Results
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/7/21)
Who’s going to Hell (in a Cell)?
The Raw Tag Team Champions will have new challengers!
Who will AJ Styles & Omos meet at Hell in a Cell? We find out in a five team battle royal! Plus, Shayna Baszler dares Alexa Bliss to leave the playground and get back in the ring!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Battle Royal: The Viking Raiders wins and will challenge AJ Styles & Omos for the titles at Hell in a Cell.
- Elias VS Jaxson Ryker; Ryker wins, by count-out.
- WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Ricochet VS Humberto Carrillo; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Jeff Hardy VS Cedric Alexander; Hardy wins.
- Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley VS Nikki Cross & Asuka; Cross & Asuka win.
- Mansoor VS Drew Gulak; Mansoor wins.
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton; Kingston wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Battle Royal!
RKBRO makes their entrance but The New Day, The Viking Raiders, Lucha House Party and the destructive duo of T-Bar & Mace are already waiting in the ring! Only one team will be left standing, but who will be going to Hell in a Cell to take on the Phenomenal AJ Styles & towering Omos?
But speaking of, AJ Styles & Omos make their way out to watch this with their own eyes! Styles has a mic to say, “Gentlemen, before we start this battle royal, I just want to say thank you for showing up to this special State of the Tag Team Division Address.” Styles says that the WWE will be back on the road next month, and he and Omos feel obligated to the fans to defend their tag titles live and in person against the very best! And wow, what’s in the ring is unbelievable! These are the teams they want! For instance, the 11-time tag team champions, the NEW~ DAY~! Xavier Woods says don’t do the hip swivels.
But the New Day are legends! National treasures! Think about their showdowns! Just like at WrestleMania. That’s where Omos and Styles won, not that they’re keeping count or anything. Then Mace & T-Bar. TO be honest, we don’t know a lot about you guys. Nobody does. But they’re big, mean and like to fight. Styles won’t mention how Omos is bigger and meaner, that’s neither here nor there. Then Lince Dorado is here alone? Gran Metalik got hurt, that’s a shame, but Styles appreciates Lince’s heart. Not smart, but brave! And Lince does things people have only seen in video games, but Styles has done time and time again in his career. Lince was probably a big fan, right?
Then there’s the Viking Raiders! Raid and get paid! Big money is what it’s about. The champs could definitely throw down with them all over the world. But then there’s R, K, Bro…! Randy Orton is a 14-time world champion, a tag team champion, and a Legend Killer. Then there’s the rising star, sky’s the limit for Matt Riddle. And we’ve all seen it from these two. This is ridiculous and doesn’t make sense but the chemistry they have together is unbelievable. And this division is of course led by the unbelievable, unstoppable and incredible… What would Omos say they are? MAGNIFICENT! STUPENDOUS! And handsome to boot. Last but not least, phenomenal! YES!
Kofi Kingston says more like deplorable, detestable, or as we said from 2016 to 2018, BOOTY! Phenomenal & Abominable are not a registered team! Where are the forms?! The paper work!? that’s all lies! No one needs papers! They just need the titles! No interrupting Styles when he’s being nice. Nice? Styles wants to be nice? Then how about you shut your damn mouth! Riddle adds that he has a lot of experience here. Take the key, zip it, lock it, throw away the key. It’s done wonders for these two, and they’re the newest team on the scene with these new merchandise shirts. Riddle is wearing two because Orton doesn’t really wear shirts.
Riddle mentions that his uncle, Ron, helped with the design because he had a pet snake, Mr. Slithers. Mr. Slithers would go everywhere with Ron until he got out his one time- Oh, right. Zip, lock, throw away the key. But wait, here comes The Miz and John Morrison! Morrison wheels out Miz in his wheelchair, and Miz apologizes for the interruption. Morrison says Miz has nothing to apologize for. He is the most courageous superstar here to come out here in this condition! That is coooorrect. Miz can’t deny that he was “tragically” injured, but he says the Raw Tag Division is a bit dry. Which is why Morrison has the #DripStick on hand! Time to moisten things up!
COOOOORRECT! Morrison, #JohnnyDripDrip is competing on behalf of both members of the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *stare off into distance* and looks to mop up the competition! Hit his music! But wait! Miz’s wheelchair is going out of control down the ramp! Morrison saves Miz from further disaster, and gets Miz to safety. Morrison waits just outside the ring as all the teams stare him down. Orton hits Woods with an RKO!! And then Riddle RKO’s Kofi! Lince chest bumps Ivar, and wants to high-five T-Bar, but no dice. RKO for Dorado!! Two teams, er well, one and a half, are down, the others are circling, and this will truly get underway after the break!
Raw returns and all the teams have regrouped. The bell rings while Styles & Omos join commentary, and Miz honks his wheelchair car horn. Lince works with the New Day Power Rangers as they brawl with RKBRO! T-Bar & Mace go after the Viking Raiders, and Morrison hangs back to wait for an opening. Erik knees Mace, Ivar CLUBS T-Bar, but both hit back. Woods ROCKS Orton, Morrison goes after Lince and throws him out! Lince holds on, slides under Morrison and he pushes Morrison! Morrison KICKS back, gets in and tries a powerbomb, only for Lince to RANA! Morrison holds on, Lince stomps him, then WRECKING BALL DROPKICKS!
Morrison uses his feet to hook the ropes and survive! Miz passes him the Drip Stick and Morrison sprays Lince in the face! Morrison slides back in, and ROUNDHOUSES Lince up and out to ELIMINATE him! But then Morrison turns around to have Mace & T-Bar stare him down! Morrison tries to get them on his side, and then asks for the drip stick! Miz tosses it in, Morrison sprays ‘n’ prays, but he gets a double choke grip for his troubles! T-Bar & Mace ELIMINATE Morrison! The Viking Raiders come back for more, T-Bar DECKS Ivar, then Mace feeds Erik to T-Bar’s forearm! Mace adds a LEG LARIAT and down goes Erik!
Riddle goes after T-Bar’s arm but no Kimura for the Bro! T-Bar KNEES then TOSSES Riddle aside! Orton shoves Mace away, but he runs into DOUBL EBOOTS! Woods and Kofi go after them but Mace & T-Bar get DOUBLE CHOKE SLAMS! “This is OURS to win!” T-Bar and Mace both have Orton! They aim for ropes, but Riddle makes the save! So T-Bar & Mace give Riddle HIGH JUSTICE!! That’s a devastating move but it won’t win the battle royal! The Raiders regroup and stare down. The behemoths fire up, but RKBRO and New Day help out! They go after Mace & T-Bar equally, and they throw T-Bar to ELIMINATE him! Then the other half ELMINATES Mace, we have our last three teams as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Orton fires hands on Kofi while Erik brawls with Riddle and Ivar is after Woods. Woods CHOPS Ivar back, Erik RAMS Riddle into a corner, and Orton bumps Kofi off buckles. Riddle turns things around on Erik, Kofi hits Orton back, and Woods goes after Riddle. Woods back suplexes but Riddle lands on his feet to boot. Woods slides under to hit a ROLLING ELBOW! The Raiders double kick Woods and double whip, but he slides under, only to get double shoulders! Erik growls and gets Riddle up. Erik feeds Riddle to Ivar but Riddle hits first! Riddle forearms back and forth between the Raiders, then KICKS and KICKS!
Erik stops the kicks but Riddle dodges, no RKO! Pop-up and LARIAT GERMAN SUPLEX! Riddle staggers up into Woods’ KNEE! Woods ELIMINATES Riddle!! RKBRO is down to one! The New Day rally on Ivar, kick after kick and forearm after forearm! They hammer away then run, but into Erik’s CLOTHESLINE! Erik ELIMINATES Woods! New Day is down to one and Kofi whips Erik! Erik goes up and over?! Ivar SPLASHES, then feeds Kofi to Erik’s SHOTGUN KNEES! Erik uses Ivar as his weapon, HIP ATTACK SENTON in the corner! Orton throws Ivar into a POST! Orton CLOBBERS Erik and fires up! Orton rallies, dodges and POWERSLAMS Erik!
Ivar gets up and brawls with Orton! Ivar scoops, Orton slips off and shoves. Ivar cartwheels to knee and whip Orton into Erik’s KNEE! The Raiders get Orton up and SLAM him into a drop zone! Erik scoops Ivar but Kofi dropkicks the Raiders over! Ivar SPLASHES Erik and Kofi claps it up! “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi aims at Orton but Riddle returns to take the TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Orton ELIMINATES Kofi, no more New Day!! But then the Raiders TOSS and ELIMINATE Orton!! The Raiders win!!
Winners: The Viking Raiders (NEW #1 Contenders to the Raw Tag Team Champions)
Styles & Omos like what’s coming down the line! They’re here to entertain, and Styles promises the title match will still go their way. Are the champions getting ahead of themselves against such a battle tested team?
Bobby Lashley and MVP are still partying.
They’re popping bottles while the ladies relax with them, but there is business to attend to later tonight. Lashley and Drew McIntyre sign on the dotted line for their WWE World Championship match at Hell in a Cell!
Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce talk backstage.
As the return to touring continues, they’re both very excited to see all the familiar places again. But Charlotte Flair walks in and “apologizes” to interrupt. She knows they saw her be “pressured” into that match with Nikki Cross, so could the loss be stricken from the record? As much as they would “love” to do that, Charlotte still accepted the challenge and then lost that challenge. So no, there’s nothing they can do. That much these two agree on. Charlotte was asking nicely but she sees they’re both jealous. They’ve never had the career she’s had, because there’s only ONE Charlotte. So maybe agree on her getting a rematch with Nikki.
Rhea Ripley chuckles as she enters now. As much as she’d actually love to see Charlotte get flustered, at least Rhea respects Nikki. She won’t stand here and pretend she took her eyes off the clock and didn’t take Nikki seriously. So if anyone deserves a rematch with Nikki, it’s Rhea. Pearce says there might be a compromise that could see each of them respecting each other. Sonya suggests these two team up against Nikki and… Wait, both of them against Nikki? No, Nikki and a partner of her choosing. Sound good to them? Well unlike Rhea, Charlotte can be professional. So is that a yes? And who is there for Nikki to team with to take on both Nightmare and Queen?
The Viking Raiders are fired up!
The tag titles are in their future! And that means RAID! RAID! RAID! Ivar is so hungry right now. Let’s go feast on turkey legs! Ivar’s paying! Omos and Styles come by, and ask if they meant these turkey legs. Omos has one in hand. Hopefully the Raiders weren’t hoping to have some to celebrate. Styles doesn’t know a lot about Vikings. They can teach him. Well look, guys, to Styles & Omos, you’re just wannabe Vikings. You use electricity, mirrors, but apparently not deodorant. Erik says the way he lives honors the Vikings that came before. If Styles has a problem with that, then Erik has a problem with him,
This is why Vikings aren’t around anymore, Omos. And where did he get that turkey leg? Styles is kinda hungry, too. Will Styles poke the bears a little too much and get his head bitten off?
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in the ring alone as he gives his introduction. There will be no other introductions tonight, because you could be walking with the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions, but you’re not. And whose fault is that? Jaxson Ryker’s! If Ryker would’ve just done what Elias said, we’d be celebrating this week! But instead, Ryker has become “completely unhinged.” For the sake of Elias’ career and sanity, he had to get away. Elias shows footage of last week when Elias abandoned Ryker as Omos tags in. Elias says he had no choice but to do that!
The first time Elias met Ryker, he didn’t just see this unbridled potential and massive arms. He looked into Ryker’s cold eyes and saw the ghosts of war. Elias saw a man who has been in battle and who would go to battle, just not for Elias. Elias walked out on Ryker, but that doesn’t change the fact that there is an “unwavering” truth that WWE stands for Walk With Elias! Now before Elias walks all over “that maniac,” RYKER ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! Ryker, hair cut short but beard still thick, CHUCKS Elias’ guitar out of the ring, then rains down fists on Elias’ head! And stomps him against ropes! Ryker rips Elias’ shirt off but referees separate them! This fight becomes a match, after the break!
Elias VS Jaxson Ryker!
Raw returns and Elias manages to get to his feet. He still wants this match, but the bell rings and Ryker CLOBBERS him! Ryker rams Elias into a corner, fires off forearms, then whips him corner to corner for a SPLASH! Elias flops out of the ring but Ryker pursues. Ryker follows Elias around the way and back into the ring, to CLOBBER him again! Ryker CLUBS Elias, whips him to ropes, but Elias reverses. Ryker KICKS back, then runs to CLOTHESLINE Elias out of the ring! Elias staggers to the desk, Ryker goes out and stalks up behind Elias, to throw haymakers! The ring count is climbing as Ryker throws more hands. Elias hits low and bumps Ryker off steps!
Elias gets in the ring, Ryker follows, but Elias fires off on him! Elias stomps Ryker down, gets him up and whips him to ropes to CLOBBER him in return! Elias catches his breath, stalks Ryker to ropes, but Ryker hits low! Ryker runs but Elias hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Elias grits his teeth and drags Ryker up to DECK him! And again! Elias taunts Ryker, gets him up and DECKS him again! Ryker hits back! And CLUBS Elias, only to run into a MANHATTAN DROP! Elias fireman’s carries, but Ryker pulls beard! Ryker whips and gives Elias a SPINESBUSTER of his own! Ryker is fired up but Elias bails out! Elias is running away!
Ryker shouts for Elias to return but he doesn’t, Ryker wins!
Winner: Jaxson Ryker, by count-out
Ryker wanted to finish this in the ring but the Drifter wasn’t for that! Will Ryker have his retribution soon enough?
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!
It’s time to put pen to paper! The Scottish Warrior has his claymore sword, but will he need his Claymore kick tonight? We’ll wait and see, after the break.
Raw returns and now the table has been set. Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville preside over this contract signing, and Sonya introduces the WWE World Champion, Bobby Lashley! The music plays, but the All Mighty and MVP do not make their entrance. McIntyre says we’re not waiting on them. He’ll predict how this goes: Lashley will have his suit, the ladies, and so on, so that everyone will have to hop aboard The Lashley Train. Then Lashley will talk about McIntyre has had opportunity after opportunity. That’s a good point but Lashley is also missing the point. McIntyre has a story he loved growing up and fans might enjoy this one.
There was a Scottish king called Robert the Bruce. When he was king, Scotland was still enslaved. They lost big battles, the king went into hiding and would’ve been killed on sight. Robert the Bruce stayed in a cave for the better part of three years, and one day he just looked up at the ceiling. He saw a spider. The spider was making a web but it was damp in the cave so the web wouldn’t stick. The spider kept failing, falling, and getting back up. It did this over and over. The king sympathized with the spider, but he also wanted to tell the spider to give up because it won’t work out. But then it did. Finally, the web stuck, the spider had a home, and The Bruce was encouraged.
The king assembled an army, but was outnumbered 10 to 1. But The Bruce won Scotland’s freedom! And a famous quote he said to the army was, “If at first you don’t succeed,” well to modernize it, “Beat Lashley’s ass at Hell in a Cell and win back your championship!” McIntyre still makes this official by signing his part! MVP then responds via titantron, telling McIntyre to “downshift” a bit. Before Lashley puts pen to paper, there is business to discuss. So on behalf of Lashley, MVP apologizes for Lashley being “fashionably late.” Now they’re here, with the ladies following behind. McIntyre patiently waits as Lashley struts his way to the ring and helps the ladies into the ring first.
Lashley finally takes his seat at the table but MVP speaks directly to McIntyre. “Allow me to congratulate you on manipulating your way into once again facing the All Mighty WWE Champion at Hell in a Cell.” It is okay for MVP and Lashley to be out here, right? They won’t be given a 90 day suspension with no pay? Because Lashley and MVP held up their end of the deal. From bell to bell, they were in the lounge, enjoying some company. So here’s a question: How will they reward Lashley for his compliance/ What was it Lashley wanted? Once McIntyre loses at HIAC, he will NOT get another chance at the title while Lashley holds it, ever again!
MVP adds that Lashley plans on holding the WWE World Championship a long, long time. Lashley can’t wait to bring this title back on the road, out to the ALL MIGHTY Universe! McIntyre accepts the stipulation, mostly to shut MVP up. Well MVP appreciates the decisiveness. McIntyre says he will never fight Lashley for the title again if he loses. But he’ll need something in return. The match needs to keep outside interference away. The match needs to be so no one else will lose on his behalf. The match needs to be INSIDE HELL IN A CELL!! MVP advises Lashley quickly, and Lashley accepts those terms. Pearce and Sonya add these amendments, and it’s official!
MVP hopes that’ll be notarized. Lashley smiles and says that story about the spider and all that was admirable. Nice to see McIntyre to get back to his roots. But you forget to tell the whole story. If at first you don’t succeed, you just don’t win against the All Mighty, accept defeat, tuck your kilt between your legs, and walk away in shame. THAT is the ending of their story! McIntyre has some last words, some advice that he won’t listen to anyway. But McIntyre’s been in the Cell, Lashley hasn’t. He was told that he was never going to be the same after that match, and he hasn’t been. McIntyre flew 15 feet off the side, through a table, and felt physicality like he’s never felt.
So McIntyre wants Lashley to know he is willing to go through it all again, and inflict just as much pain and punishment on Lashley like he’s never felt before. McIntyre will tear flesh from skin with the steel, use whatever is under the ring. Whatever Lashley believes in, he should start praying, even though they won’t be answered. But just know that McIntyre will grant Lashley some mercy as he plants a Claymore right between his eyes and take back the title! “Enjoy the next couple of weeks, and I’ll see you in Hell!” Lashley vows to beat McIntyre there, too!
The Chief Hurt Officer is relaxed, but then McIntyre uses the sword to SLASH the table in half!! McIntyre is deadly serious, will he change Lashley’s life forever?
Backstage interview with Nikki Cross.
What has gotten into her? She’s gotten everyone’s attention with her back-to-back wins. Nikki says this has been something inside of her this whole time. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the prettiest, the strongest or the most experienced. It is her tenacity and spirit that makes her a winner. Believing in herself has helped Nikki realize is she’ll only regret not taking chances. She just has to try! Then who has she found as her tag partner? She has someone who she has admired for so long, with the coolest outfit that’s like a superhero cape and mask. Who doesn’t wish to be a superhero?
So Nikki couldn’t wait to ask, and she is so thrilled that… ASUKA said yes! Nobody is ready for Nikki & Asuka!! Will the Empress of Tomorrow help Nikki get another win over the Queen and the champion?
Sheamus heads to the ring!
The Fella has a face mask to keep his busted nose in place! The man that busted it is Humberto Carrillo, and Carrillo is battling Ricochet for a shot at Sheamus’ title! Who will become the sole focus of the Celtic Warrior’s wrath?
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Ricochet VS Humberto Carrillo!
Raw returns as the One and Only makes his entrance, followed by Dale Gas. Ricochet can’t help but grin and laugh at the damage done to Sheamus. Carrillo just shrugs, but Sheamus gets a mic. Is no one going to talk about the injustice here? How are these two “gobshites” getting the title opportunity after breaking his face?! How, Corey Graves? Graves doesn’t make those decisions. Sheamus says if he wasn’t under strict doctor’s orders, he’d- Carrillo scares Sheamus with a springboard! Ricochet does the same! Sheamus is pissed that they’re poking fun at him, but then Ricochet basically sucker punches Carrillo!
Ricochet builds speed to WRECK Carrillo with a dropkick while Sheamus gets way far away! The Fella shouts at Ricochet and Ricochet dares him to do something! This match is still happening, but things will cool off and sort out as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ricochet fires off hands in a corner. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off and eggs Carrillo on, Carrillo hits back, Ricochet CLUBS him and whip shim. Ricochet runs in and clotheslines then brings Carrillo out to scoop and SLAM, right to a JUMPING LEG DROP! Ricochet covers, TWO! Sheamus vents on commentary as they ruined the best looking face in the world! Ricochet tries to suplex, Carrillo blocks so Ricochet throws hands! Ricochet CLUBS Carrillo, tells Sheamus to watch as he suplexes, but Carrillo slips out. Carrillo waistlocks, Ricochet standing switches, but Carrillo bucks him away to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!
Carrillo keeps cool and is after Ricochet with CHOPS! Carrillo CLUBS Ricochet, whips corner to corner, but Ricochet reverses. Carrillo goes up and over, rolls Ricochet up, TWO into a dead lift POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Carrillo grows frustrated. Carrillo whips Ricochet to a corner, runs in to clothesline, then fires off forearms and stomps! The ref backs Carrillo off, checks on Ricochet, and Ricochet is still okay to continue. Carrillo runs in but Ricochet dumps him out to the apron. Carrillo counter punches Ricochet, gets him up, and suplexes! Ricochet lands safe on the apron, throws body shots, and suplexes Carrillo!
Carrillo lands safe in the ring, Ricochet ducks one kick but not the ENZIGURI! Carrillo builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Ricochet! Carrillo gets Ricochet up as Sheamus calls them both “juvenile delinquents” for what they’ve done. Carrillo climbs up, leaps, missile dropkick hits! Cover, TWO! Carrillo grows frustrated but he gets Ricochet back up to scoop and SLAM! Carrillo hurries back to a corner and back up top. MOONSAULT, but Ricochet moves! Carrillo rolls through, Ricochet dodges him and CLOBBERS him with that clothesline! Ricochet dead lift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Ricochet grows frustrated but Sheamus says Ricochet couldn’t do that to him. Ricochet gets Carrillo back up, fireman’s carries, but Carrillo fights. Ricochet still tries but Carrillo gets to the apron. Ricochet shoulders into a KICK! Carrillo drags Ricochet to the apron but Ricochet CHOPS! Carrillo CHOPS! Ricochet throws a haymaker! Carrillo forearms back! Ricochet mule kicks, gets space and runs at Carrillo, but into a SPANISH FLY to the floor!! Sheamus chuckles as both men are down and a ring count climbs. We’re at 5 of 10 a Ricochet flounders up. Ricochet gets to his feet at 7, and hobbles, but falls over! THE COUNT HITS TEN!
Double Count-Out Draw
Sheamus laughs at how “shameful” that all was. “Look at the state of these two bleeding Muppets!” Sheamus leaves, no one having won a shot at his title. Will the Celtic Warrior get to rest easy and let his nose recover before having to worry about a contender stepping up?
The New Day talk backstage.
Woods says there’s a 95% that if there’s a wall, a certain someone will run into it, knock himself out, and give them an easy night. Kofi likes how Woods thinks, and they go to their locker room. But MVP walks over to ask Kofi if they can talk. Kofi says sure. Did Lashley let him off the leash? Haha, always quick with the jokes. But MVP wants to say he was genuinely impressed with Kofi last week. And earlier tonight, too. But MVP isn’t surprised Kofi lost, either. What is MVP’s point? Kofi has stuff to do. MVP says that he might now represent Bobby Lashley, the All Mighty Chief Hurt Officer, but prior to that, he was a Kofi fan.
Just like everyone, MVP watched #KofiMania take over the world. Kofi did the unobtainable: he won the WWE World Championship at WrestleMania! These two go back a long ways, all the way to Deep South Wrestling. Kofi is like a little brother to MVP. So watching Kofi celebrate with his family, that gives MVP goosebumps. Kofi celebrating with his sons is the moment that made MVP want to return to the WWE. Because finally, the WWE had a champion that MVP could relate to and be proud of! So just hear him out. KofiMania was everything, but then it was over. Kofi doesn’t want to talk about that stuff, MVP gets that.
But did Kofi ever wonder why that happened? Kofi asks “P” to enlighten him. It’s because Kofi isn’t Lashley. MVP thought he saw a glimpse of the Kofi who could again be WWE World Champion. But then at the end of Kofi VS McIntyre, MVP saw Kofi shake McIntyre’s hand. That made Kofi look okay with being a loser. Is that how he wants this? KofiMania ended because Kofi let it end. There’s no friends in this! This is show business. But MVP knows Kofi wants to laugh and joke, shuck and jive with his friends- Watch your mouth, MVP! Kofi doesn’t want MVP’s advice.
Kofi doesn’t know how many times he has to keep saying this, but family and friends are the ones who give him motivation. That’s why Kofi does this. Somewhere in this world are little kids watching this show and watching Kofi and believing in himself because of him! That is why he does this. What does Lashley do it for? Money? No, Lashley fights for the WWE World Championship, and all the honor, prestige and accoutrements it comes with. MVP leaves it at that, but will what he said still get in Kofi’s head?
Eva Marie speaks.
“Over the last few weeks, you’ve heard my story. But that was only the beginning. It’s not easy running towards the peak of success, as glamorous as it appears.” Eva has had to put in tremendous amounts of determination and passion to be where she is today. And now, she’ll show us that she practices what she preaches. “The ability to inspire others comes from having the courage to show up and be seen.” Eva will show us a side of her no one has ever seen before. Eva will pull back the curtain and show us exactly what it takes to make it look this easy. We’ve waited long enough, #EvaLution will be here next week!
Mustafa Ali finds Mansoor backstage.
Apparently, Mansoor has a match with Drew Gulak tonight. Is he ready? Yeah, he is. No, Mansoor think he’s ready, but he’s not. Mansoor says he IS ready. Mustafa wants Mansoor to calm down, and he explains it to him like this. “What you ARE ready for is a fair and square fight against Drew Gulak. What you’re not ready for is when Drew Gulak decides when he’s not ready to fight fair.” What will Mansoor do against a poke in the eye? Or a hook of the tights? What will he do when he realizes he’s against someone willing to cut every corner just to win?
Mustafa knows Gulak and how dangerous he is. You can’t assume everyone plays by the rules. That’s not how this world works. Is Mansoor going to listen to what Mustafa is telling him?
Jeff Hardy VS Cedric Alexander!
The Charismatic Enigma doesn’t appreciate the disrespect that #PRIME shows to anyone and everyone in the locker room. Will Alexander learn lessons in humility and honor from the extremely talented veteran?
Raw returns and Alexander makes his entrance. The bell rings and Hardy circles with Alexander while he rallies fans up. They tie up, Alexander knees low and CLUBS Hardy on the back. Hardy blocks buckle bumps to give buckle bumps! Hardy gets three corners, but Alexander tries to turn things around, only for Hardy to send him hard into the fourth! Hardy dropkicks Alexander down, goes up top and leaps to ax handle Alexander’s back! Alexander drops to his knees, Hardy kicks but Alexander blocks and spins Hardy to dropkick back! Cover, TWO! Alexander digs his forearms into Hardy’s neck and pulls on arms. The ref counts, Alexander lets off but stomps Hardy down.
Alexander chokes Hardy on ropes in the corner and talks trash right in his ear! “SHOW ME SOMETHING!” The ref counts, Alexander lets off and gets Hardy back up. Hardy throws body shots but Alexander CLUBS and CHOPS him back! Alexander snapmares then basement dropkicks Hardy down! Cover, TWO! Alexander wraps on a chinlock and squeezes tight. Hardy endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Alexander throws Hardy down by his hair! The ref reprimands but Alexander asks what’s wrong. Alexander stands on Hardy’s face, then has him on ropes to choke him again! “I can do this all day, Jeff! I can do this all day!” The ref counts, Alexander lets off, and Hardy hits back!
Hardy kicks, Alexander blocks but Hardy hits the spinning back kick! Alexander bails out, Hardy builds speed but Alexander gets in to CLOBBER him first! Cover, TWO! Hardy still lives but Alexander is having fun now. Alexander gets Hardy up, kicks him over and over, and taunting him all the way. Hardy hits back, Alexander CLUBS him down then wraps on a chinlock. Alexander smothers Hardy into the mat but Hardy endures. Hardy fights up, throws body shots, and runs, but Alexander pulls hair! Hardy throws haymakers, but Alexander kicks back! Alexander seethes, whips Hardy to a corner, but Hardy goes up and up. Hardy mule kicks, then gets Alexander with a headscissor!
Alexander flounder sup, Hardy rallies, then ATOMIC DROPS, to the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Hardy has the legs for the leg drop clutch! TWO!! Alexander narrowly escapes but Hardy keeps his cool. Hardy waits on Alexander, kicks low, but no Twist! Alexander gets around, fakes Hardy out and dropkicks a leg! Alexander gets Hardy up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Alexander grows frustrated with Hardy’s resilience, but that’s how Hardy’s stayed in this business! Alexander talks trash, goes up the corner, and mocks the Hardy fingers, but leaps into a kick! TWIST OF FATE!! Hardy hurries up top, aims, and SWANTON BOMBS!! Cover, Hardy wins!!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall
The living legend landed his best and is making Alexander eat his words! Will #PRIME learn to brag less and battle more?
Charlotte finds Rhea backstage.
Since Charlotte is the more professional and experienced one here, she suggests Rhea follow her lead. And the only advantage Nikki has IS Asuka, Rhea can handle Nikki since she “respects” her so much. The Queen can handle Asuka. Rhea will gladly follow Charlotte, in two weeks, straight to Hell! But this title makes up for the “experience,” so Charlotte will follow her lead. So clearly these two are NOT on the same page. Will the end of this story be the same as the last two weeks?
Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley VS Nikki Cross & Asuka!
The fired up #SUPERBEST Nikki Cross makes her entrance first, ready to prove she can beat the Queen and Nightmare at the same time! But will the fact that there’s no time limit flip the script? Or will no one be ready for the combination of the Loony Lass and the Empress?
Raw returns and Asuka makes her entrance, followed by Rhea and Charlotte. The teams sort out, Charlotte insists to take the lead, and Rhea lets her. Nikki starts against Charlotte, they tie up, and Charlotte shoves Nikki down. Charlotte says the champ should show us how to do this, and she tags Rhea in. Rhea and Nikki circle now, and Nikki says she can do this! They tie up, but Rhea SLAMS Nikki down! Rhea gloats to Charlotte, Nikki rolls her up! ONE, and Nikki dodges Rhea to tag Asuka! Asuka and Rhea circle, they tie up, and Rhea headlocks. Asuka throws body shots, powers out, and things speed up. Rhea stomps but Asuka dodges.
Asuka does a dance, Rhea rushes in but Asuka dodges and follows to ram shoulders! Asuka shoves, Rhea shoves back. Asuka kicks but Rhea blocks to HEADBUTT! Rhea back suplexes but Asuka fights free to get the IRON OCTOPUS! Rhea endures, powers out but Asuka sunset flips! Rhea STOMPS Asuka down, then drags her up to whip her. Rhea dodges, Charlotte tags in, and Charlotte runs Asuka over. Charlotte tells Rhea to get out of the way, and then she CHOPS Asuka. Asuka dodges, Nikki tags in, and Asuka BOOTS Charlotte for Nikki to tilt-o-whirl toss! Asuka adds a dropkick, Nikki covers, ONE!
Nikki hurries to get Charlotte but Charlotte scoops. Nikki escapes, tags to Asuka, and Asuka wrenches and YANKS on Charlotte’s arm! Asuka has a wristlock, Charlotte handsprings through to wrench back. Charlotte pulls hair, headlocks, but Rhea tags in! Asuka breaks free and mule kicks Charlotte into Rhea! Asuka runs in, Charlotte moves, Rhea takes the HIP ATTACK! Down goes the champion, and Asuka is fired up! Charlotte goes out and walks over to her tag partner to help her up. Rhea shoves Charlotte away and says she should just leave her alone. Charlotte throws a forearm on Rhea!
The ref asks what they’re doing, and Charlotte orders Rhea to get in the ring! Rhea just glares at Charlotte while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nikki gets Rhea with a headlock. Rhea powers up, Nikki thrashes, and again. Charlotte is frustrated with Rhea, Rhea powers up but Nikki hits a tornado style takedown! Rhea powers out this time, but Nikki goes up and over. Nikki runs in, Rhea puts her on the apron, but Nikki ROCKS Rhea with a right! Charlotte storms over but Nikki slingshots into the Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nikki down! Rhea drags Nikki up, Charlotte is annoyed but Rhea stomps a mudhole into Nikki in the open corner. The ref counts, Rhea lets off, and she gets Nikki up to an Electric Chair. Nikki flails, Charlotte tags in, and Rhea SLAMS Nikki down!
Asuka rallies for Nikki, Charlotte tells Rhea to shoo, and she covers Nikki, TWO! Charlotte tries again, TWO! Nikki is proving tougher than Charlotte likes, and Charlotte jams a knee into Nikki’s back! And again! Charlotte handsprings just to BOOT Nikki down! Charlotte mocks Asuka shouting for Nikki, then she fakes Nikki out to get on a thrashing chinlock! Nikki endures, Asuka coaches her on, and Nikki fights up. Charlotte drags Nikki over and throws her into the corner. Charlotte CHOPS Rhea to be a tag! “You mad?” Rhea seethes but she drags Nikki up just to throw her back down. Rhea mocks Asuka, then gets Nikki up for a suplex.
Rhea holds Nikki up for a count of 10, then 15, then 20, before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Rhea drags Nikki back over, tags Charlotte with a hard pat on the head, and tells “the princess” to get in. Charlotte seethes but she toys with Nikki. Charlotte runs but only gets buckles as Nikki dodges! JAWBREAKER! Nikki kicks, Charlotte blocks and ducks the enziguri, then swipes at Asuka! Nikki runs in, Charlotte catches her and carries her away! Nikki’s boots get Rhea! Sunset flip, TWO! Charlotte runs in but Nikki ends her into buckles! Rhea tags in, gets Nikki up with a waistlock, but Nikki make sit a BULLDOG! Hot tag to Asuka! SLIDING WIZARD!! Cover, TWO!!
Asuka fires up, runs to HIP ATTACK Charlotte down, then BOOTS Rhea! Asuka dodges, Rhea hits ropes, CODE BREAKER!! Charlotte gets in and grabs at Asuka! Asuka kicks free, but Rhea gets her for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Asuka gets to a corner, Rhea runs in but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka GERMAN SUPLEXES! Asuka goes from a corner to run and HIP ATTACK Rhea down! Cover, TWO!! Asuka hurries, Nikki tags in, and Nikki goes to a corner. Nikki climbs and shouts at Rhea to get up. Rhea does, CROSSBODY!! Cover, but Charlotte pulls Nikki away! And then throws Nikki out!
Charlotte shouts for Rhea to tag her so they can get this done. Rhea ROCKS Charlotte instead! The Nightmare and Queen are brawling with each other! Nikki is very amused as Rhea pump handles. Charlotte rakes eyes to get free, then chop blocks and hits NATURAL SELECTION! Nikki covers, Nikki & Asuka win!
Winners: Nikki Cross & Asuka, by pinfall
A win is a win, and Nikki just pinned the Raw Women’s Champion! She and Asuka party on the announce desk, but how will Rhea repay Charlotte for this?
Alexa Bliss talks with Lily.
Yes, she knows, she’s going to tell everyone that. Not only did Shayna Baszler rudely interrupt their playdate with Reginald, Shayna also said the unthinkable. Alexa just repeats Shayna’s words so Lily can’t get mad. “She said Lily is just a stupid doll…!” Shayna is wrong! Don’t believe her? See what happens later when Shayna “plays” with them. Alexa promises it’ll be a real scream. Will the Queen of Spades wish she’d stayed away from Alexa’s Playground?
Mansoor VS Drew Gulak!
The Star of Saudi Arabia was undefeated for about 50 matches, including some of his biggest wins at Crown Jewel. But that’s just the level of competition on Monday Night Raw. Will Mansoor build up a new winning streak at the expense of the Philly Stretcher? Or will everything Mustafa Ali said about his old rival be proven true?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Mansoor arm-drags Gulak right away! Gulak gets up and is a bit surprised, but he and Mansoor circle again. They tie up, Mansoor wrenches to a wristlock but Gulak throws a haymaker to get a headlock. Mansoor powers out but Gulak runs him over. Gulak drops an elbow but misses, and Mansoor hits another arm-drag! Mansoor has the armlock but Gulak gets up. Mustafa is watching backstage as Mansoor puts Gulak in a corner. The ref counts the break, Mansoor lets off but Gulak SLAPS him, then CLOBBERS him! Well, there’s one point Mustafa brought up.
Gulak scoops and slams Mansoor into ropes! Mansoor clutches his legs, Gulak covers, TWO! Gulak gets Mansoor around, has the legs and pulls on them as he stands on Mansoor’s back! Mansoor endures, even as Gulak stands on his head. Mansoor fights up, throws forearms, and shoves Gulak away. Gulak comes back but into a CHOP and forearm! Mansoor whips Gulak to a corner but Gulak BOOTS back! High stack, TWO! Gulak hurries to Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Mansoor escapes again and Gulak seethes. Gulak scoops Manoosr, Mansoor slips off the back, but Gulak waistlocks to a school boy, and pulls tights! TWO, and Mansoor sits on Gulak for a cover, and WINS!
Winner: Mansoor, by pinfall
Gulak did do everything Mustafa said he would, and perhaps that is why Mansoor was able to win. Will Mansoor give credit where credit is due?
Randy Orton finds Matt Riddle backstage.
Orton lets Riddle “have the key,” and Riddle unlocks his mouth. Riddle thanks Randy for that, and says he’s been looking all over for him. Riddle has a match with Kofi after he was just trying to invite the New Day to his favorite burger place, Burger King. Riddle is famished and just wants to plop down in front of a delicious Whopper, fries and soda to chillax. Speaking of, WWE is going on the road, so these two could be road buddies! They could listen to chill tunes, and get Burger King in every state! Where’s Orton’s favorite place to go? Riddle loves Las Vegas-
Oh. Time to zip the lip again. Wait! Is Orton going to be with Riddle for the match? Not sure yet. Well, sweet hoodie. It has a viper with the stallion mane on it. Orton takes “the key” back, and puts it in the trash. Riddle pouts and scoots away, but will his actions speak for him?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Matt Riddle!
This match isn’t happening because of the Bro taking the hit for the Viper, this is more about those RKO’s before the match. But will MVP’s words weigh heavy on Kofi’s mind? Or will he be able to focus and solve the Riddle?
Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, and it looks like Orton still doesn’t feel the need to be ringside. But Riddle shrugs that off and gets in the ring. The bell rings, Kofi rushes Riddle but Riddle tackles him down! Kofi kicks him away, kicks and headbutts Riddle to a corner, then fires off fast hands. Kofi whips Riddle corner to corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Kofi snapmares, sits Riddle up and PENALTY KICKS him down! Cover, ONE! Kofi drops a splash, covers again, TWO! Riddle gets to his feet, Kofi fires off on him again. Kofi mule kicks, but Riddle gut wrench suplexes! Riddle holds on, gut wrench suplexes again, covers, TWO!
Riddle pushes Kofi down to drop the BROTON! Woods plays his trombone but Riddle covers, TWO! Riddle gets a little annoyed by Woods, but Woods mockingly asks, “What’s wrong, bruh?” Riddle turns around into Kofi’s JAWBREAKER! Kofi has Riddle in a corner again and CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! Kofi traps Riddle’s arms in the ropes to CHOP him! Woods likes that sound! Kofi covers, ONE! Riddle is getting mad, and here comes Randy! Riddle puts Kofi in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Kofi goes up and up and missile dropkicks! Orton glares at Woods, but Kofi WRECKS the Viper with a dropkick! Woods says that’s what he gets!
Riddle gets up but Kofi dropkicks him out of the ring! Woods plays trombone right in Riddle’s face, but Orton gets Woods for an ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton helps Riddle up but Kofi SUPER TRUST FALLS onto them both!! The New Day regroup and fire back up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Riddle fires off body shots and a BOOT on Kofi! Kofi ends up in a corner, Riddle forearm smashes, goes side to side to forearm smash again, then hits the BROSPLODER! And a PENALTY KICK! Riddle fires up, gets Kofi up and suplexes, but Kofi slips out! Kofi is back in a corner and he BOOTS Riddle away. Kofi runs, goes up and up and FLYING RANAS! Riddle gets up into Kofi’s JUMPING STOMP! Cover, TWO! Orton coaches Riddle up but Woods coaches Kofi. Kofi kicks, CHOPS and REBOUND SPLASHES Riddle! Cover, TWO! Riddle is hanging tough but Kofi gets him up. Riddle shoves Kofi away, Kofi swing kicks in the corner!
Kofi takes a moment on the apron, but Riddle is right back! Dead lift, but Kofi elbows free! Riddle tumbles to the mat, Kofi climbs up the corner, but Riddle CHOPS him first! And another CHOP! Riddle climbs up, gets Kofi up, but Kofi hits back! Riddle steps down but CHOPS again! And again! Riddle climbs, gets Kofi back up, but Kofi holds off the superplex to SUPER GOURD BUSTER! And SPLASH Riddle off his feet! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Orton applauds while Kofi seethes. Kofi stalks up behind Riddle, runs in but Riddle uses body scissors to throw Kofi up and out! Riddle gets in the ring, Kofi staggers back up, and Kofi goes to the apron, but avoids a knee!
Kofi shoulders into Riddle, but Riddle ROCKS him with a right! Kofi stumbles off the apron, Riddle goes out after him, and Riddle ROCKS Kofi with that drive-by forearm! Riddle fires off on Kofi at the desk, KICKS him, and says, Gimme some!” Jimmy Smith fist bumps Riddle but Kofi puts Riddle in the ring. Riddle KNEES Kofi, and looks to Orton as he brings Kofi out along the ropes! Orton smiles as Riddle hits a DRAPING DDT! Orton says to finish this, and Riddle says not yet! Riddle has one more thing to do first. Riddle hears the voices in his head!! Orton says that’s not really how he should do this. Kofi staggers up, and denies Riddle’s RKO!
Kofi spins, Riddle ducks Trouble in Paradise and gets the gut wrench! Kofi powers out and spins Riddle for TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Cover, Kofi wins!!
Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall
The Bro tried to be like his bro, but bro, that didn’t work. The New Day is fired up, and Orton walks away. Is this going to jeopardize the chances of RKBRO truly becoming a team?
Nia Jax finds Shayna Baszler backstage.
Nia wants Shayna to listen. Things have been tense for many reasons- It’s because Alexa Bliss keeps sticking her nose their business for whatever reason, and because Nia keeps getting distracted by Reginald. Those cost them the tag team titles. Oh, how is Reggie, by the way? At home recovering for what Shayna did to him, which was way out of line? SHE is out of line? Nia isn’t here to argue, okay? She is offering her help. Nia has known Alexa a long time, and this is the most dangerous she’s ever seen her.
You think Shayna is scared of a little girl with a doll? It’s JUST a stupid doll, so NO, Shayna doesn’t need nor want Nia’s help. If anything, Alexa could use Nia’s help because Shayna’s going to show everyone what happens when you cross the Queen of Spades! Shayna storms down the hall, but will Twisted Lil’ Bliss and that “stupid little doll” have more than just a swing waiting for her at The Playground?
Raw returns and Alexa’s Playground is in the ring.
Alexa welcomes us back, and says that normally this is a place for friends. This week might be different, but who knows? Maybe after tonight, we’ll have a new friend! Right, Lily? Lily, be a bit more openminded. New friends come in different shapes, sizes and blood types. But- Here comes Shayna! Alexa waves hi but Shayna doesn’t wave back. Shayna steps into the ring, and shoves the rocking horse over! That wasn’t nice. Shayna didn’t learn her lesson last week. She did something naughty, but Alexa still hopes things will change. Alexa and Lily want to give Shayna a chance to be their new friend. She just has to apologize to Lily.
Shayna? Apologize? To a doll? Yep. Just two little words, “I’m sorry.” Shayna laughs and says Alexa is even more delusional than she looks. Alexa is what happened to Reggie. And more importantly, Alexa is what happened to Shayna’s & Nia’s tag title reign. What? Shayna thinks that was Alexa? That’s just silly! Alexa would never do that, she wants everyone to be friends. What was that, Lily? Oh. Alexa says it is in Shayna’s best interests just to apologize to Lily. Shayna gets up, grabs Lily, and smirks as she looks at it. “Lily, I’m sorry… I’m sorry that you’re just a stupid doll!” Shayna drops Lily, then Alexa ROCKS Shayna with a right hand!
Alexa fires off on Shayna but Shayna shoves her away! Shayna then STOMPS on Lily! Alexa is frozen in place as Shayna dares something to happen, then STOMPS on Lily’s head! Wait, the screens start glitching out. Alexa smirks and Shayna bails out. Alexa picks Lily up and cradles her, then FIRE explodes from the ramp! Shayna runs up to the stage, and then MORE FIRE! Shayna runs away while Alexa laughs, and cameras cut to gorilla. Shayna shakes off the bit of fear from those jump scares, but then the lights start flickering back here, too! Shayna gets out of the way of a falling cart! And of falling girders! Shayna runs for it before the whole place comes apart!
Shayna makes it to the back and says it’s just a stupid doll. But all the doors are locked! And then the lights start flickering again! Shayna keeps telling herself Lily is just Alexa’s doll, and she finds the one door that wasn’t locked. Shayna hears big footsteps coming, so she hurries into another room and closes the door! Shayna locks it up tight and puts a couch in front of the door for good measure. Shayna says this is NOT happening. But she turns around to see a mirror. And in the mirror is LILY!! Shayna is doing her best not to freak out. See? Lily isn’t really there. But then… the mirror keeps showing her!
Shayna BOOTS the mirror and shatters it! Shayna is freaking out because Lily’s still there! Is there no running from what she’s done? Will she have no choice but to accept that Lily is not just some doll?
My Thoughts:
Well this was another mixed bag for Raw. The ending we just saw was both a good and bad closing segment. It’s good that there is progress towards Alexa’s in-ring return, where it seems Shayna Baszler is going to be her opponent. But WWE could’ve really done a lot better these last two months since WrestleMania 37. She and Bray Wyatt should’ve been feuding over the powers of The Funhouse/Playground, but we haven’t seen Bray since Alexa screwed him over against Randy Orton.
Secondly, I’m not sure getting dragged into the supernatural is really something Shayna Baszler should be doing. The level of production on the ending segment was good and all, but why would Shayna want to talk this out at all? Shayna should’ve been going for a match with Alexa, and then that match never happens because of stuff like we saw here. It’d work out to about the same but at least it’d fit under Shayna’s character: fight first, talk later. Then with Hell in a Cell coming, Alexa and Shayna could have a supernaturally influenced cinematic match would be good to open the main show with. They might still do that anyway, but it’s always the small details that help.
I do like that we’re getting more on Mustafa and Mansoor. Mustafa gave Mansoor pointers on Gulak, and I guess Gulak shifts back and forth between Face and Heel as needed. A part of me is alright that his feud with Garza is over because it had such lackluster motivation, but it shows Raw has no follow through, and that they’re extra screwed with having very little people to choose from. But the main thing is, Mansoor wins but technically does have to give credit to Mustafa. Whatever we get between those two, from a feud to a tag team, is going to be good for both of them and for Raw, given the promos and in-ring ability Mustafa can give when given the chance.
Ryker VS Elias wasn’t much, but obviously this wasn’t going to be the end of the feud by a long shot. I feel like this has the same energy as “Let’s have Roman Reigns take on Sheamus” from a few years back. The Heel Heat fans had for Sheamus was supposed to translate to the Face Heat for Roman, but I don’t recall it working. We still don’t have live fans so I can’t be sure how Ryker is being received, but something about this makes sense. Hardy VS Alexander was good, and Alexander losing isn’t a bad thing. Alexander’s ego needed to hit a speedbump, and now he’ll have to prove he can get back up.
The Raw Women’s Division is a mixed bag all in itself. Lana is gone so there goes a tag team. Shayna is busy with Alexa, so one tag team is on hold. And the build to the Raw Women’s Championship is leaning more on having them finally build Nikki Cross as a competitor than anything. Rhea and Charlotte of course don’t work as a tag team, which is at least good storytelling, but I don’t know. Something just isn’t clicking, and yet Vince and his team just don’t seem to understand that. With news of a new WWE Draft coming after SummerSlam, I can only imagine that Raw will leech off SmackDown and NXT, but what good does moving pieces around when the players are the same inept ones playing now?
Tonight’s contract signing was pretty good, though. It was different than most, where the physicality wasn’t McIntyre on Lashley but McIntyre and his sword on the table. McIntyre might’ve gone on a little too long with the story of Richard the Bruce and the spider and the famous saying, but the real results of this segment were both natural moves and great moves. One, putting this match inside Hell in a Cell, because duh, that’s the PPV. Two, putting the stipulation that this is McIntyre’s last shot against Lashley, because one way or another, it does have to be the last time. Now, that stipulation doesn’t guarantee either result, but if McIntyre does lose, I can only think that he then goes on to the US Championship to finally finish his Grand Slam.
Speaking of which, Carrillo VS Ricochet in a contender’s match was another good and natural move. These two could’ve given a bit more but it’s fine that they held back. It was a good move for Sheamus not to interfere, both for his legit broken nose, and because it’d be too much for another dirty finish after other contender’s matches were “ruined” on Raw. But I think with a go-home episode left, the draw tonight is at the very least a sign that we’re getting another Triple Threat match for a title. Anyone’s guess as to who wins then, as we’ve seen all possibilities just these past few months.
Opening with the tag battle royal was a good move, but Styles’ promo and even the response promos from the top two teams were a little paint by numbers. The Heel champions list off who is in the match, mocking them, the challengers give it back, and then match gets going. The battle royal itself was good, and I’m pleasantly surprised the Viking Raiders win. Styles did put them over a bit last week on Raw Talk so something about this makes sense. Their promo backstage was alright, with Omos eating that turkey leg being the best part. They’re going to have a great match at HIAC, that’s for sure, but Styles & Omos are going to win.
MVP approaching Kofi backstage was actually a good detail in the story. MVP is trying to motivate a few things in Kofi, from getting more aggressive to ditching New Day and perhaps joining up in a new Hurt Business formation. Riddle VS Kofi to be the main event match was great stuff, and I think we did see some of that new aggression from Kofi. Riddle also showed his aggression, perhaps stemming from teaming with Orton. It was a good detail that Riddle trying to be too much like Orton is what cost him. Riddle could’ve used Bro Derek or Floating Bro to finish Kofi but he wanted to be like Orton and do the whole spiel before hitting the RKO. I hope this means Orton has to ironically tell Riddle to be himself and win his way.
And with SummerSlam being in Las Vegas, where Riddle currently resides, I wouldn’t be surprised if SummerSlam is when and where RKBRO get their tag title match and win. Fans will be back by then, fans still like Orton and I’m sure they like Riddle, so they’d react very strongly if RKBRO wins, or if Orton turns on Riddle. I personally hope for the former, but Orton and Riddle can definitely make for a great feud going into the Fall.
My Score: 8/10
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It’s a Collision of Honor!
As things heat up towards Double or Nothing, Darby Allin defends the AEW World Championship against The Spanish God, Sammy Guevara!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Trios Championship Eliminator: The Conglomeration VS Lee Moriarty & The Infantry w/ Shane Taylor Promotions; The Conglomeration wins and denies Lee & The Infantry a title opportunity.
- AEW TBS Championship: Willow Nightingale VS Red Velvet; Willow wins and retains the title.
- Samoa Joe & Anthony Bowens VS Jay Lethal & Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian; Joe & Bowens win.
- AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Eliminator 5 Minute Challenge: The Divine Dominion VS Allie Katch & Kaia McKenna; The Divine Dominion wins and denies Allie & Kaia a title match.
- Six Man Tag: Mark Davis & The Dogs VS The Rascalz; Davis & The Dogs win.
- AEW World Championship No Count Outs: Darby Allin VS Sammy Guevara; Darb wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Death Riders speak.
It was after AEW Dynamite on Wednesday that Jon Moxley said, “Every time I step into the ring with Kyle O’Reilly, I can’t find a way to win. It’s been failure after failure after failure. Kyle O’Reilly has tapped me out, twice. Ipso facto, Kyle O’Reilly will be the new Continental Champion. You might think. But the Jon Moxley of six months ago is not the same as Jon Moxley of today. Who I will be tomorrow is better than who I am today. Logic and strategy would dictate that I should stay as far away from Kyle O’Reilly as I can. Because there’s no doubt about it, Kyle, you have my number.
The thing about this Continental Championship, it’s good bait. All the dragons I wanna slay come right to my door. I will do what I’ve done for 22 years surviving in this business, Kyle: I’m gonna find a way.” The Maniac heads out, and Claudio Castagnoli steps forward to tell Brody King that Brody always brings the bark. But if he steps in the ring with Claudio in the Owen Hart Tournament, he better bring the bite. Pac then says, “Nobody gets special treatment. It doesn’t matter who you are, Death Riders against the world.” Daniel Garcia says yeah, let’s get it! Yuta repeats, “Against the world.” Marina Shafir tells the world, “Bring it, you p*ssies!”
AEW World Trios Championship Eliminator: The Conglomeration VS Lee Moriarty & The Infantry w/ Shane Taylor Promotions!
Well speaking of Kyle O’Reilly, he, Orange Cassidy, and the returning Mark Briscoe are going to put STP to the test! #TAIGASTYLE is still ROH Pure Champion, but Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo are upset after losing the ROH World Six Man Tag titles. Will STP take out their frustrations as they rumble, bad man, rumble? Or will the Violent Artist, Freshly Squeezed & Sussex County Chicken simply send #THEM home emptyhanded?
The trios sort out and Briscoe steps up against #BadNews&Tattoos. The fans are behind Briscoe as he and Bravo circle. They approach, Bravo kicks low, and he flips everyone off. The fans boo, Bravo headlocks, but Briscoe powers up, out, and headlocks in return. Bravo powers up and out but Briscoe RUNS him over! The fans cheer, and Briscoe runs. Bravo drops down, hurdles, but Briscoe hits a crane stance! Bravo says that’s stupid! But Briscoe ducks Bravo’s punch to UPPERCUT! Briscoe whips, Bravo reverses to ROCK Briscoe! The forearms go back and forth, Briscoe fires a flurry, but Bravo CLAWS Briscoe’s face!
Bravo runs, but Briscoe winds up to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer the Redneck Kung-Fu! Lee tags in and hits his tiger stance. But then Kyle calls to Briscoe, and Briscoe tags Kyle! The fans cheer as Kyle and Lee tie up, go around, and Kyle wrenches. Lee wrenches, slips through, and waistlocks. They go around, Lee switches but Kyle has the arm. Kyle arm-drags Lee down, double wristlock, but Lee fights around. Kyle body scissors, rolls to the cover, TWO! The fans fire up as the two go again, knuckle lock, and Lee headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, Lee goes up and around, but Kyle does the same to slide under.
Lee ducks a kick, then wheelbarrows to victory roll, then EURO CLUTCH! TWO! Kyle is up, Lee backs off, and the fans cheer the exchange. Lee points to Nigel McGuinness, wanting him to remember the Euro Clutch did him in the last time they faced off. Kyle storms up on Lee, Lee headlocks, but Kyle powers up and out. Lee RUNS Kyle, keeps moving, but Kyle drops down. Lee sunset flips but Kyle stays up! Kyle shakes his head, drops down into the ARMBAR, but here comes The Infantry! Briscoe & Cassidy intercept Dean & Bravo, fire off hands in corners, and Kyle shifts to an ANKLE LOCK! But Lee reels Kyle into a headlock.
Briscoe & Cassidy TOSS The Infantry, then go out after them. Lee waistlocks, Kyle fires elbows, and Kyle climbs up in the corner. The fans count along as Kyle goes all the way to TEN! Tag to Briscoe, he climbs up, and he rains down fists! Briscoe goes all the way to TEN, then he tags Cassidy! The fans fire up again as Cassidy winds up, climbs up, and rains down ONE! The fans cheer Cassidy while Lee stumbles. Lee tags Dean, and now The Captain steps to Cassidy. Dean says go ahead, put the hands in the pockets. Cassidy says okay, and he raises his hands, to then slowly, slowly, put them in his pockets!
The fans cheer as Cassidy then ducks ‘n’ dodges Dean, and still arm-drags Dean away! Dean runs up, Cassidy drops down to MONKEY FLIP! Then Cassidy kips up! The fans fire up, but Bravo storms in and whips him to a corner. Cassidy goes up, out, and ducks Bravo to bump him off buckles! Dean tries, but Cassidy bumps him off buckles! Bravo tries again, he just gets buckles! Dean tries again, he just gets buckles! The fans fire up as Cassidy climbs, but Lee trips him up! The fans boo while Cassidy falls to the mat, but the ref has to keep Kyle & Briscoe from going after Lee! The Infantry flanks Cassidy, but Cassidy bobs n’ weaves to dodge the shots!
Cassidy tries again, but the CARLIE CROSSOVER hits, then a feed to the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Lee drags Cassidy to the apron, the ref is still distracted, Shane Taylor hits a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! The fans boo but STP has taken control while Collision goes to picture in picture!
Lee drags Cassidy up, puts him in the ring, and Dean covers, TWO! Dean drags Cassidy up, whips him to ropes, then BODY BLOWS! Cassidy falls in a heap but Dean soaks up heat. Dean stomps Cassidy, drags him up, then bumps him off buckles. Dean tags Bravo to send him in for the SPLASH! Dean adds a SPLASH, then scoops while Bravo goes up, KNEE DROP SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Cover, Briscoe breaks it! Bravo is upset, but he CLUBS Cassidy. Cassidy fights the suplex, Bravo CLUBS him again and again, then suplexes through! Cover, TWO! Cassidy toughs it out but Bravo drags Cassidy over to the corner.
Dean tags in, The Infantry stomps away on Cassidy, but the ref counts. Dean stops to kneel on Cassidy, then steps off again. Cassidy throws “shots” on the leg, but Dean stomps Cassidy down! Dean then BLASTS Briscoe & Kyle! The ref reprimands but that just lets Bravo CHOKE Cassidy! The ref reprimands Bravo now as Collision returns to single picture. Dean asks, “Is this camera on me? B! B! C!” BRONCO BUSTER CAPTAIN! Dean bounces, Bravo says if you see Cap in that corner, yo’ ass is a goner! Dean drags Cassidy up, tags Bravo, and Dean sends Bravo in for the SPLASH! Then feed to Dean, but Cassidy tilt-o-whirl DDTS!
The fans fire up but Bravo hurries to anchor a foot! Cassidy reaches out, reaches out, but Bravo drags him back! Cassidy BOOTS Bravo away, Lee tags in, and Lee BOOTS Briscoe down! The fans boo but Cassidy swings! Lee blocks the lariat to wrench Cassidy into the COBRA TWIST! The fans boo, the ref keeps Kyle back, and STP links up on the twist! Four men strong and they make Cassidy suffer! The ref sees that, Dean lets go to defend his innocence, but that causes him to fall onto Bravo! Cassidy powers up to HIP TOSS free! Hot tag to Kyle! Kyle BOOTS Lee, KICKS him, then fires off a strike fest! LEG SWEEP!
Lee flounders to a corner but Kyle runs up to forearm SMASH! Kyle wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS, then cravats for some knees! Snapmare and a PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! ARMBAR! The Infantry attacks Kyle! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Bravo drags Lee to safety. Bravo tags in, then he tags Dean. Bravo jukes around Kyle, lifts him up, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but Bravo runs up! Kyle ELBOWS Bravo away, BOOTS Dean, then goes up! FLYING KNEE for Dean, LARIAT for Bravo! The fans fire up again because Chicken is rising! Kyle crawls, hot tags to Briscoe and Lee!
Briscoe fires off JAB after JAB on Lee, then whips, but Lee grabs ropes. Lee BOOTS back, runs up, but Briscoe dodges! FLYING FOREARM! The Infantry is back, but Briscoe dodges Bravo to ROCK Dean! Briscoe CHOPS Bravo, then repeat! Dean slips around, but Briscoe BOOTS Bravo away! Then Briscoe breaks free to PELE! Dean falls out of the ring, Briscoe reels Bravo in! Briscoe underhooks but Bravo fights free! Bravo whips but Briscoe WRECKS Dean with a dropkick! Then he RAMS Bravo and DUMPS him out! Cassidy DIVES to hit Lee! Briscoe gets a chair! The fans fire up as the chair is set up, and Briscoe runs, only for Shane to stand in the way!
ORANGE PUNCH for Shane! Kyle FLYING KNEES Shane down for good measure! Briscoe uses the chair to FLY! Down goes STP!! The fans are thunderous as Kyle gets Dean in, and Briscoe is up top! FROGGY-BOW! But that’s not all! Dean staggers into the kick, the underhooks, and JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Conglomeration wins!
Winners: The Conglomeration, by pinfall (denies Shane Taylor Promotions a title opportunity)
When it rains, it pours for STP! Will they just have to regroup and refocus taking over ROH? Will The Conglomeration continue to #ManUp here in AEW?
Will Ospreay speaks.
It was also after Dynamite that The Aerial Assassin told Samoa Joe, “My apologies for not getting back to any of your messages, been a little bit busy training and getting myself ready for The Owen. Surprised to see you there in the opening round, mate. It’s gonna be a tough one. But if you can just bear with me for a hot second while I explain to you… Six months of my life got taken away from me, mate. Six months, I’ve been sitting in front of a TV screen, watching AEW, looking at it, trying to get my strength back in my arms, rushing to get back. That’s six months of frustration, six months of anger. And then I finally had my kill shot on Dynasty, and I lost.
“And ever since then, man, I’ve been struggling with my matches. Doc even stopped one for my own safety. I’m annoyed that I didn’t get revenge on Jon. But I’m more upset at the idea that I can’t be the guy that AEW put their trust in once upon a time. Regardless of how I feel about Jon, regardless of how I feel about The Death Riders, there’s nothing that I can say that’ll make people ever understand. But Jon Moxley is the Ace, he’s a soldier for this place. And while his methods might be sick, there are people who stand up to see him get elevated. So what could it happen with him in my corner?
“Joe, I’ve got nothing but respect for ya. Everything that you’ve done in this industry. Mate, you were in the match that made me want to become a pro-wrestler. But no one, no one, is stopping me from winning The Owen. And I find it very poetic that the man takt took away my old life has given me a second chance of capturing the world championship.” The Billy Goat is ready to become something more, but will Samoa Joe make sure Ospreay goes Double or Nothing and loses?
Backstage interview with The Conglomeration.
Lexy Nair congratulates them on their win tonight, and brings up that Moxley has accepted Kyle’s challenge. Kyle says yes, Moxley is right, Kyle has his number. But facing Moxley has been the biggest test of Kyle’s career, so what’s one more test? This Wednesday, it’s a title eliminator, and after Kyle makes Moxley submit again, he is putting all his chips in and goes Double or Nothing! Briscoe says damn right, Kyle. And speaking of Dynamite, Tommaso Ciampa, Briscoe put it plain and clear, but he hasn’t heard a word from Ciampa! If Ciampa’s scared, he should just say it! Cassidy says Willow needs to say something.
Willow says sure, okay. Great job, guys, really. But for her, Double or Nothing, it will be TRIPLE or nothing, because she has THIS bad boy, the TBS Championship! But she’s also coming for The Owen, and the World Championship! As for tonight, Red Velvet may have beaten Willow to qualify for The Owen, but that won’t happen tonight. Welcome back to AEW, time to meet the Comeback Killer. Lexy says by the way, that match is next. Willow fires up, hurries off to make her entrance, but will she be ready to cook with The Chef?
AEW TBS Championship: Willow Nightingale VS Red Velvet!
Before making her entrance, the ROH Women’s World TV Champion tells Willow, “The Comeback Killer,” that she’s still salty that Willow is in The Owen and Velvet is not. Tonight, she takes out all her frustrations every time she stirs it up and punches Willow in the face. Yeah, Velvet beat Willow before. And in fact, she’ll beat Willow for that TBS title right now!
The introductions are made, the teal belt is raised, and we see if The Babe with The Power is still the Face of TBS!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Willow powers Velvet to a corner, and the ref counts. Willow backs off, and she flexes as she fires the fans up. The two reset, tie up, and Willow SHOVES Velvet away. Velvet is frustrated as she comes back and resets with Willow again. Velvet then slips around Willow, waistlocks, but Willow wrenches out. Velvet wrenches back, top wristlocks, but Willow stays up. Velvet kicks and TRIPS Willow, then steps over to LEG DROP on the arm scissor! The fans rally as Willow rolls and stacks Velvet, TWO! Willow gut wrenches, but Velvet slips through! Willow ducks, but the superkick still scuffs her!
Willow says okay, okay, and she resets with Velvet. The fans rally behind Willow as she offers a handshake. Velvet accepts, but then arm- NO! Willow stops the arm-drag, and the next one, then whips Velvet to RUN her over! Willow fires up, the fans cheer, and things keep moving. Velvet runs up to CALF KICK! Willow flounders to a corner and Velvet storms up on her. Velvet fires body shots, then stomps Willow down. The ref counts but Velvet does the splits as she digs her boot in! The fans are torn but Willow pushes the foot away. Velvet runs back up, but Willow dodges to LARIAT again and again! The fans count all the way to TEN!
Willow short arm- NO, Velvet ducks the shot, but Willow ELBOWS her! Willow fireman’s carries, Velvet sunset flips, but Velvet avoids the hip drop! Ghost pin, TWO! Willow FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! A deep bridge, TWO! Not quite perfect but Willow shrugs that off. Willow runs, but Velvet avoids the senton! Velvet hurries to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Velvet snarls while Willow bails out. Velvet pursues, runs up, and ROCKS Willow! Velvet DOUBLE CHOPS Willow, then CLUBS away on Willow! Velvet reels Willow in, talks trash on the fans, but Willow suplexes instead! Willow stalls then SLAMS Velvet on the floor!
The fans cheer as Willow flexes and high-fives, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Willow drags Velvet up, puts her in the ring, then CLUBS her on the back. Willow stands Velvet up but Velvet fires hands. Willow CLUBS Velvet again, then scoops to SLAM! Willow pushes Velvet down to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Velvet toughs it out but Willow stirs it up. Willow stands Velvet up to CHOP, Velvet CHOPS back, but Willow ROCKS her! Fireman’s carry, AIRPLANE SPIN! Willow goes around and around, then back the other way! Willow then SAMOAN DROPS! Willow says that’s how you stir it up! Cover, TWO! Velvet survives but Willow reels her into a KOJI KLUTCH! Velvet endures, even as Willow puts on the pressure, and Collision goes to break!
Collision returns as Willow has Velvet in a corner. Willow runs corner to corner, but Velvet slips to the outside! Willow ROCKS Velvet first, then goes outside to fireman’s carry! But Velvet fights free! Velvet ROCKS Willow, Willow ROCKS Velvet, and Velvet sits down! Willow fires the fans up, then lines up her shot. Velvet stands up, Willow runs, but Velvet dodges! Cannonball crashes ‘n’ burns!! Willow writhes and clutches her back, but she’s somehow still in this! A ring count starts, Velvet rolls in before 3, but Willow rises up at 5. Willow hobbles her way over, rolls into the ring, but Velvet SUPERKICKS her down! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Velvet brings Willow up. Willow shoves Velvet, Velvet counter punches! And counter punches! Velvet fires a flurry, but Willow slips around to waistlock. Willow ducks the elbow but Velvet DDTS! Willow goes to ropes, Velvet runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! The fans fire up while Velvet yanks the ropes. Velvet wheelbarrows to BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Willow survives and Velvet is frustrated. Velvet brings Willow up to ROCK her, then she runs the ropes, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Willow frowns as she scoops Velvet, RAMS her into a buckle, then OKLAHOMA- NO, Velvet DDTS free again!
The fans fire up as Velvet dragon sleepers, STRAIGHT OUT THE- NO! Willow stops Velvet to POWERSLAM through! The fans fire up as Willow gut wrenches, BABE WITH THE POWER- RANA! Velvet puts Willow back on ropes, and DOUBLE KNEES again! Velvet snaps Willow back, but Willow is up! Wheelbarrow and- FULL NELSON SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Velvet survives but Willow keeps on her. Willow ROCKS Velvet, Velvet ROCKS Willow, repeat! Willow rebounds to LARIAT! Both women are down again and the fans fire back up! Velvet rolls away to a corner, but Willow rises up! Willow runs in, Velvet dodges, but Willow BOOTS her!
Willow goes up but Velvet CHOPS! Velvet climbs up after Willow, SUPER VICTORY THROW! The fans fire up as Velvet then STIRS IT UP!! Cover, TWO?!? Willow survives and Velvet is shrieking in anger! The fans rally and duel as Velvet demands Willow to get up! But then Willow ducks the heel kick, and the buzzsaw! Shove, dodge, and POUNCE!! PERIOD! The fans fire up with Willow and she drags Velvet back up. Willow gut wrenches, BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)
Red Velvet brought the fire, but she couldn’t cook Willow! Willow is now rolling towards Double or Nothing and her match with Alex Windsor, but will she then head for her second Owen Hart Cup win?
Backstage interview with Sammy Guevara.
Lexy Nair is with The Spanish God and brings up how he called out Darby Allin just last night at Supercard of Honor for the AEW World Championship. But just like last night, Sammy hushes “Chica” Lexy, and says, “Everybody’s Favorite Pillar is about to talk, so zip it and listen. Darby, I don’t need to call my shot against you because I looked through the history books, and history’s on my side. I’ve beaten you not once, not twice, not three times, I’ve beaten you four times. When I look at the history books, I’m a three-time TNT Champion while you, you’ve only held that belt twice.
“So I’m gonna beat you tonight like I’ve beaten you before. I’m gonna stamp my ticket to Double or Nothing, and MJF, I know you’re watching, you sociopath. I’m gonna beat you next week and I’m gonna shave you BALD! But don’t worry, I’ll give you a nice little fade. Because I am the best! I am the best wrestler, I am the best talker, I am the best this planet has! I’m the Spanish God, dammit! I’m number one, I’ve been here since day one, and there’s only one way this is gonna go: With me as the NEW AEW World Champion! Darby, your time is up, and my time is now. Because I am Numero Uno. That means ‘number one.'”
Sammy heads out, but is his big head only going to get in the way tonight?
Backstage interview with Darby Allin.
Collision returns and Lexy is now with said AEW World Champion. She brings up the five title defenses in 21 days, an AEW record! But tonight is number six against someone Darby’s known for a long time in Sammy Guevara. Darby says when he showed up today, he asked if anyone had seen MJF yet. Then he thought, “What a stupid question. Of course he’s not gonna be at Collision.” MJF is not a company man, he only cares about himself. And those same people asked back, why is Darby back? Why is Darby defending his title again? Double or Nothing is next Sunday, why is Darby risking losing this? Because Darby loves this!
And if there’s anyone in this company as crazy as Darby, it is Sammy Guevara. Darby loves it! Darby realizes this could all end tonight, and Speedball wants his match on Wednesday? Well, if Darby walks out here tonight, then on Dynamite, it’s Showtime! Darby thanks Lexy then heads back out. Will the Relentless Reign be an unstoppable one? Or is this one Collision Darby will not walk away from?
Something’s going on backstage!
Tommaso Ciampa is CHOKING Mark Briscoe out! The Psycho Killer SMACKS Briscoe off road cases, and says how dare Briscoe call him out! Their brawl now moves onto the stage! The fans boo as Ciampa fires hands on Briscoe as they go down the ramp! Ciampa whips, Briscoe reverses, and Ciampa hits barriers hard! Briscoe stomps away on Ciampa, the fans fire up, and Briscoe whips Ciampa into more barriers! Briscoe throws a chair into the ring, then he drags Ciampa up and in. Ciampa bails out, but Briscoe DIVES! Down goes Ciampa, and Briscoe just throws another chair into the ring! Briscoe CLUBS away on Ciampa, then brings him up.
Ciampa BODY SHOTS, but Briscoe sends Ciampa into the steel steps! Briscoe puts Ciampa in the ring, stomps him, then positions the chairs. Briscoe reels Ciampa in, underhooks, but Ciampa fights the lift! Ciampa then LOW BLOWS Briscoe! The fans boo but Ciampa just scowls. Ciampa then grabs a chair, and he SMACKS Briscoe on the back! Briscoe writhes, the fans boo, but Ciampa just stalks Briscoe to a corner. Ciampa DIGS a chair into Briscoe’s bad shoulder! The fans boo but Ciampa soaks up heat. Ciampa then brings Briscoe up, bumps him off buckles, and hoists him up top. Ciampa CHOPS, Briscoe sputters, but Ciampa gets the chairs!
Ciampa wants to recreate what put Briscoe on the shelf the past month! Ciampa JAMS Briscoe up with a chair first before putting it side-by-side with the other. Ciampa then climbs up, soaks up heat, and vows to end Briscoe once and for all! But then Kyle & Cassidy rush out here! Ciampa runs away from The Conglomeration, but he warns them all that he’ll get them for this! Briscoe grabs a mic to shout at Ciampa, “You ain’t nothin’ but a punk, son! You wanna do it like that? Sounds like to me Wednesday night, the only right thing to do is to make this ANYTHING GOES! NO DISQUALIFICATIONS!” The fans like the sound of that!
The Psycho Killer may have just stepped into it! Will there be nothing stopping Briscoe from doing anything he wants to Ciampa?
Samoa Joe & Anthony Bowens VS Jay Lethal & Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian!
What a rich history of honor here, as two icons of ROH meet again here on Collision. The Samoan Submission Specialist helped build The Franchise Player’s foundation, and now both men mentor new proteges. But will The Lethal Twist see The Opps are #NeverLacking? Or will Lethal & Johnson make up for how Supercard of Honor went sour?
The teams sort out and Bowens steps up to Lethal. But Lethal says time out, time out, he wants Joe. The fans cheer for Joe, too, and Joe reaches out! Bowens obliges and he tags in Joe. The fans fire up as Joe and Lethal circle, tie up, then Lethal slips around to CHOP! Lethal likes how that went, and he Fargo Struts with Big Shotty. Joe just shrugs it off while the fans chant, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Lethal taunts Joe as the two reset, then Lethal slips around, only for Joe to JAB! JAB! JAB! Joe fires fast hands, a KICK, and Lethal flounders away! The fans cheer while Joe digs his boot into Lethal’s face, then scrapes him!
Joe storms up on Lee, Lee backs off, but Lethal bails out. The fans boo but Joe just tags Bowens in. Bowens dares Lethal to come back, but Lethal tags Lee. The fans cheer Bowens as he circles with Lee. They tie up, Bowens headlocks, but Lee powers up and out. Bowens RUNS Lee over, then runs the ropes, but Lee drops down, blows past, and slides under to then headlock takeover. Bowens headscissors, Lee kips free, but roles reverse as Bowens hits a headlock takeover. Lee headscissors, Bowens kips free, but Lee kicks low! Lee mocks the scissor fingers, then whips corner to corner. Bowens goes up, over, but Lee goes up and over in return!
Lee flips Bowens off, but Bowens THROWS Lee to the corner! Bowens CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then stomps, stomps, stomps! The ref counts, Bowens backs off, and the fans cheer the Pride of Pro-Wrestling as he jukes the ref to stomp Lee again! The ref counts, Bowens stops, and Lee bails out. Bowens goes outside after Lee, but Lethal runs up! Bowens mule kicks Lethal first, then RAMS him into the apron! And again! And again! The ref reprimands, Joe has his guy back off, but he is definitely impressed. Bowens hurries back into the ring to storm up on Lee, but Lee throat chops! Lee goes for a corner but Bowens blocks the bump to give a bump!
Tag to Joe, and Bowens clinches Lee into the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Joe then runs up to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Lee toughs it out but Joe looms over him. Joe drags Lee up, puts him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Lethal hurries to soften the impact, Lee runs up on Joe, but Joe dodges Lee so he can CHOP Lethal on the back! Blake gets up, but backflips away before Joe can grab him! Lee HOTSHOT BULLDOGS Joe, and Lethal MISSILE DROPKICKS! The Lethal Twist makes the numbers game work in their favor, but fans boo while Collision goes picture in picture.
Lee RAMS Joe into the corner, RAMS him again, and Lethal tags in. Lethal RAMS Joe again and again, then he tags Lee. The Lethal Twist mugs Joe, Lee stomps away, but the ref counts. Lee backs off, but that lets Lethal and Blake mug Joe! Bowens protests but The Lethal Twist gets away with it all. Lee then tags Lethal back in, and Lethal grabs a leg to trip Joe. Lethal then turns Joe over for the HALF CRAB! Joe endures, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Lethal lets go as the ref counts, but he sucker punches Bowens! Bowens tumbles, Joe hobbles, and Lethal goes after Joe. Joe CHOPS Lethal in return! And CHOPS again!
Lethal puts Joe on the ropes as he CLAWS Joe’s eyes! Lethal talks trash on Joe, then he tags Lee. They CHOKE Joe on the ropes, but the ref counts. The Lethal Twist stops, and Lee bumps Joe off buckles. Lee fires hands, then stomps, but Joe hits back! JAB for Lee, CHPO for Lethal, repeat, but Lee kicks low! Lee RAMS Joe, tags Lethal, and Lethal taunts Bowens before he SPLASHES Joe! Lethal then DROPKICKS Joe down! Lethal mockingly applauds himself, then he CHOKES Joe! The ref counts, Lethal stops, then he clamps on a chinlock. Joe endures while Collision returns to single picture. The fans rally harder as Joe fights to his feet!
Joe fires body shots, but Lethal CLUBS Joe again and again! Tag to Lee, then Lethal sets Joe up, but Joe BOOTS Lee! Joe whips Lethal away, kicks at Lee, but Lee blocks! Lee hands the foot off to Lethal to then ENZIGIRI Joe! Lethal adds a DRAGON SCREW! Lee covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Joe toughs it out, but Lee rains down fists! Joe pushes Lee away, but Lee brings Joe back up. Tag to Lethal, Lethal climbs, and Lethal AX HANDLES Joe on the back! Joe goes to an open corner but Lethal JABS, JABS, and JABS! Joe JABS in return! Lethal KNEES low! Lethal runs, but into the SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down!
The fans rally up, and Joe hurries to hot tag Bowens! Lethal hot tags Lee, but Bowens rallies with LARIATS and CHOPS! Then a wrench, clinch, and REVERSE NECKBREAKER on Lee! Then a kick, KICK, and FAMOUSER for Lethal! The fans fire up as Bowens then catches Lee to a torture rack! SWINGING SLAM! Cover, Lethal breaks it! Lethal CHOPS Bowens, then runs, and Lethal dodges Bowens so he can DIVE onto Joe! Lethal hurries back up, but Bowens DECKS him! Lee kicks, Bowens blocks, to Rock, Paper, Scissors, SUPERKICK! Bowens fires up, the fans are with him, and he clinches for the- victory roll from Lee! TWO!!
Lee SUPERKICKS Bowens, then brings him up in a fireman’s carry! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Lethal MACHO ELBOWS! Lee covers, TWO!! Bowens survives and the fans fire up again! Lethal tags in, he grabs Bowens’ legs, and he steps through. But Bowens BOOTS Lethal away! Lee tags back in, runs up on Bowens, HELLUVA KICK! The Twist then whips Bowens, but Joe saves Bowens from the splash! Bowens LARIATS Lethal! Lee LARIATS Bowens! Joe LARIATS Lee! Lethal LARITS Joe, but Joe doesn’t budge! Joe roars, but Lethal pokes him in the eyes! LETHAL IN- COQUINA CLUTCH! But Lethal JAWBREAKERS free!
Lethal trips Joe, steps through, but Joe trips Lethal up into the COQUINA CLUTCH!! Bowens intercepts Lee, THE ARRIVAL! Roll through, and DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Bowens tortures Lee’s arm, LEE TAPS! Opps win!
Winners: Samoa Joe & Anthony Bowens, by submission
The 5 Tool Player shows the power of Joe’s teachings, but he also gets the mic to say, “For the last year, I have been confused. But I have found solace and clarity in the fact that i Have found a group of men, The Opps, that understand everything I do for this business, everything I do for AEW, and everything I do for you!” The fans cheer, and Bowens continues by saying everywhere he goes, he represents the fans, because he is the Pride of Pro-Wrestling! He is your hero! And to be honest, for everything that he does, he deserves a standing ovation! Joe certainly applauds, and the fans here in Salisbury join in!
Bowens says if you’re asking what this change of attitude is about… This man, Samoa Joe, has been teaching Bowens all he needs to know: choices have consequences; and if you don’t like the way the table is set, you flip that table over and you choose violence! The fans cheer, and now Joe speaks on the mic. “Oh, Ospreaaaay~…! Do you understand what I do for my friends? But unfortunately, decisions have consequences, and you chose a different road, Will. So allow me to say this: I am truly beyond honored that you consider facing me a dream match.” The fans cheer that, but Joe says it’s just unfortunate that when he gets Ospreay in the ring, “it’ll be nothing but a nightmare.”
Joe & Bowens have made it clear that no matter who, no matter where, and no matter what, The Opps will not show mercy. Will nothing stop The Opps from taking it all here in AEW?
Backstage interview with #Brodido.
Lexy Nair is with Brody King & Bandido, and wants to talk the Owen Hart Tournament. Brody is set to face Claudio while Bandido is up against Swerve Strickland. Now, if they both win their matches, that pits them against teach other in the semifinals. But what they also needs to talk about is last night, Supercard of Honor, Bandido retained the title, only for Swerve to attack. Brody tells Swerve that he warned him about what would happen if Swerve messed with the people Brody cared about! Next time Brody sees Swerve, he’ll- Bandido stops Brody there, and says no, no, hermano. Bandido loves you, but this is Bandido’s battle, and Brody needs to respect that.
So Bandido tells Swerve that this is a battle Swerve will not win! Swerve may be the Most Dangerous, but Bandido is the Most Wanted! And after Double or Nothing when Bandido beats Swerve, Swerve won’t be a danger to anyone anymore! Both sides of Brodido have spoken, but will either of them knock down Swerve’s House? Or will Swerve’s thirst for power be satiated with the Owen Hart Cup?
AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Eliminator 5 Minute Challenge: The Divine Dominion VS Allie Katch & Kaia McKenna!
Megan Bayne & Lena Kross established just how dominant they are in the first 5 Minute Challenge last week, yet it seems two more poor souls want to test their might. Will Allie & Kaia at least last longer than the previous team? Or will The Megasus & Aussie Amazon score the fatality?
The teams sort out, Megan starts against Allie, and the bell rings. We’re on the clock as Megan and Allie circle, then tie up. Megan powers Allie to the ropes, then CHOPS! Megan whips, Allie blocks the lariat to wrench and PELE! But then Megan just rebounds to SHOTGUN BOOT Allie down! Allie flounders, Megan puts her in the corner, and CLUBS away from all sides! Tag to Lena, she whips Allie back into the corner, then ROCKS her! And ELBOWS her! And fires more elbows! The fans cheer, Lena BLASTS Kaia, then scoops Allie for a SPIN-OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! Lena grins, she drags Allie up, and she tags Megan.
Kaia runs up but Megan scoops her! The Divine Dominion SANDWICH the two, then FALL AWAY SLAM them both! And they SPLASH in the corners! And then another SPLASH! They send their opponents into each other, then DOUBLE LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Lena & Megan focus on Allie, DIVINE INTERVENTION! Cover, Divine Dominion wins!
Winners: The Divine Dominion, by pinfall (denies Allie Katch & Kaia McKenna a title match)
It was only one minute and 50 seconds this time, they’re only getting stronger! Will no duo ever remove Megan & Lena from the mountaintop?
AEW hears from the four fighting for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Kris Statlander says, “At Double or Nothing, I face three women, one who I hate, one who I respect, and one who I’m still not sure about.” The hated one, Thekla, says there’s only one way this ends when she’s up against dumb b*tch after dumb b*tch after dumb b*tch. The respected one, Jamie Hayter, says she had the title stripped away from her and it’s eluded her ever since. And the uncertainty, Hikaru Shida, says even though it is every one for themselves, she knows she and Kris will be on the same page, just like always! Kris says y’know who really has her back? Kris herself! That’s all she needs! Jamie warns Thekla that she’s gonna find out, unfinished business is her favorite kind!
Thekla says Double or Nothing, the Toxic Spider destroys New York! A Fatal 4 Way of epic proportions await, will there be nothing left after the dust clears?
Backstage interview with Athena and Mina Shirakawa.
Lexy Nair is with the ROH Women’s World Champion and the Fighting Gravure Idol, and thanks them for accepting the No Physicality Agreement. They are on a collision course in the opening round of the Owen Hart Tournament, this has gotta be a tough one. Athena says maybe, maybe not, but the facts are this: Athena has been the ROH Women’s World Champion for over 1252 DAYS, and has left of dozens of bodies in her wake. Pretty sure Mina’s one of them. Mina says last year at All In, Athena broke Mina’s hand. Athena says so what! Last year at Death Before Dishonor, she kicked Mina’s ass all over the arena! Why does Mina think this match will be any different?
Mina laughs and says last night at Supercard, when she locked in the Figure Four on her opponent, she dreamt it was Athena. Athena says Mina is dreaming of her! So flattered! But she hopes Mina has the best dream tonight: Mina’s dead body in a ditch, next to her precious Toni Storm! Mina tells Athena that Mina has dreamt of winning The Owen and the AEW Women’s World title, while ending Athena! She can’t dream anymore, because now she will live it! Athena says sure, sure. They argue, but Lexy keeps them from getting physical! Will the Fallen Goddess be unstoppable even in AEW? Or will The Owen will be about #MinaNow?
Backstage interview with Lio Rush.
Nigel McGuinness tracked down The Problem Child, and walks over. Lio says hey, Nigel! Good to see you! He saw Nigel put in that work last night, he did great. He did really good. Nigel appreciates that, that’s what he wants to talk about. Specifically, what happened between Lio and his former tag team partner, Action Andretti. Action cost Lio the ROH World TV Championship, what is Lio’s response? Lio says it’s all fine! It’s fine! These things happen, Nigel. Losses happen, friends get upset. It’s fine. It’s fine. Lio keeps saying that, and Nigel says that is the official response. Lio again says it’s good to see Nigel.
But then Lio takes off his sunglasses to show off those creepy eyes. He smiles, and that black goo drools out… Lio continues to say it’s fine, but is it anything but fine? Or should Action learn to sleep with one eye open?
Six Man Tag: Mark Davis & The Dogs VS The Rascalz!
Before they team up for Stadium Stampede, the AEW National Champion teams with David Finlay & Clark Connors to test their chemistry. Will Dunkzilla, The Rebel & 100 Proof sink their teeth into Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed? Or will The Rascalz light ’em up and smoke ’em in Salisbury?
The trios sort out and Davis starts against Dez. They circle, but then The Dogs rush in! The ref stops them, Davis runs up on Dez, but Dez dodges! Dez dodges again, SHOTGUNS The Dogs, then SUPERKICKS Davis! Dez jumps on for a SLEEPER, Zach tags in, and Myron helps out as The Rascalz mug Davis! They beat Davis down in the corner and the fans fire up! The ref counts, The Rascalz back off, then Zach tags Dez back in. They double whip but The dogs bail Davis out. The fans boo but The Rascalz run up to TRIPLE BOOT Davis & The Dogs down! Then they build speed, only for The Dogs to CLOBBER Zach & Myron!
Dez DIVES, but Davis catches him! And CHOPS him down! The Dogs beat up on Zach & Myron on the outside, Davis CHOKES Dez with a chair, but the ref reprimands. Davis puts Dez in the ring, Finlay CHOKES Myron while Connors whips, but Zach reverses! Connors hits railing hard and writhes on the floor. Myron whips Finlay into railing, and Dez dodges Davis as Davis runs up in the corner! Dez ENZIGIRIS again and again and again! Then Zach joins in, ENZIGIRI GAMANGIRI SANDWICH! Tag to Zach, they speed blitz Davis, then Myron joins in with a DOUBLE STOMP! The Rascalz combine, but The Dogs catch Dez!
The Dogs use Dez to CLOBBER Zach, and THROW him at Myron! The Dogs whip Zach, DOUBLE ELBOW, then SENTON! SLIDING SHOULDER! Davis SENTONS on top! The fans boo but Davis & The Dogs soak it up while Collision goes picture in picture.
Davis drags Zach up just to CLUB him down. Then he drags Zach up to whip hard into the corner. Davis tags Connors, Connors ROCKS Zach, then ROCKS him again. But Zach hits back! Zach backs Connors down, but Connors UPPERCUTS him down! Connors taunts the fans and The Rascalz, then drags Zach back up. Connors RAMS Zach into the corner, tags Finlay, and Finlay stomps away on Zach. The ref counts, Finlay stops, but then Davis CHOKES Zach behinds the ref’s back! Davis gets away with it, then flexes to soak up heat. Finlay puts Zach on the ropes, backs off as the ref reprimands, but that lets Connors CLOBBER Zach!
Finlay then hoists Zach up, BROKEN ARROW! Zach gets distance from that throw, and Finlay flexes. Cover, TWO! Finlay drags Zach into shoulder claws, and Collision goes to break.
Collision returns as Zach fires body shots on Finlay, but Finlay throat chops! Zach sputters, Finlay tags Connors, and they double whip Zach, but Zach BLASTS Davis! Finlay runs up, blocks a boot, but Zach reels him in, pushes him down, then hops over! Zach then slips under Connors, but Connors gets a leg! Zach BOOTS Connors into Finlay! Zach crawls, but Connors BLASTS The Rascalz! The fans boo but Connors CLOBBERS Zach, too! Connors soaks up heat then drags Zach up. Connors whips, Zach handsprings, JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up, both men crawl, and we get hot tags on Finlay and Myron! Myron ducks Finlay to then dodge and GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!
Myron goes up, up, and he leaps, but Finlay gets under. Finlay blocks a kick, spins Myron, but Myron DRAGON WHIPS! Connors runs up, Myron dodges, and Dez UPPERCUTS! SUPERKICKS! And CUTTERS! Myron runs up on Finlay, whips, but Finlay reverses. Finlay ducks a boot but the SUPERKICK hits! Dez joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The Rascalz hoist Finlay up, SLINGSHOT NECKBREAKER BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Myron tags Zach. Zach & Myron get Finlay up for a torture rack while Dez climbs, but Davis SHOVES Dez down! Connors saves Finlay, then Finlay hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER on Myron!
Connors SNAP POWERSLAMS Zach! The fans boo but Finlay tags Davis. Davis goes up top, Finlay and Connors get Zach and Myron up in Electric Chair Lifts, but Myron & Zach each POISON-RANA free! Dez goes up to get Davis! SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up while everyone is down around ringside! The Rascalz rise and regroup, then they build speed! TRIPLE TOPES!! The fans are all fired up as The Rascalz get Davis in! “This is Awesome!” as The Rascalz then combine for the SWING OUT TRIPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up while Davis is in the drop zone! Zach goes up, Dez tags in, and Zach SWANTON BOMBS!
Dez climbs up top, Myron tags in, Dez FROG SPLASHES! Myron goes up, he adds the 450 SPLASH! Cover, THE DOGS BREAK IT! The fans can’t believe it but The Rascalz go after The Dogs! They TOSS The Dogs out, but then the brawling continues! Finlay fireman’s carries Dez for a SNAKE EYES off the railing! Connors JEEP FLIPS Zach! The Dogs then go after Myron, but he goes Matrix to dodge! DOUBLE CUTTERS on the kip up! Myron runs, FLYING- NO! Davis stops the cutter to LARIAT Myron back in! Then Davis runs, hits the REBOUNDER!! Davis tags Finlay, and Davis PENDULUM DRIVERS! Feed to Finlay for the suplex!
Connors is up top, FULL CLIP!! Cover, Davis & Dogs win!
Winners: Mark Davis, Clark Connors & Davis Finlay, by pinfall
The Savage King warns Chris Jericho and his team that if they want carnage, they’re gonna get carnage! Will anyone survive the star-studded 7 VS 7 Stadium Stampede?
Backstage interview with Anna Jay.
Lexy Nair is with the Queenslayer and commends her on that great return match against Willow Nightingale a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to stop the Comeback Killer. Anna gives all the respect to Willow, her moves hurt. Maybe Anna dove into the deep end, but she didn’t drown. So while Willow is still TBS Champion, maybe Willow isn’t quite the Comeback Killer. Anna came back, is still here, and there is still a lot left for them to do. And by that, she means her and Tay Melo! The besties reunite, and Tay says if Anna is back, and she is back, then there’s one thing they gotta do.
Anna tells if they wanna find out what that is, #JustTryUs! TayJay is back again, but are they going to fight their way right to the Divine Dominion’s tag titles?
AEW World Championship No Count Outs: Darby Allin VS Sammy Guevara!
The Relentless One may have gotten MJF to accept the Double or Nothing challenge, but he is always up for a fight! The Spanish God still has the ROH World Tag Team Championship around his waist, but he wants even more gold to show off to his wife and daughter! Who gets what they want tonight to then head for Queens, New York?
As he makes his entrance, Sammy brings a table out from under the ring and sets it up ringside, planning ahead for the wild fight he and Darby are about to have! The introductions are made, and Darby kneels down with the belt, only for Sammy to STOMP him into it!! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Sammy holds up the belt as if he’s already won it! Sammy puts the belt aside, the bell rings, and Sammy KNEES Darby right outta the ring! Sammy THROWS Darby into railing, THROWS him in again, then goes back to his table! Sammy puts the table by the stage, then he drags Darby up. Sammy THROWS Darby into more railing! And more railing!
Sammy grabs a ladder and he brings it over to his table! The ref reprimands, there are no count outs but there are still disqualifications! Sammy doesn’t seem to care, he still stands his ladder up near that table. Sammy then lines up a shot, and he JUMP KNEES Darby back down! “I’m gonna be the world champion! Me! Not him!” Sammy drags Darby up, puts him on the table, and he rains down fists! Sammy climbs the ladder, goes to the very top, and reminds us that he’s loco! SUPER SWANTON BOMB through the table!! The fans go nuts as Darby and Sammy are both down in the wreckage!
The ref checks both men, and Sammy sits up first. Sammy drags Darby up with a headlock, brings him to the ring, and Sammy covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Sammy is furious! Sammy drags Darby up, torture racks, and GO TO- NO, Darby blocks and turns Sammy over! SCORPION DEATH LOCK!!! Sammy endures, reaches out, but Darby is looking dizzy! Darby falls over?! Sammy grins as Darby sputters, but the ref has Sammy hold on, he needs to check! Darby is conscious but dazed, and Sammy hurries to the apron. Springboard FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Sammy is beside himself!
Sammy pushes Darby to a cover, TWO! Darby refuses to give up, despite how it looks. Sammy puts Darby up top, but Darby fires body shots! Darby HEADBUTTS Sammy down, then adjusts, but Sammy trips Darby up! Darby hits buckle, then apron, then floor! Sammy soaks up the heat while the ref checks Darby again. Darby flounders and crawls but refuses to stop, so Sammy fires hands! Sammy climbs up on Darby but Darby fires hands in return! Darby shoves Sammy, Sammy goes up the steps and JUMP SOBATS! Sammy says #AndNew AEW World Champion! Sammy soaks up more heat, then he drags Darby up.
Sammy puts Darby in the ring, drags him up, then KNEES him low! Sammy grins, suplexes, and that’s just Uno Amigo! That means “One Friend.” Sammy hits Dos Amigos! Then THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Sammy is frustrated as Darby survives again. Sammy clamps on with a chinlock, not quite a bulldog choke, but Darby is still sputtering for air. The fans rally as hard as they can, and Darby rises up to fire body shots! Darby runs, but Sammy SUPERKICKS! Darby falls, Sammy covers, TWO!! Darby scrambles away but Sammy stalks him, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Sammy digs his boot into Darby’s face at the ropes, but the ref counts. Sammy stops, talks some trash, then stalks Darby to a corner. Sammy drags Darby up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Darby flounders out of the ring. Sammy pursues, drags Darby up, and he talks more trash on the fans. Sammy stands Darby up to ROCK him, then push him around. Sammy drags Darby up and THROWS him into railing! Sammy talks more trash, then walks around commentary so he can take a headset and tell everyone what he’s doing as he does it! He stomps Darby, taunts him, then has to go follow Darby around the way.
Sammy follows Darby into the ring, stands him up, but Darby fires hands! Sammy KNEES low, KNEES again and again, then ROCKS Darby! Darby falls over, but Sammy CHOKES Darby on the ropes! The ref counts, Sammy stops, and Darby coughs and sputters again. Sammy has the legs, he puts Darby under the ring, CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Darby writhes and coughs again, but Sammy steps out to the apron. Sammy looms over Darby, drags him up by his chain, and Collision returns to single picture. Darby fights the suplex, then blocks a kick to FLIP Sammy! Sammy lands on his feet, but Darby SHOTGUNS Sammy down!
The fans fire up as Darby rises again! Darby has his second wind and he builds speed to DIVE! Into a CUTTER on the floor! Sammy puts Darby back in, Sammy springboards in, but into a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Darby catches Sammy now and the fans fire up! Sammy flails, reaches out, but Darby pushes him down with his body weight! Sammy still endures, crawls forward, and reaches the ROPEBREAK! Darby lets go and the fans rally up again. Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow. Darby sees Sammy on the apron, and he goes to the corner! Darby climbs, but Sammy rolls to the far side.
Darby hops down, waits on Sammy to stand, and he runs up, but into an eye poke! Sammy hoe up, and he APRON DOUBLE STOMPS Darby down! Cover, TWO!! Sammy is frustrated but he drags Darby up to the top rope. Sammy climbs up to join Darby, but Darby fights the suplex! They trade body shots, and Darby SHOVES Sammy! Sammy backflips through! Sammy is right back up top, SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Sammy crawls to the cover, TWO! Sammy clutches his knee and grits his teeth. Sammy brings the kneepad down to release some pressure, then stands up. The fans rally as Sammy hobbles over to Darby, but Darby JAWBREAKERS!
Sammy staggers, Darby runs up and fires forearms! The fans fire up as Darby roars and runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Darby wobbles, Sammy runs, but Darby blows past! Springboard and COFFIN SPLASH! The fans fire up again as Darby fires fast hands, RAMS low, then hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Sammy survives and Darby is stunned! The fans rally up as Darby has Sammy in the dragon sleeper! But Sammy fires knees, snapmares free, only for Darby to ELBOW him away! Darby climbs, but Sammy SUPERKICKS the legs! Torture rack and GO TO HOSPITAL! Darby staggers around, but Sammy torture racks again! GO TO HOSPITAL!!
Darby flops down and Sammy goes to the corner! Sammy goes up top, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sammy has no words, English or Spanish, but Darby flops out of the ring. Sammy goes out after Darby, and he brings out the other table! The fans rally as Sammy brings it over to set up by ringside. Sammy makes sure it is angled just right before he puts Darby on it. The fans boo, but then Sammy goes to the corner! Sammy climbs, reminds us again that he’s loco, and Sammy SUPER 630s only through the table!! Darby avoids disaster, then he puts Sammy back in! COFFIN DROP!!! Cover, DARBY WINS!
Winner: Darby Allin, by pinfall (still AEW World Champion)
As if his reign wasn’t wild and reckless before, Darby just doubled down with Sammy here tonight! And yet, he’s now set for a showdown with Speedball in Portland! Will no one and nothing stop Darby Allin from doing this again and again? Or is he about to write a check his body can’t cash?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision that not only fed Double or Nothing but did a great job following up ROH Supercard of Honor, assuring fans that ROH does matter after all, despite the lack of building contenders and therefore new champions. I mean, Athena is STILL champion, even when Survival of the Fittest was the best way to dethrone her while protecting her. But good interaction from Athena and Mina ahead of their Owen Hart Cup match, and if Athena is going to still be champion even now, she might as well just be a finalist already. On the other end, it’d be great if Willow also got to the finals to potentially be a two-time Queen of Harts.
Speaking of Willow, great promo with Conglomeration, great match with Red Velvet, but with Velvet still the ROH Women’s World TV Champion, it makes sense that Willow retains her title. Great Six Man Tag from Conglomeration VS Shane Taylor Promotions, and The Conglomeration’s win helps them build momentum towards all their stories. Very good promo from Kyle, very good promo from Death Riders, and I feel like Kyle should at least last the 20 minute time limit to earn his title match with Moxley for Double or Nothing. Meanwhile, Cassidy & Roddy are NOT winning against FTR, FTR has to settle things with Cope & Christian first.
Ciampa going after Briscoe, that whole brawl, and then Briscoe upping the ante for Dynamite, that No Disqualification match is going to be awesome. Very good tag match of Joe & Bowens VS Lethal & Lee, with a good win for The Opps. Very good promo from Joe & Bowens after, and a very good promo from Ospreay, too. Joe VS Ospreay could be a show stealer, but I would think Ospreay wins so that his story with The Death Riders can be part of the Owen Cup. TayJay being back together is great, and I can see them going right at Divine Dominion and easily lasting the five minutes to then earn their title match later on.
Great Six Man Tag of Davis & Dogs VS Rascalz, but with Stadium Stampede looming, naturally Davis & Dogs won to bring momentum for their team. I’d expect The Demand to have their own tune-up for the three-hour super show go-home next week, but they might’ve announced that tonight if that were the case. Very good promo from Lio Rush to further this Jekyll & Hyde/Smeagle & Gollum type of gimmick for him. For those who didn’t watch Supercard (or haven’t read my article on it), Action Andretti turned on Lio Rush and partially blamed Lio’s new dark side for it. RIP CRU, we hardly knew you, but Action VS this Lio is going to be great stuff between AEW and ROH programming.
And of course, another insane instant classic from Darby Allin as he and Sammy use No Count Outs to get hardcore. Good bit of selling from Darby to tease his body giving out on him, but naturally he wins out. They might do a similar spot during his match against Speedball on Wednesday to make it seem MJF has a chance of taking the title at Double or Nothing.
My Score: 8.9/10
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So, Gunther, whaddya wanna talk about?
Gunther didn’t like the way things went last week on SmackDown, but will he still choose to join up so he can challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty VS The Miz w/ Kit Wilson; Trick wins.
- Brie Bella & Paige VS Giulia & Kiana James; Brie & Paige win.
- Carmelo Hayes VS Ricky Saints; Melo wins.
- Damian Priest VS Tama Tonga; Priest wins.
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS B-Fab & Mia Yim w/ Jade Cargill; Charlotte & Alexa win, by disqualification.
- Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: GUNTHER VS Royce Keys; Gunther wins and will challenge for the title at Clash In Italy.
PLAY BY PLAY
Trick Williams is here!
The University of South Carolina fires up and chants for “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” as their hero has returned home! The WWE United States Champion has Lil Yachty and Cocky the Gamecock with him as he goes to the ring. Trick gets the mic, has them cut his music, and says straight outta South Cac and doesn’t know how to act, Trick Willy has come back to Columbia, South Carolina! Representing WJ Keenan High, and the University of South Carolina, he grew up right here on these streets. He remembers driving up Trick Notch Road, cutting right to his favorite restaurant, Kiki’s Chicken ‘n’ Waffles, and he’d get the special sauce! The sauce so good, you gotta eat while standing up!
And ol’ Trick would get the wings, and he’s a big man, 6’5″, 250 pounds, the sauce would drip down past his three chains, his eight abs, and onto his two… lemon pepper steppers! Trick continues by saying playing for the Gamecocks, he had a lot of good days, some not so good days, but his family’s here. And Mama told him, “Boy, you are a king created by God Almighty. Never forget who you are or whose you are, don’t ever let ’em break you!” So from WWE to Kiki’s Chicken ‘n’ Waffles, to Mama, look at the star you’ve created! But then THE MIZ makes his entrance! He is accompanied by Kit Wilson, and the fans boo.
The Miz tells everyone, “Oh my gosh, it’s a homecoming! You even brought out Cocky the mascot! Last week was the Gingerbread Man! Trick, your whole career is starting to look like rejected mascots for my daughter’s birthday party! Is this WWE or Sesame Street? What’s next? Is Big Bird gonna come out? And people say they have trouble taking ME seriously.” Yachty says this is Miz’s problem, coming out here to disrespect Trick Williams in his homecoming to his hometown of Columbia, SC, in front of Trick’s friends and family! Y’all got some nerve! That’s why you got beat up by the Minihausens, and why you’re cursed.
Miz says he is NOT cursed! The fans chant “You Are Cursed!” “Whoop Dat Trick!” Yachty says Miz sounds cursed. Kit shouts, “WAKE UP! WAKE UP! You clearly aren’t understanding what the master is saying, so maybe I will speak to you in a language you can understand: SLAM POETRY!” The fans boo again, but Kit has his notebook out. “Kit Willy” says they wouldn’t last a day on the streets where he grew up. Kit from Buckinghamshire England is gonna lyrically mess you up! “Trick ‘n’ Yachty, you’re two obnoxious folk. That’s two egos The Miz will never stroke. This town is filled with bros and nasty jocks, only to be united by the love of their toxic Gamecocks!”
The fans boo but Yachty says he wants to try that. The fans cheer Yachty on, Trick says hit ’em with it! Yachty says on their tombstone, it’ll read Kit Wilson: Better Known for Assisting The Miz. They already completed this biz, they don’t even know who Kit is, but Kit’s tan got him yellow, like the road to The Wiz. Y’all ain’t handsome as we is, which is why they’re sick. It’d be a shame we show Columbia how to Whoop Dat Trick. Yachty is a diamond platinum artist, he done it all. Oh, they’re made Trick came out with Cocky, cuz Miz has lil’ tiny balls! The fans cheer that! Kit says no, they’re MASSIVE! The fans disagree.
Miz puts his hand up and asks if they know what that means! When his hand goes up, your mouths go shut! He is so sick of this! They’re not bringing Tiny Balls back, there is no curse, and Miz wants to get out of this dumpster fire of a city with their stupid chicken! If Miz lived here, he’d volunteer to move to Tennessee! The fans boo, but Miz says get a referee out here right here, right now, cuz Miz is gonna whoop Trick’s ass in front of his mama! Kit says he’s- TRICK SLAP on Kit! HAYMAKER on Kit! Then Trick ‘n’ Yachty DUMP Kit out! Trick LARIATS Miz up and out! Columbia is thunderous, but will Trick still give Miz the fight he wants?
Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty VS The Miz w/ Kit Wilson!
SmackDown returns and while non-title, Trick and Miz are indeed having their fight. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Trick powers Miz back with his height as leverage. Miz pulls hair to turn things around, but the ref reprimands and counts. Miz lets off to shove Trick, but Trick SHOVES Miz down! The fans cheer, Miz swings, but Trick dodges to CHOP! Miz headlocks, Trick powers up and out, then Trick hurdles, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and LEAPING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Trick while Miz flounders to the apron. Trick storms over, brings Miz up, but Miz HOTSHOTS back! The fans boo but Miz hurries up to the apron.
Miz climbs up the corner, soaks up that heat, but then the chant of “TINY BALLS!” throws Miz off. Miz leaps, but into a BODY SHOT! Trick fi res haymakers and an UPPERCUT! Trick whips, Miz reverses, then Miz kitchen sink knees! Miz hits a basement BOOT, then he rips off his shirt to show off his own abs. Miz CHOKES Trick on ropes, backs off as the ref counts, but then Miz runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! The fans boo but Miz mocks the Williams family. Miz goes back to Trick to stomp away, but the fans still mock his “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” Miz frowns, runs, but Trick avoids the kick! Trick gets up, JUMP NECKBREAKER!
The fans fire up again as Trick has Miz in the corner. Trick fires haymakers, then winds up to TRICK SLAP! Miz sits down, the fans cheer the mudhole, but Trick stops as the ref counts. Miz staggers to his feet, takes a swing, but Trick ducks it to back suplex. Miz lands out, FIN- NO, Trick arm-drags free! Miz bails out before a Trick Shot can land! Trick hurries after Miz, they cat ‘n’ mouse around the outside, but Trick avoids the dropkick! Trick UPPERCUTS Miz, THROWS him into barriers, then THROWS him into more barriers! Trick puts Miz back in the ring, but Kit UPPERCUTS Trick behind the ref’s back!
The fans boo as Kit hurries away. Yachty warns Kit but Kit flexes and swivels at him. Yachty is upset but Miz WERCKS Trick with a dropkick after all! Miz taunts Yachty, knowing he can’t do anything, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Yachty says yeah, okay, Miz, real tough. Yachty leaves Miz alone, Miz THROWS Trick into barriers! The fans boo and give thumbs down but Miz just drags Trick to his feet. Miz puts Trick against barriers, right in front of Mama & Papa! Miz talks trash, then winds up, but Trick dodges! Trick CHOPS away on Miz right in front of the family! The family cheers Trick on, then he THROWS Miz into the LED apron! Trick then pushes Miz into the ring, stalks him to a corner, and CHOSP! Trick whips corner to corner, Miz stops short, and Miz BOOTS Trick in return! Miz smooths his hair and dusts himself off before he goes back to Trick.
Miz looms over Trick, taunts Mama, and even blows a kiss before he runs. BASEMENT BOOT! Miz then says he has MASSIVE balls, but Yachty don’t believe that. Miz drags Trick up, brings him in, and suplexes, only for Trick to block! Trick fights the lift, then he suplexes Miz up and over! The fans cheer while both men are down! Miz and Trick stir while Yachty and Kit coach each of them up. The fans rally, both men sit up, and Trick fires a haymaker! Miz fires back, SmackDown returns to single picture, and the shots keep going! Miz rebounds to ROCK Trick! Trick rebounds to UPPERCUT Miz! Trick fires haymakers and an UPPERCUT!
The fans fire up as Miz staggers, into the LEG LARIAT! And LEG LARIAT! Then a scoop and SLAM! Trick stands tall, has the wristlock, and the fans cheer as Trick lets his hair down! Cartwheel and ripcord, into the BOOKEND! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and Trick is surprised. The fans rally for Trick and he drags Miz up. Miz throat chops back! The fans boo but Trick returns, only to be sent into buckles! But Trick drops down to victory roll! TWO, then Miz kicks legs out! BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Trick survives and Miz is stunned! The fans rally up, but Miz waits on Trick. Trick sits up, into “It Kicks!”
The fans taunt Miz with “Tiny, Tiny Balls~!” but Miz scowls. Miz winds up, but Trick ducks the buzzsaw to roll Miz up, TWO! Miz runs up, into a FLAPJACK! Trick kips up and the fans fire up again! Trick is feeling it, and he aims from the corner. But Kit trips Trick up! Miz O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Trick has it, TWO! Miz catches Trick to the FINALE!! Cover, TWO?!? Miz can’t believe it as Trick survives his best shot! Kit protests on the apron, but this lets Miz sneak out and go looking under the ring. The fans boo but Miz has a kendo stick! Miz sneaks into the ring with it, but Yachty snatches it from Miz! The fans cheer but Kit rushes over!
Kit runs up on Yachty, but Yachty SMACKS Kit! And TOSSES him over the desk! Miz is furious, but here comes Trick! Miz dodges, but the TRICK SHOT finds him on return! Cover, Trick wins!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall
Now South Carolina has another reason to celebrate with Trick! The champ wins in front of his family and friends here in Columbia,
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M, saying his in-ring return will be against Ricky Saints. How is Melo feeling? Melo says he’s been gone for a month, but he’s seen SmackDown. Guys like Sami Zayn and Trick Williams are making a mockery of that US Championship, the title that Melo took so much pride putting in the work and building up the prestige. He is listening to the people, they want Melo, so you got Melo. When he shoots, he don’t miss, and he’s aiming for that US Championship, let’s talk about it. But then Ricky Saints steps in and says let’s talk about how Saints didn’t even get a proper welcome from Melo.
Melo asks what Ricky needs a hello for. Melo isn’t running for president, he just wants that title back. Saints says well, the thing is, since Melo was gone on vacay, the world’s different. There are new tenants in the building. Oh, are there? Well, when it comes to the ring, Melo is the landlord, and rent is due! Saints tells Melo to ask Aldis about him, ask Cody Rhodes about him. Melo says he’s looking at Saints and sees exactly what he is. Melo will say something: this place has a funny way of humbling people just like Saints, and even like Melo. It may not happen tonight, but it will happen one day, and that is absolute.
Oh, Melo is going to humble Ricky? Ricky doesn’t need advice. Melo needs a lesson! And the best teacher is right in front of H1M! Saints heads out, and Melo says it’s like looking in a dirty mirror. Melo is ready to get back in that ring, but will he get back to his winning ways?
Nick Aldis talks with Rey Fenix.
The SmackDown General Manager is very proud seeing The Immortal Firebird tear it up in Mexico with AAA. Fenix says he promises he has eyes on something big. Then Aldis looks forward to it. Fenix steps out, but Sami steps in. And Sami says he knows he lost at Backlash, and he is ashamed of himself. He did things very out of character, very underhanded, and the pressure of everyone treating him different got to him. But this is a wake up call, where Sami needs to go back to who he really is. So he is just asking for another rematch for the US Championship so he can do it the right way this time.
Aldis says he appreciates all that, but the thing is, Sami just had his rematch. So what comes next is Sami earning it. E-Earn it? Oh, so everything he’s done isn’t enough? They can go the past couple of weeks, months, or how about even YEARS?! Or is everyone so quick to forget?! Y’know who doesn’t forget? The Ride or Die Sami fans! Sami just wants to redeem himself for their sake. Aldis says no one has forgotten, certainly not him. We all know how good Sami is in the ring. But the thing is, Sami is clearly dealing with stuff, so he needs to go deal with it. Right now, all Aldis is getting from Sami is entitlement.
E-Entitlement?! Sami is about to go off, Fenix tells him to tranquilo. What’s going on with Sami? Sami says nothing! He’s the same guy he’s always been! It’s everyone else around here! Fenix asks what, how? Fenix barely recognizes Sami. Fenix storms off now, Sami grows frustrated, but there’s no water bottles to smack. Does Aldis have a point? Does Sami have to work on himself before he can get back to the gold?
Brie Bella & Paige VS Giulia & Kiana James!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions know the rosters of both brands are after them, and Cathy Kelley interviews them at gorilla position about it. How do they feel knowing that the target on their backs just keeps getting bigger? Brie says they love it, but yes, it feels like you’re in a shark tank and everyone wants a piece of you. Fatal Influence, even Giulia & Kiana up next. This coming Monday, they defend the titles against Judgment Day. Paige says it has taken them years to get these bad boys, and they refuse to give them up so easily. But in step Irresistible Forces. Nia Jax says they’re rooting for the champs.
Paige & Brie doubt that, but Lash Legend says of course they want Paige & Brie to win. Same for Monday, too. Because then, Saturday Night’s Main Event, the Irresistible Forces get their rematch for the titles Paige & Brie stole. They don’t wanna beat anyone but these two and take back what is theirs. And also- The music interrupts, Brie says sorry, but there’s someone they have to beat. Brie & Paige head to the ring, will SmackDown be all about #ScreamMode?
The teams sort out and Brie starts against #MissManagement. The bell rings, the two circle, and the two tie up. Kiana SHOVES Brie down, then taunts her. Brie brushes that off, resets with Kiana, and they tie up. Kiana KNEES low, then whips Brie to the corner. Brie goes up, under, then BODY BLOWS! Brie clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Brie brings Kiana over, tags Paige, and the fans cheer as the champs double whip. Brie whips Paige in, but Kiana ELBOWS her away! Kiana goes up and over but Paige mule kicks Kiana, then Brie BULLDOGS! Paige KNEES Kiana down, then covers, TWO! Kiana toughs it out but Paige stays on her.
Kiana throat chops Paige, tag to the Beautiful Madness! Giulia suplexes, Paige fights free, but Giulia kicks and kicks and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Giulia backs off, but then Giulia jukes the ref to ROCK Paige! Giulia reels Paige in, snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Paige toughs it out but Giulia stays on her. Giulia whips, Paige ducks ‘n’ dodges, then she slips around to mule kick! Paige snapmares Giulia, runs again, and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer and Paige fires up, ‘This is MY house!” Paige storms over to Giulia, goes to the apron, and brings her through ropes to KNEE again and again and again!
Paige glares at Kiana, shoves Giulia in, but Kiana then YANKS Paige down! The fans boo but Giulia hurries to POST Paige! Giulia & Kiana are on the same page beating up on Paige, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Giulia hoists Paige up top. Giulia then positions Paige just right, SMACKS her, then climbs up after her. Paige fires body shots in return, then HEADBUTTS! Paige SMACKS Giulia off buckles, then goes up, up, and SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Paige and Giulia crawl, reach out, hot tag to Kiana! But then Paige dodges, hot tag to Brie! Brie goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kiana flounders, Giulia is back, but Brie dodges to KNEE low! Brie fires KNEE after KNEE, then sits Giulia down. “BRIE MODE~!” KNEE for Kiana! KNEE for Giulia!
Brie hits another KNEE on Kiana, then the fans join in on “YES! YES! YES!” Brie fires off Yes Kicks back and forth between her opponents! But Kiana ducks the buzzsaw! Kiana fireman’s carries, Brie slips free to kick and BELLA BUSTER! Cover, Giulia breaks it! Brie TOSSES Giulia out for it, then ROCKS Kiana! And ROCKS her again! Brie whips, Kiana KICKS back, Giulia tags in! Brie dodges Kiana, ROCKS Giulia, but the CODE BREAKER leads to the NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, Paige breaks it! Kiana kicks and TOSSES Paige, then tags back in. Giulia & Kiana drag Brie up, bring her around, but Paige is back already!
Kiana dodges, but that lets Paige TACKLE Giulia out of the ring! And Brie rolls up Kiana! TWO, and Kiana SUPERKICKS Brie! Then STANDING MOONSAULT but onto knees! Brie turns thigs back around, CRAVAT SMASH and Paige is in! RAMPAIGE DDT!! Cover, Paige & Brie win!
Winners: Brie Bella & Paige, by pinfall
Giulia & Kiana came in with a game plan, but the champs pull through! But will Paige & Brie still be champions after Monday Night Raw? Or will Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez bring these belts back to Judgment Day?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Cathy is now with the Women’s United States Champion and says there are an abundance of alliances in the women’s division today. As a singles competitor, where does Tiff see herself fitting into it? Tiff says if she had to guess, she’d be like, “What is-” Wait, Giulia and Kiana shouting kinda distracts her. Well, if those are the kinds of teams Tiff has to go up against, she’ll be just fine. Unlike them, Tiff is just fine on her own. If they wanna play the numbers game, then- Now Chelsea Green steps in. The Hot Mess says she’s been looking for Tiff. And Tiff says yeah, just the person she was looking for, too. Because Tiff was just saying she doesn’t like being partnered up.
Oh, Tiff is talking about Giulia & Kiana, right? Chelsea says yeah, that is so embarrassing. But they’ve been bickering ever since Tiff, the second greatest Women’s US Champion, beat both of them. Tiff says yes, but sometimes some people just aren’t meant to be in a team. And some are just oblivious to that fact. Chelsea says Tiff is so right. That’d never be them! Right, because they’re not meant to be a team. Tiff leaves, Chelsea processes, and Chelsea says that’s just so them. She’s so funny… Chelsea does her best to brush that off, but will she have to accept Tiffy has no time for team-ups?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Columbia sings along with Kingdom as The American Nightmare makes his entrance, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he has the Undisputed WWE Championship with him, but also a contract folder. Three guesses as to what it’s for. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, but he’s busy getting himself some armchairs and a table! The fans cheer as Cody is willing to put in the work to set up his own contract signing! Cody puts the chairs in place, then sets the contract and belt on the table! The fans cheer, and Cody grabs a mic. “Columbia, South Carolina! Whaddya wanna talk about?
“I have all of the formal ingredients for a contract signing! That’s what we got here: a contract for Gunther to come to SmackDown; a contract for a WWE Championship match at Clash in Italy; and that’s what we’re gonna do, folks, right here, right now!” The fans cheer that, and here comes Gunther! Gunther tells Cody, “Do you know how much time and work it took to set up that deal? Do you know how much strategic planning, how much foresight, how much negotiation went into all of this? I mean, we’re talking the roster transfer of the best wrestler in the WWE! And still, and still, you find a way to make it all about yourself. Just like a typical American!”
The fans boo Gunther, but he says he shouldn’t be surprised. He sees it on Cody’s neck every week! When the attention is not on Cody, Cody cries, complains, and finds a way to make it about himself. But not with Gunther! This is Gunther’s deal, this is his title match, and that will be HIS title. So, golden boy, all Gunther needs Cody to do is be professional, address him nicely, and don’t forget to say, “Please.” It’s very simple. Cody repeats back, “Simple? Simple.” Let’s not forget that Gunther is the one who got the drop on Cody, who got Heyman to do him this favor to get the title shot he didn’t even earn, and then Gunther wouldn’t sign in Jacksonville!
And now, Gunther’s basically saying he’s not signing here in Columbia, either! And yes, Cody is the one with a US flag tattoo on his neck, but GUNTHER is the one who is making this weird. So here’s the thing, Cody is making it simple: This is the contract here, in this ring, and he has to come in here to sign it. If Gunther wants Cody to say please, then PLEASE, come to the ring, sign the contract, so that he’s guaranteed to get his ass kicked in Italy! The fans cheer that! Gunther says okay, Cody. He noticed the “please” but Cody didn’t mean it. So Gunther will help Cody rephrase this: Please, Mr. Gunther- WAIT, Royce Keys is here?!
The fans cheer as The Powerhouse steps out on stage, then smirks as he looks at Gunther. “If you won’t sign it, I will!” Royce pushes Gunther aside, goes to the ring, and he looks at the contract. Cody nods and says okay, fair enough. Skip the SmackDown contract, go to the title match. But then Gunther storms in and snatches the pen! Gunther argues with Royce, Royce takes the pen back, but Gunther takes it back again! Royce and Gunther get forehead to forehead and Royce dares Gunther to sign it then! Royce SHOVES Gunther, and Aldis says whoa, this is quite the situation developing here.
But Gunther is right, this whole process was very simple. That is a contract for the title shot at Clash in Italy. It’s supposed to have Gunther’s name on it. But Gunther has yet to sign it, so as far as Aldis is concerned, Gunther’s overplayed his hand and now the shot is up for grabs! So here’s what we’ll do: tonight, Gunther VS Royce Keys, and the winner gets to sign on the dotted line to face Cody for the title! The fans fire up for that! Gunther is furious but this is on him. Cody tells Royce he is proud of him, they’re good friends. But Cody will tell Royce like he is telling Gunther, Cody is easy to find, hard to beat. Royce stares Cody down, but will they meet in Turin, Italy?
MFT watches this from backstage.
Solo Sikoa did not expect that. But listen, the tag titles can wait. They understand the assignment? Tama, do you understand the assignment? Tama nods and Solo says good. R-Truth isn’t cleared to compete tonight, but Priest is still waling. Tama is gonna take him out tonight. And Talla, let’s go talk with Royce. Talla follows Solo as he steps out, and in steps Shinsuke Nakamura. He tells Tama that Nakamura knows Tama’s decision. But then Talla CLOBBERS Nakamura! Talla THROWS Nakamura into road cases, and he says he warned Nakamura! CHOKE SLAM down through a table! Refs and producers rush in, but the damage is done.
Talla leaves Nakamura behind. Did he just take the King of Strong Style off the board? Or will this only bring the wrath of Strong Style down on his head?
Gunther argues with Aldis backstage.
Aldis points out that they had a deal, Gunther didn’t go along with it! He’s the one being unprofessional and going back on his word. That much of Heyman must’ve rubbed off on Gunther, but here’s what he forgot to tell Gunther: Don’t play games with Aldis! As far as Aldis is concerned, Gunther now has to earn his shot! Gunther says Aldis should be thankful he’s even here! Gunther is furious, but he should be blaming himself. Will he now lose his golden opportunity? Or can he topple the Powerhouse before it’s too late?
Carmelo Hayes VS Ricky Saints!
The chase for the US Championship is on, and Melo wants to prove this division is still about workhorses, not show horses! But will he have to show Saints that directly? Or will this be an Absolute victory in Columbia?
The bell rings and Saints fires off on Melo in a corner! Saints CHOPS, then he CHOPS again. Melo pushes Saints, Saints kicks low and CLUBS him! Saints whips, Melo reverses, then drops down to hurdle over. Melo arm-drags Saints, but Saints arm-drags back! Saints avoids the arm-drag, but Melo dodges the dropkick! Melo misses a kick, but he ROCKS Saints to DROPKICK after all! The fans cheer, and Melo stalks Saints to a corner. Melo stands Saints up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! Melo brings Saints around, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS again! The fans cheer but the ref counts, and Melo brings Saints around.
Melo whips, Saints reverses to kick low and CLUB Melo again. Saints wrenches Melo, goes up the corner, and gives a little Old School! The fans are torn, but Saints AX HANDLES Melo, then LARIATS him down! Saints strikes his pose, but he’s stinging from those chops. Saints stands Melo up to CHOP, then he whips Melo to ropes. melo stops himself, then DUMPS Saints out! Melo avoids a shot to then KICK! FADE AWAY JUMPER! Saints tumbles to the floor while the fans cheer Melo. Melo builds speed, FLIES, and down goes Saints! Melo almost overshot his target, but he high–fives fans as he stands up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Melo grabs his own merch shirt shirt and brings it over to a young fan to give it to them personally. The fans applaud, and Melo CHOPS Saints. Melo puts Saints in the ring, stalks him to ropes, but the ref has Melo hold on. Melo is annoyed, he storms up anyway, but Saints FLAPJACKS Melo to HOTSHOT him off the ropes! Saints then drags Melo up, drags him out of the ring, and scoops to SNAKE EYES off the apron! Saints puts Melo back in, then puts him along the apron for a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Saints then taunts the fan Melo gave the shirt to! Saints hurries to get Melo up, but Melo CHOPS him away!
Melo runs up, but Saints BOOTS Melo down! Cover, TWO! Saints is frustrated but he drags Melo up and around. Saints reels Melo in to snap suplex! Saints smooths his hair while he smiles, then he pushes Melo to a cover, TWO! Melo is tougher than that but Saints stalks him to a corner. Saints stands Melo up, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Melo reels Saints in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Saints toughs it out, but Melo brings him up to whip. Saints ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT in return! Cover, TWO! Saints is annoyed but he keeps close. Saints brings Melo up, kicks low, then puts Melo in a corner.
Saints fires off haymakers and body shots, but the ref counts. Saints hoists Melo up top, climbs up after him, but Melo CHOPS! Saints ROCKS Melo, Melo ROCKS Saints, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Saints climbs, goes to the very top, but Melo uses that for the SUPER GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Melo then adjusts, aims, and FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Saints survives as Melo hits an almost five-star one of those, but the fans rally up again. Saints goes to a corner, Melo to the other. Melo runs up, FIRST- NO, Saints stops that and ROCKS Melo with a forearm! Then NORTHERN LIGHTS DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans rally as Melo survives, but Saints clamps onto a chinlock. We get a picture in picture with Pressure: The Untold True Story of D-Day. Saints squeezes Melo tight, enduring the pressure Saints is putting on, and we return to single picture. Saints shifts to have a top wristlock included. Melo still endures, fights up, and the fans cheer as he arm-drags free! SUPERKICK! Melo then SUPERKICKS again! Saints rebounds, Melo fakes him out, and Melo KICKS, to then SUPERKICK after all! The fans cheer Melo on and he takes a bow. Melo waits on Saints, runs up to whip, but Saints reverse. Melo springboards to FLYING LARIAT!
The fans fire up with Melo and he goes to another corner. Saints rises, Melo runs up, DIRTY DIANA! Cover, TWO! Saints survives the facebuster but Melo keeps his cool. Melo rises, Saints staggers, and Melo reels Saints in. Melo suplexes but Saints blocks! Saints fires body shots, suplexes, but Melo cradle counters! They roll, roll, TWO! Saints blocks a kick to BOOT Melo, then whip and scoop, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Saints shouts in frustration as Melo survives! Saints slaps Melo around, then stomps him. Saints drags Melo up, reels him in, and REVOLUTION- NO, Melo denies the DDT, FIRST 48!! Cover, TWO!!
Saints survives and Melo is beside himself! The fans rally harder and Melo forces himself to go up a corner. Melo wants that game winner, and NOTHING BUT- NO! Saints dodges! Saints runs up, gets Melo, REVOLUTION DDT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Saints is pissed but Melo is showing that championship toughness! Saints reels Melo in, Canadian Racks, but Melo fights it to a fireman’s carry! But Saints slips free, shoves, and then wrenches! Saints whips Melo hard into buckles, then rolls him up, FEET ON ROPES! The ref sees that in time and says NO! The fans boo Saints while he argues with the ref.
Melo rolls Saints up! Cover, AND FEET ON ROPES! Melo wins!!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Turnabout is fair play, and Melo snatches one from Saints the way Saints tried to snatch one on H1M! When and where will Melo get his shot at the US Championship?
R-Truth talks with Royce Keys.
Truth tells Royce that he knows he’s getting ready for the biggest match of his career, but Truth wants to thank Royce. And damn, he big. But thanks for helping out with MFT. They’re building a new clubhouse for the New Judgment Day, Royce can fill out an application and Truth will make sure to approve him. Clubhouse? Is Royce gonna be stealing boxes on his day off? Well, Royce will think about it. Royce heads out, Truth says yeah, think about it, dawg. Then Priest walks in and asks what that was about. Truth says Royce can join the Judgment Day 2000, dawg! Uh, Priest isn’t even gonna touch what Truth just said.
But what Priest wants to know is what’s up with Royce. As Priest sees it, Solo has MFT taking everybody out. They took Priest out, they took Truth out, and they even took out Shinsuke. But when Royce is around, he’s not touched. Now, Royce may have Truth’s trust, but not Priest’s. Priest just wants Truth to be careful. Truth says fair enough. And he apologizes for last week, because Priest was right; Truth goes out there, MFT used him to get to Priest. It won’t happen again. Well it won’t happen tonight, because Truth isn’t even medically cleared. Whatever happens happens, but at least Priest knows Truth will be safe.
Priest heads out, Truth says he loves Priest! Will the Archer of Infamy be able to shoot down The Good Bad Guy? Or will Solo’s Right Hand Man get the upper hand here tonight?
Danhausen walks the halls.
And the Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord pushes aside some light stands. He thought he told them to clean the place up. Oh, right, the Minihausens already took their PTO. A call comes in on the old timey phone, and he says yes, the experiment for Backlash was a resounding success. Hey, how’d you get this number? Never call here again! Bye. Wait, is the machine still active? Danhausen says yes, something bigger, better, larger! Danhausen’s life’s work! Wait, is Danhausen doing a Frankenstein!? Danhausen taps on his computer, some sparks fly, but that seems to be a good thing. Just what is he going to cook up next?
Damian Priest VS Tama Tonga!
The WWE Tag Team Champions have been fighting nonstop, and that continues here tonight. Will Priest get payback for what happened last week? Or will MFT make it clear they are still dangerous?
Speaking of dangerous, Tama attacks before Priest is ready! The fans boo and the bell rings as Tama fires off fists in the corner! The ref counts, Tama stops at 4, and he throws his shirt off, only for Priest to grab and THROW Tama! Priest fires off hands of his own, then takes his jacket off. Tama fires back with more hands, then whips, only for Priest to reverse and ELBOW Tama down! Priest hauls Tama up, wrenches and whips, but Tama KICKS back! Priest guzels Tama, Tama breaks free, but Priest ROCKS Tama! Tama rebounds, slides under and trips Priest to a cover, TWO! Priest JUMP ROUNDHOUSES and Tama’s down!
The fans rally as Priest stalks Tama to the ropes. Tama gets away to the outside, but Priest goes out the other side. Priest runs in around the way, but Tama leaps off the steel steps! Tama CLOBBERS Priest first, then soaks up the heat, while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Tama has Priest up top, only for Priest to throw body shots. Priest HEADBUTTS Tama, then he drops down to ROUNDHOUSE Tama! Priest steps inside, CLUBS Tama, then lifts Tama in the crucifix! But Tama spins around to have a SLEEPER! Priest stays up to RAM Tama into the corner! Priest throws Tama away, Tama comes back, but Priest ELBOWS him away. Tama ROCKS Priest, then blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! VENENO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tama grows frustrated, but he pie faces Priest around. Tama talks trash, then SMACKS Priest! Priest is mad now and the fans fire up!
Tama swings, Priest counter punches! And counter punches again and again! Priest ROCKS and whips Tama, Tama reverses, but Priest RUNS Tama over! Priest kicks, Tama blocks, but Priest BELL CLAPS and ROUNDHOUSES! Then a clinch for the FLATLINER! The fans fire up while Priest runs up on Tama, ELBOW in the corner! Priest then suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Tama survives but Priest stays focused. Priest winds up the arm, the fans rally up, and Priest runs the ropes, but Tama bails out! The fans boo but Priest just goes back out the side. Priest runs in again, and this time, Priest POUNCES Tama onto the desk!
Tama takes a tumble and the fans fire up with Priest! Priest drags Tama up, brings him around, and puts him in the ring. Priest rallies the fans as he climbs the corner, but he gets wobbly! Tama hits the ropes and that makes Priest fall back! Tama then drags Priest up, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Priest survives the ace, but Tama still has cards to play. Tama underhooks Priest, lifts, but Priest fights that to lift Tama! Tama fights, sunset flips, but Priest grabs him by the neck! Priest drags Tama up, but Tama fires elbows! Priest comes back to LARIAT! The straps come down and the fans fire up! Guzel and SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
But then TALLA TONGA BOOTS PRIEST DOWN! The fans boo as MFT are sore losers1 Solo Sikoa prepares his thumb and Talla hauls Priest up! SAMOAN SPIKE!! The fans boo harder as MFT stands over Priest with no one there to save him. But will MFT regret trying to tear down #WepaUp?
Sami Zayn vents to someone.
Aldis calling Sami entitled, for simply asking for a rematch. As if everything Sami has done for this place isn’t enough. He swears, things are changing around here, it is not what it used to be. Y’know who feels it the most? Guys like us. Johnny Gargano is still depressed planking. Sami says remember when wrestling was a thing. When being great at this, giving your all, the fans would always be on your side! You were guaranteed to rise, because cream always rises to the top! Remember when that mattered? Candice LeRae stops Sami here. This is not working. If we’re talking entitled, Candice is entitled to a husband who doesn’t just lie around all day!
But whatever! Candice storms off, Sami says home must be a mess. But don’t listen to that. Don’t listen to the noise. Tune it out. You gotta remember who you are, and whatever you do, don’t let anyone take that from you. Ever! Sami leaves Gargano to his stupor, but then Gargano’s eyes look his way. Is what Sami said getting through to Johnny Wrestling?
Blake Monroe speaks.
“I’m not your hero, I’m The Glamour. The starlet on the marquee, the champagne soaked Cinderella of WWE. And to every woman in that locker room, you’ll see the difference between me and you.”
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS B-Fab & Mia Yim w/ Jade Cargill!
Whether it’s the tag titles or THE title, The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss want to get back on top. However, the same can be said about The Storm and her Baddies. Will Fab & Michin remove the obstacles on their path so that they and Jade can take it all? Or will #Charlexa prove they’re more than ready for another opportunity?
But before the match, Jade grabs a mic and tells everyone to wrap it up. “Everybody acts so tough when Jade Cargill ain’t in the building. But when my music hits, everybody seems to get real quiet. You see, Rhea Ripley found that out last week. Pressure busts pipes. And at Clash in Italy, I bust champions, too. The WWE Women’s Championship is coming home with me.” The fans boo and Jade says she loves it. Y’all know why! Because Jade’s #That- WAIT, Charlotte’s entrance interrupts that catchphrase! The fans cheer as Charlotte is then joined by Alexa, and they have mics now. “They don’t wanna hear you talk, babe.” “Cuz this is Flair Country, right?” The fans cheer and “WOO~!”
So here’s the thing, they’ve been doing this dance for a few years now. And last week, Jade finally pissed Charlotte off. So let’s play. Oh, look! The back-up dancers! Where’s Rhea? Funny how someone can talk so loud yet get so quiet when they get pump-kicked in the face. Wow, funny stuff. Aren’t Jade’s back-up dancers supposed to be making Jade look good? What’s going on here? Ow, that was mean, Blisster. But seems they’re here to do Jade’s dirty work. And since they have a match, Charlotte knows Columbia is tired of hearing Jade talk. She knows Charlexa are tired of hearing her talk, and even Jade’s girls are tired of hearing her talk!
So maybe Jade should just take a seat and take some notes. WOO~! Jade says right, okay, well, let’s get the ref out here and let’s take some notes. And please, entertain Jade, because she’s the one getting bored. The match is finally set to begin, but who will win? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns as the bell rings, and Charlotte steps to Mia. They circle, feel things out, and the fans “WOO~!” Charlotte smiles, Mia frowns, but the two tie up. Charlotte waistlocks to SLAM Mia down. Mia fights up to the ROPEBREAK, and Charlotte lets go. Mia bails out, Fab is there to talk it out, but Charlotte gets the fans to “WOO~” again. Charlotte holds the ropes open for Mia but Mia refuses to accept. Charlotte backs away, Mia step sin, and they tie up again. Charlotte waistlocks for another SLAM! Charlotte ducks an elbow, back suplexes, but Mia lands out. Mia CHOP BLOCKS Charlotte, a very Flair move to do!
Mia takes aim and PELES Charlotte down! Mia bumps Charlotte off buckles, talks trash, then bumps her off buckles again. “That’s your queen?!” But then Charlotte bumps Mia off buckles! And CHOPS! Mia hits back but Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Charlotte scoops but Mia slips free to THROW Charlotte down by her hair! Mia sits Charlotte up to ROCK her, SMACK her, then runs to RANA! Charlotte staggers up, Mia SPIN KICKS Charlotte down! Mia drags Charlotte up, runs the ropes, but Charlotte avoids the dropkick! Charlotte headscissors to THROW Mia around again and again! Charlotte then kips up and the fans fire up!
Mia scrambles away while Charlotte struts, then she tells Jade, “SUCK IT!” Fab tags in, Charlotte tags Bliss. The fans cheer as Alexa dodges Fab to drop toehold, then she SMACKs, ROCKS, KNEES, and SHOTGUNS Fab down! The fans cheer, Alexa KNEES Fab in the back and against the ropes! Alexa snapmares, then INSULT2- NO, Mia gets in the way! Fab dodges the senton to then LARIAT! Fab drags Alexa around, rains down fists, and she talks trash on the fans. Fab steps on Alexa, drags her around, and whips her to a corner. Alexa BOOTS in return, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES, but into Fab’s arms! Fab hits a SWINGING SLAM, then covers, TWO!
Alexa survives but Fab has a sinister smile, and Jade likes what she sees while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again as Mia DROPKICKS Alexa! Mia taunts Charlotte, then jukes the ref to sucker punch! Charlotte is furious but the ref stops her, letting The Baddies mug Alexa! But Alexa ELBOWS Fab, dodges Mia, and hurries to her feet. Alexa ELBOWS Mia away, but Mia hurries to grab a wristlock! Mia kicks low, scoops Alexa, but Alexa swings through to DDT! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Alexa and Mia crawl, hot tags to Fab and Charlotte! The fans fire up as Charlotte goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES Fab! The fans “WOO~” as the CHOPS fire off on Mia and Fab, back and forth!
Charlotte just CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then she runs to LARIAT Fab down! The fans cheer Charlotte, she talks trash on Jade, and she scoops Fab for the EXPLODER! Then a kick to Mia, for an EXPLODER! Charlotte kips up, tells Jade to “SUCK IT!” again, then flexes as she steps on Fab. Charlotte goes up, up, but Jade distracts her! Fab YANKS Charlotte down! Fab BOOTS Charlotte to the corner, tags Mia, and Mia goes up! MISSILE DROPKICK! Mia hurries to drag Charlotte back over, tags Fab back in, and The Baddies DOUBLE BOOT! High stack, Bliss breaks it! The fans fire up as Bliss hurries away.
Jade is frustrated but Mia HOTSHOTS Charlotte behind there’fs back! B-Fab O’Conner Rolls, TWO! And Charlotte has th elegs! FIGURE FOUR, but she has to let go as Mia runs up! The elbow drop misses, and Charltote LARIATS Mia up and out! Fab waistlocks, Charltote switches, but Fab elbows free! Alexa tags in, Fab wrenches to HOOK KICK Charlotte! Fab whips, Charlotte goes up and out to BOOT Mia! BOOT for Fab, and Bliss is there! Mia YANKS Charlotte from the apron while Bliss hits TWISTED SISTER DDT! Cover, but Jade YANKS Alexa out, then DCKS her!
Winners: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, by disqualification
Jade didn’t want her team losing so she goes and hands Charlexa the win instead! Mia drags Charlotte up, but Charlotte CHUCKS Mia over the desk! And then she BOOTS Fab outta the ring! Now it’s just Queen and B1tch! Jade stands down, so Charlotte goes to check on Alexa. When and where will these two alpha females finally fight it out?
Fatal Influence watches this backstage.
Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid are not exactly impressed, but Cathy Kelley steps in for a quick interview. Ever since these three arrived on SmackDown, they’ve made quite the impact. Did the rest of the locker room expect them to be this impactful this quickly? Fallon says in this business, you’re either predator or prey. And let’s be honest, they’re at the top of the food chain. Plus, all these so-called teams act like best friends, but The Influence knows that deep down, no one can stand each other. As for The Influence, it is the complete opposite. They’re a unit, loyalty is their currency. And soon enough, it will pay dividends when they’re draped in gold.
As for the rest of the locker room, take this as a warning: It is only a matter of time before you fall at their feet! The Influence heads out, will SmackDown soon be completely under their control?
Charlotte & Alexa regroup backstage.
Last week, Charlotte tolerated Rhea, and she is really working hard on being a team player. Where is Rhea this week? Alexa gets that, but they’re still outnumbered. Fatal Influence, Irresistible Forces, The Baddies. Charlotte says they’ve been outnumbered for like six months! Alexa says they need help. Charlotte thinks on how to put this. Does she look like an “I need help” kind of person? She doesn’t think so. Alexa says no, she isn’t, but they are outnumbered, and Rhea still owes them. Alexa has an idea, just trust her. Well, Alexa’s gotten Charlotte this far. The Queen follows Alexa’s lead, but just what is the plan?
Solo finds Royce preparing backstage.
Solo claps and says, “Aight. Aight. Yeah, big match tonight, huh? Big match tonight against Gunther. Now listen, I can help you beat Gunther. Hmm? I can help you become champion. How does that sound? I know you like that, right? But look, don’t listen to Jacob, okay? Listen to me, follow me. Me and you can be running SmackDown and taking over everything. Because I hate to see whatever happened to Shinsuke happen to you.” Royce puts down the resistance band and tells Solo that he’s got this, aight? Aight. But spoilers, Jacob said the same thing. Solo leaves, Royce scowls, but will Royce prove to everyone that he has the keys to success all on his own?
Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: GUNTHER VS Royce Keys!
Der Ring General perhaps hypocritically accused The American Nightmare of making everything about himself, but his arrogance almost completely cost him his golden opportunity. Will Gunther now earn the match he wants with Cody Rhodes? Or will Royce take everything that he wants?
SmackDown returns Gunther waits in the ring. Gunther talks trash on Royce, even as Royce makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Royce manages to power Gunther back. Gunther turns things around in the corner, the ref counts, and Gunther pie faces Royce. “Who you think you are, huh?!” Royce SHOVES Gunther down! Gunther bails out, the fans fire up, but the ref keeps Royce from going after Gunther. Royce dares Gunther to come back, but Gunther takes his time. They circle, but then Gunther bails out. The fans boo but Gunther seems to need another breather.
Royce waits on Gunther, the ring count climbs, but Gunther storms back inside. The two circle, then approach, but Gunther kicks Royce low. Gunther headlocks, Royce powers up and out, and the two RAM shoulders! Royce makes the pecs dance, but Gunther CHOPS! Gunther headlocks but Royce endures the grind. Royce powers up, powers out, and RAMS shoulders with Gunther again! Royce runs to RAM Gunther! Gunther rebounds to RAM Royce, but Royce rebounds to RUN Gunther over! The fans fire up as Royce storms up, but Gunther CHOPS! Royce shakes it off?! Gunther CHOPS again, and now Royce is getting mad!
Gunther CHOPS, but Royce grabs that arm! Royce fires forearms on Gunther, then JABS in the corner again and again! The ref counts, Royce whips corner to corner, but Gunther BOOTS back! Gunther runs, but Royce scoops him! The fans fire up for the OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! Gunther bails out, the fans boo, but Royce dares Gunther to come back again. Gunther has some blood in his teeth, has he finally met a man that makes him the underdog? Royce then goes out after Gunther, whips him into barriers, and Gunther falls in a heap! The fans fire up again as Royce storms over. Royce high-fives fans, then whips Gunther into more barriers!
Gunther sputters as Royce walks over to him. Royce refreshes the count, then drags Gunther up. Royce whips Gunther over the desk! The fans fire up again while Gunther sputters on the floor, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Royce drags Gunther up, shoves hm into barriers, then again refreshes the ring count. Royce whips Gunther, but Gunther reverses, and Royce hits steel steps hard! The ref hurries to check Royce while Gunther rolls into the ring. Royce is somehow able to continue, so the ring count starts again. Gunther staggers around while the count climbs, and Royce sits up at 5 of 10. Royce crawls at 7, drags himself up, and Gunther wants the count to go faster! Royce lunges in at 9.9! Gunther storms over to Royce, and KICKS his arm! Royce writhes, but Gunther drags him from the ropes. Gunther KNEE DROPS on the arm!
Royce writhes again, clutching the elbow, but Gunther paces. Royce fires a body shot, a haymaker, and repeat! Royce backs Gunther down, but Gunther wrenches the bad arm to CLUB it! Royce drops down, but Gunther clamps on a top wristlock! Gunther puts on the pressure, but Royce fights up, up, and scoops! But Gunther cranks on the bad arm! Royce still tries, but Gunther fights free of the scoop, to UPPERCUT the bad arm! Royce falls to his knees while Gunther soaks up the heat. Gunther paces around Royce, then stalks Royce to ropes. The ref has Gunther stay back, but then Gunther stomps Royce’s shoulder!
Gunther hauls Royce up, winds up, and short arm LARIATS! Royce stays on his feet, and as SmackDown returns to single picture, Gunther short arm LARIATS again! Royce is still up, Gunther tries again, but Royce dodges! Royce LARIATS Gunther down! The fans fire up for Royce while he and Gunther rise again. Gunther CHOPS and Royce falls! The fans boo but Gunther just soaks up that heat. Gunther paces around Royce, drags him up, and reels him in. Royce blocks the suplex! Royce tries to suplex, but Gunther blocks! Royce powers up, but Gunther wrenches out to CHOP! Gunther tries again, but Royce suplexes after all!
The fans fire up while both men are down again! Both men rise, and Royce fires shots with the good hand. Royce whips, Gunther reverses, and Gunther KNEES low! Gunther whips and KNEES again! Gunther then reels Royce in, and CHOPS him down! Cover, TWO! Royce toughs it out and Gunther scowls, but the fans rally again. Gunther TOSSES Royce out, then soaks up more heat. Royce crawls as the count climbs, but Gunther steps out to the apron. The ref reprimands but Gunther stomps Royce’s arm. The fans boo as Gunther taunts Royce. Royce stands, Gunther runs up, but Royce blocks the kick! And he YANKS Gunther from the apron!
Royce carries Gunther to the desk! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM on the desk! And again! And again! Then Royce hauls Gunther back into the ring! The fans rally up as Royce runs, but Gunther BOOTS him! Gunther runs, but Royce avoids the boot! Gunther is stuck on the rope, Royce SPLASHES! Royce whips corner to corner, Gunther comes back, LARIAT! Gunther hurries up a corner, but Royce meets him up there! SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Royce crawls to a cover, TWO! Gunther survives and now Royce has some blood in his teeth. Royce drags himself up, the fans rally harder, and Royce storms his way over to Gunther.
Royce LARIATS but Gunther stays up. Royce LARIATS back and forth, front and back, but Gunther ducks one to SLEEPER!! Royce gasps, reaches out, but Gunther drags him down! Royce flails, reaches out, and the fans rally as hard as they can, but Gunther just squeezes tighter! Wait, SOLO is here? Solo coaches Royce to keep fighting, and it’s working! Royce has his second wind! Royce powers up to his feet, but Gunther CLUBS him and reels him in! But Royce BACKDROPS free! Gunther LARIATS, Royce LARIATSW, repeat! Then Royce dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Royce fires those sandwiching LARIATS again!
Royce winds up to LARIAT, and down goes Gunther! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives but Solo tells Royce to keep going. Royce SPLASHES Gunther, whips him corner to corner, then SPLASHES again! Royce scoops, but Gunther slips free! SLEEPER!! Royce is fading again, but Solo keeps shouting for him to fight! Solo gets the fans to cheer harder, that’s new… Royce fights up again, fires body shots, but Gunther CHOPS! And CHOPS! Royce rebounds to POUNCE Gunther, but into the ref!! Solo says now’s the time! Royce brings the straps down, but Solo sends a chair in! The fans boo, but Royce does think about it.
Royce CHUCKS the chair at Solo! But then Gunther CLUBS Royce! And he LARIATS! Then a GUNTHER BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Championship)
Solo tried to help Royce, but their, uh, difference of opinion, just cost Royce. Will Solo have to apologize profusely to the Powerhouse? Meanwhile, Gunther has the shot at Cody he wanted, and he tells Cody that there is nothing he can do about what’s coming for him in Italy! But while Gunther has tunnel vision with the camera, Cody slides in! CROSS RHODES!! The fans cheer the champ, and Cody “welcomes” Gunther to SmackDown! Will the American Nightmare survive the Austrian Anomaly when they Clash in Italy?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to pivot from Backlash and head for Clash In Italy. While it was pretty clear we were getting Cody VS Gunther, I really like how they made it official here. Cody making his own contract signing segment was great, and Royce getting involved was really good. There have been a handful of occasions where someone found an opening to hijack a contract signing, and then that main event match was awesome. I also liked how Solo was almost a Face here, supporting Royce in fighting Gunther. But because Solo is still Heel, he insisted on cheating to win, and that screwed Royce up.
Depending on how badly Truth is hurt, if he’s really hurt to begin with, I feel like we need a Six Man Tag of Priest, Royce, and Nakamura VS MFT, and that is the moment Tama breaks away from Solo. As such, that was a really good match from Priest VS Tama, good win for Priest, but of course MFT beats him up with Truth is unable to even go ringside, and Nakamura was already taken out by Talla beforehand. Meanwhile, it sounds like we’re getting more Six Woman Tags while sorting out contenders for Rhea’s title. Jade lets #Charlexa win just so she could do some damage, but clearly Rhea will help out again so settle things with The Baddies.
Very good promo from Brie & Paige with Nia & Lash before that very good tag match. Obviously Giulia and Kiana are falling apart at the seams, but it was also good stuff to have them cameo in Tiffany’s promo with Chelsea. Maybe teams wouldn’t need to break up and others form if TKO & WWE didn’t cut some legit talent that could’ve been in the tag division, but corporate greed can never be defeated. But if nothing else, Tiff will surely face Chelsea, Giulia, and Kiana for the US Championship, probably in a Fatal 4 Way of some kind.
Speaking of US Championships, great stuff for Trick in his homecoming. Miz & Kit stepping up was good stuff because it let Yachty show off his own skills, and then Trick gets a great win in front of his hometown crowd. Melo VS Saints was awesome, too, great win for Melo. A Trick VS Melo feud would be great stuff, but also feels like SummerSlam level stuff, so there need to be some feuds to hold them over until then, and if we get more of Trick VS Miz, more of Melo VS Saints, mixing and matching while getting others in the conversation, that’d be great stuff. Night of Champions could even be an opening for a Fatal 4 Way of their own.
And Sami continues to do great things with his anti-Face, anti-Heel character work. He tries to show his good side when asking nicely, but his bad side comes out pretty quickly after he doesn’t get his way. Him talking to Gargano is great, too, and it feels like they’re using this to snap Gargano out of his funk, too. And if this doesn’t lead back to the US title, I could see this work leading Sami to the top title in time for a SummerSlam match.
My Score: 8.8/10
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