NXT
Date: June 14, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett

We’re taped this week and rapidly on the way to the Great American Bash in three weeks. That means it is time to start getting the show ready and odds are some of those things are going to be done this week. One of the bigger matches this week will see the Creed Brothers defending the Tag Team Titles so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Tag Team Titles: Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. Creed Brothers

The Creeds are defending. Brutus takes Blade into the corner to start and then shoulders him into it again, only to have Blade come back with a headlock on Julius. It’s off to Enofe for the 619 in the corner, followed by a weird slow motion sunset flip for two. Enofe ties up the arms and pulls on Julius’ neck but some power gets Julius out of trouble. Brutus gets slammed onto Enofe for two and we hit the front facelock.

A northern lights suplex is enough for the escape and it’s back to Blade to pick up the pace. Enofe comes right back in for a dropkick but gets backdropped to the floor. There’s a double backdrop to Blade though and we take a break. Back with Brutus getting kicked in the face, setting up Enofe’s top rope elbow for two. The tag brings Julius back in though and everything breaks down, allowing Blade to get suplexed into the basement lariat for the pin at 13:53.

Rating: B-. This is about as classic of a tag team story as you are going to get, with the power of the Creeds vs. the speed of Blade/Enofe. That’s a formula that is going to work almost every time and these guys had a perfectly watchable wrestling match with the teams looking good. Nice opener.

Respect is shown post match.

Indi Hartwell is sad about her love life but tells Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade to work hard. Cora calls her out for being an old grizzled veteran at 25, but what matters is that they’re ready for Toxic Attraction tonight.

Apollo Crews is sitting in a diner and writing about his WWE career in a journal. He has had great results in WWE, but he still hears the echoes of those three letters. Now he is going back to NXT….but we pause for him to fantasize about beating up a rude customer in a diner. Instead he goes over to said customer and asks if there is a problem, only to be told to get out of his face.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley

Wendy Choo is seen bouncing through Stratton’s entrance on a big ball. Stratton backs into the corner to start but Henley unloads on her with right hands. Henley gets caught in the ring skirt though and Stratton takes over on her, including a toss towards the ropes for a big crash down.

A slingshot Swanton gives Stratton two and we hit….a rather weird hold on Henley (picture the start of a Code Red, but Stratton bridges back to force a sitting Henley down to the mat). The comeback is on and Henley kicks her into the corner, only to get caught in a fall away slam. Cue Choo to throw confetti at Stratton, allowing Henley to grab a small package for the pin at 3:10.

Rating: C. Ah yes, the continuing saga of that girl on a ball with the confetti. Henley winning isn’t the biggest upset ever but I could go for Stratton not losing so often. Hopefully she doesn’t lose to Choo as well, no matter how much NXT seems to think that she is the funniest and least annoying person ever.

Cameron Grimes is depressed but Bron Breakker tells him it’ll be ok. Grimes leaves and here is Duke Hudson to needle Breakker. The match seems set for some point in the future.

Video on Lash Legend vs. Alba Fyre, featuring Legend giving her career bio, because LASH LEGEND IS A THING AND YOU WILL CARE ABOUT HER.

Wes Lee vs. Xyon Quinn

Lee tries an early rollup but Quinn picks him up for a drop onto the top rope. A running shoulder to the ribs into a backdrop has Lee down again as the dominance is on. Back up and Lee hits a backflip kick to the head, setting up the Spiral Tap for the pin at 2:48. Lee getting some wins is a good thing.

Joe Gacy is ready for the Dyad to win.

Video on Nathan Frazer, who is from Jersey (not New) and loved diving off of things on the beach. He was also really good soccer player and could have played in the EPL, but wound up following his dream of wrestling. To be continued.

Dyad vs. Javier Bernal/Dante Chen

Joe Cacy is here with the Dyad. We’ll say Dy takes Chen down to start before it’s off to Ad for a forearm to Chen. Dy, who is left handed, throws some shots to the head to put Chen down but Chen gets in a boot to the face. It’s back to Chen to start picking up the ace but a clothesline cuts him off. Everything breaks down and an elevated DDT (ala Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan) finishes Chen at 3:53.

Rating: C. The new team did well enough together but all that matters is the fact that we have to hear more and more from Gacy, who is one of the top heels on the show. Dyad was ok and I’m curious to see who is under the hoods, but listening to Gacy talking about acceptance and all that jazz every week isn’t quite appealing.

Post match Gacy says don’t judge these two for wanting to belong. Threats and evil smiling ensue.

Sanga is in the back with Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz when Xyon Quinn comes in. Words are exchanged, but Sanga standing up scares Quinn off.

Nikkita Lyons is coming back.

Here is Tony D’Angelo’s Family, complete with Legado del Fantasma. D’Angelo is pleased with Stacks and Two Dimes and gives them some cash. As for Legado, they need to understand the idea of the code of silence, which results in a rather forced handshake, much to the fans’ annoyance. D’Angelo has a family and the title of Don, but now he wants a title around his waist. Cue Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams to say they don’t buy this. The title match is made for next week.

Toxic Attraction is ready to destroy Roxanne Perez, Indi Hartwell and Cora Jade.

NXT Title: Bron Breakker vs. Duke Hudson

Breakker is defending but Hudson jumps him from behind before the bell. That’s fine with Breakker, who hits the running shoulders and a spear. The gorilla press powerslam retains the title at 43 seconds.

Post match here is Cameron Grimes to say she would like to finish his chat with Breakker. Grimes says Breakker has that title because of his last name, but no one knows who Grimes’ daddy was. That’s completely fine, but that’s the problem: Breakker’s dad was sitting in the front row watching him win a title while Grimes’ dad had to look down at him. Grimes is tired of the catchphrases so let’s launch the rocket and go to the moon at the Great American Bash. Breakker shakes his hand and we’re on.

Ivy Nile gives Tatum Paxley a bit of a pep talk. Roderick Strong and Damon Kemp come in and ask what is up with that, because Strong wants no excuses. The Creeds come in and Strong isn’t happy with them shaking hands after the title defense. Strong was right, but he gets to return to the ring next week. That doesn’t sit well with Strong, but he seems ready to go.

Sofia Cromwell doesn’t want Brooks Jensen ringside next week when Von Wagner gets his revenge.

Giovanni Vinci vs. Guru Raaj

Vinci’s entrance includes a bunch of pictures being take of Vinci (photographers not included) with Vini, Vidi, Vinci on the screen. Vinci takes him down with a headlock takeover before hitting a hard running shoulder. Raaj fights up with a dropkick and that just annoys Vinci. A springboard spinning crossbody drops Raaj and a hard clothesline does it again. Vinci picks him up for a sitout Last Ride and the pin at 2:49. Not a bad debut and the finish was devastating, so nice job for a start.

Grayson Waller interrupts Solo Sikoa, who is so annoyed that he wants a match next week. Cool with Waller.

Malik Blade and Edris Enofe aren’t happy with their loss but they’ll get another shot. Cameron Grimes pops in to say they shouldn’t be this complacent. What if they never get another win like that? They’re trying to leave before the show is over because they’re not hungry. Grimes doesn’t want Enofe to waste his talent, because Grimes doesn’t waste his own.

Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams vs. Stacks/Two Dimes

The rest of the Family is here too. Hayes knocks Dimes down to start and Williams gets in a dropkick of his own. Two Dimes comes in to take over on Hayes and the beating is on, including a hard clothesline. A knee to the ribs keeps Hayes in trouble but something close to the Demolition Decapitator misses. Williams comes in to clean house so Legado tries to interfere, only to take Two Dimes out by mistake. That’s enough for Hayes to go up top for the ax kick and the pin at 4:20.

Rating: C. The problems are already (Or is it still?) showing between the mega team and that’s about what they were shooting for the whole time. Odds are this isn’t going to last long and that is about the only way this could have gone. On top of that, it’s quite the relief to see a champion not lose, as that is far too common of a WWE trope.

Legado gives a great “oh well” look after the match.

Post break D’Angelo yells at Legado, saying to get better, starting next week.

Cora Jade/Indi Hartwell/Roxanne Perez vs. Toxic Attraction

Mandy starts with Jade but quickly hands it off to Jane to pieface her. Jade takes over without much trouble so it’s off to Rose vs. Hartwell, with the latter grabbing a wristlock. A side slam drops Rose and we need a Toxic Attraction huddle on the floor. Back in and Toxic Attraction is knocked outside as we take a break.

We come back with Perez ankle scissoring Jayne down and grabbing a rollup for two. A discus forearm cuts Perez down for two and it’s time for the strike off. Perez rolls her way to freedom and it’s off to Hartwell to take Rose into the corner. Jade gets to clean house for a bit until Jayne takes her down for a kick to the back.

The double clothesline puts Jade and Rose down though, meaning Jade needs to crawl over to Hartwell. The referee doesn’t see the tag though and it’s Dolin taking over on Jade. That doesn’t last either though as the hot tag brings in Hartwell to clean house. Everything breaks down and Jade hits a top rope backsplash on Dolin, allowing Perez to get the pin at 13:45.

Rating: C+. The ending got better and the result helps set up both title matched down the line. That’s a good thing for the future as you can picture one if not both titles changing hands, which is a good thing. The match itself was energetic and they even got in the referee missing the tag spot. Good enough main event here, though the interest might not be that high.

Overall Rating: C. This was a show that didn’t exactly have a lot of greatness on the show, but it set up some things for the future, likely at Great American Bash. It’s kind of a fast turn around from In Your House but at least this is going to be a TV show instead of another big special. This was a right in the middle show with some ok matches, though nothing that is worth taking the time to watch.

Results
Creed Brothers b. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade – Basement lariat to Blade
Fallon Henley b. Tiffany Stratton – Small package
Wes Lee b. Xyon Quinn – Spiral Tap
Dyad b. Javier Bernal/Dante Chen – Assisted elevated DDT to Chen
Bron Breakker b. Duke Hudson – Spear
Giovanni Vinci b. Guru Raaj – Sitout elevated powerbomb
Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams b. Stacks/Two Dimes – Top rope ax kick to Two Dimes
Cora Jade/Indi Hartwell/Roxanne Perez b. Toxic Attraction – Top rope backsplash to Dolin

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Monday Night Raw
Date: June 13, 2022
Location: Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas
Commentators: Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Jimmy Smith

It’s the first Raw without Cody Rhodes in a bit and that doesn’t exactly leave us with a ton of options. The biggest problem would seem to be the lack of a main event star around here, but maybe we can find someone in the Money in the Bank qualifying matches. Let’s get to it.

Here is last week’s show if you need a recap.

We open with MizTV with special guest Paul Heyman. Miz talks about the Money in the Bank ladder match and puts over how important the briefcase can be, including his two wins. Heyman says that the percentages don’t matter because whoever wins is going to lose to Roman Reigns.

We hear about Reigns vs. Riddle on Friday, so here is Riddle to discuss various testicles. Riddle is ready to win the title on Friday but Heyman doesn’t think Riddle is even going to win tonight. As for Friday though, he can win, or he can never have another title shot ever. Heyman brings out the Usos but here are the Street Profits to uneven the odds.

Jimmy Uso vs. Montez Ford

Feeling out process to start with Jimmy knocking him down and getting a bit cocky. Back up and Ford takes him down with an armbar but Jimmy sends him to the apron and snaps off a suplex to put Ford in even more trouble. We take a break and come back with Jimmy staying on the ribs with a waistlock.

Ford flips out and starts kicking away, including a step up enziguri for two. The spinebuster gets two more on Jimmy but he’s right back with a pop up Samoan drop for the same. Ford is back up with a super hurricanrana to catch Jimmy on top but the frog splash hits knees, allowing Jimmy to get the pin at 12:51.

Rating: C. This was a nice singles match from both though the ending was only so good. I’m not entirely sure I can buy a countered splash as enough for a pin but it does make the impact of the splash look that much better. Ford getting a single match sounds like a good idea, though I’m not sure he’s ready for the singles push that people have been wanting for a long time.

We recap Seth Rollins showing respect to Cody Rhodes last week and then attacking him with a sledgehammer anyway.

We get a sitdown interview with Seth Rollins, who is asked if he feels any remorse over what he did. Of course not, because Rollins sees Cody as a virus. Sometimes you have to take matters into his own hands, like Rollins has a sledgehammer in his own hands. As for tonight, he wants to qualify for Money in the Bank and suggests using that sledgehammer on AJ Styles. Cue Styles to forearm Rollins, saying that was for Cody.

We look back at Dana Brooke beating Becky Lynch last week.

24/7 Title: Becky Lynch vs. Dana Brooke

Brooke is defending but gets jumped before the bell. Becky beats her down and says this isn’t about the 24/7 Title because she is tired of the disrespect. She thinks she should just win that Money in the Bank briefcase but for now, she’ll go after Brooke again. Cue Asuka for the brawl and Becky is cleared out. No match.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss/Liv Morgan vs. Nikki Ash/Doudrop

Nikki now has new black and gold gear. Bliss takes Ash to start but it’s quickly off to Doudrop, who isn’t having anything of a headscissors. A backsplash crushes Bliss for two and it’s back to Nikki to hammer away. Nikki’s running bulldog is countered and it’s off to Morgan to clean house. Morgan hits a middle rope dropkick for two on Doudrop, allowing the tag back to Bliss for the running Blockbuster. Ash makes a fast save and everything breaks down, with a side slam/reverse DDT combination getting two on Bliss. The fight goes to the floor but Bliss grabs a DDT to finish Ash at 4:21.

Rating: C-. Not terrible here, but the important part is getting two potential Money in the Bank winners to qualify at the same time. There were a lot of spots to fill and now they have two more covered in the span of one match. That is more than you get most of the time, even if there was little doubt given who was on the other side of the ring.

We recap the Judgment Day shakeup from last week with Finn Balor knocking Edge out and seeming to take over.

Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel

Owens knocks him into the corner and hits a Cannonball, setting up the Swanton for two at twenty seconds. Ezekiel is back and knocks Owens to the floor to take over, setting up a spinebuster for two back inside. That lets Ezekiel go up but Owens rolls away, which means Ezekiel goes outside with him.

An AA onto the steps knocks Owens silly and we take a break. Back with Owens holding a chinlock until his backsplash only hits Ezekiel’s raised knees. Ezekiel hits a running splash in the corner, followed by a jumping knee to put Owens on the floor again. Owens gets in a shot of his own but stops to yell at commentary, meaning Ezekiel wins by countout at 8:31.

Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one as the structure was all over the place, with Owens starting so fast and then losing when he got too annoyed. The problem was that Ezekiel got in a bunch of offense in the middle and it wasn’t close to a squash. The action was ok, but the match wound up being a mess.

Post match Ezekiel says he wants Money in the Bank, but before that there is next week….and Elias will be back.

Video on John Cena visiting a non-verbal refugee in the Netherlands.

MVP vs. Cedric Alexander

Omos is here with MVP. Before the match, MVP says Alexander needs to learn that he is down here and Omos is up here, with the Money In The Bank briefcase. Cedric knocks him down to start and there’s the springboard Downward Spiral for an early two. An Omos distraction lets MVP hit a clothesline and Ballin gets two more. The Playmaker gives MVP the pin at 1:31.

AJ Styles is ready to beat Seth Rollins in a Money in the Bank qualifying match.

Rollins dedicates his match to Cody Rhodes.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles

Styles slugs away to start and grabs some early rollups for two each. Rollins gets in a shot of his own but AJ sends him outside, setting up the slingshot forearm to the floor to drop Rollins again. Styles gets sent over the announcers’ table though and we take a break. Back with Styles striking away, setting up the belly to back faceplant for two. The low superkick gives Rollins the same but the Stomp is countered into the Calf Crusher.

That’s broken up but AJ grabs it again, this time sending Rollins over to the ropes. Back up and Rollins hits a discus forearm, only to have his buckle bomb countered into a suplex into the corner. Rollins is fine enough to hit the Buckle Bomb but the frog splash only hits mat. The Styles Clash is loaded up but Rollins reverses into a sunset flip for the pin at 15:11.

Rating: B. We’ll call this another case of “what were you expecting”. These two could probably have a very good match in their sleep and that is what they did here, with Rollins winning to get back on track and Styles putting over someone else who is already a big star. That is kind of Styles’ thing as of late but at least Styles is done with Edge for the time being.

Riddle vs. Ciampa

Miz is on commentary. Riddle takes him down into a cross armbreaker to start, only to be sent into the corner for his efforts. Ciampa comes back with a shot of his own but has to escape Bro Derek. Another shot runs Riddle down but he wins a strike off and hits the Orton scoop powerslam. The hanging DDT gets the same but Ciampa grabs an ankle lock. The running knee to the face gives Ciampa two but Riddle hits his own knee. The RKO finishes Ciampa at 4:35.

Rating: C. What is Ciampa supposed to be in WWE? He is a big enough star that he is consistently on Raw and some people seem to think something of him, but he has been treated as a loser for weeks. What was the point in bringing him up if this is the best they have for him? Other than crushing another HHH guy of course.

Bianca Belair is sick of Rhea Ripley and promises to shut her up at Money In The Bank. Judgment Day pops up on screen to recap getting rid of Edge and seems rather happy with it. Ripley promises to take the Women’s Title from Belair.

Theory is ready to beat Bobby Lashley in a pose down tonight.

John Cena is back in two weeks.

Chad Gable vs. Mustafa Ali

Otis is here with Gable, who takes Ali down without much effort. Ali hurricanranas him into an armdrag but he misses a charge into the middle buckle for a nasty crash. The bow and arrow hold goes on but Ali slips out without much trouble. Gable misses the moonsault though, allowing Ali to hit a running clothesline. The tornado DDT connects but Otis offers a distraction, allowing Gable to hit Chaos Theory for the pin at 3:44.

Rating: C+. I’m glad to see Ali back on TV but I don’t think there is any reason to believe that things are going to get better for him than this. WWE is not going to give Ali much of a chance to do anything after his disagreement with the company and while it is sad, it certainly isn’t that surprising. I mean, he’s losing to Gable on Raw. How much worse can it be?

We look back at Veer Mahaan taking out Dominik Mysterio.

Veer Mahaan vs. Rey Mysterio

Dominik is here too. Rey goes for the leg to start but gets taken down with a single shot. Veer sends him chest first to the floor for the crash, followed by the chest first whip into the corner back inside. A missed charge sends Veer into the post and out to the floor, where he beats up Dominik for fun. Back in and Veer spins him into a faceplant, setting up the Cervical Clutch to make Rey tap at 3:39.

Rating: C. If there is a point coming to this seemingly never ending feud, I’m not seeing it. Mahaan has wrecked both Mysterios multiple times now but for some reason we are seeing it again and again. How long are they supposed to do it before WWE gives up? So far it has been two plus months, so I guess about that long plus.

And now, a pose down between Bobby Lashley and Theory. They both get to do the same three poses, with Theory looking fine but being outmatched. Lashley wins, but Theory sprays baby oil in his eyes and dropkicks him. This could have been a segment at 9:14 on any given week and far from the closing of Raw.

Overall Rating: C-. This was right back to the norm for Raw: a bunch of stuff that we have covered before without anything that you really need to see. Couple that with a pretty dreadful last half hour and there was no reason to care about this show. Money in the Bank got a little build, but I still have no idea why I should want to see a bunch of qualifying matches for a ladder match for a title shot that might not have happened a year from now.

Results
Jey Uso b. Montez Ford – Countered frog splash
Liv Morgan/Alexa Bliss b. Doudrop/Nikki Ash – DDT to Ash
Ezekiel b. Kevin Owens via countout
MVP b. Cedric Alexander – Playmaker
Seth Rollins b. AJ Styles – Sunset flip
Riddle b. Ciampa – RKO
Chad Gable b. Mustafa Ali – Rolling Chaos Theory
Veer Mahaan b. Rey Mysterio – Cervical Clutch

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Have to spend some time in the hospital, though the wife and I will be coming home with someone new later this week.  I have no idea when I’ll be able to get the weekly shows done but I’ll see what I can squeeze in.

KB

Make sure you check out some recent reviews.

NXT LVL Up – June 10, 2022

NXT UK – June 9, 2022

Monday Night Raw – December 3, 2007

Former WWE Star Reveals Interesting Gimmick Planned For Him.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/former-wwe-star-reveals-interesting-gimmick-planned/

WATCH: WWE Star Possibly Injured During Match On This Week’s SmackDown.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/watch-wwe-star-possibly-injured-match-weeks-smackdown/

Good For Him: WWE Star Auctioning Off Ring Worn Gear For A Special Cause.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/good-wwe-star-auctioning-off-ring-worn-gear-special-cause/

There’s The News: Update On Cody Rhodes’ Injury Status (And It’s Not Good).

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/theres-news-update-cody-rhodes-injury-status-not-good/

There’s Your Dream Team: Bret Hart Manages FTR Over The Weekend.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/theres-dream-team-bret-hart-manages-ftr-weekend/

WRESTLING RUMORS: WWE Considering Babyface Turn For Longtime Star.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wrestling-rumors-wwe-considering-babyface-turn-star/

Double Shot: Two World Titles Change Hands Over The Weekend.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/double-shot-two-world-titles-change-hands-weekend/

There Is It: Main Event Set For AEW Forbidden Door.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/main-event-set-aew-forbidden-door/

There’s Another One: WWE Releases Another NXT Star.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/theres-another-one-wwe-releases-another-nxt-star/

Ouch: NXT Star Injured At Live Event, Match Stopped.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/ouch-nxt-star-injured-live-event-match-stopped/

Family Business: Usos Tease A Bit Of A Surprising Career Move.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/usos-tease-bit-surprising-career-move/

They Had An Idea: Toni Storm Reveals Original Plans For Her Time In WWE.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/idea-toni-storm-reveals-original-plans-time-wwe/

As always, hit up the comments section to chat about what is going on and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

Monday Night Raw
Date: December 3, 2007
Location: North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, South Carolina
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

We are less than two weeks away from Armageddon and the Raw main event seems to be Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton for the Raw World Title. Other than that, we have HHH vs. Jeff Hardy and odds are that is going to get the majority of the attention this week. I’m not sure what that is going to entail but let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Here is Chris Jericho to get things going. Jericho is back and wants a title match, which is why he cost Randy Orton a match against Ric Flair last week. Then after last week, Jericho felt a tingle in his pants because of this. We see a clip of Orton agreeing to the title match after Raw last week and Jericho is rather happy.

Cue Orton, who lists off all of his recent victims but Jericho says that just like beating Rock and Austin in one night, that means nothing right now. Violence is teased but here is William Regal to say the two of them can pick the other’s opponents tonight. Orton picks Umaga to face Jericho while Jericho makes Orton vs. Shawn Michaels.

Maria/Mickie James vs. Melina/Beth Phoenix

Maria takes Melina down for an early two but Melina is back up with some shots to the face. Beth comes in to power her into the corner but stops to bring in Mickie. They slugout is on until Beth pulls her off of the top for the crash. With Maria knocked down, it’s a fisherman’s buster to finish Mickie, making me wonder what the point was to this one.

Shawn Michaels says tonight, the WWE Title isn’t on the line, but Sweet Chin Music is all legal. Mr. Kennedy pops up on a monitor to tell Shawn to be ready for their match at Armageddon. He promises a blast from the past that could break Shawn’s heart.

Here is Mr. Kennedy for a chat. He wants to get to know Shawn a bit more so he has invited some of Shawn’s friends and rivals. We’ll start with someone Shawn won’t share the spotlight with: Marty Jannetty (that’s not Marty Jannetty), Razor Ramon (that’s not Razor Ramon, though he does get in a Hey Yo) and Diesel (that’s not Diesel). We need the man himself though, but that’s not Shawn Michaels. They get to describe Shawn, including words like egotistical, chump and traitor. Kennedy threatens the fake Shawn but gets cut off by the real thing. House is cleaned with Kennedy leaving for the staredown from the floor.

Next week: Raw’s 15th Anniversary.

Vince McMahon, with Coach, is on the phone in his office and announces that Hulk Hogan will be here next week. Other names include Trish Stratus, Mick Foley, Eric Bischoff (Vince: “ERIC BISCHOFF???) and Hulk Hogan but here is Hornswoggle to interrupt. Vince has him sit down because he has something special for next week: the official McMahon Family Portrait. As for tonight, Vince isn’t happy with Hornswoggle surviving his tough love attempts, but since Finlay isn’t here tonight, we’ll see how the Luck of the Irish does against Coach/Carlito. The bosses leave and Hornswoggle pulls out a phone.

We look back at HHH and Jeff Hardy working together last week before being told they will be facing off at Armageddon.

William Regal comes in to see HHH and talks about the logic behind the match with Hardy. Speaking of that match, we’ll sweeten the pot a bit by making it for the WWE Title shot at the Royal Rumble. Since that title means so much to HHH, maybe he’ll use that anger on Hardy. HHH says he doesn’t hate Hardy, but he would Pedigree his mother, grandmother or father in law to be WWE Champion again.

Umaga vs. Chris Jericho

We actually join this in progress with Jericho in control on the floor and taking him back inside for some elbows to the head. Umaga sends him outside though and it’s a splash for two back inside. The nerve hold goes on for a bit, followed by a superkick to send Jericho into the corner. The running hip attack misses though and Jericho manages a knockdown of his own. Jericho’s running dropkick into the Lionsault gets two and the Codebreaker (now named) connects but Randy Orton runs in to jump Jericho for the DQ.

Rating: C+. These two can work well together but my goodness Umaga has fallen a long way. There is only so much you can do with a monster who keeps losing over and over. He didn’t even take a pin here, but rather than being something that mattered, he was just there to make Jericho look good. It happens to most monsters though, and that is the case again here.

Post match Orton lays Jericho out with the RKO.

Hornswoggle vs. Carlito/Jonathan Coachman

No DQ and hold on though as Hornswoggle has hired protection for this match. Cue the APA to wreck Carlito and Coach, setting up the Tadpole splash to finish Coach fast.

Post match Bradshaw says they’re open for hire and plugs Smackdown, with Simmons adding the catchphrase.

Snitsky wants the Intercontinental Title and to hurt Jeff Hardy in the process.

Intercontinental Title: Snitsky vs. Jeff Hardy

Hardy is defending. Snitsky knocks him down fast and drops an elbow before choking away in the corner. We hit a double underhook crank to keep Hardy down but he avoids the running legdrop. A quick Twist of Fate into the Swanton retains the title.

Rating: C-. Not much to see here but were you expecting anything else from Snitsky getting a title shot? That is the kind of thing you see happen when someone no shows a house show. Hardy getting a win is a good thing as his rise up the card continues, and you know that he is coming for the main event scene a lot sooner rather than later.

Post match Snitsky kicks him in the face but HHH comes in with the sledgehammer for the save. HHH teases hitting Hardy but helps him up instead.

Smackdown Rebound.

Armageddon rundown.

Jillian Hall comes in to sing for Vince McMahon, who isn’t impressed. William Regal comes in to tell him that Stephanie McMahon is on her way.

Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton

Non-title. The chase is on to start with Shawn catching him in inside and starting the stomping. The headlock slows Orton down but he’s back up with an elbow to the face. Back up and Michaels grabs an ankle lock of all things to put Orton in trouble. Orton rolls out to the floor for a breather and we take a break.

Back with Shawn clotheslining him out to the floor but missing a superkick, which hits the timekeeper by mistake (Shawn has a bad record with that). Back in and Orton stomps away and we hit the chinlock with a bodyscissors. Shawn fights up and hits a slam into the top rope elbow but has to dive onto an invading Kennedy. They fight into the crowd and Shawn is counted out (because a DQ isn’t an option for some reason).

Rating: C+. This is another match that is going to work almost no matter what because they have some good chemistry together. They weren’t going to have either of them take a fall here as they both have big matches coming up at Armageddon, so this was a matter of waiting on either Kennedy or Chris Jericho interfering. Granted it was a nice match on the way there, but it was waiting.

Post match Kennedy and Shawn brawl into the crowd as Chris Jericho runs in to jump Orton.

Stephanie McMahon comes in to see her dad and points out that he has invited a bunch of people who hate him for next week. She doesn’t want to see him get beaten up again so please don’t put yourself in that place. Vince: “I LOVE CONFRONTATION!” He also promises to name the greatest Raw star of all time.

Overall Rating: C+. They are making me more interested in the pay per view than just about anything else they have done on Raw in the last little while so something is going right. I’m not sure how long that is going to last but at least we are getting some nice television on the way there. Just find a way to keep it going and WWE could be going somewhere.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT UK
Date: June 9, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

After last week’s title show, it’s time for another title show, which should make for a big week. This time around we have Meiko Satomura defending the NXT UK Women’s Title against Ivy Nile in a match that could go either way. Other than that, we could be getting some fallout from Moustache Mountain’s issues last week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter winning the Tag Team Titles last week. As a result, former champions Moustache Mountain doesn’t seem happy with each other.

Opening sequence.

Mark Andrews vs. Kenny Williams

Andrews is representing Subculture, but does that team actually exist outside of Andrews anymore? Williams bails to the floor to start but Andrews follows him outside and starts chopping away. Back in and Williams rakes the eyes to break up the armbar so Andrews twists the knee around the ropes. They go to the apron where Williams snaps the arm down, followed by a snap suplex for two back inside.

A belly to back gets Andrews out of trouble but Williams is right back on the arm to cut that off. The crossface chickenwing doesn’t work on Andrews, who is right back with the Stundog Millionaire. They strike it out with shots to the other’s damaged limb until Andrews grabs a left armed Side Effect for two. Another Stundog Millionaire misses and Williams kicks him in the arm for two more. Andrews goes up but gets pulled down by the arm, allowing Williams to take out the leg for a change of pace. Cue the masked Tiger Turan for a distraction though, allowing Andrews to grab a small package for the pin at 9:48.

Rating: C+. This was a fun one as tends to be the case with Andrews’ matches. He knows how to have the high flying style match and Williams can hang with anyone. The Turan deal is interesting as well, as there aren’t many people who could be under that mask but Williams is certainly shaken up by whomever it is.

We look at Moustache Mountain winning the Tag Team Titles and Trent Seven’s growing obsession to hold onto them, even if it meant slipping towards the dark side. Next week: an address from Seven.

Mark Coffey gets a phone call from his brother Joe, who is still gone. Mark says if Joe needs anything, call him or the rest of the family as things seem to be ok.

Tate Mayfairs/Oli Blake vs. Symbiosis

Eddie Dennis is here with Symbiosis. Primate powers Mayfair into the corner to start but Mayfairs dives at him with a headlock. Blake comes in and gets knocked into the corner, allowing T-Bone to hit a suplex. A double stomp sets up a fall away slam to give T-Bone two but Blake manages to roll over. The hot tag brings in Mayfairs to clean house…until a clothesline takes his head off. Primate’s top rope headbutt finishes at 4:34.

Rating: C-. Not much to see here as Mayfairs is ok at best and the team got squashed. What matters is Symbiosis getting a win as they could use the recharge. They have something with the aggressive monsters deal and Dennis continues to be a solid manager. I’m just not sure the two parts combined are solid.

Post match Symbiosis turns on Dennis and lays him out for good. I’m down with that.

Ilja Dragunov is here to watch Meiko Satomura retain her title.

Oliver Carter and Ashton Smith are very happy with their title win. Smith’s daughter was very pleased with the win.

Amale vs. Eliza Alexander

Xia Brookside is here with Alexander. Amale gets powered into the corner to start but she is right back with a running shoulder. A running clothesline has Alexander in so much trouble that Brookside offers a distraction, only to have Alexander miss an elbow. Back up and Alexander manages to kick her to the floor and it’s a chinlock back inside. That’s broken up and they slug it out until Amale hits a faceplant. Amale kicks Brookside off the apron but the distraction lets Alexander hit a running knee to the head for the pin at 6:53.

Rating: C. Amale has cooled off a good bit in the last few weeks and she is going to need something to help her bounce back up. What matters is that she still has the charisma and abilities to make something work and a big showdown with Brookside can help. At least this wasn’t a clean finish and Amale rising up to fight back would be nice to see.

Wolfgang talks to Damon Kemp, who has no idea what he said. They go drinking, which doesn’t go well for Kemp.

Lash Legend brags about how great she is and isn’t impressed by an interrupting Myla Grace.

NXT UK Women’s Title: Ivy Nile vs. Meiko Satomura

Nile is challenging and gets powered up against the ropes to start. A trip to the mat gives us a standoff but they’re right back on said mat for some grappling. Satomura grabs a gutwrench suplex but it’s already back to the grappling. Back up and Satomura’s running crossbody is pulled out of the air as the power gets Nile out of trouble.

The leg is tied up so Nile can crank on both arms but Satomura reverses into an armbar. An exchange of kicks goes to Nile for two and she hits some running forearms in the corner. Something like Diamond Dust gives Nile two and a running enziguri gets the same. Nile is back up with the dragon sleeper but Satomura flips backwards for the retaining pin at 10:27.

Rating: B-. The word here is survive, as Satomura didn’t so much beat Nile as much as she managed to stay alive. That’s a good sign for Nile’s future, as she seems like she could be ready for the next level sooner rather than later. Nile seems primed to be the future and having a legend like Satomura struggle to beat her is a great sign. On to bigger and better things for Nile, but at least she lost to someone who matters.

Respect is shown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was an interesting show as they didn’t focus on the big stars while also giving NXT UK a big win against the NXT visitors. It isn’t an invasion angle, but it is NXT UK reminding people that they’re still here rather than being doormats. I could go for less of some of the NXT stars, but at least we got a good main event out of Nile. Now get us back to the big stuff and we could be in for some fun times around here.

Results
Mark Andrews b. Kenny Williams – Small package
Symbiosis b. Tate Mayfairs/Oli Blake – Top rope headbutt to Mayfairs
Eliza Alexander b. Amale – Running knee
Meiko Satomura b. Ivy Nile – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT LVL Up
Date: June 10, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for another one of these which will likely have nothing whatsoever to do with the previous show and feature a bunch of stand alone matches. That is the standard formula around here and I wouldn’t expect to see it change anytime soon. It doesn’t mean the show will be bad, but it also doesn’t give me high expectations. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Valentina Feroz vs. Arianna Grace

Yulisa Leon is here with Feroz. Grace takes her down by the arm to start but Feroz reverses into an arm crank of her own. A rollup doesn’t work so Grace powers her up for a drop onto the buckle. The chinlock goes on but Feroz fights up and gets two off a small package. Grace kicks her down and, after walking around so she can face the camera, gets two. Some throws put Grace down and she hits a spear but Grace is back up. That’s fine with Feroz, who grabs a backslide for the pin at 4:14.

Rating: D+. In short, Grace is not ready for this spot as she looks all over the place and like she is trying to remember every thing that she has to do. The match wasn’t good and felt sloppy, with Feroz doing what she could but not exactly being great in her own right. I’m sure Grace will get a chance because of her look and family connection, but she needs a lot of work.

Sloane Jacobs vs. Sierra St. Pierre

Feeling out process to start with Jacobs grinding away on a headlock and hitting a dropkick. Another headlock takeover takes St. Pierre over and a middle rope spinning crossbody gets two. St. Pierre fights up and hits some right hands, setting up a neck crank. Jacobs grabs a butterfly suplex for two and finishes with a Samoan drop faceplant at 4:58.

Rating: C-. Jacobs is another work in progress and while I can get what WWE sees in her, she needs a lot more ring time and a lot more work before she is ready to go. This wasn’t terrible but it is clear that Jacobs is still figuring a lot of this stuff out. She might get there and I have more confidence in her than Grace, though that isn’t saying much.

Ikemen Jiro vs. Dante Chen

Jiro works on the wrist to start but Chen flips out and grabs a headlock. With that broken up, they fight over a pinfall reversal sequence to get us to a standoff. Chen gets knocked down for a twist of the neck and a running crossbody gives Jiro two. Back up and Chen knees him in the ribs before another shot sends Jiro to the apron. The seated abdominal stretch stays on the ribs but Jiro fights up with the jacket punches. A slingshot springboard moonsault gets two on Chen, who grabs a gutbuster. Not that it matters as the Ikemen Slice finishes for Jiro at 6:59.

Rating: C. Given my tastes in wrestling, Jiro is someone I shouldn’t like, but he has some great charisma and is smooth in the ring, making it hard to dislike him. That is more than I can say for a lot of NXT wrestlers and I get why he is in a more featured role. You can tell that he has the experience and abilities, but the jacket/over the top nature is likely to keep him pretty firmly in the lower levels of the card.

Overall Rating: C-. The women’s matches were rough but Jiro was a level higher enough to make this passable. This show continues to be the “yeah sure put them on, whatever” card of the week and that isn’t likely to change. What matters is getting people in the ring, but with the house show circuit coming back around, I’m not sure how much of an impact this show is going to have. It’ll stay around because WWE is the ultimate creature of habit, but it doesn’t need to be, at least not in this form.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Make sure you check out some recent reviews.

NXT – June 7, 2022

Dynamite – June 8, 2022

ECW On Sci Fi – November 27, 2007

Smackdown – November 30, 2007

Impact Wrestling – June 9, 2022

Smackdown – June 10, 2022

Rampage – June 10, 2022

VIDEO: Former Champion Makes Surprise Return To NXT After Six Year Absence.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/video-former-champion-makes-surprise-return-nxt-six-year-absence/

FOX Gives WWE Some Great SmackDown News.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/fox-gives-wwe-great-smackdown-news/

Wrestling Legend And AEW Manager Says MJF’s Promo “Made Me Sick”.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wrestling-legend-said-mjfs-promo-made-sick/

Switch: Here’s What Finn Balor Turning On Edge Means Behind The Scenes In WWE.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/switch-heres-finn-balor-turning-edge-means-behind-scenes-wwe/

WWE Legend Returned To Main Roster As A Producer Last Week.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-legend-returned-main-roster-producer-last-week/

WWE May Be Changing Judgment Day’s Direction In A Bigger Way.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-may-changing-judgment-days-direction-bigger-way/

Important Clarification On Stephanie McMahon’s WWE Hiatus, Vince McMahon Not Involved.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/important-clarification-stephanie-mcmahons-wwe-hiatus-vince-mcmahon-not-involved/

WATCH: Debuting NXT Star’s Identity Officially Revealed.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/watch-debuting-nxt-stars-identity-officially-revealed/

AEW Announces The Introduction Of A Brand New Title.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/aew-announces-introduction-brand-new-title/

You Might Have To Wait Even Longer To See Roman Reigns Defend The WWE Title.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/might-wait-even-longer-see-roman-reigns-defend-wwe-title/

I Remember Him: AEW Star Makes Surprise Return On Dynamite.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/remember-aew-star-makes-surprise-return-dynamite/

Group Of International Stars Make Surprise AEW Debuts, Big Match Already Set.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/group-international-stars-make-surprise-aew-debuts-big-match-already-set/

Your New Home: Two WWE Stars Officially Moved To NXT.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/new-home-two-wwe-stars-officially-moved-nxt/

WWE May Be Releasing More Wrestlers Soon.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-may-releasing-wrestlers-soon/

Update On MJF, Now Looking To Land More Acting Roles.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/update-mjf-now-looking-land-acting-roles/

WWE Teaming With Dark Side Of The Ring Creators For New Wrestling Series.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-teaming-dark-side-ring-creators-new-wrestling-series/

Cool Piece Of Wrestling Merchandise Suggests Former NXT Star May Head To AEW.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/cool-piece-wrestling-merchandise-suggests-former-nxt-star-may-head-aew/

Update On Charlotte’s Upcoming Return To WWE TV.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/update-charlottes-upcoming-return-wwe-tv/

Not So Fast: Rumored AEW Forbidden Door Match Not Expected To Happen.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/not-fast-rumored-aew-forbidden-door-match-not-expected-happen/

More Than One: Update On Adam Cole’s Injury Status.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/one-update-adam-coles-injury-status/

Update On Roman Reigns’ WWE Appearances, Rumored Match Still Possible.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/update-roman-reigns-wwe-appearances-rumored-match-still-possible/

Across The Bow: AEW And WWE Stars Trade Barbs On Twitter.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/across-bow-aew-wwe-stars-trade-barbs-twitter/

Franklin Who? Arena Accidentally Advertises Some Funny Names For WWE Live Event.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/franklin-arena-accidentally-advertises-funny-names-wwe-live-event/

Injury Scare Takes Place At This Week’s NXT Taping (CONTAINS MINOR SPOILER).

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/injury-scare-takes-place-weeks-nxt-taping-contains-mild-spoiler/

Vince McMahon Wants To Release His Memoirs.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/vince-mcmahon-wants-release-memoirs/

Hand It Over: Title Change Takes Place On WWE SmackDown.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/hand-title-change-takes-place-wwe-smackdown/

Vince McMahon And Other WWE Higher Ups Impressed By New Star.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/vince-mcmahon-wwe-higher-ups-impressed-new-star/

WWE Planning For Interesting John Cena Match At Summerslam.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-planning-interesting-john-cena-match-summerslam/

Longtime WWE Star Announces Departure From The Company.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/longtime-wwe-star-announces-departure-company/

Chris Jericho And MVP Had Altercation Last Month In Houston Hotel.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/chris-jericho-mvp-altercation-last-month-houston-hotel/

Ouch: WWE Legend Announces Upcoming Surgery With Six Months Of Rehab.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/ouch-wwe-legend-announces-upcoming-surgery-six-months-rehab/

On The Shelf: SmackDown Star Out Of Action With Knee Injury.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/shelf-smackdown-star-action-knee-injury/

As always, hit up the comments section to chat about what is going on and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

Rampage
Date: June 10, 2022
Location: Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence, Missouri
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz

We are just over two weeks away from Forbidden Door but things have been shaken up pretty hard around here lately. A string of injuries has changed some of the direction in AEW but bringing in some of the New Japan wrestlers should help. That includes this week, as Will Ospreay/Aussie Open are teaming up to face FTR/Trent Beretta. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Eddie Kingston vs. Jake Hager

Kingston strikes away to start but Hager knocks him down with a knee to the ribs. Hager sends him outside before it’s back inside to crank on both arms. They’re already back to the floor with Hager pounding away, followed by some forearms in the corner back inside. The armbar goes on back inside but Kingston fights up. That doesn’t go well for Kingston, who gets chopped so hard that he takes down the straps. Kingston kicks him in the head to take over, only to walk into an overhead belly to belly.

We take a break and come back with Kingston getting in a shot of his own for the double knockdown. Kingston knocks him into the corner for the rapid fire chops but Hager hits him in the face. The Hager Bomb gets two but Kingston grabs a suplex of his own. Kingston’s spinning backfist is countered into a suplex, only to have Hager come back with the ankle lock. Hager’s right hands in the corner rock Kingston, who comes right back with a pair of spinning backfists for the pin at 11:24.

Rating: C+. They had a good, hard hitting back and forth match here and what matters most is that Kingston got another big win. Kingston is starting to put together a streak where you can believe he could take down some bigger names and this should help. Hager might not be a top star, but he has been treated as someone hard to beat so there is some value for Kingston in the win.

Kingston has to be helped out.

Britt Baker is so mad at Toni Storm that she calls Tony Schiavone a dumb***. She doesn’t like Storm touching the Owen Hart Title but more than that, she misses the Women’s Title.

Video on Ortiz vs. Chris Jericho in their upcoming hair vs. hair match.

Satnam Singh/Jay Lethal vs. Besties In The World

Lethal and Vega start things off but it’s already off to Singh. That means the chopping and tossing can begin, with Vega not having many options. Fitchett tries to come in but both Besties get crossbodied at the same time. Singh holds both Besties for a double Lethal Injection to give Lethal the pin at 1:39. Total squash so not much to get out of Singh here, though he looked rather slow.

Danhausen was so proud of he and Hook winning at Double Or Nothing that they have bought matching golf carts. Hook arrives in his to give chase.

Red Velvet vs. Kris Statlander

The other Baddies and Stokely Hathaway are here too. Velvet charges at her outside but gets powerslammed HARD on the floor, allowing Statlander to throw her inside for the opening bell. That leaves Velvet asking the Baddies for advice, which seems to be “CHOKE HER”. Not that it works as Statlander walks up the steps and then the corner before throwing Velvet inside. A high crossbody misses though and Velvet starts in on the leg.

We take a break and come back with Statlander hitting some shoulders to the ribs in the corner. Statlander powers up and hits a very spinning Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Something like a Michinoku Driver gets two but Velvet is back with a running knee to the back of the head. A spinning middle rope corner drops Statlander and Just Dessert gets two. Velvet’s spinning kick to the head is blocked though and Friday Night Fever finishes for Statlander at 8:55.

Rating: C. Statlander is being built up well, even if it seems like she is there to be fed to Cargill. Letting her run through the Baddies is a good idea as that is why you have lackeys, though Athena might be the one getting the big title shot. Cargill has needed some actual challenges though and Statlander could be just that.

Post match Kiera Hogan and Jade Cargill lay Statlander out until Anna Jay comes in for the failed save attempt. Athena comes in for the real save attempt but gets held back.

Miro is ready to hurt Ethan Page and win the All Atlantic Title.

Ethan Page says he looks up to and prays to himself so he is ready to wave the Canadian flag as he beats Miro next week.

The United Empire and FTR/Trent Beretta are ready for the main event and don’t like each other very much.

Here’s what’s coming on upcoming shows.

United Empire vs. FTR/Trent Beretta

That would be Will Ospreay/Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher/Mark Davis) with Aaron Henare for the Empire. Harwood takes Ospreay down to start but gets run over by a shoulder. Wheeler comes in and gets kind of hurricanranaed down, giving us a standoff. Wheeler gets taken into the corner and it’s off to Davis to toss Wheeler into the wrong corner. Trent comes in and hits a few chops as everything breaks down. The Empire is sent outside and Trent hits an Asai moonsault but comes up favoring his ankle.

We take a break and come back with Trent hitting an enziguri but getting knocked down again by Davis. Fletcher misses a running dropkick in the corner though and the hot tag brings in Harwood to clean house. Some clotheslines set up the rolling German suplexes to Fletcher and it’s off to Wheeler for a powerbomb.

Another German suplex into a jackknife rollup gets two but Aussie Open gets back up to beat Wheeler down. A toss into a cutter sets up Ospreay’s springboard 450 for two. The Oscutter gives Ospreay the same but Wheeler gets away and brings Trent back in. Everything breaks down and Ospreay hits a slingshot dive onto FTR. That leaves Davis to go after Trent, who catches Davis in Strong Zero for the pin at 13:57.

Rating: B. This took some time to get going but the last few minutes were quite good. The Empire didn’t get to showcase itself very much here and that was more than surprising, but at least they did get to beat on Wheeler for a bit. Odds are all three of them will be around for Forbidden Door so there is something of a long term plan here. Good main event, with the guest stars working well before coming up short.

Overall Rating: B-. They went with the wrestling show here and as usual, it was good stuff. The main event took its time to get going but eventually found its gear and the opener was a hard hitting brawl. Statlander got a win and Singh….uh, Statlander got a win! This continues to be more of a supplemental show and thankfully that means cutting out some of the more illogical parts, which works out well as they seem to know what they want from Rampage.

Results
Eddie Kingston b. Jake Hager – Spinning backfist
Jay Lethal/Satnam Singh b. Besties In The World – Double Lethal Injection
Kris Statlander b. Red Velvet – Friday Night Fever
FTR/Trent Beretta b. United Empire – Strong Zero to Davis

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Smackdown
Date: June 10, 2022
Location: Raising Cane’s River Center Arena, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s officially Money In The Bank season and that means we need to have some qualifying matches. Maybe they can even play the theme song fourteen times. Other than that, we might get to hear about something related to Roman Reigns wrestling again sometime in the future. But probably not. Let’s get to it.

Here is Hell In A Cell if you need a recap.

Commentary hypes up tonight’s historic show. The lesson here: WWE commentators doesn’t know what historic means.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre

In the back, McIntyre throws Butch around and says he’ll see Sheamus out there. They hit each other hard to start with McIntyre getting the better of it off some chops. A Michinoku Driver gives Drew two but Sheamus sends him to the apron for the forearms to the chest. That’s reversed so Drew can hit his own, only to have Butch offer a distraction. Something like White Noise on the apron drops McIntyre and we take a break.

Back with Sheamus hitting an Alabama Slam for two but McIntyre fights up and hits the neckbreaker. There’s the nip up so a spinebuster can give McIntyre two more but Sheamus elbows his way out of a fireman’s carry. Sheamus hits his own Futureshock for two so he goes up, only to get pulled down with a super White Noise for two more.

The Claymore is loaded up but Sheamus knees him down for two of his own. The Brogue Kick is countered into a powerbomb for two but Butch comes in for a distraction. A Brogue Kick cuts him off so Sheamus hits a clothesline to put McIntyre on the floor. They fight in the timekeeper’s area and hit each other with chairs (at the same time) for a double DQ at 12:27.

Rating: B-. I wasn’t wild on the ending and I’ve seen these two fight more times than I can count, but at least they know each other well enough to have a good match almost every time. There is something to be said about two guys this big hitting each other this hard and it worked as usual. I’m sure they’ll have something to keep things going after that ending, but it worked as a nice TV match.

Post break the brawl is still going after the break, with Butch getting involved but not being able to do much. The fight heads out into the crowd, where they’re finally separated.

We recap Seth Rollins seemingly showing respect to Cody Rhodes and then attacking him (again).

Lacey Evans is ready to face Xia Li. She might not be better than Li, but Li certainly isn’t better that her.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Lacey Evans vs. Xia Li

Li throws her around to start and grabs a quick cobra clutch. That’s broken up and Evans elbows her in the face, setting up a slingshot Bronco Buster in the corner. Back up and the Woman’s Right finishes for Evans at 2:30. That wasn’t exactly a smooth match and then it just ends with the right hand out of nowhere.

Drew McIntyre comes in to see Adam Pearce and seems to threaten violence over not being in the Money In The Bank Ladder match.

Video on the Viking Raiders.

Sheamus and Butch also seem to threaten Adam Pearce.

Here is Ronda Rousey to say that she is ready to prove that her armbar is better than Uncle Bret’s Sharpshooter. Cue Shotzi to say she has a bad attitude and the challenge is on for right now. Sure why not.

Ronda Rousey vs. Shotzi

Champions Contenders match and Rousey takes her down without much effort. A belly to belly drops Shotzi for two but she tries a figure four necklock over the ropes. That’s reversed into an ankle lock in the ropes and they fall to the floor, with Shotzi hitting a tornado DDT.

Back in and Shotzi pounds away, setting up a kick to the head for two. An armbar has Rousey in more trouble but she fights out, only to fail at another ankle lock attempt. Shotzi suplexes her for two and then does it again into the corner. Some more strikes seem to wake Rousey up, with the slap to the face being a bad idea. A suplex into the armbar makes Shotzi tap at 7:20.

Rating: C. Some of Shotzi’s strikes looked great, with that kick to the head being one of the hardest looking shots I’ve seen from anyone in awhile. That being said, this was little more than a way for Rousey to get a win on TV and keep her sharp before the Natalya match. It wasn’t a match that you needed to see, but it did what it needed to do.

Post match Natalya jumps Rousey and puts her in the Sharpshooter.

Riddle is ready for Sami Zayn tonight, because if he wins, he gets to face Roman Reigns next week. The juice is worth the squeeze you see.

Intercontinental Title: Gunther vs. Ricochet

Gunther, with Ludvig Kaiser, is challenging and powers Ricochet around to start. The big chop knocks Ricochet silly and Gunther steps on him in the corner as we take a break. Back with Ricochet countering a powerbomb into the Code Red for two but a springboard is countered into a sleeper.

Ricochet escapes and hits a running knee but Gunther BLASTS him with a clothesline for two. Another sleeper over the ropes is broken up but Ricochet stops go to after Kaiser. Not that it matters as a standing shooting star press gets two on Gunther. The 630 misses though and it’s a dropkick into the corner. The powerbomb gives Gunther the title at 8:31.

Rating: C+. This was straight out of the Rob Van Dam playbook: build up a high flier, let him hold the title for a bit, and then drop it to someone on their way up. Ricochet getting the title in the first place showed that WWE might have some faith in him, but Gunther winning is absolutely the way to go as he has all kinds of potential. Gunther winning clean makes it even better.

Paul Heyman tells Sami Zayn to go win the main event and he might be in the Bloodline.

John Cena went to the Netherlands to meet a fan with Down’s Syndrome whose family had to flee the Ukraine because of the invasion. Well that’s about the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time.

Classic Smackdown Moment: Steve Austin and Booker T. in the (Green Frog) grocery store.

Video on Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss, who meet next week in a Last Laugh match.

Max Dupri’s newest client will be revealed next week instead of this week. At least they mentioned it.

Riddle vs. Sami Zayn

If Riddle wins, he gets Roman Reigns next week but if Zayn wins, Riddle is off of Smackdown. Paul Heyman is on commentary and note that the bell rings EIGHTEEN MINUTES after Sami’s entrance. Riddle goes for a triangle choke to start and Sami bails straight to the ropes. That’s fine with Riddle, who sits him on the apron for some rapid fire kicks to the chest.

Back in and Zayn gets in a few shots of his own to take over, setting up a chinlock. Riddle fights to this feet and goes up top, only to be shoved off and into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Riddle being knocked outside again but managing to beat the count. Riddle catches him up top but the super RKO is blocked. Riddle catches him with a jumping knee for two but Sami kicks him down.

Sami spends too much time mocking Randy Orton though and the jumping knee takes him down. Riddle kicks him to the floor for the springboard Floating Bro, followed by the hanging DDT back inside. The Blue Thunder Bomb gets two back inside and the Bro Derek is countered into a cradle for two more. Sami takes too long loading up the Helluva Kick though and it’s the RKO for the pin at 13:08.

Rating: B-. I don’t think it’s much of a surprise that Riddle won here given the stipulations, but at least they played up the idea of an upset being possible. Zayn is still someone who can take almost any loss and be fine, which will be the case here for sure. Riddle vs. Reigns has been set up and while I would prefer it at Money In The Bank, having ANY match from Reigns is better than taking the whole summer off.

Post match the Usos jump Riddle but he’s right back up with a kendo stick to clean house to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Maybe it’s due to things not going so well for so long, but this was a good Smackdown after a good Raw and two good weekend shows. WWE might be on a bit of a roll and that was the case here. They focused on bigger things this week, with the Sheamus vs. McIntyre match, then the Rousey stuff (not so great but she’s a name), followed by the title change and main event. I didn’t get bored once during this show and while I don’t believe it lasts, I will absolutely take a week of good stuff for once.

Results
Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre went to a double DQ when they both used chairs
Lacey Evans b. Xia Li – Woman’s Right
Ronda Rousey b. Shotzi – Armbar
Gunther b. Ricochet – Powerbomb
Riddle b. Sami Zayn – RKO

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