Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/20/22)
Becky wants payback!
Is the Empress ready for The Big Time?
As Money in the Bank draws closer, Becky Lynch wants in on that ladder match! Will she get her way by taking Asuka out of the running? Or is not even The Man ready for Asuka?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Asuka; changed to…
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 5: Becky Lynch VS Asuka VS Carmella VS Liv Morgan VS Alexa Bliss; Carmella wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title at MITB.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Omos w/ MVP; Omos wins and advances to MITB.
- Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso; Dawkins wins.
- WWE United States Championship Contender Three Round Gauntlet: Bobby Lashley VS ???; Lashley wins and will challenge Theory for the title at MITB.
- AJ Styles VS Tommaso Ciampa; Styles wins.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Asuka (rescheduled); Asuka wins and advances to MITB.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns to loss of referee Tim White.
Bianca Belair is here!
The University of Nebraska fires up for the RawEST Women’s Champion as she makes her way out to the ring. Bianca gets the mic and welcomes everyone to the freshEST and finEST show on TV, Monday Night Raw! Now, given that she is the EST Of WWE, she looks forward to every opportunity she gets to defend her title, so she looks forward to Money in the Bank and her newEST challenger, Rhea Ripley. But she really wishes she wasn’t the one who had to come out and break the news, but… Rhea Ripley will not be medically cleared to compete. Fans boo but Bianca says the match isn’t happening… yet.
But Bianca stays ready so she doesn’t have to get ready, so she will be ready and waiting when Rhea makes her return! Fans like the sound of that. So until then, who will Bianca face at MITB? Tonight, we have FIVE women: Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Carmella, Asuka and Becky Lynch. All five are going to compete in a Fatal 5 Way, the winner becomes Bianca’s challenger. All of them are amazing, but- Here comes Big Time Becks! And she tells Bianca, “There is only ONE contender, and you know it’s me. Let me remind you that I still haven’t gotten my one-on-one rematch after we had the greatest women’s wrestling match in WrestleMania history.”
Becky gets in the ring to say that at Hell in a Cell, she had it won. She had Asuka beat but Bianca stole that from her, didn’t she? Becky is being misused, mistreated and being made to jump through hoop after hoop and overcome obstacle after obstacle. But it’s okay, really! After tonight’s Fatal 5, it’ll make taking back her title all that much sweeter. But here comes who Becky was supposed to face alone, ASUKA! “Becky, Becky, Becky. Oh, Becky, aww…” Asuka laughs and says, “Are you crying?” Becky frowns as Asuka continues to tease her. Is Becky still a Big Time Baby? Huh, huh, huh?
Becky says maybe if Asuka spent less time making Simpsons memes and boring the piss out of Becky, Asuka would be doing alright. Because last match they had 1v1, Becky has Asuka’s shoulders flat on the mat! But here comes Liv Morgan! Liv tells Becky that if Liv were her, don’t worry just about Asuka. Liv is always ready for a fight! In fact, she’s in a great mood tonight! She’s already got her shot at MITB, the thing Becky hasn’t been able to do yet. Sorry about that, but Becky will figure it out. But Liv would gladly trade that in for a chance to go 1v1 with Bianca! And now Carmella makes her way out!
“Hold up, hold up, hold up. Something doesn’t quite add up here… I mean, obviously I know why I’m in the match tonight, along with Becky, Asuka and Alexa. I mean, we’re all former champions. But Liv, why’re you out here?” Liv scowls while Mella gets in the ring. “Raise of hands here, who thinks we should kick the lovable little loser out of the match and make it a Fatal 4 Way?” Fans boo and Liv says that’s so funny. Liv is here because she’s been here. If Mella wants to talk like that again, Liv can give her a few more weeks off. Mella says, “First off, how dare you? That’s some big talk by somebody who was only added to the MITB Ladder Match after riding Alexa Bliss’ coattails.”
But speaking of, here comes Lil’ Miss Bliss! Someone said her name, right? But we all know that Mella loves to name drop. Speaking of name dropping, should Alexa name drop a certain guy with no chin that won the match for Mella? And Mella’s here talking about riding coattails. Sweetie, that’s so rich coming from someone who has literally never been able to be successful on her own. So then, why not do us all a favor: stop being a hypocrite and stop picking on Liv before Alexa beats your face in herself. Bianca has everyone hold on, this is doing way too much. Everyone can run their mouths, but the fans are ready for some action!
Fans cheer and Bianca says let’s get to it. Let’s see who is ready to get down and compete! The EST gets things sorted out, and that Fatal 5 #1 Contender’s match happens after the break!
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 5: Becky Lynch VS Asuka VS Carmella VS Liv Morgan VS Alexa Bliss!
Raw returns and Bianca sits with commentary as the bell rings. Becky goes after Asuka and tackles her! They scrap, fall out of the ring, and Mella ROCKS Liv! Alexa SLAPS Mella then ROCKS her, and Liv SHOTGUNS Mella down! Fans fire up for #LivYourBliss, but they circle and tie up now. Liv headlocks, hits a takeover, but Alexa slips out. Liv kicks Alexa away, avoids the stomps, then speeds up to sunset flip! TWO, but Liv holds on for a rolling body scissor clutch! She brings Alexa around and around and around, ONE count after ONE count, then she stops, TWO! Alexa is dizzy and Liv whips her to ropes.
Alexa turns hip toss into arm-drag and cover, ONE! Alexa cradles, TWO! Liv has it, Alexa has it back, it’s another rolling cradle! ONE after ONE after ONE, they finally settle but have to shift, TWO!! Both women are dizzy now, but Alexa dodges. Liv dodges, and then DOUBLE HAYMAKERS take them both down! Mella covers Alexa, TWO! Now she covers Liv, TWO! Back to Alexa, TWO! Back to Liv, TWO! Mella is losing her cool but the counts were all fair. Asuka runs in but Mella avoids the sliding kick! And the backhand! Asuka blocks the superkick but Mella ducks the backhand again. Asuka blocks a kick to waistlock, but Mella fights the lift!
Mella swings an elbow but Asuka dodges, to BACKHAND Mella down! Corey Graves freaks out about Mella’s face, but Asuka runs, only for Becky to trip her and drag her out! Becky BOOTS Asuka, but Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER on Mella! TWO, and Becky waves hi to Alexa. Alexa rushes her but gets a knee, ROUNDHOUSE, and then throw down by her hair! Becky goes up top, and drops the MAN’S LEG onto nothing! Alexa gets Becky but Becky slips out to wrench. Alexa ROCKS Becky, KICKS Becky, and RANAS Becky away! Mella rolls Alexa, TWO! Mella knees low, talks trash, then throws her down.
Mella soaks up the heat, Bianca shakes her head, but Mella drags Alexa up. Alexa SLAPS Mella and fires off body shots! Alexa scoops, Mella slips out and SLAMS Alexa down! Cover, TWO! Mella is frustrated again, but she dodges Liv. Liv dodges Alexa, BROKEN WINGSÂ into buckles! Mella is down and Liv goes up as fans fire up! But Mella shoves Liv OFF and onto the others! Everyone is down on the outside while Mella grins and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Becky has Alexa in a corner. She runs in, misses, and Alexa fires off forearms! Becky shoves Alexa back, BECKSPLODER! Liv gets in, dodges Becky and kicks, KICKS and ENZIGURIS! Liv SHINING WIZARDS Becky in a corner, shoves her down and aims, BIG missile dropkick! Liv kips up and fans fire up with her! Liv runs at Becky to SLINGBLADE her down! Cover, TWO! Bianca is surprised and Liv fires herself back up. Becky flounders to a corner, Liv runs in but is sent into buckles! Becky stacks Liv, feet on the ropes, TWO! Becky hurries up top, but Mella ROCKS Becky! And DECKS Liv!
Mella gives Becky a SUPER STEINERÂ that throws her onto Liv! Mella covers them both, Asuka breaks it in time! Bianca is getting goosebumps watching this! Asuka snarls at Mella and the feeling is mutual. Mella dodges Asuka, mule kicks then FABULOUS KICKS! Cover, TWO! Mella shrieks and slaps Asuka around. Mella drags Asuka up but Asuka hits a FLYING ARMBAR, into the ASUKA LOCK!! Alexa hits INSULT2INJURY! Becky tosses Alexa and goes after Asuka’s arm! Asuka avoids the Disarm-Her and wants the chicken wing! Becky fights that, Liv leaps in, Becky lets Asuka take the missile dropkick!
Becky TOSSES Liv, ROCKS Alexa up top, and then goes after Asuka! CRADLE! TWO!! Asuka almost had Becky but Becky gives Asuka a MANHANDLE SLAM! Cover, TWISTED BLISS breaks it! Double cover, Mella AND Liv break it!! Bianca and the fans are all loving this! “This is Awesome!” as all five women slowly stir. Asuka is up first, she looks for a target. Mella and Becky bail out the sides, Alexa rushes in! Asuka blocks a kick, but Alexa ducks the backhand! Alexa reels Asuka in but Becky returns! Becky facelocks Alexa but that allows Asuka to escape the clinch. Becky ducks, the ROUNDHOUSE hits Alexa!
Becky whips Asuka out of the ring, but Liv returns to give her a FLYING CODE BREAKER! Then ObLIV- NO! Becky holds ropes, MANHANDLE SLAM! Cover, Asuka drags Becky away!! They’re both on the outside, Asuka dodges a haymaker to ROUNDHOUSE Becky! Alexa WRECKS Asuka, and then drags Liv to a drop zone! Alexa goes up top, TWISTED BLISS onto knees! Alexa flounders out, FABULOUS KICK from Mella! Cover, Mella wins!!
Winner: Carmella, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)
Even Bianca has to admit that was savvy. Becky is freaking out, because the (self-proclaimed) Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE has the golden ticket to the title. But will Bianca show her that looks and opportunistic tendencies aren’t enough to dethrone the EST?
Becky immediately finds Adam Pearce!
She complains to him about how it has been time after time that she loses! Pearce tries to calm Becky down, but what will happen to the Big Time Comeback now?
Raw returns and is still complaining. She should be in MITB, she should be #1 contender, that show is nothing without her! She’s on the freakin’ poster! Pearce tells her that he can’t just put her into something, she has to earn opportunities. Okay, then how? How how how? Well before the change in plans, she was supposed to face Asuka for a spot, right? So then they’ll do that? Fine! Then it’s back on. They still have their qualifier for the MITB Ladder Match, and that match will happen tonight. What? Tonight?! After what we just saw?! What is going on here?! Which will Becky lose first: her mind, or another match?
Vince McMahon is here?!
This is literally unannounced and unexpected, but yes, here he is in Nebraska! He thanks everyone and says tonight marks the 1,517th edition of Monday Night Raw. That means it continues to be the longest running episodic television show in history. For that, he thanks the fans. That means Raw has been on the air for almost 30 years, and 20 of them, they’ve been dominated by the greatest WWE Superstar of all time. That man makes his return to Raw next week. Vince makes no less reference to the Hustle, Loyalty and Respect, JOHN CENA! Cena is on his way back on June 27th, the 20th anniversary of his debut, what will Cena do on that night?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Omos w/ MVP!
The Bro came so, so, so close to taking the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from the Tribal Chief, but he could not put Roman Reigns away. Riddle is now barred from challenging Roman Reigns ever again, unless he can get this contract. Will the Stallion be able to topple a giant and have a huge opportunity in his hometown? Or will Omos simply add to the Bro’s woes?
Raw returns as Riddle has a mic to say, “Bro… So, one month ago, my best bro, Randy, may have had his career ended at the hands of Roman Reigns & The Bloodline.” Riddle says on that day, he made a promise to himself and Randy to get vengeance for both of them. Last Friday Night SmackDown, Riddle was this close, bro. He went toe to toe, tit for tat, and even hit one of the sickest RKO’s ever! “But Roman’s Roman, he’s the Tribal Chief, and at the end of the day, he hit me with a Spear that almost broke me in half, and he beat me.” Riddle let himself down, he let the fans down, and most importantly, he let down his best friend, his mentor, and his “brother from another mother,” Randy Orton.
Fans chant for “R K BRO! R K BRO!” and Riddle says he might be down, but he’s definitely not out! You’ll have to kill Riddle to stop him! And while Riddle can’t challenge Roman for the Undisputed Universal Championship, but here’s something he can do: win MITB! And Riddle knows it is a long shot, but if he wins the contract and cashes in on Roman, he could end his reign of terror in the WWE and finally get sweet vengeance that RKBRO truly desires. Now, Riddle knows there’s a lot of competition already in that match, from Sheamus to Drew McIntyre to “that punk ass Seth Freakin’ Rollins.
“And speaking of that punk ass, Seth Freakin’ Rollins, you kinda did my boy, Cody Rhodes, dirty when you hit him with a sledgehammer in the chest. So I think I wanna hit you in the back with a ladder, bro!” Fans like the sound of that. But here comes the Nigerian Giant and Montel Vontavius Porter! MVP tells Riddle, “You been hanging out with Snoop Dogg again? Or I know, you hung out with Wiz Khalifa and smoked dizzle, right?” Those are the only guys MVP knows that have that top shelf kind of stash that could have Riddle this divorced from reality! Riddle, you won’t even make it to MITB, let alone win. Because there’s a 7’3″, 403 pound GIANT in your way!
However, it’s not all bad. Riddle will get high tonight, when Omos picks him up and slams him down to reality! “Talk about a bad comedown.” Riddle says touché. But here’s a little something for Omos & MVP. Riddle will get high, when he raises his hand up high when he wins here tonight with the three most destructive letters in all of sports entertainment: R K BRO! Riddle is fired up, but will he be coughing up a lung after falling off Mount Omos?
Raw returns and the bell rings. Riddle rushes in and fires off on Omos! Omos shoves Riddle away but Riddle gets around to fire off more shots! Omos shoves Riddle to a corner but Riddle avoids the back body block! Riddle fires off KICK after KICK after KICK, then lets off as the ref counts. Riddle runs, but Omos scoops him for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Omos is fired up and MVP says he doesn’t like that, he loves that! Omos aims at Riddle, runs corner to corner, and hits the back body block! Riddle falls over and MVP says to keep on him. Omos drags Riddle up, whips him to a corner hard, and Riddle falls to the mat!
Riddle writhes, and Seth Rollins is watching backstage in a pink leopard print. Omos kicks Riddle to ropes, and then stands on the bad ribs! The ref counts, Omos lets off, and MVP talks trash. Riddle gets up to fire off on Omos! Riddle runs, but into a BEARHUG! Fans rally as Riddle endures but Omos thrashes him around! Riddle throws down hands on Omos’ head! Riddle frees himself, but Omos reels him in to CLUB him in the back! MVP says Omos can’t let Riddle disrespect him! BEARHUG! Riddle endures all over again and fans rally back up. Riddle throws elbows, Omos thrashes Riddle more, but Riddle fires more and more and more shots!
Riddle is free again, he throws more elbows, but Omos choke grips! CHOKE- FINAL FLASH! Omos staggers and goes to a corner, but Riddle runs in! Forearm smash! Then side to side, forearm smash! Riddle keeps going, but gets caught! Omos TOSSES Riddle away! Omos runs corner to corner, into BOOTS! Riddle goes up top, FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Omos gets hit but still only staggers! Riddle fires up and hears the voices, bro! RK- NO! Omos has both hands, MOUNTAINTOP SLAM!! Cover, Omos wins!!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
But then Omos adds on! Another MOUNTAINTOP SLAM!! Fans boo, but the giant is moving on to the ladder match. Will Omos even need a ladder to win?
As for Riddle, SETH ROLLINS makes his way out to the ring! Rollins is in a good mood given he’s in the MITB match, and that Riddle is not. Rollins looks at Riddle as he somehow manages to stand up. Rollins then DECKS Riddle! And throws him out of the ring! Fans boo and Rollins laughs as he gets a mic. “HAHAHAHAHA! Awww~ I’m sorry! I don’t share airspace with loooserrrs~! And Riddle, you are the Ultimate Loser! HAHA! First, you lose your buddy Raandy~! And then you lose your title match to Roman Reigns! And now you’ve lost your opportunity at MITB! HAHAHAHA!”
But hey, truth be told, Rollins can’t be too hard on Riddle, since it wouldn’t have mattered. Because no one in the MITB can defeat Roman Reigns. The entire planet knows that only one man has Roman’s number, and you are looking at him! HAHAHA! Roman’s been ducking and dodging Rollins since he emotionally dismantled him at the Royal Rumble. But in two week’s time, Rollins will climb the ladder, take the MITB contract, and then Roman can run and hide all he wants, but Rollins will find him. And if you thought that first cash-in was something, “well you ain’t seen nothing yet, baby! Because I am a Visionary! I am a revolutionary! I am Seth! Freakin’!”
Riddle DECKS Rollins! Fans fire up but Rollins kicks back, runs, and hits a CURB STOMP!! Rollins laughs at Riddle more, then swaggers away. Will the Visionary truly recreate history? Does Riddle still have a way back to the top?
(Austin) Theory is here!
The Youngest United States in WWE History is back again, flexing and boasting the entire way to the ring. He says he is untouchable after what he did to Bobby Lashley last week, but he’s ignoring the fact he lost. Will Theory only inflate his ego more here tonight? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Theory is back on the Pose-Down pedestal. Theory says everyone wants to know what it’s like to be a prodigy, the new Chosen One, and the new face of the WWE. But hey, he was expecting the boos because he doesn’t expect anyone here to relate to the youngest and greatest US Champion in WWE history! Fans boo more but Theory says they love him. Last week, he stood on this podium, showed off his physique, and proved Lashley can’t touch him! No one can! At this point in his career, Theory is better than Lashley ever was! He is on a level that- SHUT UP! He’s the one with the mic, so shut up!
Theory smiles and says he can wait. But next week, that might be the Cena Celebration, but his time is up, and Theory’s time is now. Get it? Is that unfair? Unfair that Theory says that about the supposed greatest of all time? What’s unfair was his Pose-Down last week! He didn’t get to show the fans the rest of his immaculate poses! So all you losers get to see the most perfect body in all the WWE, right here and now in his Theory Invitational Pose-Down! Now shut up while he oils up. Theory shines himself up and gives us the Double Biceps! Theory gloats the whole time, and says here comes the Side Chest! ALL DAY! Better than Lashley!
And of course, his favorite- LASHLEY! Fans fire up and Theory thinks it’s for him. Theory flexes, but then says everyone can quiet down. He’s good but hold on. Theory picks up the belt and tells fans to stop chanting for Lashley. But then Theory takes a selfie, and sees Lashley in the background! He turns around, and gets BABY OIL IN THE FACE! And a SPEAR off the podium!! Lashley sends Theory rolling and picks up the belt! Lashley also gets a mic and says he’ll say it one more time to make it clear: He’s not asking, he’s telling Theory that the title is coming home with Lashley! Fans fire up with the Rocky Mountain Machine, will he humble Theory once and for all?
Theory returns backstage.
Theory is still wiping baby oil out of his eyes and Kevin Patrick walks over. Theory asks where interviewers even come from. Do they just lurk in the shadows and wait for him to walk by? Kevin Patrick asks if Theory will address that challenge for the title. Lashley doesn’t deserve a title shot! He wishes he could hold this title! But, Theory was just in Adam Pearce’s office, on the phone with higher-ups, and Theory made a suggestion. Pearce accepted it, so if Lashley wants to earn a title match, he has to defeat three men, one after another, in a gauntlet match TONIGHT! Only then, which Theory guarantees won’t happen, Theory will defend his US title at MITB.
A mighty challenge for the All Mighty! Will he survive whoever it is Theory throws at him to then go for the gold in Las Vegas?
Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso!
The Street Profits get their shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships at MITB, but they’re already down after Jimmy turned things around on Ford. Will Dawkins tie up the 1v1 series? Or will the #RightHandMan keep things on the right track for the Bloodline?
Raw returns and Jey says you know who they are! You know who they are! “We the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, the Usos!” Jimmy adds, “And the Usos hold all the gold! Raw!” Jey says, “Got dat.” SmackDown. “Got dat, too!” Jimmy says The Bloodline runs both shows, Mondays and Fridays, and they’re smashing errybody! Just like Roman smashed Riddle, Roman will smash Lesnar again, and then the Usos will smash the Profits again! Cuz they the twos and #WeTheOnes! But speaking of, here come the Profits! Fans fire up for the red Solo cups, and Dawkins points out to Ford, it’s the Usos!
Oh, yeah! But they’re talking like they got bass in their voice. Last time they faced off, Profits beat the Usos so bad, Usos couldn’t get back in the ring. Guys, the Profits are the Profits, all about dat money, say somethin’ to me. But the only thing better than having Money in the Bank, is having more gold around their waists. But Jey tells Ford that his mouth is writing checks his ass can’t cash! Dawkins says, “Hey, Tez, y’know what? He’s got a point. But Jey, I bet I could beat your ass, though.” Ford tells the Usos to enjoy their reign while they can. Because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! Jey and Dawkins stay in the ring, and we see which way momentum goes this time!
The bell rings, Jey and Dawkins circle, talking some smack, and then they tie up. Jey kicks and ROCKS and CLUBS Dawkins, then whips him corner to corner. Dawkins reverses, runs in and CYCLONE SPLASH, to an ENZIGURI! Jey flounders out while Ford is fired up! Dawkins runs in but Jey dump him out! Jey then DIVES and hits Dawkins into barriers! Jey snarls, tells Dawkins this ain’t no game, and then he punches the headbands off him! Jey CLOBBES Dawkins into the timekeeper’s area! Fans fire up while the Usos raise their fingers, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Dawkins endures a chinlock. Dawkins fights up, fights free, and ROCKS Jey with a right hand! And then ROCKS him again! Dawkins JABS and JABS and JABS Jey in the corner. Dawkins whips corner to corner, Jey reverses, but Dawkins bounces off buckles to LARIAT Jey! Dawkins keeps rallying with clotheslines, but Jey mule kicks! And uppercuts! Jey whips, Dawkins hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! Fans fire up, Dawkins scoops for the EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Dawkins is surprised but Ford coaches him on. Dawkins watches Jey get up, runs in, and CYCLONE- NO, Jey dodges! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Jimmy argues the ref but the ref tells him to get off the apron. Jey watches Dawkins goes to a corner as he goes to the other. “UCE! SO!” Jey runs in, into a POUNCE! Dawkins gets Jey up, SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Dawkins can’t believe it! Dawkins hurries to get Jey back up, whip him to ropes, but Jey KNEES free of the pop-up! Dawkins bobs ‘n’ weaves and ROCKS Jey again! Jey rebounds to SUPERKICK! Dawkins is down, Jey goes up top! USO SPLASHÂ into the ANOINTING! Cover, Dawkins wins!!
Winner: Angelo Dawkins, by pinfall
And we’re all tied up! Jimmy is stunned as now the Usos are on the losing side! But will they be able to redeem themselves when it comes time to put the titles up?
Elias is playing his guitar.
Ezekiel visits his brother, saying, “There’s Zeke’s #1 freak.” Elias responds with, “And there’s my little brother.” They sit on the same couch together and Zeke says it’s been too long. Zeke debuted, won his first match, but still dealing with doubters like Kevin Owens calling him a liar. But where’s Elias been? Traveling around the world, writing songs, playing shows. But nothing compares to being in front of the WWE Universe. Wow, even in a place like Nebraska? Elias used to say some things about places like this. Elias says he’s a changed man. And he’s seen Zeke out there, living the dream, hearing the crowds. It has changed Elias’ perspective.
In fact, Elias is proud to be here. He just wonders if the people remember: WWE stands for #WalkWithElias. C’mon, man! Didn’t you hear them all last week? Of course they remember! But gotta say, this means the world to Zeke. Mom ‘n’ dad are surely watching them like they used to watch the WWE. Maybe Zeke will be in the MITB Ladder match! Imagine that: Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Ezekiel! He’s getting #ZekedUp just thinking about it! Because then, everyone will wanna #SpeakWithZeke. Elias tells Zeke not to get ahead of himself. He has to focus on what’s right in front of him.
Elias wasn’t sure a wholesome kid like Zeke has a mean streak but he likes what he sees. Zeke’s doing a great job. Zeke says he loves his brother, and Elias says he loves Zeke, too. Now, if Zeke doesn’t mind, Elias has to tune up before he gets out there. They fist bump and Zeke heads out. Will the Drifter really have his return concert here tonight? What will Kevin Owens say to something like this?
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
He’s back in the ring with the spotlight! “Hello, I am Elias. And I gotta say, it feels great to be here in front of all the good people of Nebraska.” Fans cheer for that, and Elias says, “I wanna thank you for welcoming me back, I wanna thank you for taking care of my little brother, and I’m here for a couple reasons tonight. And one of those is to remind you that there is a universal truth that you should never forget. And that is that WWE stands for…” “WALK! WITH! ELIAS!” Elias missed that! But in light of everything that’s going on, he’ll kick things off here tonight with a song dedicated to his brother, Zeke.
Elias starts playing and fans clap along. But then Kevin Owens says nope! They’re not doing this! He is ending the charade! No one wants this concert! Fans boo because they do! Kevin says this man is a liar with no integrity! Now, he might have the “wise” people of Nebraska fooled, but not Kevin! He’s French Canadian, he’s super smart! He knows this man is a liar! Elias and Zeke are the same person! That video of them together doesn’t fool Kevin! Special effects, movie magic, they can do whatever they want! Kevin saw a movie with dinosaurs in it! A T-Rex was flying a helicopter!! That video proves NOTHING!
But then Zeke calls Kevin from the tron!? Does Kevin get it now? This is Zeke, and that is Elias. They’ve been telling him the truth the whole time. Kevin just has to accept it and move on. And to Elias, good luck with the concert. Elias thanks Zeke and tells Kevin that it is clearly no one is lying. But to make it clear, here’s a little song. “Elias is back for one night! Big Zeke likes to bring the fight. The Zeke Freaks have been on fire, cuz they know KO is a liar! Sing it! KO is a liar! KO, is a liar~!” Kevin tells Elias to stop already! Stop it! He takes the guitar and TOSSES it! So Elias hits a JUMP KNEE! Fans fire up as Kevin drops, and then Elias gets his spare guitar!
Elias aims at Kevin, and gives him a SMASH HIT! The classics never get old! Kevin writhes and Elias says thanks to Nebraska for tonight. Will Kevin ever leave Zeke and Elias alone? Kevin flops to the back, and Kevin Patrick asks him just that. Is he convinced? Why would he be?! Is he an idiot?! He can explain all that! That tron message could’ve easily been recorded earlier today! And Elias was wearing a fake beard! But KO does know that his back is killing him, he just hurt his knee, and that’s all “his” fault! So next week, Kevin challenges “him” to a match! It can be Elias, Zeke, or their even YOUNG brother, Elrond! Just someone face Kevin!
Kevin then looks like he’s seen a ghost, as Zeke walks in! Zeke heard the challenge, and accepts it. Kevin is flabbergasted, and even shouts “ELROND!” Will the Prizefighter ever get over this obsession?
WWE United States Championship Contender Three Round Gauntlet: Bobby Lashley VS ???
Theory made this match for the All Mighty, and the All Mighty gladly accepts! Will Lashley put three innocent men through some serious pain to finally make Theory put his title where his mouth is? Or will it only take one of them to stop Lashley’s momentum?
Raw returns, and first up to take on Lashley is… Chad Gable! Will Gable make Lashley SHOOOOSH~ here?
Bobby Lashley VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
The bell rings and Gable tells Lashley to focus on him, not on Otis. They tie up, Gable waistlocks but Lashley wrenches to a wristlock. Lashley grinds the arm, Gable endures, and Lashley hammerlocks to a headlock. Gable endures again, and Lashley hits a takeover. Gable makes it a cover, ONE! Lashley holds, wrenches, waistlocks and SLAMS Gable down! Lashley facelocks, keeps his eyes on Otis, but Gable fights up. Gable wrenches out, wristlocks, but Lashley wrenches back to a wristlock. Fans rally for Lashley but Gable rolls, bridges, and handsprings to wrench through and CHOP! Gable says SHOOOOSH~!
Lashley spins Gable around for a NECKBREAKER! Lashley runs to run Gable over, then shoots in to trip him up and SLAP him! Lashley tells Gable to SHOOSH! Gable snarls, rushes in, but Lashley puts him on the apron. Lashley runs to then BLAST Gable all the way to the desk! Otis tells Lashley to stay back but fans fire up as Lashley goes out after Gable. Lashley whips Gable into barriers, then shines up the corner. Lashley hauls Gable up, fireman’s carry and POST! Fans fire up while Gable is down and Lashley gets back in the ring. Otis helps Gable stand, but Lashley throws elbows at the apron!
Lashley suplexes Gable, holds him up for 10, then 15, then SLAMS Gable down! Fans fire up and Lashley takes aim from the corner. Gable gets up, Lashley runs in, but Gable drop toeholds to an ANKLE LOCK! Gable laughs and tells Lashley to give up! Lashley endures, pushes up, but Gable puts on more pressure! Lashley rolls over to kick Gable away! Gable gets up the corner, Lashley runs in and Gable leaps over! Gable CLOBBERS Lashley, goes up top, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Lashley survives and Gable is shocked! Gable wants Nebraska to SHOOSH, and he stalks Lashley. Gable reels Lashley in, but Lashley spins around to clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!
Lashley hobbles over, gets Gable, but Gable blocks the Full Nelson to standing switch! Lashley switches back, Gable drops, but Lashley drags Gable up out of the victory roll and into the HURT LOCK! Gable TAPS, Lashley ELIMINATES him! But then Otis CLOBBERS Lashley! Obviously the tree trunk is the second opponent!
Bobby Lashley VS Otis w/ Chad Gable!
Otis stomps away on Lashley, Gable tells Lashley to SHOOSH, but the ref pulls the Alpha Academy away. Otis then stands on Lashley! The ref counts, Otis lets off at 4 and Lashley gets to the apron. Otis goes out after Lashley, storms over around the way, and he KICKS Lashley in the side! Otis RAMS Lashley into barriers and says that felt good! Otis says this is #ForTheAcademy, and then he drags Lashley back up. Otis POSTS Lashley in return for what he did to Gable, and then he gets in the ring at 5 of 10. Fans rally, the count is 8, but Otis then goes out after Lashley again to CLOBBER him! Otis paces around as the ring count restarts.
Otis aims, runs and SPLASHES Lashley! Fans boo while Gable says “A THANK YEW~!” Otis asks, “Who’s the man now?!” and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Otis has Lashley with a neck wrench. Fans rally as Lashley endures, fights up, and throws body shots! Lashley ROCKS Otis, then waistlocks, but Otis is too bulky to lift! Otis elbows free, runs, but Lashley dodges. But Otis rolls to dodge back! And then he CLOBBERS Lashley! Cover, TWO! Otis snarls and argues with the ref but the count was fair. Otis runs to drop a BIG elbow! Otis again asks, “Who’s the man?!” Otis stalks Lashley to a corner, throws clobbering shots, and reels Lashley in for a short arm LARIAT! Otis calls himself the Hammer of God, then goes up the corner! VADER BOMBÂ FLOPS as Lashley moves!
Otis clutches his gut, Lashley runs in, but Otis rolls again! Lashley dodges in return, for a COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up and Lashley fires up, too! Lashley waits on Otis to get up, but Otis blocks the Hurt Lock! Otis throws an elbow but Lashley still holds on. Otis powers Lashley to a corner and fires off back elbows from both sides! Otis then runs corner to corner, but only gets buckles! Lashley SPEARS Otis down!! Cover, GABLE attacks! Lashley advances by disqualification! Gable hammers away on Lashley, rains down fists, and there’s still one more man Lashley has to face! Gable and Otis haul Lashley up to POST him!
Otis drags Lashley out, feeds Lashley to Gable’s GERMAN SUPLEX, and then Otis hits a SPLASH! Who is the third man? THEORY HIMSELF!!
Bobby Lashley VS (Austin) Theory!
Of course “The Chosen One” wants to pick the bones! He rains down fists on Lashley and fans boo! Theory stomps away, flexes, and says this is HIS time! Theory CLUBS Lashley, CLUBS him again, stomps and kicks, then hauls Lashley into a corner to fire off haymakers! The ref counts, Theory lets off at 4, and storms around shouting at Lashley. But then Lashley hits back with counter punches! Theory kicks a leg, but runs into a scoop! But Theory kicks and flails and gets to the apron to HOTSHOT Lashley!
Theory somersaults and SHOTGUNS Lashley down! Theory wants to finish this and he tells Lashley to get up! Fans boo while Theory fireman’s carries, A TOWN- NO, Lashley turns it into a leg capture cradle! LASHLEY WINS!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE US Championship)
Theory was angry before, but now he’s furious! Lashley survives three opponents and now has his golden ticket to Las Vegas! Will Theory lose his cool and lose the title, too? Or can the “new face of the WWE” find a way to save face and survive the All Mighty?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Sarah asks if Bianca was surprised by Mella winning and becoming new #1 contender to the Raw Women’s Championship? Bianca says yes and no. Mella was away but she showed up and showed out. Mella is always an amazing competitor, a former Ms. MITB, Women’s Tag Team Champion and Women’s Champion, so Bianca isn’t going to underestimate her. She’ll treat Mella like she does Rhea. Bianca stays ready so she doesn’t have to get ready, because she is the strongEST, the fastEST, the- Mella cheap shots her!! Always ready, huh? Well, watch your back, because #MellaIsMoney! Mella runs off, but will Bianca be more than ready to bust her in Las Vegas?
The Miz heads to the ring!
The Hollywood A-Lister promises a phenomenal edition of MizTV tonight with AJ Styles as his guest! What will Miz asks Styles on the road to MITB? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and says he is anxious to get to the bottom of what’s been going on with his guest. Get up out of your seats for the Phenomenal AJ Styles! Fans fire up as Styles makes his entrance, and Miz jams out to Styles’ theme song as Styles makes his way to the ring. They sit and Miz thanks Styles for being here. Styles has been going through some “issues” lately, such as Edge attacking Styles going into WrestleMania. Then when Styles tried to get payback, Edge used the ol’ numbers game by starting The Judgement Day.
What did Styles do? Got himself an ally in Finn Balor, only for Finn Balor to join The Judgement Day. And then last week, Styles wanted to punish Rollins so bad for what he did to Cody Rhodes, it cost Styles a spot in the MITB ladder match. And to top it all off, earlier tonight, Styles’ former tag team partner, the 7’3″ giant, Omos, qualified for the MITB match. Miz says he’s not gonna lie, but he’s embarrassed for Styles. Miz, a two-time Mr. MITB, would not let an opportunity- Okay, okay, c’mon. Styles asks if Miz only asked him out here to get a rise out of him? If so, he’s going about this all wrong.
No, no, Miz says Styles has The Miz wrong. Styles is here on MizTV so that the “young, naïve University of Nebraska students could get a preview of what it’s like to become a failure.” Fans boo and Miz smirks, but Styles asks if that was supposed to sting. These fans are young, but they’re not naïve. The one who is naïve is Miz. Miz clearly doesn’t watch college football, because if he did, he’d know that Nebraska is Cornhusker Country! Fans chant “GO BIG RED!” But if we’re talking corn, Miz must feel like the failure since Maryse married a man with tiny little popcorns. Maybe smaller? Miz says this is not going to be a thing.
Oh, no, Miz’s tiny balls are a thing. NO! It is not a thing! Yes, it is. It isn’t! Styles asks the fans: Are Miz’s tiny balls a thing or not? “YES! YES! YES!” “POPCORN BALLS! POPCORN BALLS!” Miz says he does NOT have tiny balls!! His balls are MASSIVE!! And Miz is the ONLY two-time Grand Slam Champion in WWE history! More wins here than Styles could ever dream of! The fans are all excited for the 20th Anniversary Cena Celebration? Well Miz BEAT Cena at the main event of WrestleMania! Miz has a beautiful wife, a perfect family, and The It Family reinvented reality television with Miz & Mrs., and a brand new episode is on right after Raw! Miz is a SUCCESS STORY!
But what Miz wants to know about Styles is, “What does it feel like to be a huge disappointment?” Styles hopes fans see what Miz is doing. He’s trying to get Styles to pop off, right? But Styles won’t play that game. Yes, things haven’t gone his way. He isn’t in MITB and that’s on him. One of his best friends betrayed him, not so Too Sweet. And there was his time in the Seth Rollins VS Cody Rhodes saga. Styles lost, and that’s on him. He’s been through adversity before. How do you think he became Phenomenal? But see here’s the thing: When Styles gets disrespected, he doesn’t come out to some talk show and run his mouth like Miz does.
When Styles gets disrespected, he does this! Styles CLOBBERS Miz with the microphone! But then TOMMASO CIAMPA attacks Styles!? Is Ciampa Miz’s guardian psycho or something?! Will Styles do something about this after the break?
AJ Styles VS Tommaso Ciampa!
Raw returns, the bell rings and the two rush each other! Styles puts Ciampa in a corner, fires off hands, then whips corner to corner. Ciampa reverses, Styles hits buckles but LARIATS Ciampa back! Miz is on commentary, of course, while Styles hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, ONE, but Styles brings Ciampa up. Ciampa CLAWS Styles’ face then HEADBUTTS him! Ciampa CLUBS Styles, Miz complains about Styles’ sucker punch, and Ciampa CHOPS Styles. Ciampa whips, Styles reverses, and Styles hurdles, drops and dropkicks! Byron Saxton asks if Miz knew Ciampa was lurking, and Miz says no. He hasn’t had a single conversation with Ciampa in his life.
Styles seethes while Ciampa bails out. Ciampa checks his teeth, but Styles slingshots. Ciampa slides in and dropkicks Styles down! Then KNEES him off the apron! Miz likes that! Ciampa gets Styles up, puts him in the ring, and then runs in to KNEE Styles back down! Miz wants Ciampa to pin Styles and Ciampa covers, TWO! Miz does note that if you’re paying attention, every strike of Ciampa’s is just vicious. Ciampa stomps Styles, paces around him, then drags him up to turn him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Byron does ask Miz why he wanted Styles as a guest, and Miz asks back how Byron is still on commentary when he adds nothing.
Ciampa tries another cover, ONE! Ciampa sits Styles up to ELBOW Styles in the head! Miz says he asks the hard hitting questions, so that is what he did with Styles. Ciampa clamps on a chinlock and grinds Styles down. Styles endures, even as Ciampa pushes up for leverage. Fans rally, Styles fights up, and he throws body shots. Ciampa swings but Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! SLIDING FOREARM! Fans fire up, Styles runs in and hits a clothesline in the corner! Then he fireman’s carries Ciampa for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Styles brings Ciampa up and calls for The Clash!
But Ciampa wrenches out, gets around, ripcord and ROLLING ELBOW! Ciampa reels Styles in, underhooks the arms, but Styles blocks the lift to lift Ciampa for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Both men are down and Miz looks worried. Ciampa gets to a corner, Styles runs in, but Ciampa puts Styles out on the apron. Styles ROCKS Ciampa, adjusts his elbow pad, and springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
But Miz is right off commentary to run in! But Styles dodges and PELES! Miz wobbles, Styles reels him in, and fans fire up! STYLES CLASH!! Styles wins against Ciampa and he gets the last word on The Miz! Will Styles make a phenomenal rise back up?
Kevin Patrick interviews Veer Mahaan on stage.
Last week, the Lion of India defeated Rey Mysterio after a series of assaults, some of which were brutal, maybe even “gruesome.” Veer says, “Only some? That’s a shame. Because what I did to the Mysterios was just the beginning. The WWE has never seen hunger like mine before. I love carnage. No one knows how to stop me, because I can’t be stopped.” Veer says in Punjabi that WWE can send anyone against him, but it won’t matter. In English, he says, “I will not be stopped until there is nothing left to pick upon the bones. Fear Veer!” The look on his face says it all, no matter what language you speak. Will the Lion of India become the king of the WWE jungle?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Asuka!
This match was meant to happen before Rhea Ripley’s injury and the Fatal 5 Way was made, and it’s still happening since neither The Man nor The Empress won that Fatal 5 Way. Will The Big Time Comeback still stay on track? Or is Becky still, still, still not ready for Asuka?
Raw returns and Asuka makes her entrance. But Becky rushes out of the ring to get her at the ramp! Becky hammers away on Asuka, drags her towards the ring, CLUBS her more, then whips her into the apron! But Asuka elbows back! Asuka gets in the ring, takes off the jacket, and Becky gets back in! The ref has them hold on, the bell rings, and Asuka tackles Becky! Fans fire up as the two scrap! Asuka gets the ARMBAR!! Becky hurries to get up, stacks to a cover, TWO! Becky wants the arm but Asuka trips her! Asuka stomps Becky’s butt, runs, but has to roll over the dropdown. Asuka whips, Becky RAMS shoulders, but neither falls!
Becky runs, Asuka follows and runs Becky over! Fans fire up with Asuka and she drags Becky into the chicken wing! Becky hurries to throw Asuka out of the ring! Becky runs and WRECKS Asuka with the baseball slide! Fans fire up, Becky smacks Asuka off the apron, then again on the other side of the corner. The ring count is 7, Becky puts Asuka in, but then Asuka KICKS Becky in the ropes! And again and again and again! The ref reprimands, Asuka lets off to run, and she HIP ATTACKS Becky to the floor! Fans fire up and Asuka goes out after Becky. Becky kicks low, then drags Asuka up to smack off the apron again.
Becky puts Asuka in, climbs up a corner while fans cheer and jeer, but Asuka CHOPS Becky first! Asuka climbs up after Becky now and fans fire up, but Becky blocks the superplex! Becky throws body shots, DECKS Asuka, then gets back up, only for Asuka to dodge the missile dropkick! CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Asuka KICKS Becky in the chest again and again, but Becky blocks to ROCK Asuka! And EuroUpper! Becky whips Asuka to a corner, Asuka goes up, but Becky DECKS her! Asuka tumbles to apron then the floor! Becky is back in control while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns one more time, Becky hits a leg drop, brother! Becky runs but Asuka avoids this next leg drop, and she runs to SLIDING LEG LARIAT! Both women are down and fans fire up again! Asuka and Becky slowly rise while a standing count starts, and they’re both up at 5 of 10. They throw haymakers back and forth, then Asuka fires off palm strikes! Becky blocks a backhand but Asuka catches the haymaker to arm hooks. Becky fights the backslide so Asuka spins her to a cradle! TWO, and Asuka mule kicks! Asuka runs, Becky follows but Asuka dodges, and Asuka FLYING LARIATS! Becky gets to a corner, Asuka HIP ATTACKS her!
Asuka waistlocks, Becky throws an elbow but Asuka ducks it! BACKHAND! BACKHAND! SOBAT! Front kick and- NO, Becky ducks the next backhand, but the HEEL KICK hits! Down goes Becky, but Asuka gets her up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Becky sits up in a daze, HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO!! Asuka is shocked but she drags Becky back up. Asuka has the chicken wing and wants the crossface, but Becky switches around! Becky steals the ASUKA LOCK!! Asuka fights free of the crossface, pries the legs apart, and has an ANKLE LOCK! Becky hurries to roll but Asuka rolls with her! Becky tries again, but Asuka still holds on!
Becky rolls Asuka into buckles! Becky hobbles over, bumps Asuka off buckles, KICKS her in the back and CLUBS her in the chest! Cover, TWO!! Becky is frustrated, she drags Asuka up and throws her through ropes. Becky fires off forearms and uppercuts and a sobat! Becky then climbs for a GUILOTINE- NO, Asuka avoids the leg drop for an ASUKA LOCK in the ropes! Asuka lets go at 4, fans fire up with her as she climbs, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives again but Asuka is too tired to be upset. Becky rolls all the way out of the ring, but Asuka aims from the apron. SLIDING- NO, Becky dodges, hops up, but Asuka KICKS her leg!
Asuka then gets under Becky, but Becky stomps Asuka against the apron, and hits an APRON LEG DROP! Becky leaps, into a KNEE from Asuka! Both women are down and fans are fired up! The ring count is climbing, and it passes 5! Then 8! Both women are in at 9.9!! Asuka and Becky get up, they throw forearms back and forth! They stand, Becky ducks a kick to MAN- NO, victory roll! But Becky blocks it to have her own cover! TWO, but Becky is after an arm! Asuka holds off the Disarm-Her, wants the ropes, but Becky drags her away! Asuka rolls Becky, TWO! ROUNDHOUSE!! Cover, ASUKA WINS!!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match)
Becky was ready for Asuka, but she wasn’t able to withstand what Asuka brought to the fight! And now Becky is having a Big Time MELTDOWN! She’s ripping up the announce desk and kicking the steel steps! With only two spots left, is the window on the comeback closing? As for Asuka, can she become a TWO-TIME Empress in the Bank?
My Thoughts:
This was actually a great Raw that built towards Money in the Bank. Except for Vince making a random appearance to do, guess what? Nothing of substance, just like he did on Friday. We all knew Cena was making his return on June 27th, it has been advertised for weeks. Vince showing up was just so he could have more TV time and get the fans to cheer for him out of habit. So stupid, just tone deaf filler.
Moving on, a shame Rhea got hurt this close to MITB, but if there is one thing WWE does well even now, it’s that they can improvise with amazing results. Bianca has a good promo segment with Becky, Asuka, Liv, Alexa and Carmella, and that Fatal 5 was an awesome match. But with Alexa and Liv already in the Women’s MITB and Asuka canceling out with Becky, of course Mella won. Mella will of course lose to Bianca, no harm done and I hope Rhea is healed up in time for SummerSlam. Bianca and Rhea can have an awesome SummerSlam match, Nashville is Tennessee and Bianca will basically be the hometown hero, that place will be on fire for her.
Becky and Asuka then gave us a killer main event to continue with things as planned. I was a little surprised that Becky lost, but I also do feel this is a great way to give Asuka a second chance at being Ms. MITB. Her first run wasn’t even a run because Becky went on maternity leave and Asuka was automatically made champion. At the same time, COVID was in the way of last time, so Asuka can really have a lot of fun with teasing a cash-in this time. Out of the field so far, it’s really either her or Lacey Evans, anyway. And Lacey doesn’t necessarily need the MITB contract for her story, she can just flip that switch and be Heel a la Kurt Angle (as much as I don’t want that to happen cuz again, they set it all up with her tragic backstory of hers).
The Men’s MITB qualifier was a bit of a surprise. I thought this was going to be Riddle’s win, but I suppose Omos is still being built strong, and Riddle was under 100% with the rib tape. Plus, with a story now starting with Rollins and Riddle in Cody’s absence, Rollins gets to pick on Riddle after the loss. Riddle surely finds another way in, MITB is going to be in Vegas! The crowd will love having a hometown hero there. As for Omos and MVP, what the hell happened with Ziggler & Roode? Did they just not care about continuing that? Also why are they bringing back the stage position now? Veer’s interview promo was still fine, but why did it have to be on stage? It just seemed weird.
Meanwhile, we got a great 1v1 match from Dawkins and Jey, and it makes sense the singles matches would be 1-1 so that the math is a wash. Just like last week, I can’t say who wins, but it’d be a great opportunity for Profits to win in Vegas. Theory gloating on the Pose-Down podium was a strange thing to follow up last week with, but it worked out perfectly to set up Lashley showing up and getting him back. That gauntlet match was also awesome stuff, with Gable and Otis getting to look great. I should’ve expected Theory being the third man, and that costing him was great stuff. With their title match happening at MITB, after Cena’s appearance, it could go either way as Theory can feud with Cena even without the title.
MizTV was a decent segment, but of course the continued mocking of Miz’s nuts is hilarious. Ciampa always being around when Miz gets in a bad situation is interesting, but we did get a good match out of Styles VS Ciampa. A little confused as to why Finn and Priest couldn’t still do Judgement Day related things but oh well, maybe they’ll give us something next week. We at least need Styles VS Finn set up for SummerSlam, that’ll be awesome stuff. In another timeline, Styles VS Finn would be the Undisputed WWE Champion match, not Roman VS Lesnar, but we’re cursed to be in this timeline.
And segment of the night, maybe even all week and all month was everything with Elias, Ezekiel and Kevin Owens. Yes, obvious Ezekiel and Elias are still the same person but what an amazing and thought out way to give us both of them in the WWE Universe. The irony is that Kevin is absolutely right about the video editing and the beard, but they did a great job in kayfabe to turn that all around. And I love that the graphic hyping next week’s match includes “Elrond” or “Elrod” or whatever, just to play along with Kevin. Kevin VS Ezekiel next week should definitely be a MITB qualifier on top of everything, but even if it isn’t, that will be the best match Kevin and Zeke have put on yet.
My Score: 8.5/10
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SmackDown’s on the road to Riyadh!
John Cena dared CM Punk to challenge him at Night of Champions, and Miss Money in the Bank, Naomi, wants all champions to Proceed With Caution!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes; Orton wins and advances to the next round.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim; Jade wins and advances to the next round.
- Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/ The Wyatt Sick6; Gacy & Lumis win.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS
Chelsea GreenAlba Fyre; Alexa wins and advances to the next round. - King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
John Cena is here!
Lexington, Kentucky sings, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he makes his way out in the University of Kentucky white ‘n’ blue. Cena goes to the ring, and while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena signals to Mark Nash to give the proper introductions: Please welcome the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Lexington with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA! The fans boo as Cena holds up the belt. Cena then grabs a mic and says, “Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore… is John Cena, John Cena, John Cena, and John Cena.” The fans boo but Cena says, there have been great wrestlers and great talkers.
But no one in the past, and certainly no one in the present nor the future, is comparable to him. And the very reason Cena will always outmaneuver the fans is not because he never gives up. It is because he is smarter than us. “You Can’t See Me, but you all wanna be me.” And whether watching at home or being mesmerized in this very arena, Cena is always 1000 steps ahead because everyone is worried about here and now, when he had already “won” this title over a year ago. Cena announced his retirement early so that he could have an extra six months to scout his potential opponents.
Cena knew anyone could enter the Rumble, so he did. And he knew that if he lost in the Rumble, he could use his seniority to enter the Elimination Chamber. And he knew that in the Chamber, Rollins and Punk would melt down to give Cena an easy win. Plus, Cody Rhodes was so focused on The Final Boss, Cena just had to seize the moment, shock the world, and become unpredictable. Then all he did was use Cody’s obsession with everyone’s love to guarantee the WrestleMania win. Cena used the fanfare and love of the 25 year rivalry to get a match in Randy Orton’s hometown, all to lull Randy into a false sense of security.
Cena put R-Truth in the Saturday Night’s Main Event so that all the fans would care, and the fans took the bait! While the fans tried to save Truth, Cena made friends with Logan Paul, just to eliminate him as a threat, and all to size up his next opponent in CM Punk. The fans boo but Cena says he used Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence to back him into a corner. The fans cheer for Punk, but Cena says if Punk wants to take the title, he has to admit that he is a hypocrite! And Cena doesn’t even have to worry about Mr. Money in the Bank, Rollins will never cash in on Cena while he holds this!
Cena knows Rollins wants Cena to leave with the Undisputed title, Rollins becomes your only champion! Cena is the greatest for a reason! The fans boo but Cena says while they’ve been busy using their pathetic brains to come up with fake stories like if Cena “sold his soul,” all Cena has to do is put the math in his favor. He wins before the matches even start! In 25 years, he crunched every number, solved every puzzle and cracked every code. And thank God Cena doesn’t need the fans’ appreciation, because they won’t realize how good he is until three years after he’s gone! This is the greatest moment of their lives, but to Cena, they are just a mathematical equation.
And the math says that there is no one ever worthy enough to earn the right to hold the Undisputed title ever again. But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! Lexington sings along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring. Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans in the front row, then steps up onto the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody throws his track jacket to the crowd as a free souvenir, then he grabs himself a mic. The fans cheer as Cody and Cena are face to face again, and then Cody gets the fans to fire up a bit more. Cody takes a moment, then asks Cena to go over what he just said.
Cena claims to be 1000 steps ahead because he’s so smart? No, no, he isn’t just smart! Cena’s a genius! It is unfortunate that everything Cena’s said has come true: Rollins and Punk melted down, Cody was distracted, and they all took their eyes off the prize. The homefield advantage was used against Randy, and the Mount Rushmore being all Cena, sure. But here we are, some sort of 25 year master plan, and there’s this variable that he didn’t account for, and it is simple. Cena laid out his whole story since his return, but why didn’t he include the simple fact that this past Saturday, he was looking up at the lights when Cody pinned him in the middle of this ring?!
The fans cheer, and Cody says he isn’t part of Cena’s plan, Cena is part of Cody’s. So “John Rushmore,” where does that leave the two of them? Well it isn’t just the two of them, because here comes Randy Orton! The fans fire up as The Viper goes right to the ring, gets right in Cena’s face, then pushes past him to grab himself a mic. Randy is back a month after Backlash, and he tells anyone and everyone that had a pulse and was watching Backlash knows Orton had Cena BEAT! Down and out, dead to rights, and about to remove Cena’s head from his shoulders! Until somebody out there decided to come and save John Cena.
Orton realizes now that he has to do whatever it takes. It doesn’t matter what or who it is he has to go through to get his fifteenth. Even being in the King of the Ring Tournament. Cody, Orton loves you like a brother, you know that… But if Orton has to put Cody’s ass down to get to Cena, he won’t hesitate to do it! But wait! Here comes LA Knight! Lexington fires up for The Mega Star as he already has a mic to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” “YEAH!” LA Knight says all week long, he’s heard the whole world saying #WeWantLAKnight! “YEAH!” Knight knows what they want, and he knows for damn sure what none of the other guys in the ring want, and that’s Knight walking down there.
So, why don’t we take a walk? Knight understands what this is as he defiantly walks down there. He is looking at the WEW Establishment! “YEAH!” Knight is the sore thumb sticking out here, and that’s how he likes it, YEAH! “YEAH!” But you gotta understand something. Cena, you have this great little master plan, BAH GAWD, it is genius. But Knight knows damn sure that the plans didn’t include Knight, YEAH! So let’s go ahead and throw the plan on it’s head. KOTR is around the corner, which means Knight has a shot at Cody, Orton, and Cena, all on the way to taking what is his! “YEAH!”
So unbreakable as Knight is walking in here, he’s gotta drop a viper, a nightmare, and if he has to drop “a genius balding b*tch John Cena,” he’ll do it to be WWE Champion, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Cena chuckles and steps out. The fans boo as Cena goes back up the ramp, but then R-TRUTH GETS HIM! Or, well, Ron Killings gets him! And he rains down furious fists on Cena right at the ramp! Security rushes out there, as do producers, and the fans boo. Cena kicks free as it takes everybody to hold Killings back! Will Cena even make it to Night of Champions with the walls closing in?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns as Melo joins Orton and Knight out here, followed by The Dark Father. The King of the Ring has a new format this year, which one of these four survives to head into the semifinals?
The bell rings and the four watch each other. Melo locks eyes with Knight, but then he goes after Aleister! They brawl with forearms and haymakers, then Melo throat chops! Melo whips, Aleister grabs ropes and BOOTS H1M back! Aleister TOSSES Melo, Knight and Orton tie up and they end up in a corner. Aleister whips but Melo reverses to send Aleister into barriers! Orton fires hands on Knight, then a KNEE! Knight turns thing around, only for Melo to roll him up! TWO, and Orton kicks Melo! Orton UPPERCUTS Melo, Aleister UPPERCUTS Melo, then Knight DECKS him! And LARIATS him up and out!
Aleister goes up, out, and TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Down goes Melo and Knight has Orton! Orton denies the BFT, but then Knight denies the RKO! Aleister runs up, Knight ducks the Black Mass! The fans fire up the huge standoff, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Melo has Knight in a corner. Melo rains down fists, but Knight stops him quick! Atomic drop and a LARIAT! Knight storms up on Melo to stomp him into a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then goes to Orton in the other corner and stomps away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes back to Melo, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Aleister is back, Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! But then Knight runs up, only to be put on the apron. Knight slingshots but into a CUTTER! Melo has Knight in the ropes, FADE AWAY LEG DROP! DROPKICK for Orton, but Aleister ROCKS Melo!
Aleister whips, Melo springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Melo shoots his free throw, then FLIES to take out Aleister! The fans fire up and Melo goes back to the ring, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick! “YEAH!” Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Melo up to SMACK him off the desk! Knight dribbles Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Orton has Knight for a back suplex, but Knight lands out! Orton blocks Aleister’s boot, spins him around, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Knight then RAMS Orton into the apron! The fans rally, Knight fetches Melo, and Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight storms up, “This is Awesome!” as Knight hoists Melo up top.
Knight climbs but Melo throws hands! Knight CHOPS, they brawl some more, and Knight fires a flurry! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight steadies himself, brings Melo up, but Melo fights the lift! Melo fires body shots then he shoves Knight down! But Orton runs up to ROCK Melo! Orton gets Melo up but Melo CLWWS the eyes! Aleister STEP-UP KICKS Melo! Melo wobbles, Aleister TOSSES Orton, but Orton drags Aleister out! Orton whips, Aleister reverses and he POSTS Orton! Knight springs up to get Melo! Melo shoves Knight away, aims, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Aleister breaks it! The fans fire up as this one continues, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns once again and Aleister KNEES Melo, then ENZIGIRIS! Knight runs u;, Aleister goe sup and over, then he spins Knight to ELBOW him! Orton stumbles up but Aleister stops the RKO! Orton avoids Black Mass, Aleister grabs Knight but Knight rolls him up! ONE, and Aleister aims, but Knight dodges so the BOOT hits Orton! Knight has Aleister but Aleister denies BFT to KNEE Knight down! Melo headlocks but Aleister handsprings out of the bulldog! Aleister fires off a strike fest and a BOOT! Cover on Melo, TWO! Aleister grows frustrated but he has all three opponents down! The fans fire up as Aleister aims, runs up, but Orton LARIATS!
Orton LARIATS again, then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! But Knight runs up, he gets a SNAP POWERSLAM! Melo ROCKS Orton, runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up for Orton as he drags Melo up. Orton puts Melo in the ropes, but then Aleister runs up. Orton kicks Aleister, has him in the ropes, but then Knight adds on! JUMPING NECKBREAKER DOUBLE DRAPING DDT COMBO!! Cover on Orton, TWO!! Orton stays in this for everyone’s sake and Knight is a bit stunned. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” Knight watches Melo rise, kick and B- NO, Melo powers out! Knight swings on Orton but Orton ducks!
Orton aims, but Knight denies the RKO, and he sends Orton into Melo’s FIRST 48! Aleister BOOTS Melo! Knight has Aleister, B F T!! Cover, MELO BREAKS IT!! Melo denies Knight that game winner, and now they rise up. Melo vows to end this, but Knight wrenches and kicks, to then whip and POP-UP and POWERSLAM! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to the corner. The fans rally as Knight climbs, “L! A! KNIGHT!” BUT BRONSON REED YANKS KNIGHT DOWN! The Colossal Aussie gets revenge for Monday, but speaking of! BRON BREAKKER SPEARS KNIGHT!! They cost Knight at MITB, he cost them in KOTR, so now they get him out of KOTR!
Melo grins and takes aim, NOTHING BUT RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just when Melo thought he was taking advantage of an opening, he left himself open to The Viper! Will Orton be meeting Cody Rhodes at the end of this tournament? Or will Sami Zayn make sure he isn’t just someone’s stepping stone?
Jacob Fatu walks ‘n’ talks backstage.
“Lexington, Kentucky. The United States Champion is here. Hell, the United States Champion is America’s Most Wanted, and I’m coming live and direct inside The Rupp Arena! YADADADADADADA mean?!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fired up, but what more will he say on how Saturday was the night he broke free from Solo Sikoa? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Fatu heads to the ring! Lexington cheers the Samoan Werewolf, and he grabs the mic to say, “Lexington, Kentucky! Let’s keep it 100! Just because you’re family don’t mean that you can go behind their back and try to snake ’em. Just because we both come from the same bloodline don’t mean that they can take all the credit for your hard work! So Solo says I wouldn’t be nothing if it wasn’t for him. Solo says Jacob Fatu would be nothing if it wasn’t for him!” The fans boo that, and Fatu says this is why he had to remind Solo at MITB what happens when you don’t get in where you fit in! The fans cheer that!
So now, it is Fatu against the world! Cuz Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA MEAN~?! But wait, Solo Sikoa is on the tron, sarcastically applauding. Solo says that’s it, Jacob, tell ’em how you feel. Solo leans in close and asks Fatu if he’s done getting it all off his chest. At MITB, Fatu could’ve made the biggest mistake of his life. And Solo can forgive him for that. One year ago, when Solo visited Fatu in Sacramento, Fatu was doing nothing. NOTHING. No one wanted Fatu around until Solo brought him here to the WWE. Solo made Fatu into a WWE Superstar, put money in his pocket, put him in the position for success, and even made him a champion!
This is all because of SOLO, you stupid…! Solo holds back, and he says next week, Solo will be in the ring with open arms, willing to take Fatu back. But there is something Solo needs from Fatu. He needs those four words from him: I Love You, Solo. And just remember… Solo brought Fatu into the WWE, and he can take him out of it. Yadada mean? Solo leaves Fatu to think on this ultimatum, but is it already obvious what Fatu will say to Solo next week?
Nick Aldis meets with The Secret Her-vice.
“Special Slaygent” Piper informs the SmackDown General Manager that Chelsea Green needs to speak with him. But Chelsea isn’t here in the room…? She’s on the phone. And Chelsea apologizes, she had an impossible time finding a flight to get her to Lexington, so can they postpone her Fatal 4 Way until next week? Aldis says no, they’re not postponing anything for little ol’ Chelsea. But if her Secret Her-vice is here… Alba is ready for competition, right? So then Alba will take Chelsea’s place! Perfect! Chelsea says no, she will filibuster and- Oh, sorry, no, Aldis authorized it, he doesn’t care what Chelsea has to say, so Alba has to go get ready now.
Alba grumbles that she has to change from her security suit to her wrestling suit. Chelsea complains and complains, but then Zelina Vega steps in. Zelina takes the phone and hangs up on Chelsea so she can talk with Aldis. She wants Giulia now! Well, she’s not here tonight. Oh, that’s convenient. Aldis says he understands that Zelina wants after Giulia after last week. Zelina says first of all, she’s been snatched unawares much harder by much better. Second, don’t worry about the girl that does the sneak attacks, worry about the girl that gets up after every beating. One sneak attack isn’t gonna scare her, she is THE Women’s US Champion!
So next week, Zelina will confront Giulia, because she doesn’t need to pretend or hide. The smallest girl with the biggest mouth is gonna make Giulia look stupid! Zelina storms off, will the Beautiful Madness learn not to get on La Muneca’s bad side?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!
A storm has come to Lexington, and she wants to make her way to Riyadh! Will the Irresistible Force, the Special Slaygent and even the Head Baddie in Charge be unable to slow her down? Or will someone else grab that spot in the semifinals?
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, joining Jade and Piper, leaving Nia for last. Nia says she won the crown last year, she’ll just do it again. The bell rings and Piper fires off on Mia while Nia RAMS Jade! The fans boo but Jade elbows Nia and bumps her off buckles! Jade RAMS into Nia but Piper has Mia on the outside. Piper whips Mia into barriers! And then puts her up against the post. Nia and Jade have moved their brawl outside while Piper runs up on Mia. Mia dodges so Piper POSTS herself! Nia whips, Jade reverse, Nia hits steel steps! The fans fire up as Jade and Mia meet in the ring.
Mia and Jade run up, Mia slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Mia down! Mia fights up while Jade holds on, but Jade whips. Jade hurdles, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Jade stays on her. Jade suplexes, holds Mia up, but Mia slips free! Mia goes to a corner, dodges Jade, but Jade keeps moving! Mia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ redirects to RANA! Mia runs and SHOTGUNS Jade down! The fans rally, Mia covers, TWO! Jade is tougher than that but Mia stomps her. Mia runs but Piper trips her up! Piper drags Mia out and scoops to SLAM her on the floor!
Nia drops an ELBOW on Jade! Piper SENTONS Mia! Nia soaks up the heat, drags Jade up, and Nia bumps Jade off buckles. Nia CHOPS Piper, then shakes her hand. Nia whips corner to corner, Jade bounces off buckles, and Nia signals for that crown. Jade fires forearms but Nia HEADBUTTS her down! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Piper adds a SENTON! Piper and Nia stare down, but they decide to work together on Jade. Nia & Piper mug Jade in a corner, then whip corner to corner. Jade ELBOWS Piper away, dodges Nia, and Nia POSTS herself! Jade runs to PUMP KICK Piper outta the ring!
But Nia drags Jade out of the ring! The mugging continues, but Mia goes up and up to ASAI MOOONSAULT! Direct hit and all four are down! The fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Jade SPLASHES Piper in one corner, then SPLASHES Nia in the other! And repeat! But then Nia follows, only for Jade to dodge! Nia SPLASHES Piper, then Jade ROCKS her! But Piper CLOBBERS Jade! Nia DRIBBLES Jade off the mat, the fans boo, and Nia salutes with Piper. They drag Jade up, whip her to a corner, then Nia runs to SPLASH! Piper adds a SPLASH of her own! Jade sits down, Nia HIP ATTACKS! Piper CANNONBALLS! Cover, but Nia won’t let Piper get it! Piper says okay, okay, she was just kidding around. But Nia shoves Piper! Piper shoves Nia! Mia RANAS Nia, then JAWBREAKERS Piper!
Mia has Piper for a TORNADO BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Piper stays in this but Mia drags her up. Jade CLUBS Mia, whips her, but Mia RAN- NO, Jade blocks it! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives, and Piper SPLASHES Jade! Piper drags Mia up, reels her in, but Mia slips out of the scoop! SLICED BREAD! Mia hurries to cover, but Nia breaks it! Nia SENTONS onto Mia! Cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out and Nia grows frustrated. Nia & Piper go after Jade on the outside but Jade fights them off! SUPERKICK for Piper! HAYMAKER for Nia! Piper HEADBUTTS Jade, Nia ROCKS Jade, and then they two TOSS Jade over the desk!
Wade Barrett gets wiped out by The Storm and Nia just flips them both off! But Mia WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! Piper is up, Mia dodges and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, Nia breaks it! Mia drags Nia up to fire hands, then she fires hands on Piper! The fans rally, Mia runs, but into double guzels! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Nia applauds, the fans boo, and Wade is apparently okay, but then Nia DECKS Piper! Nia dumps Piper out, drags Mia to a drop zone, then she goes up! The fans boo the A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Piper and Nia go outside, and Piper POSTS Nia! Piper then runs to SPEAR Nia through the barriers!!
The fans go nuts as Piper proves she’s the more destructive powerhouse! Piper then storms over to Mia, she goes up the corner, VADER BOMB! But Jade is up!! Chicken wings on Piper, JADED for Piper!!! Cover, JADE WINS!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just as it looked like she was done for, Jade snatches this win away for her own! The Storm is in the semifinals, will she make quick work of The Prodigy, Roxanne Perez?
Naomi watches this backstage.
She’s not exactly pleased that Jade is advancing, but she’s also the one holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. Naomi heads for gorilla, what will she have to say about her huge victory? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Lexington fires up as Naomi heads to the ring! “Yes, I see some o’ y’all looking real surprised! Real shocked! Real stupid! I dunno why, because I told y’all I was done accepting scraps. I took what I deserve, and look at me now. Miss Money in the Bank! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fans are torn, but Naomi says what’s really funny is the entire time, when she was trying to beat Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship, y’know who was there with a briefcase to stop it? Y’know who distracted her? Who bashed her in the head?! It was Tiffany Stratton. “Too Nice Naomi” just let it happen. But the Naomi now aini’t lettin’ nothing sliding! She’s here for payback!
And when Naomi CLOCKS Tiffy Time in the head with this briefcase, it’ll feel so good when Naomi becomes the NEW WWE- Well, here comes Tiffany herself! The fans cheer as Tiff goes to the ring, and she grabs a mic to say, “You talk a big game, Naomi. So why don’t you just do it? Just cash in and take my title… right now.” The fans chant “DO IT! DO IT!” Tiffy says see, she’s still the same ol’ Naomi: all talk and no action. That is why Naomi never beat Nia. But please, prove us all wrong! The fans cheer, Naomi snarls, and she says, “Do I look stupid to you?! Do I look like Booboo the Fool? I ain’t gonna cash in on you now. I’ma cash in when you least expect it.”
Fans go, “What?” and Naomi shouts, “B*tch, you heard me!” Naoim says in the meantime, she will enjoy making Tiffy’s life HELL! Naomi says tick-tock, Tiffy, time is almost up! So Naomi strongly advises to #ProceedWithCaution. The fans are torn, but while Naomi holds up the briefcase, Tiffy holds up the belt. When and where will we see- WAIT! NIA is here! Nia and Tiff brawl, the fans fire up, and Nia shoves Tiff. Tiff DROPKICKS Nia’s legs, then DROPKICKS Nia in the face! Naomi runs up, Tiff DECKS her, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff! Nia may not be going to Riyadh, but she wants to get hers now! A-NIA-LATOR on Tiff!!
Naomi hurries back up, but Nia steps in the way! Nia tells Naomi to back off, so Naomi backs off. Will Nia get payback on the Wrestling Barbie before Naomi can? Or will Tiffy still have time on the clock?
Nick Aldis meets with the SmackDown Tag Division.
He thanks the Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom & DIY for coming to discuss the Wyatt situation. Johnny Gargano interrupts, saying this is a big decision. DIY feels this is a huge opportunity… for Fraxiom. Everyone else says they knew DIY would pull that. Fraxiom says they’re not afraid, but Tommaso Ciampa says if nothing else, the Street Profits should step up as the champions. Angelo Dawkins says bet, they’re already ready. Aldis suggests they all let him finish his explanation. Taking all this into account, MCMG are the veterans, so they will set the tone. They get the Wyatts tonight.
The others applaud and Dawkins says yes, set that tone. Will Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin be able to have an impact on the Wyatt Sick6? Or will the Motor City Machine Guns have no effect on what goes bump in the night?
Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis!
SmackDown returns as the lights go down and the fireflies come out. The chair and the lantern wait on stage as the Wyatts make their entrance. Uncle Howdy sits in the chair, Nikki Cross & Erik Rowan stay close, and Gacy & Lumis rush the ring! The fans cheer as the brawl is on! The bell rings, Gacy has Shelley while Lumis has Sabin! The ref reprimands, Gacy whips Shelley to a corner then CLOBBERS him! Lumis & Gacy whip Sabin, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Lumis drops an AX HANDLE! Gacy drops a SENTON! Cover, ONE!! Gacy drags Sabin up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Lumis.
Lumis brings Sabin around but Sabin swings. Lumis duck sot hit a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Sabin is tougher than that, but Lumis drags him up. Gacy tags in, they mug Sabin, and then Gacy whips. Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Gacy goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gacy BLASTS Shelley off the apron and he tags Lumis in. They get Sabin up, UPPERCUT and then a kick down low. Lumis wrenches Sabin, tags Gacy back in, and the mugging continues. They double whip, but Sabin breaks the double lariat! Gacy runs up but Sabin DUMPS him out! And then he TOSSES Lumis!
Tag to Shelley and MCMG set up! The fans fire up as the Machine Guns DOUBLE DORPKICK! Then they DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go Lumis & Gacy and the fans fire up! MCMG stare down with Rowan while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and both Shelley and Gacy are down. The fans rally, Shelley crawls, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin goes up to MSSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders, Lumis tags in, but Sabin dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Sabin whips, Lumis reverses but Sabin BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Lumis staggers up. Sabin runs and GAMANGIRIS! Sabin drags Lumis to a cover, TWO! Howdy is antsy as Sabin tags Shelley. Shlley goes to the apron, Sabin follows, and MCMG DOUBLE SUPERKICK Lumis! Lumis sputters, MCMG drags him inside, and Shelley whips Lumis to the corner. LARIAT, then he tags Sabin!
Shelley clinches but Lumis ELBOWS free! Lumis trips Sabin up, then hurries to tag Gacy! Gacy runs in to handspring, and DOUBLE UPSIDE-DOWN!! Tag back to Lumis and they have Sabin! Whip and POP-UP POWERBOMB onto Sabin! The fans fire up as Lumis covers, TWO!! Sabin survives but Lumis snarls. Lumis watches Sabin stir, drags him up and wrenches to then whip him to the corner. But Sabin DROPKICKS Gacy! Lumis runs in, Sabin BOOTS him away, then Sabin runs up, DDT! Hot tag to Shelley! Lumis staggers up, Shelley whips, BIG atomic drop! Then the DREAM SEQUENCE!
The fans fire up with MCMG and Howdy doesn’t like that. Sabin tags back in, he drags Lumis up while Shelley climbs. Sabin turns Lumis but Gacy trips Shelley! Gacy HEADBUTTS Sabin, he and Lumis aim, HIGH LOW!! Cover off the superkick and leg sweep combo, but they ask Howdy for permission. “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH~!” Lumis goes up, Gacy CLOBBERS Shelley, and Lumis hits a SUPER LEG DROP!! Cover, The Wyatts win!
Winners: Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, by pinfall
The chaos is back and it is on top as Lumis & Gacy break the Machine Guns. Will they tear through the rest of the division until they’re the champions?
John Cena encounters Jimmy Uso backstage.
Cena and #BigJim stare down, and Cena asks if Jimmy has seen R-Truth. No, he hasn’t. Then has he seen Ron Killings? Listen, man… Jimmy ain’t seen either one of ’em. Cena says he knows Jimmy and Truth are close. So let Killings know that Cena’s going back to the ring, and he wants Killings to meet him there. Cena heads out, will Ron get the message? Will Cena get the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth?
SmackDown returns and…
“JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he goes right back to the ring, just as he promised. And he tells everyone to shut up! Cena paces and says, “There is a level of disrespect that I can tolerate. R-Truth, you just crossed the line!” The fans chant, “We Want Truth!” and Cena frowns. Cena says for once, he agrees. There is a time to talk and there is a time to fight, so Truth, get out here so they can fight! BUT WAIT! CM PUNK is here instead! Cena is stunned and maybe even a little scared to see Punk here on SmackDown. Punk goes right to the ring as the fans cheer, and he grabs himself a mic before sitting on the top rope.
The fans cheer Punk on even more and Punk asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Lexington, Kentucky or what?” The fans cheer that! And Punk asks Cena if he said something about disrespect. Cena is tired of being disrespected? “John, these people are tired of being disrespected! But now, CM Punk has a microphone, and I think you can trust when I say that we have yet to begin the reach the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.” Punk says for old time’s sake, he’ll give Cena a chance, the benefit of a doubt. Maybe Punk’s empathy is too much, too Obi-Wan talking to Darth Vader, hoping to see Anakin still in there.
So Punk will give Cena a chance in front of this legendary wrestling town. “Stop what you’re doing, let these people celebrate who and what you are, let them put you on a pedestal on your way out. Let them celebrate the sacrifices you have made for them and this business. Give them a happy ending!” Punk steps back and Cena steps up. Cena asks, “Why? Why would I waste my time?” The fans boo, but Cena says the people don’t matter, this place doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, horse racing doesn’t matter! THIS Undisputed Championship is the only thing that matters! So Cena is to eat crow to the same idiots wearing his shirt but singing Punk’s song? Fat chance!
Punk says okay, okay, let the record show that Punk and Lexington gave Cena an out. But now, let’s do it Cena’s way. Let the disrespect being. Ironically that is the Punk way! When the static hits and Cult of Personality plays through sold-out arenas, everyone knows it is about to get real. And ladies and gentlemen, watching and working at USA Network, it’s about to get real. Here’s the truth Cena wants so badly. The saying goes, “You tell a strong man a lie to offend him.” That’s why it pisses Punk off when Cena calls him the hypocrite. Conversely, you tell a weak man the truth and that offends him.
Fans chant, “We Want Truth!” Punk says the truth here is… Cena can’t beat Punk. When Punk is at his best, Cena never could. And now Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Well, Punk is going to take it upon himself to save it. Bare with Punk, because as always, he has a lot to get off his chest. That other thing about sociopathic confidence? Punk takes that as a compliment. Because it is that confidence that brought Punk to the mountaintop time and time again. Especially when people like Cena say they wanna see it but claim Punk didn’t have it. But Punk is not as confident as Cena, because Punk would never dress like a toddler who looks like he struck out at T-Ball.
The fans laugh, Punk says he wants that stricken from the record, because y’know who that sounds like? That sounds like the PG John Cena. Which is ironic, because right now, y’know who Cena sounds like, saying he’s gonna ruin wrestling, take the strap and go home… That sounds like C M PUNK! And yes, that is ironic. Cena is stealing Punk’s best material. Punk won that title, he left with the title, and Cena is trying to follow in those footsteps. Punk did it! He said he would and he did, and Cena couldn’t stop him. Cena thinks challenging Punk at Night of Champions is going to stop him? “John Boy, just like old times, here’s CM Punk to make your title run interesting.”
Here comes CM Punk to make John Cena’s retirement tour interesting! Watchable! Get the rocket fuel to fuel that private jet! Punk would go to MARS to beat Cena’s ass! Punk will follow Cena to Hell to prove he is better than Cena! But here’s more truth, it isn’t all bad. Cena IS a GOAT, but so is Punk. Punk beat Cena in Chicago, he beat Cena in Boston, and he will beat Cena at Night of Champions. Cena is the “Goat” that Punk will spit-roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling! Legends who actually belong on the Mount Rushmore! Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero! The AUDACITY of Cena to put himself on that mountain once, let alone all four times. What a joke.
The fans cheer but Cena smirks. Punk says here’s more truth: You can’t see me? No, Punk sees through him, and always has, and that’s the truth. Punk leaves Cena with that, and then KILLINGS STRIKES AGAIN!! And he puts Cena in the STF!! Punk mockingly says, “I’m sorry~! But the Truth hurts!” Cena suffers his own signature submission but security rushes out here! The fans boo as they drag Killings off Cena and Cena scrambles away! Cena hops and hobbles on one good leg, are the bridges he burned going to take them down with him?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton is with Lil’ Miss Bliss at gorilla, and notes that she took a tough loss at MITB. What is the mindset going into the future? Alexa says she’s won MITB, cashed in, made history, so she isn’t rattled. Tonight, she reminds everyone of who she is, and will be one step closer to becoming Queen of the Ring. But then in steps Charlotte Flair. And she says, “Sweetie, did you say, ‘Queen?’ There’s only room for one queen in this division. WOO~!” Charlotte makes her entrance first, but both she and Alexa will have to fight their way into the next round. Will it be either of them that moves forward? Or are they overlooking the Poison Pixie and the Firestarter?
Nick Aldis finds R-Truth/Ron Killings backstage.
Aldis asks Truth what the hell he’s doing, he can’t just keep jumping Cena like that! What’s Aldis supposed to do? Truth says he wants a match with Cena next week. Next week? Yeah. Done. Killings says he’s driving now! Will he run Cena right off the road?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS Alba Fyre!
SmackDown returns and Candice makes her entrance to join Charlotte, Alexa, and Alba. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The four watch each other, but Alexa and Charlotte stare down as they step up. Alba and Candice jump on them! Candice is after Alexa, Alba is after Charlotte, and they put the two in corners. Alba RAMS into Charlotte again and again while Candice stomps a mudhole into Alexa. Alba digs her boots in, Candice SPLASHES Alexa, and then Candice fires elbows. Charlotte CHOPS Alba, storms up to RAM Alexa into Candice, then Charlotte POSTS Alexa! Alexa tumbles out and the fans are torn for Charlotte.
Charlotte dusts herself off, then THROWS Candice into Alba! Charlotte drags Alba to a cover, ONE!! Cover on Candice, ONE!! Charlotte CHOPS Alba, CHOPS Candice, and repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! But then Candice grabs a leg, Alba BOOTS Charlotte down, and they mug Charlotte! Alba smothers Charlotte using her tie! Alba CLUBS Charlotte down, then she and Candice mug her, returning the CHOPS! Alba kicks Charlotte, she and Candice have Charlotte on the ropes, and they CHOP again! They double whip Charlotte, but Charlotte grabs ropes. Charlotte KICKS Candice, ROCKS Alba, then LARIATS Candice!
Alexa is back and she CROSSBODIES onto Charlotte! Cover, ONE! Alexa clinches, but Candice & Alba mug Alexa! Charlotte gets away while Candice bumps Alexa off buckles. Alba stomps Alexa, Charlotte DECKS Candice, and she DECKS Alba! Cover on Alba, TWO! Charlotte scowls as she stands back up. The fans rally while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Charlotte storms up on Candice, reels her in, but Candice fights the suplex. Alba joins in, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte! Cover, but Alba stops Candice. A parallel to Piper and Nia, we know how that turned out… But Alba & Candice still mug Charlotte together for now. Charlotte JAWBREAKERS Alba, dodges Candice, but Candice tilt-o-whirls to RANA! And then ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is tougher than that and that annoys Candice. Alba BLASTS Alexa off the apron, Charlotte RAMS Candice into a corner, but Alba CLUBS Charlotte down. Candice climbs the corner while Alba stands Charlotte up, but Charlotte ELBOWS free!
Charlotte BOOTS Candice off the corner, but Alba rolls Charlotte to BOOT her down! Cover, WTO! Alba seethes and throws her suit jacket at Charlotte. Alba stomps a mudhole into Charlotte, then stands on her hair! Alba salutes while Candice SMACKS Alexa off the apron. Alba pulls Charlotte’s arms and Candice SMACKS Alexa off the desk! Alba & Candice work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte, but Alba has Candice stay back. They drag Charlotte up again, but she ROCKS Alba and ROCKS Candice! Then repeat! Alba kicks low, Candice comes back, and they double whip Charlotte to a corner.
SmackDown returns to single picture as Charlotte goes up and out! She BOOTS Alba, RAMS Candice, then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Candice SMACKS Charlotte first! And SMACKS her again! Alba climbs up to join them, but Alexa sneaks in underneath! TOWER OF DOOM! The fans fire up and Alexa crawls to cover Charlotte, TWO! Alexa is frustrated but the fans fire up. Alexa and Candice stand, Alexa RUNS her over! She even RUNS Alba over! Alexa SLAPS Candice, DECKS her, then blocks Alba’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Charlotte runs up, Alexa clinches to S T O! And then INSULT2- NO, Candice makes it a CODE BREAKER SENTON!
Alba has Candice, wrenches and reels her in, GOURD BUSTER! But Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Candice hits NATURAL SELECTION!! Charlotte drags Alexa around, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! And the push-up into the FIGURE EIGHT! But Candice LIONSAULTS it all apart!! Alba SUPERKICKS Candice! Charlotte is up, Alba spins her around, Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and Alba drags Alexa up. Alexa mule kicks, DDTS, and then hurries for a corner! Lexington cheers on Alexa, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, CHARLOTTE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but Charlotte TOSSES Alexa!
Alexa is on the apron, Charlotte BOOTS her down! But Candice rolls Charlotte! TWO!! Charlotte escapes, Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, TWO!! Candice shows that toughness and Charlotte is frustrated. Charlotte has the legs, steps through, but Alba SUPERKICKS Charlotte! Alba roars, turns her, but Charlotte powers out of the Unpretty-Her! BOOT!! FIGURE FOUR!! Then FIGURE EIGHT!!! Alba endures, but Alexa catches Candice!! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, ALEXA WINS!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Charlotte lets go of Alba and is in disbelief! But Alexa smiles as she snatches this win right out from under Charlotte’s nose! Charlotte may call herself the queen, but will Alexa be the one to wear the crown?
Cody heads to gorilla.
And he crosses paths with Punk. Cody says they can’t run away from each other forever. Punk says he knows. But good luck tonight. After Night of Champions, we’ll see who’s chasing who. Cody moves on, but will he move on in the tournament? Or will the American Nightmare’s nightmare of losing that Undisputed Championship only get worse?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
SmackDown returns as the King of Strong Style makes his entrance, followed by El Idolo, leaving the Archer of Infamy for last. The bell rings and the fans rally. All four men are wary of each other, but Nakamura winds up, only to not say his signature “C’mon” to just bail out. But then Cody DIVES onto him! Priest swings on Andrade, Andrade dodges to WRECK Cody! Priest KICKS, KICKS, and ROLLING ELBOWS Andrade! Priest winds up, Andrade dodges, FLYING FOREARMS! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies the fans with ‘SI! SI! SI!” But Cody stops Cien Knees to take an elbow!
Priest mule kicks Andrade, then suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop- BELL CLAP from Priest! But Cody rebounds to LARIAT Priest up and out! Priest drags Cody out, they brawl, and Cody SMACKS Priest off the apron! Nakamura FLYING KNEES Priest! Nakamura kicks Cody, ROCKS Priest, they all brawl outside, but Andrade goes up! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and everyone is down while the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture!
All four men stir and Andrade is first up. Andrade puts Nakamura in the ring, covers, TWO! Andrade whips Nakamura to a corner, runs in, but Nakamura dodges! Andrade’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles out! Nakamura goes after Andrade to put him on the apron, and then runs to KNEE Andrade down! Priest and Cody brawl in the ring, and Priest ROCKS Cody to a corner. Priest whips, Cody reverses to kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody whips, Priest reverses, and Priest runs up, only for Cody to go up and over. Priest feints running up so Cody’s snap powerslam gets nothing! Priest then KICKS Cody down!
Cody sputters but Priest is on him. Priest ROCKS Cody again, Nakamura stomps Andrade, then Nakamura KICKS Priest! Nakamura fires off fists and kicks in the corner, so Andrade rolls Cody! TWO, and Cody powers Andrade to a corner. Cody climbs up to rain down fists, only for Andrade to slip out at nine and YANK Cody down! Nakamura brings Priest around but Priest DECKS him! Priest stomps away on Nakamura, then he goes over to Andrade, Priest stands Andrade up to DECK him! Cody SMACKS Nakamura off the desk! Priest drags Andrade up while Nakamura SMACKS Cody off the desk! Priest ROCKS Andrade, then he has Cody in another corner.
Nakamura fires off on Andrade, Priest digs his boots into Cody, and then Nakamura bumps Andrade off buckles. Cody turns things around on Priest to CHOP, but that just pisses Priest off. Priest DECKS Cody! Cody sputters, Priest puts him in the corner, but Nakamura fires off strikes on Priest! Nakamura has Andrade on the top rope, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Nakamura runs in for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Andrade falls to the floor, but then Priest runs up! Nakamura dodges, runs back in, and he blocks boots to ROUNDHOUSE Priest! Nakamura puts Priest in the ropes to SLIDING GERMAN!
Nakamura hurries back in while fans fire up. Cody swings, misses, but then Cody ducks a roundhouse, only for the WHEEL KICK to hit! The fans fire up as Nakamura gives Cody some BAD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura goes corner to corner and the fans rally. Cody dodges, Nakamura hits buckles, and Cody grabs a leg! Cody trips Nakamura, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Nakamura endures, fights the main leg, but Andrade is up top! FROG SPLASH onto Cody! Nakamura is free, but then Priest JUMP KICKS Andrade! Priest drags Cody up, ROCKS him, and then runs to ELBOW Andrade! ELBOW for Cody! SHOULDER TACKLE for Andrade!
The fans fire up for Priest and he goes to the outside, to leap off the steel steps and AX HANDLE Nakamura! Priest puts Nakamura back in the ring, drags him up at the ropes, and he knuckle locks so he can climb! The fans cheer as Priest goes Old School, only for Cody to jump up after him! But Priest then grabs Cody in a guzel! Nakamura trips them both up! Nakamura CLOBBERS Priest, Andrade rolls Nakamura, TWO! Andrade swings, but into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! The fans fire up as Cody DIVING SPLASHES! Cody TOSSES Nakamura, covers Andrade, TWO! Cover again, TWO! Cody is frustrated but he goes outside.
The fans fire up as they sense what’s coming! Cody brings out a TABLE! Cody sets “Slim Jim” up at ringside, goes back to the ring for Andrade, and he lines up the shot. But Andrade hooks the ropes to block! Andrade suplexes but Cody blocks! They fight for control, but Priest CLUBS Andrade. Priest and Cody stare down, but they decide to work together! The fans fire up as they hoist Andrade up, but Nakamura makes the save! Only to INVERTED EXPLODER Andrade! DYNAMIC DROPKICK and Cody falls through the table! Cody snaps into a Slim Jim and the fans go nuts! Nakamura goes outside while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nakamura fetches Priest, brings him over, but Priest blocks the desk smack to ROCK Nakamura! Priest SMACKS Nakamura off the desk now! And again! Priest brings Nakamura around to DECK him, but then Andrade CLUBS Priest! Andrade SMACKS Priest off the desk, then he and Nakamura actually work together to BOOT Priest onto the desk! But they’re not done as they TOSS Priest over the desk! Wade got outta there this time! Andrade then clears off the desk! Nakamura & Andrade bring Priest around to TOSS him over barriers! Then Nakamura CLOBBERS Andrade! Nakamura applauds his trickery before putting Andrade in the ring. Nakamura covers, TWO!
Nakamura is annoyed and he KICKS Andrade in the side. Andrade sputters but Nakamura paces. Andrade rises to CHOP! Nakamura dusts himself off to KICK Andrade down! Andrade stands but into KNEES and KICKS! Andrade blocks one, but not the ENZIGIRI! Andrade ends up in a corner, Nakamura whips corner to corner, but Andrade reverses. Andrade runs up, Nakamura puts him on the apron, but Andrade ROCKS him! Andrade climbs, but Nakamura ROCKS him! Nakamura climbs now but Andrade fires back! They brawl up top, and Andrade HEADBUTTS Nakamura down! Nakamura GAMANGIRIS in return!
SmackDown returns to single picture again as Nakamura climbs back up. Priest returns to CLUB Nakamura! He has Nakamura in the crucifix, but Nakamura fights free! Priest drags Nakamura down, Nakamura fires a strike fest! Priest clinches to FLATLINER! Andrade MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura LARIATS! Andrade BOOTS! Nakamura PELES! These three are down, and Cody rises from the wreckage! The fans fire up for Cody as he drags himself into the ring. Cody runs up to LARIAT Andrade! And LARIAT Nakamura! Cody whips Priest, Priest reverses, but Cody goes up and over, and this time, SNAP POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up and Cody blocks Andrade’s kick to then run and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody catches Nakamura, Nakamura drops down to UP KICK! Snapmare and SLIDING KNEE! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT!! Priest has Andrade, Andrade schoolboys him into buckles! The fans fire up, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, CIEN KNEES for Nakamura! Then Andrade goes again, CIEN- NO, Priest has Andrade by the neck! Andrade breaks free to CHOP, but Priest ROCKS Andrade! Andrade comes back, SHADOW ELBOW! THE MESSAGE!! Cover, NAKAMURA AX KICKS IT APART! Nakamura drags Andrade up, but Andrade ROCKS him first!
Nakamura snarls and ROCKS Andrade back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Andrade CHOSP! Nakamura KICKS! Nakamura CLUBS Andrade, KNEES him low, but Cody is back! Cody dodges Nakamura, to DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Not the cleanest but it didn’t need to be! Priest kicks Cody low, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Cody slips free! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Priest tumbles out of the ring and Cody roars! He catches Andrade, CROSS RHODES!! And then he drags Andrade up again, only for Nakamura to clamp on a SLEEPER!! Cody flails, claws at the grip, but Nakamura dragon sleepers!
Nakamura vows to end this, but Cody flips that around on him! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Lexington cheers and sings with Cody’s song as he comes out on top! We know Sami Zayn and Randy Orton are one semifinal match, but Raw will determine the other! Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, or MAIN EVENT JEY USO, who survives to then meet Cody in the next round?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with a lot of action from doing all the SmackDown Fatal 4 Ways in the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. And each Fatal 4 Way was great, because Fatal 4 Ways always lend themselves to fast, chaotic action. Great opening promo from Cena with Cody, Orton and Knight to help segue into the first match, but also great stuff with R-Truth going after Cena. Orton winning was a bit of a surprise, and makes for a very interesting match with Sami Zayn. I suppose Sami going hard against Orton and finding a sneakier way to win could go with how Karrion Kross has been working to bring that side out of Sami.
Jade winning her match made sense, as Piper is still just Chelsea’s sidekick and Mia isn’t quite at that QOTR top title level. It also puts her in line with Naomi’s story of being Miss MITB, because Naomi can mess Jade over in a title match just as much as she can Tiffany. Very good promo from Naomi with Tiffany to tease a cash in, but also set up Tiffy VS Nia one more time. Chelsea also had a hilarious video call promo, and good on Aldis to stand up to her by putting Alba in the match instead. Alexa winning was only a little surprising, as she’s on that return push. And it makes for a fresh match-up no matter who from Raw wins the final Fatal 4.
Awesome main event Fatal 4 but I figured Cody would win, as it makes for a unique match-up of Cody VS Jey. Jey being put in was a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the wrestlers we’re waiting to return (Roman Reigns, but maybe even Ilja Dragunov) just aren’t ready yet. And given Bronson & Bron screwed Knight over, Knight will surely show up on Raw again to keep that feud going. Sheamus and Rusev have their own story, so Jey is the default choice. I almost feel like they should’ve flipped the brackets so that it would give us Orton VS Cody and Sami VS Jey in the semifinals, but those combos probably serve for stronger finals matches.
Very good stuff with the tag division, but MCMG VS Gacy & Lumis could’ve been a bit better. Part of the problem that comes with the Wyatts being gone away so long is that there might be some ring rust. Lumis & Gacy were on point, but they needed time to coordinate some things first and that slowed the overall pace down. The Wyatts won, of course, and will likely deal with Fraxiom next, what with DIY volunteering Fraxiom and Profits ahead of them. Then, Cena and Punk had a great promo, with it mostly being Punk tearing into Cena. Surprisingly, no allusions to Punk’s incendiary comments from years ago, but that’s very Punk of Punk.
And Killings going after Cena again was great stuff. Cena VS Killings will be a great match next week, and Cena probably rubs it in that he’s using one of his precious final appearances was used to beat Truth again. Though, to build Killings up, I would think they find a way for him to win that “isn’t definitive,” like a count out victory or some kind of disqualification. I was hoping for an R-Truth celebration at Saturday Night’s Main Event akin to Lex Luger over Yokozuna, but maybe that happens next week.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.12.2025
DO SOMETHING WITH JASON HOTCH AND KC NAVARRO – that is all.
So Against All Odds…was barely passable and that’s only with Xanax. The Knockouts title match was awful, the 4 Man “Home Town Man” was stupid and the only good part was remixing the old Jerry Lynn & AJ Styles “Born in the USA” theme for Home Town Man. Maclin needs to stop having brawls, they’re boring, give him a bump guy. Kaibas and Rascalz was underwhelming. Santino vs Robert Stone was funny, Elias vs Trick was too chalk and lame. IInspiration (IIconics) returning was big news at least. Hendry losing to Kaz was also obvious since Kaz hasn’t won a match in forever.
The show dragged, and as much as I usually like Masha’s wrestling ability…her last 3 title matches have sucked and its not her opponents fault. Killer Kelly returning is sexy though…I mean, good. Yes, good. Saving the best for last, Mustafa Ali vs Jason Hotch was the best match of the show, and really damn good in general. Workrate was great, Tasha and Skyler being conflicted and popping for Hotch when he was doing well was great character work. Hotch looked amazing in the loss, if they don’t capitalize on it, that would be a huge screw up from TNA.
Not really sure what kind of shows we’ll be getting, and I’m not excited.
.@MATTHARDYBRAND and @JEFFHARDYBRAND have a message for FIR$T CLA$$ ahead of TONIGHT's MAIN EVENT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/mTnNBEFBcb
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Ratings:
- The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes: IInspiration wins via Idolizer – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater: Leon wins via Swanton 450 – ** 3/4
- 8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz: Indi wins via Hurts Don’t It – ** 3/4
- Indi Hartwell vs Killer Kelly vs Jody Threat vs Tasha Steelz: Kelly wins via Hurts Don’t It – ***
- Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz: Hardyz win via DQ – ***
Results:
Santino opens the show informing Santana of a suspension, kicking Robert Stone out and recapping his victory party before introducing the IInspiration for their first match back.Â
The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes
A bit of talking and pandering from IInspiration, they’re dominating the jobbers and there’s not much to discuss here. They do the IIconics Pose and actually keep the control. Cassie pulls off some kind of Butterfly Facebuster which looks cool, Jess comes in and the Jobbers cheat a little to take over. Jess tags in Cassie and Scorpion Kick, decent comeback, corner Hip Attacks, Neckbreaker, Jumping Kick to the Head into Fisherman’s Suplex Hold for 2. Idolizer (Magic Killer variant) is hit and IInspiration win, and didn’t look bad. Cassie (Peyton) is still the better wrestler of the two, but neither looked bad.
Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater
I don’t hide the fact I heavily dislike Slater. He has no personality, he’s all flips, no ability to talk…he’s boring. He’s ROH Will Ospreay or Flip Gordon, does flippy crap to pop morons but he’s a worthless character. Since he wants to become the Youngest X Division champion, and they’ve talked about for like the last 7 months…sadly it’s probably going to happen.Â
Chain wrestling start and Hotch already looks like the better wrestler. Hotch is on his SANADA in LIJ arch where he looked great losing to the leader, falls back in line but then he hits a Spinning Overhead Kick for a near fall, so I’m not allowed to finish my thought because Hotch is fun to watch. Leon is such a bad wrestler…he held the rope and looked back to take a forearm shiver, the nerd had to watch it to sell it. Man’s not talent.
Hotch has Leon in an Arm Iso Cravat, Leon tries to fire and then Hotch keeps him down. Leon counters a Slingshot Suplex into his own Final Cut to get space to breathe. Double sell, Leon leap frogs, then rope runs, Lariats and Lethal Injection from Leon for 2. Hotch is so fluid, dodges the corner attack, rope assisted side kick, Outside In Neckbreaker for a near fall! Hotch will probably lose, but he looks like the better wrestler by miles. Heavy Irish Whip counter from Leon, into Blue Thunder Bomb. Leon goes to the top, Hotch cuts off, Leon dodges, hits the Knife Edge Chop and they wrestle on the apron, Front Kick from Hotch sends Leon into the post, Double Stomp onto the apron, Hotch wants a finish but counter, Cradle trades and then Hotch gets caught by a Leg Lariat, Swanton 450, selling from Leon was spotty and bad during this whole match.
Fun moments but the wrong kid died…
.@MeanGiaMiller gets Tessa Blanchard's thoughts ahead of TONIGHT's 8-4-1 Match!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/kurcKH2vtH
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz
Dani and Jody start, so at least there’s a measure of story telling, but I still detest Jody. Sloppy counter wrestling start, Jody stops herself from punching Dani and tags in Tasha. Tasha pauses and jaws to her team and gets Back Body Dropped by Dani, Dani tags in Xia and Tasha pokes her eyes immediately and lights up Xia. Xia fights back, Rope Assisted Headscissors, Crossbody and near fall. Xia tags in Rosemary and Rosemary looks at her like death, then Rosemary goes after Xia, but a Codebreaker from Tasha gives space to tag in Kelly. Kelly kisses Rosemary and then they brawl in full mount. I’m not sure if I clicked the orange website or TNA…oh there’s a Lariat…it’s wrestling again.
Jody doofus tags in, the crowd wants Indi, no one wants Jody and Rosemary Upkick, Drop Toe Hold, Tessa tags in, works over Jody, Jody tries to go to the top, Victoria Crawford fka Alicia Fox trips her, Tessa gets the momentum back, a bunch of distraction and Tessa tags in Dani. Then Dani tags out to Rosemary. Whip, Rosemary misses the Spear, Tessa tags herself in and they’re keeping Indi out of the ring. Tessa crashes and burns as Jody dodges and fights back. Rosemary tags in, Indi gets the tag. Bunch combo, Spinebuster, Dani breaks the pin and now signature spam spot.
Indi is the last on to hit her moves, Hurts Don’t It takes out Rosemary after Tessa just walks out.
Indi Hartwell vs Jody Threat vs Killer Kelly vs Tasha Steelz
Commercial happened and we’re back and it’s Indi vs Jody. Jody takes her down with a Shoulder Tackle, Jody hits the Exploder, and Indi finally stalls some of the offense, Indi throws Jody into the ropes and Jody takes it bad. Jody Drop Toe Hold, looking for her Knees into German spot, but Kelly pulls her out, Tasha tries to pick the bones but Kelly comes in and attacks Indi. Tasha and Kelly have a heel agreement to gang up on Indi. Kelly goes for the pin, so hells are arguing, throw forearms, Kelly with the Double Overhooks, Headbutts, Angel’s Wings gets hit from Kelly but Tasha kicks out. Jody Crossbody takes out both heels.
Jody and Indi team up and 10 Count Lariats on the Heels, pop spot for the crowd since Indi is in the driver’s seat, Simultaneous Lariats each other and everybody down. Mickie James Bulldog from Tasha but Jody pushes her off, Indi tries the Cradle for two. Indi misses the Boot, eats a German. Tasha hits the Mickie Bulldog, but Jody kicks out. Indi grabs Tasha, Hurts-nope. Tasha wanted Blackout, Indi says no, Hurts Don’t It, but Kelly takes out Indi and steals the pinfall. Kelly wins.
.@TheEricYoung will see @TheSamiCallihan NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmMmT pic.twitter.com/NtKjpYIIRa
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz
AJ charges before the bell, Hardyz dodge and Lariat AJ to the floor and work over KC with their usual Arm Bar Extreme Elbow, Delete Arm Breakers and Back Elbow Hardyz combo. AJ tries to get back in and the Hardyz attack, Poetry in Motion, AJ is back to the outside. Commercial break time, I wonder if the heels will be winning coming back…OH no, Jeff is still isolating KC. Pleasantly surprised I suppose.
Arm Wringer, simple offense, Jeff tags in Matt, Stalling Tandem Suplex and Matt covers, only 2. Matt with Short Arm Shoulder Tackles, close quarters forearms and the Rocket Launcher into the middle rope followed by a Leg Drop onto the apron, KC keeps kicking out but he’s getting dog walked. Stomps into Splash, KC needs to tag out, but Jeff stays on him, AJ finally pulls out Jeff, KC flies into Jeff and tags out. Finally AJ gives KC a break and bends Jeff back in a Bow and Arrow Stretch. Jeff tries the comeback, AJ pulls the hair to throw him down, stomps his face and AJ is manhandling Jeff as KC is sucking wind. Little Bro deserves a big break.
Tennessee Whiskey from AJ, connects and “Money, Money, Money”. AJ gets a little distracted trying to one up Matt, Jeff hits two Twists, and tags in Matt, so Delete Face Smashes and AJ is getting rocked. AJ reverses the Irish Whip, but Back Elbow from Matt into a Middle Rope Side Effect. Trick Williams comes out to attack the Hardyz. Hardyz win via DQ, but then Hendry and Elijah come out for the save. System is out…old school TNA donnybrook.
Overall Score: 5.5/10
The ring work was mediocre at best, but nothing miserable. Cassie and Jess look like they never missed a beat, take that for what you will if you loved or hated the IIconics. Trick solidifying his alliance with First Class makes for interesting cross promotion. If Fir$t Cla$$ ends up with the NXT Tags while Trick is the TNA Champ…that’s…a pretty neat visual I ain’t mad at. Yes I’m bias because KC is awesome, but AJ has done good work in TNA, so he deserves some flowers. Tessa keeping Victoria Crawford in the Robert Stone ejection is wonderful. I’ve always loved Alicia Fox and teaming her with Tessa is very interesting for the obvious reasons I don’t need to mention again, just search Twitter, you’ll understand.
Sami looks like a doofus getting sideswiped, Jay-SANADA Hotch is the best thing TNA has right now for home grown talent. Slater is still useless but oooo he can flip…I hate no personality flip-tards. Indi getting screwed sets things up nicely to not push her too quick to the top of the card, but she’s very over. The lack of Lei Ying Lee is annoying since I really don’t think the poor match was her fault. Also, putting her in a throwaway tag match against the Elegance girls next week? TNA really doesn’t know what to do with Lei, do they? She’s been mishandled the entire time since debut.
So even with my nitpicks, there were a lot of building blocks in the show. Hell Tessa insulting Gia is also probably something brewing…but I’m glad we didn’t lose Gia when we lost Ace. Gia is the best backstage interviewer since Lauren Brooke. So very middle of the road show, either things will get slightly better going to Slammiversary, or it’s the calm before the storm. We…shall see.
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