WWE Raw (3/10/25)

WWE Raw

Madison Square Garden

New York City, NY

March 10, 2025

Ring Announcer: Mike Rome

Commentators: Michael Cole & Pat McAfee

Last week's Raw was a high impact show dealing with the fallout of Elimination Chamber but this week was a well hyped event with two big matches signed already. LWO vs New Day and Seth Rollins vs CM Punk in a steel cage. Also, AJ Styles wants a piece of Logan Paul and that might be a Wrestlemania match. Iyo Sky won the World Women's Championship last week when Rhea heeled on Bianca Belair, so Rhea might be apart of tonight's show for an explanation. We're 41 days away from Wrestlemania so let's get this one started.

Michael Cole welcomes us to Madison Square Garden and apparently Cody Rhodes is here tonight. Iyo Sky and Dakota Sky are here as well. Bianca Belair arrives through the freight elevator and she looks pissed. Seth Rollins is here as well as CM Punk for their steel cage match. Jey Uso makes his way through the crowd of cheering fans for our opening match McAfee stands on the announce table while Cole remains on the ground to greet Uso, hahaha. We're shown comedian Andrew Schulz in the front row as we get started.

Match 1

Grayson Waller (with Austin Theory) vs Jey Uso

Cole informs us that Waller wants Uso because he's going to Wrestlemania and Waller isn't. Bell's gone and they tie up to start. Waller throws him off to start before they tie up again. Waller gets in a headlock and drops Jey with a shoulderblock. Waller runs into a running back elbow and Uso follows with a scoop slam. McAfee mocks A-Town Down Under as Uso gets in a right hand in the corner but Waller dropkicks Uso in the knee. Waller rallies with punches to a chorus of boos then goes for the blatant choke. Waller throws Uso into the ring post and Grayson stands on his head before taunting the irate crowd. Grayson misses a charge in the corner and Uso responds with a running ass bump. Jey hits a step up enziguiri and clotheslines Waller over the top to the outside. Uso hits a suicide dive onto Waller on the outside before throwing him back in. Theory grabs the leg from the outside allowing Waller to dropkick Uso off. Waller slides outside and drops Jey with a clothesline as we go to break. Back from commercial Waller is on the top rope and he hits a second rope flying elbow drop. Waller covers for 1....2..no. Waller kicks away at Uso before they play "Yeet/boo". Uso drops Waller with a big right hand and hits a superkick to the ribs. Jey hits the samoan drop and calls for the Umaga. He hits it in the corner then goes for the top rope splash. Theory distracts him long enough for Waller to get up. Waller gets superkicked through the ropes to the outside. Uso runs into a cutter on the ropes as Waller dives into the ring, hitting a Flatliner He covers for 1...2...no. We're shown WWE2K25 ratings which is ridiculous as Waller makes another cover for a two. Jey ducks under the right hand but gets kicked in the head. Waller hits the discuss punch but runs into the superkick. Uso kicks Theory off the apron and hits the spear on Waller. He covers for 1....2...3 to win the match. Serviceable match to keep Jey hot going into Wrestlemania even if its against guys cold as ice right now.

Time of match: 9:10

Winner: Uso by pinfall

The celebration is short-lived as Austin Theory attacks from behind after the bell. Theory rallies with right hands as Waller joins in for the double team. Jey backdrops Waller out of the ring and spears Theory as well. Uso heads to the top and hits the top rope splash on Theory but all of a sudden Gunther appears out of nowhere. Gunther lays him out with the sleeper for the second week in a row. WWE referees pry Gunther off of him as Cole reminds us that this was Gunther's plan to mess with Jey as often as he could until Wrestlemania.

Back to Cole and McAfee as Pat does the Mr. Perfect pencil toss and Cole says he hopes Jey serves it back to Gunther. He hypes up the steel cage match between Rollins and Punk coming up as we get a highlight package. Punk returned after Survivor Series 2023 and Seth Rollins was visibly pissed. Rollins isn't happy that Punk abandoned WWE for 10 years while he stayed and built his legacy, only for Punk to return with all the hooplah he did. Punk defeated Rollins on the first Netflix Raw and Rollins vowed to take Wrestlemania away from Punk. Punk eliminated Rollins and Rollins curb stomped Punk to cost him the Elimination Chamber to John Cena. Last week on Raw, Punk dropped a pipe bomb on everyone but once he mentioned Becky Lynch, Rollins came running to fight. General Manager Adam Pearce made a deal with Rollins to blow off steam by putting them in a cage tonight. Rollins is wearing some of the finest pajamas you've ever seen while Punk warms up in the New York Knicks locker room as we go to break.

Back from commercial, Jey Uso is in the back where Alpha Academy comes in to console him. Otis gives him a big kiss on the head and says he's got his back as they walk off. We head back to ring side where Logan Paul is introduced, guess he's beating AJ Styles to the punch. Logan spots a fan wearing an "I Hate Logan Paul" shirt and rips it off him. Must be one of their PC guys because the dude looks ripped. Paul gets royally booed by the fans and can't even get a word in because of it. Paul says he doesn't associate with guys like AJ Styles and he's Logan Paul. Paul compares himself to The Rock and John Cena, transcendent superstars and would do anything it took to get to the top. Paul was shocked that Cody Rhodes rejected Rock's offer and it took Cena 20 years to realize that nice guys finish last. He's known that since Day 1 and he says his soul is for sale and doesn't run away from opportunities, that's why he's in the ring at MSG and the "reggies" are in the stands. He says guys like Andrew Schulz are there to see him and they show him on camera. He gives Schulz a mic and he says he's there to see the steel cage match, CM Punk and Seth Rollins. Andrew "Logan, nobody is here to see YOU. This is not Cleveland, Ohio, this is New York City. We're a real arena and we like real pretzels." He wants to see AJ Styles and Paul pulls him over the barricade. Paul throws Schulz in the ring and goes to suplex him, but here's Styles himself to make the save. AJ unloads with right hands to drop Paul and he hits the Phenomenal Forearm. AJ and Schulz high five as Paul rolls out of the ring. AJ tells him to come back and get some. Logan walks off as AJ baits him to come back. AJ raises Andrew Schulz's arm as the fans cheer. This is definitely setting up for Styles/Paul at Wrestlemania as Schulz climbs to the second rope for the obligatory cheer.

We cut to the announcers who hype up the steel cage match and sends us to last week's main event where Iyo Sky defeated Rhea Ripley Before the next match, we're shown a steel cage match from 1975 where Bruno Sammartino defeated Ivan Koloff in Madison Square Garden. On to the next match.

Match 2

The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs The LWO (Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio Jr) in a Tornado Tag Team Match

Oba Femi is shown in the crowd to hype up tomorrow night's NXT as the LWO makes their entrance. Tornado rules means no tags, everyone's in there. They brawl to start with Lee taking Kofi and Rey taking Woods. They hit double splashes in the corner and 10 punches. A double bulldog drops both members of New Day and they bail. Rey kicks Woods in the back as Lee sends Kofi into the ring post. Rey rams Woods' head into the announce table as McAfee says "eat the table Xavier Woods!" Woods is rammed into the post by Rey and the faces pull out a table. New Day jumps them from behind as Woods sends Rey into the ring post. Woods tries to start a "tables" chant and puts the table back under the ring. Rey fights back against woods as Lee scoop slams Kofi on the floor. Rey hits a seated senton on Woods and throws Kofi back in the ring. Lee and Rey get the table back out and set it up outside. Lee puts Kofi on his shoulders but Kofi fights out of it and Woods trips Lee off the apron. Kofi and Woods send Rey shoulder first into the ring steps and catch Lee mid air. They double powerbomb Lee on the floor as we go to commercial. Back from break, inside the ring Kofi puts Lee on the top rope. Woods shitcans Rey outside as Woods & Kofi get pushed off by Lee. Rey crotches Kofi on the top rope but Woods knocks Mysterio down. Woods climbs up to the second rope to trade punches with Lee. Rey somehow joins all four on the top rope, hitting a huracarana on Woods. Lee hits a huge double stomp on Kofi and covers for 1...2...no. Lee hits a hurracarana on Woods through the outside to a big pop but Kofi hits the O'Connor Roll on Rey for 1...2..no, Rey kicks him into the ropes. Rey calls for the 619 but Kofi goes for Trouble In Paradise. Rey ducks under it and hits a springboard crossbody for 1...2...no. Rey slides under Kofi and his head scissors puts Kofi on the ropes. Rey hits the 619 and goes for the frog splash, but Kofi gets his knees up. Kofi covers for 1...2..no, Lee saves the day. Lee clotheslines Kofi over the top to the floor and hits a hilo to the floor on Kingston. All of a sudden a dude in a mask and black clothing hits a hurracarana on Lee on the floor. Then drops him with a flying headbutt. Rey goes to attack but he's sent into the side of the ring and the dude does a german suplex. Judging by the red white and blue mask, that's gotta be Chad Gable. Security pounces on the guy and whisks him away as the announcers start to figure out its Gable. Meanwhile Kofi has no idea where he is but somehow revives Woods. Kofi in the ring hits a backbreaker and Woods hits the big stomp. Woods covers for 1...2..3 to win the match. Damn good tag match but somewhat ruined by Lucha Gable. Now the concept of Lucha Gable is either going to be not funny at all or too hilarious for woods, there won't be an in-between. New Day just happened to be there, the LWO could have been facing the Hardy's and Gable would have interfered. New Day gets the win to keep their heat moving forward.

Time of match: 11:16

Winners: New Day by pinfall

McAfee says Kofi ruined everything yet got the win at ring side. Then we cut to last week where Bron Breakker cleaned out Judgment Day. We cut to the Judgment Day in the back where Finn Balor is ranting and raving about Breakker last week. Carlito isn't paying attention as he just stares at an apple. Dom Mysterio along with Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan walk in, Liv says Bayley will face Raquel Rodriguez for a women's IC title shot. Carlito says "Now THAT'S cool" and goes to fist bump Raquel who just blows him off. Carlito then just punches Dom's arm so he's not left hanging. Dom says he got Balor a title shot for the men's IC title next week on Raw if Balor wants it. Balor hugs Dom and thanks him before leaving to talk to Adam Pearce. Dom says Balor has got this but Liv isn't convinced. I know Carlito is supposed to be the comic relief of the group, but he's even more detested than R-Truth and Truth was never an official member. Without Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest, this group is virtually useless.

We then get a plug for WWE Evolve this coming Wednesday before we're shown Peter Rosenberg in the crowd. The rapper Fabolous is shown in the house as well and now I feel old because its been 20 years since Holla Back Youngin came out. Next we're shown long time WWE fan Macaulay Culkin and his brother Rory sitting next to him, although Rory doesn't get named. He rubs his brother's head who gives him a weird look, hahaha.

Here comes Cody Rhodes for a conference with the crowd. He already appeared on Smackdown to tell John Cena to come get some, what's in Satan's fire does he want now? Cody "So, New York City, whataya want to talk about?" He says he's here because MSG is the cathedral of wrestling and brings up the fact John Cena isn't here tonight. Cody says Cena must have told Travis Scott and The Rock that he'll be in Brussels, Belgium next week. Cody says this was the same man that won the US title here in MSG and won the Royal Rumble after tearing his pectoral muscle. Cody says it was easy for Cena to sucker punch him after kicking him in the gonads with backup around him. He doesn't begrudge Cena for a part time schedule because Cena part time is better than a lot of people full time. What he DOES begrudge is Cena going on social media....and he's cut off by the old "Lets go Cena/Cena Sucks" chant with the adults screaming let's go Cena and the kids saying Cena sucks, which is surreal. Cody says let's hear it for Cena and gets a mixed reaction. Cody says he begrudges Cena for posting on Twitter "Have the discipline to do what needs to be done, even if you don't feel like it." Cody compares Cena to a spiteful mentor or coach that some day you have to say "John, sit down and shut up you god damned moron." Cody mocks the term best for business although he says Cena always knew what's best for business, until it changed. Cody says its tacky to count stats in wrestling but one stat that's been on everyone's mind is "seventeen". Cody says that's not happening because he's going to beat his hero in his hero's last chance at "seventeen." Cody "John, I'm the captain now. Good night, New York." The message is clear, Cena is after the record breaking 17th title and Cody says its not gonna happen. McAfee wants to hear what Cena has to say next week in Belgium as we go to break.

Back from commercial we're shown the famous MSG cage match between Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka with Mick Foley and Bubba Ray Dudley in the front row. We get more hype for tonight's cage match before we see actress Ali Ahn in the crowd with some overzealous Cody Rhodes fan in the crown. The cast of the Netflix show Selling The City is shown as well before we're shown Rich The Kid. Finally we're shown championship boxer Amanda Serrano who's going to be fighting Katie Taylor this July in MSG. On to the next match.

Match 3

Bayley vs Raquel Rodriguez (with Liv Morgan and Dom Mysterio)

Number one contender's match for Lira Valkyria's IC title. Bayley enters alone despite the 3-1 odds. Cole can't help himself to heckle Dom & Liv during Bayley's introduction. McAfee joins in and Liv heckles them back. Cole brings up how Bayley beat Lira to get into Elimination Chamber as the bell rings. Raquel backs Bayley in the corner and chokes her in the corner. Bayley kicks her in the knee but Raquel works the arm, throwing Bayley down by the hair. Bayley plays cat & mouse with Raquel until she's dropped off the apron. She stomps on Bayley's hand before throwing her back inside. Bayley hits forearms to the back but runs into a shoulderblock. Rodriguez misses a charge in the corner but Bayley's not strong enough to arm drag Raquel. Rodriguez drops her with a shoulderblock but runs into a boot in the corner. Cole says if anyone can pull this out, its Bayley....which is surreal considering these two had hilarious interactions when Bayley was a heel. Bayley finally arm drags Raquel and elbows her in the corner. Bayley's spear is blocked and Raquel swings her around like a rag doll. Raquel hits a fallaway slam and stands on her. Bayley pulls her off the second rope and clubs away with forearms. Bayley hits a knee to the face and a bronco buster, but Raquel kicks her off. Raquel regroups with Liv but Bayley sneaks around to hit an elbow to the back of the neck. Bayley taunts Liv as we go to commercial. Back from break Raquel misses a legdrop on the apron but doesn't scream "my hole". Bayley snaps her off the second rope and hits a running knee to the head. Bayley snaps her off the second rope but Bayley hits a sliding clothesline. She covers for 1...2..no. Raquel blocks a back suplex and throws her across the ring. Bayley rolls her up for 1...2..no. Bayley hits another running knee to the head and goes up to the top rope. Bayley hits the flying elbow and covers for 1...2...noooo. Pat McAfee "OOOOHHHH YEAHHHH" Cole brings up Randy Savage having a cage match in MSG as Bayley sends Raquel into the buckle. Bayley ducks under a clothesline and hits a back suplex, covering for 1...2..no. Bayley's rose plant is blocked and Bayley sends Raquel out of the ring. Bayley goes for a baseball slide but Raquel moves. Raquel gets thrown into the ring post and Bayley slides back in. Dom Mysterio hops up on the apron to distract referee Jessika Carr but Liv hops up on the other side. Bayley drops her first then Dom but Raquel catches Bayley mid-air. Raquel slams Bayley on top of the announce table and rolls back inside. Bayley just barely makes the count back inside but runs right into a big boot. Raquel hits Tejana Bomb and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. The numbers game catches up to Bayley as it was too much for just one person to overcome. Bayley beat Lira Valkyria to get to EC but Raquel beats Bayley, the message is Lira is going to have to face the vicious bodyguard of Liv Morgan.

Time of match: 10:05

Winner: Rodriguez by pinfall

Cathy Kelley is with Chad Gable who accuses him of attacking Rey and Lee. Gable says that wasn't him and it was just a common fan. Cathy says all evidence points to him since he's wearing the same exact clothes as the attacker. Gable replies they're in MSG and security is pathetic to let that fan do what he did. Cathy calls him a liar when the camera pans behind him to see security escorting out a masked man wearing the same clothes as Gable. Chad looks at Cathy with an "I told you so" look and once again says New York security is pathetic. This reminds me of the angle Owen Hart had going on where he'd attack someone as the Blue Blazer then had Koko B Ware or Jeff Jarrett as the Blazer with him as himself in the ring. Like I said, this angle is either going to be great or bomb and so far its interesting.

As Cole mentioned earlier, we're shown a highlight of Randy Savage vs Ted Dibiase in a cage from 1988 for the WWF Championship. We get more hype for tonight's cage match before Michael Cole hits the ring to interview the new World Women's Champion Iyo Sky. The crowd chants for Iyo as Cole congratulates her. She says its a dream to be here at Madison Square Garden as champion and proved the impossible is possible. Iyo says she's over the moon to be champion going into Wrestlemania. Cole says the number one contender is Bianca Belair and introduces her. Bianca says congrats to Iyo and even though they've been rivals, its going to be excited to go to Wrestlemania together. Cole brings up how Bianca got into it with Rhea Ripley and Cole speculates that if she weren't there, Rhea might have won. Bianca says she's had enough drama as it is and denies costing Rhea the match. Right on cue, here comes Rhea herself. Rhea "Cut the music!" Ruh roh. Rhea asks Bianca why she was there and Bianca says she won Elimination Chamber. Rhea doesn't want Bianca's excuses, she says Bianca had no reason to be there unless it was to help Iyo win since she's scared of Rhea. Rhea says she should have handled business with her friends while she herself handled Iyo. Bianca "Really Rhea?" Bianca says let's be real and she's not mad that she didn't clap for her, Rhea's mad that Bianca clapped for both of them. Bianca says Rhea couldn't beat Iyo and is blaming her for it. Iyo interjects and Rhea piefaces her down. Rhea says she's hiding behind Iyo the same way she's hiding behind Jade and Bianca gets in her face saying no one's hiding. Iyo tries to separate them and Bianca piefaces her away as well. Iyo throws the mic down, slaps Rhea in the face, and slaps Bianca in the face as well. The crowd LOVED that and Iyo wants respect because she's the champion. Iyo storms off as Rhea and Bianca look at each other confused. Good for Iyo to defend herself like that and we're heading more toward triple threat than just Sky vs Bianca.

We get a graphic that next week in Belgium, John Cena and Cody Rhodes will be there. Pent will face Ludwig Kaiser one on one NO HOLDS BARRED! Jey Uso faces Austin Theory one on one (with Grayson Waller), Dakota Kai takes on Ivy Nile and Bron Breakker takes on Finn Balor. The good news is since these shows will be taped, they'll air earlier in the day here in the United States. CM Punk and Seth Rollins make their entrance for the cage match, here we go.

Match 4

Seth Rollins vs CM Punk in a Steel Cage Match

Escape, pinfall or submission rules here. Cole says this stems all the way back to 2012 when The Shield made their debut and they don't wait around, Punk and Rollins brawl at the start of the bell. The door is locked as Rollins unloads with right hands to start. Punk rallies with his own right hands before Rollins backs him into the corner. They trade blows and rub elbows in each other's faces. Cole brings up how Punk eliminated Rollins from the Royal Rumble, defeated him on the first Netflix Raw and eliminated him from Elimination Chamber. Rollins and Punk block strikes into the cage as fans duel chants. They continue to slug it out for a full minute before they both miss kicks. Back to brawling before Rollins hits a chop. Punk returns it before they trade right hands. They play "yay/boo" with Punk getting the yays. Punk goes for the Go To Sleep early but Rollins gets out of it. Punk goes for the running knee but Rollins hits the buckle bomb into the cage as we got to break. Back from commercial Rollins rakes the face as Cole says no pins or submission attempts has happened yet. Rollins rakes Punk against the cage and chokes him with his boot. Rollins with a boot to the mid-section and goes to the door. It opens and Rollins taunts him to take the coward's way out. The camera is on Rollins and apparently Punk flipped him the bird according to McAfee. Punk rallies with right hands but Punk calls for another buckle bomb. Punk hits a headscissors to send Rollins into the cage, Seth turning around right into the GTS. Punk doesn't leave, he just sits and stares at Rollins. Rollins and Punk get to their feet and Punk hits a running knee to the face. Punk rakes Rollins face against the cage and goes to the door. Punk tells Rollins to get out and once again the camera misses Rollins flipping Punk the bird in return. Punk hits a running knee in the corner and a neckbreaker in the center of the ring. Punk drops an elbow on him and goes to the top rope. He hits the flying elbow drop and once again there's no cover. Punk drops a second flying elbow as the crowd chants for one more. Punk goes for a third one and hits it before covering for 1...2...no. Punk climbs all the way to the top of the cage but Rollins gets to his feet. Rollins climbs up to the top as well as a drone camera shows the two of them up that high. Punk kicks Rollins onto the top of the cage and Punk gets crotched as well. Rollins falls to the top turnbuckle and hooks up Punk for a superduperplex. Rollins covers for 1...2....nooooo. The crowd chants "This is awesome" as McAfee says "Yes it is." Rollins and Punk slug it out in the center of the ring before Rollins goes for the pedigree. Punk counters with the GTS and covers for 1...2...noooo. Punk calls for another GTS but this time Rollins counters by hanging onto the leg, rolling into an STF. Cole says this is how Cena won Elimination Chamber as Punk looks like he's fading. Rollins "Come onnn, go to sleep!" Punk reverses it into the Anaconda Vice and Rollins flails about. Rollins grabs the rope but referee Rod Zapata says rope breaks don't count in the cage. Rollins rakes the face instead to get free and hits the curb stop. He covers for 1...2....noooo. Rollins calls for a second rope curb stomp but is tripped up by Punk. Punk hits a third GTS and covers for 1...2...nooooooooo. Cole and McAfee can't believe it, Punk can't either. The crowd chants "This is awesome" as Punk gets back to his feet. Punk hits his own curbstomp and covers for 1...2..noooo. The door is opened and Punk makes his way to it but Rollins stares at him. Rollins screams "Put me out, take it from me. You want this?" Punk hits another knee to the head and goes for a fourth GTS. Rollins rolls out of it and hits his own GTS. He hits a curbstomp and covers for 1..2....noooooooo. You gotta be kidding me. Rollins can't believe it and he goes toward the open cage door. He instead goes up to the second rope again and hits a super curbstomp. Rollins sits in the corner but here comes Roman Reigns for the first time since the Royal Rumble. Reigns pulls Rollins out of cage to officially end the match. BS ending aside, that was a damn good match with both men refusing to leave without beating the other. Neither one could beat the other until Roman showed up. You don't always need a bloodbath to have a damn good cage match.

Time of match: 19:29

Winner: Seth Rollins by Escape

Roman throws Rollins against the barricade as Mike Rome announcers Rollins the winner. Reigns hits a superman punch on Rollins and a spear as Cole says this is revenge for the curb stomp at the Rumble. The crowd starts a thunderous OTC chant as Rollins is heaved into the barricade again. Reigns chills on the barricade for a minute and tells the camera man to beat it. He hits a curb stomp of his own on the floor and the crowd cheers. Roman says one more time and puts Rollins on the ring steps. Reigns says he's going to end it all for him now but here comes Adam Pearce and the Suit Brigade to stop him. But wait....Paul Heyman made his way into the ring to help up CM Punk. Uh oh....Roman didn't like that. Reigns charges into the ring and throws Punk face first into the cage. Reigns sends him into the other side of the cage and hits a spear. Heyman didn't like that one but still pledges allegiance to Roman as we sign off.

Lot to unpack as this was a 3 hour Raw with only a 4 match card. The talk segments dominated the show with Cody's being kind of unnecessary since he already rambled on Smackdown. The Logan/AJ/Shulz crossover was killing two bird with one stone and Bianca/Ripley/Iyo looks like it might be a triple threat. In ring action was okay but only 4 matches. They're setting up Jey as the underdog to Gunther like Sami was last year only without the obvious Rocky storyline. Lucha Gable looks to be interesting since they're doing the "Owen is not Blue Blazer" angle from 26 years ago. Who the luchador might be is anyone's guess at this point. Raquel needing Liv and Dom to beat Bayley is right up Judgment Day's alley and Lira Valkyria is in trouble. New Day as heels is working to perfection but they don't have a blowoff in sight yet. Unless Big E comes back out of nowhere, they're just kind of "there" so to speak. Finally, with Roman Reigns back all signs point to triple threat with him against Punk and Rollins with Heyman being the wild card. They might have Heyman turn on Roman and go back to Punk or Heyman cost Reigns at Wrestlemania as the "favor" Punk is owed. Rollins and Reigns have been feuding off and on for 10 years so to have them go at it again isn't the end of the world. All in all it was a fun show, especially the second half and the crowd was very into it. The next show after this is tomorrow night's NXT. I'll see you there!

WWE Smackdown (8/5/22)

WWE Smackdown

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Greenville, SC

August 5, 2022

Commentators: Michael Cole & Pat McAfee

Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin

With Summerslam in the past, its time to focus on Clash at The Castle coming up in Wales. Raw on Monday established The Uso's were still the team to beat while Smackdown had to do something to counter. Let's see how they do it. We open with a Summerslam recap vignette set to Kid Rock before we're shown The Bloodline arriving. Jimmy & Jey Uso in their own car with Roman Reigns in a different car. He knows better than to have them driving. We're in Greenville, South Carolina tonight as McAfee says coming up tonight is a confrontation between Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns. Pat uses his telestrator to show him kicking Baron Corbin in the gonads. Baron himself is watching from the back and gets laughed at by Ricochet, Angel Garca, Humberto Carillo, Megan Morant, Xia Li, Drew Gulak, Shanky and Jinder Mahal. Ricochet says karma is a b...eautiful thing. Corbin says he's going to wipe the smile off his face and Ricochet challenges him to a match right here, right now. McAfee "Hahaha loooooser, loserrrrrr" Back to ringside, Cole says Pat is having way too much fun as its on to our first match.

Match 1

Ricochet vs Baron Corbin

"Happy" Corbin is on a cold streak of late and Ricochet wants another IC title shot, so let's see how this plays out. Bell's gone and Corbin heaves him into the corner but misses a charge. Ricochet gets the Pele kick on the apron, blocks the End of Days and Ricochet dropkicks him out of the ring. Ricochet dives over the top rope onto Corbin. Ricochet dives off the top but lands on his feet, only to take a 360 clothesline by Corbin. Baron punches away in the corner and stops to hear the boos. Ricochet punches away but gets dropped with a back elbow smash. Ricochet on the apron shoulderblocks Baron in the ribs but Baron hits a right cross to stop the springboard. The crowd chants for McAfee as Baron gets a knee to the ribs. Baron slides under Ricochet but gets kicked in the face twice. Ricochet flips over Corbin, sits on Samantha Irvin but gets launched right into the ring post by "Happy" as we go to break. Back from commercial Corbin has a neck twist on in the ring before hitting a backdrop. Corbin covers for 1..2.....no. Corbin yells at the ref and then the crowd as Cole says he's wasting too much time. Richochet flips over Corbin and gets a knee to the ribs. Ricochet hits an elbow and a shoulderblock in the corner. Ricochet hits a flying clothesline and a standing shooting star for 1..2....no. Ricochet goes for a spring board but Corbin counters with a torture rack neckbreaker. Corbin covers for 1...2....no. Corbin eats a frankensteiner and Ricochet overs for a deuce then hits a sunset flip for another two count. Ricochet kicks Corbin but runs right into Deep Six, Baron covers for 1..2....no. Ricochet goes for the sunset bomb but Corbin drags Ricochet to the top rope. Corbin throws him into the top rope (OW!) as McAfee stands up for the distraction. Ricochet crotches Corbin and hits the running jawbreaker. Ricochet hits the shooting star press and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. McAfee celebrates at ringside as Cole says the bum luck of Corbin continues. Good big man/little man match as Ricochet used his speed to frustrate Corbin. The McAfee distraction didn't hurt either.

Time of match: 11:50

Winner: Ricochet by pinfall

Post-match, Ricochet and McAfee throw a football around before Pat autographs it. Pat punts it into the crowd but the fan totally fails to signal for the fair catch. We go to a highlight of Liv Morgan pinning Ronda Rousey by complete accident while Liv was tapping. We then get a graphic of a gauntlet match coming up to decide the number one contender to Liv's Smackdown Women's Championship. Sami Zayn knocks on Roman Reigns' door as we go to break. Back from commercial we get another damn Summerslam montage when the Uso's answer the door for Sami. Jimmy is happy to see him but Jey isn't. Sami says he respects them for winning the tag match and asks how Paul Heyman is. Sami says he's trying to text him so he could talk to Roman. Sami says it'll be quick but Jey says its not a good time but Jimmy says he'll text him later. McAfee says that's a tough look for Sami Zayn at ring side. Cole shows us the Liv Morgan/Ronda Rousey match. Liv clearly tapped before Rousey was pinned and Cole says the official blew the call. Rousey turned heel by attacking Liv and the referee. Cole says we got a gauntlet match to determine Liv's opponent at Clash at The Castle but McAfee gets stopped mid sentence to mark our for Shinsuke Nakamura's theme. Hahahaha! Before we get to the next match, we get a highlight from all the way back in April 27, 2000 of Steve Austin destroying the DX Express bus. That's a fun stroll down memory lane, on to the next match,

Match 2

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Ludwig Kaiser (with Gunther)

Basically winner gets a title shot at Gunther and Guntger tells Kaiser to go get him. Kaiser beat Nakamura a few weeks earlier after Nakamura beat him a month ago. This is the rubber match as Kaiser gets some elbows to the head. Kaiser rams Shinsuke's head into the buckle and stomps away in the corner. Nakamura counters with kicks in the corner and choking him with his boot. Shinsuke tells him to come on and hits an enziguiri. Shinsuke covers for a one count and Kaiser hits a right hand to the jaw. Kaiser is dropped on the top rope and hits a running knee to send him to the floor. Shinsuke hits a kick but runs into a tilt-a-whirl slam as we go to break. Back from commercial Shinsuke hits a knee to the head followed by an axe kick to the back. Shinsuke hits a sliding dropkick and a siding german suplex. Nakamura taunts Gunther to hit him but gets a baseball slide courtesy of Kaiser. Kaiser is thrown on the apron and Shinsuke hits a running knee. Shinsuke runs into an uppercut and Ludwig covers for 1...2...no. Ludwig hits a fisherman's plex and covers for 1..2...no. Gunther is frustrated outside and tells Kaiser to finish him. Nakamura gets an arm-bar but Kaiser lands on top for 1..2....no. Nakamura hits Kinshasha and covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Next week its Shinsuke vs Gunther for the IC strap. Good match and it serves its purpose to set up the big showdown.

Time of match: 8:45

Winner: Nakamura by pinfall

Post-match Shinsuke goes toe to toe with Gunther and taunts him. We get a highlight of the Viking Raiders taking out Xavier Woods last week and we cut to Megan Morant with Kofi Kingston. She asks how Kofi and Xavier are doing and Kofi says Xavier will be fine. He'll get back to normal and he's not used to being alone without Big E and Xavier. Kofi says its time to make the Vikings pay because New....Day rocks....New....Day rocks. Up next is the controversy surrounding Liv Morgan.....after Sami knocks on Roman's door again. Jey is irate but Jimmy says he needs a favor from Sami. He wants him to assume Heyman's role and Sami says its not really his job. Jimmy says it'll mean a lot to Roman and Sami agrees to do it. Sami says he'll take care of it and leaves while Cole says lock the door to the production truck (Hahahaha!). Kayla Braxton brings Liv Morgan to the ring who's arm is in a sling. Kayla asks how she's feeling since her arm is in a brace and Ronda's been suspended. Liv says she's feeling so many different emotions and the crowd legit boos her. She wants to address the elephant in the room as the crowd chants "You tapped out!" Liv says she appreciates people calling her out on her shit (yes, she said that). Liv says she tapped but she thought the ref had counted three so when Ronda comes back....oh wait, here comes Sonya Deville of all people. Sonya says she can fool the dumb crowd with her innocent act but they know she doesn't deserve to be champion. Liv raises the belt as Sonya says Liv screwed her over. Sonya admits that Adam Pearce sucks at his job but Sonya really loves seeing her hurt. She says she's going to win the gauntlet match then beat her at Clash At The Castle. She's going to take what matters most, the Smackdown Women's Championship. Here comes Aliyah to face Sonya for the gauntlet match, so let's get started.

Match 3

Sonya Deville vs Aliyah vs Raquel Rodriguez vs Shotzi Blackheart vs Xia Li

Match one of the gauntlet has Aliyah taking on Sonya. Liv will be at ringside for the duration as the bell rings. Aliyah starts with a shoulderblock and blows her a kiss. Sonya drops her with a back elbow smash and chokes her on the second rope. Aliyah rolls her up for a one count but Sonya ducks the line. Sonya hits a spinebuster and covers for 1..2...no. Sonya locks in a chinlock but Aliyah hits a jawbreaker. Aliyah with a Thez Press and a second rope crossbody for 1...2...no. Sonya drops Aliyah on the second rope as the crowd chants for Ronda Rousey. Sonya hits Eye of The Hurricane (she calls it Deville's Advocate) and covers for 1...2...3 to win the fall.

Next out is Aliyah's partner Raquel Rodriguez. Raquel backs her up in the corner and hits shoulderblocks. Raquel clotheslines Sonya for 1..2...no. Sonya clips the left leg of Raquel and hits a facebuster for 1...2...no. Sonya locks in a chinlock but Rodriguez stands up and hits a sidewalk slam. Raquel elbows Sonya and hits snake eyes, followed by a big boot. Raquel hits a Vader Bomb followed by a Tejana Bomb before covering for 1...2....3 to send Sonya out.

Next up is Shotzi Blackheart as we go to break. Back from commercial Shotzi has an abdominal stretch on Raquel but Rodriguez powers out of it to land a fallaway slam. Raquel hits a Vader Bomb followed by a normal powerbomb. Raquel covers for 1...2...3 to win the fall.

Xia Li's turn to face Rodriguez and she kicks away at Raquel to start. Xia kicks at the left leg and does a double knee drop, covering for 1..2...no. Xia rolls up Raquel then locks in a half crab. She makes the ropes and Li kicks away at her before slapping her across the face. Raquel gets mad and headbutts Xia down. Xia counters with a kick to the ribs but runs into a fall away slam. Another Vader Bomb is followed by a Tejana Bomb and the cover gets 1...2....3 to eliminate Li.

Natalya is up next and she goes after the left leg of Raquel. She goes for the sharpshooter but Raquel kicks her off. Natalya clips the left leg and works it over. Natalya applies a deathlock (for real) and slaps Raquel's stomach. Raquel rolls through and somehow hits a vertical suplex. Raquel covers for 1...2..no. Natalya applies the sharpshooter but Raquel makes it to the ropes. Natalya goes up to the top and Raquel hits a Tejana Bomb. She covers for 1....2....3 to eliminate Natalya.

Shayna Baszler is the last one out and the winner of the fall goes to Clash at The Castle. We go to break then after the commercial, Shayna locks in a leglock. Shayna kicks at the left leg and then works over the left arm. She points at Liv Morgan and rolls through with an armbar. Shayna goes for a sleeper but Raquel throws her in the corner. Raquel hits the corner splash but Shayna counters the Vader Bomb with the Kirifuda Clutch. Raquel tries to roll through it but Shayna hangs on and german suplexes Raquel for 1...2....3 to win the match. Damn good showing by Raquel with a smart move to end it by Shayna. She essentially choked out Raquel so she had nothing left to kick out.

Time of match: 21:05

Winner: Shayna Baszler by pinfall

Post-match Shayna poses on the second rope and calls out Liv Morgan. Cole says that with Liv dinged up, this is the worst possible outcome for her. Back to Sami with the Usos and tells them that everything's all taken care of with the production truck. He has to talk to Roman and Jimmy says it ain't gonna happen. Sami says they're giving him the runaround and Jey shouts the truth is the Bloodline don't need him and if Sami doesn't get with the program, he'll rip that shirt off real soon. We get a graphic for tonight's confrontation between Drew and Roman before we cut to commercial. Back from break we get yet another Summerslam vignette before we head to our next match.

Match 4

The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) vs Tommy Gibson and Jim Mulkey

Interesting names for the job guys. Tommy Gibson is 19 year old "Hollywood" Hunter James out of the Georgia indies while Jim Mulkey is Marcus Kross (no not Karrion). Gibson runs right into an Erik forearm to start. He heaves Mulkey in the ring where Ivar tags in to do a bronco buster to Mulkey. Ivar scoop slams Gibson and Erik scoop slams Ivar onto Gibson. Ivar elbows Tommy in the corner and tags in Erik. Erik splashes Mulkey and scoop slams him before tagging in Ivar. Ivar hops on the second rope and hits a powerslam on Gibson. Both Raiders slam Mulkey on Gibson and Erik covers for 1..2...3.. to win the match. A good old fashioned squash match right out of 1993.

Time of match: 1:28

Winners: Viking Raiders by pinfall

Post-match the Raiders shitcan the jobbers but here comes Kofi Kingston with a singapore cane. Kofi cleans house of both Raiders to a huge pop. Erik "You're a dead man!" as we go to break. Back from commercial, its an impromptu match!

Match 5

Erik (with Ivar) vs Kofi Kingston

Impromptu match since Erik had no problem with the jobbers. Kofi punches away at Erik in the corner but runs into a knee to the face. Erik pounds away on Kofi and hits a snapmare. Erik applies a chinlock and pounds away with forearms. Erik hits a modified Bossman slam and covers for 1...2...no. Erik  goes for a full nelson and knees the back of the head. He covers for 1..2...no. McAfee says he's never seen the moves Erik has done before as Kofi hits a second rope dropkick. Erik is sent out of the ring and Erik dives over the top rope onto him. Ivar misses with the singapore cane and Erik uses the distraction to send Kofi in. Kofi rolls up Erik anyway for 1..2....3 to win the match. That was sudden although it doesn't really prove anything. He barely beat Erik but oh well, a win's a win. 

Time of match: 3:44

Winner: Kingston by pinfall

Cole says he has breaking news, the women's tag team belts are vacant and this Monday, the tag team tournament starts to crown new champions. Finally, its time for the confrontation. Roman Reigns and The Uso's hit the ring as we get a highlight of Reigns winning the Last Man Standing Match with Brock Lesnar. We cut to commercial and when we come back, we get a mini-vignette of Gunther highlights. Then Roman stands in the ring with his crew and demands his acknowledgement. McAfee "They have to. How could you not?" Reigns say you know the deal and how they're going to brag about winning, but there's a few things first. Roman says he hates Brock Lesnar but he respects him. Reigns says they hate Lesnar because he tried to kill Heyman who's not here. Reigns says Heyman is in the hospital (yes, not medical facility, another sign Vince is gone). but Drew McIntyre shows up for a rebuttal. Drew calls him the "tribal queef" and says he talks too much. He just wants to fight and doesn't want to wait. Drew goes to the ring but strange music plays and things go black and white. A woman is at the entrance way as even the Bloodline is confused. Suddenly Drew McIntyre is attacked by....KARRION KROSS! Yup, the guy who was released in 2021 along with fifty others for Vince's "budget cuts" is back! Kross beats the hell out of McIntyre and sends him into the ring steps. The woman at the entrance is Scarlett Bordeaux and Kross looks at the Bloodline. Scarlett sets up an hourglass as Cole says time is running out on Reigns. Kross and Scarlett stare at the Bloodline and Reigns holds up his title belts as we sign off.

Looks like Triple H is righting the wrongs of the past by bringing back Kross & Scarlett who should have never been fired in the first place. Not only that, he's going to put legit badass Baszler against Liv Morgan in Wales. Then he's bringing back the women's tag team belts. Things are looking up around here. Sami continues to be the sidekick to The Uso's and McIntyre now has to watch his back against Roman. Not just from the Uso's but Kross as well. Also Reigns said "hospital" and not medical facility, that's definitely a sign Vince doesn't run the show. Hopefully Raw this Monday keeps up the momentum. I'll see you there!

WWE Payback 2015 (5/17/15)

We've finally made it to Payback after a month of hot dogging and grandstanding as Macho Man used to say. After WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defeated Randy Orton with the help of Kane and J & J Security, Rollins got too big for his britches and continued to pester Kane. The irate Director of Operations stacked the deck against Rollins by having him defend the title in a triple threat match with him against Orton and Roman Reigns. Then through the power of vote, the fans voted for Dean Ambrose to join in and make it a Fatal Four Way. Seth Rollins bitched to Triple H and Hunter vowed that if Rollins didn't walk out the champ, Kane was fired. Other feuds included Bray Wyatt picking a fight with Ryback for reasons never explained, a King of The Ring rematch with King Barrett taking on Adrian Neville, the final blowoff to the Alexander Rusev/John Cena feud with an I Quit Match, an old school 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championships with New Day defending against Tyson Kidd and Cesaro, a Divas tag match featuring The Bella Twins against Naomi and Tamina Snuka and finally, The Meta Powers take on The Ascension.

WWE Payback

Royal Farms Arena

Baltimore, Maryland

May 17, 2015

Commentators: Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry "The King" Lawler

Ring Announcer: Eden Stiles

Speaking of the Meta Powers and Ascension, they were the pre-show match. Let's get right to it.

Match 1

The Meta Powers (Damien Sandow and Curtis Axel) vs The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)

Took less than six months for The Ascension to go from hot new team to jobber status on the pre-show. We're shown how the Meta Powers was formed with JBL reiterating Randy Savage was spinning in his grave. Macho Mandow makes his entrance and even Cole says its too much. Axel comes out dressed exactly like Hulk Hogan to Real American. JBL brings up Nacho Man And The Huckster which definitely defeats the purpose of those early 1996 ads. Bell's gone with Axel starting out with Konnor. Axel tears his shirt off and Konnor clubs him in the back. Axel starts to Hulk Up much to JBL's delight and Axel goes "Youuuuuuu". Axel rallies with Hulka punches, the big boot and a left leg drop. He covers for 1...2..no, Viktor makes the save. Viktor tags in for the double stomp and they make frequent tags to keep Axel in the corner. Viktor hits a european uppercut in the center of the ring and covers for a one count. He locks in a chinlock and says.....seriously....this would be the biggest WWE win for The Ascension so far. JBL disagrees and brings up Fake Razor, Fake Diesel and Gillberg. JBL is bringing up every stupid thing WWE has ever done as Sandow tags in. He rams Viktor's head into two corners before doing the old Savage Slingshot off the top rope. Konnor charges but Axel pulls the rope down to send him flying. Sandow scoop slams Viktor and goes up to the top rope but Konnor pushes him off. Konnor tags in and they execute Fall Of Man. Konnor covers Sandow for 1...2...3 to win the match. JBL "thank God". Michael "Bye bye Macho Mandow and Axelmania, thanks for coming." Pretty stupid match but this is Vince in a nutshell, goofy comedy. Least the Ascension got a win for once.

Time of match: 2:51

Winners: The Ascension by pinfall

The real show starts with a vignette for Payback with Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Alexandr Rusev and John Cena. The pyro goes off and Michael Cole, Jerry "The King" Lawler and JBL welcome us to Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. We don't waste any time, we get right to the first match.

Match 2

Sheamus vs Dolph Ziggler

This all goes back to when Sheamus returned following Wrestlemania and turned heel on the "little fellas" which was Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan. With Daniel Bryan out of action, Dolph defeated Sheamus at Extreme Rules only for Sheamus to keep his heat by shoving his ass in Dolph's face much to JBL's delight. This is the big re-match that's barely been hyped. During Dolph's intro Marcelo Rodriguez and Carlos Cabrera get a shout-out at the Spanish desk. Sheamus slaps Ziggler at the bell and Ziggler bum rushes him at the bell. Sheamus sends Dolph off but walks into a dropkick. Ziggler clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope to the floor. Ziggler jumps off the apron on him and Sheamus hobbles into the ring. Ziggler goes up top and hits a flying bodypress for 1...2..no. Ziggler hits a sunset flip for 1..2..no. Sheamus slows the pace with a clothesline but Dolph's superkick is blocked. Sheamus elbows Dolph in the knee and he rolls outside to sell the knee. The referee counts but Ziggler gets in at 8. Sheamus suplexes Dolph back in the ring and kicks the right knee. He locks in a chinlock as Cole says Sheamus claims he took Ziggler too lightly at Extreme Rules and it won't happen again. Lawler gets so bored he asks Cole if he prefers "backside" or "arse". Cole says backside and JBL says that's why he's had a job here for so long. Lawler tries not to laugh but Dolph runs into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Sheamus covers for 1...2...no. JBL says a good big man beats a good little man anytime, Cole reminds him of Extreme Rules. The crowd chants "You look stupid" at Sheamus as he kicks away at Dolph. "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINEDDDD?" JBL says Dolph can double as an Everlast punching bag as the crowd tries to rally Ziggler out of another chinlock. Ziggler hits a jawbreaker and Sheamus goes shoulder first into the ringpost. Ziggler rallies with right hands but Sheamus stop him with a knee. A big forearm rocks Sheamus and it takes 3 attempts to drop him. Ziggler hits a dropkick in the corner but Dolph counters a backdrop with a jumping DDT. He covers for 1...2....no. Dolph bumrushes in the corner and nearly gets DQ'd by referee Dan Engler. Dolph randomly pulls his tights up and makes Sheamus kiss his ass with JBL making kissing noises on commentary. Should have done that after the match. Sheamus retreats outside, grabs one of Eden Stiles' water bottle and spits water all over the ringside area. Back inside Sheamus hotshots Ziggler off the top rope but misses the Brogue Kick. Ziggler hits the fame-asser and covers for 1....2....nooooooo. Ziggler rushes in the corner and pounds away but eats a sit out powerbomb. Sheamus covers for 1..2....no. Sheamus hits a running powerslam and covers for 1...2...no. Sheamus is visibly frustrated as Lawler taunts him on commentary. Sheamus hits White Noise and locks in the Texas Cloverleaf. Ziggler sells like his knee is falling off but makes it to the ropes. Sheamus uses the five count before letting go as JBL keeps harping on Ziggler pushing his ass in Sheamus' face. Dolph headbutts Sheamus to stun him then hits the superkick. He covers for 1..2....nooooo. Dolph is busted wide open as Sheamus calls for the Brogue Kick. Sheamus hits it on the bloody Ziggler and covers for 1....2....3 to win the match. Ziggler bleeds all over the ring and its clear THAT was not supposed to happen. That was a hell of a fight and a great opener. Sheamus needed a win after last month.

Time of match: 12:23

Winner: Sheamus by pinfall

Backstage Kane is on the phone and says everything is under control. Seth Rollins with J & J Security walk in and Seth says this a huge night for both of them. Seth says tonight they should just put aside their differences and work together and Kane replies that Seth's been a pain since Wrestlemania. They go back and forth about how the other's been a pain in the ass. Kane says if Seth doesn't win, he's fired and Seth says hallelujah. Kane reminds Rollins that he's not thinking of the consequences. Kane goes on to say if Rollins loses the title, it might teach him what it means to be a true champion & real man. Kane says he doesn't need the job or need Seth as champion so he might stand by and let Rollins take the fall. Kane says when he decides who's side he's on, Seth will be the first to know. Seth says he appreciates the honesty but if Kane does anything to him, losing his job will be the least of his concerns. Mercury and Noble try to step to Kane and he just laughs at them.

The New Day make their entrance for the next match with all 3 of them carrying microphones. Kofi says Baltimore can show what the power of positivity can do. Big E runs down the crowd without actually doing so then gives a shoutout to Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles. King says JJ Hardy and Steve Pearce are there too. Jones stares them down as Big E says they haven't won a world series in 32 years. Xavier says they don't have to be losers forever, they can clap along and change. They try to start a New Day Rocks chant but naturally they chant New Day Sucks. Funny thing was, Steve Pearce did win a World Series and was named MVP....in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. Here comes their opponents.

Match 3

Tyson Kidd & Cesaro (with Natalya) vs The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E Langston) with Xavier Woods in a 2 out of 3 Falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Its two out of three falls just like the good ol days. Kidd starts with Kofi and starts with a side headlock. Kidd tags in Cesaro and elbows Kofi. Cesaro drops him with a clothesline but a covers gets one. Kofi retreats to the corner to tag Big E for the hoss fight. Cesaro catches Big E in midair and slams him, covering for a two count. Big E counters with an overhead press slam and chokes him on the second rope. Xavier gets a cheap shot with the ref busy with Tyson. Lawler "Well that positively sucked." Cesaro slams Kofi next to Big E and uses them both to play hopscotch. Cesaro hits a delayed suplex on Kofi and tags in Kidd. They do the 123 Kid/Marty Jannetty spot and Kidd covers for 1...2..no. Cesaro dumps out Big E and Kidd tags him. Cesaro hits a spinebuster and the giant swing on Kofi with Kidd tagging himself in. After Cesaro drops him, Kidd hits a dropkick and covers for 1..2..3 to win the first fall.

Second fall starts with Xavier calling for the Freebird Rule. Natalya pulls him off and Kidd cannonballs on him. Kofi is kicked in the head and Kidd moves out of the way as Big E throws himself through the ropes to the outside. Kidd takes Kofi's head off with a buckshot lariat and goes for the suicide dive, but Big E catches him and overhead suplexes him. Cesaro grabs some kids water bottle and tries to revive Kidd as the referee is counting. Back inside Big E stomps Kidd and Kofi tags in for the heel double team in the corner. They make frequent tags stomping away at Kidd with Kofi hitting a dropkick. The kids in the crowd chant for Tyson with Kofi keeping him from making the tag. Big E tags in for the bearhug as Xavier screams at the announce team he's the mastermind. Kidd fights out of it but E throws him across the ring. Big E hits the Warrior splash and covers for 1...2...no, Cesario breaks it up. Big E spears Cesaro out of the ring to a big pop and Big E tags Kofi. Kofi covers for 1..2...no. Kofi goes up to the top but his axehandle is countered with a dropkick. Kidd goes for the tag but Cesaro is down. Kofi tags in Big E who Kidd rolls up for 1..2....no. Kidd kicks Kofi off the top rope and shoulderblocks Big E but is caught. Kofi makes the tag and they do a botched Eleventh Hour but Kofi covers Kidd anyway for 1....2...3 to win the fall.

Tied up at one fall apiece Kofi covers Kidd for 1...2..no. Big E tags in and hits the overhead suplex. Kidd drop toes Big E into the bottom turnbuckle and Cesaro finally gets the hot tag. Cesaro mops the ring with both Kofi & Big E with running uppercuts. Cesaro press slams Kofi onto Big E and damn near hits the double underarm suplex, but can't hold Big E. Cesaro hits a running uppercut on Kofi and covers for 1...2...no. Cesaro tags Kidd in and does a backbreaker while Tyson jumps off the top with an elbow. Kidd covers for 1....2....NOOOOOO. Kidd goes for the sharpshooter on Kofi and hits it as Cesaro throws Big E over the announce table. Kofi escapes the sharpshooter and tags in Cesaro for the super uppercut. Cesaro covers but Big E breaks up the count. Woods rips his jacket off and runs into the ring, hitting a small package on Cesaro. The ref turns around for 1...2...3 to win the match. Lawler and Cole cry that he wasn't in the match and Cole yells at the ref to wake up. Wowwwww what an ending, talk about nuclear heat. The heels retreat with the belts as Kidd & Cesaro are irate in the ring. That was a hell of a match and the New Day needed every dirty tactic in the book to counter the technique of Kidd and power of Cesaro. 2 for 2 so far on this show....not counting the pre-show.

Time of match: 12:44

Winners: New Day 2 falls to 1 (still WWE Tag Team Champions)

Backstage Ryback gets ready for Bray Wyatt as Byron Saxton asks what his mindset is. He says Bray is trying to play mind games with him but Ryback isn't afraid of him. He says he'll take Bray out and "Feed Me More". 

Match 4

Bray Wyatt vs Ryback

It was never fully explained why these two are feuding, Wyatt just woke up one day and decided to mess with Ryback. In terms of company status, Wyatt and Ryback have both fallen off the ladder since Wrestlemania and essentially whoever loses this match is basically done as a main attraction. Bell's gone and Ryback controls with shoulderblocks. Ryback hits about seven in a row then drops Bray with a shoulder tackle. Ryback covers for a deuce but Wyatt headbutts him. The adults and kids play "Let's go Ryback/Let's go Wyatt" as Ryback hits a Thesz press. Wyatt retreats outside and Ryback drives him spine first into the barricade. Back inside Ryback bullrushes Wyatt into the corner again but Bray counters with a shoulderblock. Bray chokes him on the second rope and forearms Bray in the side. Bray puts on a chinlock as Cole gives a half assed excuse of why they're fighting "Bray said Ryback was in my way." Ryback ducks a line and rallies with shoulderblocks and a scoop slam. He covers for one but a charge in the corner eats ring post. Bray hits a modified DDT on the ring apron and a senton from the apron to the floor. The ref starts the count and Ryback barely makes it back in time. Bray pounces with stomps and a big right hand. Bray hits a splash in the corner and decides to showboat on the second rope. Ryback grabs and powerbombs him in the center of the ring. Ryback hits a powerslam and covers for 1..2...no. Wyatt bails to the outside and suckers Ryback into charging only to clothesline Ryback down. Back inside Wyatt covers for 1...2...no. Wyatt hits a suplex throw and a running knee in the corner. Bray runs to the other corner but turns around into a splash. Wyatt ducks the Meat Hook but runs into a kick to the gut. Ryback hits a spinebuster and covers for 1...2..no. Ryback calls for the Shell Shock but Wyatt drives him into the corner. Wyatt on the second rope goes for the superplex but Ryback blocks it. Ryback headbutts him down and hits a Superfly splash. He covers for 1..2...no. JBL says if he hooked the leg it was over. Wyatt goes for Sister Abigail but Ryback counters by going for the Shell Shock. Wyatt grabs the rope and rips the turnbuckle pad off. The ref goes to pick it up and Wyatt drives Ryback into the exposed steel. Ryback staggers right into Sister Abigail. Wyatt covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. That was a pretty good hoss match and that should do it for Ryback as a main attraction. Wyatt was in a downward spiral since losing at Wrestlemania and this gave him some momentum. 

Time of match: 10:55

Winner: Wyatt by pinfall

The announcers hype up the I Quit Match for the US title coming up next. Cole says this is the final chapter in Rusev vs Cena. No backstage interviews, we get right to it. Rusev and Cena makes their entrances with Cena running in. Cole on commentary says Cena faced JBL in a I Quit match once and JBL says he couldn't make Cena say it, Rusev is going to find out he can't either.

Match 5

Alexander Rusev (with Lana) vs John Cena for the WWE United States Championship in an I Quit Match

The writing's been on the wall from day 1 but much like how The Undertaker rarely lost a casket match, there was no chance in hell John Cena would ever lose an I Quit match. Bell's gone an Rusev stares a hole in Cena. The crowd plays "Let's Go Cena/Cena Sucks" but a LOT more Cena supporters than usual. Rusev grabs a mic and says half of the people hate Cena already so just give up now so there's no pain. Cena doesn't even dignify that with a response as the crowd chants USA. Cena attacks Rusev but gets a kick to the back. Rusev splashes Cena in the corner and the crowd chants "We Want Lana" Rusev grabs a chair and makes her sit down....the hell is that supposed to accomplish? Cena hits a suplex on Rusev but misses a charge in the corner. Rusev kicks at Cena then punches him down. Rusev hits some knees to the ribs as Cole says Cena is a 15 time champion. A big right hand is followed by a dropkick and referee Mike Chioda asks Cena if he quits. Cena pushes the mic away and Rusev hits another dropkick. Once again Cena tells Chioda to get lost as the crowd chants for Lana again. Rusev hits a spinning heel kick and starts yelling at Lana for absolutely no reason. Cole says he needs to worry less about her and worry about Cena. Rusev tells Lana to get up and give him the Russian flag. He waives it in the ring as Lawler shouts he hasn't won anything yet. Cena ducks the line and hits the two shoulder tackles before the back suplex. Cena hits the 5 knuckle shuffle but Rusev powers out of the FU. Rusev hits a fallaway slam and Cena rolls outside. Chioda asks him but Cena says no. Rusev sends Cena into the steel steps and Chioda asks again, Cena says no. Chioda asks a second time and Cena says "No!" Rusev tosses Cena in the ring and sets up the steel steps in the corner. Chioda asks and Cena screams no before Rusev sends him into the steps. Chioda asks, Cena "NO!" Rusev demands Cena quits and Cena pushes him away. Rusev sets the steps up in the center of the ring and Rusev goes for a piledriver but Cena backdrops him. Cena hits some right hands but his body press is countered into a slam onto the steps. Chioda asks and Cena says no, Rusev can't believe it. Cena goes for a stomp but Cena moves. John pounces and hits the FU on the steel steps. Chioda asks Rusev and Rusev doesn't even answer. Cena grabs the steps but Rusev beats feat outside. Cena throws the steps at Rusev but he moves just in time. Outside Cena runs into a kick but counters a whip, sending Rusev into the ring post. Chioda asks and Rusev doesn't answer again. Cena threatens to put him through the barricade but Rusev refuses to quit. Cena indeed barrels Rusev through the barricade. Chioda asks Rusev and Rusev still doesn't answer. Cena grabs a storage container but Rusev superkicks him. Chioda asks and Cena pushes the mic out of his face. The problem is Cena is trying to sell the kick, Chioda asking him immediately screws over Rusev if he answers. They brawl around the arena and Cena goes for an FU on the concrete, but Rusev counters by pushing him off. Cena and Rusev brawl to the production area and Cena sets up a table against the guardrail. Cena hits Rusev with a TV monitor and Chioda asks. Rusev screams incoherently and the match continues. Roddy Piper would have called the match over. Cena hits Rusev again but Rusev doesn't answer. Cena finds somebodies laptop computer and whacks Rusev with it. Rusev hides behind the table but Cena catches him, only for Rusev to hit an Alabama Slam through the table. Cena refuses to give it up and Rusev starts grabbing some power cables. He somehow discovers how to set pyro off as Cena crawls to the entrance ramp. Rusev goes for the high kick but Cena ducks and hits the FU onto the pyro system causing fireworks to shoot. Lana runs over to check on Rusev but Rusev refuses to give it up. Cena then grabs an old metal guardrail and Chioda asks Rusev if he wants to quit. Rusev says no and Cena waffles him with the metal rail. Rusev still refuses to give it up so Cena sets the guardrail up against the ring. Cena goes for the FU but Rusev counters with a suplex through it. Chioda asks Cena and John says "hell no." JBL says he knew Cena would never give it up and Rusev throws Cena into the ring. Rusev hits the big kick and calls for the Accolade. Rusev locks it in right in the middle of the ring. JBL doesn't know if Cena can survive this and Cena immediately stands up, sending Rusev back first into the corner. Rusev doesn't let go and Cena crumples to the mat as Cole says that was Cena's last gap. Chioda asks Cena if he quits but Cena doesn't answer. Rusev lets go and celebrates thinking he's won. Rusev apparently forgot this is an I Quit Match, standard submission rules don't apply. Chioda has to tell him Cena HAS to say I Quit. Lawler is on the fence as Cena couldn't physically quit even if he wanted to. Rusev gets pissed and unhooks the top rope before grabbing a water bottle from ring side. Rusev dumps it on Cena to revive him and goes to throttle John with the top rope. Cena ducks under and locks in the STFU with the top rope. JBL "Big match John has done it again!" Chioda asks but Rusev screams in Russian. Lana runs in and screams "HE QUITS! HE QUITS!" and the ref calls for it. Rusev keeps some of his heat by not actually quitting himself but there was no way in hell Cena was losing this. The American flag is unfurled as Cena celebrates with the title. That was definitely the worst match of the night but I Quit Matches are usually cucka anyway. 

Time of match: 28:02

Winner: John Cena (still US Champion)

We cut to Renee Young at the Kickoff Table with Booker T and Corey Graves. She runs down what we've already seen with Book and Graves making predictions on the remaining matches. We go to a highlight of the pre-show match showing The Ascension winning and then we cut to Byron Saxton with The New Day holding champaign glasses of milk. Saxton congratulates them and they toast each other while Big E says they're role models who don't spit, curse or complain. Kofi says they don't care who they face next and Byron says he's here to inform them about Elimination Chamber. Woods cuts him off saying they already know that the Intercontinental Championship is up for grabs and it'll be very exciting. Saxton says he just heard that New Day will be defending the tag belts in the first ever tag team Elimination Chamber match....which causes Big E to do a forced spittake. Woods "What the HELL?" They all complain and Byron says "I guess its a....new day." Ha..ha... We'll, if nothing else we got something going for Elimination Chamber. On to the next match.

Match 6

The Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie) vs Naomi and Tamina Snuka

This stems from the fallout of Paige getting hurt and AJ Lee leaving WWE right around the same time which led to a Bella Twins face turn out of literal nowhere. Naomi needed backup since they didn't want to reunite her with Cameron so they dug up Tamina as her defacto bodyguard. The crowd hasn't given a damn at all about any of them which is the sign of the times that the Divas era is coming to an end. We start with Nikki and Naomi. Naomi kicks her into the corner but Nikki hits a springboard dropkick, covering for 1...2..no. Brie tags in for the double facebuster as Cole says we'll get more IC title info later. Naomi gets a double running knee as Brie randomly shouts "BRIEEE MODEEE" causing Brian Zane somewhere to cover his ears. Brie hits another running knee and Naomi bails to the outside. Brie throws Naomi back in but Tamina clocks Brie with a superkick. Nikki asks if Brie is okay....does she look okay? Naomi throws Brie back in and covers for 1...2..no. Naomi throws Brie down by the hair and stands on it. Naomi utilizes the 5 count then throws her down again before kicking Brie in the ribs. Tamina tags in for the snap mare and kick to the back. Tamina dumps Nikki off the apron and kicks Brie into the corner. JBL says Naomi has every right to be mad after being overlooked as Tamina backs Brie into the corner, Naomi tagging in. Naomi hits a neckbreaker and covers for 1....2..no. Naomi locks in a facelock as JBL says Fabulous Moolah started her 27 year run as champion here in Baltimore. Brie does a jawbreaker and lands on her head after botching a sunset flip, getting Nikki the hot tag. Nikki cleans house of Naomi and hits the Alabama Slam. She covers but Tamina kicks her off. Nikki dropkicks Tamina through the ropes....or not since Tamina's foot is caught. Nikki has to struggle just to push her off only to get rolled up by Naomi for 1...2...no.  Tamina distracts Nikki long enough for Naomi to hit the Rear View. Naomi hooks the legs for 1...2...no.  Brie from nowhere jumps off the steel steps onto Tamina for a mock cheer. Nikki hits a spinebuster and covers for 1..2..no. Nikki goes upstairs but Tamina throws Brie into the barricade, causing Nikki to hesitate. That allows Naomi to throw Nikki off the top. Naomi covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. What? THAT beats the Divas champ? Bad match and that's due to the "Divas". The winds of change are coming, fans just had to wait a little bit longer.

Time of match: 6:13

Winners: Naomi and Tamina by pinfall

We cut to Lana in the back sitting in a chair with Rusev pacing back and forth. Rusev shouts in Bulgarian and tells Lana to get out. She doesn't move so he tells her again to get out. Lana leaves and he throws the chair against the wall. It'll be interesting to see where he goes from here. Michael Cole takes us back to Raw where Daniel Bryan retired and relinquished the IC title. A new champion will be crowned at Elimination Chamber. On to the next match.

Match 7

Wade Barrett vs Adrian Neville

This stems from last month where Barrett pinned Neville to win the King of The Ring and has been running his mouth since. Bell's gone and Neville rolls him up quickly for a two count and Neville hits a crossbody and a head scissors. Barrett retreats outside where Neville leaps over him onto the floor and spin kicks him in the ribs. Neville is kicked by Barrett who JBL calls the royal boot. Barrett rams Neville into the side of the ring and throws him inside. Barrett throws Neville on to the top rope and pounds away on his back. JBL reels off different kings over the years as Barrett covers for a deuce. Barrett locks in a chinlock as JBL says Lawler is jealous of Barrett causing both Jerry and Michael to laugh at him. Neville's springboard is blocked by a big boot as JBL says Bret Hart, Steve Austin & Harley Race have won KOTR in the past. A knee to the back followed by a cover only gets two for Barrett and Wade chokes him on the second rope. Wade knees Neville in between the second and top rope before booting him to the floor. JBL just keeps talking nonsense as Barrett draws some heat by blowing kisses to the crowd. Wade throws Neville inside and covers for a 1. Wade locks in a chinlock but Neville rolls out of it. Neville hits spinkicks, a dropkick and a flying forearm. Neville hits the standing shooting star press and covers for 1...2..no. Neville goes for Red Arrow but Barrett blocks him. Barrett lands a kick to the rib and loads up the Bullhammer. Neville ducks it but runs into Winds of Change, covering for 1...2..no. Neville goes for a springboard but notices Barrett loading the Bullhammer. Neville counters with an arm drag pin for 1...2..no. Neville drops Barrett with a standing enziguiri and goes for Red Arrow. Barrett rolls out of the ring and Neville hits a flipping suicide dive.  The ref counts to six when Neville gets in. Barrett says screw it and walks off, earning a count out. The crowd is PISSED at Barrett taking the coward's way out. Guess Vince didn't want Barrett and Neville to have a conclusion here despite the "feud" being 1-1 since Extreme Rules. We've seen these two do better.

Time of match: 7:08

Winner: Neville by count-out.

After the match Barrett sneak attacks Neville in the ring and punches away on him. Cole "Some king.." Neville is heaved over the top rope and Barrett sends him into the steel steps. Barrett sends him into the barricade and celebrates in the ring with his robe, scepter and crown. Lawler says he didn't even win. Neville slides back in, ducks under the scepter swing and hits a German suplex to snap the scepter. Neville goes upstairs and hits Red Arrow to make the crowd happy. Still a pointless ending but whatever. We go to the highlights with Cole cracking Humpty Dumpty jokes and Neville trash talks Barrett before leaving. Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring with J & J in tow. Kane walks up to him and says he only has one thing to say....good luck. We get the pre-match highlight package showing how Kane has been making Seth's life hell by first making the main event of Payback first a triple threat between Rollins, Randy Orton and Roman Reigns then making it a Fatal Four Way by adding Dean Ambrose. During the package Triple H has to be peacemaker by saying Kane will be fired as Director of Operations if Rollins doesn't win. Kane makes his way to ringside for the main event as Cole speculates what Kane will do. As Randy Orton makes his entrance, JBL says if he hits the RKO like he did at Wrestlemania, he'll be a 13 time champion. Cole says Ambrose told him that he's got nothing to lose as Dean makes his entrance. JBL says it would be terrible if the lunatic wins the title as Cole lists Roman Reigns' accolades this year so far. Reigns won the Royal Rumble, beat Daniel Bryan, damn near had Brock Lesnar beat and knocked off Big Show at Extreme Rules. JBL says he'll be Superstar of The Year if he wins this one. Rollins enters last as Cole says Seth won Money In The Bank last year in order to pull off the Wrestlemania cash in and asks who will win the briefcase this year. Concentrate on tonight first, will ya Cole? On to the match.

Match 8

Randy Orton vs Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins (with J & J Security) for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

During Eden Stiles intro, Randy Orton has to be held back by referee Charles Robinson from attacking Seth. Reigns gets the John Cena treatment as he gets booed by half the crowd and cheered by the other half. Ambrose is the fan favorite judging by crowd reaction. Bell's gone and the faces all stalk Rollins but Mercury pulls out Ambrose, Noble pulls out Reigns and Orton turns his back. Rollins ambushes Orton in the ring which sends Orton to the floor. Orton punches Rollins only for Ambrose to do away with Mercury. Ambrose gets in the ring and dumps Rollins then hits a suicide dive on both Rollins & Orton. J & J Security pounce on Ambrose but here comes Roman Reigns to dive on everyone. Reigns isolates Rollins in the ring as Seth runs into a tilt-a-whirl slam. Roman covers for one then drops Rollins with an uppercut. King "There's something about Seth Rollins' face that attracts Roman Reigns' fist". Seth throws Reigns face first into the buckle and Ambrose hits a an elbow drop on Rollins who was still standing. Orton rushes in and uppercuts Ambrose in the corner. Ambrose and Orton trade punches in the corner before Dean lands a bulldog. Ambrose lands strikes on Orton but Randy uppercuts him, hitting the side backbreaker. Orton covers but Reigns breaks up the count. Reigns blocks an RKO and uppercuts Orton only to duck when Ambrose charges. Ambrose and Orton go flying together with Rollins jumping on Reigns from behind. Rollins kicks away at Reigns and splashes him in the corner. Ambrose rushes Rollins in the corner and sends him into Reigns for a lariat. Ambrose and Reigns bump fists then put the boots to Rollins. Ambrose hits a clothesline and tells Roman to load up the Superman Punch. Reigns calls for it but is pulled outside by Kane. Little early for this don't you think? Kane throws Reigns into the barricade and here comes Ambrose outside to rush Kane. Kane uppercuts Ambrose and throws him in the ring. Orton tries to get in but he's pulled down by J & J. Orton fights them off but Kane comes over to stomp away on Orton. Rollins takes down Ambrose and covers for 1...2...no. Lawler is depressed as JBL knew Kane would do the right thing. Rollins hits the slingshot knee drop and covers for 1...2...no. Kane rips his coat, tie and shirt off as Rollins hits the buckle bomb. Rollins hits the superkick and covers for 1...2...nope. Rollins puts the boots to Ambrose and goes for another buckle bomb but Dean fights out of it. Rollins dropkicks Ambrose who slingshots himself into a lariat that sends Rollins into a 360. Ambrose punches down Noble and Mercury and goes for Dirty Deeds on Rollins. Kane saves Rollins by grabbing Ambrose by the throat and chokeslams him. Lawler says Kane should just make the 3 count himself. Rollins covers for 1...2...NOOOO. Orton pulls Kane off the apron and Reigns hits a dropkick on him. Orton clotheslines Reigns down and gets back in. Orton clotheslines Rollins down and Ambrose over the top to the floor. Orton goes for the powerslam but Rollins catches himself on the ropes. Orton hits a t-bone Taz plex and covers for 1..2....no. Rollins snaps Orton off the top rope but gets caught himself up there. Orton hits the superplex and covers for 1..2...no. Rollins rolls outside and Orton stalks him. Orton on the outside drops Seth and back suplexes him on the barricade. Orton tears apart the announce table as JBL says the Spanish announce table is right over there (hahahaha!). All four men brawl on the outside but Orton gets dropped. Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns look at each other and Rollins calls for the Shield Bomb. The crowd springs to life as the Shield briefly reunite to put the boots to Orton. They hit the Shield Bomb on Orton and the crowd explodes. Reigns fist bumps Ambrose and Shields puts his arms around both men screaming "yeahh" only for Dean & Roman to slowly turn their heads to him. Rollins puts his fist out but the other two don't return it and glare at him. Ambrose and Reigns double team Rollins and tear apart the Spanish announce table. Cole tells JBL to get out of the way and JBL says he's trying. The crowd chants "This is awesome" but Kane interrupts. Ambrose and Reigns turn their attention to Kane and ram him against the post. Roman plants Rollins on the table and they do a double powerbomb on Kane on Rollins....but the table doesn't break. The crowd chants "one more time" as Ambrose & Reigns cater to the crowd. They try it one more time and this time the table breaks as the crowd explodes. Orton, Rollins and Kane are sprawled out as Ambrose looks at Reigns. Reigns "Not much else to do." Ambrose "No there's not." Roman "Loser buys the beers?" Ambrose nods and slides into the ring. Reigns jumps in as the crowd plays Let's go Ambrose/Let's go Roman. They play yay boo with Dean getting the yays until he hits a flying bodypress. Reigns recovers to roll him up for 1...2..no.  Reigns pulls him up for a powerbomb getting 1...2...no. Reigns playfully taunts Ambrose and calls for the Superman Punch. Ambrose moves and rolls up Roman for a deuce but Roman hits the punch anyway. Roman covers for 1...2...no. Roman is all smiles and calls for the spear. Roman but runs into a knee. Dirty Deeds is countered, Roman ducks under a line and hits the spear. Reigns covers for 1....2...nooo, Rollins dives in at the last second to break up the count. JBL says Reigns was a fraction of a second away. Reigns chases Rollins outside but here comes J & J Security again. Too bad they're out of tables to put them through. Reigns throws them around anyway and continues to stalk Rollins who slides inside the ring...into a right hand from Ambrose. Rollins hits an enziguiri on Ambrose but is hit with a Superman Punch from Reigns. Ambrose hits a lariat on Reigns and hits Dirty Deeds on Rollins. Ambrose covers for 1....2..no, Kane pulls out Dean. Kane lays out Ambrose with the steel steps and waffles Reigns with them as well. Kane chokeslams Reigns on the stairs but a revived Orton shoves Kane into the ring post. Rollins goes for the Orton DDT but Orton backdrops him to the apron. Mercury pulls Rollins off but Noble catches an RKO in the ring. Mercury runs in and gets an RKO as well. Rollins comes off the top and Orton catches him with a powerslam. Randy hits the Vintage DDT and calls for a final RKO.  Rollins blocks it as Kane slides in. Randy turns around and hits Kane with the RKO but Rollins hits a lousy looking pedigree. Rollins covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Damn good match with some fun moments but Kane assisting Rollins early kind of ruined the suspense. Essentially it was Orton, Ambrose and Reigns against J&J, Kane and Rollins. Still, it was a great match and Rollins walks out the champ.

Time of match: 21:00

Winner: Rollins by (still WWE Champion)

After the match is over, Triple H himself comes out and pulls Rollins to his feet. Hunter celebrates with Rollins at the entrance as the defeated opponents can't believe it. King sarcastically says "best for business as we sign off. Overall the show started out very strong but Rusev/Cena dragged, the Divas match was worthless and even Neville/Barrett disappointed. The the main event got back on track and it turned into a real free for all. The Shield reuniting for two minutes was fun and Cena sending Rusev to mid-card hell was pretty funny. Now the fallout will be the questions. If Rollins just beat his top 3 contenders, now what? Will one of them get a singles match at EC or MITB? Who will be in the Elimination Chamber tag match in a few weeks? Who will Bray Wyatt randomly attack next? Now we have to go search for clues. We all knew Kane wasn't going to turn face so now let's see where the main event scene goes from here. The next show after this is tomorrow night's Raw. I'll see you there.

WWE Smackdown (5/14/15)

We're just days away from Payback and now we finally have a card. The main event will be Seth Rollins defending his WWE Championship against Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and Dean Ambrose in a Fatal Four Way. Bray Wyatt takes on Ryback, Curtis Axel & Damien Sandow take on The Ascension, The New Day faces Tyson Kidd & Cesaro in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championship, John Cena defends the US title against Alexander Rusev in an I Quit Match and The Bella Twins take on Naomi and Tamina. Let's get to the go home show.

WWE Smackdown

Ford Center

Evansville, Indiana

May 14, 2015

Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton & Jerry "The King" Lawler

Ring Announcer: JoJo Offerman

After the intro we waste no time with a backstage Bray Wyatt soliloquy. Bray says he knows Ryback is scared and he doesn't blame him. He stood toe to toe with fate and won, but Bray knows his achillies heel. He's going to make an example of him and says the garden of eden doesn't exist. Tonight he's going to scratch an itch and turn his dreams to nightmares. Wyatt says to resist the itch and run. 

Here comes Dean Ambrose for a conference. We get a highlight of him standing tall on Raw as he gets a huge ovation from the crowd. He says he works best alone, fights alone and drinks alone (YEAHHHHHH WITH NOBODY ELSEEEEEE) and it felt good to stand alone on Monday. He says Sunday its every man for himself. He says Rollins is a chicken weasel troll with a lolipop guild goon squad, Randy Orton who just got speared by Roman Reigns. Speaking of Reigns, Dean says that's his only friend and he hit Dirty Deeds on him in the heat of the moment. He says he's got one thing to say to Roman and right on cue, here comes Reigns to join the fun. Tom Phillips says tonight's main event will be Reigns vs Kane, for real this time. Dean says he's not going to apologize and Reigns wasn't expecting one. Reigns says he hit him with Dirty Deeds with one time but not again because its payback at Payback. Reigns says they're cool tonight but Sunday he's bringing the big guns, and hopes he does the same. They go to shake hands but here comes Kane to wreck everything.

Kane in full coat and tie says he's sorry to break up their bro-ment but they should be less concerned for winning the Slammy Award for romance of the year and more concerned about this Sunday. He says Payback will be every man for themself but Ambrose cuts him off and says Kane should be concerned after Triple H said he'd be out of a job if Rollins doesn't walk out the champion. Ambrose says this could be the last time we ever see Corporate Kane. Kane says he's not concerned and he'll still be employed this coming Monday. He says he'll see Reigns later but right now he wants Ambrose. Kane says Dean has a match because that's best for business....against Sheamus....RIGHT <Ambrose cuts him off> NOW! Ambrose says the only way Kane knows how to make a match is right now and tells Sheamus to stop braiding his beard and to come on out. Here comes Sheamus and we're not going to waste any time....after the break

Match 1

Sheamus vs Dean Ambrose

Bells gone and they circle to start. Ambrose backs Sheamus into the corner but Sheamus shoves him away. They lock up and Sheamus is arm barred into the ropes forcing a break. Sheamus gets a headlock takeover then shoulderblocks Dean down. Dean tries the drop toe hold but Sheamus doesn't go down. Amrbose eventually catches him in a modified STF and grabs the mohawk for leverage. Ambrose kicks the hand of Sheamus but they start stiffing each other in the corner. Sheamus hits a European uppercut and a scoop slam before kicking him in the back. Ambrose rallies with right hands but another European uppercut backs Dean into the corner. Dean drops Sheamus and punches away at him but a charge in the corner eats boot. Sheamus misses a charge of his own but Ambrose hits a running clothesline and bulldog out of the corner. Dean chops Sheamus against the ropes but is thrown over the top to the apron. Dean holds Sheamus off on 10 Beats but Sheamus knees him in the head to send Ambrose spiraling to the floor. Sheamus throws Ambrose into the barricade and taunts him as we go to break. Back from commercial Sheamus locks in a Texas Cloverleaf in the center of the ring. Ambrose makes it to the ropes to force a break but is kicked in the head for his trouble. Dean counters White Noise with a sunset flip for a deuce but Sheamus catches him with it on a second attempt. Sheamus calls for the Brogue Kick but Ambrose rolls out of the ring. Sheamus goes to throw him back in but Dean does a 180 and clotheslines Sheamus down. Dean kicks him into the barricade, goes inside but runs into a forearm. Back inside Dean counters the Brogue Kick by clotheslining Sheamus to the floor. Dean hits the suicide dive outside and throws Sheamus back inside. Up to the top rope, Dean jumps off but Sheamus moves. Dean charges right into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and cover for 1...2...no. Sheamus stiffs Dean with a few right hands but Dean rallies with some of his own. Dean hits a devastating lariat on Sheamus and goes up to the top. Sheamus catches him and goes for a top rope powerslam but Dean jumps down and trips up Sheamus. Sheamus catches himself head first on the ring post and Dean rolls him up for 1...2....3 to win the match. Damn good opener and it serves its purpose of giving Ambrose some momentum going into Payback.

Time of match: 12:42

Winner: Ambrose by pinfall

Ambrose taunts Sheamus in the aisle as Phillips says he might walk out of Payback the champion. Backstage Kane doesn't look happy when Seth Rollins, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble walk in. Seth reminds Kane that if Rollins loses Sunday, he's fired. He says he heard a rumor Kane won't help him this Sunday and asks if that's true. Seth reminds Kane that he's paid to be Director of Operations and Kane says he's saved his money and that's no concern of his. Seth says Kane needs to do the right thing and Kane says he's struggling with that. He doesn't know what the right thing will be until he's standing at ringside this Sunday. He tells Seth he has to prepare for Roman Reigns and Rollins laughs at him saying "good luck with that." Kane says "Good luck in your match too....against Ryback." Well that was a curveball, there's your double main event tonight. Lawler laughs at Rollins' face but then says Daniel Bryan's retirement was no joke and we'll be seeing highlights of his speech from Raw later.

Back from break, Phillips shouts out the band doing the Payback theme and here comes Rusev and Lana. They have Rusev come out first for the boo with Lana coming out moments later for the pop....brilliant. We get a highlight of two weeks ago where Fandango gets Lana to do the Fandango only for an irate Rusev to clobber him from behind like a bolt of lightning....very very frightening. Back to real time, Rusev in the ring hands a mic to Lana as the crowd chants USA. Lana reads a prepared statement by saying she betrayed her country by "indulging in perverse western customs." She begs forgiveness from her family, mother Russia and Rusev. Lawler isn't buying that this was legit as Rusev grabs the mic and says last Monday shows why John Cena would lose this Sunday. He's unfocused and unprepared as we go to a clip of Cena vs Adrian Neville last Monday where Rusev lays Cena out. Rusev says Cena was saying "I quit" before he passed out. He goes to a doctored clip of Cena simply saying "I quit" over and over again which gets annoying after a while. Finally Rusev cuts the clip and yells at the crowd as Lawler hates everything that's going on. Lawler says Cena never gives up as Phillips says Rusev's name and legacy are on the line.

Back to Renee Young in the back with Ryback. She asks if he can focus on Seth Rollins tonight with Bray Wyatt lurking. Ryback says winning tonight will be a big opportunity for a title shot and despite what anyone thinks, he's not a meathead nor a dummy. Ryback says he saw the fear in Bray's eyes when he hit him with the Meat Hook. He says "the big guy is hungry" and Feed Me More. The match is next...after commercial.

After break we're sent to more Tough Enough submissions with one of them being future TNA Champion Tessa Blanchard, a badass marine who lost his leg in Iraq that's not gonna let it stop him from trying to wrestle, a legitimate leukemia survivor, "Hollywood" Mike Verna, a bunch of idiots and comedian Gabriel Iglesias....no I'm not kidding. The announcers guffaw over Iglesias as Seth Rollins makes his entrance with J & J Security in tow. He grabs the mic and shows a clip of Monday's Raw where Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton spam finishers on him. Rollins says he hopes the crowd loves that because that's the last time he'll ever be humiliated again. Press X to doubt. He says the others are just as cut-throat as he is and he'll pick up the pieces after the others cut each others throats. Rollins says his talent, his bodyguards and Kane, he'll be victorious. He goes to say something about Ryback but here comes Ryback anyway. Out of nowhere Bray Wyatt ambushes him with a shoulderblock into the barricade. Wyatt crawls toward Ryback and laughs at what he's done. Lawler says this is the lowest he can sink. Wyatt disappears as Rollins in the ring just laughs at Ryback. The referee tends to him as the crowd goes hush. Some kids in the crowd chants "Let's go Ryback" as we get a highlight of Wyatt's ambush. We go to commercial with the announcers speculating if Ryback can continue. Back from break Ryback is in the ring telling the ref to ring the bell. The ref calls for it and we're on.

Match 2

Ryback vs WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins (with Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble)

Non title here as Rollins throws his shirt at him at the bell. There's a sign in the crowd that says Feed Me Smores, ha!  Rollins kicks away at Ryback and headlock punches him. Rollins gets in a front facelock but the suplex attempt is blocked. Ryback goes for his own suplex but Rollins counters with a knee to the head. Rollins ram Ryback face first into the buckle and a knee to the back sends Ryback through the ropes to the outside. Noble and Mercury put the loafers to him for some heat as Phillips says its like being attacked by a shark. The ref goes to count out Ryback but he makes it back just in time. Rollins stomps away at him as Lawler says Ryback isn't thinking straight. Rollins hits a DDT and covers for 1....2..no. Rollins chokes Ryback on the second rope and punches away at him. Ryback rallies with right hands and a Thez press. Rollins hits a rude awakening neckbreaker and covers for 1...2..no. Rollins hooks the leg a second time for a deuce. Rollins gets a front facelock as Lawler says Wyatt cowardly attacked Ryback as Ryback heaves Rollins much to Jerry's delight. Jerry says Iron Sheik tweeted Jabroni & Jabroni Security (it wasn't actually Sheik behind the account) earlier as Ryback hits a backdrop on Rollins. Rollins misses a charge but Ryback's charge eats boot. Rollins jumps into a bearhug and a tilt-a-whirl slam. The kids in the crowd chant Feed Me More as Ryback rallies with shoulderblocks and a spine buster. Ryback covers for 1...2....no. Ryback calls for the Meat Hook but gets distracted by Mercury on the apron. Mercury retreats and Rollins goes for the O'Connor Roll, but it gets blocked. Ryback hits the Meat Hook clothesline and goes for the Shell Shock. Rollins rakes the eyes and goes to the apron. Rollins kicks Ryback in the head and goes up to the top rope. Rollins hits a one legged dropkick which leads to a superkick. Rollins "Come onnn big guyyyy". Rollins hits another superkick and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Lawler says that's a tainted victory. Interesting to see Ryback take the pin without taking the Curb Stomp but it was mostly to show Ryback was essentially out on his feet. Its funny how Ryback can be hit with chairs and chainsaws but one shoulderblock from Bray Wyatt knocked him goofy? Either way the match told a story of Ryback trying to beat the champ while seeing double, give credit for that.

Time of match: 8:23

Winner: Rollins by pinfall

After the match Phillips asks if Seth needs Kane if he can beat Ryback. Lawler counters that this match would have gone different if Wyatt didn't attack. We get a graphic for Reigns/Kane saying pinfall for submission only....so its a Street Fight without actually calling it that. Back from commercial we get a graphic for The Meta Powers (Damien Sandow and Curtis Axel) vs The Ascension for this Sunday's pre-show match. I said this on my Raw writeup but its a sign of the times when you have to steal other people's gimmicks to get over. We get a graphic saying The Bella Twins take on Naomi and Tamina. So much for the one on one match between Naomi and Nikki. Guess Naomi needs just a little more heat before their inevitable clash.  

We go to Renee Young with Naomi and Tamina Snuka. Renee immediately goes to Naomi and Tamina attacking the Bellas two weeks ago and says she's shown a different side of herself. Renee asks what caused the attitude change and Naomi answers she and Tamina are tired of being overlooked. Naomi says she's the best athlete and Tamina is a powerhouse but WWE gave them nothing. They're sick of walking around empty handed and they're taking what's theirs. Tamina says they run the Divas now and Naomi laughs at Nikki calling her fake. Naomi says Brie is a pathetic quitter just like her husband Daniel Bryan. Naomi says sometimes a good girl gotta be bad in order to get things done. She's got a point how the ex-Funkadactyls and Tamina accomplished nothing so far and this is their chance. Hell why don't they reunite her with Cameron at this point? 

Before we get to the next match, here comes New Day to annoy everyone. Xavier says Tyson Kidd and Cesaro are CHEATERS. Out of the kindness of their souls they're giving them a second chance this Sunday. Big E Langston says Kidd and Cesaro are bad people because they don't recycle (HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!), when they go to the movies, they buy one ticket and see two! Kofi "Oh no no!" Kofi says there's good news that they don't have to be like Kidd and Cesaro, they can choose to be like New Day. Kofi are the change the fans need to see in this world, so sing with them. Xavier goes for New Day Rocks and naturally the crowd chants New Day Sucks. Here's the siren and out come Kidd and Cesaro with Natalya in tow. Apparently we got singles action with Cesaro in street clothes but they haven't said who he'd be facing. Woods and Big E leave so now its going to be Kidd and Kofi.

Match 3

Tyson Kidd (with Cesaro and Natalya) vs Kofi Kingston (with Big E Langston and Xavier Woods)

Singles action as Kofi takes on Kidd here. Bell's gone and Kidd gets a waistlock but Kofi kicks his way out of it. Kidd rallies with right hands but Kofi hits a reverse suplex and rolls through it for the chinlock. Kofi turns it into an armbar as Xavier screams "we're the champions, we're so good" Kidd powers out of it and Kofi slides out of the ring. Kidd kicks him away from the ring and hits a running cannonball to the floor on top of Kofi. Kidd throws Kofi in the ring and covers for 1...2.no. Lawler says the match this Sunday favors Cesaro as Kidd goes for the sharpshooter. Big E hops on the apron but Cesaro snatches him off, dropping him with a clothesline. Xavier hops up on the apron and Natalya grabs him allowing Kidd to kick him off. Kofi rolls him up for 1..2...no. Kidd blocks Trouble In Paradise and goes for the sharpshooter and locks it in. Kidd drags him into the center of the ring but Kofi taps to end the match. Short and sweet, gave Kidd & Cesaro some momentum going into Sunday's showdown. Having Natalya there does counter whoever of the New Day won't be wrestling.

Time of match: 2:08

Winner: Kidd by submission

Kidd caters to the crowd after the match as Phillips says that could be the result of one of the falls. Saxton says they don't know which of the New Day will be wrestling as Lawler says Cesaro can beat any of them. Phillips hypes up Elimination Chamber on May 31st just 17 days from now. Want to know how you ruin big matches? That's how. No matches have been signed or advertised two weeks out and its not like this is an international effort like Insurrextion or Rebellion. Its a WWE Network exclusive just like King of The Ring last month. Good luck finding it now.

Up next after the break is the highlight of Daniel Bryan's speech on Raw. Back from commercial we get the highlight of Daniel Bryan saying he's stepping away due to injuries and vacating the Intercontinental Championship. After that, the announcers give a eulogy of Daniel Bryan....but here comes Bo Dallas for absolutely no reason. Dallas says it sucks to lose Daniel Bryan and life isn't about yes or no. Dallas says Bryan being gone will be difficult but this is Bo's chance to be there for all of you. He says there's the five stages of grief, denial that DB let them all down. The second is anger, and being angry at Bryan letting them down is healthy. The third is bargaining and they're going to get a heck of a bargain on DB t-shirts now that he's gone. The fourth is depression and Bryan will be completely engulfed in it when everyone forgets about him. Last is acceptance and he can help the fans accept Bryan is never coming back, all they have to do is Bo-Lieve. His high pitched voice made that heel promo perfect but here comes Adrian Neville for a match. Neville makes his entrance with JoJo Offerman calling him the man that gravity forgot. Saxton puts over his former NXT brethren as we go to commercial.

Match 4

Adrian Neville vs Bo Dallas

Joined in progress after the break, Wade Barrett sits in on commentary to say some not so nice things about Neville. Neville backflips over Dallas and hits a bodypress for 1...2..no. Dallas screams at the top of his lungs as Barrett and Lawler have a back and forth King-off. Neville is hurled over the top to the apron but pulls it down to send Dallas flying. Neville is pulled off by Bo and thrown back in the ring. Bo chokes Adrian with the ring apron and clotheslines him down. He covers for 1...2..no. Phillips asks if he's impressed with Neville and Barrett says he's impressed and not doubting his talent. Neville dropkicks Dallas as Barrett says when he's in the ring, gravity always wins. Neville hits a running enziguiri as Barrett says he'll ground him like at the King of The Ring. Neville goes upstairs and hits a delayed Red Arrow for 1....2...3 to win the match. Phillips says that could be Barrett taking the fall this Sunday. Squash match to give Neville some momentum going into Sunday.

Time of match: 2:17

Winner: Neville by pinfall

After the match, King Barrett in full robe and crown says "How dare you try and pass yourself off as a challenge to the king's throne. I don't have the time to deal with the frivolities of a mere peasant like you." Barrett says Neville comes out week after week in a ridiculous costume....as Barrett is waiving a goofy scepter at him. Barrett says Neville needs some corporal punishment and he's going to get that this Sunday courtesy of a royal bullhammer. Barrett says all hail King Barrett as we get a replay of Neville's Red Arrow. Neville and Barrett point at each other before we cut.

Adam Rose is giving butterfly kisses to Rosa Mendez as the Rosebuds led by Hot Dog ask when they're going to be paid. You can see the future Alexa Bliss in the background as Hot Dog is actually named Carl. Adam says they're not being paid to talk. Rose says they're creating a revolution and Carl replies "So we're not getting paid?" Rose grabs the poor guy and says he doesn't get it, he's just like Bunny. Rosa Mendez says they don't get him like she does as Rose pushes Carl to the ground. Rose says the party is officially over but Rosa says the party is about to begin as they kiss. Suddenly Kane shows up, steps over the fallen Carl, scoffs at the lovebirds and makes his way to the ring. It was about time to get rid of the Rosebuds since he had long turned heel at that point, but it was funny to look back and see just how many huge stars were in the Rosebuds that totally eclipsed Rose himself by the end of their careers (and still going in some cases).

Back from commercial we get another Tough Enough plug with a highlight on Mike Tarverna (aka Hollywood Mike Verna from the New York and New England independents). Here comes Kane for the final match followed by Roman Reigns. No pre-match promos, just fight time.

Match 5

Roman Reigns vs Kane in a glorified Street Fight

Roman headbutts Kane as he makes his entrance and they brawl before the bell just like Monday. Kane slugs away at Reigns before Roman rallies with right hands. Kane throws Reigns into his old mentor Jerry Lawler but Reigns fights back. Kane sends Reigns into the steel steps before sliding into the ring. Kane tells the ref to ring the bell but he waits till Reigns gets in. Reigns slides in and the ref makes it official now. Kane rallies with right hands and heaves Reigns back outside. Lawler "Here the come again, guys." Kane grabs the steel steps but Reigns moves before he can be hit with them. Reigns sends Kane head first into the ring post as Lawler says Kane's mission is to take out Roman before Sunday. Roman grabs a singapore cane from under the ring and waffles Kane with it as Phillips says there's no disqualification in the match. Back inside Kane grabs the cane, no pun intended, and goes to town on Roman as Kevin Dunn's camera zooms are making me sick. Rollins, Mercury and Noble are watching in the back as Kane covers Roman for 1..2..no. Back from commercial break Kane's charge in the corner eats boot as Roman rallies with right hands. Kane counters with a big boot and covers for 1...2..no. Kane picks Reigns up and throws him through the ropes to the outside. Kane then clears off the announce table and calls for the chokeslam. Reigns lands feet first on the table and superkicks Kane then hits a jumping clothesline. Roman rams Kane headfirst into the table and hits a dropkick with Reigns landing ass first onto the table. Roman grabs the steps and bashes Kane with them. He grabs a table from under the ring...make that two. Roman sets one of them into the corner but Kane counters with a boot and a DDT. Kane covers for 1...2...no. Kane sets the other table up in the center of the ring and calls for the chokeslam. Reigns elbows out of it then hammers Kane with strikes. He goes for the Superman punch but runs right into a chokeslam through the table. Kane covers for 1..2...no. Kane can't believe it and he pounds around the ring. Kane calls for the tombstone but Reigns slides out of it and hits the Superman Punch. Kane staggers and Reigns spears him through the other table. Reigns covers for 1...2....3 to win the match. Reigns wins a hell of a fight and has momentum going into Sunday. Power brawls are always entertaining and that one delivered.

Time of match: 11:16

Winner: Reigns by pinfall

Reigns celebrates on the entrance ramp as Lawler says Rollins won't like that. Speaking of which, we cut to Renee Young with Seth and J & J Security for a final interview. Renee asks Seth what Roman's victory does to his confidence and Seth says that was a hell of a performance but it'll take more than that to beat him. He says that goes for Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton as well but Renee starts to back up. Ambrose sneaks up on the trio as they ask where Renee is going. Seth asks what he's doing as Dean has a plate of cookies in his hand. Dean "Anyone want a cookie?" as he throws the cookies at Rollins and the cookie pan at Mercury. Ambrose beats down Rollins until J & J seize Ambrose. Rollins punches Dean but from out of nowhere Roman Reigns heaves a luggage crate into Noble. Roman grabs Rollins as Ambrose snatches Mercury. Reigns and Ambrose clean house before turning to face each other. Ambrose and Reigns look down to see the pile of cookies and the World Heavyweight Championship. Roman offers a hand shake and Dean teases taking it but grabs the belt instead. Dean puts it on Roman's shoulder and says "Don't worry, I'll take it on Sunday". Roman ends the show holding the title....get used to that, folks.

That show went by quick with some of the matches being really short but thankfully everything got to the point. The only ones truly missing on this show was Randy Orton and John Cena as everyone else involved in Payback....well important anyway, was here. The stage is set, will Rollins walk out as champ facing Orton and his Shield mates or will one of the others win and Kane goes bye bye? The next show is Payback itself, I'll see you there.