Has The Ruler finally met his match?

Jasper Troy won LFG Season 1, but now he could win the NXT Championship taking on Oba Femi in tonight’s titanic title match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page VS Sean Legacy; Ethan wins and retains the title.
• Shawn Spears & Niko Vance w/ Izzi Dame VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura; Spears & Vance win.
• Lash Legend VS Wren Sinclair; Lash wins.
• NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence VS Lainey Reid; Jacy wins and retains the title.
• Tony D’Angelo & Luca Crusifino VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee; Igwe & Dupont win.
• NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Jasper Troy; Oba wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Oba Femi arrives.

And he’s immediately attacked by Jasper Troy! Troy SMACKS Oba off a car hood, STOMPS him down, then drags him back up to CHOKE SLAM him onto the windshield! Security rushes in and gets him to back off, but what is Troy thinking? Will Oba even be able to defend his title after that attack?

NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page VS Sean Legacy!

All Ego found a way to survive the Fatal 4 Way in LA, but now he’s back in Orlando to defend the title again! But will Ethan continue to steal everyone’s smile? Or can Sean make this title Super?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who builds their legacy!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and then Ethan headlocks. Legacy pries at the hold, but Ethan clamps on tighter. Ethan hits the takeover and he grinds Legacy down. Legacy rolls to a cover, ONE, and Ethan still holds on. Legacy pushes back with forearms, then he stands up to power out. Ethan RUNS Legacy over, grins, then runs. Legacy drops down, slips around, and he RANAS! Legacy kips up but Ethan avoids the dropkick! And it’s back to the headlock! Ethan hits another takeover and he grinds Legacy down again. The fans rally, Legacy fights up, and Legacy powers up, only for Ethan to hold on!

Ethan smothers Legacy to the mat, then thrashes around! The fans boo but Ethan says Legacy is nothing! Legacy fights as the fans rally up again. Legacy stands, he powers up to break the headlock, then headlocks in return. Ethan powers up and out, Legacy rolls, drops down, then redirects to dropkick the legs out! Legacy DOUBLE STOMPS Ethan, then DROPKICKS again! Ethan tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Legacy dares Ethan to come back. The fans rally behind Legacy while NXT goes picture in picture.

Ethan paces and fumes on the outside, sticking close to the pedestal his title rests on. Legacy storms out after Ethan, ROCKS him with a haymaker, then CHOPS him! Legacy follows Ethan to barriers, CHOPS him again, and the fans fire up. Legacy SMACKS Ethan off the apron, but Ethan turns things around with a mule kick. Ethan winds up but Legacy ducks the chop! Legacy CHOPS in return! The fans fire up again and Legacy puts Ethan in the ring. Legacy KICKS Ethan in the back, then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives but Legacy stays focused. Legacy drags Ethan up, then whips him to ropes.

Ethan grabs, Legacy runs up, but Ethan TOSSES Legacy out! Legacy hurries back up but Ethan BOOTs him, then hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Ethan snarls and drags Legacy up. Ethan bumps Legacy off buckles, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him to a corner. Ethan bumps Legacy off buckles, CHOPS him, then soaks up heat from the fans. Ethan stalks Legacy, ROCKS him with a haymaker, then brings him around for another! Legacy staggers but he fires body shots in return! Ethan KNEES low, then throws hands. Ethan fires more haymakers, but Legacy fires back! They go back and forth, and NXT returns to single picture.

The fans rally behind Legacy as he whips, but Ethan reverses and BOOTS! The fans are torn while Ethan paces. Ethan puts Legacy in a corner, hoists him up top, then climbs after him. But Legacy fights the suplex! Legacy fires body shots, then HOTSHOTS Ethan’s arm! Ethan comes back, Legacy ROCKS him, then springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Legacy rolls to ropes, Ethan goes to the other end. The two stand, and Legacy fires hands! Legacy whips, CLOBBEWRS, and then CLOBBERS Ethan again! Mule kick, front KICK, BOOT, and then a GERMAN SUPLEX!

The fans fire up while Ethan flounders to a corner! Legacy runs corner to corner, GAMANGIRI! Ethan flops down, Legacy covers, TWO! The fans rally up again and Legacy watches Ethan. Ethan crawls to ropes, Legacy storms up, but Ethan grabs ropes to block the suplex! Legacy SLAPS the arms, torture racks, but Ethan fights free. Ethan shoves Legacy into a corner, ROUNDHOUSES, then he reels Legacy in. Legacy fights the lift, slips under and kicks Ethan away. Legacy dodges Ethan to go up, QUEBRADA and inverted suplex, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous for Legacy with how close he was there!

Legacy hurries to the corner and climbs up. But Ethan ROCKS Legacy first! Ethan HEADBUTTS Legacy, climbs, then hits a TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER!! Legacy falls to the floor and the fans go nuts! Ethan clears the desk and he drags Legacy up! Ethan hoists Legacy up but Legacy slips free! Ethan runs up, but Legacy sends him into the POST! DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! And then Legacy FLIES! Down goes Ethan! Legacy puts Ethan in, the fans rally, 450 FLOP! Ethan hits the TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, Ethan wins!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Legacy was so close and yet so far from jumping right up from Evolve to NXT. Speaking of jumping, RICKY SAINTS JUMPS ETHAN! The fans fire up as the Absolute gets after the Egomaniac with haymakers! Saints LARIATS Ethan up and out of the ring, then he fires off hands on the outside! The brawl continues to the back, will Saints not stop until he’s finally humbled All Ego?

Fatal Influence meets with Ava Raine.

Jacy Jayne tells the NXT General Manager that she did not appreciate the surprise of a new signee. As NXT Women’s Champion, that is something management should really run by her first. And since Fatal Influence is going to be at the top for a very long time, it is important they build a rapport as GM and champion. Does she see what Jacy means? Ava does. Well, they started to when Fallon Henley was Women’s North American Champion, but then Fallon lost it… And Jazmyn might even become champion some day, but for now, it is Jacy. And she needs to know what is going on with their division.

Jacy then says, “And then there’s this one.” Lainey Reid enters and SLAPS Jacy! Reid says that what she wanted to say last week is that she’s ready for Jacy right here, right now. Okay, Jacy gets it, Reid’s trying to take a page out of the Jacy Jayne playbook. It’s not gonna work on her, though! Well, then Reid has nothing to lose. SLAP!! Ava reprimands Reid, Reid leaves, and Fallon says Jacy has to do it now. Jacy tells Ava to give her Reid tonight! She’ll even put her title on the line against that little b*tch! Ava says done. Ava is stressing over the chaos going on in her own brand, but will Reid prove she’s more than leveled up enough for the Toxic Rockstar?

#ZaRuca speaks.

Via TikTok, Sol Ruca & Zaria try out the friend challenge of “same word, same time.” It doesn’t really work but it’s still fun. And then in the background, Lash Legend starts talking trash on Wren Sinclair and the No Quarter Catch Crew. Getting away from the NQCC was the best thing to happen to Myles Borne, because that “string haired oompah-loompah” was bossing him around way too much. Myles will make the best of his independence, just like her. And now that there’s a new champ in town, Lash is gonna go get that gold. Kelani Jordan chimes in with how sick and tired she is of Lash.

Lash says SKRRR and this is what the video is about now… Wren speaks up saying she doesn’t appreciate Lash talking bad about Charles or NQCC. And you can’t just do and say whatever you want! Lash tells Kelani to let “her girl” Wren know, titles are the last thing Wren’s got to worry about. Lash heads out, Kelani and Karmen assure Wren she doesn’t have to worry about Lash. ZaRuca can’t believe all this DRAMA~! But will Wren make Lash respect the NQCC? Or will Lash step right over her to get to the title?

The Culling talks backstage.

Shawn Spears smiles and says he trusts Izzi’s judgment. Why did she take a chair to Jensen’s back? There is no room for half-ass commitment in The Culling. Jensen always dressed different from them, kept his distance from them, and when it came to talk about family, his eyes would always dart around the room like the others weren’t right in front of him. Jensen didn’t believe in them, so why should they believe in him? And then the final nail in the coffin: Jensen takes the loss to Hank, Tank and Briggs? The Culling is supposed to purge the weak and slaughter the feeble. Jensen was both. Spears says she saw something he didn’t and took action. Brilliant!

That is the kind of person he needs her to become. Izzi says individuals think they’re stronger than the group all across NXT. That will not be them. Niko says Izzi eliminated Jensen for them, and he thanks her for it. Izzi says Jensen had it coming, #ItIzWhatItIz. Niko says now this is a new beginning, but with the same goals. Spears says it starts tonight, against Briggs & Inamura. Is there anything else Izzi sees? She has her eyes on something. They all share a smile, but just what could The Culling’s femme fatale be plotting?

Shawn Spears & Niko Vance w/ Izzi Dame VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura!

The Chair Man thought Brooks Jensen trusted him, but as The It Girl pointed out, Jensen wasn’t fully committed. As for the Bullhead Brawler & Great Rush, they’re reunited and still hunting gold, but perhaps more than just the tag titles? All things will come to light, but who takes a step closer to the spotlight here in NXT?

The teams sort out and Niko starts against Inamura. They tie up, go around in a deadlock, and Niko headlocks. Inamura fires body shots, powers up and out, but Niko RAMS him! Inamura comes back to RAM Niko! Niko rebounds to RAM Inamura, but Inamura rebounds to FLYING SHOULDER! Niko goes to a corner while the fans fire up! Inamura runs in, Niko goes up and over, then Niko HEADBUTTS! Niko brings Inamura over, tags Spears, and they hand Inamura off so Spears can CHOP! The fans “WOO~” and Inamura nods! Spears CHOPS again, and the fans fire up with Inamura! Spears CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Inamura just takes it!

Inamura then blocks a chop, and he puts Spears in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Inamura then winds up to CHOP! Spears flounders around, Inamura CLUBS him, and he tags Briggs. They double whip to DOUBLE SCOOP SLAM! Inamura CHOPS, Briggs ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Briggs storms up to the apron as Spears bails out. Briggs drags Spears up, but Spears RAMS low! Spears slingshots but into a HAYMAKER! Briggs then HIP TOSSES Spears into a BACKBREAKER! Spears writhes, Niko gets in but Briggs BOOTS him down! Spears kicks, Briggs blocks, but the SUPERKICK still hits! Spears calls for Niko but he’s down!

Spears is mad, he runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Briggs CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up while Spears sputters to the ropes. Briggs runs, slides out, and he ROCKS Spears! Izzi has the chair! The ref reprimands, but then Niko tags in! Niko CLOBBERS Briggs from behind! The fans boo but Izzi laughs. Niko puts Briggs in, CLUBS him, but Briggs goes for a leg. Niko CLUBS him down, gator rolls, and throws down ELBOW after ELBOW! Briggs CLUBS away on Briggs, then watches him sputter. Niko drags Briggs up just to short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Briggs toughs it out but Niko ROCKS him! Briggs goes to a corner in a daze, but Niko runs in and RAMS Briggs!

Niko runs and he FLYING HEADBUTTS!! Tag to Spears, and he stays between Briggs and Inamura. Spears mocks the sumo style and the ref has to keep Inamura back. Spears drags Brigg sup, but Briggs ROCKS Spears! Both men wobble and hobble, hot tag to Inamura! Inamura CLOBBERS Spears again and again and then LARIATS Niko! Inamura wrenches and fires off fast hands! He DECKS Spears and hits the sumo stance! SUMO PALM RUSH! Inamura ROCKS and CHOPS Spears over and over, then runs corner to corner to SPLASH! Niko hurries to tag, but so does Briggs. Inamura SPLASHES Spears, feeds him tot he BOOT, but Niko is in!

Briggs scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! The fans fire up with Briggs, then climbs. Spears distracts but Inamura POUNCES Spears! But Niko trips Briggs! Niko drags Briggs out for the DOMINATOR! Cover, Culling wins!

Winners: Shawn Spears & Niko Vance, by pinfall

They shed the dead weight and have only gotten stronger! Will no one be able to stop The Culling from taking over NXT? What will it take for Briggs & Inamura to become contenders?

Ava talks with Ricky Saints.

And she asks him, “What were you thinking?” What was the point of him going after Ethan like that? Doesn’t he remember the talk they had about how she wasn’t going to let them keep running around, ruining her show? Ricky coughs, he still isn’t 100%. She still sees the bruising on his neck, he can’t talk, and we all know what Ethan is capable of. Please let Ava handle this, okay? Ricky is to go home, rest, and not come back again until he is medically cleared. Ricky seethes but he has no other choice. When and where will the revolution once again be televised?

Sarah Schreiber is at WWE Medical.

She wanted to get a word from Oba Femi after the attack by Jasper Troy, but he is still under examination. As of right now, the title match is still on, but it could be in jeopardy. A loud noise from off camera gets our attention, and it is Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors apologizing to Mr. Chase. They should not have messed with Dark State, a bad idea. They have no idea what they were thinking. Oh, now they see it? It took them getting their asses kicked again to see it? If they’re gonna do this again- Wait, so there’s a chance- Let him finish! If they’re to do this, they have to do it Mr. Chase’s way. The right way. Kale loves that! But what does it mean?

For starters, show up to class on time! Okay! Two: Follow the rules! Three: Follow the directions! Is that too much to ask? No, sir! They can do that! So they’re in? 100%! In there like swim wear. In that case, time to get back to class. Yes! Chase U~! With Kale & Uriah following Mr. Chase’s guidance, will this be the Summer of Chase U?

The Glamour has arrived in NXT!

Mariah May soaks in the tub and blows the bubbles. Time to get out, get dressed, and make the world fall in love! She’s beauty, she’s grace, and she will likely punch you in the face! The Glamour doesn’t just walk into the spotlight, she’s the reason it exists! She is the girl you’ve been waiting for! Introducing… Um, Miss? There she is! And she is… Blake Monroe!

Lash Legend VS Wren Sinclair!

The Bougie Bully is indeed bullying the locker room, and also claims she will be leading the title chase. But will she have to SKRRR and pump the brakes after facing #WrenQCC? Or will not even no quarter be enough to stop this future legend?

NXT returns as Wren makes her entrance, the NQCC by her side. But she assures Tavion Heights & Charlie Dempsey that she’ll be fine on her own. Tavion & Dempsey fist bump and let Wren go to the ring alone. But then Kelani Jordan surprises Lash by joining commentary. Lani says Lash stuck her nose in other people’s business, time for Lani to return the favor. The bell rings and Lash talks trash, but Wren waistlocks. Lash headlocks to THROW Wren away, then she talks more trash on Lani. But Wren is up to DROPKICK! Lash ends up in a corner, Wren LARIATS then ELBOWS Lash. But Lash lifts Wren, THROWS her away, then backdrops, only for Wren to sunset flip!

Lash waves her arms to stay up, but then Wren spins to trip Lash up! Wren SMACKS Lash’s arm out from under her, then has them both, CATTLE MUTILATION! Wren marches around to keep on the torque but Lash endures! Wren shifts to have the FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Lash powers up, scoops Wren, and then gut wrenches! Wren slips free, but Lash BOOTS her down! Wren sputters, Lani is disappointed, but Lash HAMMERS away on Wren against the ropes! Lash stops, glares at Lani, then drags Wren up. Lash SMACKS Wren off the mat, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Wren stays in this but Lash wraps on a BEARHUG!

Lash squeezes tight but Wren endures! The fans rally for Wren but Lash thrashes her around! Wren CLUBS away on Lash, fires elbows, but Lash knees low! Wren goes toa  corner, Lash runs up, but Wren dodges! Lash hits buckles, comes back, but Wren ELBOWS her! And CHOPS her! And fires body shots! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Lash runs up, Wren dodges, and Wren tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Lash gest up, Wren jumps up, SATELLITE DDT! But Lash flounders out of the ring! Wren just goes to the apron and FLYING- NO, Lash stops the rana! Wren slips free to kick a leg out, and ENZIGIRI Lash down! The fans fire up as Wren pushes Lash in.

Wren climbs up a corner, Lani claims Wren is not a friend despite Lani wanting her to win. Wren CROSSBODIES, but Lash catches her! Lash swings Ren, LASH EXTENSION! Cover, Lash wins!

Winner: Lash Legend, by pinfall

Wren put up a fight, but Lash still stands tall! Will no one be able to stop Lash from becoming champion?

Lainey Reid speaks.

“Last week, I showed the WWE Universe their first dose of the Southern Sensation. And here I am thinking I had to wait for the sweetest moment to join this NXT Women’s Division, but no, no, no. I didn’t wait to become a rodeo champion. Or a former, record-breaking track athlete. I saw my opportunity and I took it. And when I see my opportunity here, I don’t mind kicking my Southern hospitality to the side. And sweetheart, don’t let my accent fool you. Jacy Jayne is still the most beatable champion in WWE history. And tonight, I’m gonna shock the world.” Will Reid rope ‘n’ ride to wrangle herself that NXT Women’s Championship?

Backstage interview with Jasper Troy.

Sarah brings up how he viciously attacked Oba Femi earlier tonight. Why did he risk putting the title match in jeopardy? Isn’t he worried Oba won’t be able to compete? Troy says that didn’t cost him anything, and he knows exactly what he’s doing. Oba may be hurting, but he’s a beast. And as long as Oba is still breathing, he will still go out there to defend the title. Troy is counting on it. These alpha males are still on their collision course, but will Troy go from the top of LFG to the top of NXT?

NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence VS Lainey Reid!

It took all of the Fatal Influence and then some to take this title off Stephanie Vaquer, so by that math, maybe the Southern Sensation is right. Could Jacy be nothing more than a paper champion? Or will it not matter when Jacy still has her friends by her side?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really championship material!

The bell rings and the fans rally behind “LAINEY! LAINEY!” Jacy gets mad, runs up on Reid, but Reid rolls her up! TWO!! Jacy escapes and Reid says it was that close. Jacy runs up, Reid doges the boot to ROUNDHOUSE! And roll-up, high stack, TWO! Reid bumps Jacy off buckles, stomps and ROCKS Jacy, then brings her around. Reid bumps Jacy off buckles, then fires elbow after elbow. The ref counts, Reid whips, but Jacy reverses. Reid goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jacy sputters and Reid pushes her around. Reid talks some trash, but Jacy blocks a punch to KNEE and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!

Jacy stomps away on Reid, then runs to SENTON! Jacy keeps moving, another SENTON! “And that’s why I’m the champ!” The fans boo because no it’s not. Jacy drags Reid up but Reid breaks free to ROCK Jacy! And ROLLING ELBOW! Jacy wobbles, Reid whips, and then Reid blows past Jacy, but Jacy SUPERKICKS! Reid flops against ropes, the fans rally, but Jacy CATAPULT GUILLOTINES her! Reid sputters, the Influence laughs at her, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jacy soaks up the heat while she poses, then stalks Reid in the ring. Jacy bumps Reid off buckles, runs her side to side to bump off more buckles, then she fires hands! Jacy digs her boot in, steps off as the ref counts, but then CHOKES Reid on the ropes! The ref counts, Jacy YANKS the ropes to snap Reid back, and Jacy eggs Redi on. Jacy SLAPS Reid, talks more trash, then drags Reid up for a whip and ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Reid is still in this so Jacy drags her up to SLAP her again! And again! But Reid SLAPS back! Reid fires body shots, but Jacy KNEES low! Jacy snarls and she pushes Reid down with a neck wrench.

Reid endures and fights back to her feet. Jacy keeps the chinlock but Reid fires body shots. Reid then reels Jacy into a cradle, TWO! Jacy runs up but Reid BODY BLOWS! Reid kicks low, UPPERCUTS, then whips. Jacy reverses and NECKBREAKER DROPS! Cover, TWO! Reid stays in this but Jacy stays on her with a top mount and fast hands! Jacy stomps Reid, then paces around. Jacy soaks up more heat, ELBOWS her in the shoulder, then clamps on a chinlock. Reid endures, fights around, but Jacy cranks on the hold. It’s almost a Bully Choke but Reid keeps moving around. Reid stands, and she RAMS Jacy into the buckles!

Jacy holds on as NXT returns to single picture, and the fans rally as Reid RAMS Jacy in again !And again! Jacy THROWS Reid into the buckles, then CHOKES her again! The ref counts, Jacy stops at 4 and she soaks up more heat. Jacy runs up, but Reid dodges! DROPKICK! Jacy is down and the fans fire up! Jacy hobbles up but Reid RAMS her low! And kicks low, to then fire forearms! Reid whips, Jacy reverses, but Reid grabs ropes. Reid ELBOWS Jacy away, then takes a swing, but Jacy gets under to trip her! Jacy wants to guillotine again but Reid BOOTS Jacy away! Jacy snarls and comes back, she stomps the rope to hit Reid in the throat!

The fans boo but Fallon & Jazmyn mock Reid’s pain. Reid goes to a corner, Jacy runs in, and Jacy back body blocks! Jacy puts Reid up top, SLAPS her, then GAMANGIRIS! Jacy climbs up, brings Reid up, but Reid fires body shots! The fans rally, Reid fires forearms and HEADBUTTS! Jacy drops back and the fans fire up for Reid! Reid adjusts, leaps, and BLOCKBUSTERS! A rough landing for Reid, too, and the fans rally up! The standing count starts, both women stir at 3 of 10, and they rise up. Jacy fires a haymaker, Reid fires back! They go back and forth and the fans rally for Reid! Reid swats a shot to give a shot!

Reid kicks, UPPERCUTS, and then runs to RUN Jacy over! And she RUNS Jacy over again! Reid dodges to atomic drop! And RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And ARM WRINGER! Jacy flounders to a corner, Reid runs in, UPPERCUT! Reid reels Jacy in for ANARCHY!! Cover, TWO!! Jacy survives that twister and Reid is shocked! Reid drags Jacy up, clinches again, but Jacy fights the lift! Jacy fires elbows, shoves free, then runs up, only for Reid to block a boot !Jacy dodges the lariat to run and RANA! Jacy runs up, Reid dodges a knee to GIVE A KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Jacy survives and no one can believe it!

The fans fire up for Reid as she is getting closer! Reid waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Reid goes up the corner, but Fallon distracts! Jacy HOTSHOTS Reid! Jacy spins for the ENCORE ELBOW!! Cover, Jacy wins!

Winner: Jacy Jayne, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

But yes, put another huge asterisk on this one: Fallon had to distract Reid at just the right moment to help Jacy survive. But is this going to be the story of Jacy’s reign? Wait! From the perch, it’s Ava Raine! And she says that since the Influence took it upon themselves to decide who Jacy’s first challenger would be, Ava will now decide her next one. And because we have the most stacked and most talented Women’s Division in the world, Ava decided that next week, there will be four singles matches. The winners of those matches move on to a Fatal 4 Way on June 24. And the winner of that match will be the NEW #1 contender, facing Jacy for the title at EVOLUTION!

This huge move has Jacy shaking in her boots! And just look at the contenders lining up! Thea Hail, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Jaida Parker, Lash Legend, Zaria, Izzi Dame, Jordynne Grace, and surely everyone else in the back. Who will make it through the mini-tournament to turn up the heat in Atlanta?

Briggs & Inamura talk backstage.

Inamura assures Briggs that they will get The Culling. Briggs says it doesn’t matter. Inamura came back just for Briggs, and he let this happen! Briggs is furious, and he shouts that they’re better than this! Inamura says he knows that. But then in step TNA’s First Class, AJ Francis & KC Navarro. The former Top Dolla says that survey says… Not really. But he will reintroduce himself, this is AJ Francis. And here is the Blessed One, KC Navarro. And together, they are First Class. But tough loss out there, big man. Don’t worry, the NXT Tag Team Championships will look much better on them real soon.

Inamura says he just realized. These two are really annoying! Francis says he was taking over this locker room before Inamura even thought about being a big star in NOAH. And now he’s back to do it again! But a guitar strum signals the entrance of Elijah! He introduces himself, and he says if not for First Class, the TNA World Championship would be back in TNA. So why not take this right now? He can introduce them to his guitar. KC says pardon me, Elijah, but they’re gonna go talk with THE TNA World Champion right now. KC ushers AJ away, but what will they have to say to the “Trick’N A” Champion?

Luca Crusifino is on the phone.

The Consigliere promises whoever is on the other side that he will “get it done.” Tony D’Angelo walks in and asks what that was about. Luca says nothing, just taking care of business. Oh, really? Yes, Luca will prove himself to Tony that he can be trusted. After you. Tony says no, after Luca. Luca walks in front, so that he can’t stab Tony in the back. But will there still be betrayal on the menu? Or can Luca really be trusted?

Tavion talks with Myles Borne backstage.

But then in step Wren and Charlie. Myles asks Wren what she called to talk to him about. Wren says Charles is still upset about the loss, but he does have something to tell Myles. Charlie says Wren did make a good point, and Charlie is a man of his word, so good luck out there. They shake hands, and Myles thanks Charlie for that. The NQCC did shape him into the man he is today, so he’ll never forget them. Charlie tells Myles to make them proud. Myles says of course he will. And then Je’Von Evans joins in and congratulates Myles. Je’Von and Tavion know Myles will be ready for anything. And tough loss for OG Charlie, but it’s all good, right?

Charlie says yeah, the NQCC is good. Tavion wants a shot, too. Wait, what? No, no, he’s not ready to face Charlie in the ring. Je’Von says daaayumn~! Charles, c’mon now! Why you holdin’ people down when you just let Myles go? Charlie asks why Je’Von is here when it’s not his business. They’ll stick with him, right? Tavion says yeah, but he was just thinking- Charlie says he knows what Tavion is thinking: the three of them are always and forever NQCC, they will rule NXT together! C’mon, let’s go. Wren says she’ll talk to him. Wren follows after Charlie, but is the beginning of the end for the crew?

Tony D’Angelo & Luca Crusifino VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee!

NXT returns as The High Ryze make their entrance. The teams sort out and Luca starts against Igwe. They tie up, Luca waistlocks, but Igwe THROWS him off. Luca is back on Igwe going for a leg, but Igwe SMASHES Luca! Igwe whips, Luca ducks the boot, and then he ducks the lariat to JUMP KNEE! Luca brings Igwe over, Tony is hesitant, but Igwe THROWS Luca by his hair! Tag to Dupont, and Ty & Ty DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Dupont runs up, Luca avoids the stomp to roll him up, TWO! Dupont DECKS Luca, then runs up, only for Luca to dodge! Dupont hits buckles, Luca wrenches him and brings him over.

Tony holds his hand out, Luca tags him, but Tony doesn’t want to do a double team move. Luca lets Dupont go, and Tony throws hands. Tony whips Dupont, blows past and FLYING FOREARMS! Tony reels Dupont in, fires body shots for the hockey scrum, but Dupont RAMS Tony into the corner! Tony fights back but Igwe tags in! They mug Tony, Igwe stomps Tony down, then tells the ref to shut it. Wait, “breaking news” from Blake Monroe herself? She is going to officially sign her NXT contract next Tuesday! Igwe argues with the ref, then stands Tony up to talk trash. Tony pushes Igwe back, they throw hands, and Tony DECKS Igwe!

Tony goes to the D’Angelo corner but Wes distracts Luca! Tony shouts at Luca to pay attention, but then Igwe sucker punches Tony! Igwe RAMS Tony into the corner, tags Dupont, and Dupont runs in for the STINGER SPLASH! Tag back to Igwe, and Dupont feeds Tony to a KNEE! Igwe tags Dupont back in, they double whip, but Tony grabs ropes. Tony TOSSES Igwe, dodges Dupont, and he hot tags Luca! Luca rallies on Dupont & Igwe, ELBOW in the corner for Dupont, LARIAT for Igwe! The fans fire up, Dupont runs up, but Luca DUMPS him out! Igwe storms up, whips, but Luca goes up and out and slingshots to SHOULDER TACKLE!

The fans fire up for Luca and he tags Tony back in. Luca tells Tony to trust him, and Tony nods. Luca builds speed for Tony to TOSS out onto Igwe & Dupont! The fans fire up for the D’Angelo Family while NXT goes picture in picture.

Luca is feeling it but Tony still seems hesitant. Luca pushes Dupont into the ring for Tony and Tony drags Dupont up for the hockey scrum. Then the HALF HATCH! Dupont flounders, Tony is on him again, and Tony whips Dupont to the corner hard. Tony LARIATS, tags Luca, and they double whip Dupont to DOUBLE ELBOW! Igwe is up but Tony DECKS him! Tony turns around, Luca pushes him out of the way so that Dupont’s UPPERCUT hits Luca! Dupont stomps away on Luca, and there’s nothing Tony can do since Luca is legal. Dupont tags Igwe, they mug Luca, and Igwe hoists Luca up for the SNAKE EYES!

Luca sputters and flounders, Igwe covers, TWO! Luca survives but Igwe drags him back over. Tag to Dupont, and Dupont runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Luca stays in this but Dupont pushes him around. Luca CHOPS back! Dupont BOOTS Luca down! Dupont pushes Luca down so he can ground ‘n’ pound! Tag to Igwe, and Igwe CHOPS! The mugging continues, then Dupont FULL NELSON SLAMS Luca! Igwe covers, TWO! Luca toughs it out but Igwe keeps him down with a chinlock. Luca endures as Igwe squeezes tight. Tony paces, the fans rally, and Luca fights up. NXT returns to single picture, and Igwe THROWS Luca down!

Igwe facelocks to keep Luca from Tony. The fans rally and Luca fires body shots. But Igwe scoops to SHOULDER BUSTER! Luca writhes, Igwe covers, TWO! Luca snarls but Igwe stays on him with forearms! Igwe talks trash, fires more shots, but Luca eggs him on! Luca then fires haymakers! Igwe hits low, then whips Luca to the corner. Igwe LARIATS then whips corner to corner for another LARIAT! Igwe scoops, Luca slips free, and then comes back with a CODE BREAKER! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Luca crawls, reaches out, hot tag to Tony! The Don rallies on Igwe & Dupont! BELLY2BELLY after BELLY2BELLY!

The fans fire up as Tony drags Igwe up and whips him to ropes, SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up more but WAIT! Stacks is here! Ton catches him first to HIP TOSS! Stacks wants mercy and he tries to run away, but Tony has him by the leg! But then Luca has the crowbar?!? Tony sees that, and he asks what that’s about! Luca says he was getting it out of the ring! Tony says he knew all along that Luca was a rat! But Igwe CLOBBERS Tony into Luca! Tag to Dupont, HIGH RYZE BOMB!! Cover, Igwe & Dupont win!

Winners: Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont, by pinfall

Stacks grins as he got one over on Tony again. Will the traitor continue to toy with Tony until The Don’s completely spiraled out of control?

Backstage interview with Trick Williams.

Sarah is with the TNA World Champion and congratulates him on successful title defenses, both last Tuesday against Mike Santana and last Friday at TNA Against All Odds against Elijah. But some are saying Trick only made it through last Tuesday thanks to First Class. Trick says there are haters who say he ain’t great, even when they know that he is. They try to say he doesn’t look good when they know he looks like money. What Trick is saying is, he doesn’t care what nobody has to say, including the “loud ‘n’ proud” Mike Santana! Santana made a promise to his daughter, but he really just lied to his daughter’s face!

And as for Elijah, he needs to get some guitar lessons! Then he needs to learn how to squabble because we all saw what happened to him on Friday! Now Elijah needs help, needs backup, he’s got Briggs & Inamura to come #WalkWithElijah. Well, that’s cool, cuz ever since Trick went Hollywood, Trick’s been riding in first class! That’s how we’ll do it! Six Man Tag: Inamura, Briggs & Elijah VS THE Trick Williams and “the light-skinned brothers outta First Class,” AJ Francis & KC Navarro, let’s talk about it! And as for Briggs & Inamura, since they wanna walk with Elijah so bad, they’ll all get dog-walked right outta NXT!

You already know what it is! #TrickyTwoBrands, and he makes it look easy! Sarah says AJ Francis just posted a tweet that he is excited for this match. Trick says let’s talk about it. Trick heads out, but will he and First Class still be riding in style? Or will Elijah, Briggs & Inamura humble them all together?

The Evolution Eliminator is set!

Next week, all four matches will happen! Kelani Jordan VS Lash Legend, Zaria VS Izzi Dame, Thea Hail VS Jaida Parker and Jordynne Grace VS Lola Vice! Who will win their way into the Fatal 4 Way to then head for the title?

NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Jasper Troy!

The night started with The Ruler being attacked by Troy, and now, despite the bruises and the rib tape, this night will end with The Ruler fighting Troy straight up! Will it take more than a sneak attack to tear down Oba Femi? Or will we all be saying LFG after this massive main event?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if these titans tear down the house!

The bell rings and the two throw hands! Oba gets the edge but Troy KNEES Low! And POWERSLAMS, to then SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Oba stays in this but Troy is right on him with more fists! Troy looms over Oba, a rarity in itself, and he drags Oba up. Troy scoops Oba but Oba slips free! Oba hobbles, but he manages to scoop and SLAM! Oba fights through the pain and the fans fire up! Troy stands, but Oba fires hands! Oba wrenches, RAMS, and wrenches again to RAM again! But Troy clamps on a choke grip! Oba breaks free to fire body shots and CHOPS! Oba ROCKS Troy, huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Troy just snarls.

Oba reels Troy in, but Troy suplexes! And stalls, to then SLAM Oba down! Oba bails out of the ring but Troy pursues! Troy goes to the apron, but Oba CHOPS him! Troy stays up!? Troy then LARIATS Oba on the floor! Troy puts Oba in the ring, whips him to a corner hard, and Oba falls in a heap! The fans go nuts as Troy whips Oba again, and the BUCKLE BREAKS AWAY! The fans lose their minds and Troy roars triumphantly while Oba is down! The ref checks on Oba while NXT goes picture in picture.

The ref calls in reinforcements to help with the buckle situation. Oba stands back up, and Troy KNEES Oba low! Troy scoops Oba to SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Oba toughs it out but Troy looms over him again. Troy clamps onto Oba’s arm but Oba resists the stretch, so Troy CLUBS him in the ribs! Troy has the GROUND COBRA TWIST, and he pulls on Oba’s arm! Troy also clamps his hand on the taped-up ribs, but Oba endures. Oba fights up, and he HIP TOSSES Troy away! The second rope is back in place, so Oba runs, only for Troy to CLOBBER him! Troy drags Oba to a cover, TWO! Troy can’t believe it, but the ref defends his count.

Troy stomps Oba right on the ribs, then steps on him! Troy drags Oba up, scoops, and he hits a BACKBREAKER! Oba writhes, Troy covers, TWO! Troy SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO! Oba stay sin this but Troy SPLASHES again! Cover, TWO!! Oba refuses to give in so Troy hauls him up. Troy whips, Oba reverses, and NXT returns to single picture as Troy blocks the hip toss. Troy BODY BLOWS, then he scoops! Oba kicks and flails and makes it to the apron. Troy storms up but Oba avoids the shoulder ram! Oba CLUBS Troy, brings him out to the apron, and Oba fires forearms! But Troy ducks one, and he picks Oba up for an APRON BACK SUPLEX!!

Oba writhes and flounders into the ring, but Troy runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!! Oba survives and Troy is rather surprised. The fans rally as hard as they can, and Troy suplexes, only for Oba to block and suplex in return!! Oba roars and the fans are with him! Oba blocks a haymaker to fire forearms! And short arm LARIAT! Troy stays up but Oba LARIATS Troy down on the second try! Then Oba hits an EXPLODER!! The fans fire up as Oba reaches a new gear! Oba runs and UPPERCUTS, then goes corner to corner, only for Troy to follow! Troy SPLASHES Oba in the corner! Troy keeps moving, but Oba hits a SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans rally while Oba is beside himself. Oba drags Troy up, HEADBUTTS him, but Troy HEADBUTTS back! They DOUBLE HEADBUTT, then DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE BOOT! Both men wobble, but Oba choke grips! Troy fights, the fans chant “MEAT! MEAT!” Troy POSTS Oba! Troy choke grips Oba now, for the MONSTROUS CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!!! Oba survives and the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” Troy hoists Oba up and lifts, but Oba makes it a CROSSBODY! Then he hurries to reel Troy in! But Troy BACKDROPS free! Oba rises?! Troy spins, but Oba ducks the discus lariat to SHOTPUT BOMB!!

Oba fires up and the fans are with him again! Oba waits on Troy, runs up, but into the BLACK HOLE SLAM!!! But Troy can’t make the cover! Both men are down and sputtering! Troy crawls to the cover, TWO!!!! The delay saves Oba but Troy hurries after him. Troy pushes Oba to a drop zone, and he goes up the corner! VADER BOMB onto knees! Troy scrambles away to the ropes, but Oba runs up, to LARIAT Troy and himself out of the ring! But Oba hurries to THROW Troy through the barriers!! The fans lose their minds again and Oba hurries to haul Troy from the wreckage! Oba puts Troy in the ring, powers up, and FALL FROM GRACE!!! Cover, TWO!?!??!?!

The ref says Troy just barely gets a shoulder up! That was maybe an inch at best, but up is up! So Oba whips Troy to pop him up again! FALL! FROM!! GRACE!!! Cover, OBA WINS!!!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)

Jasper Troy proved he is a monster, but Oba reminds us why he is The Ruler! But if Troy got this close on his first try, will he be unstoppable the second time around? As for Oba, who will be next to challenge him for the throne?

My Thoughts:

This was an awesome NXT to both follow Worlds Collide and set up for Evolution. Good promo with the Women’s Division in the locker room to help set up Lash VS Wren. That was a very good match, but Lash winning makes sense since she’s being built up with the rest of the division. Good promo from Lainey Reid, but a shame she already uses her title shot here. Jacy of course needs help to win, but I’m very glad to see we’re getting the title match for Evolution, just as I imagined last week. Not quite the big tournament I was picturing, but at least there’s this Fatal 4 Way play-in “Eliminator.” Great match-ups for all four parts, can’t wait to see who gets to face Jacy.

Mariah May also had a fun little vignette promo to help introduce her WWE name. “Blake Monroe” is not at all what I expected, it could’ve probably been Mariah Monroe to keep the initials, but a reference to Marilyn Monroe and possibly Blake Lively works for how Mariah had the Hollywood starlet gimmick alongside Toni Storm in AEW. Mariah might build up a more organic way rather than just jump into the top title scene. She can beat a few midcarders, challenge for the Women’s North American Championship, reference some of her history while feuding with best buds, ZaRuca, and build her résumé by grabbing up both women’s titles in NXT.

Good promo from Myles with NQCC to make his leaving the faction official, and good bit from Je’Von joining in. Dempsey is either going to lose his entire faction, or come around to the idea that Tavion can do his own thing while still being on the team. I’m leaning more towards the former. Also, where’s Noam Dar been? Meta Four breaks up, he gets the Heritage Cup back, and while Jakara and Oro have been released, Lash is the one getting attention. Which is great for her but makes me wonder if they had any plans for Dar beyond winning the cup back. Hopefully this Summer helps get the Heritage Cup Division going again, perhaps bringing in international stars from AAA to liven things up.

Great North American Championship match, but I figured Ethan would win. Legacy looked awesome even in defeat, but this of course gave an opening for Ricky Saints to return. But they still kept the “throat injury” to a realistic timeline so this probably helps push Ethan VS Ricky to NXT Great American Bash in Atlanta. And at this point, maybe it should be No Disqualifications because these two have already gone wild and need to get wilder to top it. Very good stuff in the D’Angelo story, but I figured Stacks would make Tony think Luca was on his side just to screw him over. Good win for High Ryze and surely Tony VS Stacks 2 will be set for Great American Bash.

Very good stuff with The Culling, and with Izzi pointing out her evidence, this shows they aren’t releasing Brooks Jensen but perhaps turning him back to Face as an ally to Briggs & Inamura. We got a very good match out of Culling VS Briggs & Inamura, but as such, it makes sense for The Culling to win. Very good promo segment to set up a great crossover Six Man Tag, and I just knew we’d get a team-up of Trick & First Class at some point. Good promo from Chase U, and while it wasn’t a classic Mr. Chase rant, he did get stern with Uriah & Kale and they’re going to listen to him. Here’s hoping we get a montage of him training them both in mind and body.

And of course, great stuff with Oba and Troy. Troy attacking Oba at the start of the show was certainly a wild way to add to the main event. Oba fights from behind because of the “bad ribs,” and then with Troy himself just being a massive powerhouse, and obviously those spots of breaking one of the buckles and toppling the barriers, this got the fans fired up in a way I don’t think we’ve gotten on NXT weekly TV in a long time. Oba retaining though at a disadvantage was probably the right call. Troy is great, but it’d be a lot to push the inaugural LFG winner right to the top. Perhaps Oba’s reign continues through to Great American Bash, and if he were to lose then, he could make his callup with SummerSlam and get right into a midcard title story.

My Score: 8.9/10

Jey VS Gunther, one more time! But for the last time?

Tonight, Jey Uso defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Gunther in a WrestleMania rematch! But could Seth Rollins be looking to strike?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Chad Gable w/ The Creed Brothers VS AJ Styles; Styles wins.
• Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane VS Roxanne Perez VS Rhea Ripley; Roxie wins and advances to the next round.
• King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Dominik Mysterio VS Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker VS PENTA; Sami wins and advances to the next round.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS GUNTHER; Gunther wins and becomes the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

John Cena is here!

Phoenix fires up and sings “John Cena Sucks~!” as the Undisputed WWE Champion makes his way out to the ring in Suns colors. Cena hears the dueling, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” then has Alicia Taylor give the proper introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, here to grace Phoenix with his presence one final time, the Last Real Champion, John CEEEENA~!” Cena holds up the belt, then he grabs the mic. Cena waits as the fans continue to duel, then he speaks. “You teach me something every single time you open your mouths. What you taught me at Money in the Bank: Truth is a lie!

“Because you opened your mouth and wasted your energy saving a sideshow comedian whose greatest achievement is pretending to be ME! And you thought you did something good?!” The fans chant “We Want Truth!” and Cena smirks. “Do you think that actually accomplished anything?” The fans cheer, but Cena says they’re all “spineless keyboard warriors. You are ignorant armchair activists, and you do not have any real power to change anything! Oh, you don’t like that? R-Truth is a gimmick that you will spit out in a year from now, you will not care anything about. Our truth is that you’ll never use me to benefit one of your garbage pity parties ever again.

“This is MY farewell tour, dammit! Do you hear me!?” The fans boo more, but Cena says he has limited time! He told us when he started: 36 dates! And the last time we counted was the Raw after WrestleMania, putting it to 27. Since then, he has been to Fort Worth, Dayton, St. Louis, Tampa, Knoxville, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and now Phoenix. We’re at 19 dates! It is almost over! And if the fans want to accomplish something, don’t waste their voice on the class clown! Use your voice to send him competition! Because as he sees it, everyone they have cheered on, from R-Truth to Cody Rhodes to Randy Orton… Cena has shut your mouths and beaten your best!

The fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” and well, here he is! The Best in the World steps out on stage, then goes to the ring. Punk stares Cena down a moment before he shakes his head. Punk grabs a mic and throws off the Raw on Netflix sleeve. The fans cheer Punk on as he paces. Punk asks Cena, “Are you comfortable, John? I want you to be comfortable because I have a lot of things I wanna get off my chest. And I am comfortable to have this conversation with my fists, but one way or another, you will listen to everything I have to say right here, right now.” The fans cheer that but Cena smirks.

Punk says it is ironic, isn’t it? Cena strapped up, the cowboy, the boy scout, saying he’ll ruin wrestling and the establishment that made him who he is, while Punk, the outcast, the iconoclast, the stepchild, the punk rock kid from the streets of Chicago, is defending that establishment! The more things change, the more they stay the same. Punk isn’t defending the establishment, he’ll make it clear right now. Punk isn’t defending TKO, the billionaires, but he’s here to defend the people. The fans cheer that! Oh, what’s Cena so mad about? That the establishment chose him but the people never did? They picked Punk in 2011 to be the Voice of the Voiceless!

Cena hasn’t had the best? Oh, he has. Cody’s the best WWE has today! And Cena beat him using cheap shots and shortcuts. Punk isn’t here to kiss The Final Boss’s ass like Cena! Punk is here to let us know that the people are his boss! The fans cheer but Cena just holds up the belt in response. Punk says it is his job to give the fans what they want. And if they want the truth, then they’ll get Ron Killings! Now, we’re all spokes on a wheel, Punk’s always known that. Time to teach Cena that he’s just a spoke on the wheel, too. And it starts by Punk taking that title off Cena. Remember when they locked up at Elimination Chamber? First time in over 10 years, and Punk felt it.

But it felt a little different, right? And Cena watched as Rollins stomped Punk. Cena dragged Punk back into the STF, and the last thing Punk heard before losing consciousness was Cena shouting, “I’m sorry!” Yeah. Cena screamed that because he knew then and he knows damn sure now that what he is doing is NOT right! Look around! Cena knows what he is doing is wrong! The fans chant, “You Sold Out! You Sold Out!” Punk says when he takes that title off Cena, Cena will use the rest of his dates to apologize for the man he’s become! That title has corrupted Cena! And Punk knows because it turned him into a monster in 2012!

When Punk came back to the WWE, he had a list of goals. Holding that belt wasn’t one of them, because he’s afraid of the man he became holding it. That’s the truth. Everyone in the back should want that title, should want to be World Heavyweight Champion. Few ever accomplish it. But Punk sees now he has to become a monster to stop a monster! To Cena and guys like him, Seth Rollins, so on, that belt means power and control. To Punk, that is something that belongs to the people! The fans cheer, and Punk paces a bit more. Punk stares Cena down while the dueling starts again. Punk says by his count, after tonight, Cena has 18 dates left.

And for what little respect Punk had for Cena, he leaves it up to Cena to choose which of those dates Punk takes the title off him. And if Cena isn’t a coward, if he’s any type of a man, if he’s more Boston Red Sox than he is a New York Yankee, Cena will say it’s tonight, here and now! Phoenix sure loves that ideas! Cena frowns as he hears the “YES! YES! YES!” echo out. Cena says, “John Cena, CM Punk, one final match.” The fans like that! “The Best in the World against the Greatest of All Time…! For the Undisputed WWE Championship! LET’S DO IT!” The fans are thunderous, but Cena smirks as he says, “Just not tonight.”

The fans boo but Cena says a match like that, Punk will follow Cena to Saudi Arabia. They will do it on Night of Champions. “Ball’s in your court, hero. If you want your title shot, it’s gonna be at Night of Champions. What do you say?” But before Punk can answer, SETH ROLLINS enters! Mr. Money in the Bank wears all green to match the briefcase, and he still has his henchmen with him. Rollins simply holds up the briefcase to say he still has the final say. Will Punk face Cena in Saudi to then give the Visionary a clear target?

The King & Queen of the Ring brackets are set!

It is already known that tonight, Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, Roxanne Perez and Kairi Sane battle in one of Fatal 4 Way for Raw, and the other will be next week, Raquel Rodriguez VS Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile VS the returning Asuka! On SmackDown, we will see Alexa Bliss, Chelsea Green, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair in one, and then Piper Niven, Mia Yim, Nia Jax and Jade Cargill in the other!

Then in the KOTR, we know tonight is Dominik Mysterio, Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker and Penta. SmackDown will see Damian Priest, Andrade, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cody Rhodes battle in one, then LA Knight, Carmelo Hayes, Aleister Black and Randy Orton in the other. As for Raw’s second Fatal 4? We are shown that Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed will compete, but Adam Pearce wants a spot open for a wild card. Is he working on a deal to bring in someone very special for this year’s tournament?

Chad Gable w/ The Creed Brothers VS AJ Styles!

The captain of Team American Made is in rough shape, as he had an instant classic with AAA’s El Hijo del Vikingo, and then assuming he’s also El Grande Americano, he was in a very chaotic and violent Money in the Bank Ladder match. But speaking of El Grande, the Phenomenal One doesn’t really care if Gable isn’t Grande, he’s still gonna beat Gable up for how things went down last week in the final qualifier! Grande’s loaded mask cost Styles his spot, will Styles pick apart what’s left of Gable?

Raw returns and Phoenix cheers as Styles makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Gable headlocks, but Styles wrenches at the hold. He slips out to headlock in return, and the fans rally up. Gable powers up and out, arm-drags Styles, but Styles arm-drags back! Things keep moving, and Styles JAPANESE ARM-DRAGS! Gable drop toeholds to a headlock! The fans boo but Styles fights up. Gable grinds the hold but Styles powers up and out. Styles hurdles, drops down, then he DROPKICKS Gable! Gable bails out, the fans fire up, and Styles aims to PLANCHA, but the Creeds save Gable!

Gable then SWEEPS Styles legs out! And hits an EXPLODER to the floor! “AH THANK YEW~!” The fans boo but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Styles rallies on Gable! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Styles while the Creeds coach Gable. Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT! Then he fireman’s carries, but Gable slips free. Gable kicks, Styles spins him and torture racks, for the TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Gable stays in this and the Creeds are relieved. Styles reels Gable in, calls his shot, and the fans fire up. But Gable slips out of the Clash to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Styles lands hard, Gable goes up, DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and Gable is stunned! The fans rally for Styles while he stirs.

Gable goes back up the corner, but Styles stands! Styles CLUBS Gable on the leg, then brings him off the corner. Gable fights, but Styles still POWERBOMBS him! Then he deadlifts Gable, but Brutus distracts the ref! Julius saves Gable from the Clash! The fans boo but Styles just goes to the apron and SLIDING KNEES Julius! The fans fire up as Styles then FLYING FOREARMS Brutus! The Creeds are down and Styles goes to the apron. Gable runs up but Styles ROCKS him! The fans fire up as Styles springboards, but into a FLAPJACK! ANKLE LOCK!! Gable keeps Styles from the ropes but the fans rally up!

Styles rolls, kicks and kicks, but Gable just rolls to keep the ANKLE LOCK! Styles endures, reaches out, claws at the mat, and the fans rally! Styles rolls to fling Gable onto ropes! Then he rolls Gable back, deadlift and STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

Styles grits his teeth and clutches his ankle, but he still has the victory! It was basically 3v1, but that’s why Styles is phenomenal! Will Styles see himself filling that final spot in King of the Ring? Or will he go right to a title opportunity instead?

Liv Morgan prepares backstage.

But then Roxanne Perez walks over. The Prodigy was thinking up a plan, and she- Liv tells her to save her breath. The real “plan” here is that Liv advances in Queen of the Ring, defeats Iyo Sky, and wins back the Women’s World Championship. Well then they’re on the same page, because Roxie was saying they could work together. That way one of them wins for Judgment Day. Liv says how about Roxie just staying out of her way. Okay. Then may the best woman win. They shake hands, and Liv says she will. Liv makes her entrance first, but will she be the first to advance in the 2025 Queen of the Ring Tournament? Or will she regret turning down Roxie?

Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane VS Roxanne Perez VS Rhea Ripley!

Raw returns as the Pirate Princess makes her entrance, followed by Mami! The bell rings and Roxie sticks close to Liv, but Liv tells her to stop. Kairi runs up and brawls with Roxie, leaving Rhea to go after Liv! Roxie knocks Kairi aside to jump on Rhea! Rhea RAMS Roxie into the corner, but then Liv runs up! Rhea catches Liv to a waistlock, but Roxie goes up to FLYING UPPERCUT! Rhea falls, Kairi uses her as a step to FLYING FOREARM Roxie! Liv SHOTGUNS Kairi, then whips her to ropes. Kairi ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up and gets Liv & Roxie for a RANA ARM-DRAG COMBO! Then she DOUBLE SHOTGUNS them out!

The fans fire up as Kairi and Rhea meet again. Kairi ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up, but Rhea KICKS her out of the air! The fans rally as Rhea runs to DROPKICK Kairi down! Cover, TWO! Rhea drags Kairi up, reels her in, and double pump handles! Rhea FLIPS Kairi into a suplex! Kairi slips free, Rhea ducks the backhand but Kairi comes back to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kairi runs but Rhea stops the wheelbarrow to SLAM Kairi down! Kairi goes to a corner,. Rhea runs up, but Kairi dodges! Rhea BOOTS Kairi, Roxie runs up and Rhea DUMPS her out! Liv BACK BODY BLOCKS Rhea! Kairi ROCKS Rhea, Liv SHINING WIZARDS them both!

But Rhea goes up to headscissor and THRASH Liv! Roxie attacks Rhea again! Rhea DECKS Roxie, then stops Liv’s Code Breaker! ROUNDHOUSE, pump handle, and RIP- NO, Roxie CHOP BLOCKS Rhea! Roxie continues to be Liv’s bodyguard, and she runs to tilt-o-whirl. Liv adds on, CODE BREAKER into the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Liv is impressed, but then Kairi is up top! DOUBLE CROSSBODY, but Liv & Roxie catch her! They pop Kairi up like they did Alexa Bliss at MITB! They TOSS her out onto Rhea! The fans are torn but Liv and Roxie actually work together well, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Kairi CHOPS Liv! And CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Kairi runs to SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Kairi while Liv goes to a corner. Kairi marches the plank then runs in, SLIDING D! Cover, Roxie breaks it! Roxie drags Kairi up, whips her to a corner, but Kairi reverses. Roxie goes up and over to catch Kairi, but Rhea DROPKICKS Kairi! Liv ENZIGIRIS Rhea! Springboard and FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, Kairi breaks it! The fans rally while Rhea and Liv flop out to the floor. Roxie is after Kairi but Kairi turns that around. “This is Awesome!” as Kairi ALABAMA SLAMS Roxie!

Kairi climbs, the fans rally, but Liv trips Kairi up! Liv ROCKS Kairi, climbs up, but Kairi fires hands! They brawl, Kairi HEADBUTTS, but Liv SMACKS her back! Liv helps Roxie up and the two climb together. The fans rally as they bring Kairi to the very top. Kairi resists, and here comes Rhea! Rhea hits a DOUBLE POWERBOMB on Liv & Roxie! Kairi is still up top, FLYING KABUKI ELBOW for Rhea! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Liv & Roxie bail out. Kairi has Rhea and fires forearm after forearm. Rhea SMACKS Kairi back! Kairi fires more forearms, so Rhea ROCKS her again!

Kairi shakes the ropes, runs back in, and she fires more forearms! URAKEN blocked, but Kairi stops the roundhouse! Leg pick, AX KICK, and then a wheelbarrow for the STUNNER! Rhea falls, Kairi covers, but Liv AND Roxie break it! Liv drags Rhea up, Roxie helps, and they RAM Rhea into buckles! Liv stomps away on Rhea, Roxie adds a SUPERKICK! Liv runs at Kairi, Kairi BOOTS her! Kairi runs up, Liv dodges, Roxie SUPERKICKS! Liv hits the BACKSTABBER! They kick Kairi out, and then they high-five! The fans boo as these two are actually a team, but Rhea rises! The fans fire up as Rhea CLOBBERS Roxie, CLOBBERS Liv, then DROPKICKS Roxie!

Rhea clinches Liv, turns her around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Rhea kicks Roxie, stomps a foot, SMASHES her off a knee, then scoops her for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Kairi is up top again, leaps back in, btu Rhea dodges! Rhea then BOOTS Kairi! Rhea HEADBUTTS Roxie! Liv runs up, but Rhea stops Oblivion! The fans fire up as Rhea powers Liv up, HEADBUTTS, then RIPTIDE!! Cover, RAQUEL drags Rhea out!! The fans boo as Ricky Desperado adds to the stacked deck! Rhea and Raquel brawl, but Kairi is up top! SUPER DUPER ELBOW!! The fans fire up with Kairi and she hurries back up! Kairi aims at Liv, IN-SANE ELBOW! Cover, Roxie breaks it with a jackknife bridge! ROXIE WINS!!!

Winner: Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (advances to the Queen of the Ring Semifinals)

Roxie is truly a Prodigy because that was the perfect way to steal the win! But how will Liv feel about Roxie snaking this spot away from her?

Becky Lynch heads to gorilla.

The Man is the NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion, but she also passes by A-Town Down Under. Waller & Theory argue, and then Waller storms off. Is A-Town Down Under done for? And what will #FiveStarBecks have to say about Money in the Bank? We find out, after the break.

Natalya & Maxxine Dupri talk with Nikki Bella.

They’re both excited that Phoenix’s own #FearlessNikki is back tonight, and she is so happy to be here. They hug, and Nikki promises to catch up more later. They head out, and then Nikki sees Kairi and Iyo Sky. Kairi is sore but also more upset that she lost, and she heads out. Nikki says hi to Iyo and that she respects Iyo as representing both the Women’s Division and as Women’s World Champion. Iyo thanks Nikki, and says Nikki helped pave the way for the rest of them, so it is an honor to meet her. Nikki thanks Iyo for that then heads out. What will Nikki have to say when she’s in the ring later tonight?

Becky Lynch heads to the ring.

The Man holds up the title while she struts to the ring, though also feeling rather sore herself. The fans boo as Becky grabs the mic, and she asks, “What? No ‘You Deserve It’ chants? Well I don’t need you to tell me I deserve it, because I know I do! Now, I should be out here celebrating after my incredible victory on Saturday. Because do you know how many opportunities for me to celebrate something new after everything that I’ve done in my career? After winning every other title multiple times, Royal Rumble winner, Elimination Chamber winner, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, New York Times best selling author, and now Women’s Intercontinental Champion!”

The fans boo but Becky says this should be her time to celebrate. This title is meant to be about opportunity. But this title’s greatest opportunity was when she won it! When she got to welcome it to the Big Time and call it the greatest prize in all of wrestling simply because Becky owns it! She should’ve been celebrating this weekend with her hot husband and her beautiful child. But no. Because that disingenuous, integrity-less shame to her hometown “bird lady,” Lyra Valkyria ruined everything! She was so enraged when Becky won, so upset that Becky proved she is the better woman, Lyra raised Becky’s had so aggressively, despite it being the deal…!

Lyra may very well have dislocated Becky’s shoulder! And so, as the bigger person, Becky extended an olive branch. She wanted to put the beef behind them by asking Lyra to put the title around her. But then Lyra went crazy and tried to kill Becky! And so Becky must ask the crazy bird lady to come out here to do two things: one, apologize to Becky! And then two, to raise Becky’s hand and do it right! Lyra does make her entrance, and Becky says she’s already got that crazy look in her eyes. Becky insists Lyra will apologize, but then BAYLEY CLOBBERS BECKY! The Role Model is back and she rains down fists of fury!

The fans fire up as Bayley storms around, and even Lyra is stunned! Becky tumbles out of the ring, but bumps into Lyra! Lyra smiles, puts Becky back in the ring, and Bayley hooks her up! Becky slips free of the Rose Plant and runs away into the crowd! The fans cheer as Bayley is back again, when and where will she have her revenge on The Man?

Someone jumps onto the desk!

He takes off his hood and his mask, and he reveals himself! It is R-TRUTH! Ron Killings is back on Raw and the fans erupt! “TRUTH! TRUTH! TRUTH!” He has the mic to say, “Don’t let nobody tell you that you don’t matter. Don’t let nobody tell you that your voice doesn’t matter. They heard, they listened, they felt, and they understood! I am back because of y’all!” The fans cheer that! Truth continues to say, “Y’all brought R-Truth back. ‘We Want Truth.’ Y’all got R-Truth! We won! R-Truth is back for all of you! Every last one of you! But R-Truth is back, and I’m back to me, too. Y’see, not only did y’all bring R-Truth back… You got me.

“Now, we all love R-Truth. I love R-Truth, too. But R-Truth can be too funny all the time. R-Truth can be too nice. And he’s too forgiving. Not me. I wish you would. I feel different. I feel alive. And for any of you that thinks I’m a lie… You think I’m some sideshow act? You think I’m a gimmick?!” Truth takes out scissors?! And he CUTS HIS DREADS!? No one can believe what he just did, but he did it! He holds up the dreads, and he says, “R-Truth… The Truth has set me free! I AM RON KILLINGS!” The fans go wild again, and he says, “I am The Truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! Now put some respect on my name!”

Killings heads out and the fans cheer him on. Will this mean serious trouble for John Cena?

Finn Balor & JD McDonagh check on Dominik Mysterio.

They fist bump with Dirty Dom and Finn asks… Isn’t it strange that Dom got in KOTR? Well, Finn had his shot at MITB, and that didn’t work out, so Dom just thought Finn wouldn’t mind if Dom represented for Judgment Day in KOTR. Is he upset? No, of course not! He knows Dom is going to do great! JD says yeah, Dom will be King of the Ring, he and Finn will get those tag titles back. Exactly! It is all working out perfectly! And speaking of, Roxie walks in, congrats! JD says yeah, good job. Dom reluctantly says yeah, she did good. Liv & Raquel walk in, and Liv asks what’s going on with the celebrating.

Dom says he has to go for his match now. Liv says yes, they’ll celebrate that. Roxie says she helped Liv, she kept Kairi from pinning her again. OH, is that what she did? Then congrats, Roxie. Raquel scoffs, she and Liv leave, and Finn says no worries. Dom can talk to Liv. But Dom has a match. Dom heads out, Finn chuckles, and things are only getting more and more tense in the clubhouse. But is it all according to plan?

Seth Rollins meets with his team.

The Visionary says, “Boys, the future I see… We’re it. Money in the Bank, King of the Ring, this is an all out assault on both recognized world championships. Whether we take those by victory or we take them by heist, absolute power… will. Be. Ours.” Bron barks it up before he heads out, will all brands belong to Seth Freakin’ Rollins?

King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Dominik Mysterio VS Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker VS PENTA!

Just as Dirty Dom said, it is time for the first four men to fight in the tournament! Will the Intercontinental Champion look to add a crown to his collection? Will the Underdog from the Underground no longer be a nice guy? Will Seth Rollins’ attack dog secure their team a “Plan B?” Or will #CeroMiedo defy the one-in-four odds?

Raw returns as Dom makes his entrance, followed by Sami’s, which leaves the Badass Bron Breakker for last. The bell rings and Dom bails out, only for Penta to FLY out onto him! Sami and Bron brawl, and then Bron RAMS Sami into a corner! Bron RAMS Sami again and again and again! The fans bark as Bron clinches and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! Penta returns, he dodges Bron, but Bron catches the springboard crossbody! POWERSLAM! Dom is in, Bron gets moving, and he LARIATS Dom inside-out! Bron snarls and the fans bark while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Penta has Bron down. Penta CLUBS Bron, swings on him, but Bron blocks to then BELLY2BELLY! Penta sputters but Bron goes after Sami in a corner. Bron fires hands, then he goes to Dom. Dom wants mercy but Bron just CHOKES him instead! Bron TOSSES Dom across the way, and he revels in the barking. Bron goes back to Sami, but Sami fires a forearm! Dom is back and he hits a JAWBREAKER! Penta hits a SUPERKICK! Bron wobbles, all three others decide to work together! They mug Bron and HAMMER away! But then Dom SHOVES Penta into Sami and rolls Penta up! TWO!

Dom swings, Penta dodges, and Penta RANAS! Dom tumbles, Penta runs up, GAMANGIRI in the corner! Dom sits down, Penta headstands and DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Dom is tougher than that but Penta stays cool. Sami returns and has Penta in a waistlock! Penta fights the lift, Sami wrenches to a knuckle lock, and Sami CHOPS! Sami goes up, up, and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, Dom breaks it! Dom and Penta bail out, Sami goes after Bron. The fans rally while Sami throws hands on Bron. But then Bron CLOBBERS Sami! Bron rains down fists, then he drags Sami back up. Bron puts Sami on ropes, “You actually like this bum?!”

The fans rally for Sami but Bron fires body shots. Bron KNEES Sami against the ropes again and again. Bron then sees Dom so he stomps Dom down. Sami SLAPS Bron and the fans fire up! Sami fires forearms, Bron fires haymakers, and then Bron TOSSES Sami! Sami is on the apron, Bron runs up, but Sami DUMPS Bron out! Bron stumbles, Sami aims, ARABIAN PRESS! Down goes Bron and the fans fire up! But then Penta is up top! Penta leaps at Sami, SUPER CROSSBODY! Both men are down, but then Dom builds speed! Dom DIVES to TORNADO DDT Penta on the floor! But then Bron FLYING LARITS Dom onto the desk!!

The fans fire up and lose their minds as all four men are down on the outside! The ref checks them all while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Sam is up top. Bron is after him but Sami throws hands first! Sami knocks Bron down, btu Dom is back! Dom ROCKS Sami, climbs up, and has him on the very top! But Penta KICKS and CLUBS Dom, to then RUNNING POWERBOMB! Bron is after Sami again! SUPER STEINER! All four men are down again and the fans are barking it up! “This is Awesome!” as all four men stir. Heyman coaches Bron up, and Bron stares down with Penta. They step up, and Penta fires a forearm! Bron fires a haymaker! Penta CHOPS, but then Bron fires another haymaker! Penta fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but into a JUMP KNEE!

Bron runs, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs, but Bron grabs him first! Gorilla press, but Penta DDT COUNTERS! Dom TOSSES Penta to cover Bron! TWO!! Bron survives and Dom is stunned! Dom drags Bron up, Sami returns, and Sami reels Dom in! BLUE- NO, Dom fights that, but Sami reels him back in! Dom still fights, slips free, and he kicks Sami! Snap suplex! That’s Uno Amigo! Dom hits Dos Amigos! The fans boo but Dom gives some Latino Heat, only for Sami to hit BLUE THUNDER! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and the fans rally again! Dom ends up in a corner, the fans duel, but Sami runs, into a SUPERKICK from Penta!

Penta has Sami’s arm hooked up, then grabs the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” THE SACRIFICE!! And PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Dom ghost pins! Penta wiggles, ONE, and Dom drags Penta back up! SUPERKICK! Dom comes back, Penta dodges to kick a leg out! Penta runs to SLING-DOG! The fans fire up as Penta calls it, DESTROYER!! Penta hurries to crawl and cover, BRON BREAKS IT!! Sami also crawls back in, but Bron rains down fists on Penta! Bron stomps Dom, then he drags Penta up to TOSS him out! Bron brings down the straps and the fans bark it up. Bron grins as he goes outside, and he runs in around the way! Penta turns around, into the BREAKKER SPEAR!!

The fans are fire dup, but then LA KNIGHT ATTACKS BRON! B F T FOR BRON!! The Mega Star gets payback for Rollins’ crew screwing over pretty much everybody! Sami then gives Dom a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami hurries to the opposite end! HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, SAMI WINS!!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall (advances to the King of the Ring Semifinals)

Give the assist to Knight with taking out the heaviest hitter, but Sami still seals the deal! Sami moves on to the next round, but who will he be facing from SmackDown?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Cathy Kelley is with the Phenomenal One and congratulates him on the win over Gable tonight. Styles is clearly still fired up, so what’s he got on his mind? Styles says he can’t really enjoy tonight, because he can’t stop thinking about last week. Gable, whether or not he has on the mask, is one of the best in the business. But last week, Rollins had his lackey, Heyman, threaten Styles! And then we know Dirty Dom and the Judgment Day are still running their mouths. Styles doesn’t care how any of them conduct business. But if you disrespect him, he punches you in the mouth. If you don’t believe him, go ask Gable.

Well, on second thought, Styles wants to go tell ’em himself. Styles heads out to find somebody, and Cathy spots Waller talking with The New Day. We go over there, Waller calms down, and he says at least there are some good locker room veterans around here. Waller heads out, Xavier Woods sarcastically says, “Here comes Cathy with the good questions.” Cathy does ask about when they’ll next defend their titles, and who against. Kofi says they just successfully defended these belts two weeks ago! Woods says there are a lot of great teams out here. But in their opinion, those teams are all in the middle of the pack.

What the New Day wants is a team that stands out, that clear number one. They have too much respect for these titles to defend against just anyone. Y’all keep ’em in the driveway, but New Day keeps ’em in the garage. They care about these titles! Unlike the previous champions, or even the champions before that. They could go on all day, but everyone should be thankful to have champions like The New Day that elevate the titles. So instead of asking asinine questions, Cathy, how about you and everyone in Phoenix and in the world get down on your knees and Thank GOD for the New Day! Cathy asks why they keep deflecting, but Kofi says no more questions.

New Day heads out, but who will be their next challengers when the time finally comes?

Nikki Bella heads to the ring!

Phoenix cheers and Nikki hugs a few fans in the front row. Other fans seem almost hysterical seeing their hometown hero again. Nikki grabs a mic and tells Phoenix, “Oh my gosh, it is so good, for one, to be back home. To be back in this ring, oh my goodness, I just want to say thank you to the WWE Universe, thank you to my Bella Army. I missed you guys. I missed you, I missed you all a lot. Thank you. So… I’m here to talk about something very, very special that’s happening next month. I think you all know what I’m about to talk about, right? It’s been many years, but next month, WWE is holding an all-women PLE in Atlanta, WWE Evolution!”

The fans cheer and Nikki says yes! She remembers main-eventing the original, and it has been so incredible to see where the WWE Women’s Division has gone since. The talent, from Rhea Ripley to Bianca Belair to Iyo Sky! And let’s talk about the newcomers: Stephanie Vaquer, Roxanne Perez, Giulia! There is so much talent in that female locker room, it is insane. She could speak on behalf of the women of the past to say they couldn’t be prouder and more grateful. But wait, here comes Liv. Liv doesn’t even want her music, she just wants to tell Nikki that if she’s gonna talk the best women in WWE, she better mention Liv Morgan!

Fans are torn and Nikki says she didn’t mean to snub her. Liv says too late! Liv is the most talented woman in this division, and she has proven it time and again and again! She was Women’s World Champion all of last year! She is the first-and-only Women’s Crown Jewel Champion, and she is breaking records! FOUR-TIME Women’s Tag Team Champion! But y’know what, Nikki? You’re lucky Liv wasn’t around during your time, because Liv would’ve beaten her, too! But Liv realizes why Nikki didn’t mention Liv: Nikki is jealous of Liv! The fans boo that, but Liv says Liv has everything Nikki doesn’t. Liv has respect, a title, and a man~!

The fans boo while Liv laughs it up. Nikki smirks and tells Liv, she gets it. Liv lost tonight, so she’s angry. Nikki doesn’t blame Liv. It’s just a bad night, right? But speaking of Liv’s man, Nikki is trying to figure out who he really belongs to. Is it Liv or Roxie? But y’know what? If Liv could congratulate Roxie for Nikki? Both on taking the win, and Liv’s man. The fans cheer that burn! Liv says Nikki can say whatever she wants, because Liv is still a champion. And all Nikki will ever be isa a reality show diva. Nikki storms back in, but right into OBLIVION!! Liv tells Nikki that this is HER division now! Liv leaves Nikki down and out, but is Liv starting to crack under the pressure?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS GUNTHER!

Main Event Jey helped CM Punk and paid for it by having Seth Rollins’ crew jump him. Jey & Cody showed up on SmackDown to get jumped by John Cena & Logan Paul. And though Jey & Cody won at MITB, Jey still took a Super Lionsault through a desk. Is this all as Der Ring General said? Did Jey lose focus on being world champion and doom himself to lose the title tonight? Or can Jey tough it out and come out on top like he did at WrestleMania?

Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, his son proudly by his side. Phoenix gets right into the YEET with them as they make their way down to ringside. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real main event player!

The bell rings, the fans rally up, and the two circle. They step up, the fans taunt Gunther with “You Tapped Out!” and the two tie up. Gunther headlocks for the takeover, but Jey headscissors. Gunther kips free, goes for the headlock, but Jey slips out and wants the SLEEPER! Gunther flails, powers Jey to the ropes, then the corner. The ref counts, Jey and Gunther let off slowly, but then Gunther takes a swing! Jey counter punches, then goes for the SLEEPER! Gunther throws Jey away, but then avoids the superkick! The fans boo as Gunther bails out to take a breather, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Gunther is up top. He deadlifts Jey but Jey shoves free! Jey goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Gunther is still in this, but Jey clutches his stomach and ribs. Jey must still be suffering from the Lionsault, and Gunther grins! Gunther has a target now as he and Jey rise. The fans rally for Jey as the two circle. Gunther KNEES low! Jey doubles over, drops to his knees, and Gunther KICKS Jey in the side! Gunther rips away at Jey’s shirt to expose the rib tape! Gunther grins, KNEES Jey in the side, and then KNEES him again, and again! Gunther hoists Jey up for a BACKBREAKER!

The fans boo but Gunther grins as Jey writhes. Gunther stomps Jey right on the tape! Gunther stands Jey up but Jey fires haymakers! “YEET! YEET!” But Gunther clamps on for a BIG suplex! Jey writhes more but Gunther stays on him. Gunther digs his knee into Jey’s back, then starts ripping away the medical tape! The fans boo but Jey’s stomach and ribs are even more exposed. Gunther drags Jey up to KNEE him low again! Jey pounds the mat in frustration but the fans rally up. Gunther KICKS Jey in the side! Gunther paces, then he stalks Jey to a corner. Gunther drags Jey up to CHOP him into the corner!

The fans rally for Jey, but Gunther whips corner to corner. Gunther runs in, Jey dodges, and Jey clamps on! SLEEPER!! Gunther flails, reaches the ROPEBREAK, but Jey shifts to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men huff ‘n’ puff but Jey rises up. Jey aims from a corner, runs in, but Gunther clamps on with a SLEEPER!! Jey THROWS Gunther out fast! The fans fire up and Jey builds speed, to DIVE into a HAYMAKER! Gunther drags Jey outside, and whips him, only for Jey to reverse! Gunther hits POST, and Jey waistlocks! Gunther switches, and Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES to the floor! Jey and Gunther are both down while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Gunther suplexes. Jey fights it with knees! Jey then hooks a leg to fight back. Jey tries but Gunther fights the suplex. Jey still tries, and third time is the charm! Jey SUPLEXES Gunther! The fans fire up, but both men are down again. Gunther rises first, but the fans rally for “UCE! OH!” and Jey stands. Gunther CHOPS! Jey forearms! Repeat! “WOO~! YEET! WOO~! YEET!” The shots go back and forth, Jey throws haymaker after haymaker, then a pop, lock ‘n’ UPPERCUT! Gunther rebounds, blocks the superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Gunther flops into a corner and the fans fire up!

Jey grits his teeth, runs in, but Gunther ducks the hip attack! Jey hobbles, Gunther clamps on the SLEEPER!! Jey drops to throw Gunther away! Jey runs up, Gunther puts Jey on the apron, and Gunther has the SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as Jey drags Gunther up and over to THROW him down! The fans fire up and Jey builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit this time and the fans fire up again! Both men are back on the floor and the ref starts a count. Jey rises as the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey rolls into the ring, but then Gunther drags him back out! Gunther RAMS Jey into the barriers! And then hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX!

Gunther puts Jey in the ring, climbs up a corner, and DIVING SPLASHES, but onto knees! Jey runs, dodges, and SPEARS!! Gunther is down and Jey hurries up top! The fans fire up for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Gunther survives, and Jey is too sore to be upset. The fans rally while both men stir, and they go to opposite corners. Jey watches Gunther rise, and he runs in, but into a LARIAT!! Gunther drags Jey up and in, GENERAL- NO, Jey RANAS to a cover, TWO!! Gunther escapes, but Jey SUPERKICKS him! Jey has the SLEEPER!! Gunther flails, slips around, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Gunther then gets Jey back up, GERNAL BOMB!!

Gunther high stacks, TWO!! Jey survives and the fans fire up! Gunther hurries to a corner, he waits on Jey, and he smiles as Jey sputters. Jey manages to rise up, and Gunther runs in to SPEAR!!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Jey survives Gunther copying the Bloodline’s signature, but Jey is still in a bad way. Gunther catches his breath, rises back up, and he drags Jey up. The fans rally, but Gunther short arm LARIATS! Gunther eggs Jey on, asks if this is all he has, and the fans rally again. Jey stands to shove Gunther, so Gunther LARIATS! Jey stays up this time, so Gunther LARIATS again! Jey shoves Gunther and eggs Gunther on now!

The fans fire up, Gunther swings, but Jey dodges! SLEEPER!! But Gunther powers out, and has the SLEEPER in return! Jey runs to RAM Gunther into buckles! SUPERKICK! Jey runs, builds speed, and SPEARS!! Jey hurries to the corner, and climbs up top! USO SPLASH FLOPS as Gunther moves!! Jey sputters and coughs! Jey pounds the mat in pain and frustration, but then Gunther clamps on the SLEEPER!!! BODY SCISSORS!! Gunther has Jey caught, but Jey still fights! Jey gets free of the body scissors and crawls for the ropes, but Gunther rolls him away! Gunther squeezes tight, but Jey rises to his feet!

Jey fights forward, ROPEBREAK, but Gunther drags him right back to center! Gunther traps the arm, and he has the BODY SCISSORS! Jey endures, reaches out, claws at Gunther’s grip, and Phoenix rallies as hard as they can! Jey finds new life as he stands back up! But Gunther drags him right back down!! REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Jey kicks, fights, but Gunther throws HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Jey slips around!? SLEEPER!!! Gunther flails, fights, but now he’s fading! Jey has the body scissors! Gunther kicks, claws, grabs at Jey, and he rolls free of the scissors! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!!! REAR NAKED CHOKE!!!

Gunther has Jey caught once again, but the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” for Jey! Jey is reaching out, but he’s fading out!! THE REF CALLS IT! GUNTHER WINS!!!

Winner: Gunther, by submission (NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

Der Ring General and Main Event Jey pushed each other to their limits once again, but this fifth round goes to Gunther! Jey’s first reign has come to an end, will he ever get this title back? Or will Gunther go on another historically dominant run?

My Thoughts:

A great episode to follow MITB, and we’re already getting on the Night of Champions build. Great promo from Becky to finally bring Bayley back into this story. I suppose now that the title is off Lyra, Bayley could be a challenger, but it already feels like Bayley and Lyra are going to butt heads over that. I feel like Bayley VS Becky is going to be the title match for Night of Champions, with Lyra taking time off so she and her fiancé can have their wedding. It is summertime, after all. And good stuff giving us the A-Town Down Under breakup through segments involving others. New Day have a good promo, and naturally as Heels, they choose to not bother being fighting champions.

Great opening promo where Cena, for being the Heel that wants to ruin wrestling, talks down to the fans and demands proper competition. Great segue for Punk to show up, though it seems a bit selfish on Punk’s part when he and Sami were supposed to stop Rollins from taking the MITB briefcase. Maybe Punk is doing two birds with one stone: He knows Rollins wants the “power” in WWE, and he knows Rollins still hates his guts. And playing right into that, Rollins heavily implied that he wants THE WWE Championship while he’ll let his henchmen go for the World Heavyweight Championship through King of the Ring.

As such, no cash-in during Jey VS Gunther, which was an awesome main event. Jey losing straight up and not because of the cash-in is actually quite the surprise, but it does open the door to possibilities in King of the Ring. We got great Fatal 4 Way matches tonight, and the KOTR even intertwined the stories with Rollins’ faction. LA Knight making sure Bron didn’t win was great, and I would think the Draft is used to move Knight over to Raw. That’s the easy move, no sense in moving a whole faction and Becky’s story over to SmackDown. Knight can be another ally in the team fighting against Rollins’ team, and at this point, Knight feels more like WHC than Undisputed Champ contender.

Great stuff with the Queen of the Ring, especially with how it ties into the Judgment Day story. Roxie sorta two-faced tells Liv she’ll help Liv only to help herself, Finn revels in what bringing Roxie in is doing to the faction, and then Liv lashes out at Nikki. Nikki did plug Evolution, but I would hope this isn’t WWE trying to get Nikki into a big profile match. Nikki did talk to Maxxine & Natty and even Kairi & Iyo, I would rather she helps support one or both of those teams going after Liv & Raquel for those tag titles. Then Nikki can stop Judgment Day from cheating, and she celebrates with Iyo & Kairi as the new champions.

Great match from Styles VS Gable, even with the Creeds doing their best to interfere. Styles gets a great win, and he has a good promo calling out both major factions. I’m pretty sure Styles’ next move is to be more serious about the Intercontinental Championship, so he’ll surely get a match with Dom at some point. With the way the Judgment Day is falling apart, I could see Finn just committing and turning on Dom outright. It would complete the implosion of the faction, and maybe JD sticks by Finn’s side, despite JD doing his best as peacemaker, tonight included.

And then we get a great promo from R-Truth, who quite literally cuts away a part of himself to bring out Ron Killings. Going back to serious and perhaps even devious R-Truth like we had years ago is going to be great stuff, especially if there’s still an end date to his contract. After all, it wasn’t a work, it was the fans actually persuading WWE like back with Daniel Bryan and the Yes Movement. That is to say, title or no title, Truth and Cena are definitely running it back one more time before the end of 2025, the whole idea being that it will turn Cena back to Face before hanging up the boots.

My Score: 8.9/10