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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Will tonight be Very Nice, Very Evil or whatever?
Greetings humans! Danhausen is back in AEW, and to celebrate, he teams with Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta & Hook in a Very Nice, Very BIG 8 Man Tag!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen & Trent Beretta VS Matthew Menard, Angelo Parker & The Dark Order; OrangeHookHausen & Trent win.
- Six Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS ???; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Anna Jay & The Outcasts VS Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue & Kris Statlander; Shida, Skye & Statlander win.
- Six Man Tag: Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo Del Vikingo & Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Brian Cage & The Workhorsemen w/ Prince Nana; Penta, Vikingo & Komander win.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen & Trent Beretta VS Matthew Menard, Angelo Parker & The Dark Order w/ Jake Hager!
OrangeHausen, HookHausen, OrangeHook, all of the above, and #JustTrent take on Daddy Magic, Cool Hang Ange, Alex Reynolds & Evil Uno in a big, super team-up type deal! But will the Very Nice, Very Evil Best Friends be victorious together? Or will the rogues gallery standing against them earn themselves quite a lot of golden opportunities all at once?
But wait, as Big Hurt Hager gets the VNVEBFs to turn their backs, the rogues attack! Fans boo, the bell rings, and all but Danhausen is tossed out of the ring as he tosses Reynolds instead. Uno CLUBS Danhausen, Cassidy is sent into railing, and Uno puts Danhausen in a corner. Uno CHOPS him, soaks up the heat, and then storms up. Danhausen kicks low, throws hands, but Uno kicks back. Uno whips corner to corner, runs in but into a BOOT! Danhausen runs up to RANA! Uno tumbles, fans fire up and Danhausen catches Reynolds as he runs in, wrench and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Fans fire up as Danhausen kicks low and tags Hook.
HookHausen double whip Uno, Uno holds ropes and Menard tags in. Menard, Parker and Reynolds all get in, but then so do Trent and Cassidy! The eight men are stare down, and the brawl is back on! The ref reprimands but the Dark Order & X-JAS get the edge. They all have someone in a corner, then they all coordinate to quadruple whip! But the Best Friends all reverse that, X-JAS and Dark Order crash into each other! And then Best Friends set up in the corners… and Hook needs to be coaxed a little bit, for the GROUP- NO, they all get kicked low! Fans boo as X-JAS & Dark Order reel them in, but the Best Friends QUADRUPLE SUPLEX!
Fans fire up because now we get the GROUP HUG! You GOT to give the people what they want! Hook then goes after Parker with body shots, but Menard storms up. Menard hits low, scoops Hook, BACKBREAKER and Parker KNEES Hook down! But Trent JUMP KNEES Parker down! Menard kicks low and POWERBOMBS Trent! Cassidy dodges Menard to tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Uno CHOPS Cassidy down! Danhausen baits Uno in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Reynolds runs in, spins Danhausen and ROLLING ELBOWS!
Hook is back up, T-BONE for Reynolds! T-BONE for Parker! Uno is up, he kicks low and whips. Hook reverses that to clinch and T-BONE! Extra large serving for Uno there! But wait, here comes Wheeler Yuta! The ROH Pure Champion wants to taunt Hook like he has been for weeks now, and then Menard CLOBBERS Hook in the distraction! Yuta joins commentary while Menard bumps Hook off buckles, and reels him in for a big suplex! Tag to Parker and he stomps Hook down. Parker stomps more, then pushes Hook around. Parker tags Uno, they mug Hook. Uno then bumps Hook off the boots of Menard and Reynolds.
Reynolds tags in, he runs side to side to ELBOW Hook! Uno SPLASHES, short arm LARIATS, and Reynolds covers, TWO! Reynolds stands on Hook’s head, fans boo but the Dark Order and X-JAS soak up the heat. But Hook clinches! Reynolds fights with forearms, then he bumps Hook off buckles. Tag to Menard, he stomps Hook then lets off to distract the ref, Uno and Parker CHOKE Hook while Rampage goes picture in picture!
Menard stomps Hook, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right. Menard pushes Hook around, soaks up the heat, but turns around into a CHOP! Menard trips Hook, drags him back, and tags Parker in. Parker CLUBS Hook down, then stomps him. Parker taunts the Best Friends, flicks his hair gel at them, then goes back to Hook. Parker CLUBS Hook, tags Uno, and they mug Hook some more. Uno scrapes his laces on Hook’s face then tags Parker back in. Parker stomps Hook, but Hook powers Parker back! They end up on ropes, Parker KNEES Hook back! Parker then BLASTS Cassidy off the corner!
Rampage returns to singe picture as Parker goes after Hook, and Hook gets around to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Parker tags Menard but Hook LARIATS Menard down! The fans fire up as Hook and Menard crawl, hot tags to Trent and Uno! Trent rallies on Uno, then on Reynolds! GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX! Trent still has Reynolds but Reynolds fights the nelson. Uno runs in but Trent ducks, the BOOT hits Reynolds! Trent HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES Uno away! Trent runs in at Reynolds but into a BOOT! Reynolds goes up but Trent YANKS him down for a SAIDO! Fans fire up with Trent!
Trent tags Cassidy, and Cassidy storms up to “unleash.” But then he really does fire off BOOT after BOOT on Dark Order! Yuta sighs as this is typical Cassidy. Cassidy dodges the Dark Order’s double lariat to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Cassidy kips up and the fans fire up! Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Uno stops the DDT to suplex! Only to get STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Cassidy keeps moving but Uno BOOTS him! Uno hooks Cassidy up, for SOMETHING EVIL! Cover, Trent KNEES it apart! Fans fire up, Reynolds BOOTS Trent! Reynolds runs in to BOOT Cassidy in a corner! Reynolds puts Cassidy up top!
Reynolds ROCKS Cassidy, climbs up, but Trent runs up to get Reynolds! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Cassidy adjusts, and Danhausen tags in! But so does Menard! Menard says do NOT do what he thinks he’s gonna do! But then Danhausen CURSES him! And yes, the PURPLE HAT! Hager is pissed, Parker tries to calm him down, but then Hager runs in! Danhausen dodges, Trent & Cassidy dump Hager out! Menard grabs Danhausen, Parker runs in to get the hat back! But Hook gets Parker in the REDRUM!! Menard lets Danhausen go, but Danhausen rolls him up! BEST FRIENDS WIN!
Winners: Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen & Trent Beretta, by pinfall
Not only is X-JAS furious, but Yuta says this is unbelievable. But will the Decoder have to worry about the much more Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil?
Backstage interview with The Outcasts & Anna Jay.
Renee Paquette is with Saraya, Ruby Soho & The Star of the Show to say they are teaming up for the first time in Six Woman Tag action. Saraya says yes they are, and sorry for cutting Renee off, Renee knows Saraya loves her, but… Isn’t Anna just the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? Ruby sighs and Saraya says “Liza Minnelli” is in a time out so shush. Anyway, Saraya thanks Anna for teaming with them, Lord knows they’ve needed some extra help around here. And also, they do have something in common that is giant, greasy, irritating, and needs to be handled. Oh, speaking of, here it comes.
Parker walks in, apologizes for not being here sooner, and then says hi to Ruby. But uh, yeah, the guys are ready to go, they’ll be out there for her, team effort! Um, no, Anna doesn’t want the boys out there. Especially Parker. What? But Saraya says this is why she loves Anna! She’s great. Yeah, she is. Hey, no, stop looking at Ruby. Saraya drags Ruby along, leaving Parker alone. Will the X-JAS still even be the X-JAS anymore with all this drama?
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
Schiavone says that 28 years ago, in this town, at the Mall of America, two men were in the main event for the very first wrestling match ever on TNT. It was Sting VS Ric Flair. And Schiavone wants to also say that the final match on TNT back then was Sting VS Ric Flair. So it gives Schiavone a sense of pride to welcome one of Minnesota’s favorite sons, as well as STIIIING~! The Icon makes his way out to the ring and fans howl for him. Schiavone then introduces the Nature Boy, the Minnesota native, Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~!” as Flair makes his way out now, and hugs Sting in the ring.
Schiavone has them bring it in. Wednesday night, they announced the location of Sting’s final match at AEW Revolution, March 3rd, 2024. It will be Greensboro, North Carolina, where these two set the standard for a great televised wrestling event. Sting stands at 24-0, the longest undefeated streak standing, and we’re just two weeks away from tickets going on sale. Sting asks to take the mic, and he howls for the fans! The fans howl back and Sting says Minneapolis, lots of great memories here! Not only did he and Ric do the first and last WCW shows on TNT here, but they did the very big, gigantic- Oh, can’t really say that on TV, sorry. Copyright and stuff.
But the massive match at Mall of America, everyone knows about it. Sting’s had great matches here against and with Lex Luger, Bam Bam Bigelow, and lots of other great memories. So good to be back. Thank you for those memories. Thank you, Tony Khan, Tony Schiavone and the Nature Boy! WOO~! Ric takes the mic now, and he says, “Wow. From 1972 ’til today. And believe it or not, I’m still alive. And that’s saying a lot, heh. Because I’ve covered a lot of ground and had a lot of fun. But there are three or four people that are always gonna be special in my life, and you’ll love these names.
“Dusty Rhodes, Ricky The Dragon, and a guy that I think I’ve wrestled at least 15 hundred times over our career, the great–and the word ‘Icon’ does not even enough to begin to say what a man he is. I’m so serious, to be back in my hometown in this moment, and this ride. This is an incredible ride. Think about the history of our business. I’ve been there with him since ’88, and I’m gonna be there with him in the end. And man, that doesn’t happen in real-life, guys. And y’know what? We’ve stayed as respectful and honest with each other as the day we met, and that’s really unusual. You’re the man, brother.”
Fans cheer, and Ric says, “We’re gonna dance all night and dance a little longer. We’re gonna stay up all night and stay a little longer. I cannot tell you where we’ll be at like the old days, but you know we’ll be going AEW strong! WOO~!” Fans echo “WOO~!” with Ric and Schiavone says Ric will be there for Sting at AEW Revolution, tickets on sale soon! The Icon and Nature Boy are riding off into the night, and we have the when and where. Now all we need is, who faces Sting in his final match?
Backstage interview with Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander & Skye Blue.
Renee is now with the Shining Samurai, the Galaxy’s Greatest and Chicago Skye as she says a lot has changed in the AEW Women’s Division after Full Gear. Shida lost the AEW Women’s World Championship to Toni Storm, and Statlander lost the AEW TBS Championship to Julia Hart, the same match Skye Blue was in. Does tonight feel like a way to get momentum back? Kris says it has been a hard pill to swallow. “You work so hard for something, and you come back from multiple injuries, you come back and change yourself so many times, and you obtain something so precious, and it’s just taken away in a matter of seconds.”
And worse yet, Kris wasn’t the one who got pinned. Oh, okay, blame Skye when Kris had plenty of chances to win the Triple Threat, and didn’t. Shida tells them to stop. She also lost a title, she also feels angry, but not towards them. Not towards her partners. They can take their anger out on their opponents tonight! Kris agrees with that, and so does Skye. Will this trio of stars be able to bring down The Outcasts and Star of the Show?
The Don Callis Family VS JAH-C
So what if they lost the Like A Dragon Street Fight? “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs did damage to Paul “The Giant” Wight like no man has ever done before, and there’s still a lot left in the tank for Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita. Will they only be made stronger from that loss?
The teams sort out, Hobbs starts and Jah throws hands! Hobbs doesn’t even flinch! Jah runs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! In runs ??? but Hobbs picks him up to SPINEBUSTER! D runs in but Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS him, too! Fletcher & Konosuke step in, they all get a man up, and in synchronized formation, we get the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM, GRIMSTONE and BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, The Don Callis Family wins!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
Fans boo but Callis celebrates with his “family.” Then Callis gets a mic to talk. “Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega! The Golden Jets! You put two of the greatest of all time into a tag team and what do you got? You got a team that could be the most dominant of all time. And I know that wins and losses matter here in All Elite Wrestling. But in the Don Callis Family, the only thing that matters is winning! And whether it’s singles, tag, or trios, the Don Callis Family will continue dominating until there’s nowhere for the Golden Jets to hide in AEW!” The ultimatum has been issued, will it only be a matter of time before AEW belongs to the DCF?
Prince Nana & Brian Cage talk with The Workhorsemen.
Nana says it is an unbelievable time for the Mogul Embassy. Cage says it’s always a great time. Nana says the Gates of Agony are in NJPW World Tag League, killing it and bringing home that money. But tonight, Nana needs to hire some help, and that brings in JD Drake & Anthony Henry. Nana has been watching them, he likes their style. That is why tonight, he needs their services. And this could be a huge opportunity for you both to step up to the plate and to prove a point. To impress Swerve Strickland, too. So tonight, Nana’s paid them, get the job done, and we’ll see if they can join the team. But he believes in them!
Nana & Cage head out, will Scrap metal & The Saint of Augusta help The Machine bring down the luchador trio in tonight’s main event?
Six Woman Tag: Anna Jay & The Outcasts VS Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue & Kris Statlander!
Both sides have said what’s on their mind, but it’s the emotions in their hearts that could make or break these team-ups. Will Saraya be able to keep things together between Anna and Ruby? Or will it be Shida who struggles to keep Skye and Kris on the same page?
The teams sort out and Kris starts against Anna. The fans rally as the two circle, then tie up. Kris waistlocks, SLAMS Anna, then drags her up to tag Shida. The former champs double whip, sweep and ELBOW Anna down. Then they shake hands to DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Shida covers, TWO! Tag to Skye and she wrenches Anna to a JAWBREAKER! Anna blocks the superkick but not the BASEMENT ROUNDHOUSE! Skye pushes Anna around, but Kris tags herself in. Skye lets that go, to then tag herself back in! But Kris tags back in again! They argue, but then Shida tags herself in to get them both to stop.
But then Anna hot tags Saraya! Saraya gets around Shida, Shida gets around Saraya, but Saraya mule kicks Shida! Saraya runs, but Shida ENZIGURIS first! Shida fires up, the fans are with her, and Shida torture racks! Saraya endures, but Ruby says put her down! So Shida DROPS Saraya! Ruby storms in but Shdia kicks her low, and snap suplexes her onto Saraya! Fans fire up as Shida covers Saraya, TWO! Shida tags Skye in and Skye keeps Saraya from her corner. Skye whips, runs up and SHINING WIZARD on the ropes! But Anna distracts the ref so Saraya can keep Skye stuck, and Ruby ROUNDHOUSES Skye down!
Fans boo but Saraya howls to the moon. Saraya stomps Skye, insults her, and whips her to the corner as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Saraya bumps Skye off buckles, lets off to distract the ref, and Ruby digs her boot in! Anna pulls Skye’s hair to help out, then Saraya storms up to bump Skye off buckles. Tag to Ruby, she stomps away on Skye, but lets off as the ref counts. Saraya tells fans to shut up while Ruby drags Skye around. Skye throws body shots, then JAWBREAKERS! Ruby staggers back, Saraya tags in, and the Outcasts mug Skye! Saraya has Skye in the ropes to throw knee after knee! The ref counts, Saraya lets off, and she pushes Skye back in. Saraya keeps Skye from her corner, taunting Shida and Kris, then she stomps Skye.
Saraya bumps Skye off buckles, tags Anna and Anna CHOKES Skye! The ref counts, Anna lets off, and then Anna CHOKES Skye on ropes! The ref counts again, Anna lets off and distracts the ref so Saraya can SLAP Skye. Anna bumps Skye off buckles, Ruby tags in, and Anna ROCKS Skye. Ruby CHOPS Skye, stalks her to a corner, and stands her up, but Skye avoids the chop to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Skye and Ruby sputter and drop to their knees while Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and hot tag to Kris! She BLASTS Ruby, drags Saraya up and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, but Anna kicks it apart! Anna drags Saraya back and tags herself in. Anna stands Kris up, wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Then Saraya KNEES Kris down! Cover, TWO! Anna drags Kris up, QUEENSLAYER SLEEPER! But Kris powers up to back suplex free! Ruby runs in, STO! Skye SUPERKICKS Ruby! Saraya YAKUZA KICKS Skye! Shida ROCKS Saraya, whips her but Saraya reverses, only for Shida to JUMP KNEE! Anna BOOTS Shida! Kris runs up, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! Anna tags Ruby and they get Kris up.
Anna HOOK KICKS, then Ruby SUPERKICKS but Kris pulls Anna into it! Ruby panics, Kris tags Skye and Electric Chair Lifts Ruby! SLAM and CODE BLUE!! Cover, Skye’s team wins!
Winners: Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue & Kris Statlander, by pinfall
The dysfunction wasn’t enough to bring down Skye and Kris, they made it work and now celebrate together! As for Anna, she is furious with Ruby, and Saraya pulls Ruby along like an angry mother with her daughter. Are the Outcasts going to be on the outs sooner rather than later?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
Firstly, the Continental Classic continues, and the Gold League’s third round has been set: Jon Moxley VS Rush; Jay White VS Jay Lethal; and Swerve Strickland VS Mark Briscoe! Will El Toro Blanco be the one to serve The Maniac that first L in the tournament? Will Lethal and Briscoe finally get on the board?
And after being the one to score the pinfall in tonight’s Six Woman Tag, Skye Blue gets her shot at “Timeless” Toni Storm and the AEW Women’s World Championship! Will Skye finally make it through the Storm to grab the gold on the other side?
Six Man Tag: Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo Del Vikingo & Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Brian Cage & The Workhorsemen w/ Prince Nana!
While the AEW World Trios Champions, Billy Gunn & The Acclaimed, are down and out, trios are forming and fighting their way up. Alex Abrahantes’ league of luchadores want their shot, but will they make it through a Rampage? Or will The Mogul Embassy learn that having #CeroMiedo is priceless?
The trios sort out, and Cage starts against Komander. Cage kicks Komander low right at the bell, then whips him to ropes. Komander handsprings, Cage dodges but Komander dodges back, then RAN- NO, Cage blocks that to pop Komander up! But Komander sunset flips! Cage drags Kmoander up to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Penta tags in, then GAMANGIRIS Cage! Penta goes up to CROSSBODY! And then he dodges to SUPERKICK! Henry tags in, bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off hands. Henry gets around to make Penta kneel, and he DROPKICKS Penta away! Henry soaks up the jeers, but Penta tags Vikingo!
Viking springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK Henry! Fans fire up as Vikingo then whips Henry corner to corner. Henry reverses, but Vikingo reverses back to HEEL KICK! Vikingo forearm smashes int he corner, goes up and fans rally, for the IMPLODER DRAGON-RANA! And then the DREAMCAST KICK! JD tags in and fans rally up. JD says “SUCK IT!” and then dares Vikingo to chop him. Vikingo winds up as fans chant “SI! SI! SI!” CHOP! JD nods, but he wants another. Vikingo CHOPS again, and JD huffs and puffs. JD swings, Vikingo ducks ‘n’ dodges but JD CHOPS Vikingo down after all!
JD then powers Vikingo to ropes to BIEL him across the way! JD taunts Penta, whips Vikingo, but Vikingo ducks ‘n’ dodges again to CORKCCREW RANA! JD flounders out, Cage and Henry run in, but Penta & Komander SUPERKICK them first! Henry bails out, Penta gives Komander a boost, saluting MISSILE DROPKICK! Cage tumbles out, fans rally as the luchadores coordinate, and “CERO! MIEDO!” TRIPLE DIVES!! Some cleaner than others, and JD pops Vikingo back up to CLOBBER him off the ropes! Komander stomps Cage, and puts him in the ring as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Komander hurries in, Penta BOOTS JD to join Komander. But Henry trips Komander! Penta runs up, SUPERKICKS Henry, then makes sure he knows, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs but into a SPIN POWERSLAM! Cage drags Komander up for a deadlift SUPERPLEX!! Cage flexes, Henry & JD join in, and then JD stalks Komander. JD drags Komander up, DECKS him, then stalks him to ropes. JD puts Komander in the corner, CHOPS, and then tags Henry. The Workhorsemen mug Komander, Henry throws body shots, then he runs in to forearm smash! JD tags, LARIAT, NECK TWIST and SLINGSHOT SENTON!
Nana likes what he sees as Komander writhes. JD drags Komander up, keeps him from the lucha corner, and he CLUBS Komander back down. JD drags Komander up to scoop and SLAM! JD goes up a corner, to then VADER FLOP as Komander moves! Henry tags in, he drags Komander from the corner, then ducks the enziguri! But Komander rolls free and hot tags Vikingo! Vikingo springboards to CROSSBODY! Vikingo SOBATS Henry, runs but into a cheap shot from Cage! The ref reprimands but Henry throws Vikingo down by his hair! NECK TWIST! And a headscissor squeeze, even!
Henry lets off to then stand Vikingo up, for another NECK TWIST! Tag to Cage and he RAMS Vikingo into a corner! And again! And then he CHOPS! Cage wrenches Vikingo, scoops him, and does bicep curls before he FALL AWAY SLAMS Vikingo! Cage flexes, taunts Cero Miedo, and he drags Vikingo up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Vikingo lands on his feet! Vikingo waistlocks, Cage elbows free then whips Vikingo to ropes. But Vikingo slides under, only to get caught! But Vikingo then PELES! Hot tag to Penta as Rampage returns to single picture! Penta dodges Cage to then SLINGBLADE Cage down! SLINGEBLADE again!
The Workhorsemen attack, double whip, but Penta KICKS JD and SUPERKICKS Henry! Penta runs in to wheelbarrow Cage, victory roll and DOUBLE DDT on the Workhorsemen! Fans fire up and Penta SUPERKICKS Cage! Tag to Komander and he goes up top to MISSILE DROPKICK JD! Penta hauls Henry up, ALLEY-OOP into a MISSILE DROPKICK from Vikingo!! Fans lose their minds over that one, and then Penta sets up so Komander can use him as a step, HANGTIME DROPKICK on JD in a corner! Cage staggers up, Penta has his target, SUPERKICK! Komander springboards, FLYIGN CODE BREAKER! And he holds on for Vikingo to DOUBLE STOMP Cage!
Penta goes up, “CERO! MIEDO!” DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS of his own! Cover, TWO!! Cage survives because he’s a Machine! But Abrahantes rallies the fans for his team. Penta hauls Cage up, reels him in, “CERO! MIEDO!” But Cage wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Penta falls into the tag with Komander, and Komander springboards, but Cage SWATS him! Cage whips Komander to the corner, tags Henry, and Cage runs up to MONKEY FLIP Komander into JD’s POWERBOMB!! Then JD CATAPULTS Kmoander into Henry’s SUPERKICK! Henry goes up, DIVING DOUBLE STOMP BACKBREAKER of their own! Cover, Vikingo breaks it!!
JD TOSSES Vikingo, Penta SUPERKICKS JD! Cage fireman’s carries Penta for F10! Vikingo returns with a springboard, FLYING TORNADO DDT!! Henry is back, he steps over and reels Vikingo in, PILEDRIVER! But Penta catches Henry now, half nelson, pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! JD is up, Penta kicks but JD blocks it! JD has Penta for the underhooks, the SILENCER! Komander returns, JD ducks his roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! But Cage waistlocks Komander! Komander fights with elbows, but Henry runs up! Komander ducks, the ENZIGURI hits Cage! Nana is furious, and Cage CLOBBERS Henry!!
Nana says no more, they’re done. JD asks what the hell, but Cage shoves JD. Vikingo DREAMCAST KICKS JD! The Embassy is leaving, they don’t want to hire Workhorsemen anymore? Well Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” and FEAR FACTOR!! Komander is up top, he tags Vikingo before giving Henry CIELITO LINDO! Komander DIVES onto JD! Vikingo adds on the 630 SENTON!! Cover, the luchadores win!
Winners: Penta El Zero Miedo, Komander & El Hijo Del Vikingo, by pinfall
The implosion of Nana’s team all over a misunderstanding gives Penta’s team their first victory together! Will Penta, Komander y Vikingo take this momentum to next beat Action Andretti & Top Flight?
My Thoughts:
A really good Rampage here with a lot of tag team action. There must be something in Cassidy’s contract about opening shows, though, because that 8 Man Tag certainly felt main event worthy. But then it made sense in story that it had to go first so that the X-JAS could be in action before Anna, and Anna would tell Parker to stay in the back during her match because of how Ruby would be involved. Great win for Cassidy’s team, and great win for the Faces in the Women’s Trios match. Rather surprised Skye is getting her shot at Storm so soon. Yes, she interrupted Storm’s acceptance speech moment, and won here, but why not give us a promo segment between them first, then the match on Winter is Coming. But at the same time, debut in Montreal, they want it to be important.
Of course Don Callis Family squashes jobbers, but I like that we got to see Hobbs, Konosuke and Fletcher all in red ring gear. And seeing Don Callis’ Last Supper parody, it makes me think he wants a total of 11 faction members. I say 11 because “Judas” is already accounted for in Jericho. So far, he has five, Callis really is gonna have to recruit tag teams and/or trios if he wants an easier time of filling out the group. Really good main event from Penta’s team going against Cage & Workhorsemen. Of course the Faces win, but also it was clear the Workhorsemen were going to take the loss for the Heels. Kinda wished Cage would beat down the Workhorsemen after the loss, not because of the “misunderstanding” trope, but that’d probably take away from the Faces celebrating.
And given Rampage is prerecorded, turns out that was for the best this week. I’d only just heard today about how… controversial Ric Flair got in his part of the promo segment. Flair also tweeted about it, both apologizing and not apologizing for what he said. This is gonna be a long three months if everyone has to worry about Flair spouting off the stuff he got away with in the 1980s when he was much, MUCH younger. That aside, the entire segment was redundant anyway, we heard them talk on Dynamite, this is the same crowd that heard it all, it’s just a waste of time.
My Score: 8.5/10
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The Viper is here for The Bloodline!
He returned at WarGames, he returned to Monday Night Raw, and now, The Apex Predator, Randy Orton, returns to Friday Night SmackDown! Will he be able to strike at The Bloodline tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Pete Dunne VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Street Profits; Lashley wins.
- Santos Escobar VS Joaquin Wilde; Santos wins.
- Kevin Owens VS Grayson Waller w/ Austin Theory; Kevin wins.
- Bianca Belair w/ Charlotte Flair & Shotzi Blackheart VS Kairi Sane w/ DMG CTRL; Bianca wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Brooklyn cheers The EST as she skips to the ring, her team victorious against Damage Control in WarGames! After a recap package, fans chant for Bianca and she gets the mic to say, “Man, it is so cool to be in one of the best boroughs in one of the greatEST cities in the world, Brooklyn!” The fans cheer that! Bianca says DMG CTRL really tried to take them out, but her team did what needed to be done. So shout out to Becky Lynch for coming through, showing up and showing out. Shout out to Shotzi for her guts and passion. And shoutout to Charlotte Flair for being a bigger person and making that call to Becky.
“Now while it feels great to be standing in this ring and celebrating that W from WarGames, my war with DMG CTRL, it ain’t over~! Cuz Iyo Sky, I’m still coming for you, cuz I want my title back!” Fans also cheer that. But speaking of Iyo, here she comes! The Evil Genius leads DMG CTRL out, though where’s Bayley? That aside, Dakota Kai is the one to tell Bianca, “It’s really great how uh, you can get all of these people to cheer for you.” The fans boo her but Dakota tells them to shut up! Dakota says just earlier, Iyo was saying how gross it is here in Brooklyn! It smells! Who would want to live here?!
DMG CTRL slide into the ring, and Dakota says Iyo was also saying that Bianca is in way over her head, dude. Iyo already beat Bianca twice. So… if Bianca wants to get yet another shot, she’ll have to go through all of DMG CTRL. Well that ain’t nothing new. So who wants it first, huh? But wait! Here come Charlotte & Shotzi to back Bianca up! Fans cheer as Charlotte says “Ladies~…! Bianca isn’t the only one coming for you. And I’d love to go through all of DMG CTRL.” Shotzi says it seems to her that there’s enough DMG CTRL to go around. They rush in, and the brawl is on! Fans fire up but Iyo TOSSES Bianca and helps Asuka against Charlotte!
Shotzi and Kairi brawl in a corner, Bianca returns, Charlotte BOOTS Asuka way while Bianca RAMS Iyo into a corner! Bianca stomps Iyo down, Charlotte helps Shotzi with Kairi, and Charlotte sets Kairi up for Shotzi’s BOOT! Iyo ends up isolated, and Bianca hits a SPINEBUSTER! Iyo scrambles out, DMG CTRL regroups, are their days on top numbered?
DMG CTRL regroups backstage.
And Bayley is confused as to what’s going on. Iyo angrily asks where Bayley was but Bayley says no one told her they were going out there! Maybe if she knew, things would’ve been different! The joshi talk in Japanese, Dakota cools it off. What matters is that Kairi is facing Bianca tonight. No one knows Bianca better than Bayley so Kairi would appreciate the help. Kairi says yes, they’re “tomodachi <friends>,” that’d be appreciated. Bayley says okay, but are they really Bayley’s friends?
Pete Dunne VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Street Profits!
With Sheamus recovering from injury and Ridge Holland just ditching him last week, The Bruiserweight is all alone against The All Mighty! Will Dunne stand a chance against the overwhelming strength of Bobby Lashley?
SmackDown returns and Lashley makes his entrance, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins by his side. But before the bell, Lashley gets a mic to say “Hey, listen, kid. When I told you to make a name for yourself…” The fans chant “BOBBY! BOBBY!” and Lashley says that’s a name. Does Dunne know what Lashley can do to him? Lashley will break Dunne into pieces! Is Dunne ready for that? Dunne SLAPS Lashley! Fans fire up, Lashley grins, and the bell rings. Dunne then BOOTS Lashley! And BOOTS! And fires off furious fists! Lashley carries Dunne to then TOSS him! Dunne flounders but also snarls. Dunne swipes at the Profits, but Lashley run sin to CLOBBER him!
Lashley whips Dunne hard into buckles, then storms around. The Profits high-five Lashley and Brooklyn is behind him as he stands Dunne up for haymakers! Lashley smothers Dunne in the corner, lets off to whip corner to corner, then storms up on Dunne. Lashley digs hands into Dunne’s face, the ref counts and Lashley lets off. Lashley runs in but Dunne BOOTS again! Dunne runs up to DROPKICK Lashley out of the ring! Fans are torn as Dunne goes out to FLYING KNEE! Lashley staggers back, Dunne sets up to MOONSAULT! Down goes Lashley and Dunne hurries back up! Dunne ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Down goes Lashley and fans fire up as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Lashley clotheslines Dunne in a corner! Lashley then brings Dunne around to snap suplex! Dunne writhes, Lashley paces around him and the fans cheer. Lashley drags Dunne up, suplexes again, and this time he holds Dunne up! Dunne throws knees, gets free, and he runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Lashley hits a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up again and Lashley drags Dunne up. Lashley TOSSES Dunne out, storms out after him, and then drags Dunne up again. Fans cheer as Lashley fireman’s carries Dunne, to then POST Dunne! The Profits say this is an extended Black Friday!
Lashley puts Dunne in, Dunne crawls away but Lashley aims. Lashley runs in, but Dunne sends the Spear into the POST! Lashley staggers back, the Profits coach him up, but Dunne GAMANGIRIS! Dunne runs up to ENZIGURI! Lashley ends up in a corner, Dunne GAMANGIRIS again! And again! Dunne KICKS and KICKS and KICKS, then pushes Lashley out so he can go up. Dunne DOUBLE STOMPS an arm! Dunne bends the fingers, isolates the arm, and STOMPS the arm! Lashley grits his teeth but Dunne reels him in. ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Lashley is tougher than that but Dunne keep son him with HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!
But Lashley fights up! Fireman’s carry, then an adjustment, for the OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives and Lashley is annoyed. Ford says yeah, Dunne’s got heart, but that’s about it. Lashley hauls Dunne up but Dunne SLAPS him! Lashley LARIATS Dunne inside out! Lashley then drags Dunne up, MILE HIGH- ENZIGURI! Dunne gets up, Lashley SPEARS him back down!! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
The Bruiserweight put up a fight, but Lashley is still Lashley. Will The All Mighty soon head for a title as we head for the New Year?
Paul Heyman walks into Nick Aldis’ office.
The Wise Man seems rather indignant looking at the SmackDown General Manager. Heyman then dusts off the New York Jets NFL Legacy belt before speaking. “Did you invite Randy Orton to SmackDown tonight?” Aldis says yes, he did. And Aldis intends to sign Randy to a SmackDown exclusive superstar contract tonight. Heyman looks around and asks if the Tribal Chief knows about this. Aldis says Heyman has forgotten that there are countless memos: All communication to Roman Reigns must go through Paul Heyman. So consider this a communication to Roman: Aldis WILL sign Randy to SmackDown.
And if Aldis has to offer up the entire Bloodline as leverage, so be it. So the question to Heyman is… “What’re you gonna do about it?” Heyman says, “Anything it takes.” Heyman gets on his phone to call Roman Reigns. But is there nothing that can stop The Viper from finally being within striking distance of The Tribal Chief?
Backstage interview with Pete Dunne.
Kayla Braxton says he lost to Lashley, but she wants to talk about last week. Why did Ridge walk out on him? Dunne says he doesn’t know. And he doesn’t care. Because right now isn’t about the Brutes, it’s about Dunne! He is going to focus on himself. He is here to fight, and he will fight anyone! But in walk Pretty Deadly. They say this is so tough. But don’t be sad, use this as a learning opportunity. Sometimes, being abandoned can help you find your own path. Even if that path, like Dunne’s career, hits a dead end. Dunne HITS them! Dunne fires off but that’s 2v1 and Pretty Deadly turns it around! They TOSS Dunne into a road case!
How’s that, Butch?! HUH!? You’re alone! ALONE! And always will be! Elton Prince & Kit Wilson have numbers on their side, but will Dunne still get revenge?
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
Cathy Kelley says given his recent history with the LWO, what can we expect in his match with Joaquin Wilde here? Santos says he’s only trying to finish what Rey started. Rey turned his back on the LWO when he chose Carlito over Santos. And now Santos’ own brothers in arms are blinded by their hero, not seeing that Rey will do the same to them. Cruz is still recovering from the last time he tried standing up to Santos. And if Wilde can’t see the truth, Santos will put him on the shelf, too. The Emperor of Lucha is becoming a tyrant, but will he be unstoppable in destroying what he helped create?
Santos Escobar VS Joaquin Wilde!
SmackDown returns and Wilde makes his entrance. The bell rings and Wilde DROPKICKS Santos! And DROPKICKS again! Then kips up and ROCKS Santos with haymakers! Fans fire up, Wilde whips and ELBOWS Santos down! Then drops an elbow! Santos bails out but Wilde PLANCHAS out onto him! Fans fire up again and Wilde CLUBS Santos. Wilde puts Santos in the ring, then aims again, but Santos bails out! Fans boo but Wilde just goes to the corner! Springboard CANNONBALL! Direct hit and the fans fire up all over again! Wilde snarls and he puts Santos back in. Cover, TWO! Wilde keeps on Santos with a shove.
Wilde then goes up a corner, but Santos sweeps the legs! Wilde tumbles down, Santos stomps away and RAMS Wilde into a corner. Santos puts Wilde in the Tree of Woe, goes to the far side and runs in, DROPKICK! Wilde falls out of the Tree, Santos snapmares to cover, TWO! Santos is annoyed but he CLUBS away on Wilde’s chest! Santos rips up the LWO shirt! Fans boo but Santos throws the shirt away. Santos drags Wilde up, CLUBS him, then clamps onto an arm with a cording hold. Wilde endures, Santos talks trash that HE is the LWO, but the fans rally up. Wilde fights up to his feet, throws knees, but Santos whips Wilde away.
Santos storms up, Wilde ELBOWS him, then bumps Santos off buckles. Wilde fires haymakers again, then whips. Santos reverses but Wilde ducks ‘n ‘dodges to dropkick a leg out! Fans rally up behind Wilde and he runs up to KNEE Santos down! Wilde roars and fans are with him! Wilde runs back in, SOMERSAULT SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Santos survives and Wilde grows frustrated. Wilde hurries back to a corner to aim again. Wilde runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Santos says this is what happens when you cross him! Fireman’s carry, and “This is for YOU, Rey!” PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Santos wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall
But Santos isn’t done sending his message! He beats down Wilde with fists, the ref tells him to stop, but Santos refuses! So here comes Dragon Lee! The Boy Wonder may have lost at Survivor Series but he won’t let Santos just do what he wants! Santos bails out, he did what he wanted. Wait, he slithers back in! But Dragon is ready and fires haymakers on him! Dragon whips, Santos reverses but Dragon RANAS! Santos ends up in a corner, Dragon JUMP KICKS, leg sweeps, and SWINGING DROPKICK! Combinacion Dragon hits, and fans fire up! Dragon aims again, BULL’S HORNS!! Santos flounders away, is his fight with Dragon far from over?
Nick Aldis greets Logan Paul backstage.
The Maverick is her with his United States Championship, ready to make his first appearance on SmackDown. What will the ImPAULsive Influencer have to say about being United States Champion? We find out, after the break.
Adam Pearce visits Nick Aldis in his office.
And the Raw GM asks the SmackDown GM to tell him the rumor isn’t true. Is Aldis trying to get a Raw Legend out from under Pearce’s nose? Aldis tells Pearce that Randy is a free agent now. But yes, Aldis does intend to sign Orton right here tonight in that ring. Is that so? Yeah, Pearce had his chance on Monday. Don’t worry about what happened on Monday. If Aldis is going to the ring with a contract, Pearce will join him. Pearce also has a contract folder! Nice office, by the way. Pearce heads out, who wins the signature of the Legend Killer?
Logan Paul heads to the ring!
Brooklyn is a little torn on seeing the Maverick in person, though probably because he needed brass knuckles to load his already titanium reinforced hand to beat Rey Mysterio. But Logan gets the mic to say, “To every friend who stabbed me in the back, to every hater who preyed on my downfall, I’ve got a question: WHERE ARE YOU NOW?!” He doesn’t understand. Don’t they get it by n ow? The more they hope he fails, the harder he works. And the harder he works, the more he wins. And the more he wins, the more he gets to stand up here and bark back!
And to all the jealous superstars backstage mad at him because they’ve been doing this their whole life while he’s the fastest rising superstar in history, you want the US Championship? Of course you do! It has been on his junk, just like y’all have since he got here! But a champ is only as good as his challengers, and since Rey is hurt, Logan can’t give him the rematch he was so excited for. So good news! Logan spoke with Aldis, and they have created a tournament to determine his next challenger. It starts next week, featuring eight superstars!
Santos Escobar, Dragon Lee, Karrion Kross, an NXT superstar to still be determined, Bobby Lashley, Grayson Waller, Austin Theory, and of course Kevin Owens. And Logan guarantees whoever wins this will have a nightmare trying to take this title from him. But wait, speaking of! Here comes Kevin Owens! Brooklyn fires up for The Prizefighter as he heads right for the ring. Kevin gets himself a mic and he says if Logan wants to talk about a nightmare, this, Logan Paul in the ring, is a nightmare. The first time Kevin ever saw Logan was 10 years ago on that app, Vine. And back then, it only took Kevin those six seconds to realize Logan is an unbearable jackass.
Fans cheer in agreement, and Kevin says if we’re talking about “junk,” the only junk is that crap drink Logan peddles. And now, guess what? Kevin is here to tell us that if he’s in the tournament, the nightmare will end. Logan’s days as champion will be numbered. That’s funny. Kevin calls himself a prizefighter, but Logan’s been in the ring with the greatest boxers in the world. If these two were to fight, six seconds is five more than Logan needs to KO KO. Kevin will never take this away from Logan: he’s very clever. But the thing is, that’s another world. This ring, the WWE Universe, it’s Kevin’s world, understand?
Logan says we’ll see about that. But then here comes Grayson Waller & Austin Theory! Logan smiles because it’s like looking in a mirror as these two walk down here. And Waller tells Logan he is better than this. He doesn’t need to talk with Kevin, Kevin is a troll looking for attention. He isn’t a forward thinking disruptor like the three of them. They have a lot in common, really. A-Town Down Under get in the ring, and Kevin says he loves punching people in the face. Look who he is in the ring with: Logan Paul is a man who knocks people out. So after Logan is done knocking Kevin out, maybe Kevin’s days of punching people- KEVIN DECKS THEORY!
Fans fire up as Theory tumbles out, and Waller goes to check on his buddy. Logan and Kevin drop their mics, stare down, and fans fire up as Kevin dares Logan to make the first move. Logan says worry about Waller first. Will Kevin give us a preview of the US Championship Contender’s Tournament? We find out after the break!
Kevin Owens VS Grayson Waller w/ Austin Theory!
SmackDown returns and Logan is sticking around to be on commentary for this one. Logan says he is like a proud father watching his sons on the playground. The bell rings, Waller bails out and regroups with Theory. Kevin goes out to ROCK Waller! And CHOP him! And then SMACK Waller off the desk! The ring count climbs, Kevin throws hands and he puts Waller in the ring. The ref makes sure Theory stays back, but then Waller stomps away on Kevin. Waller talks trash, UPPERCUTS Kevin, but Kevin CHOPS back! Waller kicks low, CLUBS Kevin on the neck, then cravats him into the ropes! The ref counts, Waller lets off.
Waller whips, Kevin reverses and CLOBBERS Waller! Then SENTONS! Fans rally, Kevin runs in at the corner and he clotheslines! Kevin then goes corner to corner, but Waller gets up to BOOT him! Waller LEG LARIATS! Waller rains down fists, then talks trash. Logan isn’t sure how well Kevin is built for this. Waller throws hands again, Logan denies knowing anything about brass knuckles, and Waller goes along the ropes. BALLER ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Kevin SLAPS Waller! And SLAPS him again! Waller BOOTS Kevin down! Waller snarls, drags Kevin up, but Kevin fights the suplex! The fans rally, Kevin suplexes Waller up and over!
Kevin glares at Logan, then CHOPS Waller! And CHOPS again! Kevin fakes the chop to then poke Waller in the eye! Kevin goes corner to corner, but then Waller bails out! No cannonball here and fans boo. Kevin goes out after Waller but Waller ROCKS him first! And SMACKS Kevin off the desk! Logan holds onto his Prime to make sure it doesn’t spill. Waller gets in the ring, builds speed and slides, but Kevin avoids the lariat to DECK Waller! Kevin gets on the apron, to FROG SPLASH to the floor! Fans fire up with Kevin while the ring count climbs. Kevin goes out after Waller again, but Waller RAMS him into steel steps!
Waller gets in to distract the ref, Theory STOMPS Kevin’s hand on the steps! Theory signals that to Waller and Waller stomps that arm! Waller slides out to then SLAM the arm into the post! Fans boo as A-Town Down Under high-five, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Kevin hits a FROG SPLASH in the ring! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Kevin shakes the bad hand out while Waller goes to the corner. Kevin storms up but Waller hits the bad hand! Then ARMBAR DDT! Waller hammerlocks that arm, then hits a ROLLING SNAP on the arm! Waller traps that arm in a double wristlock but Kevin endures. The fans rally, Kevin fights up, and he throws body shots with the good hand. Fans cheer, Kevin throws Waller out, but Waller grabs at Kevin’s bad hand. HOTSHOT on that arm! SOMERSAULT STUN- NO, atomic drop first! And then a DDT!
Fans fire up as Kevin evens things out. Kevin goes to ropes, drags himself up, but Waller runs up. Kevin blocks to HEADBUTT, CHOP and CHOP! Then a forearm! But that’s the bad arm! Waller runs in, Kevin dodges and SUPERKICKS! Waller is in the corner, Kevin runs in to CANNONBALL! Kevin goes up the corner again, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Waller survives and Theory rubs it in that it was just a two. Kevin keeps his focus, kicks low, but Waller grabs the bad arm to stop the stunner! Waller STOMPS the fingers! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Kevin endures, fights around, but Waller twists the wrist!
Kevin keeps fighting, reaches out, and ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Waller lets go at 4. Waller has Kevin in the corner, puts the bad hand inside a buckle pad, and then runs up to PUNT only buckle! Kevin rolls Waller up, KEVIN WINS!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
Logan can’t even! Kevinn pulled off a minor miracle, can he do that all over again in the opening round of this coming tournament?
BREAKING NEWS for next week!
CM Punk will show up on Friday Night SmackDown in Providence, Rhode Island! What more will the returning Best in the World have to say about “coming home” to the WWE?
Bianca Belair w/ Charlotte Flair & Shotzi Blackheart VS Kairi Sane w/ DMG CTRL!
The Evil Genius said The EST will have to not just earn her rematch for the title, she’ll have to get through everyone in DMG CTRL first! Bianca said bet, but will she be able to sink the Pirate Princess? Or will Bayley’s tips help Kairi end the series before it begins?
SmackDown returns and DMG CTRL has a pep talk backstage. Dakota asks if Bayley is okay. Yeah, yeah, she’s good. Go, Kairi. Dakota says Bayley doesn’t seem like herself, and then Iyo says Bayley will stay backstage tonight. Bayley ends up the odd one out as the others make their entrance, what is that about? But that aside, the bell rings and the fans rally up for Bianca. Bianca and Kairi circle, approach, but Kairi dodges. They tie up, Bianca puts Kairi in a corner but Kairi dodges to KICK a leg! Kairi goes to roll up but Bianca stays up! Then Bianca handsprings free, and she runs Kairi over! Bianca dusts off her hands, then keeps moving.
Kairi drops, Bianca handsprings over her, and then runs her over again! Bianca wags her fingers, then drags Kairi up. Kairi throws body shots, but Bianca blocks the whip! Bianca reverses, Kairi uses ropes to go up and RANA, but Bianca handsprings through to DROPKICK! Fans fire up while Bianca eggs Kairi on. Bianca stands Kairi up, scoops her, but Kairi fights free! Kairi grabs the braid, but Bianca uses that to reel Kairi in and DECK her! Bianca runs, but Asuka trips her up while the ref is checking Kairi! Kairi fires off on Bianca while fans boo, and Kairi SLAPS Bianca! DMG CTRL taunts Bianca, Kairi runs, but Charlotte trips her!
Btu the ref SAW Charlotte do it! So the ref EJECTS Charlotte and Shotzi! Fans boo but then Asuka is caught slithering in! So the ref EJECTS DMG CTRL! Now all things are equal and that doesn’t sit well with DMG CTRL! Asuka protests but Bianca DROPKICKS her down! Kairi goes after Bianca, shoves her to a corner, but Bianca shoves Kairi! The EST and Pirate Princess stare down as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Kairi has Bianca down with the ANCHOR HOLD! Bianca endures as Kairi bridges back, but then Bianca powers Kairi away! Bianca runs in, but gets POST! Kairi AX KICKS Bianca down, covers, TWO! Kairi stays on Bianca with a chinlock, then gets the arms for a straitjacket stretch. Bianca endures, fans rally up, and Bianca fights to her feet. Kairi ends up a backpack , but Bianca powers up to arm-drag Kairi away! Bianca eggs Kairi on, then scoops her to SLAM her! Fans fire up as Bianca scoops and SLAMS again! Bianca huffs and puffs and whips Kairi to a corner! Bianca storms up to then climb up, and she rains down fists!
The fans cheer and count along, Bianca goes all the way to TEN! Then she backflips away, Kairi runs in into a SPINEBUSTER! Bianca runs, handspring MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Kairi escapes and Bianca can’t believe it. But Bianca then drags Kairi up to a fireman’s carry. Kairi fights free, waistlocks, and they go to ropes. Bianca bucks the O’Conner, scoops Kairi again, and SLAMS her! Cover, TWO! Bianca stands Kairi up but Kairi URAKENS! Bianca goes to the corner, Kairi screams and marches to the far side. Fans boo as she runs back in, SLIDING D! Kairi pushes Bianca out, goes to the top, FLYING KABUKI ELBOW! Cover, TWO!
Bianca is reminding us she’s the toughEST and that makes Kairi mad. Kairi storms up to URA- NO, Bianca blocks and chicken wings! But Kairi victory rolls to send Bianca right out! Kairi then goes to the apron, runs in, but Bianca avoids the elbow to chicken wing! GlamEST Slam on the barriers! Fans fire up as Bianca puts Kairi in, but wait! Bayley sneaks out here! She grabs the braid and YANKS Bianca down! The ref notices Bayley now and is confused, but he did eject the others, not her. Kairi and Bayley high five and then Kairi climbs. Kairi prepares that elbow, but Bianca ROCKS her first!
Bianca drags Kairi off the corner into the torture rack! Bayley freaks out for the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
Bayley has no words as her help had no effect! Bianca can check Kairi off the list and she continues on, who will she look to take down next?
BREAKING NEWS for the United States Championship Contender’s Tournament!
Our first two opening round matches are set! Dragon Lee and Santos Escobar get to run it back from Survivor Series while Bobby Lashley and Karrion Kross clash for the first time in the WWE! The special Tribute to the Troops edition of SmackDown is the perfect place to start this tournament, but who will move on to the second round?
Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce are both in the ring.
The General Managers are both here, and Aldis says “Ladies and gentlemen, as your General Manager, it is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome back to SmackDown, the Viper, Randy…! Orton…!” The fans fire up as Randy indeed makes his way to the ring, and he looks just as happy to be back! Orton joins Aldis and Pearce in the ring, strikes his pose on the corner, then revels in the fans chanting his name. Randy gets so fired up, he throws his vest off! Pearce says this is electric, but Aldis says, “How dare you interrupt me on MY show!” Pearce says Aldis better calm down. Randy is a Raw legend, that is where he belongs.
But Aldis can give Randy the one thing he wants, right here on SmackDown. Pearce knows what Aldis is getting at, and counter offers with a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity. Randy is rather taken aback, but Aldis says he can give Randy the guys who took him out. But “Ladies and gentlemen, things that live in Brooklyn,” here comes Paul Heyman. And he serves as the Wise Man to Your REIGNING! DEFENDING! UNDISPUTED! WWE UNIVERSAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION…! Roman… Reigns. And look who’s back. “After 18 months on the shelf, thanks to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, Randy Orton comes home looking for revenge.”
But there will be no RKOs this evening, and there will be no decision made by Randy Orton, because The Bloodline is going to make his decision for him. Fans boo but then here comes Solo Sikoa! Jimmy Uso is also with the Enforcer, and the GMs get outta there. Jimmy slides in but Randy stomps away! Solo run sin but Randy fires off hands! Randy fights them both 2v1 but that gets the better of him! But here comes L A KNIGHT! Fans go wild again as the Mega Star runs in and kicks Jimmy! Then he fires off on Solo! Fans chant “YEAH! YEAH!” with every shot! Knight dumps Solo out but Solo drags him out! So Knight fires hands then throws Solo into barriers!
Knight and Solo head up the ramp, but Orton gets Jimmy! He puts Jimmy in the ropes, to DRAPING DDT! And despite what Heyman said, fans want to see it! Orton grins and he hears those voices! Jimmy gets up, for an R K O!!! Heyman is furious, but Orton has the GMs hand over the contracts. Orton looks them both over, Heyman says to stay safe by going with Raw. But Orton looks at Jimmy, who is still out cold. So yeah, Orton signs with SmackDown! Then Orton gets on the mic to say, “Hey, Paul… You can call Roman Reigns. And you can tell him… Daddy’s back.” The fans fire up for that! Aldis raises Randy’s hand in celebration, only to get an RKO!!
The fans are even more fired up as Randy is going to do whatever he wants to whoever he wants! Will the Apex Predator soon make himself the Head of the Table?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here to follow up Survivor Series while turning the corner. A brilliant story beat for how to get Orton on SmackDown so he can go after The Bloodline, and great move to have LA Knight help out. With Kevin now shifting his attention to Logan Paul and the US Championship, Knight and Orton are going to be a good duo going after the Bloodline together, probably have a tag match with Jimmy & Solo, and maybe a few singles matches, before Randy takes on Roman at the Royal Rumble. I don’t expect Randy to win the Universal Championship because it just doesn’t seem like Roman’s losing before Mania, maybe not even at Mania, but this is going to be good stuff for Randy in his return.
And speaking of the US Championship Contender’s Tournament, awesome field right there, because for one, Karrion Kross gets to do stuff again. And second, it has the classic “settling feuds here” matches you see in WWE tournaments. And also, it gives an NXT superstar an opportunity, possibly even a call-up, so can’t wait to see who HHHBK agree should jump in here. Really good promos from Logan, Kevin and A-Town Down Under to help set this in motion, and Kevin VS Waller was great stuff as a preview. Kevin snatching the win feels like an indicator that he’ll make it to the end, maybe even win the whole thing, only to sadly lose to Logan in the title match.
Lashley being in the field is great, too, he had an awesome opening match with Dunne. Dunne is having to find himself again as his current trio falls apart and then gets beat down by Pretty Deadly. I hope there’s a two birds, one Big Strong Boi opportunity taken here: put Tyler Bate in the contender’s tournament, give him a great showing, but then have him be Dunne’s old-new tag partner so that the mainstream WWE fandom can see the greatness of British Strong Style. And then of course Santos beats Wilde, and Dragon makes a great save to get some heat going into their rematch. I would like to think Dragon wins the rematch to move towards the title, and Santos can screw him over in the later rounds.
And we continue to get awesome stuff out of the DMG CTRL story. Bianca of course wants her title rematch and that means having her go against DMG CTRL again, but Iyo purposefully keeping Bayley at arm’s length is a nice detail. Bayley taking the pin in WarGames despite all her efforts, and then Bayley costing Kairi against Bianca despite her good intentions, the last straw is more than likely gonna be if/when Bayley loses to Bianca, and then maybe, just maybe, the same way Becky and Charlotte made amends, Bayley will try to make amends with Charlotte. There are a lot of stories in WWE right now about forgiveness and grudges, it’d be fitting if Bayley went on a soul searching journey a la Jey Uso and Sami Zayn.
My Score: 8.8/10
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