Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/28/23)
Where will this one end?
A Big Time Raw before Payback!
Raw prepares for Payback’s Steel Cage Match this Saturday by having Becky Lynch face Trish Stratus’ protégé, Zoey Stark, in FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sami Zayn VS Damian Priest; Sami wins.
- The New Day VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan; The Viking Raiders win.
- Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium; Gable wins, by disqualification.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Bronson Reed; Ciampa wins.
- Falls Count Anywhere: Becky Lynch VS Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus; Becky wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns the losses of Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt.
Sami Zayn VS Damian Priest!
The Great Liberator “owes” Mr. Money in the Bank for the back and forth between them and the Judgment Day at large. Will Sami add on to the loss from last week? Or will Sami suffer the Punishment?
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Priest powers Sami to ropes. The ref counts as the two keep hand fighting, and Priest lets off slowly. But then Priest knees low! Fans boo but Priest headlocks. Sami powers up and out, but Priest runs him over! Priest looms over Sami, then KICKS him in the chest! And again! Priest ROCKS Sami, headlocks, but Sami fights the hold again. Priest grinds the headlock but Sami powers out, ducks down and hurdles over, to then arm-drag into an armlock! Fans fire up but Priest fights up and pushes Sami to a corner. The ref counts again, Priest lets off, but Sami avoids the cheap shot!
Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS and fans rally up! Priest TOSSES Sami to the corner, UPPERCUTS him and stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Priest lets off and he whips Sami corner to corner. Priest runs in, but Sami ELBOWS him away! Sami goes up, to FLYING ELBOW! Fans fire up, Sami covers, ONE!! Priest bails out but Sami WRECKS him with a dropkick! Sami kicks from the apron, then ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Fans fire up with Sami and he put Priest in the ring. Sami storms up in the corner, climbs up and throws down fists! Fans count along but Priest carries Sami out at 5!
Priest throws Sami away, but Sami ducks the rolling elbow! Knuckle lock and CHOP, then Sami goes up and up and jumps, but Priest dodges to LARIAT Sami down! Fans boo but Priest stomps away on him! Priest drags Sami up, ROCKS him with a right, then has him in a corner. Priest ROCKS Sami again! Priest stands on Sami’s head but fans boo. Priest steps away, runs corner to corner and STAGE DIVE ELBOWS! Then he hits a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto Sami’s arms and pulls him back in a motorcycle stretch! Sami endures, fans rally, and Sami fights up to his feet.
Sami flips, KANGAROO KICKS, then sends Priest out! Fans fire up as Sami builds speed, but Priest catches Sami first! Sami throws hands to get free of the choke grip, and then he POSTS Priest! Sami resets to PLANCHA, but Priest catches him again! COMPLETE SHOT to the desk! Fans boo while Sami flops to the floor and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Priest has Sami up top! Sami resists and fans fire up! Sami throws body shots, then CLUBS away on Priest’s back! Fans fire up more, and Sami goes up to SUPER SUNSET POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but Sami is too tired to be shocked. Priest and Sami rise, and Priest goes to ropes. Sami staggers over but Priest swings! Sami blocks to counter punch! And again! And again! Sami whips, Priest reverses but Sami goes up and over to then clothesline Priest up and out! Fans fire up again as Sami builds speed! Sami FLIES and takes Priest out at the ramp! Fans are all fired up with Sami!
Sami drags Priest up and into the ring, then he goes up a corner. Fans rally, Sami leaps, but Priest caches him! SOUTH OF- NO, Sami slips free! Sami dodges and Priest hits buckles! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Sami grows a bit frustrated. Priest goes to the apron, fans rally up, and Sami hurries over. Sami drags Priest up but Priest HOTSHOTS Sami! Priest hurries back up and avoids a shoulder to KICK Sami away! Priest hurries in, he mule kicks a leg out, then reels Sami in! Fans boo as Priest gets Sami up, RAZOR’S- NO, Sami kicks free! Sami baits Priest into a CORNER EXPLODER!
Fans fire up again as Sami goes to the far side! Sami aims, but JD McDonagh trips him up!! Fans boo as the Irish Ace tells Sami to turn around. SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
The Necessary Evil that is JD McDonagh helps Priest win this one! JD wants to celebrate with Priest, but Priest says no way! He SHOVES McDonagh down! Priest says to stay out of Judgment Day business. McDonagh asks what Priest’s problem is, but then he turns around and Kevin Owens is there! Kevin & Sami beat up on McDonagh! STUNNER! Priest just smirks as Sami runs in on McDonagh for a HELLUVA KICK! The Undisputed Tag Team Championships are on the line at Payback, will Priest & Finn look to win that without McDonagh? How will Finn respond to what one friend did to another?
Drew McIntyre is backstage.
He’s looking at a picture of himself. Akira Tozawa is there, and with a nervous smile, he tells McIntyre that McIntyre looks great. Tozawa then slips away and Matt Riddle walks over. What does McIntyre think? The picture is of McIntyre in green tights to match Riddle’s! Every great team has matching gear, bro! But McIntyre says they should wait and see if this all works out before making any big changes. Oh, right, okay. Matching kilts! McIntyre chuckles and turns to go but Riddle wants to talk to him about some ringside seats for New Day VS Vikings Raiders tonight.
Why? Why? Because every great tag team scouts the opposition! Maybe even get some hot dogs and haggis so that next time they’re in the ring with the Vikings and New Day, McIntyre & Riddle will have the upper hand! McIntyre says Riddle’s on to something. McIntyre wants a front row seat to see those idiots get beat. Riddle says yeah, that darn New Day. What? No! The Viking Raiders! Oh right, right! McIntyre says he’ll see Riddle out there, and Riddle says he knew McIntyre would dig the haggis idea. Well, the Bro might be a little off target, but will he and McIntyre be more than ready for another shot at Erik & Ivar?
Raquel Rodriguez speaks.
“Rhea Ripley thinks she runs Monday Night Raw. Rhea is the strongest and most dominant female in all the WWE. Except for me.” Raquel says if Rhea wants her to stay out of Rhea’s business, then Rhea needs to stop taking advantage of her strength and size. Raquel is not going to let Rhea run through the division. Not after what she’s done to Raquel. And especially not after what she did to Liv! Raquel has been waiting for weeks to show Rhea what it is like to be at the mercy of someone bigger and stronger.
“Every bully has a weakness, an insecurity. And Rhea? She’s just not going to be able to measure up to me. So now, I’m going to take her title. At Payback, I am going to cut her down to size!” Will Mami Rhea be in trouble going up against Big Mami Cool?
LA Knight is here!
The fans go nuts as The Mega Star is back on- Wait. That’s THE MIZ! He’s just mocking LA Knight ahead of their first-ever 1v1 showdown at Payback. Miz gets a mic and says, “Lemme talk to ya. YEAH! I got my wannabe tough guy big bass voice up, so you know I mean business! YEAH! Cuz Papa don’t play that! YEAH! NAH NAH! YEAH! I’m a dangerous man! YEAH! So dangerous, YEAH. That when I walk into the ring with The Miz, I start flubbin’ my words. YEAH! I mean what! I mean YEAH! I mean what! I mean YEAH! I mean YEAH! I mean YEAH!
“Now lemme talk to ya straight. YEAH. YEAH? Lemme talk to ya straight. I know it takes more than a catchphrase to gain your support. YEAH. You are not sheep, Y EAH. You are smart. You are sophisticated. You’re discerning fans. And you need to earn your cheers. That is why I brought this bag out here.” Miz grabs a bag, brings it into the ring, and says this bag is full of free LA Knight shirts. Fans cheer that! Miz says if they want a free shirt, gimme a HELL YEA- Well, just say YEAH. Fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” and Miz teases throwing the shirt, to then throw it on the ground! And he PUNTS the bag out of the ring!
Miz takes off the glasses, vest, chain necklace and merch shirt he was wearing to then tell the fans they are all so pathetic! They will cheer for anything, meaning their support means nothing! This was easy! Anyone can be LA Knight, it is generic and vanilla and pander and come up with a phony name that you can find on late night Cinemax in 1997! Miz doesn’t do catchphrases. When he says he’s awesome, it’s not cuz he wants applause. It’s the truth! It’s reality! And the reality is, when Miz beats Knight and exposes him and leaves him battered, party’s over! Everything is done!
Because the fans will cheer free shirts and catchphrases, but they don’t cheer losers. And that is what Knight will be at Payback! So when the dust settles, and everyone not only saying but immortalizing whose game this really is: M I Z! YEAH! Shots fired by the A-Lister, how will LA Knight respond?
Seth Rollins sits backstage.
Ricochet passes by, nods to him, and heads out. What will the Visionary do tonight in response to what Shinsuke Nakamura has said and done?
The New Day VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have their own beef with Erik & Ivar dating back to when they were all on SmackDown. The chase for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships is never ending, so who gets a leg up in the next part of the race?
Raw returns as Riddle makes his entrance, ready to watch ringside in his Patrick Star shorts. McIntyre makes his entrance, he fist bumps the Bro, and they go to ringside together. Then the Viking Raiders make their entrance, “Valhalla” by their side. The teams sort out, Riddle takes notes as Erik and Woods start. They circle, tie up, and Erik powers Woods to a corner. Woods turns things around, fires off hands, but Erik TOSSES Woods! Woods dodges and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Woods headlocks, Erik powers up but Woods holds on tight. Erik powers out the second time but Woods runs him over!
Woods stands Erik up to fire CHOPS and haymakers, then he wrenches an arm. Woods CLUBS the arm, wrenches again, but Erik ROCKS Woods! Woods ROCKS Erik back! Erik whips Woods to a corner, Woods goes up and over and keeps moving, to tilt-o-whirl, but Erik blocks the rest! SIDEWALK SLAM! Erik looms over Woods, tags Ivar, and they drag Woods up to mug him! The ref counts, Sarah roars triumphantly and Ivar drags Woods up. Woods throws body shots but Ivar CLUBS him and ROCKS him and DECKS him! Tag to Erik and he feeds Woods to Ivar’s KNEE! Ivar feeds Woods to Erik’s KNEE!
Erik looms over Woods, Riddle takes more notes. Erik covers, TWO! Erik drags Woods up, puts him in the corner, and Ivar tags in. The Vikings mug Woods again, fans rally, and Woods fights back! Woods throws forearms again and again and again, but Ivar knees low! Woods falls over and fans boo. Ivar drags Woods up but Woods fires more shots! Woods ELBOWS Erik,. ELBOWS Ivar, repeat! Woods reaches out but Ivar keeps him from Kofi! Ivar scoops, Woods slips free and hot tags Kofi! Kofi FLYING AX HANDLES Ivar, DECKS Erik, and fires off CHOPS on Ivar! SUPERKICK! Ivar goes to a corner, dodges the splash, but Kofi dodges Ivar!
Kofi GAMANGIRIS then goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps his focus on Ivar and PENALTY KICKS! Then the “NEW~ DAY~” BOOM DROP! Fans fire up with Kofi and he goes to a corner. Kofi claps, fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” But Erik gets Ivar out of the ring, so Woods WERCKS them both with a dropkick! And Kofi FLIES to take them down! Fans fire up with The New Day as they’re all over the desk! McIntyre smiles and applauds, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Ivar covers Kofi, TWO! Kofi survives whatever happened during break, and Ivar stalks him to the corner. Ivar snapmares, clamps onto Kofi and thrashes him with a chinbar! Kofi endures, fans rally, and Kofi throws body shots! But Ivar throws Kofi down! Ivar drags Kofi up and throws elbows in the corner! The ref counts, Ivar stops at 4 to argue with the ref, but then he goes back to Kofi. Ivar whips Kofi corner to corner, Kofi goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Both men are down, but Sarah is creeping up on Woods! Woods tells her to stop that, but Ivar BLASTS him! And then he RAMS Kofi into the corner!
Fans boo but Erik tags in, and Erik whips Ivar in to SPLASH! Feed to a BIG forearm! Cover, TWO! Erik pulls Kofi back with a chinlock stretch but Kofi endures. Fans rally, Kofi fights up, and he throws body shots. Kofi slips under Erik but Erik gets a leg! Erik drags Kofi back, Ivar tags in and CLUBS Kofi down! Then Ivar grinds his forearm into Kofi’s face! Kofi goes to ropes, Ivar pulls him back against the ropes, and then CLUBS him down! Tag to Erik and he BOOTS Kofi down! Erik looms over Kofi as fans rally up. Erik then sucker punches Woods! The ref keeps Woods back, and that allows the Vikings to mug Kofi!
Riddle protests but Ivar tags in. Ivar pounds his chest, he taunts #McRiddle, but Kofi CHOPS Ivar! And CHOPS him again! And then he ROCKS Erik! Ivar BOOTS Kofi down! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Ivar clamps on with another chinbar. Fans rally up as Kofi endures, Kofi fights up, and Kofi throws body shots! Kofi reaches around, Ivar whips him away, and Ivar runs in to clothesline! Ivar drags Kofi up just to CLUB him down! And CLUB him again! But Kofi throws body shots in return! And hits a JAWBREAKER !Kofi leaps but Ivar catches him! Kofi sunset flips, but Ivar stays up! Kofi avoids the hip drop!
Fans fire up as Kofi crawls and Ivar clutches his tailbone! Hot tag to Woods! Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Woods dodges Erik to mule kick, front kick and tilt-o-whirl to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Woods kips up, runs in at Ivar, and forearm smashes! Woods whips, Ivar reverses but Woods BOOTS back! HONOR ROLL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Riddle is getting into this. McIntyre is stoic and Woods brings Ivar up. Fans chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” but Ivar ELBOWS Woods! Erik tags in before Woods ENZIGURIS Ivar down! Erik storms up to FULL NELSON KNEE SMASH! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Woods survives! Tag back to Ivar and the Vikings get Woods up. They double back suplex but Woods slips free! Kofi tags in, Woods dumps Erik out and drop toeholds Ivar onto ropes! Kofi BOOTS Ivar, Woods hits a SLIDING COMPLETE SHOT! BACK SPLASH from Kofi! Cover, Erik breaks it! Woods throws Erik back out, then PLANCHAS Erik down! Kofi and Ivar rise, Kofi spins but Ivar ducks! Ivar picks Kofi up to put him on ropes! But Kofi drags Ivar out with him to the floor! Kofi hurries after Ivar, whips, but Ivar reverses! Kofi leaps over the steps, leaps back in, but Ivar catches him!
Ivar gives Kofi SNAKE EYES off the steel steps! Kofi wobbles, Ivar brings him up again, and RAMS him into McIntyre & Riddle!! Fans boo as Ivar leaves them all behind, but McIntyre CHUCKS his armchair! And then he takes Riddle’s chair to CHUCK it, into Erik & Woods!! McIntyre then goes after Erik, but Ivar CANNONBALLS McIntyre! Ivar puts Kofi in the ring, he tags Erik, but Kofi CHOPS! Ivar LEG LARIATS Kofi! RAGNAROK!!! Cover, Viking Raiders win!
Winners: The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
McIntyre is furious as he storms into the ring, but the Vikings get away! The Scottish Warrior inadvertently costs Kofi & Woods, but he checks on Woods. McIntyre apologizes, and then chucks the other chair! Will McIntyre’s rage get the better of him at this rate?
Finn Balor talks with Priest backstage.
The Prince says that week after week, it’s the same stuff! They’re arguing all the time! They gotta get on the same page, cuz on Saturday, they have a tag title match! They need to get it together! Priest agrees, they need to focus on Judgment Day business, not people who don’t matter, like JD McDonagh. Oh, yeah? Well McDonagh is why Priest won and then Priest just left him! Yeah, he left him hanging! Cuz he doesn’t care about Finn’s friend, he cares about this family! Right here is what matters! And since Finn is so worried about McDonagh, go walk- Rhea tells them both to shut up already!
Every single week, we talk about being the most dominant faction, and yet every single week, they fall apart without fail cuz these two can’t get along! The only ones handling business right now are her and Dirty Dom. Apart from that, nothing! But they can’t keep doing this, cuz now Rhea’s getting targeted! People are thinking she’s weak and distracted and can’t beat Raquel! So, Finn, Priest, make it right at Payback. Remind everyone that Judgment Day is a force to be reckoned with, and they win when it matters! Cuz if they don’t, then there will be some changes around here. Rhea has Dom grab their titles and they head out.
Priest and Finn glare at each other, and Priest holds up his MITB briefcase as he says he has no problems winning gold. Will the Punisher and the Prince be able to be champions together? Or is someone getting left behind?
WWE remembers the life of Bray Wyatt.
Much like on SmackDown, the rocking chair sits on stage under the spotlight, fans bringing out the fireflies. #ThankYouBray.
Matt Riddle checks with Kofi backstage.
Riddle asks how Woods is doing, and Kofi says not well. He’ll be alright, though, don’t worry. McIntyre apologizes for the accident but Kofi says it’s all good. He wouldn’t take cheap shots like that. Woods gets that, too. They all fist bump, and McIntyre tells Riddle that next week, they take care of the Vikings. And McIntyre will even tell Pearce that he doesn’t even wanna tag in to get his hands on their arses. Kofi wonders what that means and Riddle has no idea. But McIntyre said “we” so that means they’re a team! Riddle hurries after McIntyre, are they going to bring a tornado to the raid?
Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium!
Gunther’s first loss on the main roster happened just last week as Master Gable was able to pull off a count out win! Now, Gable wishes he had a win in the ring because it would’ve meant winning the title, but clearly things aren’t over between them. Will Gable SHOOOOSH the Impeccable German to head for another title opportunity?
But as Imperium reaches ringside, Gunther gets on the desk with a mic. Fans boo but Gunther says, “Last week, Chad Gable made history. Last week, Chad Gable became the first man to beat Der Ring General in more than 500 days.” Fans cheer that. But Gunther says it was by count-out, in a championship match! So technically, Gable gained victory, but he has won NOTHING! Because Gunther is still your Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion! Fans boo and chant “YOU SUCK!” but Gunther says Gable has achieved one thing: HE PISSED GUNTHER OFF!
Gunther rants in German and then says in English, NOW Gable has his attention! NOW Gable has Gunther’s focus! And if Gable is the last thing between Gunther and his rightful legacy, then so be it! Because next week, Chad Gable will challenge Der Ring General for the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on Monday Night Raw! Fans like the sound of that! But Gunther says that just like Gable will not beat him next week, Gable is definitely not- “SHOOOOSH!” The Alpha Academy makes their entrance and Gable has a mic to say, “Um, Gunther. Now, I’m sitting back there listening, and normally I’d come out here and give ya a nice big SHOOOOOSH~!
“But I’m not gonna do that tonight, because you were actually making some pretty good points, my friend. Not least of which that you’ve been on the main roster almost two years, and nobody has managed to defeat you. That is, until last week, my friend! Because last week, Chad Gable handed you your first loss, and I found a way to do it in only ten seconds, baby! But next week, Gunther, title’s on the line, and it ain’t gonna take me ten seconds to take your Intercontinental title! I’m gonna take it away in 1-2-3, baby~!”
Fans cheer and Gable says that is all next week. As for tonight, Captain Kaiser, Lieutenant Ludwig, he can get his carcass in the ring to get cooked Memphis style! A THANK YEW~! Ludwig storms into the ring, will he be able to slow down the roll?
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” as the bell rings. Gable and Ludwig circle, Gable gets a leg and trips Ludwig, floats around, has a waistlock, and he rolls to a bridge. TWO, Gable facelocks but Ludwig wrenches out to have an armlock. Gable powers up but Ludwig whips him away. Gable and Ludwig each counter a hip toss, go around and around, and then Gable TOSSES Ludwig up and out! Gable goes to the apron, runs in and CANNONBALLS! Direct hit and Gable fires up! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable throws his shirt at Gunther and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Ludwig rushes into the ring again. Gable gets around him to waistlock but Ludwig switches, They go to ropes and Gable throws Ludwig out again! OH, rough landing on his head! Ludwig staggers up, Gable waits, and Ludwig rushes in yet again! Gable arm-drags Ludwig around, has the armlock, and fans cheer. Gunther has disappeared from ringside, he must be too frustrated to watch this in person. Gable wristlocks but Ludwig puts him in a corner. The ref counts, Ludwig throws a hand but Gable gets around! Ludwig clings to ropes, then he ELBOWS Gable away! Ludwig storms up on Gable and wrenches again.
Ludwig clamps onto the arm and grinds the shoulder. Fans rally for Gable, Otis & Maxxine coach him, but Ludwig throws Gable down! Ludwig keeps on the arm, knee digging into Gable’s head. Gable endures, fights up, and he powers Ludwig back to roll, bridge, handspring, and spin to headlock, spin and drop toehold! Fans fire up for the technical ability as Gable steps over on the armlock. Ludwig fights up, powers Gable to ropes but Gable keeps on the arm with a cording hold! Ludwig tries a facelock, Gable cranks the arm! Ludwig pushes Gable to ropes, but Gable arm-drags again! Gable grins as he keeps on the arm.
Ludwig fights up, but Gable wrenches and wristlocks. Ludwig kicks low and CLUBS Gable down! And again! Ludwig ROCKS Gable, but Gable whips him away. Ludwig runs Gable over, smirks, then runs, but Gable gets a leg! Gable stands to CHOP! Gable then dodges Ludwig, rolls Ludwig and has the ANKLE LOCK! Ludwig gets the ROPEBREAK, then he KICKS Gable back! DISCUS LARIAT! Both men are down but Ludwig spins up to his feet. Ludwig dusts himself off, and he puts Gable in a corner. Ludwig whips corner to corner, Gable goes up and over and runs in, to MONKEY FLIP! Fans fire up as Ludwig goes flying!
Gable runs in now, but Ludwig puts Gable up top! GAMANG- NO, Gable blocks! And then he gets Ludwig’s arm for a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Gable lets go and sits up, but Ludwig DECKS him to the floor! Gable stands, Ludwig goes out to UPPERCUT him down! Fans boo and the Academy looks worried as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and fans boo as Ludwig looms over Gable. Ludwig runs, but Gable ducks the kick to roll him up! TWO, and Gable wrenches and clinches to the BELLY2BELLY! Gable holds on to BELLY2BELLY again! And then Gable stands back up, but Ludwig HEADBUTTS! Ludwig ROCKS Gable, ROCKS him again, and has Gable on ropes. Ludwig POSTS Gable! Ludwig runs side to side to DROPKICK Gable to the floor! Ludwig goes out, taunts Otis and storms over to Gable. The ring count climbs, Ludwig puts Gable into the ring. Ludwig storms up on Gable and CHOPS him! And GAMANGIRIS!
Fans rally for Gable but Ludwig snapmares him down. Ludwig smirks as he kicks Gable around. Gable stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Gable runs, dodges, tilt-o-whirl SLAM from Ludwig! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Maxxine is relieved. Ludwig snarls, he stalks Gable to a corner and he throws haymakers! Ludwig throws stomps and punches, Gable hits back, and fans rally as they brawl! Haymakers and CHOPS back and forth, and then Gable just fires off shot after shot! Throat chop and ROLLING ELBOW! Gable snatches a leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Gable waistlocks, deadlift GERMAN- NO, Ludwig fights it!
Ludwig fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Ludwig cannot believe it! Ludwig glare at Gable as he stands up, and Ludwig TOSSES Gable out! But Gable holds on, skins the cat, and he headscissors Ludwig out of the ring! Fans fire up again, Ludwig hurries in but Gable fires off forearms, knees and another throat chop! Ludwig swings, misses, and Gable mule kicks! Gable runs, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable goes up a corner, MOONSAULT but has to land out as Ludwig moves! Ludwig runs, but Gable catches him toa Gory Especial! DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!?!
Gable cannot believe Ludwig survives, but Gable getting that move off was wild in itself! Ludwig sputters on the ropes, Maxxine & Otis back up as Gable storms up. Ludwig bucks the O’Conner, swings, but Gable catches him for an EXPLODER! Gable runs to CROSSBODY Ludwig and himself out of the ring! Vinci checks Ludwig as Gable goes up the corner! SUPER MOONSAULT takes Imperium out! Gable gets up and puts Ludwig in the ring! Gable climbs the corner again, takes aim, DIVING- NO, Gable sees those boots come up, so he catches those! ANKLE LOCK!! Ludwig flails, reaches out, but Gable drags him back!
Ludwig rolls over but Gable stays with him! Ludwig rolls again, and he BOOTS Gable away! Gable comes back but into an UPPERCUT! Ludwig runs up to UPPERCUT in the corner! Scoop to a fireman’s carry, but Gable slips off! O’Conner Roll, CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, VINCI BREAKS IT!!
Winner: Chad Gable, by disqualification
Fans boo but Otis gets in to fight with Vinci! Otis TOSSES Vinci, and he rips off the shirt! Memphis is thunderous as Otis SPLASHES then HAMMERS Vinci! Ludwig attacks Otis now! Imperium mugs Otis, and the POST him! Otis tumbles out but Gable fires off on Vinci and Ludwig! That’s 2v1, though! And now Gunther is back! Der Ring General storms in and has his men stand down. Gunther looms over Gable now, drags him up, and reels him in! Fans boo but Gunther still hits- NO, Gable slips free! ANKLE LOCK!!!! Imperium goes after Gable again! They stomp away on Gable, but then Gunther pushes them aside!
Gunther hauls Gable up and hits a GENERAL BOMB!! Fans boo as Gunther holds up his title over Gable, will this be what we see next week on Raw? Or will Gable snatch this title just days before Gunther crosses the historic goal line?
WWE mourns the loss of beloved celebrity and former guest host, Bob Barker.
His “The Price is Raw” episode was certainly one to remember. #ThankYouBob, may you rest in peace.
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
No longer brooding backstage, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion now makes his way out so Memphis can sing his song! “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins revels in it under the spotlight in the ring, belt around the waist of his teal satin suit. Rollins takes a bow and fans cheer. Rollins then takes the mic to say, “MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE! YOWIE WOWIE! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” He is your host for the evening! He happens to be a Visionary, he happens to be a Revolutionary, he is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!”
Rollins says that he’s gonna level with us, it has been a long week. Let’s keep this short and sweet. “Shinsuke Nakamura! This Saturday at Payback, I give you what you want: a crack at my World Heavyweight Championship! So how about right here, right now, you give me what I want. You got more mind games to play, you got more mean things to say, why don’t you Shinsuke your way down this aisle and say them to my face!” The fans cheer and Rollins waits. No Shinsuke? Rollins says he doesn’t wanna deprive the people, the fans wanna sing Nakamura’s song. Oh wait, the fans don’t sing his song no more, do they? HAHAHAHAHA!
Well if Shinsuke’s not gonna show his face, there’s only one thing left to do. Let’s head on down to Beale Street, pour some tall, stiff drinks, and we all sing Rollins’ song all night long! “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Wait. Video plays on the tron, and it’s Nakamura in his dojo. “I do not want to simply defeat Seth Rollins the champion. I want to dismantle Seth Rollins the man! I want his wife to know, I’m the reason she has to help him out of bed. That I’m the reason he won’t be able to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. I will break him, because he can be broken. His body has betrayed him. He knows this. So I’m going to destroy his back and put him out of his misery.
“He has no honor. He has no code. He has no future.” The King of Strong Style played his next move and fans boo. Rollins takes his sunglasses off to get serious. “That’s it, huh? That’s it from the legendary Shinsuke Nakamura. We get a video package, huh? Y’know what I wanna know? I wanna know what happened to the Shinsuke Nakamura that headline the Tokyo Dome! I wanna know what happened to the Shinsuke Nakamura that lit the world on fire when he came to NXT! A month ago, Shinsuke, I would’ve given you the shirt off my back. Yeah, that’s right, the same back that’s broken in two places.
“But my broken back didn’t stand in the way of me becoming World Heavyweight Champion! And it’s not gonna stand in the way of beating your ass this Saturday at Payback!” Fans fire up with Rollins as he says that when the bell rings, Rollins will get a hold of Shinsuke, pummel him, maul him, and not stop until someone pulls him off Shinsuke! And then in that moment, when Shinsuke is lying there defend, he will know he will never take anything from Rollins! Not his title! Not his future! And not his family! Fans fire up but Nakamura runs in outta nowhere! KINSHASA TO THE BACK!!
Nakamura sits Rollins up and tells him, “I told you, Seth, to watch your back.” Fans boo as Nakamura then KICKS Rollins in the face! Rollins is down and out, will this be how the King of Strong Style leaves him in Pittsburgh?
Sami & Kevin regroup backstage.
Sami says he is so tired of this. Of doing this week after week, month after month, with The Judgment Day. Because no matter how many times they lose, they always come back, they always play with the rules and the numbers games, and get little victories. Look what happened tonight! And last week! They get the briefcase involved! There’s disqualifications, cheap wins, and now they have a tag title match this Saturday. Guess what? You wanna do this one more time? Fine! They’ll do this one more time, and guess what? Kevin, you wanna explain to them? Sure.
Kevin says the rules won’t be in The Judgment Day’s favor anymore. Because Kevin & Sami are sick of this. So they went to Pearce and got it official. What is Pittsburgh again? The Steel City? Yes! And that is exactly what’s happening. On Saturday, Payback won’t be just any ordinary tag match. It will be a STEEL CITY STREET FIGHT! No rules! Anything goes! And guess what? A lot of crazy things have happened in the WWE while in Pittsburgh! Kevin himself was thrown off the top of a cage through a table! And as crazy as that was, it won’t be anything compared to what’s coming for Judgment Day at Payback! Because Kevin & Sami end this once and for all!
Tommaso Ciampa VS Bronson Reed!
The Psycho Killer is looking to get back on top of things, and he’s starting by settling things with Auszilla, who cost him against The Miz months ago. But will he have his violent Fairytale Ending? Or will he be washed away by a Tsunami?
Wait, Bronson is storming up behind Ciampa on the ramp! Bronson CLOBBERS Ciampa!! Fans boo but #BigBronson grins as he leaves Ciampa behind. Ciampa gets up, throws his jacket off, and he storms up on Bronson at the apron! They fire hands, fans fire up, and Ciampa ROCKS Bronson! Bronson whips Ciampa, Ciampa holds ropes to stop himself! Bronson runs in, Ciampa sidesteps and sends Bronson out! Bronson gets on the apron, Ciampa KNEES him back down! Ciampa then FLYING KNEES Bronson from the apron! Ciampa goes back into the ring and he eggs Bronson on! Bronson is furious, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and the match is underway as Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and ROCKS and CHOPS! Bronson shoves him back, but Ciampa BOOTS him! Ciampa then hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands! Bronson shoves Ciampa away, Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the BODY CHECK gets him! Bronson looms over Ciampa, then drops a BIG elbow! Fans rally up but Bronson looms over Ciampa. Bronson drags Ciampa up, Bronson suplexes, but Ciampa fights with knees! Ciampa slips free, and has a SLEEPER! But Bronson RAMS Ciampa in to buckles! Bronson runs in but the splash hits buckles! Ciampa dropkicks the legs out and Bronson falls into buckles!
Ciampa fires up, fans rally, and Ciampa fireman’s carries Bronson!? And tucks him for an AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, TWO!! Bronson survives but Ciampa goes to a corner. Ciampa brings his kneepad down, runs back in, but into another BODY CHECK! Bronson drags Ciampa up, reels him in and says thumbs down. Bronson hauls Ciampa up, to BATISTA BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives but Bronson doesn’t lose focus. Bronson drags Ciampa to a drop zone, and he heads up the corner! Fans rally but Ciampa rises, too! Ciampa RAMS into Bronson, goes out to the apron and they brawl! Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!
Bronson TOSSES Ciampa at the steel steps! Ciampa staggers away, Bronson smirks as he FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES Ciampa down! Bronson then brings Ciampa up and aims for the desk! Gut wrench, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa slides into the ring, Bronson pursues, but ends up in WILLOW’S BELL!! Ciampa hurries to the corner, takes aim again, PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!??! Bronson survives that shot to the head and Ciampa is furious! Ciampa reloads, runs in again, btu Bronson catches him! And pops him around, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa ROCKS and CHOPS Bronson, but Bronson gives those all back!
Bronson runs, into a BOOT! Ciampa ROCKS Bronson, Bronson wobbles, and Ciampa LARIATS! Bronson is still up! Ciampa tilt-o-whirls, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, Ciampa wins!!!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Bronson got caught and Ciampa has a colossal victory! Will Ciampa finally be the guy to get the opportunities around here?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Jackie Redmond is with The Man and brings up that this Saturday, she has a match with Trish Stratus inside a Steel Cage? Does Becky have any second thoughts about this Falls Count Anywhere match tonight just days ahead of Payback? Becky says she has had second thoughts. Third, fourth, fifth, etc. And all those thoughts have been about whooping Zoey Stark all up and down this arena! But for the last few months, Stark & Stratus have backed Becky into a corner. Is this the easy way out? No! But would she want the easy way? HELL NO! So The Man has come around to Memphis, and is bringing a lot of chaos with her! Will Becky take Stark all the way to Beale Street if she has to?
Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio head to the ring.
Mami and her Latino Heat both have gold around their waists, but the enemies are lining up both here on Raw and in NXT. What will the Eradicator have to say about Ricky Desperado? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns and Rhea has the mic to say, “Raquel Rodriguez claims that she’s gonna cut me down to size? That’s real cute coming from someone who had to play up an injury to pull one over on me.” Dom mocks Raquel’s crutch act. Rhea says it was smart, but that is the first and last time it’ll ever happen. But Rhea doesn’t blame her, no. Rhea’s resume speaks for itself. But Rhea wont’ come out here and tell us all about it, cuz it’d just take too damn long. This championship around her waist proves absolutely everything. But Raquel thinks she’s gonna take the title at Payback? That’s just another reason why she is an idiot.
But Rhea won’t take anything away from Raquel. She’s got her own accomplishments. Like that she’s big! And tough. And strong. But she’s not Rhea Bloody Ripley! Fans cheer, and Rhea says that Raquel can talk, talk, talk, but when it comes to Payback, Mami’s walking out champion. Raquel doesn’t learn her lessons, does she? But wait, here comes Raquel! And she storms right down to the ring! The brawl is on and fans fire up! Raquel TOSSES Rhea to a corner, stomps and punches away, then whips corner to corner! Raquel runs in to SPLASH! And then she scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Rhea flounders out of the ring and Raquel dares he to get back in!
Wait, Dom sneaks up on Raquel? Dom then apologizes when he gets caught. Raquel backs him down, but Rhea gets back in and HEADBUTTS Raquel! Pump handle, and RIP- NO, Raquel powers out and hip tosses Rhea away! Then she swings, Rhea ducks, but the SOUTHPAW hits! Rhea flops out of the ring again, did she just get put in her place? Or will she make Raquel pay for stepping to her?
Trish Stratus speaks.
“Let’s just be clear, Lynch, you’re the idiot who asked for this Falls Count Anywhere match, so you’re basically giving WWE’s fastest rising star, Zoey Stark, free range to do anything to you tonight. Well Lemony Snicket, you only got yourself to blame for this one. You are gonna leave something for me on Saturday, aren’t you?” Stark chuckles and says Trish doesn’t even have to worry about it. When she’s done with Becky, there will still be plenty for Trish inside that Steel Cage this Saturday. The Chick and the Hunter are confident they’ll end The Man this week, but will they be in for a big time surprise?
WWE remembers the career of Terry Funk.
Terry didn’t wanna be president or anything but one thing: a wrestler. He was born into a wrestling family, and burst onto the scene with his brother, Dory Funk Jr, as part of their father’s company in Amarillo, Texas. Stone Cold says he’s always looked up to Terry Funk, both his ability and his unpredictability. Ric Flair admired Terry’s work ethic and learned a lot from him. Terry’s no-nonsense style gripped the NWA audience and catapulted him to the top. Terry Funk won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and proved himself the finest champion the world had ever seen.
His popularity even got him on Hollywood’s radar, appearing in classic 80s films like Over The Top and Roadhouse. Terry would captivate even around the world, and he’d make impacts in WCW, ECW and WWE. He and Mick Foley pioneered the “hardcore” style. Bret Hart says Terry was ahead of his time and thought of things no one ever had before. Funk & Foley would even be a team together, winning together at WrestleMania 14. Foley says that Funk was one of the nicest, kindest guys outside the ring, and brought out the best in Foley.
In 2009, alongside Dory Jr, Terry would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Dusty Rhodes being there for his friend and rival. Jerry Lawler says Terry is the greatest, and his 50 years in wrestling will never be replicated. The WWE Family will remember Terry as a family man, a fearless entertainer, and an unforgettable pioneer. We will love him… FOREVER!
Falls Count Anywhere: Becky Lynch VS Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus!
Memphis enters the Big Time, and this fight might go all over Memphis for all we know! Will The Man bring down The Hunter so that she can focus on The Chick inside that Steel Cage on Saturday? Or will Becky even make it to Pittsburgh after tonight?
Raw returns and Stark makes her entrance, Trish by her side and kendo stick already in hand! But Becky gets her own! The bell rings and Becky strikes first! And again! And again! Becky makes sure Trish is watching as she SMACKS Stark again! Fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” and Becky says hell yeah she’s gonna whoop Stark! Becky gets Stark up, KENDO STICK RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! So Becky has a KENDO STICK CROSSFACE! Stark endures, reaches out, but the ropes won’t help her! Stark crawls out of the ring, Becky lets her go to then dropkick her! Becky storms up to CLUB Stark!
But Trish SMACKS Becky now! No disqualifications so this is now a 2v1 match! Stark gets Becky up but Becky grabs ropes! Becky kicks free then kicks Stark! Then she goes up, DECKS Trish, and adjusts course! SUPER CROSSBODY takes out Trish AND Stark! Cover on Stark, TWO! Stark is still in this but Becky keeps on her. Becky SMACKS Stark off barriers, goes looking for stuff, but Stark SMACKS her with the stick! And SMACKS her off the steps! Cover, TWO! Stark drags Becky up, puts her in the ring, but Becky gets her in the ropes! KICK, FOREARM, UPPERCUT, SOBAT! But Stark trips Becky up!
Stark springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Stark grows frustrated and she calls to Trish. Trish goes looking for stuff, and throws the chair in, but hits Stark! Stark doesn’t budge, and asks what the heck. Trish apologizes, and Becky rolls Stark up! TWO! Stark LARIATS Becky, and Trish keeps sending in more chairs! Is she trying to recreate the Terry Funk “Anyone got a chair” incident? Stark sets up chairs in a pile, brings Becky around and stomps her. Then Stark makes sure the chairs are placed just right before she drags Becky up. Fans want tables but Becky and Stark throw hands.
Stark puts Becky in a corner, puts her up top, and says the fans ain’t gettin’ no table! Stark goes up after Becky but Becky throws body shots and forearms! Stark tumbles to the outside, but Trish hurries up after Becky! Trish anchors Becky, Stark ROCKS Becky, and again! Becky hits back! Stark is on the ropes, Becky adjusts, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives but Becky has the arm! Stark fights, flails, reaches out, and trips Becky onto the chairs! Stark shakes out her arm and she drags Becky up. Z 3- NO, Becky blocks, clinches, MANHANDLE SLAM! Cover, TRISH breaks it!
Fans boo as Trish scurries away! Becky storms up, chases Trish around the ring, they do a full lap, and Trish gets a kendo stick! Trish laughs, swings, but Becky blocks! Becky BOOTS Trish, then has the stick! And she SMACKS Trish! And again! And again! And again! Trish goes running but Becky pursues, to SMACK her up the ramp! And then SMACKS her on the stage! And then in the butt! Becky just fires off and Trish crawls away! But Stark JAMS Becky with a chair! And SMACKS her on the back! SUPERKICK and Becky goes down! Cover, TWO!! The Man is still in the fight and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Becky brawls with Stark in the crowd! Fans high-five Becky and she TOSSES Stark back to ringside! Becky hops up onto the barriers, to then FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up as Stark falls over! Becky drags Stark up, and BECKSPLODERS Stark into the barrier! Cover, TWO! Stark is still in this but Becky says okay. Becky puts Stark in the ring where all the chairs are, and she hears the fans. She brings out a TABLE! Fans fire up as Becky sets it up, but Stark WRECKS Becky! Stark says the fans don’t deserve a table! Stark folds the table back up, pushes it aside, and then stomps Becky.
Stark puts Becky in the ring, but Becky swings on her! Stark blocks to HOTSHOT her away! Stark storms in, gets a chair, and she SMACKS Becky on the back! And again! And again! Stark then pushes Becky around, puts her by the ropes and sets a chair on top of her. Stark goes out to FULL METAL ARABIAN SENTON! Stark clutches her back but covers Becky, TWO! Becky is still in this but Stark piles the chairs up again. Stark puts Becky among the pile, puts a chair on top of her again, and goes up a corner! Fans boo but Becky CHUCKS the chair at Stark! That one hurt this time! Becky goes up after Stark and fans fire up!
Becky brings Stark up, to SUPERPLEX onto the chairs! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives and writhes her way out of the ring. Becky hurries out after Stark, and she clears off the desk! Fans fire up as Becky drags Stark up and over, SMACKS her off the desk, then puts her on it. Becky climbs up to join Stark, clinches, but Stark fights the lift! And Trish returns to trip Becky up! Stark pushes Becky around, and BOOTS her down! Trish soaks up the heat as Stark covers, TWO! Becky is still in this and Stark tells Michael Cole & Wade Barrett that they’re worthless! Stark CLUBS Becky, stomps her, then coordinates with Trish.
Stark goes up the barrier, but Becky SHOVES her away! Becky ROCKS Trish then TOSSES her over the desk! Becky SMACKS Stark off the timekeeper’s table! She drags Stark up onto some spare material, but Trish attacks again! Trish takes Stark’s place, to BULLDOG through a table!! Trish calls to Stark and Stark finds her way over. Trish helps her get to Becky for the cover, TWO!??! Becky survives and shocks Stark & Stratus! Fans fire up as Becky fights them both now, but they SMACK her into trunks! They drag her onto those cases, and the fans right there freak out as they bring Becky up.
Becky fights back! She SHOVES Stark, ducks a Chick Kick and fires off! But Stark CLUBS Becky! Becky ducks and the haymaker DECKS Trish! Trish falls through a table! Stark freaks out and even Becky’s shocked! Becky then clinches Stark, to MANDHANDLE SLAM through another table!! Cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall
Now that was a Big Time fight! It may have stayed indoors, but it had plenty of heat from the Summer night! But now, will Becky get to do even more to Trish inside that Steel Cage?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, even with the same great tribute videos for Bray and Terry from Friday. Sami VS Priest was a great opening match, and McDonagh getting involved and Priest actually winning was a great story detail. The tension is rising between Finn and Priest, even with a tag title opportunity coming this Saturday, but honestly, I’m with Finn on this. Maybe McDonagh could just be part of the team since he knows Finn. Why is everyone else getting so mad at someone wanting to basically join up? The tag title match now being a Street Fight, you can bet McDonagh gets involved even more so. And that last bit from Finn and Priest where Priest points out he doesn’t even need this tag match for titles cuz he has the MITB briefcase could be the last straw before someone gets kicked out of the group.
Rhea and Dom had a good segment with Raquel, but Raquel standing tall makes me think Rhea finds a way to retain the title. As good as Raquel is, it just fits the overall Judgment Day story that, as Rhea pointed out herself, she leads the way having a top title in her division while the guys struggle to catch up. Nothing from the women’s tag division tonight outside of the highlights in Raquel’s promo, but maybe things get going again after Payback. For that matter, I’m a little disappointed that Payback won’t have the Intercontinental Championship on the card. But next week’s Raw is a little closer to the Honky Tonk Man’s record so there is technically more drama in that scenario.
Good stuff out of tonight’s segment with Alpha Academy and Imperium, great match out of Gable VS Ludwig, and a disqualification win was fine to give Gable some momentum right before getting beat down. By go-home math, you would think Gable is gonna win next week, but it’s hard to say. Gunther probably still wins so he takes the record from Honky Tonk Man, adds to the new record and losses at the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania. Who knows it’ll be by then but WWE will have plenty of time to build up that superstar. Maybe it’ll be Ciampa, because he got a great win off Bronson Reed tonight. Reed himself should get at a title in the future, but I guess we’ll have to wait a minute.
Honestly, it is hard to say who wins between Rollins and Nakamura. Great promos from both men tonight, and great ambush attack by Nakamura here. Going by go-home math, Rollins wins. But given this back problem is partially real, I would think Nakamura wins so Rollins can take time off and actually fix his back. And then Nakamura can face a lot of Faces who want title opportunities. We saw a cameo from Ricochet tonight, who had his own feud with Nakamura, so that’d be a fun title feud. Or again, Ciampa gets himself a title opportunity like he said he would, and we see more of Ciampa and Nakamura feuding.
The Miz tricking us into thinking Knight was here was very clever, and honestly, Miz was pretty funny here. He basically did a great The Rock impersonation because that’s what the haters say Knight is doing this whole time. I hope Knight returns the favor on SmackDown and cosplays as Miz. Their match will be really good and a lot of fun, but I would think Knight wins that one so that he can move on towards a championship. Like the US Championship, which IS on the line at Payback. And no Cody tonight but that’s because he was on SmackDown and he’ll have a moment on the PPV with the Grayson Waller Effect talk show segment.
Really good stuff out of this Triple Threat tag feud tonight, with great promos and a great tag match of New Day VS Viking Raiders. McIntyre chucking those armchairs around was awesome, and clever to have Woods be an inadvertent target. And good on them for not doing the usual “mistake becomes grudge” kinda stuff you always see in pro-wrestling. We’re going to get an awesome Tornado Tag next week, but I still see this turning into a Triple Threat Tag to determine #1 contenders in time for Fastlane in October. #McRiddle falling apart is still falling into the RKBRO formula, so it’s kinda stuck. If McRiddle goes on to be a team, then yes, RKBRO 2.0. If the team falls apart, that’s also predictable cuz fans kinda expect McIntyre to explode on Riddle.
And then just great stuff with Becky’s story. Good promo from Becky, good promo from Trish & Zoey, and what an awesome match. Also, kudos to Stark for being able to brush off the accidental chair to her head. Gotta be more careful with timing there. And they didn’t go as far around the arena as expected. But they saved the best stuff for the end, and Stark knocking Trish down was great. Becky winning would say Trish wins at Payback, but who knows. Becky also got emotional at the end as she held up her Bray Wyatt armband, a very touching moment to close the show on.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Is the Don Callis Family ready to #ManUp?
Just one week before Full Gear, Kyle Fletcher puts his AEW TNT Championship on the line while Mark Briscoe deals with Mark Davis! Will tonight make a major change to the PPV card?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia VS Jay Lethal, Adam Priest & Tommy Billington; Pac, Yuta & Garcia win.
- Mark Briscoe VS Mark Davis; Briscoe wins.
- MXM TV Casting Call: Taya Valkyrie w/ MXM TV VS Tay Melo; Melo wins.
- AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Scorpio Sky; Fletcher wins and retains the title.
- Riho & Alex Windsor VS Hyan & Maya World; Riho & Windsor win.
- 8 Man Tag: FTR & LFI VS Bandido, Juice Robinson & #JetSpeed; Bandido, Juice & JetSpeed win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia VS Jay Lethal, Adam Priest & Tommy Billington!
Blood & Guts 2025 was the most brutal one yet, and yet the most brutal faction in AEW lost! The Bastard, The Decoder & The Red Death want to take out their anger, but will they be standing tall after this Collision? Or will The Franchise Player, #AllGenresAdam & The Dynamite Kid just add insult to injury?
Garcia gets into it with Matt Menard during the entrance, and then Garcia SLAPS the headset off of Daddy Magic! The fans cheer Menard on as he throws hands with Garcia! Nigel & Schiavone do their best to stay back, Pac & Yuta tell Garcia to leave Menard alone, they’ve got the match to worry about. Garcia stops, Lethal’s team makes their entrance, will they make Garcia pay for bullying Menard?
Jon Moxley, of all people, takes Menard’s seat at commentary while the teams sort out. But then they don’t and the Death Riders rush Team Lethal! Priest LARIATS Garcia and puts him in a corner while Lethal & Tommy brawl with Yuta & Pac! Then Priest LARIATS in a corner, Lethal adds a LARIAT of his own, then they feed Garcia to Tommy’s BACKDROP! Priest keeps on Garcia in a corner and rains down fists! The fans count but Garcia shoves Priest away at 7. Priest DROPKICKS Garcia, Pac tags in, and Priest arm-drags! Tag to Lethal, they mug Pac, and then Lethal whips. Pac ducks to waistlock, Lethal switches to shove, hip toss, and handspring DROPKICK!
Moxley’s headset finally works, and he sarcastically says, “Oh my gosh, what an unfortunate situation that was.” Lethal covers, ONE, but Lethal drags Pac back up. Pac KNEES low, tags Yuta, but Lethal arm-drags Yuta! The fans cheer Lethal as he drags Yuta over, tag to Tommy. They double whip Yuta, Garcia tags in, Yuta still takes DOUBLE ELBOWS! Garcia CLOBBERS Tommy and soaks up the heat as fans boo. Garcia reels Tommy in, but Tommy snap suplexes first! The fans cheer and Tommy tags Priest. They hit a BIG double back suplex, then Priest covers, ONE! Meanwhile, Moxley dares to say Menard is the one bringing negativity into the work place!
Garcia goes to ropes, Priest brings him up and UPPERCUTS him down! Priest has Garcia in a corner, CHOPS him, and the fans “WOO~!” Priest snap suplexes Garcia, covers, TWO! Priest tags Tommy, Garcia tries to fight back but Tommy stomps him. Tommy ROCKS Garcia, HEADBUTTS Garcia, and tags Priest back in. They double whip Garcia, DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE, and they high-five. But Yuta CLOBBERS Priest! Tommy JUMP KNEES Yuta! Garcia rushes Priest, shoves him, then redirects to runt he ropes again and again. The fans cheer as they keep going, then Garcia drops down. Garcia baits Tommy in for Yuta to DUMP out to the floor!
The fans boo but Yuta argues with the ref. Garcia goes to the corner, Pac tags in, and Pac stalks Tommy around the way. Pac SMACKS Tommy off the apron, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Pac brings Tommy around and whips him hard into railing! Pac then drags Tommy up, brings him over, and snap suplexes him to the floor! Pac digs his heel into Tommy’s neck, but stops as the ref reprimands. Pac puts Tommy back in the ring, stomps him, then paces around him. Tommy reaches out but Pac wrenches his arm. Tag to Yuta, they mug Tommy, then Yuta SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Tommy toughs it out but Yuta just clamps on with a clinch. Tommy fires body shots and forearms! But Yuta picks a leg and trips him! Tag to Garcia, he stomps away on Tommy! Garcia soaks up more heat from Erie before he drags Tommy over.
Garcia tags Pac, they both stomp away, but stop as the ref reprimands. Pac soaks up heat, flips off Lethal, then goes back to Tommy. Pac CLAWS Tommy’s eyes, stops as the ref reprimands, then paces around again. Pac soaks up more heat and Collision returns to single picture. Pac CLUBS Tommy down, taunts Lethal, and drags Tommy up. The fans rally as Tommy fights back, but Pac CLUBS him down. Pac stomps Tommy, digs his boots in, then argues with the ref. That lets Yuta & Garcia get cheap shots in! The fans boo but the Death Riders get away with it again. Pac stomps Tommy again, digs his heel in, and Moxley says this is a bad night for Tommy.
Tag to Yuta and Yuta drags Tommy up. The fans rally for Tommy but Yuta reels him in. Tommy fights the suplex, Yuta fires body shots, then Yuta BITES Tommy’s forehead! The ref counts, Yuta stops, and he tags Garcia. Garcia tags Pac, and The Death Riders set up, but Lethal grabs at Yuta’s hair! The ref reprimands, there’s a lot of scrapping between The Death Riders and Team Lethal, but they still send Yuta in for an ELBOW on Tommy! Garcia LARIATS! Pac UPPERCUTS! And repeat! The fans boo as the cycle keeps going, but Moxley says this is about endurance and intensity! Pac then scoops Tommy, for a TOMBSTONE! Cover, but Lethal & Priest break it!
The fans cheer, the brawl is on, and Yuta & Garcia TOSS Lethal & Priest! Pac tags Yuta, Yuta puts Tommy on the top rope, and Yuta climbs up. Yuta is on the very top, but Tommy fights back! Tommy fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT and Yuta falls! The fans fire up as Tommy adjusts, MISSILE DROPKICK! Both men are down, Moxley admits that was thunderous, and the fans are thunderous themselves. But Garcia BLASTS Lethal & Priest! The fans boo but Tommy whips Garcia away! Then he CROSSBODIES Garcia and himself to the outside! A rough landing either way and the fans rally up.
Yuta crawls, Tommy stirs, Priest coaches Tommy up, and Marina shouts for Garcia to get up, too. Hot tags to Pac and Lethal! Lethal rallies on the Death Riders! DRAGON SCREW for Pac! DRAGON SCREW for Yuta! And then a takedown on Pac! But Pac boots him away! So Lethal trips Yuta! Yuta boots Lethal away, Lethal ENZIGIRIS Pac! And clinches Yuta, LETHAL COMBINATION! The fans fire up as Lethal trips Pac again! Lethal steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Moxley does not like seeing this! Garcia CHOKES Lethal! The fans boo but Priest storms in and fires hands! Garcia whips, Priest reverses and Garcia tumbles out!
Pac ROCKS Priest, Lethal SUPERKICKS Pac! Lethal handsprings, but Pac sends Priest in the way! LETHAL INJECTION on Priest!! Roll-up on Lethal, TWO!! Lethal and Pac roll, they fight for control, BRUTALIZER!! Lethal endures, but he QUITS! Death Riders win!
Winners: PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia, by submission
Moxley says, “And that’s how it’s done.” The Death Riders rebound from Blood & Guts, but Pac grabs a mic to talk. “Oi, oi, oi…! From what I’ve heard, Darby Allin, he isn’t here tonight. And I can’t say I’m surprised. Y’see, what I did to Darby Allin at Blood & Guts, it was bloody beautiful. It was the best thing that I’ve ever done! Y’see, I’ve achieved a lot in professional wrestling, but standing and watching him burn… Well, I consider that my magnum opus! My piece la resistance! A masterpiece nonetheless. And no doubt, if Darby is still alive, he’ll want some form of petty revenge. Well, hey! Darby! I’ll be honest with ya: that’s no skin off my ball sack, ya little freak!
“Y’see, you wanna piece of me? No problem! Me and you, mano y mano, any time, any where! And where better than one week from tonight, live on PPV from New Jersey, AEW Full Gear? Y’see, Darby, you get a chance at retribution. But I get a chance to prove to the entire world, live on PPV, that a punk like you doesn’t belong int he same conversation, never mind the same league, as a competitor like ME!” The fans boo, but Pac tells Darby, “Have a little think about it, and let me know, wontcha? I’ll be waiting.” The Bastard has thrown out the challenge, but will- or rather, can Darby Allin accept?
Backstage interview with Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis.
Lexy Nair is with Aussie Open as she brings up the big week for the Don Callis Family. Tonight, Mark Davis takes on Mark Briscoe while Kyle defends the TNT Championship against Scorpio Sky. If successful, we will get Fletcher VS Briscoe 6 at Full Gear. Fletcher is already annoyed, because he is sick of talking about Briscoe! Briscoe has been a thorn in The Family’s side for far too long. At Full Gear, Fletcher puts Briscoe in his place for good. But tonight, Briscoe has to deal with this man! Davis tells “Chicken Man Briscoe” that he won’t even make it to Full Gear, because after Davis wins tonight, chicken is for dinner! RARARARAR!
Fletcher says goodness. Good for Davis, but on Fletcher’s menu is Scorpio Sky. Fletcher tells Scorpio that he is very impressive, undefeated since returning, and a former two-time TNT Champion. But with the roll Fletcher is on, it stops for NOBODY. Get ready to say his full name. Will The Protostar & Dunkzilla dominate on behalf of the Callis Family? Or can a lot change in just one night?
Backstage interview with Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa.
Collision returns as Lexy is now with the Timeless Love Bombs. Lexy notes that no one left Blood & Guts unscathed. Mina is clearly not cleared to compete tonight, and- Toni takes the mic to stop Lexy so that she can say, “Five women made me watch a mugging, a massacre, a murder. Now you can do what you like to me, Toni Storm lives and dies every damn day. But when you touch the woman I love… A woman who brings color to a world that is black ‘n’ white… Then you gain admission to a film, a cinema verité, that stars five sh*t-ass slop tarts and two horror show whores with a lust for vengeance who will love bomb the crap out of you!
“And since it’s your turn to watch, we promise to look good when we do it. Any time, any place. The show must go on. Don’t ask God for mercy, He’s a big fan of our work.” The femme fatale has spoken, but when and where will she and the Fighting Gravure Idol get their hands on Megan, Marina, and the rest?
Mark Briscoe VS Mark Davis!
The Sussex County Chicken almost didn’t make it into Blood & Guts after a backstage ambush from the Don Callis Family, but he showed he can #ManUp and even win at less than 100%! But will Briscoe need to fight like Hell all over again? Or will Dunkzilla make him easy pickings for The Protostar?
Well, Briscoe doesn’t even wait for Davis to get in the ring, he intercepts Davis at the ramp! The fans fire up as the brawl is on! Moxley is still on commentary and he likes this already. Davis ROCKS Briscoe, CHOPS Briscoe, then whips Briscoe into railing! Briscoe writhes, but Davis whips him into more railing! Davis snarls and stalks Briscoe, puts him in the ring, and the bell sounds! Briscoe DECKS Davis off the apron, then he WRECKS Davis with a dropkick! Then BLOCKBUSTER to the floor! The fans fire up with Briscoe, he fires hands on Davis, but Davis pushes him away. Briscoe comes back to DROPKICK!
The fans chant, “Let’s Go, Mark!” and Briscoe goes to the apron. BANG BANG, FOLEY- NO, Davis FOREARMS Briscoe outta the sky! Then he APRON BACK SUPLEXES! Briscoe flops down, Davis drags him up and around, then he TOSSES Briscoe at the railing! Briscoe lands in a heap, the fans boo, but Davis drags Briscoe back up. Davis puts Briscoe in the ring, then stalks him to a corner. Davis CHOKES Briscoe, stops as the ref counts, and then Davis CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans rally, Davis whips corner to corner, but “This Mark Sucks!” Briscoe goes up and over, then he ROCKS Davis! And UPPERCUTS!
The fans fire up for Briscoe as he climbs, but Davis ROCKS him! Davis climbs up, throws hands, but the fans boo. Davis still goes to TEN, then he stands on the very top. SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO! Briscoe toughs it out but Davis grits his teeth. Davis looms over Briscoe, the fans rally up, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Davis drags Briscoe up, scoops and SLAMS, then SENTONS! Briscoe sputters but Davis KICKS Briscoe in the back! And again, and again! Davis paces while Briscoe crawls to a corner. Davis storms up to dig his boot in, the ref counts and Davis stops at 4. Davis mocks Briscoe, then drags him up. Davis suplexes to THROW Briscoe away! Briscoe flounders to the far corner but Davis storms up again. Briscoe CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Bur Davis scoops to SLAM again! Davis paces, then he stomps Briscoe. Davis stalks Briscoe to the ropes, CHOKES him, then stops as the ref counts. Davis TOSSES Briscoe out and soaks up heat.
Briscoe sputters against commentary, staggers towards railing, then collapses while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns as Davis has Briscoe in a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Briscoe fights free, but Davis is too hefty to hip toss! Davis then LARIATS Briscoe down! Davis says it’s done now! The fans boo but Davis drags Briscoe around. Davis wrenches Briscoe to CHOP him down! Davis stands Briscoe up, just to CHOP him back down! And then again! But Briscoe stays standing this time! Davis CHOPS again, but Briscoe fires up! The fans fire up, Davis CHOPS again, but Briscoe is just feeing off it! Briscoe then CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The CHOPS keep going, the fans “WOO~,” and things speed up!
Briscoe ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Davis! Davis rebounds, Briscoe ducks ‘n’ dodges again to FLYING FOREARM! Both Marks are down but the fans fire up! Briscoe is at the ropes, Davis stands at center, and Davis CHOPS! Briscoe CHOPS! And repeat! The CHOPS go back and forth! Briscoe fires as flurry of forearms, then more CHOPS! Briscoe runs, but Davis CLOBBERS him at the ropes! Davis runs, but Briscoe returns the favor! Then Briscoe feints Davis, waistlocks, but Davis fights free. Davis waistlocks, but Briscoe breaks free to PELE! Briscoe then reels Davis in, hooks a leg, but Davis suplexes! Briscoe makes it a cradle, TWO!
Briscoe ducks the enzigiri, BOOTS Davis, then hits the FISHERMAN BUSTER! The fans fire up and Briscoe goes to the corner! Briscoe climbs while Davis is down, FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Davis turns things around, then runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Briscoe survives and the fans fire up! Davis roars, and he reels Briscoe in for a STUFF PILEDRIVER! Briscoe flounders out of the ring! The fans rally as Briscoe ends up taking a seat. Davis runs up, ELBOW against the barriers! The fans boo but Davis puts Briscoe back in. Davis then chucks the chair into the ring, brings another one in, but Briscoe BOOTS Davis down!
Briscoe hurries to set up the one chair, and he uses it to FLY! Down goes Davis! The fans fire up and Briscoe high-fives the front row! Briscoe puts Davis in, then climbs up, FROGGY- NO, Briscoe rolls through as Davis moves. Briscoe comes back, btu Davis pops him up to CROTCH him on the ropes! Davis then climbs up to have Briscoe, but Briscoe slips free! Briscoe trips Davis and Davis lands on his down under! Briscoe goes back up again, for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, Briscoe wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall
Third time is the charm, and now Chicken is red hot going towards Full Gear! But will Briscoe be able to take the TNT Championship, no matter who he’s facing? Or will The Don Callis Family be the winners in the end?
Team Sky Flight speaks.
Christopher Daniels focuses himself before telling Scorpio Sky, “Ever since you decided to start this team of Sky Flight, we have led these guys to some great victories. We are on a roll in the world of professional wrestling, but I think it’s time for you to become a little bit selfish, get some glory for yourself, and regain that gold.” Scorpio says, “It’s been 1228 days since I lost the TNT Title. And not one of ’em has gone by where I haven’t thought about getting it back. The last few years have not been easy for me, but none of it compares to what stands in front of me tonight.
“Kyle Fletcher, you are every bit as good as you think you are. But I’ve got the experience to know that what sticks with you in this business aren’t the victories, it’s the night that should’ve been victories but weren’t. Defeat comes for us all, Kyle. And tonight, yours comes from The Sky.” Scorpio snaps his fingers and we go to break. Will The Closer strike out the Protostar and completely change Full Gear?
Josh Alexander is beating up Michael Nakazawa?!
The Walking Weapon is sending a message to Kenny Omega through the last friend standing! He asks if this all sounds familiar! Kenny’s best friends and loved ones kicking and screaming! Just like Kota Ibushi! This is fun for Alexander! HE is an instrument of destruction for the Don Callis Family! So what do you think he’ll do for a million dollars at Full Gear? If Kenny wants to be at Boston for the AEW super show, TOO LATE! Alexander CLUBS Nakazawa’s leg! But will the Callis Family pay dearly for everything they’ve done to Kenny’s friends?
MXM TV is here!
And after they POSE together in the ring, Mansoor has the mic to say, “MXM TV kindly requests you slack-jawed, odious troglodytes to SHUT UP! This is the most exciting thing to ever happen to your Podunk town. Because this is the MXM TV Casting Call! Any combination of MXM TV VS any combination of anyone in the back! And the only thing that’s gonna be eerie is how ugly they’re gonna be after we rearrange their face!” The fans boo but Mansoor says time to find out who they’re beating tonight! Arkady Aura says it is a singles match, and she introduces… Tay Melo! Will the Blackbelt Brazilian Beauty beat some humility into Mrs. TV?
Taya Valkyrie w/ MXM TV VS Tay Melo!
The bell rings, Taya mocks the hip shaking, but then Tay BOOTS Taya down! The fans fire up as Tay fires off forearms on Taya in the corner, but Taya shoves her away. Taya ROCKS Tay, but Tay CHOPS in return! Tay whips corner to corner, but Taya dodges! Tay ELBOWS Taya, Taya ROCKS Tay! Taya blocks boots, puts Tay in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSE and SLIDING GERMAN! MXM TV cheers on their leading lady, Moxley says Taya has aura, and Taya drags Tay out. Taya & Johnny kiss, then Taya whips. But Tay reverses to send Taya into steps! Tay dares the boys to try something, they say this should go back in the ring!
Tay goes in, to then climb up! The fans fire up as Tay SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down go Johnny and Mansoor! Mason saved Taya, but then Tay BOOTS him! And KNEES Taya! Tay puts Taya in the ring, storms up on her, and Gory Especial for the TAY K O!! Cover, Tay wins!
Winner: Tay Melo, by pinfall
MXM TV is reeling, but Tay promises she and Anna Jay will be tag team champions. But MARINA SHAFIR ATTACKS! The fans boo but The Problem THROWS Tay down, then wraps her up in MOTHER’S MILK!! Tay flails, but TONI STORM rushes out here! She BLASTS Taya just because, then she SHOTGUNS Marina! Toni reels Marina in, STORM ZERO!! The fans are all fired up as Toni gets just a taste of revenge! Moxley says he didn’t see that coming. But will anyone stop Toni & Mina from having their fill?
AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Scorpio Sky w/ Christopher Daniels!
As it stands, Fletcher and Briscoe will compete for this title at Full Gear, with the added stipulation that Briscoe losing means he’d join the Don Callis Family. Can The Closer not only take the title but throw a wrench into those plans? Or will the Aussie Arrow stay on target from here to New Jersey?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the greatest Face of TNT ever!
The bell rings and Scorpio offers a handshake. The fans cheer for it, but Kyle kicks it away. The fans boo that but Scorpio shakes it off. They tie up, go around, and Kyle puts Scorpio in the corner. The ref counts, Kyle backs off, and the two go again. They knuckle lock, have a Test of Strength, but Scorpio wrenches to a wristlock. Scorpio YANKS the arm, Kyle rolls and wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! The fans rally as Scorpio endures the wristlock. Scorpio rolls, Kyle wrangles him, and he slaps Scorpio’s arm to mock him and the fans. Scorpio fights up, he trips Kyle, but Kyle has the ROPEBREAK! Scorpio lets off, and he waits on Kyle.
Kyle and Scorpio reset, circle again, and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, the fans rally, and the two go shoulder to shoulder in another Test of Strength. Kyle powers Scorpio back, Scorpio turns things around, and now Scorpio crowds Kyle. The ref counts, Scorpio backs off, and Kyle bails out. The fans boo but Kyle tells Daniels to watch himself. But then Scorpio tries on Kyle’s coat! The fans cheer but Kyle is mad. Kyle storms in, ties up with Scorpio, and Scorpio wrenches to YANK, YANK, and YANK the arm. Fletcher whips free, Scorpio reverses to trip Kyle! Scorpio then floats to an armlock!
Kyle fights up, puts Scorpio in the corner, but the ref counts. Kyle whips, Scorpio goes up and over, but the leg buckles! That’s been the prevailing injury for Scorpio in his AEW career, but wait! It’s a trick! He rolls Kyle up! TWO!! Scorpio CHOPS Kyle, smirks, but Kyle fires a forearm! They go forearm for forearm, Kyle fires a flurry, and the fans are torn. Kyle runs, but Scorpio JUMPING ELBOWS! Kyle flounders out of the ring, Moxley says Kyle learned a bit of gamesmanship here. Scorpio goes out after Kyle to ROCK him and CHOP him! Kyle ducks a shot to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Scorpio writhes, Daniels coaches him, but Kyle BOOTS Daniels!
The fans boo as Kyle takes down the Fallen Angel for no good reason. Kyle flexes, then tells Daniels to stay out of his business! Kyle storms up on Scorpio, but Scorpio fires off forearms and haymakers! Scorpio whips and Kyle hits steel steps hard! The fans rally while Scorpio checks Daniels, and Collision goes picture in picture.
A ringside medic checks Daniels while Daniels tells Scorpio to focus on Kyle. Scorpio stalks Kyle around the way, they go into the ring, and Scorpio storms up, only for Kyle to ELBOW him down! Kyle rains down fists and elbows, only stopping to shout and yell. Kyle seethes before going back to Scorpio for a stomp. Scorpio goes to the corner, Kyle runs up and he BOOTS Scorpio down! Kyle JUMP STOMPS again and again but the ref counts. Kyle backs off at 4 while Scorpio sputters. Kyle storms up on Scorpio again, brings him up and around, then whips him to the corner. Kyle runs in for a forearm SMASH!
Kyle reels Scorpio in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Scorpio toughs it out but Kyle stays focused. Scorpio goes to ropes, Kyle scoops him and SLAMS him! Kyle paces around Scorpio, daring him to get up. Scorpio rises, Kyle stomps him down, and then Kyle slaps Scorpio around. Kyle scoops and SLAMS again, then clamps on a chinlock. Scorpio endures as Kyle leans on the hold, and Collision returns to single picture. The fans rally, Scorpio fights around, and Scorpio rises to his feet. Kyle KNEES Scorpio low! Then he AX HANDLES Scorpio down! Kyle taunts Scorpio while he BOOTS, and SUPERKICKS!
Scorpio eggs Kyle on!? Kyle fires forearm after forearm on Scorpio, but Scorpio leans into the shots! Scorpio fires in return, and he fires a flurry! Scorpio CLAWS eyes, then rains down fists in the corner! He goes PAST TEN to get about TWENTY! The fans fire up for that, but Kyle swings! Scorpio kicks low, then BITES Kyle on the forehead! The ref reprimands but Scorpio runs to LARIAT Kyle up and out! The fans fire up again and Scorpio PLANCHAS, only for Kyle to dodge! Kyle kicks low, reels Scorpio in, then lifts, only for Scorpio to fight free! Scorpio is on the apron and he mule kicks Kyle away! Then he FLYING RANAS Kyle to the floor!
The fans fire up and Moxley admits, that was incredible. Scorpio rises, rolls into the ring, and Kyle stands. Scorpio FLIES and wipes Kyle out! The fans fire up with Scorpio and he puts Kyle back in the ring. Scorpio duck s ‘n’ dodges, then SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives and Scorpio is frustrated but the fans continue to rally. Kyle goes to a corner, Scorpio storms up on him, but Kyle fights the fireman’s carry! Kyle throws down elbows, Scorpio fireman’s carries anyway, but Kyle slips free! SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Scorpio ends up in the corner and Kyle snarls. Scorpio drags himself back up, but into the GAMANGIRI!
Kyle reels Scorpio in, but Scorpio fights the suplex! Scorpio BITES Kyle’s hand while he wrenches free! The ref reprimands but Kyle breaks free. Scorpio blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Kyle writhes and rolls to the apron. Scorpio storms up again, but Kyle avoids the shoulder to KICK Scorpio! Kyle drags Scorpio out to the apron, suplexes, but Scorpio escapes inside! HOTSHOT! Kyle sputters, Scorpio hurries back up, and Scorpio SLINGSHOT CUTTERS on the apron!! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kyle manages to crawl inside and Scorpio goes up a corner. DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!!
Kyle survives and Scorpio is beside himself but the fans fire up! Scorpio and Kyle both rise, and the two fire forearms! They go back and forth, Kyle kicks low, but then Scorpio blocks to ROCK Kyle! Kyle BOOTS Scorpio! Kyle runs, but into a trip and roll-back! HALF CRAB! Kyle endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Scorpio holds until the ref counts 4, and he lets go in frustration. The fans rally and duel as Kyle goes to a corner. Scorpio runs up, blocks a boot, but Kyle SUPERKICKS! “This is Awesome!” as Kyle clinches Scorpio, scoops him, and MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Scorpio survives but Kyle just GAMANGIRIS in the corner!
Kyle reels Scorpio in, suplexes, SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Kyle wins!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
The Closer threw as much heat as he could, but Kyle still hit it out of the park. But then Davis joins in and they mug Scorpio! The fans boo, but here comes Top Flight! Darius & Dante chase Aussie Open off, and even Briscoe is here! Briscoe gets a mic and tells Kyle to do him a favor: Tell Callis that Briscoe will not be stopped. They ambushed him on Wednesday, but what happened? Briscoe’s team emerged victorious! Ask Davis there if he slowed Briscoe down at all. Briscoe whooped that big burly ass! And Kyle, the main thing to do is that the next time “Daddy Don” has Kyle shine that big bald head of his, shine the belt up, too.
Kyle should snuggle with the belt real tight tonight. Give it kisses and hugs, because in one week, Full Gear, that title comes home with Briscoe! The fans cheer that! Kyle tells Briscoe that his screws are loose. They had nothing to do with attacking Briscoe on Wednesday. And this was also defense number eight! One defense from breaking the all-time TNT Championship record! So the only thing that’ll happen one week from tonight is Kyle cementing his legacy as the GREATEST TNT CHAMPION OF ALL TIME! And when that happens, there is a spot with Briscoe’s name on it right next to them in the Don Callis Family.
“And then you will have no choice, like all of these people, but to say my full name.” Fletcher gets the last word tonight, but will Briscoe have the last laugh at Full Gear?
AEW prepares for a big money Tailgate Brawl!
The 5 Tool Player says, “$200,000? Tony, that’s not even nearly enough to get me to wanna tag with this guy.” Platinum Max says yeah, they can’t agree on anything except that they don’t wanna be a tag team. But TK is forcing them, so they’ll take his money, beat up his wrestlers, and hopefully never tag again. Just don’t make them do this. #RockHardRobinson says tonight is a sneak-peek at what goes down at Tailgate Brawl. They’ll win and take all the money to invest it into their 401K! Because the Bang Bang Gang plays for keeps!
But Bryan Keith says $200K is just the right bounty for him and Big Bill! And Bill says he’ll get some of his boys up in Jersey to put that money to work for them. They’ll get 200K from TK, PAY UP! The Outrunners say four teams enter, but only one team has the size to win the prize! Tell ’em, Turb! It’s a $200K Fatal 4 Way Tailgate, and they know something about getting tail and spending money! The Youngest Men Alive vow to win, but who hits the jackpot in New Jersey?
Riho & Alex Windsor VS Hyan & Maya World!
The Wrestling Idol & Iron Will will be in the Women’s Tag Team title tournament, but they’re getting a tune-up here tonight in Erie! Will Riho & Windsor be more than ready for Toni & Mina? Or will The Renaissance Woman & #ThatGirl prove they’re just as All Elite?
The teams sort out and Riho starts against Hyan. The fans rally up already as the two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Hyan’s height is leverage to put Riho on the ropes, then she backs off. The two tie up again, Riho rolls and then trips Hyan to cover, ONE! Hyan sweeps to cover, ONE as Riho goes Matrix! Riho DROPKICKS Hyan and the fans fire up! Riho runs up and KNEES Hyan, then goes corner to corner to KNEE her again! But Hyan scoops Riho! Hyan pops Riho up to a fireman’s carry, but Riho sunset flips it, TWO! Hyan BOOTS Riho, tags Maya, and Maya DROPKICKS Riho! May a kips up, but Alex tags in!
The fans rally as Alex ROCKS Maya again and again and again! Alex whips Maya to ropes, but Maya RAN- NO! Alex drops Maya to go for the legs. Maya BOOTS free, but Riho sneaks the tag before Alex DROPKICKS Maya! Alex goes to cover but Maya slips out and handsprings over! Only for Riho to DROPKICK and TABLE TOP her! The fans fire up as Alex gives Riho the boost to RANA Maya! Alex LARIATS Maya, then dodges Hyan to CHOOP! And CHOP! BOOSTED DROPKICK for Hyan! Then Alex sets up, Riho runs in, POETRY IN MOTION on Maya! The fans fire up and Alex steps outside. Hyan grabs at her, Alex kicks free, then Alex avoids Maya’s leg sweep.
Alex SUPERKICKS Maya into Hyan, then she CANNONBALLS them both down! The fans fire up and Alex sets things up for Riho to SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans fire up, Riho high-fives the front row, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Riho goes back to the ring, Alex puts Maya in, and Riho covers, TWO! Riho runs, wheelbarrows, and victory rolls, only for Maya to UP KICK first! Maya drags Riho up and tags Hyan. They bring Riho around to double whip and DOUBLE ELBOW her down! Hyan drops the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Riho survives, the fans rally, but Hyan drags Riho up. Hyan bumps Riho off buckles, RAMS her into the corner, then digs her shoulder in. The ref counts, Hyan stops at 4, then she whips Riho to ELBOW her! Hyan snapmare rolls, then KNEE SMASH and back suplex, only for Riho to land out! ENZIGIRI!
Riho and Hyan crawl, the fans rally up, but Hyan drags Riho back for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Riho toughs it out but Hyan keeps her cool. Hyan drags Riho up, bumps her off buckles, and tags Maya. Maya stomps a mudhole while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns as Maya has Riho down with a chinlock. The fans rally as Riho endures and fights back up. Riho fires elbows, but Maya CLUBS her on the back. Maya suplexes, but Riho slips free! Hot tag to Alex! The fans fire up as Alex rallies on Maya! LARIAT after LARIAT, then UPPERCUT in the corner! Alex gets moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges then redirects to LARIAT! The fans fire up with the kip up, and Alexa fireman’s carries. Maya fights free, fireman’s carries in return, but Alex fights free! They go to ropes, Maya bucks the O’Conner, but Alex scoops, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, Hyan breaks it in time!
Hyan runs up and BOOTS Alex! Riho tags back in, she wheelbarrows, but Hyan stops the victory roll! Alex LARIATS Hyan into the STOMP 182! SUPERKICK! Hyan tumbles out, Maya staggers up, but she dodges Alex to send her into Riho! GERMAN SUPELX on Alex! Riho gets around, Maya fights the lift and ELBOWS free. Maya runs, but into a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Riho tilt-o-whirls, but Maya stays up! Alex LARIATS Maya into the CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, Riho & Alex win!
Winners: Riho & Alex Windsor, by pinfall
Even Moxley is impressed with that combo, but now Toni Storm is on the tron. She tells Windsor & Riho, “Congratulations on your lovely match. We will be seeing you in the first round of the tag team tournament, and I wish to apologize in advance. We consider you both wonderful athletes, and non-sexual friends. This isn’t personal, so please excuse us as we rip off your heads and s*it on your laps. We are lovers during a very dangerous time, and we are on a very rocky road to revenge, and no woman can stop us! So please, let’s have a bloody good time!” Kiss, kiss, and shove it!
Riho is rather taken aback by all that, but Alex says no, it’ll be a bloody good time indeed. But which team will have their happy ending to kick off their part in the tournament?
AEW shares footage from after Blood & Guts.
The Conglomeration regrouped backstage, and Kyle O’Reilly thinks back on his debut in AEW. It was in the Greensboro Coliseum, it was a bit awkward, but then six months into his AEW career, he basically broke his neck even before facing Jon Moxley. A bad call, and he would not wrestle again for almost two years. Moxley almost ended Kyle’s career. Kyle didn’t know if he’d even pick up his daughter again, let alone wrestle. But here he is, three years later, fighting Moxley again and again. Like a petulant child, Moxley punches a ref. Moxley is a shark, he’s swimming in his natural habitat, looking for prey.
But the thing about sharks, once you sense their movements, once you know what it is, you know how to beat it. Kyle has a submission victory over Jon Moxley! Any other time, any other place, prove him wrong. Moxley on commentary responds by saying, “Oh, you thought that was funny? Hey, what’d we learn earlier with Daddy Magic?” The fans drown Moxley out with “You Tapped Out!” so Moxley gets off commentary to taunt them back. The chant continues, but Moxley grabs a mic to tell The Conglomeration that they had the night of their lives on Wednesday.
“But let’s all be clear, Kyle O’Reilly…! You are nothing like me! You are not built like me! Your team is not built like my team, and don’t you forget it! Oh, you won a match? You won one match? Good for you. Can you do it again and again and again and again? I don’t think you can, and I don’t need to bet a million dollars to prove that you can’t do it again! Lemme tell you something, Kyle O’Reilly! Lemme tell you something, Conglomeration! Any match, any time, any place, you know where you can find us!” Moxley storms off into the night, but what will happen when this Maniac and the Violent Artist meet again?
Backstage interview with Tay Melo.
Lexy congratulates Tay on the win tonight, then brings up Marina ruining the celebration and Toni making the save. Tay tells Toni that she respects her, she does, but please, don’t step in for her unless she asks. Make no mistake, she will kick Toni’s head off. And as for Marina…! She likes to call herself The Problem, huh? Well guess what! Next time you put your hands on Tay, you find out that Tay is the solution! Get ready for what’s next. The tag team tournament, Marina & Megan love to make a statement, so here’s Tay: They started it, TayJay will finish it. Tay storms off, will she bring that fire to the first round and burn it all down?
BREAKING NEWS for the AEW super show in Boston!
As part of the THREE HOUR SPECIAL on Wednesday night, Mercedes Mone and Red Velvet finally have it out to crown the UNDISPUTED ROH Women’s World Television Champion! Will The CEO win big in her hometown before challenging for the AEW Women’s World Championship at Full Gear? Or will The Chef serve Mone the juiciest L you’ve ever seen?
8 Man Tag: FTR & LFI VS Bandido, Juice Robinson & #JetSpeed!
Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood are going after the AEW World Tag Team Championships, and they’re teaming with the ROH World Tag Team Champions to tune up. And while Brody King isn’t here, The Outlaw has a Collision Cowboy, The Jet & Speedball backing him up! Will Bandido, Juice, Knight & Bailey take the #TopGuysOut? Or will Rush y Sammy Guevara help keep things tranquilo?
The teams sort out and Bandido starts against Dax. They circle, the fans rally, and they tie up. Bandido headlocks, Dax powers him to a corner, and the ref counts. Dax lets off slowly, but then sucker punches Bandido! And CHOPS! And ROCK and snap suplex! Dax drops the leg, covers, ONE!! Dax pulls Bandido’s hair and the ref reprimands, but Dax tags Cash. FTR mugs Bandido, then Cash bumps Bandido off buckles. Cash CHOPS Bandido, whips corner to corner, but Bandido ELBOWS back! Bandido goes up, up, and TORNILLO! The fans fire up, Bandido SOBATS and KNEE LIFTS to then SUPERKICK!
The fans fire up, Cash shoves Bandido away, but Bailey tags in! Bailey LIGHTNING KICKS Cash to the ropes! The fans fire up and Bailey whips. Bailey drops down then hurdles, but Cash makes it a POWERSLAM! Tag to Sammy and he goes to the apron. Sammy says he’s loco~! Then he goes up, up, and… hops down to SUPERKICK! Sammy smiles and tells everyone to “SUCK IT!” But Bailey CHOPS! Bailey whips, Knight tags in, and JetSpeed DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Bailey KNEE DROPS, Knight UFO SPLASHES! Knight mocks Rush with tranquilo, then brings Sammy up. Sammy RAMS Knight into the corner, tag to Rush!
Rush CHOPS Knight, they mug Knight, and then stomp away! Rush and Sammy both run side to side, but then stop short to just BOOT Knight. Then they roll back, spin, and tranquilo. Rush soaks up cheers and jeers, then SNAP POWERSLAMS Knight! Cover, TWO! Rush tags Dax and brings Knight around. They mug Knight, Dax CHOPS Knight against ropes then ROCKS him. Dax whips, Knight goes up and over, then LARIATS! The fans fire up as both men are down! They both crawl, hot tag to Juice! The fans fire up as Juice CLOBBERS Dax again and again! Then he dodges Cash to BACKDROP! Dax runs up, but into an atomic drop!
Juice fires up, and he FLAPJACKS Sammy! Juice whips Dax, BODY BLOWS, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Juice BLASTS Rush for good measure! Then he JABS, JABs, JABS! But Cash gets in, so Juice JABS, JABS, JABS him, too! “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!” And a meeting of the minds for FTR! The fans fire up as Juice LEG LARIATS Dax, and SPINEBUSTERS Cash! The Collision Cowboys fire up, but Rush DECKS Juice! The ref reprimands but Rush hauls Juice up to suplex. Juice slips free, Bandido is there, and Juice shoves Rush into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up, but here comes Sammy! SUPERKICK for Bandido, SUPERKICK for Juice!
Sammy reels Bandido in and kicks off of Juice, but Bandido denies the DDT! Sammy runs up, Juice & Bandido dodge, and JetSpeed DOUBLE BOOT Sammy! Sammy staggers, Bailey LARIATS Sammy up and out! Then Bandido TOSSES Cash! The fans fire up as Bandido and team coordinate. Bandido and Bailey both ASAI MOONSAULT! Down go Rush, Sammy and Cash! Knight SATELLITE DDTS Dax! Juice covers, TWO! Juice is upset with the count but the fans rally behind him as Collision goes picture in picture.
Juice paces around Dax and drags him up. Juice wrenches but Dax tries to get away. Bailey tags in first and he kicks Dax low. Dax bails out, Bailey pursues, and Baily KICKS away at the railing! Dax scrambles, Bailey KICKS him again, then ROCKS him! But Cash runs up, so Bailey BOOTS him down! And he BOOTS Dax! Bandido BOOTS Dax, Knight CHOPS Dax, and Bailey KICKS Dax! But Dax whips Bailey into a POST! Bailey goes down in a heap and clutches his face. The ref has to keep Knight, Juice & Bandido back, but this lets FTR mug Bailey. Dax CHOPS Bailey, then CLAWS his eyes! Dax puts Bailey in the ring and tags in Sammy.
Sammy brings Bailey around to suplex, and he holds Bailey up for TEN before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Bailey stays in this, but Knight was ready. Sammy stomps Bailey, then goes back to the corner. Sammy again builds energy, but again hops down. But Bailey blocks the kick this time! Sammy panics and apologizes, but then he ENZIGIRIS! Bailey staggers, but he BLASTS FTR first! Sammy ROCKS Bailey, fires more forearms, then whips corner to corner. Sammy runs up, but Bailey BOOTS him away! Collision returns to single picture as Bailey goes up, and Bailey MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Bailey crawls, but Rush & FTR YANK Bailey’s team down!
The fans boo and the ref reprimands but there’s nothing they can do now! Bandido is sent into railing, and Cash whips Knight to the railing so hard, Knight almost ends up in the timekeeper’s area! Sammy reels Bailey in for a back suplex, MASS DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Bailey survives and Sammy is shocked! Sammy tags Cash, he keeps Bailey back, and then hauls Bailey up, only for Bailey to fight the lift! Bailey BACKDROPS, Cash sunset flips it, but Bailey stays up! Bailey reaches for Bandido, but he breaks free first to MOONSAULT KNEE DROP! The fans are thunderous and both men crawl, hot tags to Rush and Bandido!
The Most Wanted rallies on Rush and the whole team with BOOTS and FOREARMS and SUPERKICKS! Sammy pops Bandido up but he RANAS Dax! Then he gorilla presses Sammy to THROW him at Rush! Bandido goes up, up, and Latino Heat for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Rush survives and the fans are just as surprised as Bandido! Bandido decides to go back up, but Rush ROCKS him first! Rush climbs to deadlift and SUPERPLEX! Cover, Juice breaks it! The fans cheer but Sammy and FTR go after Juice and Knight! They throw Knight and Juice out, then they surround Bandido. The fans boo but FTR & LFI all taunt Bandido.
Bandido stands, sees the 4v1, but says bet! He SUPERKICKS Rush, then fires hands on the rest! But they mug him 3v1! FTR whips Bandido, but Bandido ducks ‘n’ dodge! JetSpeed drags FTR out, Bandido TOSSES Sammy, and now it is him and Rush! The fans fire up as the two circle. They swing, dodge, Bandido whips, but Rush goes up and over. Bandido runs up, but Rush THROWS him into buckles! Rush says, “You mess with the bull, you get-” NO, Bandido dodges to SNAP GERMAN! Bandido runs, but then Rush dodges to SNAP GERMAN! They both stand, Rush SMACKS Bandido and runs, but into a POP-UP FLAPJACK!
Bandido CHOPS, runs, but Rush just HEADBUTTS him down!! The fans fire up again and Sammy sneaks up. Sammy grins as he aims, but Juice anchors Sammy! Sammy kicks Juice away into commentary! Sammy ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Juice and Stokely says that’s what he gets! Knight runs up, Sammy dodges, but Knight comes back to LEAPING LARIAT! Cash Gory Especials Knight to APRON GORY BOMB! Bailey JUMP KICKS Cash! Bailey puts Cash in, goes up, but Dax anchors Bailey! Dax drags Bailey down, but Bailey fights the German Suplex by holding the ropes! Bailey TRIPS Dax, then APRON MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS, only to get the edge!!
The fans go nuts as Bailey writhes in pain. Bandido TOSSES Cash, brings Rush up, but Rush slips free of the suplex. Rush shoves Bandido to Dax but Bandido GAMANGIRIS! But Rush O’Conner Rolls! TWO, and Rush is sent into FTR! FTR falls, Rush is on the ropes, Bandido deals the cards! BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Cover, Bandido’s team wins!
Winner: Bandido, Juice Robinson & #JetSpeed, by pinfall
A hard fought match in Erie, and The ROH World Champion stands tall alongside his new amigos! Will The Outlaw, Collision Cowboy and JetSpeed all be red hot going into Full Gear weekend? Or will FTR still make history on PPV?
My Thoughts:
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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to… jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCE into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
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