Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (9/5/22)
Is Miz really safe inside the cage?
The Miz is stuck between the All Mighty and a Tortured Artist!
The WWE is back from Cardiff, Wales, and so Raw gives Kansas City, Missouri a United States Championship match, inside a STEEL CAGE! But is Miz really safe with Lashley raging inside and Lumis lurking outside?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy VS Los Lotharios VS The Street Profits; No Contest.
- Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Nivens; Raquel & Aliyah win.
- Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory; Kevin wins.
- Rey Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Priest wins.
- WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa; Lashley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
EDGE is here!
Kansas City fires up for the Rated R Superstar as he heads out to the ring! And Edge would be in a better mood if not for what happened at Clash at the Castle. Edge gets a mic and he says, “Dominik Mysterio. Dom, I’ve known you since your dad came to the WEW. You were five years old. You and I used to sit in catering and piss people off with pea shooters.” Edge is jumping around in tights at this age, so you know he’s never fully grown up. When WWE would go to San Diego, Edge would stay with the Mysterios and be greeted with open arms. Edge and Rey would get tattoos together, all riding beach cruisers.
Just last year, Edge was the one who calmed Dom down before his first match in front of a live TV audience. Fans applaud that! Dom has always felt like a nephew to Edge but it seems Dom doesn’t feel the same way. so what’s going on? Is it because Edge accidentally speared Dom? Edge apologized for that. Edge’s gut told him that he should’ve taken care of it, but his heart overrode him. It said, “Don’t worry about Dom!” Edge didn’t come back to get between Dom and Rey, but to help them. Edge feels like Judgement Day is his fault, his responsibility, it’s Edge’s fault they’re making Dom’s life hell.
But after what Dom did to Edge and Rey on Saturday… Edge knows Rey raised Dom better than that. Dom, you and Rey can hash it out however you need, but Edge is a different beast. Edge isn’t looing at the kid he hung out with, he’s looking at Dom as a fellow superstar. A man’s game pays a man’s price. Dom needs to show up, not to talk, but for Edge to beat his ass! “So Dominik, get down here right now! Because if you don’t-” Wait, here comes Rey first! Rey gets a mic to tell Edge to hear him out. Rey knows Dom messed up big time, and he is asking for an apology on Dom’s behalf. Dom is still Rey’s son. Please, don’t do this, Edge.
Edge tells Rey that we all know how Edge feels about Rey. But Dom is old enough to drink, drive and set foot in the ring. So he is old enough to stand for his actions! So DOMINIK, get out here right now!! But instead, it’s Rhea Ripley! The Judgement Day’s Eradicator is laughing at Edge. Edge needs to calm down. Because at Clash, the boys got what was coming to them. Edge, you thought you could just replace Dom like he didn’t even matter. And then Rey, you thought you could protect Dom just cuz he’s your baby boy. Guess what? He’s not Rey’s baby boy anymore. Because Rhea saw Dom’s potential, and made him into a man!
Rhea looks to the stage, and out walks Dominik! His hair’s slicked back and he’s wearing all black. Rey tells Dom to snap out of it. He still has time to make amends with Edge and make this right. Dom doesn’t say anything, but Rhea says c’mon, Rey. When is Rey gonna get it through his skull that Dom doesn’t listen to dad anymore. Rey can’t keep fighting his battles for him. And Edge, you’re past your time, mate. Edge can’t stop his Judgement Day. Fans chant, “Who’s Your Papi?” but then Rhea and Dom step forward. Rey says he can’t be part of this, so he’s heading out. Rey and Dom stare each other in the eye, and Rey asks Dom not to do this.
Dom tunes Rey out again, and Rhea is laughing. Fans chant “Eddie’s Son!” Dom then stares Edge down, and Edge waits for someone to do something. But Finn runs in! Edge DECKS Finn but Damian Priest is in! Edge and Priest brawl, then Finn joins in! But Edge is fighting back 2v1! He DECKS Finn, DECKS Priest, but Dom CHOP BLOCKS him! Finn stomps the leg, grinds the knee, Priest stomps away on Edge, but Rey storms back up! Dom stands in Rey’s way and Rey says to move. But Rhea is also in the way. Rey tells Dom to come to his senses. Instead, Dom shoves Rey into Rhea’s FOREARM! And then Rhea whips Rey into steel steps!
Finn and Priest continue to mug Edge, then the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Rhea brings out a chair and hands it to Dom. Dom hands it to Finn and Finn JAMS the bad leg with it! Priest stands on Edge to keep him down as Finn JAMS Edge more and more! They then put the chair on the leg and Finn climbs up the corner! FULL METAL COUP DE GRACE to the leg!! Edge writhes, Rey gets in, but the Judgement Day already did the damage. Is this the end of the Rated R Superstar’s revenge? And what about the soul of young Dominik?
The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa arrive.
Sarah asks them what happened at the end of last week’s Raw when Miz drove off in his car, and it appeared that Dexter Lumis was in the backseat? Miz doesn’t want to talk about it! Last week, Miz drove to his hotel, flew home, went on a little vacation with the wife and kids, that’s it! Is that why he challenged Lashley to a Steel Cage match tonight? Because of Lumis- SHHH! You journalists are always trying to stir up drama. Mike is the victim here. Did it ever occur to anyone to ask how Miz is feeling/ Then, how is he feeling? None of your business! Miz is moving on with his life. Miz VS Lashley in a Steel Cage for the US Championship!
But wait. They see a car has been flipped over! This is his doing, isn’t it? Lumis has already made himself known, will he present his newest masterpiece sometime tonight?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy VS Los Lotharios VS The Street Profits!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods are somehow still in one piece after the Viking Rules match on Friday, and they’re still in the running to face the Usos! But the odds are stacked against them as Chad Gable & Otis, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo and Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are all here, too! Which team will punch their golden tickets at a shot at The Bloodline?
In this Fatal 4, only two teams are legal at any time, so stepping up to start is Woods for New Day and Angel for Los Lotharios. Garza runs Woods over, things speed up, but Garza fakes out the roll to shove. Things keep moving, Garza hurdles but Woods handsprings through the hip toss! Woods swings, but Garza trips him up and covers, ONE! Woods sweeps and covers, ONE! Garza sweeps and covers, ONE! Woods seeps and covers, ONE! Woods jumps the sweep but Garza ducks the roundhouse, and fans fire up as the two stare down! OFF COME THE PANTS! Garza smiles as he then throws the tights away, and tags Kofi?
Wait, New Day VS New Day? Doesn’t this mean they can win off themselves? Woods and Kofi shake hands, circle and feel out the grapple, then Woods lies down! Kofi covers, everyone scrambles in to break it! The brawl is on and the ref tries to sort things out! The New Day clears everyone else out, then they fist bump. The New Day build speed and they DOUBLE FLY! Direct hit with the tope conjilos and Kansas City is rocking as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Carrillo has Ford in a headlock. Ford pries at the hold but Carrillo CLUBS him on the back! Carrillo back suplexes then kips up! Carrillo BLASTS the New Day, then he ducks Ford’s enziguri! Carrillo drags Ford away but Ford boots Carrillo away! Gable tags in, he intercepts Ford! Carrillo comes back in, Gable ducks and Ford’s ENZIGURI gets Carrillo! Hot tag to Dawkins! Fans rally as Dawkins rallies on Gable! Dawkins DECKS Otis, dodges Gable and FLYING ELBOWS Gable! Gable goes to a corner, CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGURI! Carrillo runs in but gets the SILENCER! Garza tries but he misses Dawkins to hit Woods!
Kofi returns, Dawkins dodges and Kofi KNEES Garza! Dawkins POUNCES Kofi out onto Los Lotharios! Gable throat chops Dawkins! Gable whips, Dawkins hurdles, Ford tags in as Dawkins FLIES! Dawkins takes out everyone else and Ford ROCKS Gable! Ford goes up, Gable gets under! CHAOS THEROY, but Ford slips out?! POUNCE GERMAN COMBO! Cover, Otis breaks it! Dawkins runs in, into the WRECKING ELBOW! Otis drags Gable over, tags in, and goes after Ford. Otis scoops Ford but Garza SUPERKICKS him down! Garza drags Ford up, but Woods returns! Garza and Ford double mule kick him!
Garza and Ford mug Woods in the corner then hoist him up top. They climb up after him but Carrillo, Dawkins and Kofi joins in! Kofi and Dawkins move Carrillo aside to another corner! We’ve got two situations of 2v1 on top of the corners! But Kofi calls an audible to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB Dawkins! Ford and Garza stand Woods up for a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! But Carrillo adjusts to MOONSAULT into boots! And a GERMAN SUPLEX! Otis is up top!? DOZER SPLASH on Ford!! Cover, Kofi breaks it with double stomps! All eight men are down and the fans are loving it as Raw goes picture in picture!
The ref checks on everyone but they’re all good to continue. Otis gets up, fires up, and he drags Ford up. Otis CLUBS Ford, stands on his back, and shouts, “FOR THE ACADEMY!” Gable joins in and Otis whips Ford to the corner. Gable tags in, Otis feeds Ford to the shoulder tackle! Cover, TWO! Gable drags Ford around, ROCKS him with forearm after forearm, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable is annoyed but he keeps on Ford with a top wristlock. Ford endures, reaches out, fights up, and Kansas City rallies as Ford rolls Gable up! And Raw goes to break?!
Raw returns, Otis whips Ford but Ford slips around to crucifix! Otis powers that away, but Ford JAWBREAKERS! Ford ROCKS Otis but Gable sneaks a tag! Ford scoop SLAMS Otis?!? Fans are thunderous and Ford goes up top! But Los Lotharios anchor Ford! They fire off haymakers and CHOPS, but Dawkins and the New Day go after them! Los Lotharios fights them off, they climb up together, DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!! Ford leaps FROM THE HEAVENS! But Gable drags Ford off with an ANKLE LOCK!! But then BRAUN STROWRMAN shows up!?! Why is the Monster Among Men back NOW!?
Braun goes to the ring and Gable is freaking out! The ref gets out of the way as Braun steps up to Gable and the fans are going nuts! Gable tells the fans to SHOOSH, but Braun CLOBBERS Gable! And DECKS Garza! Carrillo leaps in, into a CHOKE SLAM! Fans fire up with Braun as he BLASTS Otis off the apron! Braun smirks, but why is he here now? Security rushes out but Braun CLOBBERS them one after another! And scoop SLAMS some! Braun drags one guy up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him!! Braun looks around and says it’s time to get on the tracks! The Strowman Express CLIPS Gable, and BLASTS Otis through barriers!
Dawkins runs in, but Braun CLOBBERS him! Braun scoop SLAMS Gable! Braun clears off the announce desk! Braun drags Dawkins up to scoop him, and then MONSTER SLAMS him through the desk!!! Fans are thunderous as Braun just demolished this tag match! Braun roars, but what is he going to do now that he’s back?
Raw goes picture in picture as Braun continues to soak up the cheers from the crowd. Braun tells the ref to back off as he goes back outside. Braun looks at the damage he’s caused as he makes his way back to the ramp. Braun tells refs to back off, and he steps on Garza! Braun does a whole lap around the ring, and then he throws Gable in! Strowman drags Gable up, fans are going nuts, and he scoops Gable for a MONSTER SLAM!! Braun is shouting at the camera but we can’t hear him at home because of picture in picture. Raw goes back to single picture and now Braun decides to leave. But what does this mean for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships’ challengers?
Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Nivens!
The NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are here, ready to show that they don’t rest on their laurels. Will the Badass & the Bougie be able to disconnect the Celtic Connection? Or will Nikki & Piper go from losing to the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions to conquering the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions?
The teams sort out and Aliyah starts against Nikki. They circle, tie up, and Aliyah headlocks. Nikki powers out, Aliyah goes up and over and then scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Aliyah facelocks, wrenches and armlocks but Nikki pulls hair! Tag to Piper, she throws body shots, then she taunts Raquel. Piper runs in but Aliyah goes up and over! Aliyah dropkicks al eg out, but Piper SLAPS her down! Nikki anchors Raquel’s foot, and Piper BLASTS Raquel off the apron! The ref reprimands, but Aliyah runs at Piper! But Piper blocks the Rana to swing Aliyah into buckles! And again!
Piper drops Aliyah, DMG CTRL is watching backstage as Piper CANNONBALLS Aliyah! Piper drags Aliyah to a cover, TWO! Piper is annoyed already but Nikki tells fans to shush. Piper tags Nikki in, Nikki WRECKS Raquel, and then NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP! Cover off the #ASHDROP, but Raquel breaks it! Nikki kicks Raquel away then drags Aliyah back. Nikki taunts Aliyah to tag Raquel and then she kicks the arms! But Aliyah avoids the elbow drop! Hot tag to Raquel! Ricky Desperado HEADBUTTS Nikki, runs her over, then POUNCES her! Piper tags in, and Nikki runs, into a scoop!
Raquel BOOTS Piper, FALL AWAY SLAMS Nikki, and fans fire up! Raquel fires off hands on Piper, then elbows her down! Raquel drags Piper up and in, lifts, but Piper’s too big for that! Piper wrenches out and HEADBUTTS! Piper blocks a haymaker, trips Raquel and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Piper drags Raquel to a drop zone and she goes up the corner! But Aliyah THESZ PRESSES Nikki and that shocks Piper! Raquel CLUBS Piper, uses the corner to have her up, TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel & Aliyah win!
Winners: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah, by pinfall
Bayley, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai take note of that. Will they make sure nothing stops them from taking control the next time they face The Bougie & The Badass?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Megan says this is a very emotional situation, but where do things stand between him and Dom? There isn’t much to say other than Rey loves his son, and he needs to have a word in private. As far as Judgement Day goes, they’re trying to tear Rey’s life apart by separating him from his son by poisoning Dom’s mind. They just took out Edge, who is like family to Rey! There is one thing for sure, though. Rey will never, NUNCA, put hands on his son. But no one deserves their ass handed to them more than The Judgement Day. So whoever it is, whether it’s Priest or Finn, Rey wants a match with them 1v1 tonight! Take your pick, he’ll face whoever!
Raw shares footage from Clash at the Castle.
Sheamus dragged himself to ropes as the fans gave him a standing ovation. They cheered the Celtic Warrior’s valiant efforts against the Ring General, and he showed his appreciation to them. Will Sheamus fight his way to another shot at the WWE Intercontinental Championship?
Austin Theory is here!
The Youngest Mr. Money in the Bank Ever is still sore from that Tyson Fury fist to his face that ruined his cash-in attempt. Theory gets a mic to say, “Look. I know things didn’t go as planned on Saturday. But I have to say that Crown Jewel was an absolute success. Just kidding! Clash at the Castle was!” Theory smirks at his own punch drunk joke, but then he gets annoyed at the fans boo. Theory tells them to shut up! He’s sure they all wanted to see him fail at his cash-in, but here he is, still Mr. MITB! And that just guarantees Theory as the future Undisputed Champion! Theory keeps working on his sore jaw, but he says the difference between him and us, when he gets knocked down, he gets back up! Even if it’s a sucker punch from a world championship boxer like Tyson Fury!
But that’s not even the point. Roman Reigns is still champion. Theory hates to admit this, he’s glad Roman won. Because for one, Drew McIntyre completely embarrassed himself in front of his friends and family. And two, Theory and Roman still have unfinished business. Theory says he’ll soon cash in his Money in the Contract bank- SHUT UP, YOU’RE MAKING HIS JAW HURT! Theory vows he will end Roman’s two-year reign as champion and Theory will be the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion! But here comes Kevin Owens!
The Prizefighter has a mic, and he asks Theory, “What’s wrong with your jaw? Oh, wait, I remember! You got knocked the hell out!” Fans chant, “You Got Knocked Out!” Kevin says to listen to this: Theory got KO’d! See what he did there? That’s good stuff! Fans chant now, “You Got KO’D!” Kevin says it just came to him, sorry. Oh, and Theory found his first name again! So hey, Austin! Kevin despises more than anything is arrogant and delusional people. We’ve had some really arrogant people and some really delusional people, but Theory is at the very top of both lists. A great example is that Theory is complaining about what Fury did, but what Fury did was a favor!
Because if Theory had been able to cash-in, either McIntyre or Roman would’ve put him on the ground and he would’ve lost his opportunity forever. Theory says Kevin has no idea what he’s talking about! But that’s because Kevin’s jealous! Kevin is the guy always running around talking about titles when he hasn’t won one in years! But Theory is climbing the ladder of success and doing things Kevin never could do, and that’s become Mr. MITB! And Theory feels bad for Kevin. So how about this? Kevin can be first in line when Theory does cash-in and beats Kevin as the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion!
Kevin says he knows Theory would’ve been destroyed by Roman and McIntyre, because he’s been in the ring with both guys. In fact, Kevin faced McIntyre just a couple week sago. McIntyre couldn’t beat Kevin, the Usos interfered. And as far as Roman is concerned, well… 18 months ago, Kevin had Roman beaten and Kevin should’ve been Universal Champion. And everyone knows it! Even Roman knows it! If not for Jey Uso and Paul Heyman, Kevin would’ve ended Roman’s historic two-year reign six months in! But you know what else Kevin knows? Kevin knows the only reason Theory has the contract is because Kevin wasn’t in the MITB match!
Because if Kevin was, he would’ve destroyed Theory, put him through a ladder, and climbed up to grab the case and be the one to take Roman Reigns down! That all sounds great, Kevin! He would’ve climbed the ladder, grabbed the briefcase and beaten Roman. Sounds like fairytales to Theory! But y’know what this is? This is reality! And the reality is, Theory is the handpicked future while Kevin is just trying to stay relevant. Kevin will give Theory that. Kevin does everything he can to stay relevant, which is why he’s so good! Which is why he’s Kevin Owens! Which is why he’s here today! And Theory was the handpicked future! Not anymore!
But is Kevin the only one who sees where this is going? Can anyone else see what’s next? Is Kevin the only one who pays attention? Kevin bets a ref will run out here and slide into the ring! Oh, here comes one! So here we go! And the next thing is, someone says enough talk, let’s fight! Oh, Kevin says that! So enough talking, let’s fight!! Fans fire up and it’s happening! Will the Prizefighter destroy Theory worse than that Tyson Fury fist?
Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory!
The bell rings, and Theory bails out! Theory says he needs a minute, but Kevin goes out after him! Kevin CLOBBERS Theory! Fans fire up and Kevin whips Theory into the barriers! Kevin CHOPS Theory, follows him along the way, and CHOPS again! Kevin puts Theory in the ring but Theory hammers away on Kevin in return! Fans boo but Theory drags Kevin up to throw hands. Theory stomps Kevin, whips him corner to corner, but Kevin reverses. Kevin clotheslines in the corner, goes corner to corner, and he CANNONBALLS! Theory flops out of the ring and fans fire up! Kevin goes to the apron, for a FROG SPLASH to the floor! Kansas City is fired up as Raw goes picture in picture!
Theory writhes and Kevin soaks up the cheers. Kevin drags Theory up as the ring count climbs, and he brings Theory to the barriers to CHOP! Theory staggers away and fans fire up, but Theory kicks back. Kevin avoids the chop to CHOP again! Theory stagger away, Kevin puts him in the ring, but Theory fires off on Kevin again! Theory drags Kevin up, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kevin pie faces Theory so Theory DECKS him! Theory rains down fists, then talks trash. Theory paces around, drags Kevin up and bumps him off buckles. Theory talks more trash, then swings, only for Kevin to dodge and CHOP again!
Kevin keeps Theory cornered, CHOPS him, then follows him to another corner. Theory kicks but Kevin blocks to KICK the leg! Theory sits down and crawls along ropes. Kevin puts him back in the corner to whip corner to corner, but Theory reverses and Kevin hits buckles hard! Kevin tumbles up and down, then Theory pushes him down to stomp away! Theory shakes his head and flexes, then goes back to Kevin. Theory drags Kevin into the center and clamps on a chinlock. Kevin endures as Theory leans on the hold. Raw returns to single picture and fans rally up. Kevin fights to his feet and throws body shots, but Theory KNEES low!
Theory throws Kevin out hard, then goes out to bring Kevin around. Theory whips, Kevin reverses and Theory hits barriers! Kevin drags Theory up, and smacks him off the announce desk! And again! Then CHOPS him! Kevin puts Theory in the ring, storms up on him, and short arm LARIATS! And SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Theory is showing toughness but Kevin keeps his cool. Kevin drags Theory up, scoops him, but Theory slips off! Theory drop toeholds Kevin into buckles! Theory then slingshots and SHOTGUNS Kevin down! Cover, TWO! Theory clamps back onto the chinlock and he grinds Kevin down again.
Fans rally, Kevin fights up again, but Theory ROCKS Kevin! Theory runs in to clothesline at the corner, then he scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Cover, TWO! Theory clamps onto the armlock and grinds a forearm in Kevin’s face. Kevin endures, fans rally again, and Kevin fights up to pry the hold open! Kevin ROCKS Theory with forearm after forearm, but Theory kicks low! Theory whips, Kevin reverses but Theory kicks back Kevin LARIATS! And LARIATS again! And then a whip to ropes, but Theory reverses and ROCKS Kevin! Kevin rebounds to LARIAT! Theory flops all the way out of the ring while Kansas City fires up!
Kevin goes to the apron, SWANTON BOMB but onto knees! Kevin writhes as Theory saves himself, and Raw goes back to picture in picture.
The ref checks on Kevin while Theory drags himself back up. Theory drags Kevin up, smacks him off the desk, then smacks him again! Theory talks trash and he puts Kevin back in the ring. Cover, ONE!! Kevin is showing the toughness of a former Universal Champion but Theory looms over him. Theory talks trash, rains down fists at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Theory flexes but Kevin CHOPS him! Theory shrugs that one off to ROCK Kevin! Theory eggs Kevin on, then throws another haymaker! Kevin is getting mad as Theory keeps hitting him! Kevin stands, Theory throws another hand but Kevin ROCKS Theory back!
Kevin fires off on Theory, CHOPS him, then kicks low and hits a DDT! Cover, TWO! Theory is showing the toughness of a former United States Champion! Kevin keeps his focus, and he hears the fans rallying up. Kevin goes up the corner! But Theory ROCKS him first! Kevin ROCKS Theory but Theory ROCKS Kevin! They throw hands back and forth as Theory climbs. Theory drags Kevin up but Kevin resists! They throw body shots back and forth now, and Kevin ROCKS Theory with a haymaker! And another! Theory throws more hands, they continue to brawl, and Theory drags Kevin back up! Raw returns to single picture as Kevin continues to resist!
Kevin throws hands then HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Theory goes down, Kevin stands up, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and Kevin can’t believe it! Kevin kicks Theory, but no Stunner! Theory runs but into an elbow! Kevin goes up but Theory CLUBS him! Theory torture racks Kevin for a TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Theory can’t believe it, but he calls for A-Town Down! Theory drags Kevin up to a fireman’s carry, but Kevin fights free! Kevin waistlocks, Theory throws elbows to get free and runs, into a SUPERKICK! Kevin gets Theory on the rebound to whip, and POP-UP- NO, Theory slips out!
Theory BOOTS from the corner, then dodges Kevin to POST him! Theory goes out after Kevin, to SLAM him on the steel steps!! Kevin clutches his head while Theory leaves him behind! The ring count climbs and Kevin is still down at 5 of 10. Fans are thunderous as they rally behind Kevin, but the count is 8 of 10! Kevin springs up and in at 9!! BUZZSAW from Theory, then AOI SHODOU! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and Theory is confused and angry! Theory stalks Kevin to a corner, drags him up and puts him on the top, then fires off forearms and CHOPS! Theory climbs up but Kevin again resists the superplex!
Theory fights to get Kevin up but Kevin fights to stay down! Kevin throws body shots, ROCKS Theory with a forearm, but Theory holds onto ropes. Kevin DECKS Theory this time, and Kevin’s going to try again. But Theory springs up to fire more fists! Only for Kevin to hook a leg! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Fans are thunderous as Kevin stands back up! Theory staggers, into a whip and the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! But Kevin doesn’t cover Theory, he brings him up for a STUNNER! Cover, Kevin wins!!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
The Prizefighter just beat Mr. MITB, proving his point! Will Kevin also be proven right when he’s the one who finally gets after the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion?
Ciampa helps The Miz prepare backstage.
Ciampa has Miz focus on the idea of NEW WWE United States Champion, but then Sarah walks in and spooks him! Miz says hi, but then asks Sarah if she knows the definition of insanity. It’s asking the same things over and over again, expecting different answers. He’s already said, he does NOT want to talk about… The man who they shall not mention. She knows that, but she wasn’t going to ask about Lumis. She was going to ask about the steel cage match. Ciampa says last week, Lashley got lucky! If not for distractions from you-know-who, Miz would’ve won. That is why we have this match tonight!
The cage isn’t there because Miz is scared or that Miz is trying to keep you-know-who out. NO! It is because Mike knows that 1v1, he is BETTER than Bobby Lashley! Miz says all his career, he has endured constant persecution, only to overcome it. Miz is the ONLY TWO-TIME GRAND SLAM CHAMPION in the WWE, and tonight, 1v1 in the steel cage, no one lurking in the shadows, no distraction and no escape, nothing will stop Miz climbing over Lashley’s limp body and walking out the NEW United States Champion! Miz feels confident, Ciampa is confident, but will they really make a dream come true in dethroning the All Mighty?
Damage Control heads to gorilla.
Bayley leads Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai, but we can see Piper and Nikki arguing in the background again. Nikki throws off her mask and scarf, is she done being Piper’s partner? Or done being Almost a Super Hero?
WWE honors Sgt. Major Patrick Payne.
Awarded the Medal of Honor by then president Donald Trump, this was to recognize his heroic actions on October 22nd, 2015. The mission was a hostage rescue, but there was an intense firefight. Payne and team rescued 75 captives, but receiving this award was really so Payne and his team could tell the story of fallen Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler. Wheeler led the way into the firefight selflessly, and that is what the Medal of Honor, and the United States military, is all about.
Damage Control heads to the ring!
Bayley, Kai & Sky are here, victorious at Clash at the Castle and ready to take over. Bayley pinned the Raw Women’s Champion in that win, so we can guess what this is about. “Ding dong! Hello, idiots!” And yes, they did beat Asuka, Alexa Bliss & Bianca Belair and sent them home packing! You’re welcome. Kai says if they can do that to the best, imagine what they can do to the rest of the roster! They are taking control! Sky says in Japanese and then English, they are taking the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships! NEWS FLASH! Kai wasn’t legal in the title match, so… Raquel & Aliyah can pretend to be champions for another week until Kai & Sky take what is rightfully theirs!
Imagine what they went through in that unfair decision. But DMG CTRL still came together and overcame the obstacles, and Bayley beat Bianca! Bianca hasn’t been pinned in over 300 days, and Bayley did what none of those idiots could do in the amount of time Bayley’s been gone, but in one night! Wait, here comes Bianca! The RawEST Women’s Champion says yes, Bayley is right. Bayley got the better of her at Clash, but Bianca put her pride aside and showed right back up here tonight. If Bayley wants a challenge, then a challenge is what you get. Let’s run it right back! Bianca VS Bayley, 1v1, here tonight!
Bayley says whoa, whoa, shoosh please. NO. Bianca probably doesn’t know this, but today is Labor Day, so Bayley isn’t working tonight. All Bayley and DMG CTRL is doing is celebrating their win! WOO! Bayley? Beat Bianca? No no no, it took all three of them to stop Bianca. But if that’s what it takes to make Bayley feel like she’s in control, then okay. Because uh… Bayley may have her minions, but Bianca still has the belt. And unless it’s 1v1, and unless Bayley has this, Bayley is in control of nothing. Bayley steps to Bianca to say, “Oh, is that right?” But now DMG CTRL surrounds the EST! Bianca sighs but Bayley has Kai & Sky stand down.
DMG CTRL leaves and fans boo. Bayley tells Bianca that Bayley already beat her, so she has nothing else to prove. It’s been a long time, but Bianca is the same old Bianca playing Ms. Perfect. But Bayley knows Bianca’s fragile ego can’t handle this one loss to where Bianca is challenging Bayley to make it feel like a fluke. But guess what? It isn’t all about Bianca! DMG CTRL could’ve ended Bianca here and now, but they’ve got bigger and better to worry about. Like Kai & Sky getting theirs with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships next week! But don’t worry, because if and when Bayley wants the title, she’ll just get it one way or another.
Bayley implies all three of them are coming for Bianca, so that no matter what, DMG CTRL will reign over all of Raw. Will Bianca be ready for whenever it is the Role Model takes her shot?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.
Sarah knows Johnny Gargano is excited to be back in the WWE after nine months away, but what is his opinion about Theory said about “swimming with the sharks.” Gargano’s been swimming with sharks his whole career. Gargano is proud of his NXT career, but there are many more goals to accomplish. Theory probably forgot what Gargano is capable of, but Gargano will be very excited to remind everyone. Sarah says the fans has been waiting, but Theory comes in and says no one cares! “Johnny Wrestling,” right? Since he came back, all he’s been doing is talking! So he might as well be Johnny Talking!
Wow, Theory is right. Congrats, Theory! But before he interrupted, Gargano was going to announce that next week live, after nine months, Johnny Wrestling returns to action! And Theory doesn’t look too good. Is he okay? Sharks are dangerous, Theory should be more careful. Gargano heads out, but will Gargano have any ring rust to work out after nine months?
Rey Mysterio VS Damian Priest!
The King of Lucha called out the Judgement Day to put someone up against him so they can fight it out after what we saw earlier tonight. But will Rey be ready for a fight after Dominik’s betrayal and the damage done to Edge? Or will he fall at the hands of the Punisher?
The bell rings and Rey rushes Priest! Rey fires off hands, Priest shoves him away, but Rey dodges the boot to CLUB and KICK and CLUB again! Priest choke grips but Rey slips out of the slam! Rey runs, but into a BOOT! Priest taunts Rey, stalks him to a corner, and then ROCKS him with a right! Priest stalks Rey again, brings him around and HEADBUTTS him down! Priest drags Rey up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Rey bounces off buckles chest first! Priest drags Rey back up, fans rally for Rey, but Priest CLUBS Rey back down. Priest whips Rey hard into the corner again, then RAMS into him!
Rey flops down and Priest soaks up the heat. Rey flops out of the ring but Priest pursues. Priest ROCKS Rey with a right, then pushes him into the ring. Rey staggers to a corner, Priest storms up but into a BOOT! Priest UPPERCUTS Rey, then says Rey has no fight left. Priest whips Rey to a corner, runs in but Rey dodges and Priest POSTS himself! Rey hurries outside to KICK away on Priest, then CLUB him! Priest scrambles away and Rey pursues into the ring. Rey runs, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Rey fires off fists! Priest shoves Rey away, knees low, then whips him to ropes. Rey slide sunder, KICKS the leg and fires off haymakers!
Priest knees low again, but Rey holds ropes to block the whip. So Priest KICKS Rey in the ribs! Fans rally for Rey, but Priest drags Rey back up and whips him to ropes. Rey holds ropes again, Priest runs in but into a BOOT! Rey runs and tilt-o-whirls to headscissor Priest out of the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed to WRECK Priest with a dropkick! Rey then goes to the apron, only for the rest of The Judgement Day to walk out to ringside. Rey focuses, leaps, but Priest CLOBBERS him out of the air! Priest grins as Raw goes picture in picture.
Priest soaks up the heat as he stands over Rey. Finn even has the chair they dented on Edge’s leg. Priest puts Rey in the ring and Rey flounders to a corner. Priest runs in to back elbow! Rey falls down and Priest taunts him. Priest poses and soaks up the heat. Priest suplexes and BROKEN ARRWOS! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto Rey’s arm for a motorcycle stretch. Rey endures and Dom is stone faced as he watches. Rey fights up, but Priest DECKS him! Rey goes to a corner, Priest drags Rey out, and then scoops Rey to carry him around the way. LAWN DART to the apron! Rey goes down and Priest grins.
Priest drags Rey back up, puts him back in the ring, and Dom is again stone faced. Priest KICKS Rey, then JABS him! Rey sputters, Priest KICKS him again! Priest sits Rey up but Rey ducks the buzzsaw to roll Priest up! TWO, and Priest CLOBBERS Rey! Cover, TWO! Priest drags Rey into a chinlock, thrashes him around, but Rey endures. Fans rally but Priest says it is in vain! Rey fights up, throws elbows but Priest CLUBS Rey down! Priest brings Rey up, but Rey JAWBREAKERS! Priest BELL CLAPS then shoves Rey to a corner. Priest runs in but Rey dodges! Priest hits buckles, Rey runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, slides and KICKS from below!
Priest runs but Rey dumps him out! Rey builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp! Dom starts to frown now, but is it because Rey is winning or what? Rey KICKS Priest, puts him in the ring, then hurries to the apron. Priest runs in but Rey avoids the boot to GAMANGIRI! Rey goes up and leaps, SEATED SENTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Priest survives and Rey stares Dom down. Dom still doesn’t react much, so Rey KICKS Priest in the side. Rey rains down fists, puts Priest on the ropes and then climbs up to rain down even more fists! But Priest powers up and TOSSES Rey to a corner! Rey staggers from that Snake Eyes!
Priest aims, runs and SUPERKICKS Rey down! Cover, TWO!! The Judgement Day is annoyed but Rey is showing the heart of a former world champion. Priest aims at Rey, runs in at the corner, but Rey BOOTS him! Rey goes up but Priest catches him! Rey fights through to DDT! Rey fires up and goes up the corner, but Priest ROCKS him first! Priest climbs up now, brings Rey onto his shoulders, but Rey fights the fireman’s carry! Rey throws knees into Priest from up there, to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! The Judgement Day is freaking out, except for Dom being stoic as ever. Rey dropkicks Priest onto the ropes, dials it up, but Priest ducks!
Priest spins to HEEL KICK Rey down! Priest steadies himself, then snarls as he drags Rey back up. Priest reels Rey in but Rey flops back down. Priest drags Rey up and gut wrenches to the crucifix! RAZOR’S- RANA!! Rey puts Priest on ropes, dials it up, but Dom stands in the way! Rey tells Dom to stop this, but Finn gets up! Rey DECKS Finn, but Rhea distracts! Rey turns around into Priest’s LARIAT! Priest gives Rey his last rites, and then SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
Now Dom smiles, because his father falls. The Judgement Day stands over Rey, and Rhea gets the mic. “Now that Damian is done with Rey Mysterio, there’s just one more man left in the way. And Dominik? Domini’s gonna send him back into retirement. Because what Papi wants, Papi gets. And that is why Dom is gonna set out the challenge for next week on Monday Night Raw to go one-on-one with Edge.” The Judgement Day laughs, but will Dom be able to finish off whatever is left of Edge on the other side?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley.
Sarah asks the US Champion about how Miz said he was going to win inside the steel cage. What is Lashley’s response? Is that what Miz said? Well he’s not too smart, then. Miz wants to be in the cage because he thinks it’ll keep him safe from Lumis. But instead, he’s standing across the ring from the most dangerous man in the WWE! Lashley doesn’t know Miz’s issue with Lumis, but when the door closes, the only one Miz needs to be afraid of is the All Mighty US Champion! Will the Rocky Mountain Machine make Miz regret making this challenge?
WWE Media catches up with Braun.
Does he care to comment about why he’s back and why he went after everyone in that tag team Fatal 4? Braun says he’ll fill us all in on what we need to know: The Monster of All Monsters is back, and nobody is safe! So see you all on Friday Night SmackDown! Braun is going to the blue brand, will he bust his way onto the Island of Relevancy?
WWE shares a post show interview from Clash at the Castle.
Sarah found Matt Riddle after his loss to Seth Rollins, and surely this wasn’t how he hoped it’d go. Where’s his head out? Uh, don’t you see the big lump on his forehead? Rollins stomped Riddle’s head into the ground. But honestly, Riddle let his emotions get the better of him. Rollins took advantage and stomped Riddle’s brain into the canvas. But Riddle wants another round! And he wants it NOW! ASAP! And Riddle vows to win that rematch.
As for Rollins, Sarah brought that up to him. Rollins’ response is to laugh. He’s gotta says, Rollins admires Riddle’s guts! But the bottom line is, Rollins did what he said he would. He got 62 THSOUAND PLUS fans singing his song, “OH~ OH~ OOOH~!” Then Rollins stomped Riddle’s head not once, but twice. So while Rollins admires Riddle’s determination, the rematch is NOT in the cards. Rollins is moving on up to bigger and better! HAHAHAHA! Night night! But despite what Rollins says, will management think otherwise?
WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Bobby Lashley VS The Miz!
The All Mighty beat the Psycho Killer, and then he beat the Hollywood A-Lister. Sure, maybe Miz was haunted by the specter of the Tortured Artist known as Dexter Lumis, but it was still on him to not lose. Will being inside the 15 foot steel structure somehow ease Miz’s mind? Or will it only serve to hurt his body with Lashley right there with him?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised and the cage is lowered! Will Miz make it out in one piece? Or will he have a reason to stay inside the cage?
Miz snatches the belt to CLOBBER Lashley with it! The bell hasn’t rung, this match isn’t official yet! Miz kicks Lashley through the doorway and Ciampa fires off haymakers! Fans boo as they mug Lashley at ringside! They stomp away on Lashley at the barriers then dig their boots in! Miz and Ciampa drag Lashley up to RAM him into the cage wall! Then they stomp him more! Ciampa rains down fists and Miz soaks up the heat. Then they both sit on the barriers to applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back. Miz rips up his shirt, then drags Lashley up so he and Ciampa can RAM Lashley into the age!
Miz grabs the steel steps! Ciampa traps Lashley’s arm against the post and Miz RAMS him with the steps! Lashley writhes and clutches his arm while Raw goes picture in picture.
The ref reprimands Ciampa and Miz but they both loom over Lashley. Miz stays back but Ciampa drags Lashley up. They SLAM Lashley’s arm on the desk! And again! And again! And again! Ciampa and Miz let off and soak up the heat while taunting Lashley. Ciampa gets a chair, Miz isolates the arm, and Ciampa SMACKS the arm with the chair! Ciampa gets in Lashley’s face but the refs have him back off. Miz and Ciampa soak up more heat while one ref checks on Lashley. Lashley drags himself to barriers but Ciampa rains down fists! Miz taunts the fans while on the mic, but we can’t hear it because of picture in picture.
Miz sets Lashley up for Ciampa to PSYCHO KNEE him down! Ciampa says the kick is good, and Miz drags Lashley back to the door. Miz and Ciampa get Lashley in the ring, Miz gets in with him, and now the match begins! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives the onslaught and Raw returns to single picture. Miz snarls, runs and BOOTS Lashley down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Lashley while Miz paces. Miz goes up the cage! Ciampa cheers Miz on but Lashley springs up to drag Miz back down! Lashley CLOBBERS Miz, but he clutches the bad arm again. Lashley climbs but the bad arm holds him back! Miz runs in, but into an elbow!
Lashley runs and RAMS Miz in the corner! Lashley CLUBS Miz, brings him around and suplexes, but the bad arm holds him back! Miz wrenches the bad arm and WRINGS it out! Miz then KICKS the bad arm, and KICKS it, and KICKS it again! And again! And again! And again! Miz powers up and he BUZZSAWS Lashley down! Cover, TWO! Miz is annoyed that Lashley is still in this, but he goes to the door. The door opens, but Lashley hurries to drag Miz back in! Lashley shoves Miz down, but Miz ducks and dodges to go up the wall! Lashley drags Miz back down and holds on to crotch Miz! Miz flops against the steel and slumps to the mat.
Miz gets up, and Lashley CLOBBERS him! And again! And OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Lashley runs in and clotheslines in the corner! Then he runs to RAM Miz into the corner! Lashley turns Miz for a NECKBREAKER! Lashley storms around and shakes the bad arm. Lashley drags Miz up to RAM him into the steel! And again! And then again! Miz wobbles and staggers about, into a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Lashley keeps focus and he aims from a corner. Miz gets up, Ciampa shouts to him, and Lashley runs in! Miz hurries to the door! The door opens, Ciampa and Lashley tug-o-war with Miz!
Ciampa loses grip and Lashley whips Miz into more steel! Lashley drags Miz up and dribbles him again the cage! Miz wobbles and flops back down! Lashley stalks Miz, Miz rises, HURT- NO, the bad arm can’t hook! Miz CLUBS away on the bad arm, then throws elbows! Lashley staggers, Miz hurries to climb up! Ciampa cheers Miz on but fans rally for Lashley! Lashley hurries after Miz and climbs up after him! Miz gets to the top but Lashley drags him back down! Lashley CLUBS Miz, SMACKS him off the cage, and Miz falls! But Ciampa SMACKS the cage with a chair! Lashley hops away to avoid getting hit, BUSAIKU KNEE from Miz! Cover, TWO!!
Miz is beside himself while Raw goes picture in picture. Ciampa kept Lashley from leaving but Miz has to figure out how to put Lashley away. Lashley goes to a corner and Miz storms over. Miz gives Lashley a full nelson! Lashley fights with his good arm and arm-drags free! Only to run into the A-LIST COMBINATION! Cover, TWO! Miz is frustrated again but Ciampa coaches him on. Miz and Lashley go to the ropes, and Miz climbs the cage! Lashley hurries after him, and grabs at Miz just as he reaches the top! Miz fights, Lashley climbs up to join Miz up top, and they brawl! Lashley CLUBS away on Miz to force him back in.
But now Miz turns things around on Lashley and he grabs at legs! Ciampa helps shake the cage and Miz HOTSHOTS Lashley down! And BOOTS him down, too! Ciampa talks trash on Lashley at the cage wall, and Miz runs in to BOOT Lashley again! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives but Miz hurries to lock on a CROSSFACE! Miz traps the bad arm and pulls back on the facelock but Lashley endures! Fans rally up as Lashley fights. Ciampa shakes the cage again but fans still rally up. Lashley fights to his feet and he fireman’s carries! Lashley TOSSES Miz into the steel! Miz slumps down and Lashley aims from a corner! Lashley runs in, but into a BOOT!
Miz hits the bad arm, then he RAMS Lashley into buckles! Miz climbs over Lashley, climbs up the corner, and he’s already to the top of the cage! Lashley hurries after and gets the legs! Ciampa hurries up to meet Miz! Miz grabs Ciampa’s hand but can’t hold on! Lashley drags Miz back in, smacks Miz off the steel, and he has Miz for a SUPERPLEX!! Fans fire up while both men are down! Lashley and Miz both writhe from the fall, but Lashley rises first. Lashley aims again, Miz stands, and Lashley runs in, but the Spear is sent into steel! Miz full nelsons, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Miz can’t believe that Lashley survives! Ciampa is also in shock! Miz crawls for the door and it opens! Lashley hurries to crawl after Miz, and Lashley anchors Miz’s feet! Miz reaches for the floor but that’s not enough! Lashley drags Miz back in, and muscles Miz up to whip him into more steel! Lashley heads for the door now, but Ciampa SLAMS it shut on him! Wait, Lashley caught it?! And then SLAMS it on Ciampa! But now Miz shuts the door on Lashley! And again! And again! And again! Miz lets off and Lashley flops against the ropes. Miz decides to climb the far side, and he reaches the top! Miz grins as he steps over the other side, but then DEXTER LUMIS slithers out from under the ring!!
Miz is so afraid, he doesn’t climb down! He goes back up and in!! Miz wants to avoid Lumis at all costs, but he would’ve won! Miz turns around into a SPEAR! Cover, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
Lashley might owe Lumis an assist, but at the same time, if Ciampa wasn’t around, Lashley would’ve surely won before now. Wait, now Lumis is climbing into the cage! Miz is crawling away for dear life, but Lashley shuts the door on him! Lashley smiles and Miz scurries up the cage! Lumis yanks Miz down into the SILENCE!! Miz is fading out! Miz IS out! Lumis pets Miz’s head, but what is the reason for his obsession?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to follow up the great Clash at the Castle event on Saturday. For one, we got great stuff out of Miz and Ciampa with this Lumis stuff. Miz refuses to speak on what happened with Lumis, but he still deeply fears Lumis. We got a very clever way of booking the start to a cage match, with Miz’s belt attack and then him and Ciampa just beating Lashley up all around ringside. But then once the match got going, it was pretty much the usual cage match stuff until Lumis’ honestly hilarious way of appearing. Whatever camera they used to get that shot was a brilliant choice. Lashley wins, Lumis gets after Miz, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Very good stuff out of the Judgement Day, Edge and Rey. Edge wants after Dom, Rey wants him to show mercy but then Dom joins the enemy. I feel like Dom should’ve been given a chance to talk, but I suppose there is something to be said about Rhea talking for him and directing him. Rey VS Priest was a great match, even with the overbooking of Judgement Day showing up late, but for that reason, of course Priest wins. Dom VS Edge next week will be interesting, but it perhaps works for Dom that Edge got his leg dented so that Dom will have a chance against him. Then at some point, I feel like Rey’s not going to have a choice, he’ll have to face Dom in a match.
The Tag Team Fatal 4 Way was great stuff, but what a way for Braun Strowman to return! He demolishes the four teams so there was no winner, meaning the Usos have no challengers yet. And then Braun says he’s going to SmackDown, so you would think this is so he can tell Roman, “I’m not finished with you!” Now, I don’t see Braun, even now that he’s back, as someone who can dethrone The Tribal Chief, especially now that The Bloodline is even stronger with Solo Sikoa joining in. But no contenders to the Usos makes me really hope Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn are going to end up their challengers and are going to take those titles to weaken The Bloodline.
Speaking of Kevin, he and Austin Theory had a great promo segment and an awesome match. I like that Kevin is getting so meta with his promos. He referenced Theory has “Austin” back so no more parenthesis in the articles. And then Kevin basically puts Theory in his place with that win. Theory grumbles and gets after Gargano, and it’s great that Gargano is getting in the ring next week. Gargano will surely win, but I bet Theory will show up then, too. But I don’t expect them to take this down the route where the MITB contract is on the line. Theory may be obnoxious and at times dense, but he isn’t stupid enough to let anyone else take his guaranteed title match away.
And we got great stuff out of the women’s division tonight. The tag match was rather quick, but it had a purpose. They snuck Nikki and Piper arguing again into the back of DMG CTRL walking to gorilla, so something has got to give there. I personally hope they stick together, and they both shed the “Almost a Super Hero” and “Doudrop” to truly be Nikki CROSS and Piper Niven, two women who have been so very close to major titles and are always in the conversation because they’re that talented. Then speaking of DMG CTRL, great promo from them and Bianca to officially establish the title stories I knew they were going for.
I feel like in the tag title match, there should be a ringside ban on Bayley and anyone else that aren’t Kai, Sky, Aliyah and Raquel. That way, there’s no repeat of the original title match and the two teams can really go hard with a true 2v2. Then we’re definitely getting Bayley VS Bianca for the Raw Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules, and there’s a chance Bayley petitions for a No Disqualification type match so that she can use interference to help her. But I also did like Bayley teasing that it won’t stop with her. Sky VS Bianca and Kai VS Bianca can also happen, and those can/will also be incredible matches with HHH behind the wheel.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
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