got stuff to say. Last week, they would’ve beat Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens easy, if not for Terence Crawford! But they’re not just talking about it, they’ll do something about it! That little 120 pound Terence is walking around backstage, so y’know what? Terrence is gonna come out and apologize to the greatest team of the world! Oh, wait, is he scared? Nope, here comes Terence Crawford! The fans cheer as Omaha’s own undefeated and undisputed champion makes his way out. Waller says this is a big moment. The pound for pound top boxer in the world is in the ring with them!

And the thing is, Terrence, last week, you disrespected ATDU. Terrence handed Cody a chair, so it is only fair he apologize to them. The fans boo but Waller says they don’t understand. This is not just for helping Cody, but for thinking he belongs in the ring with A-Town Down Under. Terrence might be the best boxer, but this is pro-wrestling. And look at Waller when he’s talking! If Terrence takes one more step, Waller’s boy Theory will knock you out! Theory says he isn’t trying to- BLAM and Terrence knocks Theory out!! Waller bails out, what was that about apologizing? Waller helps Theory out of the ring, is Theory going to come to his senses about this “team?”

Cody Rhodes speaks.

The American Nightmare is part of the Japan live tour, doing what he promised in bringing the Undisputed WWE Championship all across the globe. But he takes a moment to reflect, and do something wrestlers shouldn’t do and look back. Cody looks back on his win at the Royal Rumble, nearly having his WrestleMania main event taken from him, only for the people to help him take it back. He reflects on the fight of his life against Roman Reigns to do what he said he’d do, and #FinishTheStory. He was surrounded by friends, family, fans, a conquering hero, and The Bloodline was no more. Or so he thought.

“But this new doppelganger version, a pack of wild cats with nothing to lose, running around and feasting on anyone who stands in their way… Chaos reigns without a true lion to lead the pack. And because of that chaos, now I sit here alone. My friends, my allies, my partners, Randy Orton and Kevin Owens, destroyed trying to fight by my side while I watched. I head to SummerSlam a man on an island. A man who has the deck stacked against me. A man who will have to fight with every ounce of pride and energy that I have. But I also head into SummerSlam the champion.

“And I know that i have to bring all of my fire and passion to this fight, because I owe it to the people to defend this championship and not let it slip back into the hands of The Bloodline. Solo Sikoa is a dangerous man. He stepped up, declared himself the new Tribal Chief. He has proven he is ready to take on that mantle of responsibility and do whatever it takes. I used to think Solo wan’t ready. But now, not so sure. I need to look into his eyes and see what kind of man he really is. Before we battle it out int he main event of SummerSLam, I challenge you to meet me in the ring next week, face to face, one on one.

“So I can look into your eyes and see if you are indeed ready. Because in this moment of solitude, I know that I am.” The American Nightmare is ready for another fight of his life, but will he be leaving The Land still on top of the mountain?

Backstage interview with Andrade.

Byron Saxton says last week, El Idolo had an incredible match with Carmelo Hayes, and he won. So what is next on the agenda? Well, Andrade is thinking United States Championship. But then Carmelo Hayes steps in and says, “Just because you beat me one time, you think this is over?” It isn’t over until Melo wins. Oh, no, Melo is done, because he missed. Oh, is that so? How about how the crowd didn’t miss Andrade the last two years he decided to leave. Put it in perspective: LeBron James, one of the greatest, even he has an off night. Happens to the best of us. Okay, but Melo isn’t LeBron. He’s more like… Bronny Jr.

Melo says yeah, he is like Bronny, because it’s his time now! So step aside! Andrade says if he wants one more match, then okay. Melo says that’s all it’s gonna take. Melo leaves, not shaking Andrade’s hand. But will Andrade make sure The Message gets through to H1M?

Bayley & Mia Yim VS Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton!

The Role Model has the title, and that puts a target on her back. The Queen of the Ring is waiting for SummerSlam, and even then, Ms. Tiffy in the Bank can strike at any moment. Will the Head Baddie in Charge help Bayley get past the bullies? Or will nothing stop the Irresistible Force and #TiffyTime?

Oh no! Nia attacks Michin from behind! She and Tiff stomp Mia around, even as the ref reprimands. Nia HEADBUTTS Mia, Tiff says this is what she gets, and Nia whips Mia hard into steel steps! But here comes Bayley! Bayley has a kendo stick and she runs off Nia & Tiff! Bayley stays by Mia’s side, but can Mia even compete now? Nia & Tiff set the briefcase aside, and same goes for the kendo stick and title belt. Tiff steps in, Bayley still wants this fight even with Mia down and out. The bell rings, Bayley runs up to THESZ PRESS! Bayley rains down fists, Tiff powers out, but Bayley hits another THESZ PRESS!

Tiff gets up again< Bayley headlocks, but Tiff powers out. Bayley hits buckles, Tiff headlocks, but Bayley powers out. Tiff runs Bayley over, says it’s time, and runs. Tiff handsprings over Bayley’s drop down, shows off, then dodges Bayley! Bayley KCISK a leg out, then rains down fists! The fans cheer, Tiff slips free but Bayley runs to SLIDING ELBOW! And SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley keeps her cool, Mia checks her arm, and Bayley CLUBS Tiff down. Bayley stomps Tiff, taunts Nia, then brings Tiff around. Tiff RAMS Bayley into buckles! Tiff stomps away, lets off as the ref counts, then struts around.

The fans are torn as Tiff stomps Bayley. Tiff whips Bayley to the corner, but Bayley uses that to CLOBBER Nia! Tiff ROCKS Bayley, pushes her down, then taunts Bayley. Tiff whips, Bayley slips out to the apron and ROCKS Tiff back! Bayley BOOTS Nia for good measure, then HOTSHOTS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Bayley clamps onto Tiff, and Mia is up! The fans rally, Bayley brings Tiff up and wrenches, but then Nia YANKS Mia down! Nia fireman’s carries to SAMOAN DROP to the floor! Tiff HIP ATTACKS Bayley, then TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but she and Mia are in bad shape as SmackDown goes to break.