Monday Night Raw
Date: September 22, 2025
Location: Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We are done with Wrestlepalooza and it was certainly a big time event. The big story on the Raw side saw CM Punk and AJ Lee defeat Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, plus Stephanie Vaquer becoming the new Raw Women’s Champion. We’re on our way to Crown Jewel, meaning it’s time to do the champion vs. champion deal again. Let’s get to it.

Here is Wrestlepalooza if you need a recap.

We open with a long Wrestlepalooza recap.

Here is Cody Rhodes to get things going. He holds up the Crown Jewel ring and says he’d love to win another one but here is Seth Rollins to interrupt. Rollins has been looking forward to Crown Jewel so they can go face to face. Rollins knows a lot of people don’t like him but he wants to know what Rhodes things of him. Rhodes says it’s complicated but it shouldn’t be. He knows that Rollins has been making some questionable decisions as of late but he respects Rollins.

Rhodes is ready to win another ring, but Rollins holds up his watch, which was a present from Rhodes after Wrestlemania XL. This is the first time he’s worn it since then and now he wants to know if it was a real gift or a token gesture. Rhodes has talked about being the quarterback around here but what does that make Rollins? Does Rhodes think he’s just better?

The Vision is about the future of the industry and what it means, with Rollins as the tip of the spear. Rhodes can be the quarterback, but he’s Rollins’ quarterback. If Rhodes doesn’t accept that, things will go badly. Rhodes brings up that Rollins has never beaten him and leaves, with Rollins not looking happy. The Vision is there to cut Rhodes off, but they step aside. I always forget how boring this period is and this was no exception, as it’s for a prize that means nothing and which will not be mentioned for most of the year.

Jimmy Uso comes up to Jey Uso in the back and is looking for a rematch with the Vision, but Jey has already got a match tonight with LA Knight. Jimmy isn’t sure if that’s a good idea and thinks Jey and Knight should cool off, but Jey blames their loss at Wrestlepalooza on Knight. And the Vision would have taken Knight out if Jimmy hadn’t tagged with him last week. Jey says he isn’t blaming Jimmy and they’ll deal with the Vision after Knight.

New Day/Grayson Waller vs. War Raiders/Penta

No DQ. New Day and Waller are sent to the floor to start but they move before the dive. Back in and Kingston takes over on Erik, with Waller coming in with a kendo stick shot. Erik drops Waller on the floor so Woods slaps him in the back of the head. Erik: “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” Penta is back up with the big flip dive and we take a break.

We come back with Penta clearing the ring but being put on a table. Kingston goes up and drops down onto Penta (which the camera misses so we have to see it on the replay), leaving them both down. Back in and Erik powerbombs New Day at the same time, leaving Ivar to miss the Doomsault. Ivar is fine enough to hit a sitout powerbomb onto the apron but Woods is there with a kendo stick. Penta is back up and Kingston goes through the table but Waller catches Penta on top. That’s fine with Penta, who hits a super Canadian Destroyer for the pin at 10:17.

Rating: B-. I liked it well enough, though this story continues to feel ice cold. They’re still doing things, but it feels like something that has been going on for a long time now with nothing really happening. That is probably going to be the case for a few more weeks and I’m not sure where it goes from there. At least Penta gets another win, which is a nice thing to see.

Dominik Mysterio is panicking over Rusev but Finn Balor asks about the Mysterio who was all confident. Balor suggests asking El Grande Americano, but he’s not here this week. Balor and JD McDonagh are both busy, though Roxanne Perez talks McDonagh into helping him. It’s for the team though, not for Mysterio. Apparently Mysterio has already gotten McDonagh vs. Rusev set for later.

Bayley (in a jacket that CM Punk wore at Wrestlepalooza) comes up to Lyra Valkyria and thanks her for last week. Valkyria brings up Bayley screaming at her last week but Bayley thinks she’s joking. She wants Valkyria in her corner tonight and a confused Valkyria eventually agrees. Bayley: “NO TAKEBACKS!”

Adam Pearce brings out Stephanie Vaquer for her first comments as Women’s Champion. Vaquer thanks the people who helped her get here, including her father, who is in the crowd. She talks about what the title means and all the sacrifices she has made to get here. Pearce explains the Crown Jewel match coming up, with Vaquer saying she’ll be there. Well, that certainly was an appearance by the new champion.

Video on Brock Lesnar destroying John Cena.

Nikki Bella and Rhea Ripley congratulate Stephanie Vaquer on her win, but the Kabuki Warriors interrupt. Asuka isn’t impressed with Vaquer and seems to get a match with Ripley. Of note: there are three people in the back working on something and not acknowledging this whatsoever. They don’t mean anything, but it’s still a funny visual.

Roxanne Perez vs. Bayley

Raquel Rodriguez and Lyra Valkyria are here too. Perez hammers away in the corner to start but Bayley is right back with her own knockdown. The basement clothesline gives Bayley two but Perez starts in on the leg. Bayley gets tied in the Tree Of Woe for a stomp to said leg and we take a break.

We come back with Bayley dropping a middle rope elbow but getting caught on top. They head outside with Perez hitting Pop Rox to lay Bayley out, which is good for a nine count. Rodriguez pulls Bayley outside for a big boot, which draws Valkyria (with her massive blue shoes) over for the brawl. Valkyria posts Rodriguez but gets dropped with a suicide dive from Perez. Back in and Bayley starts to snap, and it’s the Bayley To Belly into the Roseplant for the pin at 10:46.

Rating: B-. This was another good one as Bayley continues to be a bit loony but the good thing is I’m curious to see where it goes. They aren’t exactly hiding what she’s doing and it isn’t some mystery deal, so now we get to see what happens as Valkyria tries to make sense of the thing. Perez is still a valuable asset to have around, as she can work well with anyone in the ring and that’s very good to have around.

Post match Valkyria goes in to celebrate with Bayley, who shoves her down and yells a lot as the split personalities are all over the place.

Cody Rhodes runs into Jimmy Uso, who wants him to talk to Jey. Rhodes will see what he can do.

Post break Rhodes goes to see Jey, who insists that he’s good. Rhodes says he knows what it can be like to fall off the top and says Jey’s family and friends are there for him. Jey thanks him for that but glares a bit as Rhodes leaves. That’s intriguing, as Jey continues to tease going to the dark side.

JD McDonagh vs. Rusev

McDonagh throws some chops in the start and gets knocked back as a result. Rusev chases him outside and then hits a big backdrop before they go to the floor again. This time McDonagh manages to send him into the steps and post, followed by the Asai moonsault. We take a break and come back with McDonagh hitting a jawbreaker into a slingshot corkscrew dive. A running knee drops Rusev and a nice moonsault gives McDonagh two. Rusev pops up and shrugs off the offense, setting up the Machka Kick. The Accolade makes McDonagh tap at 10:34.

Rating: C+. McDonagh wrestling as the straight up good guy is a weird thing to see but what matters is that this should set up Rusev for the title match. Rusev needs something to do and now we get to see how Mysterio gets to escape, assuming he can. That’s in addition to the big Finn Balor factor, as he’s hardly happy with everything Mysterio is doing.

Post match Mysterio stands there while Rusev keeps the hold on so Finn Balor makes the save.

Iyo Sky tries to talk Asuka out of the match with Rhea Ripley but Asuka is doing it anyway. Sky wants Kairi Sane to talk to her about it but Sane says Asuka is why they’re here so they must listen to her.

LA Knight talks about trying to keep order on Saturday and if Jey Uso needs help with that, it can be a BFT tonight.

Jey Uso vs. LA Knight

Uso slugs away to start and elbows him in the face to put Knight down. A charge misses in the corner though and Knight hits the jumping neckbreaker. Knight low bridges him to the floor but misses a dropkick through the ropes, allowing Uso to hit a clothesline as we take a break. We come back with Knight hitting a superplex but Uso fights back.

Uso avoids a Burning Hammer and blocking a jumping neckbreaker to send Knight outside. The suicide dive connects and a superkick gives Uso two. Knight knocks him back down and hits the top rope elbow but cue the Vision, with Knight having to take them out. The distraction lets Uso hit a spear into the Superfly Splash for the pin at 8:40.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time to make this work but the ending is likely going to keep things going in a few ways. Jey vs. Knight is already a story and you have the Usos vs. the Vision at the same time. There is a good chance that those stories are going to cross soon enough and then we get to see where it goes in Australia.

Post match Jey leaves but gets cut off by Jimmy Uso, who wants to go after the Vision. Jimmy goes to the ring by himself with a chair, with Paul Heyman calling the team off.

Becky Lynch is venting about Cody Rhodes but Seth Rollins doesn’t really listen. She doesn’t like what Rhodes has been saying about her, including calling her lovely. Rollins keeps looking at the watch as Lynch keeps going, eventually promising to make an example out of Rhodes.

Iyo Sky comes up to Rhea Ripley, who is sorry for the loss at Wrestlepalooza. Sky wants her to be careful around Asuka, with Sky saying Asuka is family.

We look at Stephanie McMahon being announced for the Hall Of Fame. Yeah fair enough.

Video on Los Grande Americanos, who are back after being believed to be gone. They will take over WWE.

Maxxine Dupri asks Adam Pearce for a match. Pearce says he’ll think about it, but AJ Styles and Dragon Lee come in to say they want to deal with the Americanos. Pearce is in on this one.

Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley

Kairi Sane is here too. Asuka kicks at the leg to start but gets dropped with a nasty German suplex. We take an early break and come back with Asuka sending her to the apron and hitting a dragon screw legwhip. Ripley fires off some clotheslines and a belly to back faceplant, followed by a running dropkick. A northern lights suplex gives Ripley two but Asuka goes back to the knee. Ripley boots her out to the floor though and hits a running flip dive as we take another break.

We come back with Ripley fighting out of an ankle lock. Ripley puts her on top for a superplex and the big crash leaves them both down. Back up and Ripley kicks her in the face and hits a Razor’s Edge toss, followed by a hard knee for two. Asuka gets back up and strikes her out to the floor with a big kick to the head. Sane teases getting involved and Asuka tells her to do it, where Sane teases some cheating but doesn’t do it.

Instead Asuka sends Ripley into the announcers’ table and counters a kick to the head with a kneebar back inside. Asuka lets that go and grabs a German suplex before heading up top. Ripley dropkicks her out of the air (that looked great) heads up top, only to jump into a dropkick (that looked great). Sane teases interfering but gets knocked down, leaving Ripley to roll Asuka up for the pin at 17:14.

Rating: B+. This was a hard hitting, back and forth match between two women who can work very well together. It was turning into a question of how they were going to have one of them lose. The idea here seems to be Asuka using her authority over Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane and now we’ll get to see where that goes. What matters here though is that it’s a rather awesome main event and Ripley gets a big win, which she has been needing.

Post match Asuka blows blue mist into Ripley’s face. Sane eventually helps with the beatdown but Iyo Sky runs in to try and calm things down. Asuka kicks Sane down and orders Sane to attack, which she does. The Empress Impact drops Ripley and Sane gives Sky an Insane Elbow (against her will) to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I liked a lot of the wrestling here, with the main event being a highlight, but at the same time egads the Crown Jewel stuff is already dragging the show down. It feels so unimportant and there is almost no way around the whole issue. Hopefully the rest of the card carries the slack, as otherwise we could be in for a very long few weeks on the way to the pay per view.

Results
Penta/War Raiders b. New Day/Grayson Waller – Super Canadian Destroyer to Waller
Bayley b. Roxanne Perez – Roseplant
Rusev b. JD McDonagh – Accolade
Jey Uso b. LA Knight – Superfly Splash
Rhea Ripley b. Asuka – Small package

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: September 15, 2025
Location: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

It’s the last Raw before Wrestlepalooza and we’re on an hour earlier, likely to avoid the second Monday Night Football game of the evening. John Cena is here tonight and we’re fairly close to his hometown, so things should be interesting. Other than that, AJ Lee and CM Punk are here to meet up with Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of the Vision beating down LA Knight and Jimmy Uso, with Jey Uso making the save, only to take Knight out as well as he’s getting a bit more devilish.

The Usos arrive and Knight goes after him. Jimmy Uso and Adam Pearce break it up, with Pearce threatening fines if this keeps going.

Here is John Cena to a hero’s welcome. Cena talks about how he spent a lot of time in this city, playing football at Springfield College. He played on the offensive line, meaning he never got his name in the paper and he would get beaten up every day and then have to come back the next day and do it again. That’s what got him ready for WWE and now he’s here in front of friends and family.

After saying hi to his niece (on her birthday) and saying he’ll see her this week, Cena talks about getting ready to face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza. He’s done that more than a few times and it’s really hard, so maybe he should consider backing out of the match because he’s only got six appearances left.

We get a THANK YOU CENA chant and that’s why he’s saying yes to Lesnar. He has never fought one battle backstage because he’s always fighting in front of these people. Of course he’s scared of Lesnar but he’s taking the fight to the Beast because that’s what he does. This was a good speech (and you could tell how special it was for Cena), but it still feels like Cena and Lesnar are on different planets on the way to the match.

We go to Adam Pearce’s office where Jey Uso and LA Knight are still arguing. Pearce wants to keep things calm so he asks Knight to pick his partner against the Vision. He’ll take Jimmy Uso, which doesn’t sit well with Jey.

Roxanne Perez vs. Lyra Valkyria

They go with the grappling to start before Valkyria slams her down to take over. Perez gets a rather nifty rollup for two but Valkyria is back with a crossbody. She seems to be favoring her back though, allowing Raquel Rodriguez to trip her down. That’s enough to get Rodriguez ejected, leaving Valkyria to kick Perez to the floor.

Back in and Perez trips her off the top for a nasty crash, followed by some screaming pounding as we take a break. We come back with Valkyria hitting a sitout powerbomb for two. Perez cuts her off on top and grabs the crossface, only for Valkyria to power up into Nightwing for the pin at 9:06.

Rating: C+. This was the kind of comeback win that Valkyria needs as she hasn’t been doing much lately and was coming off a loss. It’s a weird way to go with Valkyria trading wins, though I’ll take her getting back on track this fast. The real story is still with Bayley though and that’s going to be….I have no idea yet.

Post match Rodriguez comes back in for the beatdown but Bayley returns for the save. Bayley runs over and hugs the commentators and ring announcer as Valkyria is stunned. This is giving me 3 Faces Of Foley vibes.

Stephanie Vaquer and Iyo Sky have signed the contract for Wrestlepalooza and show respect before the title match. The Kabuki Warriors come in and Asuka wants Vaquer to face….Kairi Sane tonight. Adam Pearce makes the match and Sane does some shadow boxing in a hilarious moment.

LA Knight comes in to see Jimmy Uso and wants to make sure Jimmy won’t screw him over like Jey Uso. Jimmy says Knight has put him in a tough spot and he’ll need to find another partner.

Kofi Kingston vs. Penta

Xavier Woods and Grayson Waller are here with Kingston. Penta starts fast and knocks him out to the floor, only for Kingston to kick him down. The Shadows Over Hell drops Penta again and we take a break. We come back with Penta hitting the handstand dropkick in the corner for two.

Penta hits one of the loudest chops I’ve heard in a bit but Kingston is back with a knockdown for two. Trouble In Paradise is blocked by a superkick (which doesn’t exactly connect) and they trade strikes to the face for a double down. Woods offers a distraction so Waller can come in, only for Penta to come back with a springboard Canadian Destroyer for the pin at 7:32.

Rating: B-. Much like Valkyria, Penta needed a win like this as he doesn’t have much much going on in the way of momentum. It’s nice to see him getting a win with a cool finish, which he hit in a unique way. I’m not sure what New Day is doing at the moment, but that’s been the case for a long, long time now.

Jey Uso is on the phone and saying he has some issues. Jimmy Uso comes in and asks who was on the phone. Jey brushes that off and says Jimmy has to turn LA Knight down for tonight. That doesn’t work for Jimmy but Jey talks about how they have the Vision at Wrestlepalooza. Jimmy tells him to change his tone, because there’s no ula fala around his neck.

Post break, Jimmy tells La Knight that he’s in. Works for Knight.

Here are Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch for a chat. The fans chant for CM Punk and Rollins says that as a result, he’s ignoring them. Rollins addresses the fans on Netflix and then introduces Lynch, who wants to talk to AJ Lee and Punk in person, because unlike Punk, she doesn’t insult people behind their backs.

Cue Lee and Punk, the latter of whom introduces himself as her husband. Punk talks about how he’s known for his talking and asks which one is the team captain. They can’t even get on the same page and we had to listen to two bad songs. He has no problem with putting Cult Of Personality on the shelf and lighting it up with his wife (AJ seems to say “good job”). The fans get on Rollins so Lynch stands up for him, before Rollins says he’s going to give Punk credit (Punk’s eyes bugging out is funny).

Rollins says AJ Lee is the best decision Punk has ever made (Punk seems to agree). Fans: “NO ONE LIKES YOU!” Lynch: “I like him!” Rollins means in Punk’s personal life, because bringing AJ in is a bad professional move. AJ calls Rollins “sweet cheeks” and says Rollins started this by using Lynch as a human shield. Punk has said he cared about himself, his wife and the title.

Lynch brings up Lee having a bad neck (as she mentioned in her book) and points out Punk got into a blood feud over a bracelet with his wife’s name on it. That makes AJ a liability instead of an asset. AJ: “Well Becky thank you for reading my book. I didn’t read yours.” It’s true that she has a bad neck, but seeing Lynch’s “constipated face” made her see red. Lee: “I’m a Puerto Rican from New Jersey. Sometimes I shank a chick.” She’s ready to hurt Lynch, but Rollins calls Lee “little girl”. Fans: “SHE WILL KILL YOU!”

Rollins brings up Lee and Punk both leaving and suggests Punk will leave her too. That’s good for a slap to the face, with Rollins saying he would never put his hands on a woman. He knows someone who would though….but Lynch bails. Lynch says Rollins got them into this and leaves, but it’s a ruse to get Punk to chase Rollins, leaving Lynch to Manhandle Slam Lee. She throws in a slap to Punk for a bonus. This was a long segment and they only said a few interesting things, but the fans and the one liners were both great and carried the thing to the finish line.

Video on Worlds Collide, including Dominik Mysterio winning the AAA Mega Title.

Mysterio doesn’t want to talk about El Grande Americano because he is the Mega Intercontinental Champion. Hold on though as there is sounds of a fracas and we run over to see New Day having attacked Penta with a chair. The War Raiders run in to chase New Day Off.

Dragon Lee vs. El Grande Americano

Lee starts fast with a shotgun dropkick but Americano fights up without much trouble. A TKO gets two on Lee and Americano hammers away, including a crazy loud chop. Lee is right back up with a hurricanrana to the floor so Americano lays on the announcers’ table. Lee gets a running start for a running flip dive to crush him again as we take a break.

We come back with an exchange of loud chops until Lee grabs a sitout powerbomb. Lee’s top rope Tree of Woe double stomp gets two but cue another Americano for a cheap shot though, which draws out AJ Styles to give chase. Styles takes out the other Americano but a third pops up for a tornado DDT to take drop Styles on the floor. The distraction lets the original grab a choke with knees in Lee’s back for the win at 10:14.

Rating: C+. The best thing I can say about the Americano story is that I’m curious about where it’s going. Having the original Americano replaced and then having multiple clones going out there as well is interesting, though we could be waiting a good while before we get any kind of a reveal.

Americano is confused but rolls with it.

Lyra Valkyria is about to go talk to Bayley about what happened but hears a lot of shouting. She goes inside and Bayley is alone, leaving Valkyria even more confused. Bayley says she might have been changing or had company but Valkyria just barged in (she did knock). Oh yeah this is Bayley being all wacky, though how surprising was her return if she had a private dressing room with a name plate ready.

Rhea Ripley tells Stephanie Vaquer that she’s coming for the next champion. Works for Vaquer.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Kairi Sane

They go to the mat to start with Vaquer winning the grappling, only for Sane to plant her down for a fast two. Sane tries a sunset bomb but gets double stomped as we take a break. We come back with Vaquer dropkicking her away and hitting the running knees in the corner.

The SVB is broken up though and Sane hits a forearm, setting up the top rope double stomp. A dragon screw legwhip out of the corner takes out Vaquer’s knee but she’s fine enough to come back with a big dive to the floor. The Devil’s Kiss rocks Sane back inside and the SVB finishes at 12:02.

Rating: B-. Vaquer is on the way to a title match on Saturday so it’s nice to see her getting a win to boost her up on the way there. At the same time, Sane deserves some credit for what she has been doing, as her mannerisms have been outstanding as of late. It helps that it was a good match too, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise given the participants.

Post match Asuka glares at Vaquer but Iyo Sky runs in to break it up. Asuka bails and Sky and Vaquer shake hands.

The Vision is ready for the Usos on Saturday and Jimmy Uso and LA Knight tonight.

Iyo Sky asks the Kabuki Warriors to let her do this by herself, with Asuka (who is being held back by Sane) angrily agreeing.

Wrestlepalooza rundown.

The Judgment Day toasts Dominik Mysterio for winning the AAA Mega Title but Finn Balor isn’t sure about the victory lap. He points out Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez having a rough night but Rodriguez says it’s ok. Balor still doesn’t buy the whole deal with El Grande Americano again and leaves. Rusev comes in and offers a handshake but Mysterio says his hands are full. Rusev wants the Intercontinental Title.

LA Knight/Jimmy Uso vs. Vision

Uso chops away at Breakker to start and Knight comes in to punch Reed down. The running hip attack connects for Uso and a double clothesline sends Breakker outside as we take a break. We come back with Reed pulling on Uso’s hair and Breakker adding an overhead belly to belly. Uso manages a boot to the face and hits a Whisper In The Wind, which is enough for the tag off to Knight.

A jumping neckbreaker takes Breakker down but he’s right back with a jumping knee to the face. Everything breaks down and Knight’s top rope elbow into the Superfly Splash gets two on Reed, with Breakker making the save. A dive to the floor is cut off but Reed gets speared back inside. Breakker drops Knight on the floor and Reed cuts off the Superfly Splash, setting up the Jagged Edge for the pin on Uso at 12:03.

Rating: C+. I don’t think the result was ever in any real doubt here as a makeshift team shouldn’t be beating the top heel team. What matters the most is getting the Vision to look strong, but at the same time, Knight and the Usos aren’t exactly getting along. That sounds like we’re going to be seeing a match of some sort in Australia next month and this week was a step there.

Post match the beatdown stays on until Jey Uso runs in with the chair for the save. Reed knocks the chair away but gets sent outside. Knight picks the chair up but Jey looks at him. Knight shakes Jey’s hand….and then lays him out with the BFT to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show did a nice job of setting up the pay per view, as there was quite a lot to cover. Most of the matches got some time and that’s nice to see, especially with so little time left. The wrestling was decent enough, but the focus here was on getting ready for Saturday and I’m more interested in the show than I was coming in. I’d call that a success.

Results
Lyra Valkyria b. Roxanne Perez – Nightwing
Penta b. Kofi Kingston – Springboard Canadian Destroyer
El Grande Americano b. Dragon Lee – Choke with knees in the back
Stephanie Vaquer b. Kairi Sane – SVB
Vision b. Jimmy Uso/LA Knight – Jagged Edge to Uso

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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Monday Night Raw
Date: September 8, 2025
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

So the big deal coming out of Smackdown is the return of AJ Lee, who is back to help her husband CM Punk against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. That should all but guarantee a mixed tag at Wrestlepalooza and there is a good chance we’ll get something out of the four of them here. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Rollins/Lynch vs. Punk, with Lee showing up on Smackdown in Chicago to the hero’s welcome for the big save.

Lynch doesn’t want a camera on her.

Corey Graves references Wade Barrett being on vacation, which surprises him as he heard something about Barrett being exiled over the weekend. Points for referencing rumors.

Here is Jey Uso to get things going, with Jimmy Uso popping up next to him for the entrance. The team comes out and we get an encore of the entrance as the fans are glad to have them back together. Jey brings up the Vision, or in particular, the Bronnies. Cue Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, with Breakker being so annoyed that he can barely speak. Reed has to hold him back and wants the fans to acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Reed promises revenge for what happened to Paul Heyman but Jimmy calls them PB&J&J Security.

They mock Heyman, including calling him the Orca (which pops Jimmy), but then get to the point: the tag match is set for Wrestlepalooza. The Usos are ready to fight right now but here is LA Knight to brawl with Reed and Breakker. That doesn’t go so well so the Usos are right there with the stereo dives for the save. The good guys clear the ring, with Knight shoving Reed into Jey by mistake. The villains bail, but Jey and Knight get in an argument.

LA Knight argues with Adam Pearce and says if he wanted to go after Jey, he would have done it on his own. He wants one of the Bron’s tonight, and he’ll even take LeBron James, Bronnie Jr. or Charles Bronson. It doesn’t even matter if he wins or loses, because he just wants to get his hands on one of them.

AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano

Styles dropkicks Americano through the ropes and hammers away on the floor before going inside. A running clothesline sends Americano right back to the floor and we get the opening bell. Tessitore: “After all that, we get a bell!”. The Phenomenal Forearm is loaded up but here is another Americano to grab the leg, allowing the original Americano to send Styles into the steps.

We take a break and come back with Americano grabbing a chinlock and then putting on a front facelock. That’s broken up and Styles suplexes him into the corner, followed by a torture rack bomb for two. Americano grabs his hand and runs the corner for a Blockbuster (that was nice) for two. Styles slips out of what looked like a Styles Clash but the other Americano gets on the apron. Cue Dragon Lee to take out the other Americano, leaving Styles to roll the original into the Styles Clash for the pin at 9:00.

Rating: B-. Americano (the original) had some impressive spots in there and the ending sequence, with Styles rolling through into the Clash looked very good. I’m curious to see where this multiple Americanos goes, as it’s an interesting story and the reveals of who is underneath the masks could go in a few ways. Nice match here, and it’s nice to see Styles getting a pin.

Nikki Bella interrupts Iyo Sky and Adam Pearce. Stephanie Vaquer is apparently out of the contract signing but she’ll be around for the title match at Wrestlepalooza. The Kabuki Warriors interrupt and Bella isn’t happy, saying she was talking to Sky. Asuka vs. Bella is set up for tonight. Sky shakes her head.

Video on AJ Lee.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Roxanne Perez is here too. Valkyria kicks at the leg to start and gets swung around by the neck for her efforts. Back up and Valkyria kicks her out to the floor but Rodriguez knocks her out of the air. The twisting Vader Bomb crushes Valkyria for two and we take a break. We come back with Valkyria getting two off a sunset flip but getting caught in something like a Boston crab (with Rodriguez laying on Valkyria’s back and pulling on her legs).

That’s broken up and Valkyria hits something like a jawbreaker, followed by a tornado DDT for two. Rodriguez is back up with a slingshot Jackhammer (or close to it) for two of her own. A slightly delayed sunset bomb plants Rodriguez for two but Valkyria’s back won’t let her get a fireman’s carry. Perez interferes and gets taken out but Rodriguez catches her on top and hits a Tejana Bomb for the pin at 12:41.

Rating: C+. You could see Rodriguez getting tired near the end, which makes you wonder why you would put her out there in a match like this. I’m still not liking Valkyria losing this much, but at least she has whatever is coming with Bayley next. Rodriguez getting a win is a good thing, though maybe find a better style for her.

Penta and the War Raiders exchange pleasantries but Penta talks to Adam Pearce, saying he wants the Intercontinental Title. Pearce doesn’t say no but Rusev comes in to say he wants a title shot. Penta gets in his face and a match is made official.

AJ Styles thanks Dragon Lee when Jimmy Uso comes in, looking for Jey. Cue Jey, who is ready to leave, but Jimmy says they need to be there for LA Knight vs. Bronson Reed. Jey isn’t happy with Knight and says this is about them. Jimmy says Jey is sounding like Roman Reigns, with Jey saying sounding like himself isn’t working. Jey leaves.

Here is AJ Lee, wearing the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Lee says in case you weren’t here ten years ago and were confused as to why your millennial parents were very excited on Friday, here name is AJ Lee and she is your favorite wrestler’s favorite wrestler. She’s David Starr? She retired ten years ago and hung up her Chuck Taylors and thought she would never wear jean shorts that were two sizes too small.

During the ten years away, she went on a mental health journey (we pause for a THERAPY chant) and things were going well….but then things started changing. She can live with the idea of her husband fighting Seth Rollins or Drew McIntyre, but it’s a different thing when he’s in the ring with someone like Becky Lynch. Lee thought they would get along as they’re both rebels, leaders and bestselling authors, though yes she did do it first. But then Lynch had to go and motorboat her Lee’s husband and….here is Lynch to interrupt.

Lynch says this isn’t about Lee’s husband and she rants about how great she really is. The fans boo and Lynch says she’ll have to go to therapy after this. Fans: “THERAPY!” Lee: “I have some names I can give you.” She forgot she was wearing the title and Lynch takes her sunglasses off, revealing a black eye. Lee: “Was that from one of my tiny fists?” Lee lays the title down for her but Lynch insists that she isn’t a chicken. Lynch: “You listen to me, you Jersey trashbag weirdo.”

Lynch says this had nothing to do with Lee until CM Punk got involved, but where is he? She brings out Seth Rollins instead, who says that Lee can give Lynch the title back. Lee says Lynch can come get it, while risking another black eye, or she can agree to a mixed tag. Rollins says he’s going to come in and get the title (Lee: “Thanks for mansplaining that. Everyone loves that.”) but Lee jumps in front of it.

Cue CM Punk to go after Rollins, who escapes and agrees to the match at Wrestlepalooza. Lee kisses the title and throws it to Lynch. This was Lee’s big return speech and she absolutely still has the adorkable nature that makes her stand out. It comes off as her being herself and while I can absolutely see why it doesn’t work for everyone, it makes her feel as authentic as anyone in WWE most of the time.

Bayley talks about how she needs to make this better because Lyra Valkyria was the last person she wanted to hurt. She’s hurt a lot of people over the years but they deserved it, so she isn’t sure how Valkyria can forgive her when she can’t forgive herself. The voices start talking to her again but she insists she’ll make it right.

Penta vs. Rusev

Rusev shrugs off some chops to start and hammers away, followed by a hard clothesline. Penta is able to send him into the corner and grabs a Backstabber for a fast two. They head outside with Rusev missing a charge into the steps and we take a break. We come back with Penta hitting a Sling Blade but here are New Day and Grayson Waller for a distraction. The distraction lets Rusev grab Penta, who escapes and hits a big flip dive onto Kofi Kingston and Waller. Back in and a quick Code Red gives Penta two so he goes up, only to dive into the Machka Kick for the pin at 8:36.

Rating: C+. The interference helped, but Penta losing again isn’t a great sign. Rusev is about what he’s been for most of his time in WWE, meaning that he’s good at what he does, but it’s only so interesting. Penta feels like he has a lot more potential, but feuding with New Day and Waller isn’t a great path.

We look back at John Cena vs. Sami Zayn on Smackdown, with Brock Lesnar running in to lay both of them out.

Jimmy Uso comes in to see LA Knight, who explains that what happened earlier was an accident. Uso seems to accept it and says they have beef with the Vision tonight. Knight says there is no WE because the Usos keep costing him. If Uso wants to help, don’t help, because Knight is doing this himself.

Nikki Bella vs. Asuka

Bella rolls her up for two to start as Kairi Sane is rather pleased on the floor. Back up and Asuka pops off a knee to the face before she chokes a bit in the corner. A forearm and spinebuster give Bella two but Asuka bails out to the floor. Asuka hides behind Sane and kicks Bella down as we take a break. We come back with Bella avoiding a middle rope kick to the face and hitting one of her own. Asuka hits her in the head but can’t get the Asuka Lock. Instead Bella is back with an Alabama Slam for two but Asuka kicks her in the head. The Empress Impact sets up the Asuka Lock and Bella taps at 10:20.

Rating: C. Asuka was carrying things here as it’s clear that Bella is pretty much limited to just her signature stuff. It’s far from the worst match, but egads Bella feels so wedged into everything these days and it’s rough to watch. Thankfully she didn’t win here, though I was more than a bit terrified of where this was going.

Judgment Day is happy with Raquel Rodriguez’s win and are ready for Roxanne Perez to do it next week. Dominik Mysterio comes in, saying he’s been getting ready for his AAA Mega Title shot this Friday. Was he off with El Grande Americano? The team thinks Americano wants something in return, but Mysterio says it wouldn’t happen if they didn’t get banned last week. Mysterio storms off, with Perez off to talk to him.

The Kabuki Warriors come up to Nikki Bella, who doesn’t think much of them. Rhea Ripley comes up and asks if there’s a problem. Ripley asks about Iyo Sky and Asuka leaves, with Sane staying until Asuka summons her. Sane has been a gem in these segments.

LA Knight vs. Bronson Reed

Bron Breakker is here too. Knight slugs away to start and gets knocked outside. Back in and Reed misses a sitdown splash, allowing Knight to clothesline away. One heck of a clothesline drops Knight and the pace slows, with Reed doing the Roman Reigns point. Back up and Knight knocks him to the floor for a dropkick through the ropes, followed by a quick posting.

We take a break and come back with Reed choking away on the ropes but he misses a charge into the buckle. Knight stomps away in the corner but gets dumped over the top for a big crash. Reed misses a charge though and gets caught with a dive off the barricade. Back in and Reed runs him over but misses a splash, allowing Knight to drop the top rope elbow. Breakker’s distraction breaks up the BFT though and the Jagged Edge finishes Knight at 11:36.

Rating: B-. Good match here, with Reed using the numbers game to win again. That’s the kind of thing that makes sense, as you can have various people show up after the match. Knight needs to win some more matches though, as while he’s in the main event scene, he’s mostly just the jobber to the stars at the moment.

Post match the beatdown is on but Jimmy Uso runs in for the save. That fails miserably but Jey Uso is back for the real save. Jey gets Super Speared down though and the Tsunami is loaded up. Knight makes the save with a chair…and Jey spears him down to end the show. Well that shakes things up a bit.

Overall Rating: B-. The Uso attack at the end is a good idea and very well could set up a bit match with Knight sooner or later. Other than that you had the rather awesome AJ Lee segment to set up the mixed tag. Wrestlepalooza is looking rather stacked and I’m wanting to see what we get there, with this show being a good way to help getting it ready. Just tweak some things here and there and this show is much better, but it did a nice job of getting the pay per view ready.

Results
AJ Styles b. El Grande Americano – Styles Clash
Raquel Rodriguez b. Lyra Valkyria – Tejana Bomb
Rusev b. Penta – Machka Kick
Asuka b. Nikki Bella – Asuka Lock
Bronson Reed b. LA Knight – Jagged Edge

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

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #20
Date: November 6, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

We’re at a bit of a milestone here and we are celebrating it with…well more of the #1 contenders tournament actually as Ron Killings needs a new challenger. Other than that, the Disciples of the New Church are back and seem to want the Tag Team Titles. Mr. Wrestling III is getting closer to being unmasked as well so let’s get to it.

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

We look at some TNA wrestlers at the NWA 54th Anniversary Show and….my goodness OVW looked better at this point.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

We recap Jorge Estrada/Priscilla losing to Bruce/Ace Steel last week, because this needs to keep being a thing.

Bruce, now with rather shiny high heeled shoes, has made up with Lenny Lane, who might fill in for him as Miss TNA. Goldilocks says Bruce is a b****.

Bruce vs. Jorge Estrada

Lenny and Priscilla are both here and if Estrada wins, Priscilla is the new Miss TNA (I think). After a quick hug from Lenny, they go to the mat for some quick grappling. Estrada grabs some armdrags and hammers away, only for Priscilla to get on the apron. The distraction lets Lane come in for a cheap shot and Bruce gets an early near fall. Lenny comes in again so Estrada rolls both of them up for two at the same time (cool with the ref). Bruce goes to the eyes to take over and they crash out to the floor, with the seconds helping to put them back in.

Back in and Bruce gets two off a springboard sunset flip, only for Estrada to come back with a headlock takeover out of the corner. The Lionsault hits raised knees though and Bruce hits a spinning reverse powerbomb. Priscilla comes in again to kiss Bruce (he’s not a fan) so Lenny gives chase, earning a slingshot dive from Estrada. The chase is on and Bruce…actually slips on a banana peel (as dropped by Lenny) for the countout at 8:49.

Rating: D. I have run out of ways to describe how much I can’t stand the whole Bruce deal. It isn’t funny, it isn’t interesting, it is as low level comedy as you can get and somehow it’s getting even worse. The match literally ended because someone slipped on a banana peel. I’m sure the people writing the show find it hilarious but this terrible stuff is cutting away all of the positives that the decent wrestling cause. Terrible stuff here, as usual.

Post match Priscilla is crowned…but Lenny takes away the tiara and sash to return them to Bruce. As I guess this is continuing.

Sonny Siaki is ready to move on in the tournament. He hits on Goldilocks too, as is his custom.

#1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: BG James vs. Sonny Siaki

I’m not sure why the semifinals are starting before the first round is done but the previous match ended because of banana peel slippage so there are bigger problems. Before the match, James says the same thing he always says before getting jumped to start. James fights back and knocks him into the corner before working on the arm.

Siaki takes him down and starts in on the knee, including some general cranking. An Indian Deathlock stays on the leg before Siaki starts dropping down on the leg, allowing James to kick him out to the floor. Back in and Siaki hits his running Blockbuster for two but here is Jerry Lynn for a distraction. James is back with a neckbreaker into the pumphandle slam for the pin at 7:08 (with Siaki popping his arm up at 3.1).

Rating: D+. Siaki is good at what he does but James is just so generic in the ring and living off his reputation. The distraction finish didn’t help either, and now James is on his way to a #1 contenders match. I’m not sure how that’s supposed to be appealing, but at least James is someone with a bit of star power.

We look back at the return of the Disciples Of The New Church, as they laid out America’s Most Wanted last week.

America’s Most Wanted is ready to bring their own evil. This was by far the most fire both of them have ever shown and it worked.

Tag Team Titles: Disciples Of The New Church vs. America’s Most Wanted

The Disciples, with James Mitchell, are challenging and Mitchell talks about how evil his team can be. The champs charge in to start the brawl fast with the Disciples getting beaten up on the floor. Back in and Slash is already busted open, with Storm dropping a top rope elbow for two.

Lee takes Storm outside for a ram into the barricade though and the villains take over as we settle down. An elbow misses though and Harris gets the tag to clean house. Everything breaks down and Slash chairs Harris on the head for two, leaving Mitchell rather peeved. A double clothesline gets Harris out of trouble and it’s back to Storm as everything breaks down. Lee grabs a spike to stab the champs though and that’s a DQ at 7:44.

Rating: C+. The ending was there to set up a rematch and that’s a good thing for AMW. They need challengers and a pair of monsters who are all about violence is a good choice. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the titles change hands to give AMW a real issue for once. This was more of a preview than anything else and in this case, that’s a good thing.

Post match the Disciples keep up the beating and the champs are left laying. Slash is covered in blood and looks like a monster.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Brian Lawler vs. Syxx Pac

April is here with Lawler, who polishes up a seat for her. Lawler wants revenge so he jumps Pac on the floor and sends him into the steps. They get inside for the bell and trade some right hands in the corner as April screeches a lot. She won’t slap Pac, but does make sure Lawler knows everything is fine. Pac fights back and knocks him to the floor, where Lawler gets in a crotching against the post.

Back in and Lawler misses the Hip Hop Drop (might have spent too much time flipping off the fans), allowing Pac to hit the Bronco Buster. Hold on though as he goes outside to kiss April, earning a superkick from Lawler. Back in and Lawler hammers away but yells for April to get on the apron, which is enough of a distraction for Pac to hit an X Factor for the win at 5:02.

Rating: D+. Pac is trying and there are worse choices than Lawler for an in-ring star, but at the same time, OH SWEET GOODNESS THIS APRIL STUFF IS HORRIBLE! I have absolutely no idea why I’m supposed to care about Lawler or anything he’s doing, including his issues with April. The story just keeps going and it’s putting so much focus on Lawler, who really isn’t interesting in the first place.

Post match Pac holds up April’s hand, though she doesn’t seem thrilled. So our hero is a kidnapper…and never mind as Lawler has a heart attack. April goes back to check on him…and more on this near death experience later.

Ron Killings has signed a contract to face Mr. Wrestling III for the World Title so come see him.

Here is Jeff Jarrett to interrupt. He calls all of the top good guys idiots and looks at the contract for Mr. Wrestling III’s World Title shot. Jarrett says if he’s Mr. Wrestling III, all he has to do is sign the contract and get the title shot that he wants. He rips up the contract, saying he’s winning the tournament and getting the title shot on his own.

Kid Kash vs. Ace Steel vs. Jose Maximo vs. Joel Maximo vs. Tony Mamaluke

Elimination tables match for a future X-Division Title shot. The fight starts before Steel comes in but he joins the brawl, with the ring announcer having to throw him in as well. They go outside so Kash can hit a dive before going inside to brawl with Steel. Mamaluke Fujiwara armbars Jose, which is broken up for no apparent reason.

Joel powerbombs Kash on the floor but the Maximos’ double super Spanish Fly is broken up. Instead Mamaluke chokes Joel as the first tables are thrown in. Steel chokebombs Mamaluke off a table in the corner but Mamaluke sends Steel through another table for the elimination at 6:18. Mamaluke sets up a second table on the floor but Joel puts him on the first table for the moonsault and the elimination at 8:16.

Back in and Kash brainbusters Joel onto his knee and hurricanranas both Maximos down at the same time. A Cactus Clothesline puts everyone on the floor and Kash lays Joel on the table at ringside. Kash’s super hurricanrana sends Jose through Joel for the double elimination and the win at 12:57.

Rating: C+. And here we have a pristine example of the big issue with the way TNA is presented. It’s fine enough to have a five way match for a future title shot and even having it as an elimination match is acceptable. But then, for no logical reason, it’s all about the tables. There’s no reason for that to be added in, but here we are, with one extra stipulation thrown in for the sake of making things more complicated. Oh and why is Mamaluke in the same match as Kash when Kash beat him last week?

Video on Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett.

Here is Jarrett to say that he and Hennig had a title match scheduled tonight but no one has seen Hennig. Jarrett lists off his resume for some reason and here is Hennig, in street clothes, to start the brawl.

Jeff Jarrett vs. Curt Hennig

Hennig knocks him into the corner to start and the beating is on, with Hennig using a variety of choking. The referee tries to take a chair away from Hennig, who knocks him down and takes Jarrett inside for some HennigPlexes as the referee throws it out for the DQ at 4:32.

Rating: C. Somehow this was one of the better parts of the night, if nothing else because it showed emotion and logically followed something that happened last week. Hennig and Jarrett might not be the most interesting these days, but they know what they’re doing. You can put them out there and get something out of them, with Hennig showing fire here, even if it wasn’t really anything close to a match.

Don West runs down the card for next week.

Video on Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles.

X-Division Title: Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is defending. Lynn works on a wristlock to start but Styles spins out and we go to an early standoff. An exchange of headlock takeovers doesn’t go anywhere so Lynn flips around a bit to take Styles down, meaning it’s time for some staring. Back up and Styles backs him into the corner but Lynn hits a middle rope spinning crossbody.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, with Styles fighting up without much trouble. A backbreaker gives Lynn two and he drops Styles throat first across the top rope for two more. Styles is sent to the apron for a triangle dropkick before Lynn sends him into the steps. Lynn drops him throat first across the barricade and then cuts off a dropkick off of said barricade. Back in and Styles sends him crashing outside, where Plumtree gets in a cheap shot so Styles can hit a dive.

A powerbomb is countered with another hurricanrana but Styles grabs a dragon sleeper. That’s reversed into a powerbomb flipped into a facebuster, but Plumtree gets on the apron for a distraction. Instead Lynn hits a sitout powerbomb to leave both of them down. Back up and Lynn suplexes him into the corner, setting up the cradle piledriver for two and a shocked kickout face.

The TKO gives Lynn two more, as Sonny Siaki comes out to pull the referee. Styles sends Lynn face first into a chair in the corner, followed by the Styles Clash for two of his own. Lynn catches him on top with a superplex so Styles tries another Clash, which is reversed into a cradle Tombstone to give Lynn the title back at 21:04.

Rating: B+. Maybe it’s everything else I’ve had to sit through on this show, but I had a good time with this one. Take two rather good wrestlers with a history together, let them have a lot of time, and put together one of the better matches TNA has had to date. Lynn getting the title back is a good thing to see as he can have a solid match with almost anyone so it’s quite a smart move.

Overall Rating: C-. The main event tried to bail this out but there was only so much that it could do. The undercard stuff is just so dreadfully bad and unfortunately it seems like they’re leaning more into that direction. It’s another case where the company just needs to slow WAY down and unfortunately I don’t see that happening. Styles vs. Lynn was very good, but it’s nowhere near enough to bail out the rest of this mess.

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

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #19
Date: October 30, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

Now here we have something interesting as it’s a show I’ve never actually seen. When I originally tried to do this series, I stopped after the 18th show, meaning we’re into completely new territory. Mr. Wrestling III is running around and tonight, evil returns, whatever that means. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Kid Kash vs. Tony Mamaluke

No entrances here as we go straight to the ring. They fight over wrist control to start and trade some escapes until Mamaluke gets two off a sunset flip. An exchange of armdrags sends Mamaluke outside for a slingshot dive from Kash. Back in and Mamaluke fires off some knees in the corner, which are reversed into a quick chinlock. Kash’s moonsault gets two but Mamaluke reverses an armbar into a leglock. Mamaluke snaps off a belly to back suplex before they trade backslides for two each. The Dead Level (Jay Driller) finishes for Kash out of nowhere at 8:32.

Rating: C+. These two were just two more of the people involved in the X-Division and that meant they were sent out there to have a fast paced match and warm the crowd up. They did it more than well enough here, which hopefully leads to some more good stuff on the show. Unfortunately I’m not exactly picturing either of them going that high in the division, but they had a fine match here.

We run down tonight’s card.

Earlier today, Scott Hall sat down with Mike Tenay and talked about how he wanted to win the World Title because it is the one title that has eluded him. He likes the outlaw spirit around here (because nothing says outlaw like a governing body that has been around for over fifty years).

NWA World Title: Scott Hall vs. Ron Killings

Killings is defending and raps his entrance. The fans tell him he sucks, but he says if he sucks then they swallow. Hall comes out to tell Killings to stop being Jeff Jarrett’s stooge or worrying about Mr. Wrestling III because Hall is here for a big dose of the truth. Hall throws the toothpick in his face to start and works on the arm, followed by the required abdominal stretch.

That’s broken up and Killings flips around a bit, setting up a side kick for two. The ax kick gets two more and a guillotine legdrop gets another delayed near fall. Another side kick misses though and Hall hits a chokeslam for two. The fall away slam sends Killings flying but here is Mr. Wrestling III. Hall decks him and gets the mask off but Wrestling gets his hands up in time to hide his identity. The distraction lets Killings hit a sitout gordbuster to retain at 6:43.

Rating: C. The match was mainly there to have Mr. Wrestling III out there again, but at least Killings got the win. Hall’s only value is in putting someone else over at this point and having Killings get the win is a good step for him. I’m almost scared of where the Mr. Wrestling III stuff is going though, and it seems like we’re getting closer to the big reveal.

Here is Jeff Jarrett for a chat. He wants the World Title and now he’s in the tournament for the title shot, so he’s coming for the title. For now though, he’s putting a bounty on Mr. Wrestling III’s head. He won’t give us an amount, but he’ll pay a lot. Cue Curt Hennig (facing Jarrett tonight), who accuses Jarrett of being Mr. Wrestling III and promises violence for later tonight.

Tag Team Titles: Hot Shots vs. Chris Michaels/Rick Michaels vs. America’s Most Wanted

Harris and Storm (they have AMW on their trunks so I’m counting that as the name change) are defending and the brawl starts in the aisle. All six fight on the floor to start, with Harris being dropped onto exposed concrete. Storm gets double teamed inside by half of each challenging team before Harris comes in to fight back against Rick. Everything breaks down again (that didn’t take long) and it’s already time for the challengers to get in a fight. Rick neckbreakers Harris so Chris’ top rope elbow can get two. Storm is back up though and a spinebuster/top rope legdrop combination finishes Rick to retain at 6:21.

Rating: B-. Again, the action worked, but can we PLEASE get the champs some better competition? You’re only going to get so far with AMW running through every team out there and they did it to two teams at once here. AMW is clearly the best team around, but bringing in teams for them to beat week after week isn’t helping them.

Post match the lights go out and the Disciples Of The New Church, with James Mitchell, are here, apparently the EVIL returning. The champs are wiped out, with Mitchell being rather pleased. Mitchell says this is just the beginning. Well, there’s your new competition.

Earlier today, Bob Armstrong made some new rules: if a champion loses by countout or DQ, they lose their title. There is also going to be a tournament for the #1 contendership to the World Title, with Don Harris as guest referee.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Ron Harris vs. BG James

Ron backs him into the corner to start but Don breaks it up. Since it’s Ron though, he runs James over again and whips him into the corner. We cut to the back, where Jeff Jarrett has attacked and bloodied Curt Hennig. Goldilocks tries to talk to him as the medics are taping up Hennig’s head. Timing Goldilocks, timing. Ron grabs a chinlock but James fights up for the comeback, only for Don to break it up.

Ron’s big boot connects but here is Bob Armstrong to complain about the refereeing. While the commissioner is here to complain about the guest refereeing in the tournament for the #1 contendership, we cut to the back for the third time in the four minute match to see Hennig and Jarrett brawling. Don decks Armstrong and James rolls Ron up for the fluke pin at 5:37.

Rating: D. As usual, if so much of the match is spent on another angle going on in the back, it is only going to mean so much in the first place. Throw in everything else going on here, including it being a RON HARRIS match, and this was never going to work. It was a big mess and way more complicated than it needed to be, which fits in pretty well around here.

Post match James does at least check on his dad.

Jorge Estrada/Priscilla vs. Bruce/Ace Steel

Bruce is wrestling in Mortimer Plumtree’s place because Plumtree is a man but Bruce is more woman than Priscilla (who is wrestling in street clothes). Steel kicks the rope to low blow Estrada to start but Estrada is fine enough to dive onto Bruce to save Priscilla. Since Priscilla isn’t a wrestler, things break down into a glorified handicap match, with a powerbomb/top rope boot combination giving Bruce two.

Bruce hammers away in the corner but gets crossbodied for two. That doesn’t get him very far though as it’s back to Steel to hammer away, followed by Bruce coming back in. Estrada manages to get to the apron for a high crossbody to both villains before Priscilla trips Steel down. The Lionsault gives Estrada two but Bruce knocks him off the top. Steel hits a neckbreaker so Bruce can get the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C-. I really don’t know what I did to deserve Bruce, but it must have been pretty terrible. As tends to be the case, the in-ring stuff was fine, as Estrada and Steel can go and Bruce isn’t terrible when he cuts out the goofy stuff. The problem is the focus is on the goofy stuff and that drags down any of the positives they might have.

Post match Plumtree gives Priscilla a spanking.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett

Hennig’s head is bandaged up and he can barely walk so Jarrett hits him in the back with a chair on the way to the ring. Jarrett throws him inside and hits the Stroke for the win at 1:15. That’s all you could do with Hennig this banged up, which was the point.

Post match Jarrett gets to beat up security because Jarrett is awesome and you need to know it.

Jerry Lynn is ready for the opportunity of a lifetime. He’s been World Champion before, but not the NWA World Champion, and that’s worth more than revenge.

We recap Jerry Lynn vs. Sonny Siaki.

Siaki tells Goldilocks that he has stamina and can keep going all night. He’s ready to beat Jerry Lynn and has officially left this interview.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Sonny Siaki vs. Jerry Lynn

Feeling out process to start, with a lockup going nowhere. Lynn gets a boot up to stop a charge in the corner and grabs a middle rope bulldog for two. Siaki bails to the floor for a breather so Lynn takes him down again to keep up the beating. Lynn sends him into various things but walks into a hot shot back inside.

A legdrop gives Siaki two but Lynn fights up and strikes away in the corner. Siaki’s reverse DDT gets two and we hit the neck crank. That’s broken up so Siaki hits a running flip neckbreaker, followed by a brainbuster for two more. Siaki goes up but Lynn catches him on top with a superplex.

A tornado DDT gets two but Siaki’s cutter gets the same. The referee gets bumped (of course) so Siaki grabs a chair, which is dropkicked into his face. Siaki shrugs that off and hits a DDT onto the chair for two more. A drop toehold sends Lynn into the buckle and Siaki puts his feet on the ropes for the pin at 15:12. Was that buckle supposed to be exposed? Otherwise it’s a very weird ending.

Rating: B-. Weird ending aside, this was a good, back and forth match between two talented wrestlers. It’s becoming a running theme around here: when they cut out the insanity and let the talented wrestlers do their thing, the matches tend to work just fine. That was the case here and thankfully it ate up a good chunk of the show.

Post match Lynn beats Siaki up, including throwing him off the stage.

Video on Brian Lawler vs. Syxx Pac.

Lawler is very happy to have April back. They love each other and Lawler knows she would never have anything to do with Syxx Pac. April doesn’t look so convinced.

Here are Lawler and April, because seeing them backstage wasn’t enough. Lawler gets into it with a fan and beats him up. Then they leave, sans planned announcement.

X-Division Title: Amazing Red vs. AJ Styles

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is defending and they fight over a wristlock to start. They both miss splashes until Styles gets two off a quick rollup. Styles’ springboard is broken up with a dropkick but he’s able to block Red’s slingshot hurricanrana. Red kicks him away and hits a big running flip dive, as tends to be his case.

Back in and Styles knocks him down, setting up a brainbuster for two. Red’s Code Red gets two but Styles is back with a middle rope moonsault into a reverse DDT for two of his own. A spinning DDT drops Styles for two more but he’s right back with a sitout powerbomb for another near fall, giving us quite the shocked face. Styles superkicks him for two more and it’s off to the front facelock.

Back up and Red kicks the leg out and hits a quick standing shooting star press for another two. The Styles Clash is countered into a hurricanrana for two more but Styles is back with a Razor’s Edge Dominator. Plumtree trips Red though and Styles hits a hard clothesline but Red crotches him on top. Red goes up so Styles tries a super Styles Clash, which is countered into a super hurricanrana, which Styles rolls through for a sunset flip to retain at 12:38.

Rating: B. Red is someone who can hang with the bigger names in the division so it’s nice to see him getting a chance like this. Odds are he’ll be sticking around in the division as he’s already been treated as something more important than a lot of the other wrestlers. Just don’t have him lose all the time, though a defeat at the hands of someone as talented as Styles isn’t going to do a ton of damage.

Don West hypes up next week’s show to wrap us up.

Overall Rating: C-. As has been the case before, you can tell when the creative team is paying extra attention to something, because it’s a heck of a lot worse. The in-ring action was mostly good here, but the bad parts were bringing it down. Things have gotten better since the earlier days of the promotion, but there are still some parts that need a lot of tweaks. Fix those and you’ll have something, though I have no idea how you would fill almost two hours a week.

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 18, 2025
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re under two weeks away from Clash In Paris and the big story coming out of last week is that CM Punk, LA Knight and Jey Uso are all getting a title shot against Seth Rollins, which doesn’t have the Vision overly happy. The rest of the show is probably starting to come together and that should start getting developed even more this week. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s main event tag, which set up the four way World Title match at Clash In Paris.

Here is the Vision to get things going. We’re in Philadelphia so Paul Heyman brags him status in this city and how no one is greater than him around here. That makes him the GOAT, but the Vision is full of GOAT’s. Heyman praises each member of the team, including the one who took Roman Reigns’ shoes.

After insisting that they’re chanting PAUL E. rather than OTC (and the fans switch chants in a hurry), Heyman talks about how many times Seth Rollins has taken Reigns out. Before Rollins can speak, cut Jey Uso in the crowd, with some fans saying YEET in a great moment. He’s not afraid of any of those people, including Bron Breakker. Rollins accuses Uso of disrespecting Breakker’s family, including calling his dad and uncle FATA****!

Breakker is ready to go into the crowd but Heyman cuts him off and goes into an amazing rant about how people used to handle things in a Bingo hall not far from here. He lists off some ECW greats, including “the late great Tommy Dreamer. Yeah I know he’s not dead yet but he should be!” Breakker: “HE’S STILL ALIVE???” After one of the hardest laughs I’ve had in a very long time, it seems we have an Extreme Rules match tonight. That line about Dreamer was hilarious, as was Breakker getting annoyed at Uso allegedly mocking his family. Good segment here, with Heyman’s love of ECW shining through.

We recap Iyo Sky’s issues with the Kabuki Warriors last week.

Sky and the Warriors seem to make amends, but Sky wants to do this by herself.

Raquel Rodriguez vs. Iyo Sky

Rodriguez powers her around to start, including an early headscissors. Sky snaps off a headscissors but Roxanne Perez trips her from ringside, allowing Rodriguez to hit a heck of a big boot. We take a break and come back with Rodriguez missing the spinning Vader Bomb, allowing Sky to hit the missile dropkick. Rodriguez blocks the running knees in the corner though and gets caught with the spinning Vader Bomb for two.

A hard clothesline gets two more but Sky is back with a tornado DDT. Sky dives onto Perez and then does the same to Rodriguez…who pulls her out of the air. Rodriguez drops her hard onto the apron but the Tejana Bomb is countered into a headscissors into the corner. The running knees in the corner set up Over The Moonsault to finish Rodriguez at 10:20.

Rating: B-. Sky can work well with anyone, but Rodriguez has turned into quite the star in her own right. She is figuring out how to do the power game rather well and that was on display here. Good match, with Sky showing that she can win on her own and overcome the odds, which won’t sit well with the Kabuki Warriors.

Post match the beatdown is on until Rhea Ripley makes the save.

CM Punk interrupts LA Knight in the back and suggests and alliance until Clash In Paris. Knight doesn’t buy this at all because of their fight last week and says he’ll win the title. Knight: “YEAH!” Punk: “No.”

We look back at AAA TripleMania XXXIII.

Rhea Ripley checks on Iyo Sky in the back, with Sky being grateful for the help. The Kabuki Warriors come in to yell about how they can’t help her but Ripley can. Sky yells at them to stop arguing and runs off screaming. Asuka tells Ripley to stay out of their business.

Xavier Woods vs. Penta

Penta strikes away to start but Woods cuts him off rather quickly. Woods shouts CERO DINERO and drops him hard onto the apron as we take an early break. We come back with Woods kicking him in the head for two but Penta hits the Sling Blade. A backbreaker sends Woods outside for a big dive, followed by a slingshot dropkick back inside. The Penta Driver is countered into a reverse suplex to give Woods two. The Honor Roll is countered into the Penta Driver for two, with Kofi Kingston putting the foot on the ropes. Back up and the Canadian Destroyer finishes Woods at 9:48.

Rating: C+. Good enough stuff here, though WWE has seemed to completely give up on the idea of New Day being a regular team and turning them into…whatever they are now. It does help that Penta is getting a win, though I’m not sure what he is going to be doing anytime soon. Just find something for either of them to do though, as they’re big enough stars to have something better than this.

We look at AJ Styles costing Dominik Mysterio the Mega Title.

Dominik yells about Styles when Rey Mysterio comes in to mock him.

Judgment Day vs. Dragon Lee/Mr. Iguana

Non-title and Dominik Mysterio is here with Judgment Day. Lee and McDonagh lock up to start with McDonagh backing him into the ropes. Some chops in the corner have McDonagh in trouble but Lee misses a charge into the corner. Balor comes in to take over on Iguana and snaps off a suplex for two. That doesn’t get him very far as everything breaks down, with the Judgment Day being sent outside. Big flip dives take them down and we take a break.

We come back with McDonagh getting caught in a sitout powerbomb for two. Iguana comes back in and uses the puppet to take over, including a big dive to the floor. Lee plants Balor but gets caught with the Sling Blade. Back up and Mysterio distracts Iguana, allowing Balor to hit the dropkick to the back. The Coup de Grace finishes at 10:05.

Rating: B-. Good stuff here, as it’s nice to have the Tag Team Champions actually doing something involved with a tag team match. It’s not like they have anyone else to come after the titles so just have them face a random lucha team. If nothing else, I’m sure WWE will make some money off the Iguana stuff so it could be far worse.

Post match the beatdown is on but El Hijo del Vikingo (AAA Mega Champion) comes in for the save. Vikingo goes after McDonagh but gets caught with a belt shot to the back. The villains stand tall.

We look back at Becky Lynch beating Maxxine Dupri and attacking Natalya last week.

Lynch denies attacking Natalya and says she was provoked. Tonight, Lynch will prove herself.

We get another video from Bayley, who still seems to be going insane, with a voice talking about how she hasn’t been making sense in a long time. Bayley starts talking back to the voice, which seems to want her to be evil. She isn’t sure what she needs, but the voice offers her a hug.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Natalya vs. Becky Lynch

Lynch is defending and Natalya has the Academy with her. Natalya tries the power to start and they’re quickly on the floor. That’s fine with Lynch, who sends the arm into the post and we take a break. We come back with Lynch working on an armbar until Natalya does the powerbomb counter that is used fairly often. Natalya hits the discus lariat for two but Lynch goes right back to the arm. The Disarm-Her retains the title at 7:41.

Rating: C+. As usual, it’s fine from a technical perspective, but was there going to be any drama over Natalya taking the title? She doesn’t win titles these days and Nikki Bella is already waiting in the wings for Lynch. At least they didn’t make this into a long, stretched out match, as there was no reason to go in that direction.

Post match the beatdown is on but Nikki Bella runs in for the save.

Sheamus talks about his rivalry with Rusev, who interrupts and wants to fight again. Adam Pearce comes in to make the match for Clash In Paris in a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook. Rusev says he’s going to beat the Irish curse out of Sheamus and Pearce needs a drink.

CM Punk comes in to see Jey Uso and says he has Uso’s back tonight. Uso says no disrespect but he’s got this himself. Punk says he’s just trying to get Uso to Paris but Uso doesn’t want to owe anyone any favors. Everything seems to be cool but Punk seems to think Uso is making a mistake.

Here is Naomi to make a big announcement about the future of the Women’s Title. She says this is hard for her and shows us a clip from Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, where Jimmy Uso reveals what was expected to be the announcement: Naomi is pregnant. Adam Pearce is ready to take the title from her but Naomi says this isn’t going to happen because her hormones are jumping and she isn’t giving him s***.

She tells him to get to stepping and thanks Big Jim for loving to Netflix and chill (there’s a BIG smile at that line) because otherwise, she would have beaten up the women’s division all year. The fans chant YOU DESERVE IT and Naomi seems to be touched. Naomi: “On the bright side, I guess the Bloodline continues baby!”

We get quite the maniacal laugh and an OTC chant before Naomi lays the title down. The division has nine months and some change, but she’ll come back and win the title again, even if she’s breastfeeding at the time. Whomever has the title next, proceed with caution. It’s sad to see the title vacated when Naomi is doing such great work, but this is far more important than anything she’s doing in the ring.

Judgment Day doesn’t know where Dominik Mysterio is but find him talking to El Grande Americano. Mysterio tells the team that he’s just making sure the team always stays on top. Everyone else is fine with this, but Finn Balor doesn’t seem to like it.

Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker

Extreme Rules and Paul Heyman is here with Breakker, who comes out with a shopping cart full of weapons. Uso slips away from the power to start and hits a clothesline to send Breakker legs first onto the shopping card, which is about as dumb of a thing as I’ve seen in wrestling in a LONG time. Uso takes a good while to give Breakker a chance to make sure his leg is ok while setting up a table.

The suicide dive hits Breakker and we take a break. We come back with Breakker seemingly ok and the ring full of weapons. A chair is loaded up in the corner but Uso sends him into it instead. One heck of a Steiner Line drops Uso though and Breakker drops him ribs first onto two open chairs. The clothesline over the announcers’ table connects as well and we take a break.

We come back with Breakker hitting the super Frankensteiner but spending too long taking the straps down. Uso’s spear gets two and another spear into the Superfly Splash connects, only for Bronson Reed to pull the referee (AND STEAL HIS SHOE!). LA Knight runs in for the save but Seth Rollins cuts him off.

Cue CM Punk to brawl with Rollins, who gets jumped by Knight. Rollins escapes the GTS though and sends Punk into Knight, who crashes through a table at ringside. Punk shrugs it off and chases Rollins through the crowd, leaving Breakker to pull out another table. That takes a good while….and Roman Reigns is here. The spear drops Breakker and a Superfly Splash puts Breakker through the table for the win at 20:26.

Rating: B. This was the kind of wild brawl that it should have been, with all of the interference and violence making for a main event that was better than I was expecting. It did feel extreme with a lot of ECW overtones (without going too far) and Uso getting a big win on his way to the title shot in Paris. At the same time you have Reed stealing another shoe, which is more of a crime than anything else, but it’s rather funny anyway.

Post match Reed tries to get some more shoes but Reigns tells Reed that he’ll see him in Paris. Cole thinks that means Clash In Paris, though he isn’t sure to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. What mattered here was they got the momentum going on the way to Clash In Paris. The main event was about doing some wild brawling to hype up the four way at the pay per view, which worked well. The rest of the show was kind of messy, but they’re hyping up the Paris show and the next Worlds Collide at the same time. Get through next week and we should be fine, though Clash is pretty one sided on the Raw half. If they can keep the four way hot through next week though, it very well could work out.

Results
Iyo Sky b. Raquel Rodriguez – Over The Moonsault
Penta b. Xavier Woods – Canadian Destroyer
Judgment Day b. Dragon Lee/Mr. Iguana – Coup de Grace to Lee
Becky Lynch b. Natalya – Disarm-Her
Jey Uso b. Bron Breakker – Superfly Splash through a table

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 11, 2025
Location: Videotron Centre, Quebec City, Quebec
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

The road to Paris continues, but not in the way it was advertised. This week’s Women’s Title match between Naomi and Iyo Sky has been called off as Naomi isn’t medically cleared. That’s never good to hear, but hopefully it isn’t as bad as it could be. Other than that, Seth Rollins and company have been crushing people and building up a nice shoe collection. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of the end of last week’s show, with Seth Rollins and company standing tall over LA Knight, Roman Reigns and CM Punk.

Commentary confirms that Naomi is out tonight. There is no word on when she might be back.

Here is CM Punk to get things going. Punk talks about how he has a Seth Rollins problem. Rollins is trying to be Punk but can’t make it work. He should be the World Champion like he was at Summerslam. Punk is going to be the champion again and he’s going to take it from Rollins. That’s not all though, as he’s going to break Rollins’ legs.

Cue LA Knight, who shakes hands with Punk, but says last week Punk got involved in the title match. Knight is great with Punk getting revenge on Rollins, but he needs to get it after the bell rings. Punk can have his rematch, though it’s going to come after Knight gets hit. Punk thinks the words Knight are looking for are “thank you”, because Punk saved Knight after Rollins stomped his head on the concrete like a coconut.

As I try to figure out who smashes coconuts on concrete, Punk points out that Knight isn’t a former World Champion. Knight says that as Punk has said before, there are levels to this and Punk isn’t on his. He wants to keep the two of them problem free so he’s going to do Punk two favors: he’s going to forget about last week, and then he’s going to win the World Title and make Punk his first successful title defense.

Punk is willing to keep things safe because he’s the best in the world, but here is Paul Heyman to interrupt (Punk: “I wasn’t done!”). Heyman, with Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, speaks a few words of French before mocking the city. He warns Knight not to get in the favor sharing business with Punk, because it could cost you all kinds of things, from half of your life to your tribal chief but Punk cuts him off for a change. Punk offers to fight either of them tonight and the challenge is made/accepted for a tag match. This was a bit lengthy but I like Knight reaching this level.

We look back at the three Grande Americanos helping Dominik Mysterio win last week.

El Grande Americano comes to the Judgment Day clubhouse with Dominik Mysterio. Finn Balor takes Mysterio aside and suggests that they could use Americano to help Mysterio win the AAA Mega Title this weekend at TripleMania (as they’re two of the three challengers). Mysterio likes the idea and tells Americano that they need to get to the ring. Americano playing darts in the background while they talk is funny stuff.

El Grande Americano/Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee/AJ Styles

Lee dives onto Americano before the bell and Styles adds a knee from the apron to start with Mysterio. Lee and Americano come in with Lee getting a boot up to cut off a charge in the corner. A high crossbody gives Lee two and it’s off to Mysterio, who gets powerbombed as we go to a break.

We come back with Lee stomping Americano and hitting a running elbow. Mysterio offers a distraction though and Americano hits a running kick to the face. Lee gets sent outside and into the steps, allowing Americano to tie Lee’s mask to the corner. That…means pretty much nothing as Lee is let out seconds later, with Mysterio putting a mask on before grabbing a chinlock. Mysterio’s running dropkick in the corner has Lee in more trouble and we take another break.

We come back with Lee hitting the top rope double stomp on Americano but Mysterio pulls Styles off the apron in a rather smart move. Back in and Lee gets in another knockdown, which is enough for the tag to Styles. The pace picks up, including a monkey flip to send Mysterio into a Styles Clash. Americano shoves Lee off the top though and loads up the metal in his mask. Styles kicks it away before it can be put in the mask though, with Mysterio stealing it for his own mask. Mysterio’s headbutt to Styles lets American get the rollup pin at 16:40.

Rating: B-. I was a bit surprised that they didn’t have the other Americanos show up here but maybe they’re saving that for after the TripleMania title match. They’re playing up the idea that Mysterio outsmarted Styles here, which is something that has me curious. Not only is Mysterio getting successful but he’s also getting intelligent, which is a dangerous combination.

Sami Zayn met with Adam Pearce earlier, with Pearce saying there might be some World Title discussions if Zayn can beat Rusev tonight. Sheamus came in and is told he and Rusev can’t break down again tonight. That doesn’t work for Sheamus, but Zayn asks him to do it as a friend. Sheamus agrees, but Rusev is his the second the match is over.

Iyo Sky is disappointed in not getting her match with Naomi tonight. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez come in to say it means Sky can’t lose again. Sky says she can fight Perez instead, with Pearce making the match.

Sami Zayn vs. Rusev

We get a pose off to start and believe it or not, the fans are behind the home province star. Rusev knocks him into the corner but gets pummeled for his efforts. Zayn sends him to the floor for the Arabian press moonsault, only to get caught in a release Rock Bottom back inside.

We take a break and come back with Rusev getting knocked off the top, allowing Zayn to hit the tornado DDT. Rusev’s jumping superkick gets two and he blocks the exploder into the corner. Things get a bit personal as Rusev does Sheamus’ ten forearms to the chest, which somehow powers Zayn up so the exploder can connect. The Helluva Kick is loaded up but the MFT’s pull Zayn outside for the DQ at 9:45.

Rating: C+. The fans were way behind Zayn here and the ending surprised me a bit, with the MFT’s coming out of nowhere. That ties in nicely with the match from Smackdown and gives both Rusev and Zayn a logical way out. I’m curious to see where this goes, but it also (probably) keeps Zayn away from the World Title scene for the time being.

Post match Zayn gets beaten down until referees break it up. Cue Sheamus to jump Rusev and they brawl into the crowd.

Post break the MFT’s are ejected with Adam Pearce calling Nick Aldis to yell. New Day and Grayson Waller come in to complain about Penta wrecking Xavier Woods’ hat. Penta should be banned from wearing hats! Pearce doesn’t have time for this so he’s making Penta vs. Woods for next week. As usual, Pearce losing his mind and snapping is his best stuff.

Bronson Reed talks about earning Seth Rollins’ respect, which earned his way into the Vision. He’s taken out Roman Reigns and promises to do it again and add to his collection until Reigns acknowledges the Tribal THIEF. That’s great.

The Kabuki Warriors offer to keep things even with Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez but Sky politely declines, saying she has this.

Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez

Raquel Rodriguez is here with Perez. They fight over wrist control to start with Sky spinning out to take her down, only to get caught in a waistlock. Sky gets up and grabs a headlock takeover but has to flip out of a headscissors. The fans are rather pleased as Sky flips away from Perez and hits a dropkick to the floor. The suicide dive takes out both villains but Perez sends Sky into the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Sky in trouble but hitting a dropkick. A missile dropkick connects as well but Perez knocks her back down. The flipping knees to the back connect but Pop Rox is blocked. Sky kicks her in the head but Rodriguez’s distraction lets Perez rake the eyes. A Shining Wizard gives Perez two and she can’t believe the kickout.

Back up and Sky sends Perez outside for a suicide dive onto both of them. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and Rodriguez gets on the apron. Cue the Kabuki Warriors to hold Perez but Sky has to stop before running into them. That’s enough for Perez to get a rollup with trunks for the pin 14:40.

Rating: B. This was getting rolling and then things happened in the end, which actually made it a bit more interesting. Issues with Sky and the Warriors could go places, with Asuka vs. Sky being a possibly awesome feud. I wasn’t betting on Perez winning here as she was a replacement for Sky’s much bigger opponent, so that was a nice surprise.

Jey Uso is back and wants his rematch but LA Knight interrupts, saying the line starts behind him. Uso isn’t quite buying that.

Iyo Sky yells at the Kabuki Warriors, with Asuka shoving her away and leaving, with Kairi Sane not being sure how to respond.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Maxxine Dupri vs. Becky Lynch

Dupri, with the Alpha Academy, is challenging. Lynch doesn’t seem worried and escapes a headlock to run Dupri over. Some stomping in the corner has Dupri down again as Natalya shouts that Lynch is a bully. The Bexploder looks to set up the Manhandle Slam but Dupri gets a Stunner to escape in a nice counter. The ankle lock is broken up so Dupri goes with a clothesline. That only gets her so far though and Lynch rolls her up for two while holding the ropes. That’s reversed into the Disarm-Her to retain the title at 5:34.

Rating: C-. This lost the little charm it had rather quickly as there was no reason to buy Dupri as even an annoyance to Lynch. Dupri isn’t interesting and she’s little more than a joke anyway. Lynch is getting ready to face Nikki Bella and this felt like a way to burn off a week before the match.

Post match Natalya comes to check on Dupri and gets kicked down by Lynch. Good grief do we have to go there now? Or ever really?

Seth Rollins gives Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed a pep talk before the main event, telling them to stack some bodies because he’s out of this dump.

Bayley isn’t sure why she has reached this point in her career because everything she has done has gotten her nowhere. She seems to be having a mental breakdown. While I don’t think it’s happening, having her as a way to bring Karrion Kross back as a new unit could be interesting. Assuming Kross is coming back at all.

Lyra Valkyria isn’t taking the blame for what happened to Bayley because Bayley cost her.

Stephanie Vaquer offers her apologies to Iyo Sky. With Vaquer gone, Rhea Ripley comes in but Sky tells her to stay out of it.

Bronson Reed/Bron Breakker vs. LA Knight/CM Punk

The villains jump them before the bell and it’s Knight getting caught in the corner as Paul Heyman is at ringside with the shoes. Knight fights back and even gets his vest off, allowing Punk to come in and start on Breakker’s ribs. Reed comes in and it takes a few clotheslines to put him on the floor in a nice bit.

We take a break and come back with Breakker firing off shoulders to Punk’s ribs in the corner, followed by a neck crank. That’s broken up and Punk is able to bring Knight in for the house cleaning, including a jumping neckbreaker to Reed. The BFT is blocked but Knight is right back with a reverse DDT. Back up and Knight is sent outside for Breakker’s clothesline over the announcers’ table.

We take another break and come back with Knight getting knocked into the wrong corner again. Knight fights away but Punk goes outside to yell at Breakker meaning there’s no one to tag. Instead Reed drops a backsplash for two and then knocks Punk off the apron again. The Steiner Bulldog gets two with Punk having to make a save, allowing Knight to fight up again. This time the tag brings in Punk, who barks a bit before suplexing Breakker. Everything breaks down and Knight takes Reed out on the floor, leaving Punk to hit the top rope elbow on Breakker. The GTS is loaded up but Seth Rollins comes in for the DQ at 16:22.

Rating: B-. This went longer than it needed to, especially for something as simple as “and then Rollins runs in for the DQ”. The Vision likely getting to stand tall again to end the show is basically a lesser version of last week’s ending, which is only going to get them so far. The action was your basic stuff, but the fans were going nuts for Punk, as usual.

Post match the beatdown is on but Jey Uso makes the save with a chair. Cue Adam Pearce to say he sees what Rollins did as an opportunity. That opportunity will be defending the title against Uso, Knight and Punk in a four way at Clash In Paris. The challengers get in a fight, allowing the Vision to come in and beat them down, with Rollins paying close attention to Punk to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I wasn’t feeling this show as much as it felt rather long. It felt like there were things that were being dragged out to make the show longer, which isn’t a good vibe at any time. What we got wasn’t bad, but it seemed like the show could have been done about twenty minutes earlier. The Clash In Paris title match is intriguing though, so points for trying something different. Not their best week, but far from a terrible show.

Results
El Grande Americano/Dominik Mysterio b. Dragon Lee/AJ Styles – Loaded headbutt to Styles
Sami Zayn b. Rusev via DQ when the MFT’s interfered
Roxanne Perez b. Iyo Sky – Rollup with trunks
Becky Lynch b. Maxxine Dupri – Disarm-Her
CM Punk/LA Knight b. Bronson Reed/Bron Breakker via DQ when Seth Rollins interfered

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

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #18
Date: October 23, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

The big story coming out of last week saw Ron Killings retaining the World Title when Jeff Jarrett attacked Curt Hennig. While Jarrett vs. Hennig sounds like one of the more quality matches available, it’s far from the most interesting. This company needs something to focus on as the top story, because what they’re doing right now isn’t exactly working. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Amazing Red vs. Kid Kash vs. Jose Maximo vs. Joel Maximo vs. Elix Skipper

Elimination rules for a future X-Division Title shot. It’s a brawl to start with Skipper and Jose being sent to the floor. Kash dives onto them, with Joel adding a baseball slide. Red’s big running flip dive takes the other four out and Kash adds his own flip dive. Back in and the Maximos get a double submission on Kash and Red, with Skipper adding a camel clutch on Jose.

With that not working, Skipper lets go for a springboard dropkick to break the whole thing up. Kash dropkicks Joel into the corner and then runs the ropes to hurricanrana Jose on the floor. Back in and Joel rolls Skipper up for two but the tornado DDT is blocked. Instead Skipper grabs a rope walk DDT for two, only to get taken out by Kash’s high crossbody. Red is back in to kick Skipper out to the floor but Kash runs the corner to send super gorilla press Red and then Jose. We actually get the battle of the Maximos until Skipper gives Jose the Play Of The Day for the elimination at 7:43.

Skipper isn’t done as he dives onto Kash and Joel on the floor, only for Joel to come back with what would become known as the Beach Break to get rid of Skipper at 8:45. Kash’s Money Maker eliminates Joel at 9:21 and we’re down to Kash vs. Red. A spinning kick to the head gives Red two but Kash’s Whisper In The Wind gets the same. Kash runs the corner and dives onto him for two more, only to get knocked off the top. Infrared gives Red the final pin at 12:20.

Rating: B-. It’s another match with a bunch of talented, fast paced wrestlers getting to go out there and do their thing, which made it entertaining but likely not overly important. I did like Red getting the push though, as he has felt like a better option than most of the non-big three X-Division stars. Now see what you have with him and consider adding to the ranks of the division’s top level.

A nervous Brian Lawler is looking through the door for someone and says he’ll do the interview later.

We look back at the Hot Shots and the Michaels beating down Chris Harris and James Storm last week.

Tag Team Titles: Chris Harris/James Storm vs. Hot Shots

Harris and Storm are defending and it’s a brawl to start fast. The fight heads outside with the champs using their belts to whip away. Harris sends Stevens into the corner and a running bulldog gives Harris two back inside. O’Reilly comes in for a snap suplex and the Shots do an old Rockers spot to flip Harris over and roll into a double right hand to knock Storm off the apron. Stevens comes back in and gets dropped with a spear, allowing the tag off to Storm. Everything breaks down in a hurry and Stevens hits a superkick, only for Storm to come back with the 8 Second Ride to retain at 7:34.

Rating: C+. More good stuff from the champs here, but again it’s not helping to have so many teams lose to them so soon. We need an actual division rather than one team after another coming for the belts. Harris and Storm are very good together and have been a highlight around here, but they need someone to really test them.

Video on Jerry Lynn vs. Sonny Siaki.

Lynn is ready to fight, bad knee or not. Wrestlers don’t have an off season. With Lynn gone, Brian Lawler runs by the camera, still looking nervous.

Jerry Lynn vs. Sonny Siaki

Lynn’s knee is banged up but he pulls Siaki to the floor and the brawl starts on the floor. They fight into the crowd until Lynn throws him back inside for the opening bell. Siaki gets smart by going after the leg and slaps on a half crab, sending Lynn over to the ropes. Lynn’s slingshot Fameasser in the ropes puts Siaki back on the floor but he goes after the leg again for a smart move. Siaki grabs something like an Indian deathlock, which Lynn breaks up just as fast. The knee is slammed into the mat a few times but Lynn sends him into the buckle, setting up a bridging rollup to give Lynn the pin at 5:50.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here but Lynn fighting through adversity and winning in the end through simple wrestling is a good way to go. That being said, I’m not sure I would have Siaki lose here, as he was starting to become a bigger deal, mainly through his attacks on Lynn. Maybe don’t have him lose in one of his first big matches?

Post match Siaki wrecks the knee again and Lynn has to be helped out.

We recap Curt Hennig vs. Ron Killings from last week, with Jeff Jarrett helping Killings retain the World Title.

Here are Curt Hennig and BG James for a chat. Hennig knows what it’s like to be a wrestler but Jeff Jarrett has always been a wanna be. Back in the 90s, Hennig was part of the West Texas Rednecks and then Jarrett came along trying to be a country singer (Hennig’s timeline is just a bit off there). Hennig is the guy who took down Brock Lesnar at 35,000 feet, which he says twice for some reason. Therefore he wants to face Jarrett next week and we cut to the back, where Brian Lawler won’t let Jarrett come to the ring. James swears revenge on Lawler for last week. As usual, Hennig is fine but Jarrett is just annoying.

Scott Hall vs. Jeff Jarrett

Hall says he’s supposed to be out here later but he’s bad at following rules so we’re doing this now. Jarrett comes in and Hall slugs him down with his variety pack of punches. The fall away slam has Jarrett teasing a walk out so Hall cuts him off and sends him into various things. They fight into the crowd, where Hall gets in some chair shots to the back.

Back in and the Outsider’s Edge is countered with a backdrop to the floor and Hall comes up holding his knee (one of their greatest hits). Jarrett hammers away back inside, setting up the running crotch attack to the back of the head. A swinging neckbreaker gives Jarrett two and why yes he does grab a sleeper.

Hall fights up and actually grabs a chokeslam rather than reversing into a sleeper of his own. The referee gets bumped (ENOUGH OF THAT ALREADY) so Jarrett hits Hall with a chair. Cue Curt Hennig to go after Jarrett but the lights go out. Ron Killings pops up on screen and threatens Hennig but Brian Lawler runs in to go after Hennig instead. Hennig fights out of a Stroke attempt, leaving Hall to hit the Outsider’s Edge for the pin at 11:37.

Rating: C. These two have one of the longest rivalries in the promotion, which is only saying so much when they’re only a few months old, but there is a history here. The problem is that the history is mostly boring, as they were only so good when they were feuding in the WWF. Another not so thrilling match here, but it was technically sound enough.

Brian Lawler vs. BG James

Lawler jumps him on the way in but misses a charge and falls out to the floor. James gets in a crotching on the barricade but Lawler is right back out with a shot to the head. A chair to the back has Lawler making some weird faces until he whips James into the steps. They go back inside, where James manages the dancing jabs. Lawler drops him again and goes up but cue Syxx Pac and April in quite the passionate embrace. The distracted Lawler gets knocked off the top and pinned at 4:42.

Rating: D+. So this was mainly about the Syxx Pac stuff and my goodness I do not want to see him dropping down into the Lawler mess. Pac has been a nice addition to the X-Division and I really do not want his talents wasted on this mess. Other than that you have James doing his usual stuff, which is hardly worth seeing.

A distraught Lawler walks to the back.

We recap Syxx Pac retaining the X-Division Title over AJ Styles last week despite getting disqualified.

X-Division Title: AJ Styles vs. Syxx Pac

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is challenging and this is No DQ. Before the match, Pac says this should be No DQ, which has already been established. Pac knocks him to the floor to start fast and hits the big running flip dive. Back in and a faceplant into a surfboard has Styles in more trouble but he headscissors Pac to the floor. That’s fine with Pac, who drops him face first onto the barricade.

Styles tosses him into the post though and the Spiral Tap gets two back inside. Pac fights out of a double arm crank so it’s the moonsault into the reverse DDT to give Styles two. Some spinwheel kicks and a sitout powerbomb give Pac the same but Styles powerbombs him out of the corner. Pac gets in another knockdown but has to go after Plumtree, who gets knocked off the apron. Styles’ German suplex gets two so he tries the Styles Clash, with Pac grabbing the ropes. Cue Brian Lawler to get in a cheap shot though and the Clash gives Styles the pin and the title at 8:58.

Rating: B-. This was what you would expect from these two and the Lawler stuff at the end makes sense. That being said, Pac getting stuck with Lawler is not exactly ideal, but it’s the kind of thing that would fit perfectly around here. Styles getting the title back is fine as he’s been one of the proven stars around here, though hopefully the title is still treated as importantly as it has been without being taken down a notch under the drama from the veteran “stars”.

Post match Pac shows respect before getting dropped by a Lawler belt shot.

Ace Steel vs. Jorge Estrada

Priscilla is here with Estrada. Steel wrestles him to the mat to start but gets kind of powerslammed for two. A suplex gives Estrada two more but Steel slams him out of the corner for a breather. Estrada gets sent outside for the suicide dive, only to come back with a running DDT. Back in and Steel crotches him on top for a top rope superplex and a rather near fall. Steel rolls some northern lights suplexes for two but Priscilla trips him up, allowing Estrada to grab a rollup for the pin at 6:24.

Rating: C+. Kind of a weird choice for result here, as Steel felt like he was becoming a bit of a thing and Estrada is already coming off a pretty big loss. It’s not a terrible move as Estrada is far from bad, but I could go for a bit more of Steel than anything else. Either way, I’ll take someone getting a fresh push in the division for a change.

Post match Mortimer Plumtree comes in and takes Priscilla down until security makes the save.

Here is Syxx Pac for a chat. AJ Styles beat him tonight and that’s because he screwed up with the whole April thing. Then again April is kind of hot so it’s not a bad idea. So let’s get Brian Lawler out here and let’s have a fight for April. Lawler comes out to say the fight is over because April is a piece of trash for kissing Pac back. Pac: “That ain’t all she did. You didn’t see the other stuff.” April comes out to say she loves Lawler, which Lawler interprets as Pac forced her to do various things. The fight is on with Lawler beating Pac down until security breaks it up.

Don West hypes up next week.

NWA World Title: Curt Hennig vs. Ron Killings

Hennig is challenging and Killings raps about how much he hates the fans. Hennig runs in and starts the brawl fast (a trend around here) with Killings bailing to the floor. Killings fights back and they go onto the announcers’ table, only for Hennig to avoid a side kick against the barricade.

Back up and Killings slugs away, setting up a middle rope legdrop for two back inside. The ax kick hits Hennig and a spinning wheelbarrow faceplant out of the corner gives Killings two more. Hennig is back up with a low blow but here is Mr. Wrestling III. This time Hennig jumps him and goes for the mask, only for Killings to get in a shot with a foreign object to retain the title at 8:32.

Rating: C. Somehow they managed to find another way to have an over the top, shenanigans filled match between these two. Killings getting another win over a name is good though, as his title reign is a surprisingly effective story. I’m scared to know who is under the Mr. Wrestling III mask, but it feels like it is going to be a major plot point.

We get the EVIL RETURNS graphic (scheduled for next week) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The problem here comes down to the same issues that have plagued a lot of Vince Russo shows over the years: there are too many things going on in one night. This show felt like it had about a month’s worth of stuff between Syxx Pac and Brian Lawler in a single night and that made for an exhausting show. At the same time, a bunch of matches go so quickly that the show needed to burn through more time, which would seem to have a simple solution. I didn’t hate this show, but as usual, they need to slow WAY down and focus a lot more, which is a long running issue around here.

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NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #17
Date: October 16, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

So the big lesson coming out of last week was just how smart the former WWF/WCW stars are in comparison to these young whippersnappers. That was on full display as Syxx Pac ran in to win the X-Division Title in a ladder match despite not being involved in the vast majority. Other than that, Jeff Jarrett is still a big deal and will likely get a lot of attention this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Commentary sends us to a long recap of the last few weeks, which sets up a few of tonight’s matches.

Jorge Estrada is looking for a new Flying Elvis. Brian Lawler runs in to look for his girlfriend and holds Goldilocks responsible for her missing. Goldilocks does not care.

David Young vs. Brian Lawler

April comes out with Lawler, who makes her sit down at ringside. They trade armdrags to start until Young clotheslines him out to the floor. Back in and some atomic drops have Lawler in more trouble but he clotheslines his way to freedom. Lawler gets in a few shots, yells at the referee, and then gets in some more shots. Young manages a spinning Alabama…faceplant (dropping Lawler face first rather than slamming him down) and a DDT gets two. A moonsault misses though and Lawler goes up, only to miss the Hip Hop Drop. Young goes up again but takes too long and gets super reverse DDTed for the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C-. I’m sure Lawler is there because he’s something of a name and probably works relatively cheap, but again I ask why I’m supposed to be interested in his issues with April. Why would I want to see them together or whatever they’re doing when Lawler isn’t interesting on his own? Not much here, though that faceplant was cool.

Video on Sonny Siaki vs. Jerry Lynn, with Siaki attacking Lynn and costing him a few times, including the X-Division Title last week.

Here is a limping Lynn for a chat. He wants Siaki next week because he’s beaten up “punk a** b******” like Siaki for fourteen years. Next week, he’s beating some respect into Siaki. Cue Siaki, who says he respects no one and comes in to go after Lynn’s knee. Various X-Division wrestlers make the save. Security has to hold them apart and here is Bob Armstrong to yell.

Earlier today, Syxx Pac sat down for an interview and talks about how the X-Division is about the ability rather than the weight. He can have a positive or negative impact around here because he’s a wrestler rather than a sports entertainer. As for tonight, he’s ready for AJ Styles, who has done some of the same things that he has done.

Sonny Siaki vs. Jorge Estrada

Estrada, with newcomer Priscilla, charges to the ring and chops away, followed by a Lionsault for two. Siaki sends him outside though and hits a pumphandle suplex on the floor. Back in and a spinning cutter gives Siaki two but Estrada drops him as well for a double down. A Regal Roll into another Lionsault gives Estrada two more but Siaki drops him with a clothesline. Estrada knocks him outside, only to miss a dive into the barricade. Siaki’s rolling cutter is good for the pin at 5:18.

Rating: C. There wasn’t exactly much of a surprise here as Siaki has already moved on to his feud with Jerry Lynn and just needed to beat Estrada to wrap up the Flying Elvises stuff. Siaki has a good attitude and, despite feeling like a Rock impersonator, is more interesting than a lot of people around here. Let him get away from the goofy comedy stuff and see what they’ve got with him.

Post match Jerry Lynn runs in and beats on Siaki, meaning it’s another pull apart brawl.

Derek Wylde vs. Ace Steel

Steel has Mortimer Plumtree with him and takes Wylde down without much trouble. They fight over arm control until Wylde snaps off a hurricanrana. Steel puts him on the apron and they go to the floor, where Wylde grabs a headscissors. Back in and Steel puts him up top for a superplex, followed (eventually, after a lot of reaching and stretching) by a Widow’s Peak for the pin at 3:50.

Rating: C-. Steel has some potential and looks good in the ring, but dang that finish was as smooth as something that isn’t smooth whatsoever. It brought the match down a bit despite them doing well enough otherwise. Wylde is another name in the crowded X-Division, but there are worse choices for jobbers to the stars.

Bruce/Jeff Jarrett vs. Hermie Sadler/BG James

Please be quick. Before the match, James makes his usual jokes about Jarrett and Bruce, which are as unfunny as usual. Jarrett comes back by saying Sadler can be in THE LAST AND THE FURIOUS before getting forearmed by James to start. Bruce comes in and immediately drops to all fours before taking Sadler down. Sadler gets in an armdrag and it’s back to James, who can’t find anything low on Bruce to hit.

A Jarrett cheap shot from the apron lets the villains take over, with both of them getting int heir usual. James fights up with the shaky jabs and shaky knee, allowing the tag to Sadler. Jarrett and James brawl up the ramp, where Brian Lawler pops up with a trashcan to knock James silly. Back inside, Sadler proves that he is better than any woman so far and pins Bruce with a rollup at 6:50.

Rating: D-. Sweet merciful goodness enough with the Bruce stuff. Hermie Sadler isn’t much better, but at least he seems to be serious when he’s out there. I get exactly what they’re going for with Bruce, but good grief they couldn’t make it much dumber. That leaves James and Jarrett to do the important stuff and they have a pretty firm ceiling on the excitement scale at the moment.

Post match Bruce puts on his tiara…and gets taken out with the Stroke.

Norman Smiley vs. Ron Harris

Harris shoves him down to start but charges into a hiptoss, allowing Smiley to dance a bit. Smiley goes for the knee but the Big Wiggle is broken up rather quickly. More kicks to the leg seem to annoy Harris but a shoulder does put him down. A spinning side slam drops Smiley though and a half nelson slam gives Harris the pin at 4:49.

Rating: D+. At least it was relatively short and Harris only beat one person this time. Smiley’s comedy is always worth a chuckle as he’s good in that style, but I still have no idea why I’m supposed to care about the Harris stuff. He’s fine on his own, but after being bored by he and his brother for so many years, stop trying to make him into some big force here.

Post match Smiley actually beats Harris down but Don Harris comes out to make the save. the Harris Twins go face to face and that’s it.

Tag Team Titles: Chris Michaels/Rick Michaels vs. James Storm/Chris Harris

Harris and Storm are defending and for the sake of simplicity, Chris Michaels is “Chris” and Chris Harris is “Harris”. Rick and Storm slug it out to start until Rick is sent outside, where Chris is tossed on top of him. Everything breaks down and Storm is sent into the steps to put the Michaels in trouble.

Rick comes back in and gets caught with a hurricanrana, allowing the tag off to Harris. A high crossbody gets two on Chris and Storm grabs the reverse tornado DDT but there is no referee. Rick gets in a cheap shot to give Chris two and Storm’s superkick gets the same. Rick’s neckbreaker sets up Chris’ top rope elbow for two on Harris, who is right back up with the swinging Rock Bottom to pin Chris and retain at 6:46.

Rating: C+. As usual, Storm and Harris are one of the bright spots on this show, though they’re going to need some serious challengers sooner than later. The problem with having a dominant team and basically no division underneath them is that you can’t exactly build up anyone to come for the belts. The Michaels weren’t great but I’ve seen far worse challengers for the titles. Like anyone with Ron Harris for example.

Post match the Hot Shots run in to beat on the champs, with the Michaels getting in on it as well.

X-Division Title: AJ Styles vs. Syxx Pac

Pac is defending and Mortimer Plumtree is with Styles. Multiple handshake offers don’t interest Styles, who takes Pac down and gets some applause. An exchange of wristlocks goes to Styles as they’re still firmly in first gear here. Pac takes him down for some slaps to the back of the head but Styles is right back up with a hurricanrana. Styles needs a breather on the floor before coming back in, only to get armdragged right back to the floor.

Back in (again) and Styles manages to crotch him against the post, with Plumtree getting in some choking on the ropes. The chinlock keeps Pac down until he misses a charge to the floor. That means Styles can hit a big running flip dive before hitting the chinlock again. Pac fights up again and fires off some spinning kicks to the face, only for Styles to dropkick him out of the air for two.

Back up and Pac knocks him to the floor for the big flip dive, followed by a northern lights suplex for two more. The referee gets bumped so Plumtree comes in, with the referee not allowing Pac to him him. Instead Pac unloads on Styles in the corner until it’s a DQ at 13:53.

Rating: B-. The ending was annoying but it’s nice to see two talented wrestlers who can work a good match getting the chance to do it. Last week’s issues aside, there is something good about having Pac around because he really can hang with just about anyone. It makes the division feel more important and someone beating him for the title will be a big moment.

Post match Pac decks the referee and security has to hold him back so Styles and Plumtree can escape.

Don West previews next week’s show.

Earlier today, Mike Tenay sat down with Curt Hennig, who talks about being a big success in the AWA, WWF and WCW. He was impressed by the reaction he received last week and thinks Ron Killings is quite the star.

NWA World Title: Curt Hennig vs. Ron Killings

Killings is defending and goes on a rant about how minority wrestlers don’t get a fair chance. He doesn’t duck anyone and tonight, Hennig’s blood is on his critics’ hands. Hennig comes out to call Killings a punk and we’re ready to go. Killings backs away into the corner to start so Hennig grabs a lockup, with the referee splitting them up.

Hennig pulls him into a front facelock but they fall out to the floor, with Killings grabbing a backdrop onto the announcers’ table. Back in and Killings hammers away, including starting in on the leg. The jumping sidekick staggers Hennig, who is right back with a slam but the referee gets bumped. The HennigPlex is loaded up but here is Mr. Wrestling III to go after both of them.

BG James and Syxx Pac come in to chase him off but Ace Steel and the Harris Twins come in for a big brawl. Bob Armstrong comes in to clear the ring and restart the match but Killings knocks various people down. Killings grabs a chair so Armstrong says get in the ring and defend the title or be stripped. Cue Jeff Jarrett to hit Hennig low, allowing Killings to steal the pin at 9:00.

Rating: C. Well I’ll be darned if Jeff Jarrett didn’t get involved in the main event again. Hennig getting a title shot so soon is fine as he’s one of the biggest names in the company and having him put Killings over is a good thing. BG James continues to be mostly useless, but they’re far better than the Harris Twins who simply won’t go away. As usual, too much going on in a match that really didn’t need all the smoke and mirrors.

Killings rants to the fans a lot.

We get a graphic saying EVIL RETURNS on October 30 to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. The biggest problem here continues to be a lack of a reason to care about most of this stuff. Things happen every week, but so many of them aren’t interesting or feature people who could be dropped from the show with nothing being lost. The Harris Twins, Brian Lawler, Bruce and BG James would be on this list, as the limited star power they add isn’t helping much. As usual, there are people here who are working hard, but the whole product needs a new direction with A LOT more focus, as so many things are all over the place.

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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Monday Night Raw
Date: August 4, 2025
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re done with Summerslam and it was certainly not a quiet weekend. On the Raw side, Seth Rollins came back in a stunning and shocking (WWE told me so) moment to win the World Title from CM Punk. In other news, CM Punk won the World Title. We’re on the way to Clash In Paris at the end of the month so let’s get to it.

Here are is Summerslam if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of both nights of Summerslam.

Here are Seth Rollins and company, including Bron Breakker (who got hurt at Summerslam but seems ok here) to get things going. Paul Heyman declares himself not just the GOAT but also the Oracle. He talks about the people next to him and says that normally he would be here introducing the Tribal Chief, but Reigns hasn’t been champion in a year and a half.

Or maybe he could be introducing CM Punk, who won the title on Saturday and thought he would have it forever. But then Rollins took the title away from him and stole the honeymoon, which was very good to Rollins. After some loud booing, Rollins talks about how the fans all turned their backs on him. You should never bet against him because he is the World Heavyweight Champion.

Shame on everyone who turned their back on him, because he had a plan b. He only told two people about this plan: his beautiful wife and his oracle. They are the past, present and future of wrestling and they are the vision. Cue LA Knight to interrupt, who greets the champ, the oracle and the morons. Knight accuses Rollins of faking his injury to get out of their match but Knight beat him anyway. Well that makes things interesting because he’s ready to beat Rollins again, right here and right now.

Rollins sounds interested but eventually says no, which brings out Adam Pearce. It wouldn’t be normal to run a title match with no promotion, but it’s also not normal to have someone lie to his medical team like Rollins did. That’s why tonight the title is on the line, and Reed/Breakker are banned from ringside. That’s a big one and does tie up something of a loose string.

Judgment Day runs into the LWO in the back and Dominik Mysterio doesn’t think much of them. Dragon Lee requests and receives a match tonight but AJ Styles comes in to say he’s still coming for the title.

Rusev vs. Sheamus

Rusev jumps him at the bell and starts the beating in a hurry. The forearms to the back keep Sheamus in trouble but he gets his boots up in the corner. Rusev kicks him down again but gets caught on top, where Sheamus grabs a super White Noise. We take another break and come back with Sheamus hitting the Irish Curse. The ten forearms are broken up so Sheamus settles for sending him over the announcers’ table. Rusev is able to send him into the steps and they fight into the crowd, with Sheamus hitting the forearms to the chest. Those keep on going until it’s a double countout at 9:10.

Rating: B-. Hard hitting brawl here but that ending feels like the calling card of a Last Man Standing match or something similar, likely over in Paris later this month. That’s a good way to go, as there is always room for two big guys hitting each other really hard. The ending keeps both of them looking strong and gives them a reason to run it back, as they were more interested in fighting than winning, which fits for them.

Post match the beatdown stays on despite referees and agents trying to break it up.

New Day is still in mourning, including Xavier Woods with his three and a half foot wide hat, when Grayson Waller comes in to ask where they were last week. The team shrugs it off but blame Adam Pearce for the issues. Waller goes to yell at Pearce, who is talking to Penta. Pearce says New Day can have a title shot when they earn it, while Waller can face Penta tonight.

Penta vs. Grayson Waller

Waller struts away to start and grabs a headlock but Penta reverses for a strut of his own. Penta sends him outside and cue New Day, with the distraction letting Waller get in a clothesline on the floor. We take a break and come back with Penta hitting a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker into a slingshot dropkick in the corner. Waller knocks him back down but misses the middle rope elbow as New Day, now on commentary, brags about their success without Big E. The rolling Stunner is cut off with a superkick though and the rolling Canadian Destroyer out of the corner finishes for Penta at 8:20.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of win that stars like Penta need on occasion: a simple victory over someone where there isn’t much doubt about the better man, but Penta gets the win anyway. He got to do a lot of his stuff and the fans reacted without taking up a ton of time. Waller isn’t going to be hurt by the loss and Penta looks good.

Post match New Day goes after Penta, who clears the ring and steals Woods’ hat. Said hat is thrown at New Day and Penta takes them down with the big flip dive. Kingston’s look of “What was THAT” is great.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are in the back when Sheamus and Rusev run up, still in their big brawl.

We look at Brock Lesnar’s return to lay out John Cena last night.

Michael Cole says he talked to HHH and Nick Khan about Lesnar’s return. Apparently they agreed weeks ago that it was time to bring him back “home” and he was happy with that.

Here are Charlotte and Alexa Bliss for a chat. Charlotte says that might be her first YOU DESERVE IT chant, but she has to get used to the idea that THEY are champions instead of SHE. Maybe if Bliss could stop hitting her in the face, they could be….something. Bliss: “I think you were about to say the F word.” Charlotte: “You are such a pain in my A word.”

Either way, Charlotte is happy with winning another title and brags about her success but here is Judgment Day to interrupt. They get right to the point and the title match is made. Cue Adam Pearce to say not so fast because that’s not normal…but nothing tonight is so let’s do it.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Judgment Day

Charlotte and Bliss are defending and we’re joined in progress with Perez sending Bliss into the corner. Bliss reverses into a whip of her own and it’s off to Charlotte to pick up the pace. Rodriguez comes in as well to cut her off though and Perez sends Charlotte outside. Back in and Judgment Day seems to get a bit confused, allowing Charlotte to take out their knees. Bliss comes in and gets to clean some house, only to be sent outside and kicked into the timekeeper’s area.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte getting the tag to clean more house, including a (slingshotless) Buckshot Lariat to Rodriguez. The double moonsault gets two on Perez, who is back up with a failed Pop Rox attempt. Charlotte sends her into the buckle for a breather but Perez manages a hurricanrana. Bliss comes in for the save and is promptly sent outside for interfering. Charlotte kicks her way to freedom though and brings Bliss in, with the Sister Abigail DDT finishing Perez at 12:45.

Rating: C+. I’m only so interested in these titles in the first place, but Charlotte and Bliss teaming together is doing wonders for Charlotte. She’s acting like a completely different person these days and that is letting her talent shine through. Maybe it’s the personality, but getting her away from the singles title scene has helped a lot. She and Bliss work well together too and it’s a lot better than I was expecting.

The Kabuki Warriors and Iyo Sky are in the back when Rhea Ripley comes up. The Warriors leave, with Ripley saying she heard Sky got a one on one match with Naomi. Sky says she didn’t get pinned at Summerslam, with Ripley telling her to go win the title so Ripley can take it from her. Sky: “Rhea, you are never going to beat me.”

We look at Bayley costing Lyra Valkyria the Women’s Intercontinental Title match against Becky Lynch at Summerslam.

Bayley finds Valkyria, who wants nothing to do with Bayley anymore. She needs to get out of this “Bayley vortex”. They aren’t friends or enemies, but stay away.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee

Non-title and Lee starts very fast with a suicide dive to take Mysterio out on the floor. Mysterio is right back up with a slingshot hilo and some choking on the ropes. It’s way too early for the 619 so Mysterio settles for a DDT onto the apron. We take a break and come back with Lee hitting some superkicks, including the slingshot version in the corner. Mysterio tries to bounce out of the corner but gets caught in a sitout powerbomb to give Lee two.

Back up and Lee catches him in the corner, setting up the top rope double stomp. Cue El Grande Americano (facing Mysterio, Lee and El Hijo del Vikingo this weekend for the AAA World Title)….and the other Grande Americano…..and a THIRD Grande Americano as well, with the distraction allowing Mysterio to get in a boot (off foo) to the head. That and the feet on the ropes finishes Lee at 8:14.

Rating: C. Well, I’m curious about where the Americano stuff is going. If nothing else is has me wondering who is under the masks and how many we might see, so points for trying something new. At the same time, we could be looking at Mysterio becoming a double champion sooner rather than later, and that has some potential for his future.

Post match AJ Styles runs in to swing the boot at Mysterio and then throw it up the aisle as Mysterio leaves.

Sami Zayn is happy to have defeated Karrion Kross but happier to have thrown the steel pipe away instead of winning on his own. Yes he wanted to do it, but he also wants to be a World Champion on his own. Cue Sheamus and Rusev to brawl some more, with Zayn getting hit in the face by Rusev.

Here is Becky Lynch for a chat. Lynch: “Ding dong, Lyra is gone!” She’s not getting any more title shots as long as Lynch is champion, which will be for a very, very long time. It’s time to open the door to new competitors…but we won’t be doing it tonight. Cue Nikki Bella to interrupt, saying she thought she left the women’s division in great hands, but Lynch has been such a disappointment. Bella is back to prove herself but why did Lynch come back? Is it because Hollywood isn’t what she thought it would be?

Lynch brings up her role in Happy Gilmore 2, while Bella’s role was cut. Bella laughs it off and says that Lynch is like Seth Rollins, but no one believes Lynch’s BS. Lynch does not like Rollins being brought up because they are the hottest couple in WWE. That used to be Bella and….someone, but now we can’t see them. That’s a BIG gasp from the audience but Bella gets to the point with the title challenge. Lynch hits her in the face and bails instead. That John Cena reference was one heck of a burn, even if it’s the easiest line in the world to use against Bella.

Naomi says she is indeed facing Iyo Sky next week but Stephanie Vaquer interrupts. Naomi threatens to snap Vaquer’s horns off and stick them in a certain place to leave her with a limp. Then she imitates the limp to make it work.

Gunther is out of action indefinitely after being injured at Summerslam.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Natalya, with the Alpha Academy, yells at Becky Lynch for being mean to Nikki Bella. Lynch agrees to a match next week…against Maxxine Dupri.

Raw World Title: LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins, with Paul Heyman, is defending. After the Big Match Intros, Rollins stomps away in the ropes but gets dropped with a clothesline. Knight’s suplex gets two and he knocks Rollins outside for a brisk walk chase. Heyman doesn’t work as Rollins’ shield but Rollins manages a quick stomp (not quite the Stomp) from the barricade and we take a break. We come back with Knight jumping to the top for the superplex, followed by the neckbreaker out of the corner for two more.

Knight’s powerslam connects but Rollins blocks the jumping elbow. There’s the buckle bomb but it’s too early for the stomp. Instead Knight grabs a reverse Death Valley Driver for two and they’re both down. The Pedigree is countered and Knight grabs a DDT, allowing him to pop back up. Knight’s jumping top rope elbow gets two but the BFT is countered. They go out to the floor and crash over the announcers’ table, with Rollins getting the better of things. Rollins peels back the floor mats….and CM Punk comes in for the DQ at 13:05.

Rating: B-. This was another match where there wasn’t exactly much drama about a title change but it’s a rather good sign for Knight’s future if he can be in there at this level. It wouldn’t stun me to see him getting the shot in Paris or at a Saturday Night’s Main Event, which is quite the rise for his career. The Punk interference wasn’t exactly shocking, as it was about the only way this was going to end.

Post match Punk goes after Rollins and Knight is not pleased. Cue Bron Breakker to spear Punk and Bronson Reed is in to crush Knight. The Stomp hits both of them and the villains pose….but Roman Reigns is here. House is quickly cleaned but Reigns goes after Reed, allowing Rollins to hit the Stomp. Reed hits a bunch of Tsunamis on Reigns and Adam Pearce comes out, with Rollins yelling at him. Reed steals Reigns’ shoes AGAIN (please let there be a payoff for that down the line, like Reigns putting a mousetrap in one of the shoes or something) and the villains stand tall to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was about setting up Clash In Paris and that went well enough, but I wasn’t able to get into the show. The wrestling was fine enough, but it felt like it was more about getting ready for later rather than doing a bunch of stuff that mattered here. The angle at the end was a big one, even if it was the third straight night where a villain stood tall to end the show. That being said, I’m having a great time with Reed stealing the shows so we’ll call that a silver lining. Not a bad show, but it’s a stepping stone to the stuff that matters.

Results
Rusev vs. Sheamus went to a double countout
Penta b. Grayson Waller – Spinning Canadian Destroyer
Alexa Bliss/Charlotte b. Judgment Day – Sister Abigail DDT to Perez
Dominik Mysterio b. Dragon Lee – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Seth Rollins b. LA Knight via DQ when CM Punk interfered

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