Results
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/14/22)
A Must-See Apology!
Will the Hollywood A-Lister really apologize?
Johnny Gargano revealed the truth, and now on Raw, MizTV is truly must-see as The Miz himself promises a full apology to Dexter Lumis!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali; Lashley wins.
- Mia Yim VS Tamina; Mia wins.
- Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Gable wins.
- Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgment Day VS Shelton Benjamin; Dominik wins.
- Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL VS Dana Brooke; wins.
- Austin Theory VS Dolph Ziggler; Ziggler wins, by disqualification.
- Akira Tozawa VS Baron Corbin w/ JBL; Corbin wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor w/ The Judgment Day; Rollins wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins heads to the ring.
Louisville sings “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” for the Visionary as he swaggers out, holding onto the United States Championship that he’ll defend later tonight. He doesn’t seem fazed by how he almost lost it last week, either. The Open Challenge was answered by Mustafa Ali, only for Bobby Lashley to sidetrack that. Then Lashley mauled Rollins and let Austin Theory cash his Money in the Bank contract, only to screw Theory over! The confusing motives and actions of the All Mighty aside, Rollins still has the title and now gets the mic. “Kentucky…! Welcome to Monday! Night! Rollins! HAHAHAHA! Allow me to introduce myself.
“I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I am Seth!” “FREAKIN! ROLLINS!” Fans cheer and Rollins says that by the hairs of his chinny chin chin, he is still our WWE United States Champion~! HAHAHA! “Yes, thank you, Bobby. Last week was crazy. Last week was wild. I put one little Open Challenge out into the universe and I’ve got contenders coming outta the woodwork.” People like Finn Balor, Mustafa Ali, and the All Mighty himself, Bobby Lashley! “And for the first time ever, Austin Theory tried to cash in his MITB contract on my United States Championship. Now, that didn’t work out too well for him. But the point is…”
Louisville says, “That was Stupid!” Rollins shrugs and says, “Look, I’m sure he’ll be out here later, you guys can tell him how stupid he is then. HAHAHAHA!” But the point is, something seems different about the US title lately. Rollins can’t put his finger on it. What’s the one thing that’s different? OH RIGHT! ROLLINS! Because now that he is the US Champion, this title is “without question THE top prize on Monday Nights! And right here in the main event tonight, we are going to add to my legacy as United States Champion when I go one on one with a former friend, a former foe, Finn Balor.” But wait! Here comes LASHLEY!
The Rocky Mountain Machine makes his way down to the ring with a mic of his own. “The Visionary! Last week, I turned little Selfie Boy into a punchline. And as for you, Seth, that beating that I gave you last week is going to continue to happen until I get my United States Championship back!” Rollins chuckles and tells “Big Bob” that he had his chance. But instead of a match, he decided it’d be better to take Rollins’ soul from his body. Now, Lashley’s temper got the better of him. It might have to do with that little lose at Crown Jewel. The one to, ahem, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! Oh, and now Mustafa Ali is here!
Ali has a referee with him, what is the Beacon up to? He’s calling out Lashley about the opportunity Lashley cost him! Lashley warns Ali back about the beat down last week paling in comparison to this week. Use your head and make a smart decision. Walk out before Lashley hurts you. Fans boo and then Lashley turns to Rollins. Rollins is sure that’s a good point. But Ali gets in the ring! Lashley ELBOWS Ali, TOSSES him out, and then says that will serve as message to anyone who stands between him and the title Rollins stole from him! But Ali jumps on! Ali fires off hands but Lashley dumps him back out!
Rollins gets to the back since he has the main event to worry about. Lashley says Ali is either stupid or gutsy, but he’s pissing Lashley off. If Ali wants a whooping, Lashley welcomes him to it, but it won’t be pretty. Come get some! Will Ali once again feel the wrath of the All Mighty?
Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali!
Raw returns as the bell rings, and Ali DROPKICKS Lashley in the corner! Ali fires off hands but Lashley blocks the whip. Lashley whips Ali hard into the corner and Ali tumbles out of the ring! Lashley goes out after Ali, scoops him and runs, but Ali slips off to POST Lashley! Lashley staggers, Ali runs in, but is thrown intro the timekeeper’s area! Ali gets on the barriers and LEAPS on Lashley! Lashley shifts Ali around to POST him in return! Lashley refreshes the ring count, drags Ali up, and TOSSES him over the announce desk! Lashley leaves Ali behind now, and the ring count climbs. The count passes 5 of 10 but Ali manages to get up!
Ali flounders his way over at 8 of 10, and slides in at 9.5! Ali is still in this but Lashley hauls him up, into the CLIFFHANGER! Ali crawls to the corner and drags himself up. Lashley is annoyed but he fires off hands and stomps away! Lashley runs in, but into an elbow! Ali goes up, leaps, but Lashley catches him! MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley tells Ali to stay down, the ref asks if Ali wants to stop, but Ali refuses to quit! Ali crawls to the ropes and drags himself up again. Lashley sighs as Ali flounders over to him. Lashley hauls Ali up again, for another MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! “Is he done?!”
The ref asks Ali if he wants to stop, but fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Lashley watches Ali drag himself up with the ropes again. Ali is in the corner, and he dares Lashley to bring it! Lashley runs in, but Ali goes up and over! Lashley POSTS himself, and Ali is up on top! FLYING DDT!! Lashley flounders now and fans fire up! Ali gets back to the corner, runs corner to corner, into a SPEAR!! Lashley roars and calls for it! HURT LOCK!! Al is a ragdoll, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by referee stoppage
Ali again showed heart, but again it was not enough to topple the mountain of a man that is the All Mighty Lashley. Will Lashley steamroll his way back to the US Championship?
Backstage interview with The OC & Mia Yim.
Cathy Kelley asks if they’re at all worried about retaliation from The Judgment Day after last week. AJ Styles says, “Retaliation? Now that we’ve evened the odds? Now that we’ve solved our Rhea problem? Bring it, kiddos.” Gallows says that’s right! But the boys owe the Big LG, he’s why Mia teamed with them. Gallows has a way with the ladies, after all. Uh… Styles changes the subject by saying this whole thing between the OC and Judgment Day needs to come to an end. They’ve been a thorn in Styles’ side since WrestleMania just because he wouldn’t join them! So Styles officially challenges Finn Balor to a match 1v1 at Survivor Series to put this to an end!
Karl Anderson says no doubt Styles will handle business. Just like the toughest woman in the building, “Michan,” will tonight in her return match. Michan? It’s Korean for “Crazy.” But boys, Mia is going to go so the OC can chill in the dojo and have the beers on ice. But first, throw it up! Too SWEET~! Will Mia go michan in her first match back in the WWE?
Mia Yim VS Tamina!
The Head Baddie in Charge is back and ready to take over! Will Raw be seeing blue? Or will the Daughter of Superfly ruin the homecoming?
Wait, speaking of Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio head to ringside to watch this one closely. The bell rings, Tamina CLOBBERS Mia, and then CLUBS away in the corner! The ref counts, Tamina lets off at 4, and runs back in to HIP ATTACK! Tamina drags Mia up, scoops her, and SLAMS her! Rhea is amused but fans taunt Dom, “Whose Your Papi?” Tamina is up top, SUPERFLY FLOPS as Mia moves! Mia aims from the corner, she runs in at Tamina and fires off forearms! Tamina punches but Mia CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS, KICKS! Tamina shoves, Mia dodges the lariat and RANAS!
Tamina ends up in a corner and Mia runs in to BOOT her! Mia roars, wrenches Tamina, whips her corner to corner and forearms! Mia snapmares, KICKS Tamina, KICKS her again, then runs. Tamina ROCKS Mia with an uppercut! Damage Control is watching backstage as Tamina fireman’s carries. Mia slips off, EAT DA FEET! Cover, Mia wins!
Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall
Rhea is no longer amused as Mia comes out on top. Mia dares Rhea to do something about it, and Rhea creeps up to the apron. Fans rally as Rhea steps inside, but then she steps back outside. The Eradicator says Mia’s not worth her time. But Rhea says Mia better keep her in mind. When and where will these two throw down as part of the OC VS Judgment Day war?
Matt Riddle is hitting the bong…os again.
The Bro spots Cathy Kelley and says what up! Cathy says he’s preparing for a match, but she has to ask, where is Elias/ Elias is doing big rockstar things. He’s booking some gigs now that he and Riddle are a band! Riddle is focused on Gable while Elias is focused on tickets, merchandise, y’know, rockstar stuff. But “SHOOOOSH~!” Gable finds Riddle! Bro… Shoosh. Bro! Shoosh! Bro! Shoosh! Bro! Shoosh! Bro! Shoosh! Repeat. SHOOSH!! Enough! Look! The only thing more ridiculous than Riddle & Elias as a band, is the idea of them as a tag team! So tonight, Gable will do to Riddle what Otis did to Elias last week: Put you down, bro. Into the ground! A thank yew~!
Riddle says those guys are lame. But will “Master” Gable be game when he and the Stallion throw down in the ring?
Damage Control finds Mia Yim backstage.
Bayley, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai welcome Mia back to the WWE. That was impressive. No one’s been able to hang with Rhea until now. Thanks. But that makes them wonder how someone as talented as Mia could be forgotten about. They have a lot in common. They also know what it is to be cast aside, forgotten about, and they did something about it and remind people who they are! Mia needs to remind people who Mia is! They can do that as a team at WarGames! Mia appreciates that, but she has no problems with Bianca or her side. Well, maybe Mia should think about it. Just don’t think too long.
But The OC come around and ask “Michan” if things are alright. Yeah, just talking. DMG CTRL heads out. The OC congratulate Mia on the win and they have the beers! Will Mia find herself dragged into the war for the Raw Women’s Division? Or will she stay focused on Rhea and Judgment Day?
Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
The Drifter did get flattened by the Dozer, but Master Gable did have a part to play. Will the Bro be alright all on his own? Or will he wish he was walking with Elias tonight?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Gable blocks Riddle’s leg pick with a facelock, then he shifts to get the waistlock. Gable then spins Riddle around for a leg pick, roll, and facelock! Gable gator rolls Riddle then waistlocks again. Riddle breaks that to get an arm, but Gable powers Riddle to a corner to stop the double wristlock! The ref counts, Riddle lets off, but Gable throat chops! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Gable says, “A Thank Yew~!” Gable then lifts Riddle for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Gable drags Riddle up, CHOPS him to the corner, then ROCKS him with forearms.
Gable CHOPS again, then gets a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Otis taunts Riddle, “How’s that feel?” Riddle gets up to throw forearms and palm strikes! Riddle kicks but into a DRAGON SCREW! Riddle crawls to a corner, Gable whips him corner to corner, but Riddle goes up and over to KICK Gable down! And then he deadlifts for the gut wrench suplex! Fans fire up and Riddle runs to BROTON, but onto knees! Gable has Riddle in a corner but runs into an elbow! Riddle climbs but Otis pushes the steel steps over! The ref reprimands Otis but Riddle is distracted! Gab le goes up top for a SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Fans are fired up while both men are down! The ref checks Riddle while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Gable has a standing toehold. Riddle endures and fans rally up. Riddle gets a leg free to kick Gable away, but Gable kicks the bad leg out! Gable tells the fans to “SHOOOOSH~!” before he drags Riddle up. Riddle FISHERMAN BUSTERS in return! Both men are down again but fans rally up for Riddle. Riddle and Gable sit up, and Gable shouts, “SHOOSH!” Riddle shouts back, “BRO!” SHOOSH! BRO! SHOOSH! BRO! SHOOSH! The forearms start flying, “SHOOSH!” “BRO!” They stand, fans are with Riddle as he gets the edge and fires off a flurry! BOOT, then a spin and ripcord, FINAL FLASH!
Gable wobbles, Riddle kips up! Riddle runs in to forearm smash! Then side to side for another smash! BROSPLODER! And a BROTON! Riddle runs, Gable ducks the Penalty Kick to roll up! But Riddle rolls through to POWERBOMB! Flip over and FINAL FLASH! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives so it wasn’t that final. But fans rally for “R K O! R K O!” Riddle gut wrenches Gable and tucks, but Gable drops to victory roll and then drag Riddle around! ANKLE LOCK!! Riddle endures again, even as Gable leans on the foot! Riddle rolls to throw Gable, then he JUMPS for a TRIANGLE!! Gable flails, clubs at Riddle, but Riddle holds on!
Gable deadlifts, then slips free to Gut wrench! CLIFFHANGER DDT!! Cover, TWO!?! Riddle survives and Gable is beside himself! He tells Louisville to “SHOOOOSH~!” and then he climbs up the corner. MOONSAULT, but Riddle moves! Riddle sidesteps Gable to put him in the ropes and fans fire up! DRAPING DDT! Riddle hears those voices, bro! Riddle aims but Otis gets on the apron! Riddle DECKS Otis, goes to the apron and PENALTY KICKS him! But Gable drags Riddle in with a waistlock! CHAOS- NO, Riddle slips out! But he runs into a backslide! Gable has his feet on the ropes, Otis hold his feet in place! Gable wins!!!
Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall
The Academy steals another one! Fans boo but the record will say the Academy is 2-0 in the series. Will Elias return to help Riddle win 2v2?
Baron Corbin and JBL play cards backstage.
Corbin grins and asks the third guy what he’s got. A pair o’ twos… Oh~, big hand! But Corbin has two Queens and three Kings, and JBL says, “BALL GAME!” Corbin just took this guy for everything! Kentucky bourbon is brought to the table, but JBL says he doesn’t want anything from “a bunch of banjo picking Kentucky hillbillies.” The bourbon is taken away, and Corbin tells the loser to leave. That guy does leave, and JBL says he got them the finest Ugandan preserve prime whiskey. Cheers! Wait, someone new sits at the table. AKIRA TOZAWA!? JBL tells him they’re busy. Akira says he plays poker. Can he even afford to sit at the table?
Akira puts on sunglasses. Has he ever played before? Nope. Does he know any of the rules? Nope. Then his money’s good here! Akira slams down a $20 and we’ll see how it goes!
The Miz heads to the ring.
This week’s MizTV is promised to be a genuine, from-the-heart episode as Miz, in his best Mr. Rogers cosplay, will apologize to Dexter Lumis. Will it really be genuine? Or will it be genuine Miz attitude?
Raw returns and Byron Saxton is in the ring with The Miz. Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show and says this will be unlike any before, as he is relinquishing his role as host to Byron. But stay seated, Byron. Instead, Miz is the guest. This is when Byron thanks Miz for joining him. In that case, thank you for joining him. Byron says this is a special edition, but in light of the recent evidence- OH, the hidden camera footage that Johnny Gargano aired last week? Yes. Is Miz sorry that he paid Lumis to attack him? Miz has a prepared statement for that, actually. If he could have absolute silence, he’d appreciate it. Fans boo instead.
Miz puts on his reading glasses while fans boo and jeer. “Ladies and gentlemen, please. This means the world if you could just be quiet for just a little bit so I could finish my statement, and we can move on from all of this. I regret paying Dexter.” So he did pay? Can he please continue!? Miz does regret paying Lumis. But all Miz ever wanted was empathy? Is that too much to ask? He has been here for 18 YEARS, never called a day off, never injured, and even when he was, somehow, someway, he’d still be here and he never got so much as a cheer! Not even a pat on the back! Even when he tried to help Lumis get back on his feet when he was jobless, people were still not on Miz’s side.
Miz has asked for every little. But Lumis… Lumis kept taking and taking until Miz couldn’t see end in sight. That’s why Miz stood up for himself and put a stop to Lumis’ greed! If that’s true, then why did he give a different story to the Hollywood producer who turned out to be a private investigator? Miz was telling her what she wanted to hear! He was putting on a performance so she’d buy his intellectual property! “We know Hollywood. They (the fans) don’t know Hollywood. But in a real city, a big city like Hollywood, they don’t want real, so I had to spin the truth to make it more interesting.
“In reality, ladies and gentlemen, I am just a devoted father, a loving husband, and a man who was cooped up in his bedroom all weekend long because he was depressed and sick about everything that has happened!” Gargano makes his way out here! Fans cheer for Johnny Wrestling and says, “Miz… You weren’t depressed, you were actually vacationing with your family in Cabo.” Oh did Gargano have photographers spy on Miz and take pictures? No, Maryse put it online with pictures on Instagram! Miz wasn’t in them but Gargano is sure he was there, so thanks for confirming another lie. Doing good, Miz.
Miz says he was depressed in his hotel room! Oh stop deflecting! Does Miz wanna know why no one here cares about him? Because he always takes the easy way out! Why would he take the hard way?! Miz never takes the right way. Instead, just hire Lumis into tricking people into liking him! Byron asks Miz if he’d like to respond, but Gargano says Miz would just lie about it anyway. It’s how he got caught up in this mess! He got caught in a lie and stopped paying Lumis. That’s easier than saying the truth. Miz, can you- OH SHUT UP, BYRON! Ask the questions Miz gave you! Oh, is Miz paying Byron now?
Miz says if Gargano wants to talk about the truth, then Gargano should tell everyone why HE’S so involved in all this! Gargano is just doing what Miz was doing, using Miz’s story to get fans to chant, “Johnny Wrestling!” Fans actually do chant, “Johnny Wrestling!” Gargano does love that. But the truth is, Mike, everyone here knows Miz is a compulsive liar. Always have been, always will be, and about literally everything. Starting with that sweater. IT’S A CARDIGAN! Either way, Miz is lying to himself if he thinks he’s pulling that off, Mr. Rogers. To be fair, Mr. Rogers is a good guy. Miz IS a good guy! Miz IS a good guy! No, he’s not.
Y’know what? SORRY! Miz is SORRY! “I’m! SOR! RY!!” Now can we just move on so Miz can be the cornerstone of the WWE and a role model for his children?! He can do that by paying Lumis what he owes! Miz is ready to move on, and Gargano says that’s true. That’s why Gargano talked to the WWE officials. They felt that the hidden camera footage was pretty convincing. So this all comes to an end in two weeks, in this very ring, when The Miz takes on Dexter Lumis! Fans cheer that! And if Lumis wins, Miz has to pay him everything he’s owed, AND he finally gets a WWE contract. Fans like the sound of that, too!
Miz tells Gargano to tell “that deranged psychopath” that this will be the biggest mistake of his life. The next time Miz sees Lumis, there will be no money, no contracts, just lights out and it’ll be AWESOME! Hmm… Well, how about telling him that yourself? Miz turns around, and the cameraman was Lumis all along!! Miz tries to run, he has to ditch his cardigan, and then he makes it to the back! The clock is ticking, will Miz have no choice but to literally put his money where his mouth is?
Backstage interview with Shelton Benjamin.
Cathy says he had a confrontation with Austin Theory last week, so what is his reaction to Theory’s failed MITB cash-in? Shelton chuckles but Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio creep over. Dom says Shelton knows all about being a failure. He’s been one since Dom’s “deadbeat dad,” Rey Mysterio was in his prime. And uh, Dom is better than Rey, so that makes Dom way better than Shelton. Shelton tells the “little boy” that he doesn’t have time for this, so just skip down back the hall before Shelton gives him the whooping his dad should’ve. Dom says, “Try me.”
Priest keeps Shelton from hitting Dom now, and tells Shelton to come down. Yeah, calm down! Dom sure is brave hiding behind Priest. But Priest says Shelton should get how the Judgment Day works by now. If you have a problem with Dom, you have a big problem with Priest. Yeah! A serious problem! Shelton says that’s fine, because he wouldn’t mind working on those problems tonight. Alright, then tonight, we settle this in the ring. Yeah, in the ring! Shelton says it’s about time someone taught them a lesson. Shelton accepts DOM’s challenge! “See you in the ring, Junior.” Dom is confused, but he did step in it. Will Dom prove he’s so great going up against the Gold Standard?
Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgment Day VS Shelton Benjamin!
Raw returns and Shelton Benjamin makes his entrance. The bell rings and Shelton circles with Dom. They tie up, Shelton powers Dom to a corner, but he lets off as the ref counts. Dom SLAPS Shelton! Shelton rushes at Dom but Dom bails out. Fans boo but Dom just soaks up the heat. Dom smirks while Rhea and Priest flank the ring. Shelton is distracted, Dom slides in and CLOBBERS Shelton from behind! Dom CLUBS and punches Shelton to a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Dom gives some Latino Heat, but Shelton ROCKS Dom with haymakers! Dom staggers and Shelton SLAPS him down!
Rhea is upset and Dom is backing up. Shelton whips Dom to ropes but Dom kicks back! Shelton just CLOBBERS Dom! Shelton drags Dom up, whips him to ropes but Dom holds ropes and bails out again. The ref starts the ring count while Rhea and Priest back Dom up. Shelton still storms out, but Dom slips away to the other side. Dom slides into the ring, kicks Shelton low, then goes to suplex. Shelton blocks to snap suplex Dom! Dom BOOTS from the corner, but then Shelton glares at him! Dom wants mercy! Shelton drags Dom up but Dom JAWBREAKERS! Shelton staggers, Dom runs in, but Shelton puts him on the apron.
Dom HOTSHOTS Shelton away! Fans boo but Dom gives more Latino Heat. Dom slingshot sentons in! Dom stomps away on Shelton, rains down fists, and Rhea swings a rally towel of sorts. Dom lets off as the ref counts, and Dom soaks up all the heat. Fans boo, Dom continues to give Latino Heat. Dom drags Shelton up but Shelton ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And whips him to ropes! Dom goes up to RANA! Dom wants Shelton to get up, and he hops on to wheelbarrow Shelton to ropes! Dom dials it up, but Shelton scoops Dom! POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Dom gets to a corner. Shelton runs in to STEP-UP KNEE!
Shelton brings Dom out to EXPLODER! Dom flounders out of the ring and Priest is there to help him up. Shelton storms right out and puts Dom in the ring. Shelton says, “No problem.” Priest and Rhea glare at Shelton, but Dom rolls Shelton up! TWO!! ANKLE LOCK! Shelton leans on the hold as Dom flails around, but Rhea distracts the ref! Priest helps Dom get the ROPEBREAK! Fans boo, but Shelton drags Dom away! Shelton warns Priest, but then Dom POSTS Shelton! Dom brings Shelton around for a DDT! Shelton is in the drop zone, and Dom goes up top! One more Latino Heat before the FROG SPLASH! Cover, Dom wins!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
The Judgment Day gets another huge assist as they help Dom pin another big name in the WWE! Will Judgment Day continue to do whatever they want to whoever they want? Will Finn Balor keep this momentum going as he goes for gold in the main event?
Backstage interview with Austin Theory.
Cathy introduces him as the former Mr. Money in the Bank, and Theory is a bit upset by that. Cathy was going to allow him to tell us his side of things during the failed cash-in. Aw, she’s so sweet. But Theory takes a moment before he says, “Nobody understands me. Nobody understands the pressure I’m under, and everybody just thinks that I’m made for this because of the way I look. Because of my athleticism, because of these so-called handed-out opportunities. They have no idea what the full story is.”
Theory was touted as the next big thing, and he proved that day one! He exceeded that expectation! He outgrew the ceiling of being the next big thing and became the face of a franchise. People still hate on him to this day because of that! Why? Because they can’t relate. The whole world looks at a person like him and wants to see him fail, fall short, but that’s not gonna happen. For Theory, when he thinks about last Monday, they say he failed but they’re wrong! Theory feels more alive than he ever has. Let’s talk about that briefcase, that MITB contract. It was an anchor on Theory!
Just look at Roman Reigns! No one’s been able to touch him these last two YEARS! No one. And has Roman looked vulnerable? Well, when he does, which is rarely, he has The Bloodline. Look at Theory’s previous attempts! SummerSlam: Brock Lesnar was in the way. Clash at the Castle: Tyson Fury was in the way. And if they weren’t,, the Bloodline certainly would’ve been. Roman Reigns is unstoppable, and that scenario of Theory cashing in on Roman doesn’t exist. So what did Theory do? What did he realize the best next thing? Going after one of the greatest champions of this past decade in Seth Rollins.
And where was Rollins? On his back! Theory had Rollins beat with A-Town Down, but Lashley mauled Theory like a madman. If not for Lashley, Theory would be the TWO-TIME US Champion, and the man who pulled off the greatest cash- “Worst. Cash-in. Ever.” Dolph Ziggler says Theory is coming up with all these excuses. If Ziggler ever gets a traffic ticket, he’ll know who to call. But a couple months ago, Ziggler offered his help. Tried to show Theory things no one showed Ziggler. But for some reason, Theory’s failed cash-in… Ziggler would know, because he was there for the best one. Theory’s ego is just too big, it didn’t wanna listen.
Theory tells Ziggler he’s sick of people talking down to him like he’s a kid. Theory is done being the youngest this and the youngest that, the future, the next big thing, and someone’s protégé. Theory is the NOW. And he’ll prove that in the ring to show he has no more excuses. Ziggler says, “Sure thing, kid.” Will Theory show everyone that he’s no longer waiting his turn, and that his time is now?
Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL VS Dana Brooke!
Nikki Cross follows Bayley and Dakota Kai as they accompany the Evil Genius to the ring! Will Sky be soaring this close to Survivor Series: WarGames? Or will the Flex Appeal avenge the WWE 24/7 Championship?
Raw returns as Dana makes her entrance. The bell rings and Dana rushes Sky with forearms! Sky shoves Dana way, Dana rolls her up, TWO! Dana gets around, waistlocks and SLAMS Sky, then she drags her back up. Sky swings elbows but Dana ducks them! Sky reaches back to headlock then throw down elbows! Sky runs and HOTSHOTS Dana, to then DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Fans boo but Sky springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Sky kips up and fans fire up as she watches Dana. Dana sits up and Sky CLUBS and stomps her down! Sky drags Dana up, whips her to a corner, then runs in to back elbow!
Sky throws more elbows, then trips Dana up! Sky digs her boots into Dana, lets off at 4 and DOUBLE KNEES her! Kai & Bayley cheer but fans boo. Sky drags Dana up but Dana blocks the suplex! Sky CLUBS Dana, drags her up again, and whips, but Dana blocks! Dana ROCKS Sky, Sky ROCKS Dana, repeat! Fans fire up as the forearms fly and Dana gets the edge! Dana whips, Sky reverses and scoops, but Dana tilt-o-whirl headscissors! But Sky handsprings through! And FLAPJACKS Dana down! Sky steps on Dana, goes to the ropes, and LIONSAULTS, but Dana moves! Dana kicks low, reels Sky in, DDT! Cover, TWO!
DMG CTRL is concerned but Dana is furious. Dana handsprings in, but into a waistlock! Sky GERMAN SUPLEXES Dana down! Dana flounders to the corner, Sky roars and runs in, SHINKANSEN! Dana is down in the drop zone, Sky goes up top, and goes OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Sky wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
DMG CTRL celebrates the victory, and Nikki even kicks Dana out of the ring. But wait, Mia Yim makes her way out? She calls out DMG CTRL and says she knows they’ve been waiting for an answer. Miz was thinking real hard about the offer for WarGames. Honestly, they’re right. WarGames is a fight where everyone has to pick a side. And Mia just picked hers. Bayley smiles, but Mia smiles, too. Because here comes BIANCA BELAIR! And Asuka, and Alexa Bliss! The HBIC is Team EST! That’s four and four now, who will each side get for their fifths?
We check back in with the poker game.
And Akira Tozawa is raking it in!! JBL and Corbin even lost their hats! What’s Akira laughing at? It’s just 12 hands in a row, that’s no big deal. Corbin goes all in right now on this hand! What’s Akira got? No, no…! THREE COWBOYS, YEEHAW~! Well, Corbin has three aces! But he doesn’t show the hand. Akira stops Corbin, and reveals JACK SQUAT! CHEATER!!! JBL says fine, but they’re not done until Corbin says they’re done. Akira says no more money. Let’s step outside. What? A duel? No! A match! In the ring! No tricks. Akira offers a handshake, Corbin reaches out, but Tozawa slaps it away! Tozawa then snatches all the money away! Will Corbin at least win back his dignity?
Austin Theory VS Dolph Ziggler!
Even more shocking than cashing in on the US title and failing, Theory has NO SMARTPHONE! He’s not taking selfies on his way to the ring, the “now” of WWE is all business! But will now truly be his time? Or is it only the future in theory?
Raw returns as Ziggler makes his entrance. The bell rings and Theory and Ziggler circle. They feel things out, fans chant, “That Was Stupid!” but Theory facelocks. Ziggler trips Theory into a corner, but lets off as Theory gets the ropes. Theory gets up, ties up with Ziggler, and headlocks. Ziggler powers out but Theory runs him over! Theory runs, Ziggler hurdles but into a fireman’s carry! Ziggler sips off but Theory blocks the superkick! Theory spins Ziggler to DECK him! Theory talks trash, that didn’t change. Theory stomps Ziggler, talks more trash, and he headlocks. Theory bumps Ziggler off buckles, then scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ziggler rolls to ropes but Theory stalks him. Theory drags Ziggler up, CHOKES him on the ropes, and he talks more trash! “Show me something!” Theory lets off as the ref counts, fans boo, and Ziggler sputters. Theory drags Ziggler up but Ziggler throws body shots! Ziggler throws haymakers, runs, but Theory ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Theory rains down fists, covers, ONE!! Theory is frustrated and he chinlocks. Theory grinds Ziggler down, fans rally for Ziggler, and Ziggler fights up, only for Theory to throw him down by his hair! Theory rains down more fists, and he lets off in a huff.
Theory drags Ziggler back up, but Ziggler JAWBREAKERS! Ziggler ROCKS Theory, then SPALSHES in the corner! Ziggler rains down fists, but stops at 4. Theory pushes Ziggler away, Ziggler comes back, but Theory stops the satellite DDT! Theory blocks another superkick and spins Ziggler around to back suplex! Ziggler lands on his feet but Theory LARIATS him down! Theory snarls, drags Ziggler up, and POSTS him! Fans boo but Theory is fuming as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ziggler fires haymakers on Theory! Fans fire up as Ziggler rains down fists in the corner, at high speed! Ziggler gets TEN, then he drags Theory into a NECKBREAKER! Theory stagger sup into the SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and fans rally up as they stir. Ziggler grabs Theory for a facelock, he brings Theory up, but Theory ROCKS Ziggler! Ziggler jumps, but Theory catches the legs to CATAPULT Ziggler! But Ziggler lands safe on the corner! Only for Theory to JUMP and CLUB him on the back! Theory then brings Ziggler back into a torture rack, for TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up but Theory snarls as Ziggler survives. Theory calls his shot now, and he brings Ziggler up as fans boo. Fireman’s carry, A TOWN- NO! Ziggler gets a SLEEPER!! Ziggler is a backpack and fans fire up as Theory turns red! Theory fades, drops to a knee, but Theory snarls and gets a second wind! Theory RAMS Ziggler into buckles! But Ziggler holds on! Ziggler thrashes around, but Theory rolls! Ziggler stays clamped on, but Theory keeps moving around! Theory powers his way up, pries the hold open and THROWS Ziggler off! Ziggler stagger sup, but he KNEES Theory in the head! And then hits a FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!!
Ziggler is beside himself as Theory survives! Fans rally up while both men are down. Ziggler crawls after Theory as Theory crawls to ropes. Theory is in the ropes, the ref counts and Ziggler lets off. Theory hits a cheap back elbow! Theory drags Ziggler up to POST Ziggler again! Theory is glaring daggers at Ziggler as he drags him back in. Fans boo but Theory sneers as he tells Ziggler, “I’m a kid, huh? I’m the kid?” He POSTS Ziggler again, and even harder! Theory shakes his head because he’s not done with Ziggler. Theory brings Ziggler around again, takes aim, but Ziggler POSTS Theory! ZIGZAG!!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Louisville can’t believe Theory survives Ziggler’s best shot! Ziggler and Theory stir, and Ziggler slowly rises. “This is Awesome!” and Ziggler pounds the mat to fire himself back up. Ziggler goes to the corner, tunes up the band, and SUPER- FOREARM from Theory!! Fireman’s carry, A TOWN DOWN! But Theory doesn’t cover? Theory is letting the rage build, and he hauls Ziggler up again! ANOTHER A TOWN DOWN!! And still no cover?! Theory rains down fists from all sides! The ref has Theory stop and Ziggler flops out of the ring. Theory has a wild look in his eyes now as he goes out after Ziggler! He RAMS Ziggler into steel steps!
Theory storms around ringside, he tears the steel steps apart, and it clips Ziggler in the head! Theory drags Ziggler back up, the ref tells Theory to stop this, but Theory SMACKS Ziggler off the announce desk! Fans boo but Theory asks Ziggler, “Who’s the kid?! Who’s the kid?!” He dribbles Ziggler off the desk! The ref calls for the bell!!
Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by disqualification
Theory doesn’t let the bell stop his rage! He TOSSES Ziggler into the timekeeper’s area! And he SLAM DUNKS chairs down on Ziggler! And he even grabs Corey Graves’ armchair to SLAM it onto Ziggler!! Theory is tearing everything apart, then he rains down more fists on Ziggler! The officials rush out to stop this! Theory is ushered away from Ziggler but he’s still fuming all around ringside. Only to go back for more!! Theory wants to tear Ziggler apart but the officials drag him away! “I’m a kid, huh?! I ain’t a damn kid!” Theory storms off as Louisville is thunderous with boos! Will Theory the man unleash this rage #AllDay?
DMG CTRL regroups backstage.
Except for Nikki, they’re all concerned about Mia joining Bianca’s team. Who’re they gonna get as a fifth? But then in walks Rhea Ripley. “Yeah, there’s no need to keep looking. Because if Mia’s on Bianca’s side, then I’m on yours. Now does anyone have a problem with that?” Nope! Good. Let’s go to war. DMG CTRL hit the jackpot! But now, who will Bianca get as a response to the Eradicator?
Akira Tozawa VS Baron Corbin w/ JBL!
The Stamina Monster won big at the poker table, but now he’s looking to win big in the squared circle. Will Tozawa take Corbin for all he’s worth in and out of the ring? Or will he suffer the wrath of the Modern Day Wrestling God?
The bell rings and Corbin ties up with Tozawa. Corbin puts Tozawa in the corner, smothers him, but the ref counts. Corbin lets off, smirks, but Tozawa KICKS him! And KICKS, spins, slides under, and SPIN KICKS! Corbin staggers and Tozawa fires up! Tozawa fires fast hands and then whips, but Corbin reverses to run Tozawa over. Fans taunt “BUM ASS CORBIN” as he choke grips Tozawa! CHOKE- DDT!! Tozawa turns things around then hurries up top! Tozawa MISSILIE DROPKICKS Corbin down! Cover, ONE!! Corbin gets up and JBL coaches him, but Tozawa throws hands in the corner. Tozawa whips, Corbin reverses but runs into boots!
Tozawa goes up, and calls Corbin out for being a “CHEATER~!” FLYING RANA! Fans fire up and Tozawa builds speed to DIVE! The tope sends Corbin into barriers! Fans fire up and Corbin gets in the ring. Tozawa hurries back in but Corbin bails out. Tozawa and JBL argue, Tozawa DIVES, but Corbin RAMS him into the barriers! Both men are down but Corbin drags himself up as the ring count starts. Corbin RAMS Tozawa into more barriers, throws big haymakers and KNEES, then he CLUBS Tozawa right in front of fans. Corbin puts Tozawa in the ring at 6 of 10, rolls in at 7, but Tozawa dropkicks the legs out!
Tozawa runs, and he RANAS again! Tozawa runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Fans fire up as Corbin is down! Tozawa climbs up, but Corbin stands, Tozawa FLYING SENTONS! Tozawa hurries back up top but JBL glare at him. Tozawa leaps, but into Corbin’s arms! END OF DAYS! Cover, Corbin wins!
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall
Or as JBL says, “BALL GAME!” Corbin may have lost a considerable amount of money, but he makes it up by getting the winner’s purse! Will Corbin continue to make JBL proud and prove he IS the Modern Day Wrestling God?
Backstage interview with Bianca, Mia, Alexa & Asuka.
Cathy is with Team EST to ask their reaction to Rhea joining Team Bayley as the fifth and final member? Bianca says, “Rhea’s definitely a problem, no doubt. But Michan ain’t nothing to play with, either.” And if their team looks this good with just four, just wait for the fifth. Well, Cathy has breaking news for next week: One member from each team will compete to determine the numbers advantage in WarGames. Do they have an idea as to who is competing for Team EST? Bianca says they’re not going to let the secret out here. But Bianca says she would love to lead the team to that advantage, but so would everyone here.
And to get that advantage is huge, so this decision is not being taken lightly. However, Bianca will tell us this: “No matter who they throw at us, we gone represent. Because we are the roughest, the toughest, the baddest team in this fight. And while all those other girls are all about games, we’re about war.” Team EST heads out, and the Alpha Academy step in. Gable says, “Esqueeze me. Have you forgotten to interview tonight’s big winner, Master Gable? The man who single-handedly put down Matt Riddle just one week after my number one guy, Otis, put down Elias?” Otis adds it was “Easy peasy.”
Gable asks, “Could you imagine the pure carnage that would result if they ever stepped to us as a team?” It’d be like another victory on a silver platter! Yes please, a thank yew~! Rollins walks by, singing his own song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Then he does a “SHOO~ OOO~ OOOOSH~!” remix. Clearly, Rollins is ready for the main event. Speaking of…
Finn Balor is at gorilla.
Byron walks over to ask him that, before this match tonight, any response to Styles’ challenge for a match at Survivor Series? “Byron, what sorta question is that? Of course I accept! Does AJ Styles even know who I am?! Ask Edge, he’ll tell ya. Ask Rey Mysterio, he’ll tell ya. But AJ Styles, that’s for Survivor Series. Tonight is about Seth Rollins. Me and Seth have a lot of unfinished business, and I’m about to remind Seth exactly who I am. I am Finn Balor, and I am fitting to go out there and become the NEW United States Champion.” The Prince is ready! Will he settle that golden debt with The Visionary?
WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor!
Universal Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and now United States Championship, this is a golden trilogy a long time coming! Will Finn take this title and make it reeeeeal~? Or will the Visionary, the Revolutionary, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins, stay atop the mountain of Monday nights?
Raw returns and Rollins makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if this is still Monday Night Rollins!
The bell rings and fans sing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins and Finn circle, feel things out, and tie up. Finn waistlocks, Rollins laughs as he wrenches free to an ELBOW BREAKER. Rollins wristlocks but Finn rolls, trips Rollins and gets a headlock. Rollins headscissors, Finn kips free, and the two stand off. Fans applaud and rally up for Rollins. Rollins smirks as he and Finn circle and feel things out again. They double knuckle lock, Finn shoots in to waistlock and SLAM Rollins down. Finn facelocks, Rollins rolls but Finn stays with him. Finn rear mounts, Rollins switches and gets an arm. Rollins says, “That’s right,” as he grinds the arm.
Finn fights up, he arm-drags free and then headlocks. Rollins endures as Finn pushes up into an almost Bully Choke. Rollins moves around, Finn holds on with a headlock, but Rollins powers up. Finn holds on tight as Rollins tries to power out. Finn hits the headlock takeover, Rollins rolls it to a cover, ONE and Finn holds on. Fans rally for Rollins as he endures, then feels around. Rollins fights up, powers out, then drops. Finn ducks but Rollins ELBOWS him down! Finn staggers around, Rollins throws Finn out, and Rollins PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Finn! Fans fire up with Rollins, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn is in the corner. Rollins goes corner to corner to forearm smash! Finn flounders while fans fire up, and Rollins stalks him along the ropes. But Finn wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and then stomps away on Rollins at the ropes! The ref counts, Finn stops at 4, and Rollins bails out of the ring. Finn hurries out after him to bring Rollins to the desk. But Rollins blocks the bump off the desk to SMACK Finn off it instead! Finn crawls away, Rollins stalks after him, and the ring count climbs. Rollins headlocks Finn, but Finn RAMS Rollins into the desk! The corner gets Rollins in the ribs!
The ring count is 7 of 10 as Rollins hobbles away. Rollins and Finn slide in at 8, and Finn stomps away at the ropes again! Finn digs his heel in each time, but he stops as the ref counts. Finn mocks Rollins’ usual swagger, then he brings Rollins up to whip. Finn KNEES Rollins against ropes, then whips him the other way for another KNEE! Finn snarls, he whips Rollins again, and he kitchen sink knees! Cover, ONE!! Rollins grits his teeth while clutching his ribs, but Finn hip drops Rollins down! Finn soaks up the heat as fans boo, and he snapmares Rollins to CLUB him on the back. Finn clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Rollins down.
Fans rally, Rollins fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Rollins CHOPS, whips, but Finn reverses and slips around to have a cobra twist! Rollins endures the abdominal stretch as Finn digs his elbow into the ribs. Rollins endures, fans rally, and Rollins powers up to power out! Rollins hip tosses Finn down! Finn gets up but Rollins counter punches! And again! And again! Rollins CHOPS! ROCKS! CHOPS! Repeat! Rollins whips, Finn reverses again but Rollins kicks him away! Rollins runs to KNEE Finn out of the ring! And then Rollins DIVES! Direct hit and now Finn hits the desk! Fans fire up as Rollins nods his head!
Rollins puts Finn back in the ring as fans sing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Springboard FLYING KNEE! Finn flounders back up, into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rollins keeps cool, he knows Finn is tough. Fans continue to sing and Rollins goes to the corner. Rollins aims, runs in, but Finn SLINGBLADES! Finn snarls, runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Rollins hurries to a corner as Finn goes down! Rollins is up top, for a FROG SPLASH, onto knees!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins escapes the cradle and Finn can’t believe it, but Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Rollins endures as Finn CLUBS him against ropes. Finn then fires off on Rollins while he’s in the ropes, but stops as the ref counts 4. Finn runs side to side, but Rollins dodges to trip Finn up! Rollins drags Finn up, and Finn knows what this feels like! Finn flails and pops free of the powerbomb! He SHOTGUNS Rollins into the barriers! Finn puts Rollins back in, climbs up top, and he takes aim for CUOP DE- NO, Rollins move! But Finn avoids the curb stomp! Rollins kicks low, hooks the arms, but Finn back drops free! Rollins sunset flips, TWO, into a deadlift POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as both men are still in this! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins stands and goes back up the corner. PHOENIX SPLASH, but Finn moves! SHOTGUN again, and Rollins hits buckles! Finn fires up and hurries to the corner! Finn climbs, but Rollins trips him up! The Prince is stuck on his throne, and Rollins climbs up after him. Rollins brings Finn up, for the SUPERPLEX! And roll through, to FALCON- NO, Finn slips out to 1916!! Cover, TWO!?! Rollins survives but Finn is too sore to be frustrated. Finn grits his teeth, he throws knees into Rollins’ ribs, and then CLUBS away on the lower back!
The ref has Finn stop so he can check Rollins. Rollins slowly sits up but Finn drags him up. Rollins kicks low and hooks the arms! But Finn trips Rollins! Rollins avoids the double stomps to kick and try again! Finn slips off the bomb but Rollins FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO!! Rollins growls and fans fire up again. “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” Rollins aims from the corner again, but the Judgment Day rush out! Dom gets on the apron but Rollins DECKS him! But Finn rolls Rollins! TWO!! ROLLING ELBOW from Rollins, and then the DREAM SMASHER! Priest gets up but gets away before Rollins can hit him! Finn trips Rollins for the DOUBLE STOMP!
Finn fires up, fans boo, but The OC rush out! They take the fight to the Judgment Day! Finn is distracted, he sees Gallows, Anderson and Mia! Dom and Karl spill into the ring and Dom wants mercy! Karl clotheslines Dom out of the ring instead! But then Finn clotheslines Karl! Mia and Rhea brawl in the timekeeper’s area! Priest throws Gallows into the barriers, then he POUNCES Karl over the desk! Gallows ROCKS Priest with an uppercut, then THROWS him into the crowd! Finn focuses, and he SHOTGUNS Rollins back down! Finn hurries up top, Dom distracts the ref, but STYLES appears! Styles shoves Finn off the top!!
Fans cheer as The OC get one over on Finn! But Priest comes back for more! Priest brawls with Gallows, Styles joins in, but Dom rushes over there! They brawl into the crowd, and the fans are loving it! As for Rollins, he runs at Finn, CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
BUT THEORY ATTACKS! Theory wants payback on Rollins, and he fireman’s carries to hit A TOWN DOWN! Rollins flops out of the ring but Theory’s rage is still going! He RAMS Rollins into the steel steps! And then dribble shim off the desk! And again! And again! And RAMS him into the apron! And POSTS him! The ref tries to stop Theory but he keeps raining down fists on Rollins! Theory puts Rollins back in the ring, drags him back up, and he fireman’s carries for another A TOWN DOWN!! Fans boo but Theory holds up the US Championship. Theory aims at Rollins as he staggers to his feet, BELT SHOT!!
Fans are thunderously booing like they were earlier tonight as Theory stands over Rollins with the belt held high. Will Theory be the future United States Champion? And what of Bobby Lashley’s claim to the title? Will Rollins be able to survive this series of challengers?
My Thoughts:
A really good episode of Raw, but it sure took some time to rev up. It felt promo heavy, and that’s never good for any wrestling program. I will say that we at least got some good promos to move stories along. For one, pretty good MizTV segment. Miz was so obvious with how fake he was being, so of course Gargano called him out on that. And Lumis revealing himself as the cameraman feels familiar, but that was great stuff. I figured this was going to settle with both money and WWE contract on the line, and I would think Lumis wins. Good promo from Riddle and Gable, but an even better match. And it seems they’re setting up the tag team blow-off, that has to be the moment Elias smashes Riddle with his guitar to return to being a Heel.
Real good stuff out of the Women’s Division, though maybe a bit lopsided. Good promo from The OC as a group, Styles challenging Finn to a 1v1 for Survivor Series is part of what I expected, but it doesn’t really account for keeping the factions out of it. Priest & Dom VS Good Brothers should be a thing so we can get just Finn VS Styles at the PPV. Maybe that can happen as part of the go-home next week, so we can see Priest & Dom work as a duo. But back to Mia, of course she was going to win her return match, but I feel like Rhea walking out there and showing us DMG CTRL watching was a lot at once, kind of took away from Mia’s win.
Sky VS Dana was good stuff, and for a moment I thought Dana was going to join Team EST. Mia joining Bianca’s team instead to then motivate Rhea to join DMG CTRL’s side all made sense, even though I don’t think they needed to. I suppose it does help tie up a lot of stories together instead of having Mia VS Rhea as a separate match somewhere. But I think that leaves Team EST’s fifth spot to be the “surprise” that is Candice LeRae. She got beat up by DMG CTRL, she’ll want payback on them just as much as Bianca, Asuka & Alexa. And this saves big returns like Becky’s, or even Sasha & Naomi, for the next phase of DMG CTRL’s story to take us to Royal Rumble.
Good promo from Shelton, Priest and Dom, with Dom playing his part perfectly as the small fry with the big ego hiding behind the big guy. Shelton VS Dom was a good match, but of course Judgment Day cheats to win that. I’m curious as to HHH’s plans for Shelton, and even Cedric Alexander, as we’re suddenly seeing them on TV again. Maybe Hurt Business reunion? Lashley VS Ali was a great first match of the night, though it seemed like a rehash of the last time these two faced off. Ali is meant to be facing Ricochet on SmackDown, maybe they use this match here as kayfabe reason for swapping someone else into the SmackDown World Cup.
Speaking of that opening, Rollins had a great promo to kick things off, and he has a point that he’s making the US title a big deal again. And while he hasn’t changed his swagger from when he was Heel Visionary, Rollins is making the pivot into Face Visionary, and fans love it. Theory and Ziggler had a good promo to set up their match, and it was a great match. Theory showing off his rage was great stuff, even if it wasn’t the way I saw this going. Finn VS Rollins was awesome stuff, worthy of the main event and worthy of making the US title feel big.
The Judgment Day and OC brawling during this made some sense, but it also seemed to protect Finn in the loss, or perhaps made Rollins look weaker, depending on how you look at it. Lashley helped Rollins survive last week, the factions did that this week, Rollins needs to win on his own to really solidify himself. Theory attacking Rollins to close out the show does help double down on Theory’s new Heel edge and Rollins being Face. I was surprised Lashley didn’t come back for his own pound of flesh, but maybe the go-home decides who is challenging Rollins next. Though as I say that, Theory VS Lashley would be too hard to call after what we just saw out of Theory. Maybe just make it a Triple Threat?
My Score: 8.5/10
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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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