Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/12/23)
The mat is sacred!
Will Gunther MAKE Kevin & Sami respect him?
Imperium is looking to take over Raw, but Der Ring General barely defeated Kevin Owens! Will he and Ludwig Kaiser be able to conquer Kevin AND Sami?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cody Rhodes VS The Miz; Cody wins.
- Becky Lynch VS Chelsea Green w/ Sonya Deville; Becky wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Damian Priest; Priest wins and advances to MITB.
- Ricochet VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins, by disqualification.
- Raquel Rodriguez VS Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey; Shayna wins.
- Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Erik w/ The Viking Raiders; Gable wins.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS GUNTHER & Ludwig Kaiser; Kevin & Sami win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley is here!
The fans go wild for Mami as she brings her SmackDown Women’s Championship with her to the ring and Adam Pearce gives her introductions. And much like on SmackDown when Asuka was presented a new belt, there’s a podium with something covered. And Pearce says on behalf of the WWE, it is his pleasure to recognize Rhea’s status as champion with the brand new Women’s World Championship! And yes, it is the men’s belt with a white strap. Fans cheer for “MAMI! MAMI!” as Pearce hands the belt over and Rhea raises it up. But then the fans boo when Dominik Mysterio rushes in to help her put it on.
Rhea and her Dom-Dom celebrate, and Rhea gets the mic. “Dom-Dom, tell ’em how amazing I am.” She hands over the mic and fans boo even louder than before. Dom says that is disrespectful to Mami AND to him! Everyone knows that behind a great woman is a great man, and he is glad to be that for Rhea. He will always be there to support her. But wait! Here comes Cody! Fans sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, then high-fives fans and even hugs a few. Then Cody gets a mic and steps into the ring with Dommy & Mami. Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” and asks Kansas, “What do you guys wanna talk about?”
They could talk about Rhea and her beautiful new belt and the legacy she is starting. It is all well-earned and deserved, all the respect in the world to Rhea. And we could also talk about Cody’s match with The Miz later tonight. But… Let’s try this out. Let’s take a look at what Cody wants to talk about. Footage replays of Dom talking trash on Cody for being a bad father on MizTV last week, and Cody giving it back, and then Dom getting away with a cheap shot on Cody. Back in live, Cody says it would be nice to come out here, hear Brock Lesnar’s music as a sign he finally accepts Cody’s challenge for the tiebreaker. But we all know Brock doesn’t have the balls to do it.
But Dom! Dom just slaps Cody and thinks he can get away with it? Why not try this on for size, Dom? Dom VS Cody, at Money in the Bank! Fans like that idea, but what does Dom say? Dom says, “As you all saw…” The fans boo again. Dom says he’s NOT afraid of anyone! And he took Cody Rhodes “and embarrassed him in the middle of this ring,” just like Dom would anyone else! Rhea smiles, Dom smirks, but Cody seems to expect more. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Dom, and Cody says he’ll make it a bit more clear. The fans were saying something, though. What was it? “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Ah, okay.
Cody says it is a yes or no answer. Fans say “YES! YES! YES!” but Rhea says that her Latino Heat is more of a man than anyone in this arena, or watching at home, and certainly more than Cody! Then again, he asks- Rhea says Dom accepts! And then Miz runs in from the crowd side! Cody DECKS Miz, and he STOPS Dom from getting a cheap shot! Miz gets up, Cody clotheslines Miz out of the ring! And then Dom still gets his cheap shot!! Rhea says the match is on for MITB, but will Dom see The Miz become an example of what to expect from The American Nightmare?
Cody Rhodes VS The Miz!
Raw returns and this match begins! The two rush in, Miz gets around, Cody fights the waistlock and ROCKS Miz! Fans taunt Miz about his “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” as Cody whips and DROPKICKS Miz down! Miz gets up, swings, misses, and Cody kicks low to drop down, Rhodes Uppercut! Cody then hits a back suplex, but Miz lands on his feet! Miz waistlocks but Cody RAMS him into buckles, arm-drags him away, and then tosses him out of the ring! Fans fire up as Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Miz falls to the floor and Cody goes up top, but Miz hurries away. Fans boo but Cody hops down, to then DIVE!
Fans fire up as Miz hits barriers! Cody puts Miz in, storms up on him, but Miz wants mercy! The ref has Cody stay back but Cody blocks the cheap shot! DRAGON SCREW! Cody stomps Miz’s leg, drags him around, and then YANKS the leg! Miz hobbles, Cody stalks him, and fans rally up behind him. Cody brings Miz up to CLUB him, then whips him to the corner. But Miz’s leg gives up! Cody keeps on Miz with an armlock, and puts him in the corner to CHOP! Cody runs Miz corner to corner to bump him off buckles, and then he stomps a mudhole in him! Fans rally, Cody goes corner to corner, but Miz puts him on the apron.
Miz slides under and trips Cody to SMACK him off the steps! Miz then hobbles up to SMACK Cody off the desk! Miz stalks Cody around the way, CLUBS him into the ring, and follows. Fans rally, Miz kicks Cody around, and he stomps Cody more. Miz ROCKS Cody with a haymaker, then ROCKS him again! Miz wraps Cody’s bad arm around ropes! Cody throws hands with the good arm but Miz CHOPS him! And CHOPS again! Miz kicks Cody, reels him in, and glares at the fans. But Cody wrenches out to reel Miz in, and Cody suplexes! Fans fire up as Cody holds Miz in the air, before the GOURD BUSTER!
Miz goes to a corner, Cody runs in, but Miz moves to POST Cody! Cody flops out of the ring, Miz goes out after him to RAM him into the other steel steps! The American Nightmare is down while fans boo the Hollywood A-Lister, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Miz runs in to A-LIST LARIAT Cody in the corner! Miz pushes Cody down, climbs up the corner, but Cody is right up after him! But Miz shoves Cody away! Miz leaps, Cody gets under, Miz comes back, but into a SIDE EFFECT! Both men are down and fans rally up. Miz swings, Cody dodges and runs to CLOBBER Miz! Miz gets up, Cody goes up and over to then POWERSLAM! Fans fire up with Cody and he keeps moving, another BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and Cody is frustrated but the fans still rally. Cody slowly stands, and he brings Miz back up.
Cody reels Miz in, but Miz trips him! Miz steps through, Cody kicks him away, and Cody springboards again! But into a full nelson! Cody drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz kicks legs out to fire off IT KICKS! Miz powers up, but Cody ducks the buzzsaw to roll Miz! Miz rolls through, he BOOTS the bad arm and BUZZSAWS, tot he BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and now Miz is frustrated! Fans rally for Cody but Miz shakes his head. Miz stalks Cody and shouts, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” But Cody fights the full nelson and arm-drags free! Springboard, CODY CUTTER! Fans fire up with Cody as his rage boils up!
Cody dragon sleepers Miz, to CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Cody has cuts and bruises and even a bit of blood on the back of his head, all adding to the broken arm in the brace. But even so, Cody wants to keep on fighting! Will The American Nightmare stand tall in the UK? Or will the Prodigal Son show us he’s the better second generation star?
Becky Lynch talks with Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens backstage.
They’re all old pals, and it seems the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions are encouraging The Man. Becky heads out, sees the Alpha Academy showing Maxxine Dupri some basic holds, then keeps moving to go to gorilla. Becky’s head to the ring! Fans cheer, but will Kansas enter the Big Time? Or will the Hot Mess avenge Sonya Deville missing out on MITB?
Becky Lynch VS Chelsea Green w/ Sonya Deville!
Raw returns and fans cheer Becky on as she has the mic. “The Man has come around to Wichita! And the Man is going to Money in the Bank! I have been lucky enough to do a lot of things in my career, but there is one thing that has always eluded me, and that is winning the Money in the Bank Ladder match. But this year, this year, oh, I got a good feeling about this year!” Fans like the sound of that! Becky knows we’ve all been conditioned to think that the #1 person in this company is the person who holds the championships. And on the women’s side, we’ve got a brand new, shiny championship.
But Becky is thinking, the reality is, that the person that is #1 in this company is the person that holds the power! And who holds more power than the person holding that briefcase? Because they have the power to make the champion scared. They have the power to take the champion of their game! And all this talk about power is getting Becky all tongue tied cuz she loves power! So when Becky has the power to make the champions scared, and when people get scared, they do crazy, stupid, dangerous things! And Becky likes it when people do dangerous things because it makes HER better!
But when you think about people being scared, look no further than Trish Stratus. Because Trish Stratus was so scared that she was about to be exposed at Night of Champions, she got herself an insurance policy in Zoey Stark. In Trish’s mind, she’d already lost the match before it even began, and now Zoey-” is here! Becky sighs as The Hunter struts her way out with her own mic to say, “Okay, alright, I heard about enough.” Zoey knows Becky has a list of accomplishments, and good for her. But does Becky know the one accomplishment she’ll never get? That’s beat Trish Stratus! And at MITB, add on “not beating Zoey Stark” on her list of failures.
Becky tells Zoey that yes, she has so many failures, but she learned from every single one of ’em, and that is what makes Becky great. But speaking of learning, we haven’t learned much about Zoey, have we? But there are some things Becky knows already. Becky knows Zoey is special in this ring. That Zoey has finesse, agility and strength in this ring, she is built like a Pitbull! And the one thing Zoey lacks is a personality! Oh, wow, of all the people to talk about personality, it’s Becky? Does she not own a damn mirror?! Becky didn’t become relevant off personality, no! She became relevant off someone breaking her face!
And now, Becky is scratching, clawing, desperately holding onto that fame, and onto Trish. Fans “What?” and she tells ’em to shut up. Zoey will tell Becky this much: at MITB, Zoey will break Becky’s face and make her famous! Oh, Zoey, you ain’t gotta wait until then. They can do this here in Wichita! But wait, here comes the Complaint Department. Sonya wants everyone to hold on. Music down please. Thank you. Chelsea is “sorry” to interrupt. Zoey, was it? Zoey steps to Chelsea and Sonya tells her to relax. They must address the elephant in the room, and that is the BLATANT disrespect from Becky last week!
Becky attacked Chelsea unprovoked, and the only reason Chelsea didn’t retaliate is because she didn’t want to cost Sonya her rightful place at MITB. The only reason Becky won is cuz Sonya cares about her friends and was tending to Chelsea- Becky cuts them off there, and tells Chelsea to get in the ring to have this match already. Zoey, you can even sit ringside to see just why Becky is so famous. The fans fire up with The Man as she throws down the mic and her jacket. Will Becky clean up the Hot Mess?
The bell rings, Chelsea runs in, Becky dodges and CLOBBERS her! Becky gets the arm, Chelsea whips her away, but Becky comes back with a DROPKICK! Becky runs in, Chelsea BOOTS her away and goes up top. Becky SHOVES Chelsea to the floor! Fans fire up, Becky is ready to fight all three of them, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Chelsea throws Becky down by her hair! Chelsea then clamps on with a chinlock and she thrashes Becky around. The fans rally, Becky endures, and Becky fights up. Zoey watches from atop a ladder on stage as Becky arm-drags Chelsea away. Becky fires forearm son Chelsea, then a SOBAT, but Chelsea blocks to trip her up! Chelsea sits Becky up to surfboard STOMP Becky into buckles! Fans boo as Chelsea takes a bow. Chelsea drags Becky up, slaps her around, and talks trash. But Becky fires forearms again! And uppercuts! Chelsea kicks low, whips, but Becky reverses. Becky runs in but is put on the apron!
Chelsea swings but Becky counter punches! Becky climbs but Chelsea SLAPS her! Chelsea climbs, CLUBS away on Becky, and Sonya cheers Chelsea on. But Becky throws hands! And a HEADBUTT! Chelsea falls away, Becky gets up and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up for Becky as Chelsea bails out, but Becky WRECKS her with a dropkick! And then AX HANDLES from the apron! And then RAMS her into barriers! And again! And again! Fans fire up, Becky puts Chelsea in the ring and then hurries after her. But Chelsea YHANKS her into buckles! Chelsea runs back in, btu Becky blocks a boot, only to get an ENZIGURI!
Chelsea drags Becky up, underhooks, but Becky turns it around! Clinch, but Chelsea slips free to roll up, TWO! Into the DISARM-HER! Chelsea taps, Becky wins again!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission
Sonya AND Zoey are furious that The Man is still on a roll! Will Becky take down Zoey and all the rest in that Women’s MITB Ladder match?
The Judgment Day regroups backstage.
Rhea shows off the new belt, and Damian Priest says she should be given a new one every week. And MITB, Dom VS Cody, that’s gonna be awesome! Her Dom-Dom knows how to handle a ladder. Priest asks Dom a question in Spanish but Rhea seems to understand and she smacks Priest on the shoulder. Hey, just asking. But Dom winks. Rhea says Cody’s gonna get smacked, and Priest says Dom’s gonna wipe the floor with that boy. Wait, Finn, are you okay? He’s been rather quiet. Yeah, he just has a lot on his mind. Priest says what he has on his mind is making sure Riddle faces a reckoning and Priest goes on to MITB, too.
The only thing Priest asks is that everyone else stays in the back. He wants to go out there alone. Priest gives Finn a look before moving past him, will The Prince obey his friend’s request this time?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Damian Priest!
The Original Bro wants after Gunther, and Der Ring General dared him to go win the MITB briefcase and use that on him. Will Riddle do just that? Or will the Punisher make sure no one but himself has that final spot?
Raw returns as Priest makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Priest kicks low and CLUBS Riddle down. And then he CLUBS Riddle again! Priest brings Riddle up to KICK in the leg, but then Riddle blocks the kick to an ANKLE LOCK! Priest goes to the ropes, Riddle lets off, but Riddle eggs Priest on. Priest shoves Riddle, but then Riddle avoids the boot. Riddle jumps up to get the KIMURA! Priest stays on his feet but Riddle has the body scissors. Priest powers up to suplex but Riddle shifts to a SLEEPER! Priest RAMS Riddle into buckles, but lets off slowly. To then cheap shot with an elbow!
Fans boo as Priest stalks Riddle. Priest TOSSES Riddle to a corner, but Riddle fires off forearms and palm strikes! Riddle whips but Priest blocks it to whip Riddle away! Riddle ducks ‘n; dodges to FLYING FOREARM! And kip up! Fans fire up with Riddle, he runs in to forearm Priest in the corner, then goes side to side. Riddle ducks Priest’s spin kick to forearm again! Priest swings, but into more forearms! Priest gets mad now, but Riddle just eggs him on! Fans rally for the Bro, Priest runs in but Riddle dumps him out! Riddle goes up and out and PENALTY- NO, Priest blocks to trip Riddle! Riddle hits apron on the way down!
Priest goes into the ring, lets the ring count climb, and Riddle crawls. Fans boo but Priest goes out the side, to run in, and leap! Only for Riddle to dodge! Priest wipes out on the desk! Riddle brings Priest up, calls him stupid, and puts him into the ring! Riddle gets in, runs in, and SPLASHES in the corner! Riddle fires off more forearms, then runs side to side to forearm smash! Riddle kicks but Priest blocks! Riddle swings, Priest gest around, clinch and FLATLINER! Fans fire up again as Priest aims from a corner. Priest drags Riddle up, TOSSES him to a corner and he fires off! The ref counts, backs Priest off, and Priest soaks up the heat.
Priest storms back over to Riddle, brings him up, but Riddle throws body shots,. Priest KNEES low, whips and SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Priest keeps Riddle down with a motorcycle stretch. Riddle endures the knee in his back and fans rally up. Riddle fights up, rolls, and MONKEY FLIPS Priest to a EuroClutch! TWO!! Priest escapes in time, and he boots, but Riddle blocks! Riddle dodges the haymakers to KICK Priest again and again! Riddle fires off palm strikes, a BOOT, and then a spin for the PELE! Priest staggers, Riddle kips up and he clinches, BROSPLODER! BROTON!
Fans fire up while Priest bails out, and Riddle goes up and out again! PENALTY KICK! It’s a hit! And then Riddle SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BROS! Fans fire up with Riddle and he gets Priest back into the ring! Riddle stalks up behind Priest, scoops and gut wrenches, but Priest turns that around! But Riddle slips free, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Priest escapes again and both men are down! Fans rally, Riddle rises first, but Priest throws a forearm! Riddle gives it back! Riddle fires those palm strikes again, then blocks a punch, but Priest blocks the Pele to roll and KICK! KICK! KICK! ROLLING ELBOW!
Priest powers up but runs into the FINAL FLASH! Priest’s legs are noodles, Riddle reels him in! But Priest suplexes first! BROKEN ARROW! Both men are down and Wichita fires up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Riddle KICKS and KICKS, but then Priest blocks! But Riddle drops to get a takedown, to the ANKLE LOCK!! Priest flails, turns, kicks at Riddle with the free leg, but Riddle just gets that leg to turn Priest over! SLEEPER!! Priest fights up, has Riddle as a backpack, for a BACKPACK SENTON! Priest is free, but Riddle sits up! SLEEPER! Priest rolls back, gets free, and LARIATS Riddle down! Riddle sputters, flounders, and goes to a corner. Priest runs in to back elbow! Priest keeps moving, but into BODY SCISSORS! HANGING TRIANGLE!! The ref counts, Riddle lets off, and Priest staggers away.
Riddle hurries up, slingshots, but into a HAYMAKER! Priest then drags Riddle off the ropes for a DRAPING DIRTY DEEDS!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives that elevated headlock driver and Priest is furious! Priest waits on Riddle to stand, then choke grips. SOUTH OF- NO, Riddle slips free! Riddle BOOTS Priest, goes up the corner, but Priest trips him up! Riddle lands on his little bro, and Priest goes up to get Riddle! Crucifix lift, but Riddle slips free! Priest BOOTS Riddle, but Riddle goes right up after him! SUPER FISHERMAN SUPLEX!! Both men are down but Riddle crawls to the cover, TWO!?!?
Fans fire up again while Riddle is beside himself. Riddle drags priest to a drop zone, “This is Awesome!” as Riddle climbs! FLOATING- NO, Priest moves and Riddle lands on his feet. Priest shoves Riddle to ropes, Riddle goes up, but Priest catches him! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
The Punisher is heading to the UK! And most of all, the Judgment Day listened and didn’t get involved. Will Priest also ascend the ladder and bring down the prize all by himself?
As for Riddle, Gunther & Ludwig are on their way out here. Giovanni Vinci is not here after Riddle messed up his ankle in that backstage brawl. Priest looks the WWE Intercontinental Champion in the eye, and then tells him, “Pick the bones.” Priest heads to the back, Gunther & Ludwig go tot he ring! Riddle fires off on Gunther but Gunther throws knees into him! Gunther SLAPS Riddle around, and Ludwig simply watches and mocks Riddle. Ludwig then stands Riddle up so Gunther can CHOP him back down! The Bro sputters, and Ludwig hands Gunther his title. Fans boo as Ludwig dares Riddle to say something now.
Riddle writhes from the damage done by both Priest and by Gunther. Will Riddle have to be more careful around Raw these days?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Cathy Kelley is with Cody and says that it is official, we’re getting Cody VS Dom at MITB. His thoughts? Well, made official by Mami cuz Dom probably wouldn’t have the guts to accept it himself, so she had to do it for him. And that’s a reoccurring thing, isn’t it? Judgment Day, from Finn to Damian to Rhea, protecting Dom after every cheap shot. What’s going to happen is that Dom is going to get hurt. The problem Cody has is that Brock won’t show up while Dom won’t go away. And Cody isn’t naïve. April 2nd, ref’s hand hits the mat, 1-2-3, everyone in the sports world who watches the WWE, all eyes on him.
They all wanted to know what would happen next. Cody facing adversity, will he quit and run away? No, he runs out there. That is why Cody smiles, hands off his weight belt, and loses his mind when the fans lose their minds singing his song. Because every second on this path to finish the story, Cody is clinging to it. He really is. So Brock, Dom, you name ’em. They are NOT going to knock Cody off the path. London, MITB, good luck to Dom-Dom. Cody is more fired up than the logo on his shirt, will he use that to blaze his trail back to a title match?
Backstage interview with Natalya.
Byron Saxton asks the Queen of Harts that ever since losing to Rhea Ripley, there are those saying she hasn’t been the sane. Natty says maybe never being the same is a good thing. Because being Natty has gotten her nowhere. And maybe she isn’t sure how to be herself anymore. Natty heads out, but then Byron spots Sami & Kevin. He asks then that last week, tough loss to Gunther, how is Kevin feeling tonight? Yeah, that was tough, cuz Kevin felt he was this close to beating the seemingly unbeatable. But it’s fine, because tonight, Kevin & Sami get payback. But then Imperium walk over.
Ludwig says, “Payback is exactly what happened to Matt Riddle out there. And speaking of it, if I remember correctly, you, my friend, lost against Der Ring General already.” Sami keeps Kevin calm, and says to them, they have no place to brag since it took all three of them to steal that victory. And speaking of, didn’t Riddle take out one of you? There’s usually three, where’s Baldy at? Where’s Baldy? Oh, speaking of, Adam Pearce walks over. Sami says there’s no problem, he and Kevin are just letting these boys know what’s in store for them tonight. Oh, how confident. Then why not put the tag titles on the line?
Kevin says if that’s supposed to intimidate them, FINE! They’ll put the belts on the line! If it means they get to kick some Imperium ass this week, next week, every week! He’s gonna get his gear on, cuz he can’t wrestle in regular shorts and a T-shirt! He needs his different shorts and shirt! Let’s go! Kevin storms off, Ludwig & Gunther laugh. Oh, that’s funny? Well, get a good look. Because you’re lookin gat the UNDISPUTED Tag Team Champions, got that? Sami heads out, and Gunther says Pearce heard all that. So make it official. Pearce says he’ll consider it. But will it really happen? Will Kevin & Sami regret raising the stakes on themselves?
Indus Sher speaks.
Jinder Mahal says their opponents last week became prey before the bell ever rang. But they are not satisfied. If their opponents are still walking, the job is not done. “Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander. You’ve shown us respect with the fear in your eyes. We offer you a proper match, a proper chance at survival. Just know, every single one of your fears will be justified.” So says the Modern Day Maharaja.
Ricochet VS Bronson Reed!
The One and Only is in the Men’s MITB, and that really annoys Auszilla. Will Bronson wash Ricochet out of that match with a Tsunami? Or will even The Colossal One fail to ground the King of Flight?
Raw returns as Bronson makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two rush in! Ricochet DROPKICKS, but Bronson stays up! Ricochet fires off hands, Bronson pushes him back, but Ricochet comes back for more! Bronson pushes Ricochet away again, but Ricochet KICKS away on a leg. Bronson grabs Ricochet by the neck! Ricochet fights free, throws more forearms, but Bronson just glares at him. Bronson TOSSES Ricochet to a corner, then DECKS him! The ref checks on Ricochet but he’s still in this. But then Shinsuke Nakamura swaggers down the ramp. Fans cheer but Bronson tells him to stay back.
Bronson runs in, Ricochet dodges and ROCKS Bronson with a forearm! Bronson stays up so Ricochet runs again. Bronson swings, Ricochet ducks ‘n dodges then tilt-o-whirls, but Bronson blocks the DDT! Bronson suplexes Ricochet to hang him out to dry! Then he YANKS the rope to send Ricochet flying! Ricochet flounders to the other side, Bronson runs in to BODY CHECK Ricochet! Nakamura seems mildly impressed but Bronson still warns him to stay away, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Bronson has Ricochet up in an Electric Chair Lift! Ricochet throws down hands on Bronson, slips around but Bronson blocks the huricanrana! Bronson brings Ricochet back up but Ricochet escapes the bomb! Ricochet ducks, runs, handsprings and back elbows! But Bronson stays up! Ricochet fires forearms, Bronson shoves him, but Ricochet BOOTS back! Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks then ENZIGURIS! Bronson wobbles and fans fire up with Ricochet! Nakamura watches as Ricochet runs in, but is put on the apron. Bronson swings, misses, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS! Then Ricochet springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK!
Bronson tumbles out of the ring, Ricochet builds speed and DIVES! Bronson hits the desk! Fans fire up and Nakamura likes that. Ricochet puts Bronson back in the ring, springboards back in, CROSSBODY! Down goes Bronson, but then Ricochet LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Bronson is still in this but Ricochet keeps his cool. Bronson goes to the apron, Ricochet storms up, but Bronson ELBOWS Ricochet back! Ricochet triangle jumps to ENZIGURI again! Bronson flops to the floor, and Ricochet goes up to ASAI MOONSAULT! But Bronson catches him, to TOSS him into Nakamura! Fans fire up while both men fall!
Bronson drags Ricochet up, puts him in the ring, and Bronson grins as he pounds his chest. Bronson then goes up the corner, but Nakamura GAMANGIRIS!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by disqualification
The King of Strong Style is pissed and he fires off on Bronson! But that just gives Bronson the win! Ricochet is upset with Nakamura now, they argue, but then Bronson CLOBBERS them both!! Bronson reels Nakamura in, short arm LARIAT! Bronson is gonna repeat last week as he climbs up the corner again! But Ricochet GAMANGIRIS first! Ricochet fires off hands but Bronson shoves him away. Nakamura GAMANGIRIS again, climbs up after Bronson, and Ricochet helps out! Fans fire up as the two kings hit a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! A rough landing for all, but especially for Bronson!
Fans lose their minds, Ricochet and Nakamura look to each other, and they nod. They have a common enemy and they just took care of him! But who will truly be the king after Money in the Bank?
Sami and Kevin talk backstage.
Sami says that now with the titles on the line, they have to be careful. Kevin knows that. But Sami does want to know, what was that with Imperium? What was what? Uh, Kevin exploding on them. He’s doing that a lot lately. He’s like always at a ten. Kevin is not! He’s at a six. Kevin does his best to calm down, but he says it is the months of stress and frustration with The Bloodline, all the way up to WrestleMania, and then even after WrestleMania, he thought they were done and now that they are, it’s just all problems! There’s the two tall guys with the long neck and the big ears, and they’re speakin’ European. Kevin should know but he’s French, they’re not French.
Sami calms Kevin down again. He just wants to know that when they go out there, is Kevin good? Yes. He’s great, even. Okay, okay, that’s all that matters. Good. Kevin’s gonna get water. Good, yes, hydrate. Does Sami want one? Yes, yes, thank you. Kevin heads out, but Sami still has to convince himself Kevin is good. Will things be good when the two of them face Gunther & Ludwig later tonight?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He’s glad they see it the same way. Yes, it is official, the tag titles are on the line tonight! And yes, he’ll let everyone know that. But then Ricochet walks over. Ricochet asks Pearce what he has to do, but he needs a rematch with Bronson Reed. Pearce says he understands the frustrations, but Bronson already has a match for next week. Oh, of course. Against who? Shinsuke Nakamura. And he walks up now with a smile. Then please, Nakamura, explain what the problem is. Because that was Ricochet’s fight! What Nakamura did is not cool. Ricochet didn’t ask for help and he doesn’t need it.
Nakamura, if you do that again, they are gonna finish what they started before MITB. Nakamura tells Ricochet it was nothing personal. It is his turn to succeed where Ricochet failed. Oh, failed? But don’t worry! You can have what’s left after Nakamura’s done. Will the King of Strong Style be the one to tear down Auszilla?
Finn Balor heads to the ring!
The Prince has been in a sour mood all night, and it looks like he wants to share what’s been on his mind. He gets the mic while fans are torn between jeers and cheers, and he says, “Seth Rollins! The Workhorse Champion! I know you’re here. And I’m here. And we need to talk. No jokes, no zingers, no singalongs! Just facts. So get out here now.” Finn waits, and Seth Rollins makes his entrance! Fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” as the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out, belt around his waist as he wears another wild gold ‘n’ black suit. Rollins joins Finn in the ring, mic in hand, but also enjoys the fans singing his song.
Finn asks if they’re done. They keep going, so no. Finn says he’s been waiting seven years to say this and he’s not waiting another second, so everyone better shut up! Rollins patiently waits with a smirk on his face, and Finn paces. Finn says if they wanna sing about something, sing about this! Seven years ago, Finn was a first rounds draft pick to Monday Night Raw! He beat Roman Reigns on his first night! And three weeks later, he beat Rollins to become the FIRST-EVER Universal Champion! Sing all night, because Finn has a lot more to say. Fans keep singing, and Rollins’ smile grows bigger.
Finn says this isn’t funny! This is serious! And y’know what else is serious!? The singing continues but Rollins finally says, “Kansas, are you having fun tonight?” The fans cheer because they are. Finn says he’s not having fun! This is serious! He’s been waiting seven YEARS! Rollins says, “You’ve been waiting seven years to say what? What do you want to say? If it’s that damn important that you’re gonna ruin their party, then get it off your chest and do it right now!” Fans cheer, and Finn says he will! He’ll do it right now! What should’ve been the highest of highest for Finn became the lowest of lows in an instant, all because of Rollins.
A torn bicep, a torn pec, a torn labrum, and a fractured socket. Now, Finn ain’t complaining about the injury. This is a hard business, this is a tough business. Injuries happen. But what really bothered Finn, other than that these idiots won’t stop singing…! They’re still going. Finn says Rollins loves it when they sing, huh? Just cuz he has a catchy song, that means everyone likes him? They don’t like Rollins! They don’t even know Rollins! Rollins asks what Finn’s getting at. Finn says that Rollins took EVERYTHING from Finn! Rollins took Finn’s momentum, his title, and a year off his career! Rollins took EVERYTHING!
But guess what? Now it’s Finn’s turn to take everything back, and take it all form Rollins! What Finn is gonna take is Rollins’ momentum! He’ll take Rollins’ momentum, and a year off Rollins’ career! And it’ll all happen at Money in the Bank! Rollins isn’t affected by that challenge as the fans keep singing. Rollins then laughs, and laughs, and laughs! Fans cheer and Rollins says, “Kansas, you’re too kind. But I’m not laughing cuz you sang his promo outta the building, no no. I’m laughing because this is the Finn Balor I’ve been waiting to see for the past seven years!”
To paint a picture, inaugural Universal Championship match, SummerSlam in Brooklyn, that match sent them both on career trajectories that were completely different. And why? Because one got bitter, and the other got better. The singing returns, and Rollins grins. Rollins won’t lie, he’s done some bad things over those past seven years. But y’know what else he’s done? Rollins has made memories, made history, and made moments that the fans will never forget! Fans cheer that! And Rollins did that because he changed! He adapted! He rolled with the punches! Rollins got better every single day, and now he is the greatest version of Seth Freakin’ Rollins!
You want the proof? It’s the World Heavyweight Championship! Finn wants a crack at it? “YOU! ARE! ON!” Rollins then asks Finn, “Which version of you is gonna come to London and fight for this title? Because this bitter shell of a champion, he don’t stand a chance. But… The Finn Balor that beat me to become the first-ever Universal Champion with his arm hanging off his body, HE’S got a shot! So here’s my question to you: Are you gonna bring that Finn Balor to Money in the Bank? Or are you gonna bring the guy who’s been walking for the past seven years acting like a little b*tch?” Rollins throws down the challenge to Finn’s challenge, just what happens at MITB in the UK?
Raquel Rodriguez VS Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey!
Big Mami Cool still owes the Baddest Women on the Planet a little something from that Women’s Tag Fatal 4. Will she give the Queen of Spades a parting shot before the tag title unification match in a few weeks? Or will Shayna break Raquel as an example to Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn?
Raw returns as Shayna & Ronda make their entrance. Shayna shows off her tag title and her black belt, then the bell rings. They tie up, Raquel doesn’t budge, and she shoves Shayna way. They go again, Shayna wrenches an arm to a wristlock and then a double wristlock, but Raquel scoops with one arm! FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel then SPLASHES int he corner, scoops again, and FALL AWAY SLAMS again! Then she runs corner to corner, but Shayna bails out! Raquel goes out after her but Ronda’s in the way. Raquel tells Ronda to back off, and she puts Shayna in the ring. Raquel runs, Shayna dodges the boot and sweeps the leg!
Ronda smiles as Shayna grabs a leg and pulls on it. Raquel kicks with her other leg but Shayna pulls on the one she has! Shayna then turns Ronda over, isolates the foot and STOMPS the ankle! Ronda grins while Raquel clutches her foot. Raquel shoves Shayna away but Shayna’s after the leg again. Shayna ducks a lariat but not the SOUTHPAW! Shayna gets back up but Raquel blocks her kick to then KICK Shayna’s leg! Raquel kicks away on the thigh, and Shayna hobbles away, only for Raquel to KICK the leg out! Shayna ends up in the drop zone, Raquel steps on her to go up, TWISTING VADER!
Raquel hauls Shayna up but Ronda distracts. Raquel grabs Ronda, but Shayna rolls her up! With Ronda helping! Shayna wins!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by pinfall
This should’ve been put down as a handicap match since it took them both to win! But if it took both of them to stop Ricky Desperado, do Ronda & Shayna stand a chance against the Wicked Witches of NXT?
WWE mourns the loss of The Iron Sheik.
Growing up in Iran, The Iron Sheik was as tough as they came. Sheik himself said that his country was known for two things: oil and wrestling. He was a wrestling champion in the Iranian National Army, then made the jump to sports entertainment. He used the political tension to become “one of the most despised villains” of his era. The flag, the clothes, the boots even. An impressive physique and strength, and his Camel Clutch was devastating. And in 1983, Sheik would shock the world by becoming a world champion. Sheik’s ability to get a strong reaction from fans was instrumental to bringing the WWE up in the 1980s.
Sheik’s impact and notoriety are undeniable, and he joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. From captivating persona to unparalleled charisma, the Iron Sheik’s legendary career puts him in a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide. Gone but never forgotten!
Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Erik w/ The Viking Raiders!
“Master” Gable has been coaching Maxxine Dupri in the ways of Alpha style wrestling, and now he looks to teach by showing. Will he give a master class? Or will Erik be the one to say “A Thank Yew?”
The bell rings and the two circle. Erik roars but Gable says, “SHOOOOSH!” Erik runs in, Gable dodges, then arm-drags! Gable has the armlock, he drags Erik around, and Gable makes sure Maxxine was watching closely. Gable wrenches, whips, but Erik reverses to CLOBBER Gable! Sarah Logan and Ivar cheer while Erik fires off forearms. Erik puts Gable up top, climbs up after him, but Gable fires forearms and chops! Erik falls back, Gable adjusts, and Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Otis says that’s using your head! Logan glares at Maxxine from across the way, and starts running that way!
Maxxine hits an arm-drag?! Fans cheer as Maxxine gets the better of Valhalla! Ivar keeps Logan back, but Erik whips Gable to a corner. Gable goes up and over, sunset flip, GABLE WINS!
Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall
Big wins for everyone in Alpha Academy! Maxxine hit her first arm-drag ever, and Gable got a huge win over Erik! Will this trio take over Raw this Summer break? Or will the raid only come back angrier and more violent?
Finn Balor talks with JD McDonagh backstage.
The Prince talks to his former student that Raw isn’t about friends, but making impacts. McDonagh points out Priest walking up, and then says thanks for the advice. They’ll catch up later. And when it comes to “that other problem,” maybe Finn should take his own advice. The Irish Ace heads out and Finn says hey, congrats on qualifying, Priest. Yeah, thanks. Finn is in a better mood. Must have to do with that title match he has now. Congrats on that, too. Yeah, yeah. When Priest wins the MITB contract, he wouldn’t cash in on Finn, would he? Dawg, are you really asking that? Of course Priest wouldn’t. Finn has his word on that.
But in the future, Finn should really keep his word with Priest. Priest is happy about the opportunities they both have coming up, but really, Rollins has Finn up and down and all over the place, causing tension between them. Make it worth it. At MITB, Finn must end this. Priest heads out, and Finn has something new on his mind. Will the Prince and the Punisher be able to put this behind them once the Judgment Day is truly on top of the world?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Cathy talks with the World Heavyweight Champion now and brings up his match against Finn at MITB. This is seven years in the making, is Rollins prepared for a “bitter” Balor? Ooooh~, HAHAHAHA! He is as prepared and confident as one man can be. The real question is: is Finn Balor prepared for Rollins? After Rollins beats Finn at MITB, Finn won’t just lose his mind. He might lose his friend, Priest, too! And something is missing. Rollins is feeling frisky, spry, like… Yeah, yeah! Let’s blow this up and throw a monkey wrench into it! Next week, live on Raw, let’s do an OPEN CHALLENGE for the WORLD! HEAVYWEIGHT! CHAMPIONSHIP!
He IS a Visionary, he IS a Revolutionary, he IS Seth Freakin’ Rollins! HAHAHAHA! Rollins heads out, but between Finn on Raw, Bron Breakker over in NXT, and whoever else is out there, is he going to end up losing this belt already?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS GUNTHER & Ludwig Kaiser!
What was going to be a rematch of The Prizefighter & Great Liberator against Imperium’s soldiers turned into Kevin & Sami VS Der Ring General and Ludwig, given Vinci’s run-in with Riddle. But then that went from a match about respect to a match about titles! Will Kevin & Sami defend the prizes they fought so hard to get in the first place? Or will Gunther soon be holding three belts instead of just the one?
Raw returns and Imperium makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the tag belts are raised, and we see if the mat is truly sacred!
The teams sort out and fans cheer for Sami as he steps to Gunther! The two circle, feel things out, and then tie up. Gunther doesn’t budge, and he shoves Sami down! Sami goes to a corner, gets back up, and he shakes it off. The two circle again, feel things out, and tie up again. Gunther powers Sami to a corner, lets off slowly as the ref counts, but Sami avoids the chop to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Gunther pie faces Sami down, then kicks him low! Gunther UPPERCUTS Sami, then hits a headlock takeover! Fans rally and duel, Sami fights up, but Gunther knees low! Gunther UPPERCUTS Sami to ropes!
Gunther whips, Sami holds ropes and then dumps Gunther out! Sami builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes the Intercontinental Champion! Fans fire up for Sami while fans go to break.
Raw returns again and Sami fires off on Ludwig in the corner. Sami brings Ludwig out to throw hands, but Ludwig kicks low. Ludwig headlocks, Sami powers out, but Ludwig runs him over. Things speed up, Sami hurdles then arm-drags Ludwig to an armlock! Ludwig fights up, pulls hair, and he puts Sami in a corner. Ludwig throws hands, but the fans rally up. Ludwig whips, Sami reverses but then Ludwig puts Sami on the top rope. Sami blocks Ludwig’s gamangiri! Ludwig hobbles, Sami AX HANDLES! Cover, ONE!! Ludwig hangs tough and Gunther coaches him, but Sami brings Ludwig up and around.
Sami bumps Ludwig off buckles, tags in Kevin, and they whip Ludwig to then drop toehold and SENTON! Kevin stares Gunther down, then brings Ludwig around to stomp him. Kevin goes up, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ludwig is still in this but Kevin brings Ludwig up. But Ludwig throws hands! Kevin gives them back, they go back and forth and fans fire up! Kevin gets the edge, but Ludwig kicks low! Ludwig whips, Kevin reveres, but Ludwig UPEPRCUTS! And ROCKS Kevin with a right! But Ludwig runs into a LARIAT! Kevin SENTONS again! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Kevin brings Ludwig up and over.
Sami tags in, he and Kevin mug Ludwig, then Sami brings Ludwig out. But Ludwig powers him to the Imperium corner! Ludwig swings, but Sami counter punches! Sami even hits Gunther some! Sami whips but Gunther tags in as Ludwig reverses. Kevin tries to warn Sami but Sami clotheslines Ludwig up and out! Gunther runs in to BOOT Sami down! And then he BOOTS Kevin for good measure! SPLASH on Sami! Cover, TWO! Sami survives but Gunther looms over him. Gunther kicks Sami to a corner, brings him up, and CHOPS him down! Fans rally for Sami but Gunther CHOPS him down again!
Tag to Ludwig and he taunts Sami. Ludwig clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Sami down. Fans rally, Sami fights up, and Sami throws body shots! Ludwig ROCKS Sami with a right hand! Ludwig puts Sami in the ropes, Gunther holds him, and Ludwig runs side to side to DROPKICK Sami out to the floor! Ludwig then distracts the ref so Gunther can hit Sami with an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans boo but Imperium soaks up the heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Sami brawls with Ludwig up top! Sami fires off, the fans fire up, and Sami gets up to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Fans are thunderous as Sami reaches out to his corner! Ludwig and Sami both crawl, hot tags to Gunther and Kevin! Fans fire up as Kevin dodges to CHOP and fire off on Gunther! A revisit to last week’s main event as Kevin roars and runs! LARIAT, but Gunther stays up! So Kevin LARIATS again! Gunther is still up, and he BOOTS back! But Kevin LARIATS on the return! And SENTON! Gunther stagger sup, into a clinch, EXPLODER sends Gunther to a corner!
Kevin goes to the opposite corner, Ludwig runs up but Kevin DECKS him! Gunther runs up but into a SUPERKICK! Gunther’s back in the corner, Kevin runs in, CANNONBALL! Kevin pushes Gunther to the drop zone then goes up top! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives, this is why he’s the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of the 2000s! Fans chant “ONE MORE TIME! ONE MORE TIME!” Kevin waits on Gunther, but Ludwig slithers in! Kevin runs Ludwig off, but Gunther rolls Kevin up! TWO!! Kevin escapes, he kicks low, but Gunther shoves Kevin away! Kevin comes back, DOUBLE BOOTS take both men down!
Fans are thunderous as Sami returns to his corner! Kevin and Gunther crawl, hot tags to Ludwig and Sami! Ludwig runs into an EXPLODER into the corner! Sami then goes to the far side, but Gunther drags him out! But Sami ducks, the CHOP hits POST! Gunther clutches his hand, Sami gets back in and he catches Ludwig for a BLUE THUNDER- NO, Ludwig slips out to ENZIGURI! Ludwig shoves, fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Tag to Gunther, PENALTY KCIK! Ludwig GAMANGIRIS Kevin off the corner, then Gunther gets Sami up! Toss into the UPPERCUT! And then Ludwig DIVES to take out Kevin!!
Gunther LARIATS Sami inside-out!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sami survives and shocks everyone!! Gunther drags Sami up again to CHOP! And then POINT-BLANK LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Sami is alive and Gunther is furious! Tag to Ludwig, and he climbs up top. Gunther Electric Chair Lifts Sami, to IMPERIAL DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Kevin barrels into Gunther to break it!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Gunther and Kevin flop out of the ring, Ludwig crawls to Sami, and “This is Awesome!” as Kevin and Gunther brawl outside! The ref reprimands, but Gunther POSTS Kevin!
Kevin and Gunther stagger around, but HERE COMES RIDDLE!! The other refs and some producers are trying to stop him, but Riddle jukes ’em! But Gunther BOOTS Riddle first! Kevin goes after Gunther, DDT to the ramp!! Sami has Ludwig all alone and catches him for BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!! Cover, Sami & Kevin win!!
Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)
Gunther & Ludwig came within reach, but they could not take these titles from Kevin & Sami! We know that SmackDown will hold a #1 contenders gauntlet, who comes out of the blue brand ready to battle this battletested team?
My Thoughts:
A great episode here, with a lot more set up towards MITB. One thing I figured would happen was Rhea would be given her own new belt, the Women’s World Championship. And no surprise, it parallels the World Heavyweight Championship. There’s nothing wrong using the same molds for these belts, it’s what they literally did the first time around with the WWE World Championship and the WWE Women’s Championship that then became the Raw Women’s Championship that was copied in the SmackDown Women’s Championship. And perhaps it’s just really hard to come up with completely new designs that can be agreed upon as good looking belts.
I also like that Cody confronts Dominik over last week, as he should. Granted, Dominik still got the better of Cody for that Heel heat, but Cody got to take his anger out on Miz in a great opening match. Cody VS Dom is gonna be really good stuff just for how Dom can play off the fans booing him to death. And with how much Cody is egging Brock on, I bet Brock shows up to screw Cody out of that match so Dom can have another win over someone really accomplished to further inflate that ego. And Cody’s promo later on has a point: Dom’s gonna get so high on himself that he’ll pick a fight with the wrong guy and get “hurt.” Hell, it might be Brock…
Good promo from Seth and Finn, though the fans constantly singing kinda made it go longer than it needed to go. But at the same time, it speaks to how much the fans like Rollins, and how much they like his song. Seth VS Finn is going to be great stuff at MITB, and I like that it is feeding into the tension within Judgment Day. Riddle VS Priest was an awesome MITB qualifying match, and I figured Priest would win that given Riddle’s story with Gunther. But Priest and Finn are at odds as to who is going to be the real leading man in Judgment Day. Finn talking to McDonagh is a big tell as to what could happen here. JD replacing Priest in Judgment Day just makes sense, given the history with Finn, and how he’s already “JD.”
Becky had a good promo with Zoey Stark that also led into her match with Chelsea Green. Of course Becky won but her role in MITB is more about fighting Zoey Stark than actually winning the thing, I feel. A bit disappointing there was no Women’s MITB qualifier tonight even though Raw is to have the last spot there. I thought Raquel was gonna have such a match but she was just helping Shayna & Ronda build momentum. To that end, a little disappointed there were now supernatural shenanigans from Alba & Isla given we’ve only got so much time before that match happens. How are RawDown only viewers supposed to see Alba & Isla as real threats if they don’t do anything past that brawl on SmackDown?
Not sure how they’re gonna work out things between the Men’s MITB entrants on Raw, though. Ricochet VS Bronson getting “ruined” by Nakamura, and then Nakamura VS Bronson for next week, I thought this was how Bronson was getting in but then we got Riddle VS Priest tonight. I don’t see them making a special exception made for Bronson if they’re also not going to do the same for the women on the other side. I’m still not really sure what the plan is for Bronson Reed, I thought he was gonna get a midcard title before the Draft but then the Draft itself kinda screwed up how that would’ve worked.
Pretty hilarious stuff out of Alpha Academy and Viking Raiders. I thought they were going to give us Maxxine VS Sarah already, but I suppose Maxxine getting the moral victory of hitting Sarah with one good move was enough for now. Though the Viking Raiders continuing to be chumped out is a bit disappointing, too. I mean, they could’ve been in the WWE Triple Crown Tag Team club but they missed out on the SmackDown titles because of the Bloodline building things and having those titles on The Usos. And as great as The Alpha Academy are in the ring and as characters, it’s a shame Sarah, Erik & Ivar are probably gonna lose to them in a Mixed Six or something.
Great stuff out of the tag title story with Imperium, though. Gunther & Ludwig of course went after Riddle after he lost to Priest, and I did like that Sami did talk with Kevin about his apparent new temper. Kevin’s logic was sound, he’s still dealing with the frustrations from the Bloodline story. They had an awesome main event with Gunther & Ludwig, and I do appreciate that they kept Vinci away to sell the power of Riddle’s ankle lock. Riddle was also a natural choice for distraction to keep Imperium from winning, though I’m sure Kevin & Sami would’ve found a way. Now Kevin & Sami can watch SmackDown’s gauntlet match, will more than likely be won by Pretty Deadly, and that build will be hilarious.
My Score: 8.7/10
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After you level up, you start to Evolve!
WWE continues to grow, innovate, train and cultivate, and now a new generation is here to help wrestling Evolve! Whose legendary quest starts right here on Evolve?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kali Armstrong & Dani Palmer VS Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright; Kendal & Carlee win.
- Keanu Carver VS Trill London; Keanu wins.
- WWE ID Showcase Six Man Tag: Sean Legacy, Cappuccino Jones & Jack Cartwheel VS Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes; Legacy, Cappuccino & Cartwheel win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Shawn Michaels meets with the Evolve roster.
The Heartbreak Kid walks into the room, shakes hands with NXT General Manager, Ava Raine, and welcomes the superstars. “And I hope you are very, very excited. Because each and every one of you are about to make history. You are about to show the world where wrestling evolves. Because tonight, I want to welcome each and every one of you to WWE Evolve on Tubi. Congratulations. And for one night only, on behalf of ‘The Mayor,’ I am gonna make the matches tonight. In our main event, it is sink or swim for some of our ID talent. Because you gentlemen are going to be in a Six Man Tag Team match.
“And even bigger than that, though, there can only be one first match on WWE Evolve. And tonight, that honor is going to go to our ladies. In a tag team match, it will be Kali Armstrong & Dani Palmer, and you two will take on the team of Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright. Good luck, ladies.” HBK says now they all know this is where dreams come true. So go out there and show the world that you belong. And it’ll be a blast watching each and every one of them Evolve. The pressure is on, who makes the biggest impact with their first steps here in the WWE?
WWE Evolve’s commentary team is Peter Rosenberg & Robert Stone!
Kali Armstrong & Dani Palmer VS Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright!
As HBK said, history is already made with this very first match. The spotlight is within reach for both duos, will Kali & Dani shine with strength and speed? Or will will the future be bright for Carlee & Kendal?
The teams sort out and Dani starts against Kendal. The bell rings, and then Kali tags herself in. Dani says okay, that’s fine. Kali and Kendal tie up, and Kali powers Kendal back. Kendal slips free, they tie up again, and Kendal waistlocks. Kali powers Kendal into a corner, and lets off slowly, but then she pops Kendal right up to the top rope! Kali pats Kendal on the head, and backs off to soak up some of the heat. But then Dani tags herself back in. Dani and Kendal tie up, Kendal waistlocks, wrenches, then YANKS the arm! And YANKS the arm again! Kendal brings Dani over to tag in Carlee. Carlee sunset flips, TWO!
Dani jackknife bridges, TWO as Carlee bridges! Carlee spins things around, backslides, TWO! Dani arm-drags Carlee down to have an armlock. The fans rally, Carlee headscissors, but Dani moves around to headstand, then she sits on Carlee for a cover! ONE, Dani comes back with a handspring into a prawn hold! TWO! Dani SPLASHES, cover, ONE!! Dani facelocks and keeps Carlee from Kendal. Carlee endures the grind, the fans rally up, and Carlee wrenches. Carlee whips, Dani reverses, but Carlee RANAS, only for Dani to handspring through! Carlee likes that, as do the fans, but then Kali tags in.
Kali runs up, but Carlee drop toeholds Kali down! Carlee has the armlock, but Kali fights around. Kali claws at the mat, the fans rally up, and Kali fights to her feet. Kali powers through to put the armlock on Carlee! Kali talks some smack but Carlee fights up. Kali CLUBS the arm, YANKS the arm, and talks more trash. The fans rally but Kali CLUBS Carlee down! Kali eggs Carlee on, puts her on the ropes then whips her away. Carlee blocks the hip toss to body blow and FLIP up and over! Carlee then slips around and DROPKICKS Kali down! Carlee signals to Kendal, but Kendal doesn’t seem to understand. Carlee gets her to tag in!
Kendal & Carlee DOUBLE LARIAT but Kali breaks through! Kali goes to hit Carlee, but Kendal hits a fireman’s carry takeover! And an arm-drag! Kendal grinds the arm, Kali fights around, but Kendal shifts her grip! Kali still fights up, the fans rally again, and Kali whips Kendal away. Kendal blocks the hip toss, wrenches and hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Kendal has the arm again, but Kali fights around. Kendal grinds the arm down, pushes Kali to a cover, TWO! Kendal facelocks, but Kali fights up, only for Kendal to small package! TWO, but Kendal facelocks! Kendal wrenches the arm, YANKS it, and repeat!
Kendal brings Kali down again, has a mounted armlock, and the fans cheer her own. Kali endures, fights up, and Carlee tags in. Kendal & Carlee double whip, then DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Carlee is excited but Kendal tells her to focus! Carlee covers, TWO! Carlee clamps onto Kali with an armlock of her own, then steps over. The fans rally, Kali fights up, but Carlee wrenches. Kali blocks the whip to whip Carlee, scoop and POWERSLAM! Kali is all fired up, fans are torn, and Kali grabs Carlee by a leg. Kali drags Carlee away from Kendal, and she shouts, “I’m different! And I’m proving it right now! Because Kali Armstrong’s gonna be the first Evolve winner!”
Kali looms over Carlee but Evolve takes a quick break.
Evolve returns and Kali has Carlee in a headlock. Carlee fights up, but Kali winds up and DECKS her! Kali tags Dani on purpose for once, and puts Carlee in the corner. Dani runs in for SWINGING DOUBLE KNEE! Then a STANDING MOONSAULT, but onto knees! Carlee turns things around and the fans rally up! Carlee and Dani crawl, and crawl, and then hot tags to Kali and Kendal! Kendal rallies with ELBOW after ELBOW on Kali, and a LARIAT for Dani! Kick and DDT on Kali! Kendal talks trash on Kali, then dodges Dani, to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans are fired up as Kendal shouts she’s an undefeated national champion for a reason!
Kendal fireman’s carries Kali, but Kali slips free! Kali waistlocks, Kendal elbows her, but Kali shoves her to a corner! Kendal goes up, but Kali catches her! RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Kendal survives and Kali is frustrated. The fans fire up and duel as Kali goes up a corner. Kendal ROCKS Kali! Kali hits back, but Kendal ROCKS her again! Kendal climbs, they brawl up top, but Dani sneaks the tag! Kendal brings Kali up to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX! But Dani FROG SPLASHES Kendal!! TWO!?! Carlee is also there to go after Dani, but Kali gets her up! BIG back suplex, but Carlee lands out! CODE BREAKER on Kali!
Dani drags Kendal back up, cravats, but Kendal sends her to a corner! Dani ELBOWS back, tries again, SLICED- NO, Kendal slips free! Dani ENZIGIRIS, Kendal staggers, but then Kendal SPEARS! Cover, Kali breaks it! Carlee goes after Kali with a wild SLEEPER! The ref reprimands them both, but Kendal SHOVES Kali and Carlee out! Dani rolls Kendal up! TWO, and Dani fireman’s carries! Kendal sips free to the apron, she ROCKS Dani, but Kali grabs Kendal’s foot! Kendal BOOTS Kali away, then she and Carlee go after Kali together! Dani goes up the corner! SKY TWISTER but she only gets Kali!
The fans are thunderous as Kendal TOSSES Dani back into the ring! Kendal wrenches, FLYING ARMBAR!! Dani TAPS, Kendal & Carlee win!
Winners: Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright, by submission
It was a fast ‘n’ furious finish, but it was the team with history that made history! Carlee is very excited, Kendal calms her down, but they both celebrate their first big win here on Evolve! WWE Evolve correspondent Chuey Martinez is ringside, and he says, “That’s how you start Evolve max, baby!” Chuey introduces himself and asks how Carlee & Kendal are feeling. Carlee says she’s out of breath, but that was so much fun. It’s also a bit surreal. They do all this training in the Performance Center, and it led here. Hard work really pays off. They will always go down as a trivia question. Who won the first WWE Evolve match? Kendal & Carlee!
They high-five, the fans cheer, and Chuey asks Kendal how she’s feeling. Kendal says that is cool and all, but she isn’t here just to be a trivia question. Her eyelashes are coming off, she’s working so hard in that ring! She’s doing this so when the WWE Universe watches Evolve, they think about Kendal Grey! When they tune in, they see Kendal Grey dominating the Women’s Division! When they tune in every Wednesday, they think of Kendal Grey! Carlee still says they’re going to be best friends, but will this end up a one woman show?
WWE looks on the origins of Evolve.
Evolve Wrestling was “the breeding ground for tomorrow’s legends.” Many a future WWE superstar passed through Evolve to elevate their craft. It was more than just a stepping stone, it was a launching pad. Paul Heyman even appeared on the 10 Anniversary Show to say it himself: Evolve was the future of wrestling. “Arriving as aspiring talents, departing as seasoned warriors. Evolve provided them the grit to rise to the occasion, where the lights shined brightest. Evolve: the next evolution starts here.”
Jackson Drake talks with Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes.
Drake wants the boys to check him real quick. Is he tripping? Or did HBK just put #SwipeRight and Jackson Drake in WWE Evolve’s first main event? Brad says oh yes he did. “Hundos” he did. But don’t be that surprised. HBK sees there’s a bit of himself in each and every one of them. But what Smokes is interested in is seeing the talent outside the ring, if you know what he means. For sure, Ricky, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Business first, pleasure later. Well, Swipe Right is about pleasure before and after! Brad again says “Hundos.” But the thing about Swipe Right is, they’ve matched with your girlfriends, your wives, and your moms.
So WWE Evolve, everyone watching at home, you are looking at your next match. Will these smooth talking playboys really be the ones winning the very first Evolve main event? Or will their opponents swipe left on them?
There’s an Evolve VIP section?
And sitting in that section is The D’Angelo Family’s Luca Crusifino, and Evolve superstar “It’s Gal.” They’re keeping an eye on the competition, will they like what they see?
Sean Legacy talks with Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel.
Sean says tonight is a big moment for them. HBK picked these three to be in the very first WWE Evolve main event. That’s goosebumps just thinking about it! Jack slaps his forearm and says that’s right. He and Jones met at an indie show in a barn. All the cartwheels and all the caffeine that got them here, it’s crazy! Jones says it’s only crazy until it happens, and tonight, it’s happening. It has been brewing for a minute for all of them. But now, that pot is hot. Sean says life is about moments, and this is a moment they won’t forget. So they’ll show Jackson Drake, they’ll show Swipe Right, and they’ll show the fans why the three of them will always be super.
Keanu Carver VS Trill London!
The big man from the streets of Washington, DC has always been a fighter, and he doesn’t take lightly to those that get between him and what he wants. But the former NFL player from New York likes to be a standout in whatever way he can. Who truly stands out when they win Evolve’s first singles match?
The bell rings and the two tie up, and Keanu already gets a SLEEPER! Keanu thrashes Trill, THROWS him down, and Keanu wants the ref to call this. Trill goes to a corner, BOOTS in return, but Keanu throws Trill back in! Keanu fires hands from all sides, then DECKS Trill! The fans fire up as Keanu then scoops and FALL AWAY SLAMS Trill! Good thing Trill likes slasher movies, because he’s in one! Keanu drags Trill up but Trill fires body shots. Trill headlocks, but Keanu THROWS Trill away! Trill gets up, he ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Keanu goes the other way! Keanu POUNCES Trill halfway across the ring!
The fans fire up, Keanu whips and SKY HIGH POWERBOMBS Trill! Cover, Keanu wins!
Winner: Keanu Carver, by pinfall
Not only did Keanu just win Evolve’s first singles match, he dominated it! He says Trill never saw anything like him in the NFL! Keanu fought on the streets, hitting concrete! He is the hunter around here! He’ll put the fear of God into everyone here! But wait, why is Gal trying to photobomb Keanu’s camera time? Is his ego as big as his muscles? Peter Rosenberg steps in, and he brushes Gal aside to talk with Luca. What is Luca doing here at WWE Evolve? He’s here representing the Family. And while Tony D runs things on NXT, Luca will run things on Evolve. Everyone needs to fall in line, and just know that he knows everything that’s going on.
Then how is Luca liking Evolve so far? Luca likes all the fresh faces, and we saw Trill make his debut. Then there are a lot of heavy hitters from the WWE ID. But Luca assures us, none of them have been up against a heavy hitter like him. Peter brings up the familiar faces in WWE Evolve. Luca says if he already knows them, he’s not worried about them. The future of Evolve is Luca Crusifino. So you either side with the Consigliere, or against him. Choose wisely. Luca putting the future on notice, but will any of them heed the warning?
WWE ID Showcase Six Man Tag: Sean Legacy, Cappuccino Jones & Jack Cartwheel VS Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes!
HBK put this one together himself, so you know he sees great things for all six men. Will the Legacy of Evolve be highly caffeinated? Or will “The Carolina Reaper,” “Beautiful Brad” & “Smokeshow” Ricky have Evolve swiping right?
The fans already chant “Swipe Left! Swipe Left!” The introductions are made for this big moment, and the trios sort out. Jones starts against Smokes and the two tie up. Smokes waistlocks, SLAMS Jones, then says “Swipe Right!” The fans boo but Jones arm-drags! Smokes tags Brad, but Jones BACKDROPS Smokes, then dodges Brad! And hurdles, and hurdles, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up whiel Brad flounders! Tag to Drake and he eggs Legacy on. Jones tags Legacy, Legacy dodges Drake to then GOURD BUSTER! And PENALTY KICK! And STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO, but Legacy keeps Drake from his team.
Tag to Jack Cartwheel and he whips Drake. Drake reverses, Jack goes up and over, cartwheels, then ducks under and handsprings back to RANA! The fans fire up as Jack DROPKICKS! Tag to Jones, and they DOUBLE DROPKICK Drake down! Tag to Smokes, Swipe Right storms in, but so does Legacy! All six men are in the ring, the ref wants them all to cool off. The fans fire up, but Jones and Smokes have their teams stand down. Jones then DECKS Smokes! Jones storms up but Smokes puts him on the ropes! The ref counts, Smokes lets off, but Jones ELBOWS him away! Then Jones DECKS Drake!
But Smokes LARIATS Jones up and out! Tag to Brad, Swipe Right taunts Jack & Legacy, and the ref has to stop them from storming in. This lets Drake RAMS Jones into the apron then put him in. Brad winds up to LARIAT Jones! Brad says, “Swipe Right!” The fans chant “Swipe Left” while Brad rains down rights on Jones! The ref reprimands but Brad lets off to bring Jones over. Tag to Smokes, they whip Jones into the ring. Smokes whips Brad in and he RAMS Jones! Brad feeds Jones to Smokes’ BOOT! Cover, TWO! Smokes clamps onto Jones with a chinlock and grinds Jones down. Jones endures and the fans rally up.
Jones fights up to his feet, fires body shots, but Smokes CLUBS Jones on the back. Smokes THROWS Jones by his hair, then tags in Drake. They mug Jones, then Drake facelocks so he can fire KNEE after KNEE! Drake mocks Jones drinking coffee, and hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Drake stomps Jones around. Drake drags Jones over, tags Brad, and Brad drops a BIG elbow! The fans boo but Brad soaks it up. Only for Jones to JAWBREAKER! Smokes tags in, anchors a foot, but Jones ENZIGIRIS free! Jones crawls, Drake tags in, and he reels Jones in for a BIG back suplex!
Jones lands out, dodges, hot tag to Jack! Jack dodges Drake, LARIATS, then he handsprings to dodge Brad! NECKBREAKER! Smokes runs in, blocks a kick, but Jack cartwheels to dodge! ENZIGIRI! Drake TOSSES Jack out, but Jack HOTSHOTS Drake back! Then the flagpole and LEG SWEEP! Slingshot ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up for the “Slam Stand,” but Swipe Right gets Drake to safety! Jack says that’s fine. He coordinates with Jones and Legacy, they all build speed, and we get TRIPLE FLIGHT!! A Fosbury Flop from Jack takes out Drake, stereo tope conjilos take out Swipe Right! The fans are thunderous while Evolve goes to break.
Evolve returns and Drake fireman’s carries Jack! Drake AIRPLANE SPINS, then GUT BUSTER DROPS! Cover, TWO! Jack survives and Drake is furious! Drake drags Jack up, brings him around to snapmare near the ropes. Tag to Smokes, Drake IMPLODER KNEE DROPS, and then Smokes adds a KNEE DROP of his own! Cover, TWO! Smokes is frustrated but he drags Jack up. Smokes CLUBS away on Jack’s back, then brings him over to tag Brad. Swipe Right DOUBLE SUPLEXES, then Brad covers! TWO, but Brad stays on Jack with a chinlock. Jack endures and the fans rally up again. Jack fights up and fires body shots!
Jack runs, but Brad DOUBLE AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! Jack survives but Brad drags him over. Tag to Smokes, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Smokes is frustrated but he drags Jack up. The fans rally again, and Jack fires body shots! Jack ROCKS Smokes, but Smokes CLUBS Jack! Smokes then BLASTS Jones off the corner! The fans boo, but Smokes catches Jack! Jack kicks and uses the ropes for a TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Jack and Smokes crawl, hot tag to Legacy! “Super Sean” rallies on Smokes with kick after kick! Drake storms in, but into a SNAP SAIDO!
Brad storms in, Legacy sends him into Drake at the corner! 619 in the corner! Then Legacy goes up, up, and QUEBRADA DDTS! The fans are thunderous and Legacy GAMANGIRIS Smokes in a corner! Legacy torture racks Smokes, but Brad tags in! Swipe Right mugs Legacy, then DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER COMBOS! Tag to Drake and he brings the kneepad down! UNALIVER KNEE! Cover, Jones shoves Smokes onto it! Brad runs up on Jones but Jones TOSSES Brad out! But then Drake TOSSES Jones! Drake storms up on Legacy, Legacy ducks the roundhouse! Drake blocks a shot to CHOP, CHOP, and ROLLIG- NO, Legacy ducks!
Legacy HEADBUTTS Drake, tags in Jones, and Jones dodges Drake to tilt-o-whirl, and ROLLING DDT?!? The Decafinator hits, but Jones looks to add a bit more! Jack intercepts Smokes, CARTWHEEL DEATH VALLEY DRIVER onto Drake! The fans fire up as Jones reaches the top! FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, Brad breaks it!! The Froggy Brew almost had it, but “Evil Will Hunting” turns it around! Drake and Jones stagger to their corners, tag to Brad and Legacy! Legacy BOOTS Brad, clinches, but Brad slips free to kick and underhook! SILENCER! Drake storms in but Jones gives him a SHOT OF ESPRESSO!
Jones then runs, but into Drake’s STANDING SPANISH FLY! Jack ROCKS and whips Drake, but Drake reverses! Jack handsprings, cartwheels, and WHIRLING DIRVISH! But then Smokes gets Jack with the CAVE IN!! Smokes is fired up, he helps Brad up, but Legacy DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS! Then a torture rack for Brad, and Legacy leaves him in SHAMBLES!! Cover, Legacy’s team wins!!
Winners: Sean Legacy, Cappuccino Jones & Jack Cartwheel, by pinfall
A super win for Super Sean and his team! That’s Evolve history right there! But wait, Kali Armstrong storms onto commentary? She shouts about how she didn’t lose her tag match, so she deserves better! Who does she need to talk to? Kali wants one more match, right now! Stone & Peter say okay, but they’re not the GM. Will Kali’s demands be met next week?
HBK talks with Ava.
Shawn says there are some obviously impressive talents on the roster, but Ava is “The Mayor” here. He trusts her judgment, will leave her to direct this show as she sees fit. Ava thanks HBK for that, and she is sure this will be a lot of fun. And she already has some ideas for next week. Well, she’s the boss. Evolve is in Ava’s hands, who else will do more than level up here in this new space?
My Thoughts:
A very good start to WWE Evolve, though Tubi might need to work on an ad glitch I kept running into. That aside, the action was certainly up to par, but you can tell there’s still some developing this new developmental brand is gonna help with. I wasn’t really sure about the character work in the women’s tag to open, but that might just be from how Kendal & Carlee were more exaggerations of themselves from when we last saw them. Of course, that was months ago… But clearly they’re working on separating the two in personality, so that it’ll work better when they’re separated as a tag team. Kendal’s promo kinda gave that away, and the only one who will be shocked is Carlee.
I will say, Kali looks pretty well adjusted to pro-wrestling, and she’s already doing some good character work with how her promo helped close the show. She might even face Dani next week over how she blames Dani for that loss. One major surprise was how Keanu all but squashed Trill. I feel bad for Trill’s debut being like that, but it certainly builds Keanu as a monster on the roster. I feel like “It’s Gal” is gonna try and do the same, and we have a quick feud made there. Luca is among many of the names sprinkled throughout Evolve that are here to help the new names get going, and I suppose he could also be used to “recruit” members to the D’Angelos.
The WWE ID Six Man Tag was great stuff, as expected from six guys as experienced and talented as them. The promos were good, and I suppose part of Swipe Right’s presentation is that they aren’t necessarily that handsome or popular, it’s all about their egos. Maybe it’s just Smokes’ hair… Anyway, great win for the Faces in this match, gives the first episode a positive ending. Ava is now GM of Evolve on top of NXT, but I feel like she should delegate responsibilities to Stevie Turner, if just to stick it to Robert Stone while he’s on commentary. Can’t wait to see what kind of tournament we get to determine champions, too.
My Score: 8.1/10
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AEW returns to Sacramento!
AEW Revolution is right around the corner, and Wheeler Yuta is Jon Moxley’s last line of defense! Will Adam Copeland remove Yuta from the equation?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs, Orange Cassidy & Mark Briscoe VS Bryan Keith, Mark Davis, Brian Cage & Lance Archer; Ospreay, Hobbs, Cassidy & Briscoe win.
- Adam Copeland VS Wheeler Yuta; Cope wins.
- Kris Statlander & Thunder Rosa VS Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford; Bayne & Ford win.
- Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS Jay White; White wins.
- Swerve Strickland & Brody King VS Ricochet & Kazuchika Okada; Ricochet & Okada win.
PLAY BY PLAY
MJF is outside…?
“‘Hangman Did Nothing Wrong,’ that’s what you people like to say. But I disagree. See, what you decided to do, Adam, is decided to poke and prod the Devil. What I did to your boy, Christopher Daniels, friend, that was light work. See normally, I like to play with my food before I eat it. But Hangman, you got me feeling hungry. You got me wanting to take a bite out of that cute, blue-eyed baby face of yours. You got me wanting to prove a point to your s*itty little mark fan club! So you wanna call me out, Hangman? You wanna find me? You wanna fight me? I ain’t hard to find! I’m in the streets of Sacramento!”
If Hangman wants to talk Buckshots, MJF has a bullet with a name on it, and it reads, “HANGMAN! HANGMAN! HANGMAN! You wanna shoot, Cowboy? Well then saddle up, mother effer, and let’s ride!!” The Scumbag is on one tonight, but will he regret lighting that fire inside of Adam Page?
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
Standing by the table that’s already set up, Schiavone notes we have an irate MJF. But tonight, it is time for the contract signing for the rematch at AEW Revolution, which is also a #1 Contender’s match to the AEW World Championship. First welcome out, alongside Prince Nana, SWERVE STRICKLAND! The Sacramento Memorial Auditorium is now “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” as The Realest heads to the ring, Nana doing the signature Swerve When I Drive dance. The fans fire up as Swerve steps in and takes his seat at the table. Schiavone welcomes out now Swerve’s opponent, Ricochet!
The fans boo as The One & Only walks out, not wearing the Embassy robe, but still wearing a backwards baseball cap to represent the Philadelphia Eagles. Ricochet goes to the ring, shows off the hat, then takes his seat across from Swerve. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” at Ricochet but Schiavone has them get to business. Each man will have a chance to comment before signing. Schiavone points out that Ricochet isn’t wearing the Embassy robe that he stole months ago. Where is it? Ricochet says don’t worry about where his robe is, and don’t worry, we’ll all see it again on Sunday. It is in good hands, getting some, uh, upgrades, if you will.
Nana gets made and steps up, but Swerve holds him back. Ricochet says for Swerve to get “grandpa” under control until something really does happen to the robe. The fans boo, but Ricochet says we’re all excited. Swerve has done plenty of contract signings before, right? But none of them really ended well for him either. Ricochet showed up, he’s here, so now no one has to worry about Swerve’s house being burned down again. Ricochet laughs but the fans boo at his rude joke. Swerve leans in and says just sign the contract. Ricochet says of course, of course, but he’s a superstar, and superstars need time to shine before they sign.
But don’t worry, Swerve. You’re lucky. You’re lucky Ricochet is even here, is even humoring the rematch, because Ricochet should be done with Swerve! Swerve is the one that started this, that stuck his nose in Ricochet’s business. Swerve and all his little fans chose to mock Ricochet. Get it right! Swerve chose to mock and bully and embarrass Ricochet! And what happened? Even in the face of all that, Ricochet still beat Swerve. Yeah, that’s right! Ricochet won! That’s why Swerve mad! Because Ricochet won. Then just sign the contract. Oh, don’t worry, Ricochet will. The fans again chant “You Suck! You Suck!” at Ricochet.
Ricochet tells Swerve that now, Ricochet is one step away from achieving his goal of becoming AEW World Champion! So yeah, he’s more focused than ever! Ricochet is focused on Jon Moxley, he is focused on Adam Copeland, and he is focused on being exactly who he was always supposed to be: THE AEW World Champion! The fans boo, but Ricochet finally signs on the dotted line. Ricochet says, “Now don’t let Prince Nana down.” Swerve tells Ricochet to shut the hell up! The fans cheer that! Swerve says Ricochet is SO annoying! He is an entitled, self-righteous little p*ick, isn’t he?! Ricochet says no he’s not.
Swerve says yeah, he did start this, all to expose Ricochet for the cowardly fraud that he is! And on Sunday, that is exactly what Swerve’s gonna do. Does Ricochet think some low blow victory means something? He thinks that’s impressive? Ricochet stole the Embassy robe, he stuck Swerve with scissors and left him a bloody mess in the middle of the ring. But the biggest mistake Ricochet made is he left Swerve breathing. And with Swerve standing here, it will be Swerve breathing down Ricochet’s neck until he ends Ricochet! Ricochet mocks how scary that sounds, but Swerve says, “Awakening the Most Dangerous Man in AEW is a mistake that you’re gonna learn to regret to live with.”
The fans cheer on “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve says this Sunday, Revolution, Swerve carves his path back to the AEW World Championship. Not just by running through Ricochet, but by putting Ricochet in the ground. And there will only be two things Ricochet will be remembered for. One of them is that Swerve briefly revived Ricochet’s career. The other is Ricochet’s ring announcer wife. Ricochet gets mad while the fans go wild! Swerve signs his part, so it is now official! Swerve wants Ricochet to do something now, but then Ricochet brings out the scissors! Swerve stops that, and shows he has HIS OWN SCISSORS!
Swerve JABS Ricochet in the face with his scissors! The fans are fired up for “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” while Ricochet flounders, blood pouring from his forehead! The contender’s match is Sunday, but there’s still tonight’s “Road to Revolution” tag match! Will Ricochet get his revenge alongside The Rainmaker? Or will Swerve’s House release the Hounds of Hell as he and Brody King stand together?
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs, Orange Cassidy & Mark Briscoe VS Bryan Keith, Mark Davis, Brian Cage & Lance Archer!
It’s a star-studded start here in Sacramento as the Aerial Assassin conglomerates with The Powerhouse, Freshly Squeeze & The Sussex County Chicken! They’re taking on some common enemies as The Bad Apple is joined by The Don Callis Family’s Dunkzilla & Murder Machines! Will Ospreay and his team make it to Revolution? Or will Keith and the boys collect on that bounty after all?
Dynamite returns as the rest of Ospreay’s team makes their entrance. Then Bryan Keith makes his entrance, followed by the whole Don Callis Family, Callis himself included. The teams sort out and the fans fire up as Ospreay starts against Cage. Callis is on commentary and says all these fans are idiots, but Ospreay BOOTS Cage at the bell! Ospreay fires forearms, then whips, but Cage blocks! Cage whips, Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAN- NO, Cage stops that! Fans tell Callis off while Cage THROWS Ospreay away! Cage storms up on Ospreay, scoops him, and uses him for bicep curls before a POWERSLAM!
The fans boo while Cage flexes. Cage puts Ospreay in a corner to fire LARIAT after LARIAT, then he short arm LARIATS! The fans boo more but Cage flexes. Cage drags Ospreay up, reels him in, and puts one out before he lifts. But Ospreay slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he RANAS this time! Then he BOOTS and SAIDOS! The fans fire up with Ospreay as he drags Cage up. Tag to Mark Briscoe and he fires an UPPERCUT! And a CHOP! And a forearm! And repeat! Briscoe whips, Cage reverses, but Briscoe slides under to REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! And then UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! The fans fire up for “DEM BOYS!”
Briscoe whips, Cage reverses, but Briscoe goes up and over to then Crane Stance and KICK! Briscoe whips, Cage blocks, so Briscoe CHOPS! Briscoe fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but Cage BACKDROPS, only for Briscoe to land out!? The fans fire up, Cage turns around into a headlock! Cage slips out to waistlock, but Briscoe breaks free to PELE! Cage staggers to the corner, Briscoe storms up to go up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to TEN! Briscoe tags Ospreay back in, he goes up to rain down fists! Ospreay goes to TEN, then tags Hobbs! The fans fire up as Hobbs climbs up, and he rains down fists!
Hobbs gets his TEN, then he tags in Cassidy! Sacramento is thunderous as Cassidy goes up, and he hits ONE! Cassidy is as fired up as Cassidy can be, but then Cage CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Cage snarls as he whips Cassidy to a corner. Cassidy goes up and out, ducks a shot, and he buckle bumps Cage! But Cage stops Cassidy from taking him side to side! Cage swings, Cassidy ducks and RAMS low! Cassidy slingshots, but Cage blocks the blockbuster to make it a JACKHAMMER! Cage tags Archer and the Murderhawk looms over Cassidy. The fans rally for Freshly Squeezed, but Archer stands Cassidy up to ROCK him!
Cassidy wobbles, but Archer keeps him standing. Archer stands Cassidy up again to ROCK him again! Cassidy wobbles, but says hold on. He puts his free hand in his pocket! Archer reels Cassidy in, Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges, then goes again, but Davis stands in the way! Archer ripcords Cassidy for the HELLICOASTER! The fans boo but Archer stands on Cassidy while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Archer storms around, then glares at Briscoe while he rallies the fans for Cassidy. Archer storms back to Cassidy, CLUBS away on Cassidy’s chest, then HAMMERS away before he lets Cassidy fall over. Archer tells Davis this is how you do it, then he tags Davis in. Davis scoops Cassidy to SLAM him, then SENTONS! Davis looms over Cassidy, stares Ospreay down, then drags Cassidy up. Davis bumps Cassidy off buckles, then CHOPS him! Davis stands Cassidy up, CHOPS him again, then reels him in. Davis suplexes Cassidy and holds him up! And then the SLAM at TEN! Davis drags Cassidy to the corner, tags Cage in, and Cage CHOPS Cassidy!
Cassidy sputters but Cage deadlift suplexes him! Cage holds Cassidy up, shifts to a military press, then SLAMS him down! Cage flexes, kisses the bicep, then tags in Archer. Archer stays between Cassidy and his corner, then hauls Cassidy up. Archer suplexes and holds Cassidy up, and even marches around! Cassidy reaches out, but Archer SLAMS him down! Archer drags Cassidy over, CLUBS him down, then talks trash. Dynamite returns to single picture as Archer TOSSES Cassidy out! Archer taunts Ospreay and team, and as the ref stops Ospreay from storming in, Callis gets his cheap shots in! The fans boo but Callis gets away with it all!
Davis drags Cassidy up and puts him in the ring, the ref completely missing that crime. Archer suplexes Cassidy, Cage tags in, and he takes the handoff! Cage keeps Cassidy up, and he tags in Davis even though Keith wanted in. Davis takes the handoff, the fans continue to boo, and then Davis SLAMS Cassidy down! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy survives all of that damage and the fans rally up. Davis says if Keith wants in, then here. Keith tags in, and Keith flexes. Keith drags Cassidy up, but Cassidy suplexes! The fans fire up as Cassidy and Keith crawl, tag to Davis! Davis BLASTS Ospreay, then he taunts Hobbs & Briscoe!
Davis goes back to Cassidy, suplexes, but STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE hits! Cassidy hurries, reaches out, hot tag to Hobbs! The fans fire up as Hobbs pushes through Davis and BLASTS the Murder Machines! Hobbs then throws hands with Davis! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” echoes out, but Davis kicks low. Davis runs, RAMS Hobbs, but Hobbs rebounds to CLOBBER Davis! Archer is back, he and Hobbs DOUBLE LARIAT! “MEAT!” Cage runs in, he and Hobbs DOUBLE LARIAT! “MEAT! Hobbs and Archer “MEAT!” Hobbs and Cage “MEAT!” And back again! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” But then Archer kicks low!
The fans boo, but Cage ripcords Hobbs to ROCK him! Archer ROCKS Hobbs, then the Murder Machines run, only for Hobbs to dodge! Hobbs comes back, and he DOUBLE LARIATS the Murder Machines down! The fans are thunderous as Hobbs fires up, and Davis returns. Hobbs hooks Davis up for an EXPLODER! Hobbs sends Ospreay in so he can ELBOW! Hobbs sends Briscoe in for a SPLASH! Cassidy hops on Hobbs’ back, and they DOUBLE SPLASH! Davis sputters, Ospreay PLANCHAS Archer! Hobbs puts Cassidy up top while Briscoe DIVES onto Cage! Cassidy then stands on Hobbs’ shoulders! thumbs up for the LAZY ELBOW DROP!
Hobbs moves Cassidy aside to cover, but Keith breaks it! The fans boo but Keith fires shots on Hobbs! Hobbs just frowns, but Keith CHOPS! Hobbs still frowns, and the fans tell Keith he messed up. But Keith throat chops! Davis reels Hobbs in, SPLASH MOUNTAIN! Davis crawls, Keith tags in, and Keith runs up, to BOOT! Hobbs sputters, Keith runs to BOOT again! Keith clinches, but Hobbs ELBOWS him away! Keith comes back, Hobbs blocks a kick to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Hobbs tags Ospreay! PIP PIP CHEERIO! The fans are thunderous again but Cage kicks and whips Ospreay! Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK!
Ospreay goes back to Keith but Keith BOOTS him away! Keith goes up, but Ospreay tuck shim in! CHEEKY NANDOS! Roll up, TWO!! Keith survives, but Ospreay stays focused. Ospreay calls his shot, but Davis BLINDSIDE LARIATS! And ENZIGIRIS! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Davis! Cage SUPERKICKS Hobbs! And then clinches for an URENAGE! But Cassidy leaps! Cage catches Cassidy, pops him around, but Cassidy swings for a DDT! Cassidy then builds speed, to DIVE and TORNADO DDT TO THE FLOOR! Cassidy hurries up and he ROCKS Keith! Cassidy climbs, Keith RISING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo but Keith climbs!
Keith clinches for a SUPER EXPLODER! But Briscoe fires forearms! Keith fire back, the fans fire up as Briscoe fires a flurry! Briscoe runs, into a BOOT! Keith runs, into a FOREARM! Briscoe whips, Keith reverses, but Briscoe CLOBBERS Keith! And then clinches, EXPLODER! Archer LARIATS Briscoe down! Archer goes out to shove Cassidy down, and he grabs a chair! The ref tells Archer to stop but Archer scares the ref off! Briscoe REDNECK PALM STRIKES the chair into Archer!! Briscoe has the chair now, and he sets it up so he can FLY!! The Chicken takes out the Murder Machines! Keith has Ospreay and kicks him!
Keith underhooks, Ospreay wrenches out! Ospreay then runs to springboard, OSCUTTER!! HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, Ospreay’s team wins!
Winners: Will Ospreay, Will Hobbs, Orange Cassidy & Mark Briscoe, by pinfall
But then Davis gets Ospreay in a SLEEPER!! The fans boo as Davis squeezes the air out of Ospreay! APRON POWERBOMB for Cassidy, APRON CHOKE SLAM for Briscoe! The Murder Machines mug Hobbs, shout at the kids in the crowd, and then they bring the steel steps around! MURDER BOMB on the steps!! Ospreay is fading and Callis smiles as his men stand tall. And now, Kyle Fletcher walks out here to pick at the bones. The fans boo as hard as they can, but Cage & Archer sit Ospreay up for Kyle. Callis tells Kyle to go right ahead. Kyle tells Ospreay that this is what he wanted! Kyle HAMMERS away on Ospreay’s head!
The fans boo as Cage, Archer & Kyle all stomp away on Ospreay! Kyle then rains down forearms to the back of Ospreay’s head! Callis tells Davis to do his part, but Davis pulls Kyle away!? Davis says that’s enough, but Kyle says to get his hands off him! That’s not how this goes anymore! Davis doesn’t tell Kyle what to do! Davis needs to learn his place and do as he’s told! Cage has a chair, Callis says to use it! Kyle and Davis each have a hand on it. Kyle tells Davis should do it then. The fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” Davis hesitates, but Kyle and Callis both tell Davis to do as he’s told! So Davis SMACKS Ospreay on the back!
The fans boo, and chant “You Sold Out! You Sold Out!” Davis storms off, no longer wanting a part in this. Kyle sits the chair up, then drags Ospreay up. Kyle reels Ospreay in and suplexes, FULL METAL BRAINBUSTER!! Ospreay writhes, clutching a shoulder and maybe even his neck. The fans boo as hard as they can, but Kyle stands over him, flexing and showing off the sculpted body. Kyle then tells Ospreay this ends Sunday, inside the Steel Cage. Will Ospreay fall in the City of Angels? Or can the Aerial Assassin still fly with one good wing?
Adam Copeland VS Wheeler Yuta!
The Rated R Superstar promised Jon Moxley that he’d eliminate the Death Riders one by one, until there was no one to stand between him and The Maniac. Pac was first, then with Willow Nightingale’s help, Claudio Castagnoli and Marina Shafir fell on the same night. The Decoder is the last line of defense, will even he be the victim of a Con-Chair-To? Or does Yuta have what it takes to cope with the situation?
The bell rings and the fans fire up for Cope. Cope and Yuta step up, tie up, and Cope powers Yuta to a corner. The ref counts, Cope lets off at 4, and then backs up. The fans tell Yuta, “Get a Haircut!” but he ignores that while brushing hair out of his eyes. The two tie up again, Cope puts Yuta in another corner, but he again backs off as the ref counts. But then Cope blocks Yuta’s kick! Cope lets off, oddly being a good sport with Yuta. They tie up, and then Cope trips Yuta! Yuta is annoyed and he resets with Cope. They knuckle lock, and Yuta wrenches to trip Cope, then GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuta gets in Cope’s face while fans boo.
Cope shrugs that off and resets with Yuta. They go again, and Cope wrenches. Yuta chinbars but Cope wrenches again. Yuta rolls, handsprings, and breaks free. Yuta runs, Cope follows and LARIATS! The fans fire up for Cope while he paces. Cope drags Yuta up, headlocks, but Yuta powers up and out. Cope runs Yuta over, then keeps moving. Yuta drops down, Cope sunset flips, but Yuta rolls through to high stack! TWO and Cope has the sunset flip again, TWO! Yuta has a leg, ANKLE LOCK! Cope endures, rolls, and he kicks Yuta away. Then he MONKEY FLIPS Yuta on the rebound! Cope arm-drags and has the cording hold!
The fans cheer as Cope shows he can go hold for hold with this young, former three-time ROH Pure Champion. Yuta gets frustrated by that, and he fights up. Yuta powers Cope to a corner, then lets off just to CHOP! The fans boo but Yuta CHOPS again! Yuta talks trash, then RAMS into Cope. Yuta whips, Cope reverses, but Yuta goes up and over! Yuta arm-drags Cope, arm-drags again, then DROPKICKS! Yuta kips up, soaks up heat, then runs corner to corner. Cope puts Yuta on the apron, ROCKS him, then slides under to YANK Yuta down! The fans fire up while Cope stalks Yuta, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cope drags Yuta up, puts him in the ring, and stalks him to a corner. Cope fires a forearm, then another. Cope whips, Yuta reverses, but Cope BOOTS Yuta away. Cope goes up, leaps over Yuta, but the leg jams! Yuta grins and DDTS Cope down! Yuta smirks, then he rains down fists! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Yuta lets off. Yuta paces around Cope, soaks up the heat, and then CHOKES Cope on the ropes! The ref counts, Yuta stops at 4, and reminds the ref that he has ’til five. Yuta then goes back to Cope, goes out to the apron, and he stands on Cope’s neck! The ref counts, Yuta stops at 4 again, then he puts Cope in position for a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!
Yuta drags Cope back from the ropes, covers, TWO! Cope is still in this but Yuta stays on him with a cravat and neck wrench. Cope endures, the fans rally, but Yuta puts on the pressure. Cope fights up, fires body shots, but Yuta fires a KNEE! Yuta then turns Cope for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yuta snarls, pushes Cope down, then drops a KNEE! Yuta clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Cope down. Dynamite returns to single picture, and fans are dueling?! “Let’s Go, Yuta!” “YUTA SUCKS!” Cope fights up to his feet, fires body shots, then swings, but into an RIGHT ANGLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Cope survives and Yuta is frustrated, but Yuta looks to the corner. Yuta climbs up, but Cope rises to UPPERCUT! The fans rally as Cope HEADBUTTS Yuta! Cope climbs, CLUBS Yuta’s back, then CLUBS him again. And again! And again, again, and again! The fans count all the way to TEN, then Cope brings Yuta up. Yuta fires body shots again and again, then he CLUBS away on Cope! Yuta BITES Cope’s forehead, then HEADBUTTS him down! DIVING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Cope survives and Yuta is furious! Yuta hooks the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION! But Cope slips right out! Cope has Yuta’s arm for a CROSSFACE!
The fans fire up as Yuta endures! Cope pulls back on the neck, but Yuta rolls to a cover, TWO! Yuta and Cope stand, Cope BOOTS Yuta! Cope reels Yuta in, IMPALER DDT! The fans fire up as Cope gets a wild look in his eyes. Cope goes to a corner, he takes aim at Yuta, and then runs in, but Yuta BUSAIKU KNEES!! Cope tumbles out of the ring and Yuta hurries after him! Yuta drags Cope up, puts him in the ring, and then pushes Cope to the cover, TWO!! Cope survives again, but Yuta gets the arms! CATTLE MUTILATION!! Yuta holds on this time, but Cope endures! Cope powers up against the underhooks, rolls, and spins things around!
Cope has chicken wings, for a GLAM SLAM!! Shoutout to Beth and both men are down! The fans rally for “COPE! COPE! COPE!” as he crawls to ropes. Yuta stands, Cope runs up, but Yuta hurdles! Cope trips up into ropes, Yuta runs at him, but Cope sends Yuta out. Yuta rewinds but Cope’s on the move, too! SPEAR!! Cover, Cope wins!!
Winner: Adam Copeland, by pinfall
The Decoder was good, but Cope had his own solution to the puzzle! But now the question is… What will Cope do to Yuta? Cope has a mic, and he shakes Yuta’s hand?! Cope tells Yuta, “This is what respect feels like.” Cope choosing to take a more diplomatic approach here, knowing that what Moxley puts Yuta through is torture enough. Will we see there’s still a shred of dignity inside The Decoder? Oh, wait, speaking of Moxley, he storms out from the crowd! Moxley is upset with Yuta and that handshake, he wanted Yuta and Cope to murder each other! Moxley pushes Yuta around, and says Yuta better not be listening to Cope’s crap.
The fans boo as Moxley bullies Yuta more, pushing and pie facing him around! The fans now chant for Yuta to stand up to Moxley! Yuta does, by pushing past him! Moxley tells Yuta to get back here, then storms to the back to follow him. Moxley says fine, keep walking! If Moxley sees Yuta again…! Moxley grumbles about Cope being a master manipulator, then he talks to Cope through the camera. “Congratulations, Cope, you did it! I’m all alone! I’ll be all alone at Revolution. Defenseless. I’ll be like a sheep. You think you can just pick me off that easy? That’s what you think? Alright, you win, man. You win. You got to me!
“You pissed me off. You distracted me. You’ve wasted my time. You’ve brought out the worst in me, Copeland. You’ve successfully rattled my cage. Congratulations. But the bars were there for your safety. Now you’ve got me all alone, just like you wanted. What’re you gonna do with that, huh? What’re you gonna do to me on Sunday at Revolution? Nothing, that’s what you’ll do. You’ll do NOTHING! Rated R Superstar? You deserve to get your ass beat! And I’m gonna enjoy doing it! I’m gonna enjoy every second of beating your ass, because you deserve it and because I want to. Cuz it’s gonna make me feel good.
“Respect? You’re trying to show this kid about respect with a handshake? No. This business… There is no respect in this business! There never has been! I seem to be the only guy who gets that! You get respect one way in this business: when people know that you are willing to pull the trigger. And you pulled the trigger on me one, two, three times. Sunday at Revolution, I only gotta pull the trigger once.” Moxley storms off, but is he playing right into Cope’s hands? Or will there be no end to The Maniac’s reign of terror?
The Outrunners speak.
Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd meet by the Tower Bridge. Truth says this is their shot, and it may never come again. Turbo says yeah, but they’re ready to win those AEW World Tag Team Championships. WIN! We then get an Outrunners music video, “You Are Not Alone,” supposedly released… in 1987? And the video is of course a training montage straight outta Rocky. Will the Youngest Men Alive have the eye of the tiger as they take on The Hurt Syndicate?
MJF is still outside.
And it would seem he’s waiting for Hangman to come find him. MJF yells, “Hangman! Where you at, bud?” MJF says this is so typical. Renee Paquette walks up to MJF and says he’s obviously waiting for Hangman, but what’s the game plan? MJF says it doesn’t matter, because clearly Hangman isn’t going to show. Your cowboy is a gutless, yellow-bellied coward! And this Sunday, MJF will prove Hangman is not the main character. AEW’s main character, whether you like it or not, is MAXWELL! JACOB! FRIEDMAN! M J F! Wait, that longhorn-adorned R1T is pulling up… And it’s not stopping!! MJF and Renee run for it!
Hangman pulls over, gets out of the truck, and shouts, “Why you running, dumbass?! Get back here!!” Hangman stalks MJF, enters the building, and spots him! Hangman CLOBBERS MJF, they brawl onto the stage, and the fans fire up as Hangman throws MJF into railing! Wait, that’s not MJF! It’s just some guy in a matching suit and scarf! The guy pleads with Hangman, MJF made him do this! What?! MJF then CLOBBERS Hangman from behind! The Scumbag is the real coward, needing a decoy! MJF then THROWS Hangman into the apron! MJF drags Hangman in through the ropes, for a HEAT- NO, Hangman throws MJF away!
MJF’s leg buckles, Hangman takes aim! Slingshot, BUCK- LOW BLOW!! MJF hits Hangman first, then puts Hangman back in the ropes. The fans boo but MJF hits the HEATSEEKER!! MJF takes off his belt, takes off his button-up shirt, and reveals his T-shirt that reads “MJF DID NOTHING WRONG.” The fans boo because that’s just not true. MJF rains down fists on Hangman, security rushes out here, but MJF DECKS each guard, one after the other! MJF then brings out the Dynamite Diamond Ring, puts it on his pinkie, and- HANGMAN TACKLES HIM! The fans fire up as Hangman rains fists down in return!
MJF gets loose, DIAMOND PUNCH!! The fans boo but MJF gives the ring a kiss. MJF then goes out and grabs a mic. “You people love when your precious cowboy burns things, don’t you? Let’s see how you hypocrites feel when I do it.” MJF looks under the ring, and he brings out LIGHTER FLUID! MJF brings that over to Hangman, and he squirts it all over Hangman! The fans boo, but then MJF produces a lighter! Refs, security, producers, they ALL rush MJF! They tackle MJF to get that lighter away from MJF, and then get MJF away from Hangman! MJF shouts, “LEMME PROVE MY POINT!” MJF has gone completely insane!
Security carries MJF away kicking and screaming, but what will happen when he and Hangman face off at Revolution? Will the Devil of AEW actually burn The Cowboy alive?
Backstage interview with Ash Avildsen.
Lexy Nair is with the writer and director of the new film, Queen of the Ring, and asks what he can tell us about the movie. Ash says it is based on the true story of Mildred Burke, a small town single mother that pioneered Women’s Wrestling when it was illegal all over America. It has been an honor for him to bring her story to the screen, to work with all the great people here in AEW, from Tony Khan to Jim Ross, who told him about the original novel, and also introduced him to this leading lady. In steps Timeless Toni Storm! Toni says yes, “Mr. DeMille,” that is true, she is starring in the film as Clara Mortensen, “a vivacious vixen, captivating champion, and gorgeous gal.”
Clearly, it was a stretch for Toni. It is a great film, but her only regret is that her nude scenes were cut from the picture. Ash perfectly plays along as he says, “Now, now, darling.” As wonderful as those scenes were, it still had to be PG-13 so that families could come out and see the picture. Toni is box office gold, she may or may not be living healthily as part of his private collection on Mulholland Drive. Lexy says either way, Toni also has a sit-down interview with Renee Paquette and her challenger, Mariah May. Toni says that is also correct. “Mr. DeMille” shouldn’t watch this one. Things could get ugly.
In the meantime… Chin up, tits out, and watch for the Queen of the Ring, in theaters this Friday, March 7th! And now… We pose! Toni gets her close-up from Ash Avildsen, will Queen of the Ring and Revolution make for back to back blockbusters this weekend? Or will it still be All About Mariah?
Kris Statlander & Thunder Rosa VS Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford!
The Galaxy’s Greatest grappled with the Megasus, but the Superbad Girl had to go and get involved. Luckily, La Mera Mera made the save as she owes Megan & Penelope payback of her own! Will Kris & Rosa truly be the greatest duo the AEW Women’s Division has ever seen? Or will Megan & Penelope be the bane of their existence?
The teams sort out and Kris starts against Ford. They tie up, Kris puts Ford in a corner, then throws her away! Kris keeps Ford away from Megan, but Ford stomps a foot! ford switches, Kris THROWS Ford off, then Kris taunts Megan. Ford grabs Kris in a headlock, but Kris fights the takeover. Kris fires body shots, then hits a headlock takeover in return. Ford CLUBS Kris, headscissors her, and she squeezes tight! Kris moves around, headstands, and the fans fire up as Kris kips free to basement DROPKICK! Kris drags Ford up, bumps her off buckles, then tags in Rosa. The fans cheer as Rosa whips Ford back into the corner, then ELBOWS her!
Tag to Kris, and Kris runs up to SPLASH! Tag back to Rosa and she CHOPS Ford! Rosa whips, Ford reverses, and she trips Rosa onto ropes! Ford runs to DROPKICK Rosa in the back! Cover, ONE!! Rosa is tougher than that, but Ford headlocks. Ford fishhooks Rosa to make her smile, then she kisses Rosa on the cheek. Rosa grabs Ford by her face! Then she CHOPS Ford, followed by a flurry of forearms! Rosa winds up to ROCK Ford! Ford falls against ropes, Rosa fires up with the fans, and Rosa DROPKICKS! Tag to Kris, and she slingshot ELBOW DROPS! But Megan gets in and BOOTS Kris down! The ref reprimands, but Rosa climbs!
Rosa CROSSBODIES, but Megan catches her! Megan pops Rosa up to a fireman’s carry, then she THROWS Rosa out onto Kris! The fans are torn but Ford certainly applauds her partner. But then Megan looks at Ford, and picks her up! Megan THROWS Ford onto Kris & Rosa! The fans fire up for Megan and she revels in it while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Megan steps outside to fetch Kris and put her in the ring. Megan then puts Ford in, puts her on top of Kris for a cover, TWO! Ford hurries to clinch Kris, but Kris breaks free to ROCK Ford! Kris scoops and SLAMS Ford, then tags in Rosa! Ford tags in Megan, and Megan picks Rosa up to RAM her into a corner! And RAM her again and again and again! The ref counts, Megan picks Rosas up again, and she brings Rosa over to the corner. Tag to Ford, then Megan RAMS Rosa into another corner. Megan CHOPS, runs, then SPLASHES Rosa! Ford adds her handspring BACK ELBOW! Ford snapmares Rosas for Megan to clinch, and EXPLODER!
Ford covers Rosas, TWO! Rosa is still in this, but Ford keeps her from Kris. The fans rally as Rosa reaches out, but Ford drags her away to stomp her down. Ford then clamps on for a motorcycle stretch, digging her boot into Rosa’s back. Rosa fights up, fires body shots, but Ford throws Rosa down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Ford drags Rosa onto ropes. Ford CHOKES Rosa, soaks up the heat, then lets off to bring Rosa to the corner. Tag to Megan and Megan LARIATS! And LARIATS! Megan reels Rosa in for a short arm LARIAT! Megan then LARIATS again! Megan says one more time, but Rosa SLAPS her!
Megan CHOPS Rosa, whips her to ropes, but Rosa ducks ‘n’ dodges! Rosa DROPKICKS and Megan staggers to a corner. Rosa stands, but Megan runs up to LEAPING LARIAT! Dynamite returns to single picture as Megan covers, TWO! Megan clamps onto Rosa with a chinlock, but the fans rally as Rosa endures. Megan thrashes Rosa around, but Rosa fights up. Rosa hits a JAWBREAKER, then fires body shots! Rosa CHOPS, CHOPS, then winds up to- NO, Megan blocks that chop and suplexes! Rosa slips free, fires KICK after KICK, but Megan blocks the kick! Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Both women are down and the fans fire up!
Rosa and Megan crawl, hot tag to Kris! Kris climbs and MISSILE DROPKICKS Megan! Megan tumbles away, Ford tags in! Ford runs up but Kris BACKDROPS her! UPPERCUT for Megan, then Kris keeps going, KNEE for Megan! Ford handsprings in, but Kris dodges, so the ELBOW hits Megan! Kris then FISHERMAN BUSTERS Kris! Cover, TWO! Ford survives but Kris tags Rosa! Rosa & Kris get Ford up, double whip her to a corner, then Kris UPPERCUTS! Kris sets up, Rosa runs in, LA MERA MERA IN MOTION! The fans are thunderous but here comes Megan! Kris & Rosa dodge to double mule kick!
Rosa SHOTGUNS Megan, Megan stays up, so Kris adds a SCISSOR KICK! Kris then TOSSES Megan out, and the fans fire up as Rosa builds speed! Rosa WRECKS Megan with a dropkick! Kris goes up, but Ford YANKS Kris down! Ford mocks the flexing, but Rosa sneaks up on Ford. Rosa has Ford by the hair, drags her into the ring, and gives her a kiss on the cheek! Then she DECKS Ford! Rosa vows to end this, and she reels Ford in! But Ford RAMS her into the corner! Megan tags in, she and Ford double whip corner to corner. Ford runs up, Rosa ELBOWS her away! Rosa BOOTS Megan, then CHOPS away on both of them!
The fans fire up for every CHOP, and then Rosa fires backhands! STUNNER for Megan! The fans fire up again as Rosa scoops Ford. Ford slips free, shoves Rosa, and Megan fireman’s carries! “BOW! DOWN!” F5!! Cover, Megan & Ford win!!
Winners: Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford, by pinfall
“Fate’s Descent” takes down the former AEW Women’s World Champion! But will nothing stop the ascent of the Megasus?
Backstage interview with Mercedes Mone.
Renee gives the full introduction for The CEO, the AEW TBS Champion, #FourBeltsMone, and Mone is so excited. “Sacramentooo~! Say hello to your C E O!” Renee says this Sunday at Revolution, Mone will be facing Momo Watanabe with the TBS title on the line. Mone and Momo met before, but- Mone says she beat Momo. Look, Momo is legit. She is one of the best in Japan, and has beaten some of the best, just to get her shot at Mone. But Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time? And there’s no what? Uh, no stopping the Money Train? That’s right, Renee! That’s right!
But before that, AEW Collision will see Momo Watanabe facing Serena Deeb. Does Mone have any predictions for that match? Predictions? We’re talking Serena Deeb here. The Professor of Pro-Wrestling! The Woman of 1000 Holds! So come Collision, Mone will be watching. And Serena will break Momo for Mone. Because come Revolution, it will be a walk in the park. Why? Because that’s the price you pay? NO, not that catchphrase! W-which one then? “Money changes everything.” Well, will Mone get her money’s worth when Momo enters Deeb’s Dojo?
Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???
Platinum Max is back at it, but uh, he’s already 0-3 at his own challenge. Caster makes sure Justin Roberts introduces himself properly, then he copies MJF with his, “Cut my music, cut my music.” The fans boo but Caster says Sacramento is “lookin’ live at the Best Wrestler Alive. And we all know Platinum Max is the most talked about wrestler in AEW. Whenever I’m in the ring, I hear all the Maximaniacs talking! People over here are saying one thing, people over there are saying another thing. But tonight, I want us to all get on the same page. Try to follow along. Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive! Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive!”
What happened to his sense of rhythm? That is way too awkward of a chant. The fans prefer to boo anyway. Caster says alright, that was a good effort. We’re not gonna get it right on day one. They call this Sac Town for a reason: They’re all a bunch of ball bags! The fans boo, but Caster says no worries, there’s business to attend to. Let’s see who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive! It’s JAY WHITE! The fans fire up for The Switchblade while Caster has a bit of a freak-out. Will Caster learn to Breathe with the Switchblade?
The fans tell Caster he messed up! The bell rings, Caster and White circle, but then Caster says hold on. Caster picks up his certificate to show it off, then he tries that stupid chant, “Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive!” The fans still boo, then White catches Caster in a clinch! BLADERUNNER!! White mocks the chant, then covers, White wins!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall
Rush, Hangman Page, Brody King, and now Jay White. Four in a row, all loses for Platinum Max. But White grabs the mic to say, “At Worlds End, the Rated R Superstar joined the fight against The Death Riders. And since that day, that man has had my back. And since that day, I have had his. And now, Moxley’s all alone. And this Sunday, Revolution, I will be there to see in the NEW AEW World Champion, Cope!” The fans cheer that, and then White makes sure Caster has his certificate. Will Jay White be right? Will we finally have a NEW AEW World Champion?
Sit-down interview with Toni Storm & Mariah May.
As promised, Renee sits down between the AEW Women’s World Champion and her challenger, these former friends turned bitterest of enemies. Renee welcomes us in, thanks them both for agreeing to this talk, and for agreeing to no physicality. Except Mariah immediately SPITS at Toni! Renee is rather startled, and Toni flatly says, “It’s nice to know you still care.” Renee asks Mariah, “What the hell is wrong with you!?” Mariah says, “Me?! It’s her! Look at what she made me do! Look at what she made me do to someone that I love! Sitting there like you’re the victim. You started this! You created all of this!”
Renee says NO, Mariah did this! Mariah came into Toni’s life, she started this! Mariah says she made it all work! All of it! But this is all because of Toni, all because of them together! Toni is nothing without Mariah. That title is nothing without Mariah! Toni survived in Australia, but there will be no surviving at Revolution, because they will both go down together. Is Toni proud of Mariah because she’s a “sick b*tch?” Well, then she’ll be the sickest Toni has ever seen! She is the Woman From Hell, and she will drag Toni down there with her, because deep down, Toni knows that Mariah did it better! Toni is still stern and stoic.
Mariah creeps a little closer, leaning on Renee a bit as she asks, “Isn’t this what you always wanted? A trilogy with your greatest costar, and it’s back where we first shared a ring together, at Revolution. We can have a Hollywood Ending, the one we always dreamed of.” Toni says, “You do not deserve the dignity of death. I sentence you to a lifetime of mediocrity. Your life will continue, your career will continue, and it will be good, but never great. People will like you, but never love you. Because the star that you are will not compare to the monster that you’ve become. So you will dwindle, be replaced, and be forgotten.
“Then one day, many years from now, someone will ask, ‘Whatever will happened to Mariah May?’ She found out what happens when you try to kill God.” Mariah throws her chair aside, she and Toni both stay up, and Renee says she simply prays neither of them gets seriously injured. Both Mariah and Toni tell Renee, “Pray for her.” Win, lose or draw, this WILL be the finale of a true classic! But will it be a tragic ending? Or will it be timeless?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
After finally naming Her Finishing Move, Harley Cameron is back in action! Who will #FeelTheWrath here in Sacramento? Plus, after costing Adam Cole his shot just last Saturday, Lee Moriarty now gets his shot at Daniel Garcia’s TNT Championship! Will these two young ‘n’ hungry rivals finally settle their score?
Swerve Strickland & Brody King VS Ricochet & Kazuchika Okada!
The Realest and the One & Only opened tonight with their contract signing, and it did NOT go how Ricochet hoped. He has a huge bandage on his forehead after being cut open, but will the Rainmaker help him turn it all around? Or will Swerve’s House and the Hounds of Hell whet their appetites for destruction just days before Revolution?
The teams sort out and Swerve starts against Okada. They circle, the fans rally behind “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and the two feel things out. They knuckle lock, Swerve wrenches and hammerlocks, but Okada switches that onto Swerve. Swerve headlocks, then clinches, but Okada puts Swerve in the corner. The ref counts, Okada lets off, and then fakes the chop. Okada pats Swerve on the shoulders, lets him out of the corner, and Ricochet keeps his distance. Swerve and Okada reset, but then Okada backs off to offer Ricochet the tag. Swerve says do it! Ricochet says sure, why not. Okada tags Ricochet in, the fans boo, but then Okada attacks!
Okada and Ricochet mug Swerve, Brody storms in, but the ref has everyone stand down! Ricochet eggs Brody on, but Brody BLASTS Okada! Brody goes out to fire off on Okada and the fans fire up! Swerve fires off on Ricochet, too! Brody sends Okada into railing! Swerve whips Ricochet corner to corner, then back the other way! Swerve runs up, blocks Ricochet’s boots, and he TOSSES Ricochet up and out! Swerve then goes after Ricochet on the outside! Brody sends Okada into more railing! Sacramento is thunderous as Brody holds up a fan sign, and Swerve makes Ricochet take a seat. Swerve then coordinates with Brody.
Brody whips Swerve at Ricochet, and Swerve KNEES Ricochet against the railing! He almost takes out the camera feed with that! But Okada runs up, only for Swerve to dodge! Okada BOOTS Ricochet, then Swerve ROCKS Okada! Okada sits on Ricochet’s lap, and Swerve even barks along as Brody runs in! Brody CROSSBODIES them both against the railing! The fans are thunderous while Ricochet cries in pain! Swerve pushes Okada down, Brody drags Okada up, and then Brody scoops Okada. Swerve has Ricochet, and Swerve hoists Ricochet onto Brody’s other shoulder! Brody carries both men around as Swerve goes up!
Swerve runs, DOUBLE STOMP SLAM COMBO! The fans are thunderous as Brody puts Ricochet in the ring. Swerve and Brody coordinate again, Brody whips Swerve to UPPERCUT Ricochet! Swerve snapmares Ricochet for Brody to SENTON! Then Swerve goes up, FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and Sacramento is loving it! Swerve even “buries” Ricochet in a shallow grave. Swerve drags Ricochet up, whip, but Ricochet reverses. Swerve grabs ropes to avoid the superkick, then he BOOTS Ricochet down! Swerve DECKS Okada for good measure before he somersaults, into a CODE BREAKER! The fans boo but Ricochet covers, TWO!
Ricochet stomps away on Swerve, taunts Brody, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
The ref reprimands Ricochet but he focuses on Swerve in a corner. Ricochet digs his boot in, the ref counts, but Ricochet stops at 4. Ricochet argues with the ref about all of Swerve’s extracurriculars, then stands Swerve up. Ricochet UPPERCUTS Swerve, puts him in the corner, and he CHOPS! Ricochet keeps Swerve up, tags in Okada, and they mug Swerve. Okada TOSSES Swerve out, then goes out to bring him around. Okada SMACKS Swerve off the steel steps! And then does it again! Okada taunts the fans, flips them off, then goes back to Swerve. Okada stands Swerve up, but Swerve grabs and bends Okada’s fingers!
Swerve ELBOWS Okada, but Okada kicks low! DDT to the floor! Okada refreshes the count while Ricochet mocks Swerve. Okada drags Swerve up, puts him in the ring, and then keeps him from Brody. The fans rally as Okada stands Swerve up, for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada tags Ricochet, Ricochet swaggers around, then he KNEES Swerve in the back! And KNEES him again! Swerve goes to ropes, Ricochet taunts Brody, then he CHOKES Swerve! The ref counts, Ricochet stops at 4, then he drags Swerve around. ROPE GUILLOTINE! Swerve sputters, the ref reprimands, but Ricochet just soaks up the heat.
Ricochet drags Swerve around to then go up, out, and KNEE-BOARD SENTON! Ricochet struts around, does his own Griddy, then tags Okada. Okada drags Swerve up, puts him in a corner, then ROCKS him with a forearm. Swerve fires back, Okada ROCKS him again, and Dynamite returns to single picture. The forearms go back and forth, but Okada UPPERCUTS Swerve. Okada whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Swerve dodges the elbow! Okada hits buckles, but he keeps Swerve from Brody by pulling hair! Swerve blocks a kick, slips under and around to then hit a BACKBREAKER! Swerve shoves and DROPKICKS Okada down!
The fans fire up as both men are down! They crawl for their corners, hot tag to Brody! Ricochet runs in, but into a BACKDROP! Okada staggers up, only for Brody to LARIAT him down! And LARIAT again! Brody roars, but Ricochet CHOPS! Brody doesn’t even flinch! Ricochet CHOPS again, but Brody eggs him on! Ricochet CHOPS, Brody CHOPS! Ricochet is stinging as he drops to his knees, and Brody SLAPS him on his bald head! Ricochet writhes, but Okada runs in! But Brody FLAPJACKS Okada onto Ricochet! And then he SENTONS onto them both! The fans fire up as Brody fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, Ricochet breaks it!
Ricochet saves the match, but then asks Brody for mercy! Brody TOSSES Ricochet out, drags Okada up, and Brody whips. Okada grabs ropes, then dodges Brody, Ricochet GAMANGIRIS Brody! Brody staggers into Okada’s DROPKICK! Ricochet springboards, MAMBA SPLASH! Okada covers, TWO! Brody stays in this and Okada is a bit surprised. Okada goes to a corner, climbs up, but Brody stands! Okada leaps over Brody, comes back to BOOT, then UPPERCUTS! Okada runs, but Brody roars and LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Okada and Brody crawl, hot tags to Ricochet and Swerve!
Ricochet panics and pumps on the brakes, does a U-turn, but Okada’s not there! The fans fire up as Swerve CLOBBERS Ricochet! And CLOBBERS him again! Swerve whips, hip tosses, and then gator rolls Ricochet for the deadlift suplex! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives but Swerve stays focused. The fans fire up again as Swerve drags Ricochet up and reels him in. But Ricochet wrenches out to ROCK Swerve! Ricochet lifts, Swerve slips free to ROCK Ricochet! Swerve runs, into the Tiger Wall Kick! SOBAT! V-TRIGGER! ROLLING- NO, Swerve wrenches and spins Ricochet, POWER LIFT POWER- DDT!! Cover off that wild counter, TWO!!!
Ricochet is furious, but “This is Awesome!” Ricochet goes to the corner, he locks ‘n’ loads, then runs in for the SPIRIT- NO, Swerve ducks the Spirit Gun! Swerve kicks, Ricochet blocks, and Ricochet spins Swerve to get the dragon sleeper! VERTI- NO, Swerve slips free and half nelsons! BIG PRES- NO, Ricochet victory rolls through! TWO!!! Swerve narrowly escapes, and he somersaults for the FLATLINER!! Swerve kips up, runs up, HOUSE CALL!! The fans are thunderous, but Swerve isn’t done with just one! Swerve goes up, up, and KILL STOMP!! But Okada is up top!? MACHO ELBOW breaks the cover!
Brody storms in and fires forearms with Okada! The fans fire up with each shot, then Brody CHOPS! And fireman’s carries, but Okada slips free! Ripcord, but Brody BOOTS the lariat away! Then he SPLASHES in the corner! Okada sits down, Brody has the fans barking! CANNONBALL misses as Okada moves! Okada grabs his Continental Championship! Okada storms into the ring with it, but gets a HOUSE CALL!! Brody LARIATS Okada up and out! But Ricochet has the belt, to CLOBBER Swerve!! Ricochet covers, and wins!!
Winner: Ricochet & Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall
Another dirty, underhanded tactic takes the win away from Swerve! Will Ricochet use this exact same strategy to win at Revolution? Or will cheating The Most Dangerous Man in AEW end very, very badly?
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode of Dynamite here, especially as a go-home to Revolution. For one, great stuff from MJF and Hangman, such as Hangman making good on his promise to go after MJF with his truck. Very clever stuff with the decoy, and then a very good brawl. MJF threatening to light Hangman on fire was also wild, but a clever direction to take this. Obviously he wasn’t gonna pull it off here, but I’m sure MJF will try it at Revolution. Jack Perry once got set on fire with proper precautions, I wonder if they’ll actually do it for MJF and Hangman.
Great 8 Man Tag to do a lot in the Don Callis Family story at once. While Ospreay’s team wins, them getting beat down does help muddy the go-home math. Obviously Cassidy & Briscoe are going to help Big Boom AJ win against #MXMTV on Sunday, so they have to be figuratively on the ropes here. Davis being reluctantly part of what happened to Ospreay makes me think Davis will ditch the Don Callis Family and help Ospreay win the cage match. And with word Jeff Cobb could be joining AEW in the near future, I feel like the United Empire will finally get going in AEW as a trio to start.
Cope VS Yuta was not at all the match I expected, but clearly that was per Cope’s plan. Cope wants Yuta to understand that he doesn’t have to be alongside Moxley anymore, and for the moment, it seems to have worked. Yuta could still stick by Moxley’s side given Jay White is sticking by Cope’s, but I guess we’ll wait and see. White answering Caster’s open challenge was good stuff given it also did two birds with one stone: Caster continues to lose because of his ego, and White got a win that he can carry to the other side of Revolution.
Very good tag match from Kris & Rosa VS Megan & Ford, and it makes sense the Heels would win this given Megan has already become quite the force here in AEW. Depending on how things go with titles, Megan could easily be in line for at least the TBS Championship. Mone had a very good promo to not only hype her match with Momo on Sunday, but to add a little something to Collision. In fact, Collision is being taped tonight right now after Dynamite so that everyone can rest up before Revolution. Mone on commentary for Momo VS Deeb will be good stuff, but I would think Momo wins. The go-home math will then favor Mone winning on the PPV.
I loved that Outrunners vignette, because it was very on-brand for their 1980s throwback gimmick. But as much as fans love them, and as awesome as it would be for them to pull off the upset, I don’t see Truth & Turbo winning the tag titles just yet. It just seems that we’re going to get Lashley & Shelton VS Archer & Cage first, given how the Hurt Syndicate purposefully made sure Archer & Cage lost the tag match. Though who knows, maybe Archer & Cage are why Truth & Turbo win as payback for that very screw job last week.
Great stuff in the AEW Women’s World Championship story. For one, Ash Avildsen playing along with Toni was a really fun promo. Then, Toni Storm and Mariah May probably gave us AEW’s best sit-down interview promo ever, because of how expectations were subverted from start to finish. Mariah spitting at Toni was her way around the No Physicality Agreement, and then Mariah was rather, uh, bipolar with how she talked to Toni. First she was upset, then she was almost pleading with Toni, because somewhere in that twisted mind, there’s still love there. Toni being completely stern that whole time was also a great way to play it. Their Hollywood Ending Falls Count Anywhere really could go either way, but I’m leaning towards Toni retaining.
And awesome stuff from Swerve and Ricochet tonight. Their contract signing to open was really good, especially with Swerve countering Ricochet’s shiny gold scissors with pitch black scissors. I am pretty sure Ricochet’s “upgraded” Embassy robe will be all about himself, but I would think they’d use a different robe as well, like a stand-in stunt robe or something just so they don’t actually do anything to the Embassy robe. The tag match main event was rather outta nowhere but it was still awesome stuff, and it also serves multiple go-home math equations at once. The Heels stand tall, Ricochet pinning Swerve, because I’m pretty sure Swerve wins at Revolution. Okada VS Brody could still go either way, but it’d be a great honor for Brody to not just beat Okada but to win the title.
My Score: 9/10
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