WWE Smackdown (9/20/24)

WWE Smackdown

Golden 1 Center

Sacramento, CA

September 20, 2024

Commentators: Michael Cole and Corey Graves

Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor

We are just two weeks away from Bad Blood and Roman Reigns had to enlist some unlikely help to battle the Bloodline. WWE Champion Cody Rhodes supposedly is to meet Roman face to face to discuss what they have to do later tonight. We also have a US title match with LA Knight taking on Andrade. So let's get to the show.....after a dark match.

Dark Match

Karl Anderson vs Baron Corbin

Anderson of the OCs takes on the wrestling version of the 4A baseball player. Corbin wins it with End of Days.

Winner: Anderson by pinfall

The show opens with a vignette from last week with Cody Rhodes defeating Solo Sikoa in a cage match but gets jumped by the Bloodline. Roman Reigns ran in to help Cody clear them out and Solo challenged them to a tag match at Bad Blood. Cody initially refused so Roman said he can do it without him. Its his company and his ring, Cody replied "It was". The Bloodline attacked Cody and Roman again and they both signed the contract, the tag match is on. Michael Cole welcomes us and tells us of a movie style vignette between Cody and Roman tonight in Atlanta. We're shown The Bloodline arriving to the arena and Jacob Fatu beats up security dudes at the metal detector. Jacob "Anyone else want a pat-down??" Cole says the Bloodline is embarrassed and sends us to our first match.

Match 1

Andrade vs LA Knight for the WWE United States Championship

Andrade won his Best of Five series with Carmelo Hayes so he gets the title shot tonight. They circle to start and Andrade wants a handshake. Knight shakes it and they lock up to start. Andrade gets cradled up for a one count and they both block finishers. Andrade bails to the outside as we go to commercial. Back from break Andrade chops Knight and Knight counters with one of his own. Andrade chops away but Knight counters with right hands. Andrade chops away in the corner like his father in law and Andrade does the Flair Flip onto the apron. He goes upstairs and hits a crossbody for 1..2...no. Andrade locks in a chinlock then Knight drops him with an elbow to the face. Andrade bails to the outside and pulls Knight out. Knight bounces Andrade's head off the announce table to a chorus of "YEAH!" and throws Andrade back inside. Knight hits a slingshot shoulderblock and covers for 1...2...no. Knight shoulderblocks Andrade in the corner but is backdropped onto the apron. Andrade also goes to the apron and shoves Knight into the ringpost. Andrade hits a top rope moonsault on Knight as we go to break again. Back from commercial, Andrade hits a big forearm to drop Knight. Andrade stomps Knight in the corner but misses a charge. Knight hits an inverted DDT and covers for 1...2...no. Knight stomps away at Andrade and hits a running knee to the head. Knight hits a reverse neckbreaker and covers for a deuce and puts Andrade on the top rope. Andrade knocks him off with an elbow and goes for a moonsault, sticks the landing because he saw Knight rolling, then hits a standing moonsault for 1..2...no. Incredible spot as the crowd chanting "this is awesome". Andrade hits a running knee in the corner and covers for 1..2....no. Knight hits a running powerslam and goes to the second rope, hitting the big elbow drop. Andrade rolls him up for 1.....2...no. Andrade hits a spinning back elbow and covers for 1......2...NOOOOO. Knight fails to jump up to the top rope so he gets shoved off. Andrade misses the missile dropkick and Knight catches him with the BFT. He covers for 1.....2....3 to win the match. Now THAT'S how you open the show. Damn good match and Cole tries to bail out tonight by saying its hot and the ropes are slippery.  After the match Knight goes to bump fists but Andrade wants a handshake. Andrade physically makes him shakes hands after. Ah well, respect is respect.

Time of match: 17:09

Winner: Knight by pinfall

We cut to last week where WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax challenging Bayley and Naomi to a tag match. If either of them score a fall, they face Nia at Bad Blood, but if the team loses then whoever takes the fall leaves Smackdown. We cut to real time where Tiffany Stratton whines about her day and Nia slaps her shoulder hard and says "You go girl." Then says if Tiffany loses the fall then she should leave Smackdown.

We cut to a mini-preview of Cody and Roman face to face as we go to break. Back from commercial we get a graphic for Saturday Night's Main Event coming up this December complete with Animotion's Obsession. December 14 at Nassau Coliseum....damn that's old school and I love it. Carmelo Hayes shows up to laugh at Andrade and says he hasn't seen a choke like that since the Kings lost to the Lakers. He tells Andrade to put the fries in the bag because he's washed and Andrade pie faces him. They brawl in the back with the referees separating them. This feud is NOT over.

Back to Graves & Cole, they send us to the vignette style face to face encounter between Cody and Roman set to I Am The Storm by Titus O'Neil. Cody and Roman meet at Georgia Tech's football field where Roman used to play. They meet at the 50 yard line and Roman says everything around this stadium is his. He shed blood, sweat and tears on this field many times, its his field. If this is his field, its his stadium and its his city. Roman asks what he's done for his city. Cody says outside of the stadium down the street is Techwood Studios, Centerstage and not too far is the sight of the old Omni. Multiple generations of his family bled in this city and Roman played football, but went back to the beach. This may be Roman's field but its Cody's home. Roman "That's very good...it is your home. Let's cut to the chase. You signed yourself into a lose/lose situation. You have everything to lose and you're dealing with people who have nothing to lose. They took Jimmy from me, they took my Wiseman, they took my Bloodline and they took my ulafala. I got nothing to lose." Cody "You're telling me this like I'm supposed to be surprise. I told you before Wrestlemania 39 that you'd be a chief without a tribe. I raise you another situation, we already got a tribal chief and its not you. We have a WWE Champion and its not you. So if you can't even beat your own Bloodline, who's standing here right now? Its the guy they used to call Roman Reigns." Roman "What do you want?" Cody wants his word that Roman will have his back so Cody can have his. Roman says he's got Cody's back but when this is all over, he's coming after the WWE Championship. Cody goes to leave but says "Its not yours to take." Roman "You're in my way, in life." Roman walks off and that overblown, overshot promo literally could be summarized by Cody will team with Roman as long as Roman doesn't turn on him. Roman promises he won't, but he's coming after him eventually.

We cut to Kevin Owens looking at a monitor confused. Byron Saxton asks him what's up and Owens just walks off. That can't be good....on to commercial. Back from break, Owens is still downtrodden as we head to the next match.

Match 2

Apollo Crews vs Giovanni Vinci

This stems from 2 weeks ago when the re-invented Vinci made his Smackdown debut only to be humiliated by getting pinned in 5 seconds by Crews, which was absolutely hilarious. Corey Graves says what we're all thinking in Roman and Cody take ten minutes to get to the ring but Vinci couldn't even get his ring jacket off. This time there are no shenanigans as Vinci attacks at the bell. Vinci forearms him in the back as Graves says the "pencil neck" that reffed the last match went back to NXT while Cole points out referee Ryan Tran is a veteran. Vinci uppercuts Crews and chops him against the ropes. Vinci open handed chops him in the chest as Corey says Nick Aldis just fined him via text for making fun of the officials (hahahahahaha!). Cole says he's the best GM we've ever had. Vinci hits a big clothesline on Crews and punches away at Crews. Vinci scoop slams Crews against the ropes three times. Vinci goes for a powerbomb but Crews rolls through for a schoolboy 1.....2....3 to win the match. Corey "Nooooo! Are you kidding me?" Vinci again can't believe it as Crews laughs at him. Now THAT'S how you do comedy without looking stupid. Graves commentary added to it instead of taking away and the quick pin on a heel always is good for a laugh.

Time of match: 1:36

Winner: Crews by pinfall

Uh oh! Post-match Vinci attacks Crew in the aisle. Vinci throws Crews against the barricade and Cole calls him a sore loser. Vinci hits a brainbuster in the middle of the ring as the crowd boos. Good way to get some heat back. Cole "That's impressive and all but you have to win a match." Back to Kevin Owens and Saxton and Byron again asks what's up. Kevin says no offense but he'll do it in the ring. Cole "What a pest Byron is!" We get a vignette for Survivor Series coming up in Vancouver on November 30th. Back from break, Cole says the first WWE show on TV in Sacremento was a Saturday Night's Main Event back in 1988, Randy Savage vs Andre The Giant.

Here comes Kevin Owens for a conference. Kevin thanks the crowd for the ovation and says everyone wants to know what he thinks with Cody and Roman. Owens says he's gotta be honest.....and here comes the Tongans. Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu and Tonga Loa walk out with Tama going "Yeahyeahyeahyeahyeah" repeatedly. Tama says let the right hand man speak. Tama says it was a big mistake to embarrass them and they're going to get what's coming to them at Bad Blood. But YOUUUUUUU Kevin Owens, Solo Sikoa says he's next. Kevin Owens says "Before you start talking again, I can guarantee you no one has ever wanted to hear anything you've had to say ever. We all know how this is going to end so just get up here so I can punch you in your stupid face." Here they come for the beatdown but here comes DIY to even the odds. DIY clears out the Tongans and here comes Nick Aldis to make a six man tag match. There's our main event.

Back to Naomi and Bayley who say they need to pin Nia and Tiffany to keep their jobs. Naomi and Bayley say they'll give the other a title shot once they win the match and then at Bad Blood. On to the next match.

Match 3

Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton vs Bayley and Naomi in a Tornado Tag Match

Bayley can't get her jacket off and has Naomi help get it off (hahahaha!) as the match begins. The faces bumrush Tiffany and Nia to start. Naomi is heaved into the corner and Nia shoulderblocks her. Bayley and Naomi do a do-si-do to forearm Tiffany and Nia. Naomi splashes Tiffany in the corner then Nia. Naomi hits a bulldog on Tiffany and a double bulldog into the buckle on Nia. Tiffany runs into a shoulderblock and a double clothesline puts Nia down. They pin at the same time for 1...2..no. Graves says if that worked, would referee Jessika Carr be the winner? Nia faceplants Naomi and Tiffany throws down Bayley. Nia and Tiffany do a samoan drop/blockbuster combo and Tiffany covers for a deuce as we go to break. Back from commercial the action spills outside where Naomi is thrown into the timekeeper's booth. Nia gets kicked in the head and Bayley clotheslines Tiffany down. Bayley throws Tiffany into the barricade and hits a suicide dive onto Nia. Naomi hits a crossbody on Nia and Tiffany rolls inside. Naomi dropkicks Tiffany into a Bayley back suplex. Bayley covers for 1...2...no, Naomi pulls her off. Nia clotheslines Naomi and throws Bayley into the corner. Naomi and Bayley hit a double backdrop on Nia but Bayley's charge eats elbow. Nia throws Naomi in the corner and goes for the Banzai Drop but Bayley stops her. Tiffany sends Bayley in the corner but the charge eats boot. Nia does a second rope legdrop while Bayley drops an elbow on Tiffany. Nia and Bayley cover for 1..2....no. Bayley rams Tiffany's head into the corner and set her up on the second rope. Nia headbutts Bayley and hits an X-Factor and covers but Tiffany swantons Nia by accident. Bayley and Naomi hit a 1D and Tiffany rolls to the outside. Nia hits a Samoan drop but Bayley turns it into a crucifix. Naomi runs over and hooks the leg for 1...2.....3 to win the match on a double pin. Bayley and Naomi are declared the winners so we still have no number 1 contender....or both of them are. I'm sure Nick Aldis will figure it out. Sloppy match but the design was for the ending.

Time of match: 11:06

Winners: Bayley and Naomi by pinfall

Cole hypes up our main event as we go to break. Back from break we get a graphic saying this is our 39th TV sellout and 58th sellout overall. We take a look at some fan signs to kill time as we go to a mini-vignette of Chelsea Green as a trash collector. This was her "training" to face Mia Yim in a dumpster match in two weeks on Smackdown on "Mia's home turf". I'd say that's stupid comedy, but that's Chelsea's thing. Cole goes nuts on commentary and gets excited that Chelsea's going in a dumpster. Next week Andrade faces Carmelo in a sixth match which telegraphs that Melo is going to win.

We cut to Nick Aldis with Bayley and Naomi in his office. He says there can be only one contender so next week they're going one on one, winner gets Nia. That's fair. Kevin Owens comes out to the ring but there's no DIY. Uh oh, looks like the Tongans attacked DIY and took them out before the match starts. Owens says the hell with it and attacks the trio to start. The numbers game catches up to owens and Fatu shoves him into the ring. Hang on a second, here comes the Street Profitz to even the odds. Owens jumps off the top and takes out all five others as we go to break.

Match 4

The Street Profitz (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) and Kevin Owens vs Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu

Back from break Owens is stomping a mudhole in Tonga Loa in the corner. Ford tags in to kick at Loa when Dawkins tags in. Ford slinghshot hilo on top of Loa and Dawkins sends Tonga off the rope into a shoulderblock. Dawkins covers for 1..2...no. Owens tags in to clothesline and sentons Loa for 1...2...no. Cole says Owens has never pinned ANY of the Bloodline in his career as Ford tags in to stomp Loa in the corner. Loa counters with a clothesline out of the corner and sends him into his own. Jacob Fatu tags in and he uppercuts Ford into the corner. Fatu kicks away at Ford and sends him into the corner. Fatu tags in Tama Tonga for the suplex, slingshot hilo combo. Tama taunts the irate crowd and punches away at Ford. Tama clotheslines Ford down as Cole says Tama is a seven time IWGP Tag Team Champion. Fatu tags in for a huge dropkick. Fatu misses the ass bump in the corner and Dawkins tags in. Angelo hits a flying elbow on Fatu and faceplants Tama. He knocks Tonga Loa off the apron but runs right into a superkick. Fatu hits a top rope moonsault as Graves says its not fair. We go to break with a highlight of the moonsault. Back from commercial its the Tongans double teaming Dawkins. Tama covers for 1...2...no. Graves iterates that its not fair that Fatu is THAT athletic at his size. Tama pounds away on Dawkins then locks in a chinlock. Tama tags in Fatu who hits a standing senton and whips Angelo into the corner.  Fatu headbutts Dawkins in the corner but runs into a dropkick. Fatu charges again but eats ringpost. Dawkins tags in Ford who Pele kicks Tama who tagged in. Ford hits a crossbody then knocks Loa off the apron. Ford hits a big lariat on Tama and kicks him in the ribs. Ford does a standing flip into a heel kick then the standing moonsault gets two. Ford hits an enziguiri then tags in Owens. Kevin outside the ring clotheslines Fatu and Loa down. He does a DX chop then frog splashes Loa off the apron. Kevin in the ring cannonballs into Tama in the corner. Kevin climbs upstairs and hits the swanton for 1...2....nooo, Fatu broke up the count. Dawkins clotheslines himself and Fatu out of the ring and Owens goes for another swanton, but Tama stops him. KO hits a fisherman's buster off the second rope and covers for 1..2....no, Loa pulls Owens off. Kevin calls for a stunner as the crowd chants "this is awesome." Owens hits the stunner but Tonga pulls him out. Tonga throws Owens into the steel steps for the DQ. That was a great match but once again we have a schmozz for an ending. Fatu is out of this world, his solo run eventually is going to be epic.

Time of match: 14:47

Winners: Profitz and Owens by DQ

Post-match its a pier sixer outside. Everyone is down as Ford wipes out Fatu and is last man standing. Fatu recovers to throws Dawkins into the timekeeper's booth. Ford rams Tonga against the apron but Fatu headbutts him. Tonga sets up the announce table but Owens tries to fight out of it. Tama throws Owens into the table as inside the ring, Tonga scoop slams Ford. Fatu hits the top rope splash like his uncle Rikishi as the crowd boos. Tama says now its time to take out Owens. The numbers game is too much but here comes DIY for the save. Tomasso and Gargano run out to save Owens but they get taken out too. Owens heaves Loa into the steps but Fatu backs him against the apron. Loa shoves Owens into the ring and all three heels decimate him. Inexplicably we go to commercial just as Cody Rhodes hits the ring with a chair....nice timing, dopes. Back from break, Cody cleans out the Tongans with a chair to set up Fatu one on one. Cody hits the Cody cutter to chase him off as KO grabs a chair. KO looks like he's going to hit Cody but at the last second throws the chair down. Cody extends his hand and KO shakes it. Guess things are okay with them as we sign off.

But but....we ain't done yet. Apparently we had an entire damn show afterwards of dark matches following the TV broadcast. Let's get to them.

Dark Match 2

Lyra Valkyria vs Liv Morgan for the World Women's Championship

Yes, believe it or not this was AFTER the show on Smackdown. Morgan retains with a victory.

Winner: Morgan (still World Women's Champion)

Dark Match 3

Jey Uso vs Drew McIntyre

Well this is weird. Two Raw guys on a Smackdown dark match. Around this time, HHH says they were cutting back on house shows so it made sense to cram as many matches on one show as possible. Uso wins it.

Winner: Jey Uso

Dark Match 4

Carmelo Hayes vs Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship in a steel cage match

Believe it or not, the live crowd in Sacremento got a world championship cage match after Smackdown went off the air. Rhodes wins it to retain.

Winner: Rhodes (still WWE Champion)

That was a good show for the most part. Only four matches was kind of meh but at least they were good ones. The pow-wow between Cody and Roman established a one night only unholy alliance to dispatch the Bloodline. Bayley takes on Naomi next week to decide who faces Nia Jax at Bad Blood and in two weeks we got a dumpster match. LA Knight is still the US Champ while Andrade battles it out with Carmelo Hayes next week as well. At least we got stuff to look forward to. This Monday's Raw will update us on the Raw side of things as we inch closer to Bad Blood. I'll see you there!

WWE Raw (9/16/24)

WWE Raw

Moda Center

Portland, OR

September 16, 2024

Commentators: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett

Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin

We are weeks away from Bad Blood with the final showdown between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk scheduled to be a Hell In A Cell Match. Other matches haven't been signed yet but maybe this week will shed some light on the subject. Damien Priest is supposed to go one on one with Dominik Mysterio while the two behemoths Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed go one on one again. Let's get to the action.

We're shown people arriving to the arena including Rhea Ripley and Damien Priest. Priest takes on Dom Mysterio later. All five members of Judgment Day arrive with a graphic saying Balor & McDonough put the tag straps on the line against New Day. Next are Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky as its going to be Kairi against Bianca Belair one on one. Jade Cargill and Bianca arrive as well as Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed. CM Punk arrives and leaves his rental car door open with it still running. That's a good way to get it stolen.

Here comes Punk to open the show with a soliloquy. Wade Barrett on commentary says Drew McIntyre failed to end his career and Punk will be looking to make Drew face the consequences for it. A deadly serious Punk says softly that people ask how many matches he has left in his own bones. Punk says the answer is way more than you think and the crowd chants his name. He says when he came back to WWE he claimed the wasn't there to make friends. He didn't anticipate making such a mortal enemy that the only way to settle it was in Hell in a Cell. He had a feeling that touching four turnbuckles in Berlin wasn't going to settle it and Drew probably didn't think taking out Punk in Chicago would settle it either. Punk is too damn stubborn and Drew's fatal mistake was not getting the job done. Punk says if anyone asks how many HIAC matches he has left in him and Punk says the honest answer is zero. His sister, his wife and an angel on his shoulder all told him not to do this. Punk says he's going to explain why he's going to do this. The last time he was in Portland he said if Drew pushed him far enough he could become the devil himself. Punk says the devil in him told him this only ends in Hell In A Cell. Punk says he can't promise he's going to kill Drew because he doesn't make promises he can't keep, but he promises he's going to make Drew bleed. Punk says Drew is going to have to kill him because he's prepared to die and be over with. If this is the end of his career, so be it. He says Drew better be prepared for the end of his career because he'll see Drew in hell. Deadly serious Punk with no humor or sarcasm just makes things even bigger.

We cut to a highlight of the Intercontinental Championship number one contender tournament match between Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser from two weeks ago with Pete Dunne beating down Sheamus, costing him the match. Last week Sheamus returned the favor and chased away Pete. We cut to Cathy Kelley with Sheamus and asks what's going on with him. Sheamus says he taught Pete TOO well and hit him where it hurts, the dream he had to become a grand slam champion. He says Pete hates being called Butch, so Sheamus naturally says it over and over again. Sheamus says "ARE YOU READY FOR A BANGER?" On to our first match.

Match 1

Sheamus vs Pete Dunne

The graphic says "Don't call him Butch". Wade Barrett says Pete was an international superstar and became a lackey to Sheamus in the Brawling Brute days, now Dunne is out to show he's more than that. Bell's gone and Dunne immediately goes for a Brogue Kick that Sheamus dodges. They slug it out with Sheamus getting the upperhand. Pete chips and kicks Sheamus but walks into a sidewalk slam. Sheamus heaves Pete over the top to the apron. Sheamus goes for 10 Beats of the Bodhran but Pete blocks the second forearm by hyperextending the elbow. Pete runs into a tilt-a-whirl slam and Sheamus stomps him in the corner. Pete hits a standing enziguiri and goes to a finger lock. Dunne stomps on Sheamus' elbow and taunts the irate crowd. He does a plancha on Sheamus on the outside and steps on Sheamus' hand against the steel steps. Sheamus hits the Alabama Slam on Dunne on top of the announce table as we go to break. Back from commercial, Sheamus has Dunne on the top turnbuckle. Sheamus goes for White Noise from up the top but Dunne counters with a sitout powerbomb for 1...2....no. The crowd chants "Butch" to get under Pete's skin and Dunne starts hitting Sheamus with seriously stiff elbows. Sheamus blocks another attempt and calls him a bitch before hitting a stiff lariat. Sheamus hits a clothesline as Barrett says "payback is a butch." Sheamus clotheslines Dunne in the corner and hits a running powerslam. Sheamus goes up to the top rope and pulls his right kneepad down. He hits the top rope kneedrop and covers for 1...2...no. Sheamus goes for the Celtic Cross but Dunne hits an enziguiri to the head. Dunne goes to the top rope but Sheamus uppercuts him. Sheamus delivers a powerslam off the second rope and covers for 1...2...no. Sheamus goes for 10 Beats of The Bodhran and does it 17 times....ouch. Dunne grabs the shillelagh and kicks Sheamus away only to walk to the knee to the head. Sheamus grabs the shillelagh and threatens to hit Pete but the ref stops him. Pete grabs a cricket bat from underneath the ring and hits Sheamus in the shoulder with it. Pete hits a Brogue Kick and covers for 1..2..3 to win the match. Big time cheating by Pete but that was a damn good match. Dunne wanted to break out of the shadow of Sheamus and he did it big time here. Barrett says Sheamus got hit for six.

Time of match: 11:07

Winner: Dunne by pinfall

We go to a highlight of last week where Judgment Day laid out the terror twins but Jey Uso made the save. We cut to the Twins walking in the hall and running into Jey Uso. Jey says Priest can handle the match on his own but he'll be watching. Xavier Woods shows up and says they haven't seen eye to eye in the past but they all hate Judgment Day. Woods says he and Kofi want to face the JD alone and Priest says to whoop they ass and take their titles. Jey and Rhea give each other the flirty eyes and Priest tries not to laugh. We get a highlight of Liv kissing Dom at Summerslam before a graphic of Priest vs Dom tonight.

Back from commercial The Miz walks up to Braun Strowman and says good luck as Braun shows off his bruised bicep. Miz asks why Braun says Miz was no match for Bronson Reed and Braun says that was out of context. Miz says he's beaten every superstar and Braun says sometimes it takes a monster to beat a monster. Miz says got it and to go win.....hmmm. On to the next match.

Match 2

Natalya (with Zelina Vega and Lyra Valkyria) vs Zoey Stark (with Shayna Bayzler and Sonya Deville)

This is Natalya's 175th match on Raw. We get a quick cut to last week where Pure Fusion Collective called out Lyra and Zelina only for Natalya to show up to even the odds. Natalya's team won now she faces Zoey one on one. Natalya rolls up Zoey for a one count and Zoey shoves her halfway across the ring. Natalya rolls over Zoey and blocks a hiptoss with a takedown. Natalya goes for the sharpshooter but Zoey bails to the apron. Zoey kicks Natalya in the head and hits a springboard dropkick as we go to break. Back from commercial, Zoey goes for another springboard dropkick but misses it. Natalya hits a german suplex and a clothesline, then boots Zoey in the head. She covers for 1...2...no. Zoey misses a charge but arm drags her then hits a rolling slam. Zoey hits a superkick and covers for 1...2...no. Zoey tells Lyra to shut up but Natalya blocks the Z360 and rolls her up for 1..2...no. Natalya and Zoey exchange counters and Zoey rolls up Natalya for 1...2...no, Natalya reverses it for 1..2.....3 to win the match. Natalya rolls out of the ring as Tessitore says she's building momentum. Wade says she has the deepest playbook of anyone and it was definitely veteran instinct to win. Not sure why they're building up Natalya of all people but hey, least she can go.

Time of match: 7:01

Winner: Natalya by pinfall

Back to Cathy Kelley with Rhea Ripley. Ripley is going to face Liv at Bad Blood for the World Championship but Finn Balor interrupts. Finn says they haven't had a chance to speak and he really feels like he's just as bad as Priest. He goes on to say they thought they were family and Priest & Rhea are the reason none of them are World Champions. Rhea says they're not re-writing history because they WERE family and she stopped them from fighting every single week. Rhea says they'll be the bad guys in his fictional story but at Bad Blood, they'll find out how bad the Twins will be. Finn says he was responsible for telling Dom to go after Liv....and here comes Jey Uso. Finn says there's no problem here and to focus on his IC title shot because Rhea is out of his league. Rhea says he's got a point and Jey goes "What, that I'm out of your league?" Rhea says no, that he needs to focus. Jey puts on his sunglasses and heads to the ring.

Back from commercial, here comes Jey for a conference. Tessitore holds up a sign that says Keep Portland Yeet and Barrett says "What on EARTH are you doing?". Wade says he's supposed to be gentleman, hahahaha. Jey says he's going to be the new IC champ and excited about it. He's wanted it since he left Smackdown and The Bloodline. Uh oh, here comes Bron Breakker for a rebuttal in the ring. Bron "We got any dogs barking in Portland??" Bron goes on to say Jey's pursuit is relentless for the IC title. Bron says Jey's been here 14 years, a big star and the fans love him. Bron says he's done more in 6 months than Jey has in those 14 years. Bron did it without his father and uncle and didn't need their help or their name. Bron holds up the belt and says this is his family, next Monday he's going to expose Jey. Bron says Jey is nothing without his family but Jey says Bron has the dog in him. Jey won't take him lightly and says he's been winning championships since Bron was in diapers. Jey is only 12 years older than Bron so I don't remember a teenage Jey winning anything in WWE. Jey says he's going to dog walk Breakker's ass and see what Bron is about. Jey says his IC title reign will end up short and sweet like Bron's NFL career. THAT got Bron mad he sucker punches Jey. Jey counters with a spear as Tessitore goes nuts on commentary. Jey throws his shirt to the crowd and Barrett says if Jey hits that spear next week, we'll have a new champion.

Back to Joe and Wade to discuss what we just saw before we cut to last week's Raw where Damage Control faced the Unholy Union. Jade and Bianca interfered costing Damage Control the match. As Jade and Bianca are walking in the back, here comes an irate Iyo. Iyo calls Bianca a coward as Kairi has a bad eye and Bianca says it wasn't her call. Bianca challenges Iyo instead and Iyo accepts. Well, that takes care of that. On to the next match.

Match 3

The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonough) for the World Tag Team Championships

Tessitore says we're coming up on the 10 year anniversary of the formation of New Day (damn we're old). JD and Balor come out alone as Tessitore says this is their first title defense in MONTHS. Joe has no room to talk since boxers defend the title like once or twice a year. Wade asks which Day this will be, New or Judgment. Bell's gone and Kofi starts with JD. Kofi forearms JD down and tags in Woods for a double dropkick. A slingshot splash and a scoop slam has Kofi tagging in for the moonsault off the shoulders of Woods. Kofi covers for a deuce and both New Day members double superkick the heels to the outside. We cut to commercial and when we're back from break, Balor has an arm ringer on Kofi. Kofi knocks McDonough off the apron as Tessitore says Woods hasn't held main roster gold since April 2021. Kofi does a move I have no idea what its called as Woods gets the hot tag. Woods wipes out both heels and gets a huge pop from dropping McDonough with a flying forearm. Woods hits a russian leg sweep with Kofi hitting a slingshot clothesline. Kofi planchas Balor and Woods hits a sitdown powerbomb on JD for 1...2...nooooo. Here comes Liv Morgan, Dom Mysterio and Carlito as Joe Tessitore complains. But wait! Here comes Rey Mysterio Jr, Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde to take them out. JD rolls up Woods for a deuce then eats a superkick. Kofi and Xavier climb opposite corners as Kofi takes out the intruders and Woods hits the Limit Break. Woods covers but the ref is on the floor much to Tessitore's dismay. Woods grabs the ref's attention and goes for an O'Connor roll but Balor blind tags in. McDonough rolls out of it and Balor comes off the top with the Coup De Gras on Woods. He covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Judgment Day retains with an actual clean win when you think about it. Carlito and the others never touched the New Day but uh oh....Woods throws a tantrum in the ring and says "EVERY TIME! EVERY TIME!" Woods is tired of this and Tessitore can't blame him. They're slowly going with a Woods heel turn and with Odyssey Jones released, they might need Big E back to for the finale. Damn good match with the obligatory schmozz ending.

Time of match: 8:29

Winners: Judgment Day by pinfall (Still World Tag Team Champs)

Obligatory Wyatt Sicks video with a QR code. None of this means jack because Bray Wyatt is dead. I understand Bo Dallas is trying to keep the spirit alive, but without Bray its not the same. The message is "You speak, we follow." After commercial we're shown both Mysterios at the UFC 306 show seated separately of course. After a highlight of the previous match, we go back to New Day with Cathy Kelley. Kofi says its not a good time as Woods is screaming at the LWO. Kofi says he told the LWO to have his back and Woods is mad about it. Kofi knew this was going to happen which is why he called for help and Woods said they never needed help before. Kofi says they had Big E Langston before and that makes Woods even more irate. Woods asks that they're not good enough anymore and Kofi says that's not what he's saying. Woods asks why he didn't know the LWO was coming and storms off. Now THAT he's got a valid point on. Back to the announce booth where we're about to have a big hoss fight. We get a vignette of Bronson Reed talking about all his victims before we go to the ring.

Match 4

"Big" Bronson Reed vs Braun Strowman

Hoss fight time. Strowman gets in the ring but Reed bumrushes him to start. Strowman sidesteps him and throws him into the corner where Reed legit rips the top rope off. Strowman hits a chokeslam and boots Reed out of the ring. The bell still hasn't ring as Braun calls for the Freight Train. Strowman goes to plow Reed but Bronson heaved some fan over the barricade onto Strowman. Okay, THAT was innovative. Strowman plows Reed through the barricade and Tessitore says this one is over. Security escorts Reed back with the Suit Brigade following suit. Strowman runs over Reed and sends security guys flying like the puddy patrol. Reed puts Strowman through an catering table as Jason Jordan tells them to stop. Strowman then puts Reed through a legit wall with Shawn Daivari running for an ambulance. Normally a no-contest is a waste of time but that was legit fun. Throwing a fan and ripping the top rope off was creative.

Time of match: N/A

Winner: No contest

After a highlight of the mayhem, the Suit Brigade, EMTs, security and the referees try to help out the two fallen guys like out of a MASH movie. We cut to Adam Pearce being confronted by Ludwig Kaiser. He wants to know who Gunther's next opponent is. Pearce says he's busy with the catastrophe and says he just might give the title shot to Sami Zayn. Sure enough, Sami's music hits and he's up next. Pearce says if Gunther has a problem, come see him himself.

Zayn hits the ring for a conference. Zayn says he's standing in the middle of a red hot ring in Portland, Oregon but all week he's been thinking of him and Bret Hart together in Calgary. Sami says Bret was his hero growing up and last week was motivational. Sami says he wants to be a true Canadian champion and he wants it. He NEEDS it, he NEEDS to become the World Heavyweight Champion. The fans deserve a fighting champion but Gunther refuses to give him a shot. Gunther claims that Sami isn't on his level while Sami says the real reason is Gunther is afraid he'd lose again just like at Wrestlemania. Here comes Ludwig Kaiser for a rebuttal and Kaiser asks what Zayn is doing asking for a match. Gunther shouldn't be scared of Zayn because he's the most dominant force in WWE. He's trying to protect Sami from embarrassment. Kaiser says there won't be a match because he's not good enough. Zayn says Gunther doesn't Kaiser to speak for him or need him for anything. Zayn stirs the pot by saying Kaiser doesn't need Gunther either as he already broke off his team with Giovanni Vinci because he wants to stand alone. Zayn says he's not going to win respect as Gunther's mouth piece and grow some balls to speak for himself. Finally, Gunther himself walks out. Gunther gets in the ring and says he'll deal with Zayn in a minute. He asks if Kaiser has anything to tell him, do it now. Kaiser says he's had something he wants to get off his chest...and drops Zayn with a clothesline. Kaiser pounds away on Zayn and hits his DDT on him. Kaiser holds up Sami and Gunther says no match. Kaiser and Gunther hug as Barrett says we all should be as loyal as those two. Gunther leaves but Sami hits a release German suplex on Ludwig followed by the Helluva Kick. The title match is definitely going to take place, just a question of how Sami will get to Gunther.

Back to the announce booth, Tessitore says "Good for you Sami!" We go backstage to Cathy Kelley with Damien Priest. She says he has a lot on his plate in the last two weeks and asks how he's going to prepare for Dom. Here comes Liv Morgan to interrupt and says you should have seen how easy it was to choose between her and Rhea & Priest. Damien says its nice to see someone in Judgment Day have a set for once, but Rhea is going to shove Liv's set down her throat. He tells her to go kiss Dom goodbye because he's going to put him down. On to the next match.

Match 5

Bianca Belair (with Jade Cargill) vs Iyo Sky (with Kairi Sane)

Both partners are there for support which is weird since Kairi was supposed to be hurt. Bell rings and they stare at each other to start. Bianca gets a headlock takeover but Iyo reverses it with headscissors and nip ups. Bianca is rolled up for two but blocks a crucifix. Iyo cartwheel backflips away from Bianca and Bianca front flips over Iyo then tells her to kiss her ass. Iyo goes for the frankensteiner but Bianca blocks it, only for Iyo to sunset flip for 1...2...no. Iyo chops Bianca in the corner but Bianca goes up and over and tells her to kiss her ass again. Bianca backflips over Iyo and hits a delayed suplex. Iyo hits an armdrag and they both point at each other as we go to break. When we come back, Iyo has a chinlock on Bianca. Bianca throws Iyo off and rolls her up for a deuce before dropping her with two shoulderblocks. Bianca dropkicks Iyo and tackles her into the corner. Bianca punches her in the corner and backflips over her. Iyo drops her with two clotheslines and a dropkick of her own. Iyo hits the running knees in the corner and goes for the pedigree. Bianca backdrops her but Iyo lands on her feet. Bianca hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Iyo recovers to hit a missile dropkick from the top rope and covers for 1...2....NOOOOO. Both women are down and they trade blows in the center of the ring. Iyo goes for the sunset flip for a deuce but gets launched onto the top rope. Bianca hits a spinebuster and a springboard moonsault for 1...2...no. Bianca pressslams Iyo over her head but Iyo counters with a german suplex for 1..2....no. Bianca shoulderblocks Iyo on the apron as the crowd chants "This is awesome". Iyo snaps Bianca off the top rope to the floor and Iyo hits a suicide dive. Bianca literally walks up the steel steps with Iyo in a vertical suplex position as Wade and Tessitore can't believe it. Bianca drops her inside and goes for the 450 splash, but Iyo gets her knees up. Iyo goes for the moonsault but Bianca counters by going for the KOD. Iyo lands on her feet and turns it into a small package for 1...2....3 to win the match. That was the match of the night for sure as Iyo FINALLY gets a victory over Bianca. That was a ppv quality showdown and Iyo showed she's still a threat.

Time of match: 12:24

Winner: Iyo by pinfall

Back to Damien Priest preparing for tonight's main event with Rhea next to him. Priest says he's going to tear Dom apart as we go to break. Back from commercial we get a vignette for the American Made stable. Its literally just Diamond Mine just with Chad Gable instead of Damon Kemp aka Bobby Steveson. At least they're attempting to push the Creeds and Ivy Nile. Back to Cathy Kelley with Ludwig Kaiser trying to straighten a tooth. Kaiser says next week on Raw, he's going to beat Sami. Kaiser says Sami's past is shady since he and Kevin Owens turned on each other all the time when one was more successful. Kaiser says Sami will never be champion....damn good promo.

We get a graphic for Sami vs Kaiser next week as well as Drew McIntyre making an appearance. The main event will be Bron Breakker defending the Intercontinental Championship against Jey Uso. Speaking of which, we cut to Jey Uso running into Ilja Dragunov in a suit and tie. Dragunov wishes him luck and "Yeet!" Uh oh, after Jey leaves here comes Judgment Day to give him crap. Balor says to choose his friends wisely. Dragnunov says he respects Damien, Rhea and Jey which is more than he can say for any of them. Balor says its a friendly reminder, but next time the message won't be delivered nicely. Good Ole Anderson style warning by Balor as Judgment Day leaves. On to the main event.

Match 6

Dom Mysterio (with Liv Morgan, Carlito, JD McDonough and Finn Balor) vs Damien Priest (with Rhea Ripley)

Liv kisses Dom before the match and Tessitore says "Would you look at this?" Bell rings and Priest immediately drops him with a shoulderblock. He heaves Dom in the corner and fires away and stares at Carlito, Priest choke bombs Dom and Mysterio begs off. Priest applies a wristlock and shoulderblocks Dom down again. Priest hits a heel kick and covers for 1...2...no. Dom rolls out of a back suplex and dropkicks the right knee of Priest. Dom can't whip Damien and runs into a flapjack. Dom begs off again and Priest stomps away at him in the corner. Priest chokes Dom on the second rope in front of Judgment Day and Dom tries to rally with a body punch. Priest dropped him with a right hook that Tessitore admires. Dom rolls out of the Razor's Edge attempt and bails to the outside. Priest goes outside and rocket launches Mysterio into the apron before backing Carlito off. Priest throws Dom into the announce table. Wade says this has been one way traffic, Dom hasn't gotten an offensive move in yet. Priest pops Dom then Carlito much to the crowd's delight. Priest rolls Dom in but the ref takes his eye off for one second, allowing Finn to shove Damien into the ringpost. Dom hits a suicide dive that sends Priest into the announce table. We go to break and when we come back, Dom rolls out of a suplex and walks into an elbow. Priest misses a charge in the corner and Dom hits a tornado DDT. Dom covers for 1...2...no. Dom taunts the crowd and Rhea taunts him back. Dom slaps Priest in the chest and it wakes up Damien. Dom's face says it all and Damien rallies with right hands and a series of kicks. Another big right hand drops Dom and Priest hits an inverted DDT. Priest covers for 1...2...no. Finn distracts Priest again causing Dom to roll him up for two. Priest gets a kick to the head and a broken arrow. Priest covers for 1...2...no, Liv puts the foot on the rope. Ripley tackles Liv completely over the announce table, wiping out Barrett in the process. Tessitore tries not to laugh as Priest drops Carlito with a right hand. Priest grabs Dom out of mid-air and throws him into Balor outside. Priest superkicks Carlito but back inside, Dom superkicks Priest into the second rope. Dom hits the 619 but misses the frogsplash. Priest clotheslines Dom who does a 360 and pulls the straps down. Priest nails South of Heaven and covers for 1..2...3 to win the match. Tessitore "TAKE THAT DIRTY DOM!" Good match and the crowd's energy carried it as Dom had no realistic chance against Priest without his cronies at ringside.

Time of match: 12:11

Winner: Priest by pinfall

1 second after the match, its a four on one beatdown as Carlito, JD and Balor hit the ring to help Dom. Rhea gets on the apron but Liv pulls her off and throws her into the steel steps. Liv throws Rhea in the ring but here comes Jey Uso! Jey hits the ringside area but Bron Breakker appears out of NOWHERE and spears Jey out of his shoes. Meanwhile Judgment Day continues the attack on Priest as Balor hits Coup De Gras. Liv hits Ob-Liv-ion as Balor hits Coup De Gras a second time. Balor goes for a third attempt and hits it as Tessitore is having a coronary on commentary. Judgment Day stands tall as we sign off. Damn good show, especially the Bianca/Iyo showdown. It leaves the fans wanting more, especially with a lot of advertised not just for Bad Blood but for next week as well. The Judgment Day/Terror Twins feud is far from over and Uso/Breakker is going to rock. Not to mention Sami's pursuit of Gunther and the potential New Day Break up. The Bloodline may be carrying Smackdown but Raw is stepping it up big time. 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 Raw (8/1/22)

WWE RAW

TOYOTA CENTER

HOUSTON, TX

AUGUST 1, 2022

Commentators: Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton

Ring Announcer: Mike Rome

Now that Summerslam is over, it is now up to Triple H to reverse the damage Vince McMahon caused the last 13 years or so. Let's see what he has in store, but first.....in case you missed it, Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar on Saturday night to remain Undisputed Universal Champion, The Usos defeated The Street Profitz to remain the Undisputed Tag Team Champions, Logan Paul defeated The Miz, The Mysterios defeated Judgment Day thanks to the returning Edge and Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch to become the new Raw women's champion. We also had the return of Bayley & Iyo Sky from injury along with Dakota Kai who was released in April to confront Bianca and the now injured Becky. Things are looking up already so let's get started.

Jimmy Smith welcomes us to start the night as Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring with her right arm in a sling. We go to highlights of Summerslam where Bianca defeated Becky and Becky hugged her after to turn face. All of a sudden Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai came out basically all turning heel and confronting Bianca & Becky. I assume the idea was going to be those two and another against Bayley's crew but now Becky's hurt. Becky gets on the mic and says "Houston, welcome to the big time!" Becky basically gives a speech saying she lost herself and now she's seen the error of her ways. She says she separated her shoulder but gave it everything she had. She says a new era starts now and she wants to bring out Bianca Belair. Bianca comes out in a pantsuit missing a pantleg and gets in the ring. Bianca says she's the man and they hug much to the crowd's delight. Becky says she'll see her soon and leaves. Now by herself, Bianca says she has nothing but respect for Lynch. She goes on a speech about respect but the camera picks up Bayley, Iyo and Dakota attacking Becky with a chair. Bianca makes a mad dash to Becky's aid with the heels gone. This was their way of writing Becky off TV to heal her shoulder, she'll be back. The commentators go over what we just saw and shill tonight's main event of The Mysterios vs The Uso's for the Tag belts. We also are going to see Edge tonight and two triple threat matches. Dolph Ziggler battles Tomasso Ciampa and Chad Gable while AJ Styles takes on Mustafa Ali and The Miz. The winners will face each other later tonight in a number 1 contender's match for the WWE United States Championship. We go to more Summerslam highlights before we cut to commercial.

Back from commercial we get a nice montage narrated by JBL about the legacy of the United States championship using old footage from Mid-Atlantic, WCW and old school WWE. With HHH in charge, I guess he wants the secondary titles to mean something again. Good on him, let's get to our first match.

Match 1

AJ Styles vs Mustafa Ali vs The Miz in a Triple Threat Match

The winner of this match faces the winner of the other triple threat match to decide who's the number 1 contender to Bobby Lashley's US title. The Miz makes his entrance with a highlight package of him losing to Logan Paul with AJ taking out Ciampa during the match. Then we're shown Logan crowing about it on a Twitter video and saying he'll be back. Miz' ribs are still taped as Mustafa Ali makes his entrance during the montage. Bell rings and Miz bails immediately to allow Ali to hit a hurracarana on Styles. Miz hops up on the apron and trips up Ali. Styles hits a baseball slide on Ali and flips over into a sunset flip. Styles goes for the Styles Clash but Miz trips up AJ and pulls him outside. Miz rams Styles into the announce table but Ali suicide dives through the ropes onto Miz. Ali tosses Miz back in and fakes him out in the corner then sends him into the second buckle. Styles gets in and chops Miz in the corner but is also thrown into the second buckle. Miz charges and hits a splash before dropping Ali off the apron. Miz sunset flips Styles for a two count but Styles counters with a right hand. Styles is whipped into the corner but he blocks a monkey flip. Him and Miz battle on the second rope but Miz knocks Styles down. Ali jumps up but is sent down as well into Styles who hits a back suplex. Miz hits a ddt on Styles and covers for 1..2....nope. Graves says he forgot to hook the leg or else it would be over. Miz kicks Styles in the chest as a graphic shows Alexa Bliss facing Asuka later tonight. Styles counters with an enziguiri before Ali and Styles slug it out. Styles slaps Ali full force in the face as Graves says Ali might not know his own name after that. Styles does a reverse ddt at the same time Ali catches him with a neckbreaker. Ali covers Styles for two then Miz for two as well. Ali goes upstairs but misses the 450 splash and AJ hits a neck crusher before hitting a Pele kick on Miz to knock him out of the ring. AJ gets pulled out of the ring by Miz and AJ slams Miz rib first into the table. Ali from out of nowhere hits a top rope tornado ddt on the floor. Ali rolls Miz in the ring but walks right into the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz takes forever to cover because of his ribs and only gets a two count. Miz kicks Ali in the corner but eats a superkick. Ali goes for another 450 splash and hits hit but AJ grabs him then hits the Styles Clash right ontop of Miz. Styles covers Ali for 1...2...3...to win the match. The HHH era starts with a bang with a great match. Styles will face the winner of the other triple threat match later tonight.

Time of match: 8:41

Winner: AJ Styles by pinfall

We go to Becky being attacked from earlier before cutting to the trainer's room. Becky asks for ice with Adam Pearce looking on concerned. Cathy Kelley catches up with Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai and asks why they targeted Becky Lynch. Bayley says its not about Becky or Bianca but its about them and everyone will find out shortly. The Uso's make their way in as the ladies leave and they both check them out after saying hi. Cathy asks if they have a chance to win tonight against The Mysterios. Jey says 100% they'll win and Jimmy says it'll be business as usual. Jey says the Mysterios are the twos and Jimmy says they the ones. 

Seth Rollins makes his way to ringside as we get a recap of the Rollins/Matt Riddle feud so far. Rollins curbstomped Riddle on the steel steps on Raw to postpone their Summerslam match. At Summerslam, Riddle jumped into the ring and called out Rollins for a fight. Rollins obliged and and had a free for all in the ring which ended with another curbstomp. Back in real time Rollins says welcome to Monday night Rollins and he's the host. He says tonight is a night of celebration because Matt Riddle isn't here. There's a line between gutsy and stupid and Riddle crossed the line. Now Riddle can join Randy Orton which leaves Seth free to chase Roman Reigns which actually gets a babyface pop. But wait! The Street Profitz of all people hit ring side for a rebuttal. Rollins says "No no no no no no no shut it down. Stop it! Stop it!" Rollins is irate the crowd pops and says the Houston Rockets are losers as well as the Profitz. Rollins says all they do is lose and to get lost. Dawkins says they beat Rollins for the tag belts and Seth lost to Cody Rhodes who only had one "boobie". Seth gets mad and says he'd love to fight but he's outnumbered. The Profitz play rock, paper, scissors to see who faces Rollins next and Montez tosses Dawkins the mic then heads to the ring with the ref. Brilliant!

Match 2

Montez Ford vs Seth Rollins

Ford almost gets curbstomped immediately but slides out of the way. Ford slides in and Rollins slides out to take off his ring jacket. Ford sheds his jersey and clotheslines Rollins over the top to the outside as the bell rings. Ford takes it to Rollins outside and makes fun of Seth's entrance. Rollins rolls Ford in but eats a superkick. Ford covers for 1...2....nope. Ford goes upstairs but Rollins bails outside causing Ford to follow. Rollins tries a pedigree but gets backdropped before they go back inside. Rollins front suplex's Ford across the top rope then rams him ribs first into the ring post. Rollins rolls inside and the ref starts to count out Ford. Ford makes it just before the 10 count and Rollins goes to work on Ford then chokes him on the second rope. Rollins chops Ford as Graves says Ford is one of the few that is more athletic then Rollins. Ford chops him back but Rollins gets in some knees to the ribs then delivers a gut buster. Rollins covers for 1...2...nope. Rollins goes to a waistlock then hits a back suplex followed by a replay of it. Rollins slaps Montez on the head and goes for the suplex back into the ring. Ford blocks it and hits a kick to the head. Ford goes to the top rope and hits the crossbody for 1...2...no. Smith says that took the wind out of Ford but Montez and Seth slug it out in the ring. Ford drops Rollins with a clothesline, two kicks and an enziguiri. Ford hits a moonsault and covers for 1...2...no. Rollins goes for the back suplex but Ford rolls out of it, ducks the line and hits a blockbuster. Montez covers for 1..2....noooooo. Saxton says this is where a tag to Dawkins would be but its one on one. Ford eats an enziguiri and Rollins rolls him up for 1..2...no. Rollins hits a superkick and covers for 1...2..no. Rollins calls for the curb stomp but misses. Ford's superkick is blocked and Rollins goes for a powerbomb. Ford lands on the second rope and hits a tornado DDT for 1...2...no, Seth gets the foot on the rope. Ford gets crotched on the top rope and Rollins hits the buckle bomb in the corner. Rollins hits the falcon arrow and covers for 1...2....nooooooo. Rollins goes to the top rope but misses the big splash. Montez goes to the top rope but Rollins gets his knees up on the frog splash. Rollins hits the curb stomp and covers for 1..2...3 to win the match. Hell of an effort and hell of a match by Rollins and Ford. 2 for 2 so far tonight.

Time of match: 10:41

Winner: Rollins by pinfall

After the match Rollins goes for another curb stomp but Dawkins runs in to save the day. Rollins laughs his way up the ramp as the announcers put over Montez' effort. Smith talks about Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar then sends us to a clip of the main event including the tractor. It'll be a while before we see Lesnar again. Graves in real time says he has chills from that match and we have bonus footage of that night later. Then we get a graphic for Clash at The Castle coming up with Roman Reigns defending the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre on September 3rd in Cardiff. We then get a montage of all the media coverage Summerslam got. On to the next match.

Match 3

Alexa Bliss vs Asuka

Alex comes out with her demented doll and the announcers say Alexa wants a title shot against Bianca. Bell rings and they shake hands to start. They tie up but Asuka lands a forearm to the face but Alexa counters with a Peterson Roll for 1...2..no. Alexa hits a dropkick and does her pose then rolls Asuka up. Alexa drops Alexa with a shoulderblock then mocks her pose. Alexa whips Asuka into the corner but Asuka misses the dropkick. Alexa covers for a deuce then Alexa punches away at Asuka. She covers for a deuce then locks in a chinlock. Alexa does the double knee drop but misses the moonsault. Asuka does a dropkick on the ground and screams. Asuka hits chops and kicks before doing a german suplex. Asuka delivers a knee to the face but here comes Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky and Bayley for the triple team beatdown. Bayley hits a knee to the head of Alexa then Dakota hits a kick to the head of Asuka. Kai puts a chair on the faces but here comes Bianca to chase them off. Bianca grabs the mic and says she doesn't care who but she wants one of them tonight in a match. Iyo stands in front of the others and says bring it. Guess its going to be Bianca and Iyo later tonight. This match was doing well but it was broken up.

Time of match: 2:31

Winner: No one (No contest)

We cut to commercial and when we come back, we get a highlight of the post-match beatdown and Bianca's challenge. Then we get a graphic that Bianca will face Iyo later tonight. On to the next match.

Match 4

Dolph Ziggler vs Tommaso Ciampa vs Chad Gable in a Triple Threat Match

The winner of this takes on AJ Styles for the US title shot. Gable comes out with the mic and says "Shoooooosh, Houston we have a problem. He says the Houston Astros are a failure of an organization (which did not age well, the Astros went on to win the World Series two months later). Bell rings and Ciampa attacks Ziggler at the start. Dolph hits a dropkick and Gable rolls him up for nothing. Dolph hits a dropkick on Gable and Ciampa throws him off. Dolph goes up and over and Gable forearms him from behind. Gable and Ciampa double team Ziggler with both men working over the left leg. They do a double back elbow but Gable goes for the cover. Ciampa pulls him off and shoves him then Ziggler rallies with right hands. Ciampa slingshots Dolph into the ring post and Gable goes for the Oklahoma roll on Ciampa. Gable shouts Shoooosh and surfboard stomps Ciampa but Ziggler catches Gable with the fameasser. Ziggler covers for 1...2...no. Back from commercial Gable has the anklelock on Ziggler then Ciampa locks in the Cripper Crossface on Ziggler. Ciampa and Gable try to kicks each other off and Ziggler rolls up Gable for 1...2....no. Ciampa hits Gable with a fameasser and covers for 1...2....no. Ciampa works over the left leg of Ziggler and hits a Samoan drop from off the top rope. Ciampa covers but Gable hits a flying headbutt to stop the count. Ciampa hits a roaring elbow but Gable rolls through for a german suplex. Ziggler covers Gable for 1....2..no. Gable is sent outside and Ciampa does an O'Connor roll for 1....2....no. Ziggler counters with his own for 1...2....no. Ziggler hits the superkick on Ciampa but Gable throws Ziggler outside. Gable covers but Dolph pulls him outside. Ciampa knees Ziggler outside but Gable backslides for 1...2...no. Ciampa hits Fairy Tale Ending on Gable and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Damn good match and Tommaso goes from Miz' stooge to one win away from being number one contender to the US title.

Time of match: 10:30

Winner: Tommaso Ciampa by pinfall

We cut to a vignette of Edge forming Judgment Day and then getting thrown out of it after Finn Balor joined. Damien Priest hitting the concerto on Edge put him out on June 7th. Then Judgment Day tries to recruit Dom Mysterio in between him getting beat up by Rhea Ripley. Then we see the Summerslam match where Edge returned to aid the Mysterios against Balor and Priest.

Back from break we get some Summerslam highlights and then here comes Edge for a soliloquy to his old Metalingus theme. Edge thanks the fans for the ovation and says he's been a bit of an asshole the last few months. Edge says now we all get what we want and he created Judgment Day to help underutilized talent. He says he wanted to pass knowledge on to Rhea and Damien who get loudly booed. Edge says it felt like they were just getting started but the taste of power clouded their judgement. They were DAMN wrong thinking they knew it all. Edge admits he didn't see the attack coming but he pulled himself out of the hell they put him in, and its time to kill what he created. Edge says he's going to end Judgment Day and drops the mic. Quick and to the point, no rebuttal, no interruptions, good stuff.

The Mysterios are interviewed by Kevin Patrick about their chances tonight. Rey says Judgment Day is in their rearview and they have no idea what a savage Edge will be. Rey thanks Edge for his help and tonight they want to defeat the Usos to become champs. We get a graphic for Iyo vs Bianca coming up next before we go to break. Back from commercial we get a vignette of a tryout for the Performance Center where even Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets tried out. Next, Sarah Schreiber interviews Bayley and her new crew. Bayley cuts her off and says everyone's talking about them, not Bianca and Becky. Bayley says Raw has been a downward spiral since she left so she outsourced for help. Dakota says they know how to play the game and Bayley says they're in control. On to the next match.

Match 5

Iyo Sky (with Bayley and Dakota Kai) vs Bianca Belair

"The genius of the sky" Iyo takes on the Raw women's champion in a non-title match. Bell's gone and Bianca backs her into the corner to start. Bianca sends her into the buckle and kicks away at her.  Bianca moonsaults over Iyo and dropkicks her into the corner. Iyo snaps Bianca off the top rope and hits an Asai moonsault onto Bianca as we cut to commercial. Back from break Bianca hits a scoop slam, slides outside and runs in to shoulderblock her down. Bianca hits a dropkick but Iyo counters a full nelson by jumping on Bianca's back. Iyo chokes Bianca with her boot as Graves says Bayley's team are not rookies. Iyo covers Belair for 1......2..no. Iyo takes Bianca down and locks in a chinlock then a Russian leg sweep. Iyo covers for 1...2....no and Iyo taunts the irate crowd. Iyo goes for a crossbody but Bianca rolls through it and hits a fallaway slam. Bianca tells Iyo to get up and hits a Glam Slam then a springboard moonsault for 1...2..no. Tajiri and Beth Phoenix would be proud of her. Bianca scoop slams Iyo then goes up to the top only for Bayley and Dakota to get her attention. Iyo stops Bianca with a right hand and hits a top rope frankensteiner. Iyo covers for 1...2....no. Bianca's suplex is countered into a cradle for a two count but Bianca rolls through still holding on. Bianca finally hits the suplex and goes for the KOD. Iyo lands on her feet and Bianca catches herself on the apron. Both women are on the apron and Bianca tries to german suplex Iyo to the floor. Iyo blocks it and goes for the frankensteiner off the apron but Bianca catches her.  Bianca heaves Iyo into the barricade head with Bayley looking concerned. They sit on the apron and distract Bianca when Asuka and Alexa Bliss come down to even the odds as we go to break again. Back from commercial, Bianca hits a superplex off the top rope. Bianca hits a standing moonsault and covers for 1...2...no. Bianca ducks the enziguiri and Bianca goes for a waistlock. Iyo victory rolls out of it and stomps Bianca in the ribs. Sky hits the double knees in the corner but Bianca catches a second attempt, landing a spinebuster. Bianca goes for another springboard moonsault but Iyo gets the knees up. Bianca gets tripped up by Bayley but still tries for a big boot. Iyo moves and rolls up Bianca with the feet on the ropes, but Alexa pushes her feet off. All four outsiders get in the ring and brawl as the ref calls for the bell. Asuka nails Bayley with a knee to the head and Alexa does the same to Dakota. The referees get in the ring along with the Suit Brigade & Adam Pearce break them up. Jamie Noble tells Bayley's crew to get lost as Adam Pearce holds back Bianca's crew. Good match and the screwy ending actually works because you don't blow Iyo's comeback or make Bianca look weak. HHH is cooking so far. This feud is FAR from over.

Time of match: 17:19

Winner: No one (no contest)

The Miz is hyping up Tommaso Ciampa in the back. He starts naming past US champions and Kevin Patrick sneaks up to ask about Miz's thoughts on Ciampa and Logan Paul. Miz says he had Paul beat but AJ Styles blindsided Ciampa. Ciampa says AJ Styles chose the wrong side at Summerslam and he used to respect him. Ciampa says Paul is mocking "our home" and he's going to crush Styles. Miz says Ciampa has passion and emotion and because of him, you're looking at the next champion. Least we're getting good matches out of this. Before we go to break we get a "just say no" ad for vaping before some Kevin Owens facts like he was born in Quebec....yay. Before the next match, our special guest commentator for the US title match is.....FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME....WCW CHAMPION BOOKER T! We got four guys at the table for our next match.

Match 6

AJ Styles vs Tommaso Ciampa (with The Miz)

Winner gets Bobby Lashley and a US title shot. Graves says AJ is favoring his neck after the match he was in earlier as the bell rings. AJ and Ciampa get a test of strength to start and Tommaso gets in a headlock. Ciampa drops AJ with a shoulderblock and chokes him with his boot. Ciampa goes back to the headlock but AJ counters with a side backbreaker. AJ does a second side backbreaker but Ciampa rolls out of a suplex attempt, throwing AJ shoulder first into the ring post. Outside Tommaso gets a knee to the head and slides in to cover 1....2...no. Styles misses the Pele kick but Ciampa runs into the Lethal Combination. Ciampa regroups with Miz outside before being chased back in. Styles ducks the line and hits a dropkick to send Ciampa to the outside again. Styles hits a slingshot plancha as we got to break. Back from commercial, they slug it out in the middle of the ring before Styles hits the running forearm. A stinger splash in the corner is followed by a death valley backbreaker. Styles covers for 1...2....no. Styles goes for the Styles Clash but Ciamoa counters with a roaring elbow. Ciampa hits a fameasser and covers for a deuce before missing a running knee. Styles goes for a Canadian Destroyer but Ciampa kicks out of it. Styles suplexes Ciampa into the corner and catches his breath. AJ hits a big forearm and goes for the Phenomenal Forearm but Ciampa counters with a knee to the head. Ciampa covers for 1..2....no. Ciampa hits the Project Ciampa and covers for 1...2..no. Ciampa chops AJ in the corner and says he deserves the title shot, not AJ. Ciampa goes for White Noise off the tope rope but AJ counters it with Styles Clash. AJ covers but Miz puts Ciampa's foot on the rope. Smith says Ciampa was done but Miz saved the day. AJ clotheslines Miz into the timekeeper's table but Ciampa throws him first into the ring post, then into the timekeeper's pit as well. Styles has to run back in to beat the count but Ciampa hits him with a knee lift. Ciampa hits Fairy Tale Ending and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Another damn good match even with the dicked ending. Ciampa's two wins tonight are more important than anything else he's done the last six months. HHH taking care of his NXT guys big time so far. Its gonna be Bobby Lashley against Tommaso Ciampa next week.

Time of match: 13:41

Winner: Ciampa by pinfall

Back to Kevin Patrick with Bobby Lashley himself. He asks what he thinks of Ciampa and Lashley says he'll defend his title every week if needed. He praises Ciampa for getting this far and he's dangerous with Miz in his corner. Lashley says he'll take anyone and he humbled Austin Theory, he'll put Ciampa in the Hurt Lock. We get a graphic for our main event as we go to break. Back from commercial, its time for the tag title match.

Match 7

The Mysterios (Rey Jr and Dominik) vs The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) for the WWE Tag Team Championships

Before the match, we see the carnage of Summerslam after they went off air with Brock Lesnar tipping his hat in the elevated ring. Rey starts with Jey Uso and Jey runs into the corner but heave Mysterio under the rope. Rey pulls the top rope down to send Jimmy flying and he makes the tag to Dom. Dom dives on top of both Usos as we go to break. Back from commercial Jimmy is in the ring with Rey. Jimmy chops him in the corner and sends him sternum first into the buckle. Jimmy locks in a chinlock until Rey powers out of it. Jey tags in to prevent the tag and he taunts Dom. Jey calls for the ass bump and hits it and covers for 1..2....no. Jimmy tags in but Rey rallies with right hands. Rey lands a headscissors to send Jimmy into the ring post. Dom gets the hot tag and hits a crossbody on Jimmy. Dom rallies with clotheslines to an interfering Jey. Dominik hits a neckbreaker on Jimmy for 1...2..no. Dom hits a bulldog on Jimmy and dropkicks him into the second rope. Dom goes for the 619 but Jimmy rolls outside. Dom goes for a plancha but both Usos catch him, ramming him into the ring post as we go to break. Back from commercial, Jimmy goes for a top rope samoan drop but Dom counters with a tornado DDT. Rey and Jey get the tag and Rey hits a spinning arm drag on him. He hits a baseball slide on Jimmy outside and hits the West Coast Pop on Jey. Rey runs right into a superkick by Jey and he covers for 1......2.....no. Rey blocks the 1D and dropkicks Jimmy into the second rope. Dom tags in for the double 619 and Dom hits the frog splash off the top rope. He covers for 1......2.....NOOOOO, Jey breaks up the count at the last second. Rey throws Jey out of the ring and he pulls Rey out with him. Jey hits Rey with the superkick but Dom takes Jey out with a suicide dive. Dom goes back to the top rope but Jimmy uppercuts him. Rey blocks the superplex and shoves down Jimmy. Dom flips over Jimmy and hits a dropkick to send him to the second rope. Dom dials up the 619 but Jey tags himself in. Dom runs right into the 1D and Jey covers for 1..2...3 to win the match. Awesome match and the Mysterios looked like they had it a few times. The Uso's incredible reign continues.

Time of match: 15:34

Winners: The Usos by pinfall (Still tag team champions)

Post match Judgment Day attacks the Mysterios and the Uso's just shake their heads and walk away. Rhea Ripley wraps her legs around Dom in the corner with Finn and Priest kicking away at Rey. Here comes Edge to even the odds, clotheslining Priest over the top to the floor. Edge hits Edgecution on Balor and goes for the spear but somehow Rhea pushed Dom in the way. Edge spears Dom out of his shoes and Judgment Day bails. Rey gets in and looks at Edge with an angry look, he must not have seen Rhea push Dom in the way. EMTs and Rey tend to Dom inside the ring as we sign off.

Triple H came out of the gate firing bullets tonight. Bayley's crew are established as a threat, Tommaso Ciampa gets pushed, Montez Ford had a hell of a battle with Seth Rollins and babyface Edge is back. The Usos still are the tag champs and things are looking up. Less comedy, more wrestling, was that so hard? Hopefully Smackdown will pick up where Raw left off and they got the guys to put on great matches too. Judgment Day got one over on Edge and the Mysterios and it looks like Dom might turn soon, he didn't seem to happy Rey praised him earlier and then this happened. The next show after this is tomorrow night's NXT. 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.