Smackdown
Date: January 23, 2026
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re back on this side of the Atlantic but not quite back to America, as it’s time to stop in Montreal before tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. The big Smackdown match for that show is a four way for a shot against Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble, so tonight is time for some buildup. That’s a nice enough way to fill some time so let’s get to it.

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

Here is hometown star Sami Zayn to get things going and yeah they like him. We pause for the OLE chants, which do indeed go on for a bit. Zayn greets the fans in French before switching to English to talk about the momentum he feels he has right now. Right here in his hometown…he is interrupted by Trick Williams.

He calls Zayn Mr. Almost, while Williams knows how to get it done. Williams brings up Zayn losing to Roman Reigns here in his hometown, which Zayn says did happen. Yeah Williams looks like a million bucks, but they aren’t on the same level. Williams is brand new but he is just not as good as Zayn. That’s a NO from Williams, who says they can take care of this later.

Cue Damian Priest (facing Williams tonight) to say that Williams talks a lot but he sounds afraid. If Williams doesn’t want to talk here, he can do something, so Williams hits Zayn with the microphone. Williams goes after Priest but Zayn is back up and goes after Williams, with Priest breaking it up. They’re shoved together, allowing Williams to escape.

Randy Orton is asked what he thought about that and goes on quite the rant about how he’s going to beat all three of them and then go on to Saudi Arabia for the Royal Rumble.

Earlier today, Carmelo Hayes told Ilja Dragunov that he can have the US Title shot tonight, which works for Dragunov. Miz came in to say he doesn’t like this whole “everyone is friends era” and says Hayes is what the French call “les incompetants” (points for a Home Alone line) but Hayes isn’t overly bothered.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

Hayes is defending and misses an early First 48 attempt. Dragunov German suplexes him down and grabs a waistlock but Hayes is back up with a double clothesline. We take an early break and come back with Dragunov favoring his arm but getting into an exchange of strikes anyway.

Hayes La Misticas him for two but Dragunov elbows him into the Constantine Special for two. Dragunov loads up Coast To Coast but has to stop to cut off First 48. Hayes is knocked down hard and we take another break. We come back with Dragunov hammering away in the corner, setting up an apron superplex to leave them both down.

They go out to the apron to chop it out until Hayes grabs the suplex cutter. Back in and Dragunov grabs the Death Valley Driver into the corner for two more. Dragunov goes up top but cue the Miz to shove him off the top, setting up the First 48 to retain Hayes’ title at 16:36.

Rating: B. These two work well together but this feels like their ceiling to what they’re able to do. You kind of know what they’re going to be doing and while the matches are good, it’s time to move on already. Like to an actual feud rather than just “here’s a title match and here’s another title match and hey, let’s have a title match”. Miz vs. Hayes is already set up so hopefully we get their big blowoff sooner than later.

Post match Hayes figures out what is going on and yells at Miz. That sounds like the setup for a triple threat at the Rumble.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu, with the latter costing Rhodes the title against Drew McIntyre.

Earlier today, Michael Cole sat down with Rhodes on the bus, with Rhodes talking about the Royal Rumble. Cole shifts him over to Fatu, who comes in with Nick Aldis and some security. Fatu says he was locked in on Drew McIntyre but Rhodes attacked him. Rhodes says that Fatu didn’t look like he was thinking, which is why he was put in prison in the first place.

That gets Fatu on his feet to go off about how he came from nothing and is now a different man. If Rhodes thinks Fatu is like any other Samoan he’s faced before, he has no idea what he’s doing because Fatu is in control. As usual, Fatu can bring the intensity, though having him go over would be a big step.

Chelsea Green, with Alba Fyre, runs into Jordynne Grace and calls her a star. She can even be the newest Slaygent in the Secret Hervice. Grace can even start tonight and she…actually agrees? I’m sure.

Roman Reigns is back at the Royal Rumble.

IMG Credit: WWE

Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill

Non-title and Alba Fyre and Jordynne Grace are here with Green (who is in some Mountie inspired gear). Cargill yells at Grace during her entrance but Green gets in a suicide dive to start it fast. They get inside with Cargill whipping her hard into the corner, meaning it’s time for some pushups. A fall away slam sends Green rolling to the floor, where Cargill gets into it with Grace again. Green uses the distraction to get in a dive and a rollup gets two. Cargill isn’t having this and superkicks her into a powerbomb. Fyre gets kicked off the apron and Jaded finishes for Cargill 3:16.

Rating: C. This was basically a squash with Green being great as the delusional heel who can’t hang with these bigger stars. She’s just so over the top and goofy that it’s hard to not like her at least a bit. That being said, I’m almost scared to see what happens when Grace and Cargill face off. Either way, this was entertaining enough, as is everything Grace does.

Post match Grace gets in the ring to issue the challenge but Cargill walks off instead.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss have a bit of tension before the Rumble, with Charlotte talking about how great it was because she won. Oh and Bliss returned! This time though, it’s about the team. Even though Charlotte won.

Solo Sikoa, with the MFTs and the Lantern, is ready for the Wyatt Sicks.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa/Tama Tonga

The Wyatts are defending and both of their respective stables are here too. Tonga slams Gacy down to start and it’s quickly off to Sikoa, who wants the titles. A shot puts Gacy down again but it’s off to Lumis for some double teaming on Tonga. The Wyatts hit stereo flip dives off the apron and we take an early break.

We come back with Sikoa hammering away on Lumis in the corner but missing a charge. Lumis suplexes him down and Gacy comes back in to deck Tonga. Everything breaks down and Lumis goes up top to splash Tonga for two. Erick Rowan brawls with the MFTs on the floor as Talla Tonga comes out with the lantern. The MFTs offer a distraction though and Talla gets in the big boot to drop Rowan. Uncle Howdy Mandible Claws Talla but gets Samoan Spiked by Sikoa. The lantern to Lumis sets up the Cutthroat to give the MFTs the titles at 9:57.

Rating: B-. This was a big fight in the first place but it feels like it was designed to set up a big wild brawl at some point. It was more of a first act of a match and that’s a good idea. This feud feels like it has some more legs, at least partially because I have no idea what else the Wyatts are supposed to do after it’s over.

R-Truth wants to be in the Royal Rumble and gives Nick Aldis his balls again. AJ Styles comes in and is rather confused but Aldis gets to the point: he’s not sure about Styles putting his title on the line against Gunther. Aldis respects his opinion, but he has someone else here to speak to him. Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to say he wants Styles to prove he still has it. Say on Saturday Night’s Main Event. The match is on and they shake hands.

Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano

Axiom and Candice LeRae are here too and we actually get a tribute to Bobby Duncum Sr., who passed away earlier this year. They trade armdrags to start with Frazer taking him down into an armbar. With that broken up, Frazer hits a running forearm and puts Gargano on top. A super hurricanrana is dropped into a face first drop onto the buckle. Frazer gets knocked hard out to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Frazer hitting a reverse layout DDT to leave both of them down. A springboard ax handle drops Gargano again and a sling blade sets up the frog splash for two. Gargano is back with a knockdown of his own but Frazer runs the corner for a superplex into a suplex neckbreaker for two more. LeRae’s distraction lets Gargano avoid the Phoenix splash but the distraction lets Axiom get the stolen mask back….and put it on her. The blinded LeRae accidentally knocks Gargano into a rollup to give Frazer the pin at 10:07.

Rating: B-. The story of the mask is a fine enough one to go as there is always something to stealing a personal object. That being said, Gargano is going to need a partner to make this feud work since Tommaso Ciampa seems gone. I’m not sure who that could be, but otherwise it isn’t exactly working.

Post match LeRae steals the mask again and runs off with it, making Axiom look like a moron.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend are ready to get a Women’s Tag Team Title shot. They’re ready to get the titles and go all the way to Wrestlemania.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Drew McIntyre for a chat. He gets right to the point by mocking the Montreal Canadiens but he can’t wait to see Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu destroy each other. If Rhodes wants the title back, he has to go through the Royal Rumble to make it happen. Before then though, there’s the fatal four way match tomorrow night.

That means Trick Williams (go get em kid), Damian Priest (McIntyre already wasted a year of his career on him), Randy Orton (who has already lost a title to McIntyre and can’t get a win when it counts)…and then there’s Sami Zayn. After the OLE chants, McIntyre says Zayn’s son is going to be disappointed that Zayn is his father. It doesn’t matter who wins because he’ll retain the title. Smirking ensues. There wasn’t much to this but McIntyre did his job well enough.

Trick Williams runs into Rey Fenix and says Fenix can thank him for the fame. Let’s talk about it. Fenix says Williams will remember him.

We recap Kit Wilson’s crusade against toxic masculinity, which isn’t going well.

Matt Cardona interrupts Wilson, who rants about MEN LIKE YOU, but Cardona doesn’t understand any of this. A challenge is issued, which Wilson says is choosing violence. Wilson is making me chuckle.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax/Lash Legend vs. Giulia/Kiana James

Charlotte and James drive Legend into the corner to start before Charlotte Buckshot Lariats James down. Legend is sent outside and it’s Bliss coming in for the dive onto the big group of people standing outside so she can dive onto them. We take a break and come back with Charlotte’s high crossbody dropping Legend for two with Giulia making the save.

Charlotte fights Giulia off so James comes in to load up a double suplex. That’s reversed into a double DDT to put Legend and James down but Jax is in to cut her off. A super Samoan drop is loaded up but James turns it into a powerbomb for two on Charlotte in quite the power display.

Charlotte is able to bring in Bliss to clean house, including a messy tornado DDT for two on Jax. Legend’s pump kick gets two on Bliss with Giulia making another save. James is in with the 401K but Legend gives Bliss the Lash Extension. Charlotte spears Legend outside and James steals the pin and the title shot at 10:58.

Rating: B. I was getting into this one by the end as they went with a bunch of saves and near falls. The surprise winners are a good way to go as well, as it gives us a fresh match and saves the bigger showdowns for a major show. That’s what we’re getting with Giulia and James, as James can take the fall to protect the champion. Either way, I liked this more than I was expecting and I’ll take the surprise.

Sami Zayn comes up to Damian Priest and says he’ll be watching the main event in case Trick Williams cheats. Priest cuts him off and says stay out of it. Zayn: “Or what?” Priest seems angry and walks off, with Zayn going over to slap the taste out of Drew McIntyre’s mouth (that looked great).

AJ Styles runs into Cody Rhodes, who says Styles will be at his best when his back is against the fire. Rhodes wishes him good luck and Styles leaves, with Rhodes seeing an autographed picture from Drew McIntyre on the bus door. The photo is signed “THE REAL AMERICAN DREAM” in a nice jab.

Giulia and Kiana James are ready to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles, with Giulia wanting to then go on and become a triple champion. Well it’s not like she’s doing anything as US Champion anyway.

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams

Williams takes him down to start and they lock up against the ropes. Priest actually gets knocked into the corner and here is Sami Zayn to watch at ringside. Priest’s comeback lets him yell at Zayn, who doesn’t want to leave. Old School is broken up though and Williams kicks him out to the floor. Williams talks some trash to Zayn and we take a break.

We come back with an exchange of strikes leading to Williams hitting a kick to the face. Priest can’t hit South Of Heaven and they trade spinning kicks to the face for a double down. Williams’ swinging Rock Bottom gets two, as does Priest’s lifting Downward Spiral, meaning they need another breather. Williams heads outside and yells at Zayn but stops to drop Priest onto the announcers’ table. That’s not enough as he sends Priest into Zayn before heading back inside. Zayn runs in to jump Williams for the DQ at 15:33.

Rating: B-. Well, they couldn’t have Priest win and kill Williams’ momentum right off the bat so this was their best option. You don’t want one of the four people involved in the #1 contenders match taking a loss so this was about as good of an idea as they had. Williams more than hung with Priest too, which is rather impressive for someone still so new on the main roster. He hit the ground pretty much ready to go and that’s a good thing to see, as it gives him some promise for the future.

Post match Williams is knocked into the corner so Priest and Zayn can fight. Williams knocks them outside and obvious RKO is obvious. Zayn gets up and takes an RKO of his own to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show felt like a last second push to make Saturday Night’s Main Event feel more important, which is what that even has been needing. Saturday’s show hasn’t felt very big and while this helped, I’m not sure it did enough. There was good action this week though and it did its intended job. Next week is the last show before the Royal Rumble so things are going to pick up even more, so hopefully expect more like this going forward.

Results
Carmelo Hayes b. Ilja Dragunov – First 48
Jade Cargill b. Chelsea Green – Jaded
Solo Sikoa/Tama Tonga b. Wyatt Sicks – Cutthroat to Lumis
Nathan Frazer b. Johnny Gargano – Rollup
Kiana James/Giulia b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax/Lash Legend – Lash Extension to Bliss
Trick Williams b. Damian Priest via DQ when Sami Zayn interfered

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

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

Smackdown
Date: January 16, 2026
Location: Wembley Arena, London, England
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

It’s another taped show overseas but in this case we have a pretty big focal point. This week’s show features four matches, with the winners going on to a four way for a future shot at Drew McIntyre’s World Title. That should make for a big and rather wrestling heavy night so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Drew McIntyre winning the World Title last week when Jacob Fatu got involved.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is McIntyre, played to the ring by some bagpipers of course, for his first chat as champion. He takes his sweet time with his entrance, this is the first time he has ever had an introduction as champion in front of fans. McIntyre says he prayed for this and it happened. He’s still the first and only British WWE Champion and talks about how no one did anything for him when he was champion.

There was only one person who believed in him before and that was….himself. McIntyre wants the fans to cheer for him before talking about the former (oh he loves that word) champion, Cody Rhodes. There’s no rematch clause, so he’ll be champion for a long time…and here is Randy Orton to interrupt. Orton talks about beating McIntyre before so he knows he can do it again. Cue Jacob Fatu to chase McIntyre through the crowd but the Miz (facing Orton tonight) sneaks up from behind with a Skull Crushing Finale.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: The Miz vs. Randy Orton

We’re joined in progress with Miz hammering away, including an exchange of right hands. They go outside with Miz dropping him onto the announcers’ table for an Orton pose. Back in and Orton wins a slugout before hitting the hanging DDT. They go outside again, with Orton dropping him onto the announcers’ table a few times. The RKO is loaded up but Miz reverses into the Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Miz tries it again but has to settle for two off a rollup. Orton pops back up and the RKO (while getting to take a breather) finishes Miz off at 4:37.

Rating: C. Orton shrugged off Miz’s offense and took him out here, which was rather impressive. As old as he is, Orton can still make this stuff work with that RKO being as dangerous as ever. It’s one of the biggest finishers ever and it still works well. On the other hand you have the Miz, who is still a heck of a villain, even if he probably only has so much time left in the ring.

An anxious Drew McIntyre is trying to leave with the title but runs into Ilja Dragunov, who promises to take a step closer to the title tonight. McIntyre says he’ll beat him too and gets out as fast as he can.

The Wyatt Sicks aren’t wild on Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s taking the lantern, but they’ll get it back.

Charlotte comes up to see Alexa Bliss last week, with Bliss ranting about how terrible things went for her last week. She wants to know if Charlotte was really sick, which Charlotte insists was the case. Charlotte says she’s turned down a bunch of title matches for the good of the team. Bliss: “Name two.” Charlotte: “That’s beside the point.” She’s here now though and she’s stretching before her match. Bliss leaves and Nia Jax and Lash Legend come up to gloat. Charlotte isn’t pleased and makes some threats, along with saying Legend has changed.

Kiana James/Giulia vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Bliss strikes away at James to start but gets caught with a knee to the ribs. Charlotte comes in to send her into the corner, only to walk into a superkick. Everything breaks down and Bliss is in trouble as we take a break. We come back with Bliss kicking her way to freedom, allowing the tag off to Charlotte. Chopping abounds, followed by a big clothesline to James. A high crossbody gives Charlotte two but Giulia breaks up the moonsault. Giulia and Charlotte get to strike it out until Bliss is back in with the Sister Abigail DDT to finish James at 8:28.

Rating: C+. Charlotte and Bliss have turned into a heck of a team, which is nice to see as it means we have some actual teams rather than just doing the revolving door of title challengers. Let the division be built up a bit and see how well it can work. That’s what we’re getting here and it’s rather nice to see after such a long time of it not working.

Post match Nia Jax and Lash Legend run in to drop Charlotte and Bliss, with Giulia and James getting in Jax and Legend’s faces.

Solo Sikoa says if the Wyatts want their lantern back, put the Tag Team Titles on the line.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat (but only after hugging a young fan, which leaves her in tears). Normally he would tap his fist on the mat and we would all say WHOA and he’d move on to whatever he’s talking about. He was champion and saw the fans as his teammates. But now he got too complacent, but maybe it was that Drew McIntyre was just too good. Rhodes brings up the Royal Rumble, and since this is a special city, where he wrestled for What Culture Pro Wrestling to hone his skills and in a city that deserves a Wrestlemania, he is declaring himself for the Royal Rumble.

With that out of the way, he gets to Jacob Fatu, who Rhodes knew was going to be something special. Rhodes knows Fatu is a young veteran and that means he knows what RECEIPT means. Fatu can either come out here and get it or he can stay back there and Rhodes can find him. This was the intense Rhodes and that worked well.

Matt Cardona is disappointed that Cody Rhodes lost last week because he wanted to wrestle his buddy for the title. He’s back to win the title. Another intense promo here and it’s nice to see that he is feeling like something other than Zack Ryder.

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona

Williams poses at him to start and gets powered into the corner. Some big shoulders drop Cardona, who is right back with a dropkick into a Downward Spiral. Cardona knocks him outside for a dropkick off the apron and we take a break. We come back with Williams forearming away but Cardona grabs a Zig Zag for two. Williams misses a Stinger Splash but he rolls away before the Reboot. Back in and Williams slingshots him over the ropes and hits the Trick Kick for two. The Rough Ryder misses and Williams Pounces him down hard. The Trick Shot gives Williams the pin at 8:50.

Rating: C+. Williams continues the hot start to his main roster career and that’s a good sign. There is no reason to believe that he’ll win the match at Saturday Night’s Main Event but at least he is getting a few wins like this one. As usual it’s all about the followup, but he’s doing well so far.

Post match Kit Wilson comes out and decks Cardona.

Damian Priest is ready to face Solo Sikoa, but he knows it won’t be one on one. He also knows he has to get to Drew McIntyre, one on one for the title.

Post break, Kit Wilson is still in the ring and says he is the solution to the problem around here. He’s going to solve the toxic masculinity…and Jacob Fatu is behind him. Destruction ensues and Fatu calls out Cody Rhodes. Cue Rhodes (who has changed clothes in the 15 minutes since he was in the ring) for the brawl with security and Nick Aldis not quite being able to break it up.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Damian Priest

The MFTs are here with Sikoa, who headbutts him into the ropes, only to get caught with a superkick. Priest kicks him out to the floor, where the MFTs aren’t going to allow any shenanigans. Sikoa gets in a cheap shot though and the MFTs drop Priest as we take a break. We come back with Sikoa hitting a running Umaga Attack but Priest spinwheel kicks him in the face.

Priest kicks away and they trade big shots to the head, with Priest getting the better of things. Talla Tonga gets caught trying to interfere and gets ejected, leaving Priest to grab the Razor’s Edge for two. Another MFTs distraction lets Sikoa hit the Spinning Solo into the Superfly Splash for two of his own. Cue the Wyatt Sicks to go after the MFTs but Sikoa grabs the lantern. The distraction is enough for Priest to hit South Of Heaven for the win at 10:51.

Rating: B-. I got into this a bit more than I was expecting as Priest gets to move on to a pretty big match. That’s not the focal point though, as this was more about the MFTs vs. the Wyatts. That will likely be the cool down match at the Royal Rumble, or at worst at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and they are making it feel important.

Post match Priest leaves and Uncle Howdy gets the lantern back but it’s Tama Tonga dropping Howdy to take it back.

Drew McIntyre runs into Sami Zayn, bragging that Zayn has never beaten him. Zayn promises to win twice in a row so he can go to the Royal Rumble and face McIntyre again.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

It’s open challenge time with…TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater answering (and not defending). They lock up to start and Hayes takes him down for an early exchange of rollups. A chop hurts Slater’s hand but Hayes might have banged up his knee. Slater kicks him in the face and adds a handspring elbow to send Hayes outside. The slingshot dive connects and a nice high crossbody puts Hayes down for two.

We take a break and come back with Slater kicking away until a suplex cutter gives Hayes two of his own. Slater kicks him in the face for two more and a slingshot ax kick to the back of the head has Hayes in more trouble. They trade rollups for two each until Slater sends him outside for the huge flip dive over the top rope. Back in and the Swanton 450 misses for Slater, setting up the First 48. Hayes goes up top with Scott following, only to get superplexed into a cutter to retain the title at 11:45.

Rating: B. This was your weekly “here are some talented stars doing their thing for awhile”. Hayes is getting into a groove of this thing, though the whole open challenge thing is getting a bit old. Slater coming to WWE full time sooner than later wouldn’t surprise me, as he seems ready to come over.

Shinsuke Nakamura is watching in the back but Tama Tonga interrupts, saying he’s coming for the US Title. Tonga tells Nakamura to stay out of his way but Nakamura doesn’t seem impressed.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae have Axiom’s mask, with Axiom popping up. He wants the mask back but LeRae walks off with it. Cue another Axiom to punch Gargano and of course it’s Nathan Frazer, who will face Gargano next week.

Video on Oba Femi.

Chelsea Green vs. Jordynne Grace

Alba Fyre is here with Green and Jade Cargill is watching from ringside. Grace powers her down to start and grabs a rather delayed vertical suplex. Back up and Green manages to sens her into the corner for a superkick from Fyre. Grace clotheslines her down and grabs a suplex, followed by a Death Valley Driver for the pin at 2:36. Well that was almost squashy.

Post match Grace calls out Cargill, who accidentally gets decked by a charging Green.

Trick Williams puts Smackdown on notice (uh oh) that he is that dog. Damian Priest comes in to say they’re both ready for Saturday Night’s Main Event, but on Friday, he’ll whoop that Trick.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Ilja Dragunov vs. Sami Zayn

They slug it out to start until Zayn hits a clothesline for the knockdown. The forearms in the corner don’t do much to Dragunov, who is right back with a running boot in the corner. Something off the top misses for Dragunov and Zayn gives him a suplex for two. Dragunov is back with some rolling German suplexes and goes up top, where Zayn catches him with a top rope superplex as we take a break.

We come back with Dragunov busted open and escaping the Blue Thunder Bomb. A missile dropkick gives Dragunov two but the H Bomb is blocked with a raised boot (quite the logical counter). The Helluva Kick misses as well and they fight to the apron. Dragunov hits Torpedo Moscow to leave both of them down on the floor. Back in and Dragunov hits a powerbomb (THUD) but the top rope backsplash hits raised knees. The Helluva Kick gives Zayn the pin at 12:27.

Rating: B. These guys beat each other up in the way you would expect them to do and it made for a good main event. Zayn feels like he is finally on the path towards the World Title, however long it might take for him to get there. Dragunov losing again is perfectly fine, but what matters here is that he didn’t feel too far over his head. If that can continue, they might have something with him.

Post match Trick Williams jumps Zayn to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show had a theme running throughout, but at the same time, this was the first three hour show that felt every minute. It wasn’t a show that felt it needed to go that long and that made it a bit tedious. On the other hand, the positive was that the show featured four matches which had World Title implications, plus other stories getting coverage. This was a well put together show, but three hours a week can absolutely grind you down in short fashion.

Results
Randy Orton b. The Miz – RKO
Charlotte/Alexa bliss b. Kiana James/Giulia – Sister Abigail DDT to James
Trick Williams b. Matt Cardona – Trick Shot
Damian Priest b. Solo Sikoa – South Of Heaven
Carmelo Hayes b. Leon Slater – Superplex cutter
Jordynne Grace b. Chelsea Green – Death Valley Driver
Sami Zayn b. Ilja Dragunov – Helluva Kick

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

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

Smackdown
Date: January 9, 2026
Location: Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re overseas this week and it’s a pretty big night as Cody Rhodes is defending the World Title against Drew McIntyre in Three Stages Of Hell. That should be more than enough to carry things, but we also have some fresh faces around here thanks to NXT. We could be seeing some of them this week so let’s get to it.

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Randy Orton to get things going. After a quick “I’m glad to be back”, here is Trick Williams to interrupt him. Williams says he’s the new star around here and brags about his future. Orton says he’s just as big and tall, but Williams says he’s different. He’s out here to brush up against one of the best ever and slaps the mic away from Orton. The brawl is on but here is the Miz, who gets dropped with an RKO.

Rey Fenix vs. Trick Williams

Fenix runs into Orton on the way to the ring, with Orton giving him a fist bump in respect. They trade some rollups for two each to start and Williams drops him with a running shoulder. Fenix is right back up with a triple springboard dropkick but Williams sidekicks him down to cut off the momentum. They go outside with Fenix being whipped into the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Williams hitting a pop up uppercut for two but a super Rock Bottom is countered into a hurricanrana. The Trick Kick (spinning kick to the face) gets two more, as does a Rock Bottom. A reverse tornado DDT gives Fenix two and he hits the rope walk kick to the face. Fenix tries a rollup but Williams reverses into one of his own and grabs the tights for the pin at 11:10.

Rating: B-. That’s a good way to start Williams off as he showed he could hang in there with the athleticism but also the intelligence. He’s someone who looks like he could be a player in a hurry around here and that’s always a good addition. Throw in his natural history with Carmelo Hayes and the pieces are all there.

Giulia, with Kiana James, is glad the Women’s US Title is back where it belongs. Tonight, she’s taking out Alexa Bliss.

We look back at Damian Priest beating Aleister Black in last week’s ambulance match.

Priest is wondering about which road to take, because he wants to go after Cody Rhodes. Drew McIntyre comes up and Priest wouldn’t mind going down that road either. With Priest gone, McIntyre reveals he has Dusty Rhodes’ watch. After Rhodes gets disqualified out of anger, McIntyre only needs one more fall.

Alexa Bliss is on the phone with Charlotte, who seems to be sick. Nia Jax and Lash Legend come up to mock her but Bliss blows them off.

Women’s US Title: Giulia vs. Alexa Bliss

Giulia, with Kiana James, is defending. They shove each other to start until Giulia grabs a snap suplex, followed by a middle rope missile dropkick for two. Back up and Bliss knocks her to the floor for a flip dive and we take a break. We come back with James getting in a cheap shot but Bliss hits a quick dropkick. The running Blockbuster gives Bliss two but she misses a flipping splash. The big knee knocks Bliss silly, though she’s right back up with a Sister Abigail DDT. A distracting James is brought in and Bliss goes up, where Lash Legend shoves her off. The Northern Lights Bomb retains the title at 8:12.

Rating: C+. They told a simple story here, with Bliss needing her partner/friend to pull off the title win. Giulia is tough enough on her own and beating Bliss makes her look even better. Charlotte will be back and we can get to the big tag match sooner than later. It’s not a great match on its own, but it sets things up for the future rather well.

Post match Jax and Legend lay Bliss out.

Jordynne Grace is officially signed to Smackdown and gets into it with Alba Fyre. A match is set for later. Kit Wilson comes in to complain about toxicity around here but gets a door shut in his face.

Matt Cardona talks about the work it took to get back here. Cody Rhodes is here too though and Cardona says he’s here to win the title. Rhodes says that once he’s done with Drew McIntyre, they’ll talk. Works for Cardona and they’re cool.

We recap the Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s.

IMG Credit: WWE

Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa/MFT’s

Tama and Lumis trade shoulders to start and it’s quickly off to Gacy to knock Tama outside. Stereo suicide dives hit Tama and Loa and it’s a staredown as we take a break. We come back with Sikoa hitting Gacy with the running Umaga attack. Gacy manages to get away though and the tag brings in Rowan to clean house.

Rowan and Talla have their bit staredown into the brawl as everything breaks down. A chokeslam drops Gacy and Rowan and Talla hit stereo clotheslines to leave them both down. Howdy and Sikoa come in to slug it out with Howdy taking over. JC Mateo (not in the match) is dragged in but Sikoa grabs the lantern, which is enough of a distraction for Tama to hit the Cutthroat for the win at 10;16.

Rating: B-. Nice job here, with the Tag Team Title match likely being set up for later. I’m curious to see where it goes as the MFT’s might get the belts back, as the Wyatts have had them for a rather long time. This was enough of a wild match that it stayed interesting and the lantern being the Wyatts’ weak spot is fine.

Carmelo Hayes runs into Miz, who is coming for the title but not tonight because of his neck. Hayes scares him into thinking Randy Orton is behind him, which has Miz’s neck a lot better. With that out of the way, Hayes runs into Ilja Dragunov, who says they will fight again at some point, but right now he has something else to set up. They’re on good terms.

Video on Oba Femi.

Jordynne Grace vs. Alba Fyre

Chelsea Green is here with Fyre, who gets chopped into the corner to start fast. Something like a Big Ending drops Fyre but she gets in a tornado DDT for a quick two. A spinebuster drops Fyre again though and Beast Mode (torture rack powerbomb) finishes for Grace at 2:36. Pretty dominant debut.

Post match Jade Cargill comes out and isn’t impressed because this is her show and she’s that censored.

Sami Zayn kind of wants Drew McIntyre to win the title tonight, just because McIntyre is the one guy he can’t beat…but yeah he’s betting on Cody. Either way, he’s coming for the winner.

Nathan Frazer is getting ready for the US Open Challenge….but Axiom jumps him. Ah it’s Johnny Gargano, with Axiom running in to chase him off.

IMG Credit: WWE

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against….Shinsuke Nakamura. Hayes takes him down by the arm to start and hits a nice dropkick. Nakamura gets dropped again and we take an early break. We come back with Nakamura striking away and grabbing a dragon screw legwhip over the ropes. Another dragon screw over the ropes sets up a half crab, with Hayes making the rope. They strike it out with Hayes getting the better of things and hitting a running DDT for two.

We take another break and come back again with Hayes getting tied in the Tree Of Woe. Nakamura’s sliding knee only hits buckle though and Hayes hits a dive out to the floor. The frog splash misses for Hayes and Nakamura is right back on the leg. What looked like an AA is countered into a Stunner and Nakamura charges into a superkick. Another springboard DDT connects but Nakamura knees him down. Kinshasa is countered into the First 48 and Nothing But Net retains the title at 18:30.

Rating: B-. Another good performance from Hayes, though I wasn’t wild on some of his selling issues. The knee was rather banged up but Hayes could still do most of his offense. That’s a bit annoying, though I can go with Hayes getting another win to boost him up even further. It’s been needed for awhile now and it’s working.

Cody Rhodes talks about how bringing in Dusty Rhodes’ watch is lazy and he’s ready.

Commentary says this third hour is commercial free, despite the previous match, which took place in this hour, having a commercial. Liars.

Nick Aldis announces a set of qualifying matches for next week, with the winners going on to a four way at Saturday Night’s Main Event for the World Title shot at the Royal Rumble.

The qualifying matches:

Miz vs. Randy Orton
Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov

We recap Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes. They’ve been feuding for months, with McIntyre trying to make it personal and drive Rhodes over the edge. Tonight, it’s Three Stages Of Hell for the title.

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

Rhodes is defending in Three Stages Of Hell, with the first fall being a regular match, then falls count anywhere, then a cage match. Rhodes starts fast and knocks him outside for the suicide dive. They’re already back in for a Beautiful Disaster Kick into the Bionic Elbow as McIntyre is in early trouble. They head outside with Rhodes being sent into the steps but he comes right back in to slug away. The turnbuckle is ripped off but McIntyre gets in a low blow, setting up a Claymore for the first fall at 3:41.

McIntyre – 1
Rhodes – 0

We’re off to a falls count anywhere match and Rhodes is put through a table for the fast two. Rhodes is back with a suplex in the aisle for two and they fight into the crowd. McIntyre gets bitten on the head while Rhodes takes a photo with a fan’s phone, which isn’t something you often see.

They fight into the back, with McIntyre sending him into various things. Rhodes fights up and puts him on a table, which is somehow enough for Rhodes to go into the balcony for a splash. Somehow that’s only good for two and they fight back to ringside, with McIntyre in trouble. A quick Claymore attempt doesn’t work so Rhodes sends him over the announcers’ table. Cross Rhodes through the table ties it up at 12:55.

McIntyre – 1
Rhodes – 1

We’re in a cage, with both of them sending the other into the steel. McIntyre gets suplexed for two but he sends Rhodes into the cage for two of his own. They go up top, where McIntyre superplexes him back down for the big crash. McIntyre strikes away but Rhodes hits the pop up uppercut.

A quick Futureshock gives McIntyre two but Rhodes spins over into a Cross Rhodes for two more. That leaves them both down and Rhodes is busted open as they strike it out. The powerslam gives Rhodes two and a Cody Cutter connects for the same. Two Cross Rhodes connect but the third is countered with a ram into the exposed buckle.

The Claymore gets two so McIntyre climbs up. Rhodes is right there to knock him back down, followed by a super Cody Cutter for a rather near fall. McIntyre cuts off a climb and they crash down. That leaves McIntyre to go for the door….but a man in a hoodie is back. It’s the returning Jacob Fatu, who jumps McIntyre and then beats up Rhodes, allowing McIntyre to escape and win the title at 31:04.

Rating: B. The last few minutes boosted this up a lot, as the first two falls were just an ok brawl. McIntyre had to win the title at some point in there, as he lost so many times that it didn’t feel like it was going to matter anymore. The best part is this opens the door in a huge way, as there are several people who could take the title from McIntyre, who could also keep it for awhile. On top of that, it’s always nice to have the occasional surprise title change, just to remind you that it can happen.

Overall Rating: B. They’ve managed to have two big time Smackdowns in a row with the three hour format, which is more than I was expecting them to be able to do. Next week is already set up to be another big one so they’re off to a nice start. The title change here is obviously the most important part and it has me interested in where things are going. That’s a good sign and Smackdown is off to a strong start (albeit an early one) in the new year.

Results
Trick Williams b. Rey Fenix – Rollup with tights
Giulia b. Alexa Bliss – Northern Lights Bomb
Solo Sikoa/MFT’s b. Wyatt Sicks – Cutthroat to Howdy
Jordynne Grace b. Alba Fyre – Beast Mode
Carmelo Hayes b. Shinsuke Nakamura – Nothing But Net
Drew McIntyre b. Cody Rhodes 2-1

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

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

Smackdown
Date: December 26, 2025
Location: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the second taped Smackdown in a row as we wrap up Christmas week. That means it’s time to get ready for the new year, which is going to feature more Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre. Other than that, it’s almost time to start getting ready for the Royal Rumble so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes, with Rhodes possibly getting on the bad side of GM Nick Aldis.

Rhodes arrives and runs into Aldis, who says McIntyre isn’t here yet. Aldis says McIntyre has signed the contract so once he publicly apologizes and pays a fine, Rhodes can’t lay a finger on him. Rhodes understands and says to tell him when McIntyre shows up. Aldis agrees but runs into Miz, who wants nothing to do with….that guy with the name. Aldis accuses him of being a grumpy Grinch and points out that Joe Hendry is in the ring.

We go to the ring where Hendry has dancing elves, Otis and Akira Tozawa and a bunny. The song is about the size of Miz’s testicles and mentions how he can’t beat Carmelo Hayes, gets thrown out of the locker room a lot, and can’t do well in Hollywood. Miz comes out to complain and gets serenaded again. Cue Aldis to make a Miracle On 34th Street Fight right now.

Joe Hendry vs. The Miz

Street fight with a bunch of Christmas weapons at ringside. Hendry shoulders him down to start and grabs a delayed suplex for quite the positive reception. It’s time to head outside where Hendry finds a guitar but Hendry finds a ukulele. With that not working, Miz pulled out some rather tiny….ornaments. A hiptoss sends Miz into a Christmas tree and it’s time for a table (with a bow). Miz gets rather frustrated and stomps on a bow, followed by some elbows onto a present as we take a break.

We come back with Hendry hitting a fall away slam to Miz, followed by another to a tree. They go outside, with Akira Tozawa grabbing a cookie (Graves: “PUT THAT COOKIE DOWN!”) but getting dropped. Otis steals the Singapore candy cane and Hendry hits Miz low, allowing all the good guys (and the Easter Bunny) to get inside. Finishers abound, Otis has a cookie, the Bunny is R-Truth (complete with a hopping Five Knuckle Shuffle), a guitar to Miz sets up the Standing Ovation through a table to give Hendry the pin at 11:31.

Rating: C+. This falls under the definition of goofy fun as they had the annual themed fight. It’s an easy way to get Hendry into the mix as beating Miz is almost the introductory badge these days. The match was silly and featured R-Truth getting the wrong holiday, so it could only be so bad.

Fraxiom and Carmelo Hayes are in the back, with Ilja Dragunov walking to talk to Hayes alone. He talks about their chemistry last week but Dragunov says the Open Challenge is closed because Hayes has a title shot tonight.

Drew McIntyre arrives and won’t say the stipulation he’s picking for his match against Cody Rhodes. For now, he seems off to take a nap.

Video on Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black, with Black swearing to end this.

Jade Cargill isn’t happy with Michin attacking her with a kendo stick. Cargill doesn’t need weapons because she is a weapon.

B-Fab doesn’t want Michin to get hurt by standing up for her. Michin thinks Cargill is worried and they can use that to their advantage next week.

Lash Legend vs. Charlotte

Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss are here too. They fight over wrist control to start and neither can get very far. Legend powers her into the corner to start and hits a clothesline, followed by a heck of an uppercut. Charlotte gets in a kick to the head and tries a running hurricanrana, which is reversed into a powerbomb as we take a break.

We come back with Legend holding Charlotte up and bouncing Charlotte’s head in between the top and middle ropes. Charlotte fights up and tries the Buckshot Lariat, only to get pump kicked down for two (after pausing due to a bit of mistiming). Another powerbomb looks to set up the Lash Extension but Charlotte reverses into a DDT. Charlotte’s moonsault gets two but Jax gets up for a distraction, earning a choke from Bliss. Back up and Charlotte’s sunset flip finishes Legend at 10:52.

Rating: B-. This match told a good story with Legend being a younger, possibly more athletic, but also less experienced Charlotte. It made for an interesting match as you don’t often see someone who can match Charlotte for athleticism and power but Legend is quite the athletic marvel in her own right. It could be interesting to see how far Legend goes, because she certainly has some pieces in place.

Trick Williams (former NXT/TNA World Champion) is in Nick Aldis’ office and asks if Smackdown is going to match an offer from Raw. Before Aldis can answer, Cody Rhodes comes in to ask if Drew McIntyre has paid the fine and apologized yet. That’s a negative to both, but Williams says he doesn’t like Rhodes interrupting him because he is the hottest free agent around.

Solo Sikoa, with the MFTs, isn’t wild on Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks. Howdy hides behind a bunch of people wearing masks while Sikoa has created a family. The fireflies are fading away and the lantern is burning low. We even get a little He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands.

IMG Credit: WWE

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes

Hayes is challenging and chops him into the corner to start. That earns him some rolling German suplexes, as Dragunov is known to do. Back up and a running boot to the face sends Hayes outside and we take a break. We come back with an exchange of chops until Hayes hits a springboard clothesline. The spinning faceplant gives Hayes two and he kicks Dragunov down again.

Dragunov gets back up and goes up, only to get kicked out of the air. The Constantine Special drops Hayes and the top rope backsplash gets two. We take another break and come back again with Dragunov putting him up top but getting shoved down.

Nothing But Net is kicked out of the air to leave both of them down. Dragunov superplexes him down and hits the H Bomb for a VERY near fall, leaving Dragunov shaken up. Another superplex is loaded up but Hayes reverses into a cutter (that was so quick I wasn’t even sure what he did at first) for two of his own. They fight to the apron where Dragunov hits a Death Valley Driver but dives into the First 48. Nothing But Net gives Hayes the pin and the title at 20:44.

Rating: B. This wound up being rather good and they pulled the trigger on Hayes, which is more than a smart enough move. Hayes has been around for awhile now and hasn’t done much on his own (or with Miz either) so it’s a huge step forward. I could go for seeing him as someone getting some more focus and at least he won a title on the top level. It helps that the match was rather awesome as well.

Post match Dragunov presents Hayes with the title for the big show of respect.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte are ready for the Women’s Tag Team Titles but Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky come in to say they’re going to win the titles. Nia Jax and Lash Legend come in to argue, with Nick Aldis getting in between them. The Kabuki Warriors come in to say it’s an eight woman tag match next week.

Carmelo Hayes thanks Ilja Dragunov for everything, including remind Hayes that he is Him. Johnny Gargano jumps Hayes from behind and says that title is his.

Chelsea Green/Alba Fyre vs. Kiana James/Giulia

Green and James shove each other to start and can’t get very far. Fyre comes in so it’s off to Giulia, who wants to face Green. Giulia settles for swinging at Giulia, allowing the tag off to Green, who gets knocked into the corner. Giulia’s missile dropkick hits Green and she sends Fyre outside. The northern lights bomb finishes Green at 3:16.

Rating: C. This was as by the book as you could get and it worked out well for Giulia. The idea is that Giulia can crush Green if they’re going straight up and that’s what happened here. Green is much better when she cheats and gets to connive a lot, which should be happening when they have the inevitable title match.

Kit Wilson is in Nick Aldis’ office and says he wants to showcase his new version. Cody Rhodes comes in to ask referee Dan Angler if McIntyre has apologized yet. He hasn’t, but McIntyre comes out to the ring for a chat, with Aldis and Angler going to join him.

Video on Oba Femi, who seems to be coming to the main roster.

Here’s what’s coming next week, with the show returning to three hours.

IMG Credit: WWE

Drew McIntyre is in the ring with Nick Aldis and Dan Angler, and hands Aldis the check for the fine, which seems to be enough. That brings McIntyre to Angler and he apologizes for the Claymore. Angler accepts, but McIntyre apologizes for Angler clearly wanting to be a wrestler but not being being good enough. McIntyre apologizes to Angler’s wife for not having a husband like him and to Angler’s children for having a corporate stooge for a father.

Cue Cody Rhodes to interrupt, with McIntyre saying he knows Rhodes wants to hurt him. McIntyre tries to goad him into a fight, even bringing up Rhodes’ wife and kids. With that not working, McIntyre says the title match will be outside of the United States and it’s 3 Stages Of Hell (Rhodes agrees). McIntyre says the title match is in two weeks in Berlin and when he takes Rhodes to Hell, say hi to Dusty. Rhodes is ready to fight but gets Claymored to end the show. You could all but count down until he mentioned Dusty and that’s not a bad idea. This feels like the big blowoff and it needs to be.

Overall Rating: C+. The focus here was mainly on setting up Rhodes vs. McIntyre and they did a nice job of building up the match. That’s a big start towards setting up the huge January show before they can get started on the way towards the Royal Rumble. Now just find some other stories to build up as well, as the show could use it.

Results
Joe Hendry b. The Miz – Standing Ovation through a table
Charlotte b. Lash Legend – Sunset flip
Carmelo Hayes b. Ilja Dragunov – Nothing But Net
Giulia/Kiana James b. Alba Fyre/Chelsea Green – Northern lights bomb to Green

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

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

Smackdown
Date: December 19, 2025
Location: Giant Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’ve got a rare taped show this week, as WWE is airing this while taping next week’s shows tonight for the sake of a holiday break. We’re also fresh off of the end of John Cena’s career at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The Royal Rumble is starting to come up over the horizon but there are some big Smackdowns on the way to Saudi Arabia. Let’s get to it.

Here is Saturday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of Saturday Night’s Main Event, with John Cena losing to Gunther in a good match and the tributes rolling in.

Apparently Cody Rhodes has invaded Drew McIntyre’s house. More on this later.

Here is Damian Priest to get things going and praise John Cena, who is the greatest of all time. With that out of the way, Priest talks about last week, when he and Rhea Ripley took out Aleister Black and Zelina. Cue Zelina, who points out that Priest didn’t even get the pin and says Black broke him. Priest has to live with his decision and here is Black to jump him from behind. The fight is on and Priest gets the better of things, allowing him to load up a table. Black is back with a chair and hits a Meteora to drive Priest through the table.

Lash Legend and Nia Jax do not like the implication that Legend beating Alexa Bliss was an upset. They want the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Aleister Black attacks Damian Priest again, including hitting him in the back with a shovel.

IMG Credit: WWE

Kabuki Warriors vs. Lash Legend/Nia Jax

Non-title. Sane headscissors Legend down to start but Legend runs her over with a running elbow. Jax and Legend hit running splashes in the corner but it’s off to Asuka, who helps kick Jax down. A headbutt to the chest drops Asuka but she and Sane dropkick Jax outside. Sane’s big dive takes out Legend and Jax as we take a break.

We come back with Legend chinlocking Sane and handing it off to Jax, who knocks Asuka off the apron. Sane manages to turn a double suplex into a double DDT though and it’s Asuka coming in with a double missile dropkick. Jax powers out of the cross armbreaker but misses a sitdown splash as everything breaks down. A missed charge sends Jax into the post but Sane dives into a chokeslam. The Annihilator finishes Sane at 12:04.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure about the champs losing clean like this, though it was a nice way to make Jax and Legend look dominant. At the same time, Jax has seemed to have trimmed down a bit and is moving better out there. If that is the case, she is instantly a lot more valuable, as it means more people can work with her.

Post match Charlotte and Alexa Bliss run in to take out Jax and Legend.

Giulia, with Kiana James, warns Chelsea Green that she is coming for the Women’s US Title.

Earlier this week, Nick Aldis and referees came to Drew McIntyre’s home to negotiate. Aldis offers McIntyre a title shot against Cody Rhodes, but he wants a public apology to referee Dan Angler. There’s also a fine, but Aldis doesn’t think it’s going to be an issue. McIntyre seems ok with this, though he wants to pick the stipulation for the match. Also, he wants a document saying Rhodes cannot lay a finger on him. It turns out that Rhodes is at McIntyre’s house and the fight is on. Eventually things are cleared up.

Aldis is annoyed but Miz comes in to say he wants a match with “him”. No not Carmelo Hayes, though Miz wouldn’t mind that, but rather that guy….whose name he won’t say. Aldis seems to agree but here is R-Truth to say he believes in Joe…Pesci. Eh I can see that.

Alba Fyre vs. Giulia

Chelsea Green and Kiana James are here too. Giulia jumps her to start fast and takes Fyre down but stops to glare at Green. That’s enough for Fyre to come back with a DDT for two but a missed charge lets Giulia grab an abdominal stretch. Back up and Fyre kicks her down for another near fall, only for Giulia to knee her in the head. The northern lights bomb finishes for Giulia at 3:48.

Rating: C. Giulia wants to face Green for the title so she beat up Green’s lackey to get the shot. That’s about all you need to happen and it worked well enough here. Fyre got in just enough offense to feel like a threat before getting taken out. It’s not an overly competitive match but that’s not what it was supposed to be.

The Wyatt Sicks don’t like Solo Sikoa’s quest for power and promise there will be nowhere for Sikoa to run.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes talks about Drew McIntyre calling WWE an unsafe working environment. There are second generation wrestlers, former MMA stars and NIL talents. What would be a safe working environment? Staples? Cue Nick Aldis to say Rhodes went too far by going to McIntyre’s house. If McIntyre does what he is required to do, he’ll get his shot and Rhodes can’t lay a finger on him or he’ll be stripped of the title. Rhodes explains that he works for the people and Aldis works for him before leaving.

Ilja Dragunov thanks Carmelo Hayes for what he did last week (since wrestlers apparently do not see or talk to each other at any other time during the week). Hayes says it’s cool as Tama Tonga watches in the background. Fraxiom comes in to wish them luck against DIY tonight but wants them to save a piece for them. Dragunov just wants revenge.

DIY vs. Carmelo Hayes/Ilja Dragunov

Candice LeRae is here with DIY. It’s a brawl to start with Ciampa getting crushed in the corner, including Dragunov hitting a running boot to the face. We settle down to Hayes elbowing Ciampa into a jumping legdrop, followed by a suplex from Dragunov. LeRae’s distraction lets Gargano knock Dragunov off the top though and we take a break.

We come back with Dragunov still in trouble but he manages a quick Constantine Special. Hayes comes in with his springboard clothesline into La Mistica before flip diving onto Gargano. Dragunov’s top rope backsplash gets two but DIY manages to send Hayes into their corner.

Project Ciampa gets two on Hayes with Dragunov making a save so LeRae offers a distraction. Dragunov gets taken down and it’s the superkick/Fairy Tale Ending combination for two. Meet In The Middle is cut off by Torpedo Moscow though and Hayes hits Nothing But Net finishes Ciampa at 10:26.

Rating: B. Good stuff here and it’s nice to see Hayes getting to do something and being successful as a result. He and Dragunov had some nice chemistry and while I don’t expect that to lead to a long term team, there is a good chance that Hayes will get a US Title shot. I’m not sure what is next for DIY, but it’s not like the tag division means much at the moment anyway.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss want the Women’s Tag Team Titles back. Jade Cargill comes in and some glaring ensues. Cargill is asked about Michin and gets jumped from behind by Michin and her kendo stick.

Solo Sikoa promises that his family will humiliate the Wyatt Sicks. He has his own fireflies and the Wyatts can’t run.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT’s

The Wyatts are defending. Lumis Russian legsweeps Loa to start and it’s off to Gacy, who gets driven into the corner. The stomping doesn’t last long as Gacy gets over to Lumis to clear the ring. It’s already back to Gacy, who can’t launch a dive but can go outside, where Loa drops him with a clothesline. The Wyatts are both knocked down on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Lumis still in trouble and getting sent into the corner. Sikoa seems to improve until Lumis flips over and brings Gacy back in to pick up the pace. Gacy misses a Lionsault though and gets planted but Lumis is back in. The belly to back suplex/powerbomb combination sets up Lumis’ top rope splash, with Loa making the save. Talla Tonga boots Gacy down and all of the associates get in a fight. The referee throws it out at 10:32.

Rating: C. The match wasn’t a disaster, but it might as well have had a big countdown clock until the match wound up being a big brawl. It wasn’t exactly a surprise, but that didn’t make it any more interesting. This is a feud that has been built up for a good while and there wasn’t much of a reason to believe that the lowest members of the MFT’s were going to take the titles here.

Post match the big brawl is on, with everyone, including Nikki Cross, getting involved. Sister Abigail is broken up to save Sikoa and end the show.

Overall Rating: C. Maybe it was this being part of a double taping or something but there was an energy missing from this show. It felt like one of those shows that was there because it has to be and was more designed to set something up later on. I liked the tag match but you could have easily skipped this week and watched Santa Jaws instead.

Results
Nia Jax/Lash Legend b. Kabuki Warriors – Annihilator to Sane
Giulia b. Alba Fyre – Northern lights bomb
Ilja Dragunov/Carmelo Hayes b. DIY – Nothing But Net to Ciampa
Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT’s went to a no contest

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

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

Smackdown
Date: December 5, 2025
Location: Moody Center, Austin, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re coming up on Saturday Night’s Main Event and there are some major implications this week. In this case that means the finals of the Last Time Is Now tournament as Gunther faces LA Knight. The winner gets to face John Cena next week and now we get to see how that is set up. It’s also the fallout show from Survivor Series, which should be interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

Long recap of Survivor Series.

Drew McIntyre arrives but Nick Aldis cuts him off, saying he is still suspended. McIntyre goes to get back in his truck but Cody Rhodes jumps him from behind and McIntyre has to speed out. Rhodes storms to the ring and says he wants Aldis to reinstate McIntyre for a fight. McIntyre broke an unwritten rule in wrestling by going to Rhodes’ home away from home and now Rhodes is going to get him somewhere. Reinstate McIntyre so Rhodes can stomp on him like the cockroach that he is. This was fired up Rhodes.

Tommaso Ciampa wants the US Title shot tonight but Carmelo Hayes comes in to call him a jackass. Oh and get the title shot.

Damian Priest is tired of dealing with Aleister Black and Zelina so Rhea Ripley is going to help him out. Makes sense.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. ???

Dragunov is defending against…Carmelo Hayes. They get after each other to start and Dragunov chops him down. Hayes goes up top but gets caught with a kick to the face to knock him outside. Hold on as Hayes comes up holding his knee as we take a break. We come back with Hayes missing a superkick and getting German suplexed down. Another suplex is broken up and they strike it out until Hayes blocks the Constantine Special.

The spinning faceplant gives Hayes two but Dragunov knocks him down again. The H Bomb is blocked so Dragunov slams him down again. Hayes manages a kick off the top and a slingshot DDT sends Dragunov into the apron. Back in and Hayes goes up but cue Tommaso Ciampa to knock him off the top. Dragunov didn’t seem to see it but Torpedo Moscow and the H Bomb retains the title at 10:03.

Rating: B. They were starting to get rolling near the end but the result makes sense. What matters the most is that there are a few stories set up for the future. Assuming he didn’t see the interference, Dragunov is not going to be pleased with what happened and a tag match is a possibility. Either way, they have me wanting to see Ciampa getting that title shot and that’s a good sign.

Post match Dragunov sees the replay and is not happy.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte are on the same page and ready to go after the Tag Team Titles.

We recap the Last Time Is Now Tournament.

LA Knight is ready for Gunther, because it’s the last time for one of them. Knight takes off the sunglasses, saying he’s unlike anything Gunther has ever seen (except when they fought in NXT). He throws in a Matthew McConaghey “all right all right all right” to wrap it up.

We look at John Cena winning the WWE Title from AJ Styles at the 2017 Royal Rumble.

Kairi Sane vs. Alexa Bliss

Asuka and Charlotte are here too. Bliss actually wins a wrestle off to start and hits a flipping backsplash to send Sane outside. Sane plants her on the floor though and we take a break. We come back with Sane tying Bliss in the ropes for a top rope double stomp and a frustrated kickout. Bliss is back with the running Blockbuster but Asuka’s distraction lets Sane get two off a rollup. Charlotte kicks Asuka down and Sane drops Bliss, only to miss the Insane Elbow. The Sister Abigail DDT finishes Sane at 7:58.

Rating: C. I wasn’t feeling this one as much, though Asuka’s interference kept things going well enough to give Bliss a headache. Odds are we’re coming up on a three way title match with Nia Jax and Lash Legend, which is at least a good sign for the division. You know, that we’re actually close to having one.

Post match Nia Jax and Lash Legend jump Charlotte and Bliss from behind for the big beatdown. They switch over to Sane, but Asuka is back up to take out Legend. Jax chokebombs Asuka though and Legend is back up with a pump kick. Asuka has to save Sane from the Annihilator.

Cody Rhodes and Nick Aldis want to do something and go into Aldis’ office, where NXT Champion Ricky Saints and #1 contender Oba Femi are waiting. Aldis leaves and Rhodes says that in the spirit of what John Cena wants next week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event to be, the winner of Saints vs. Femi (tomorrow at Deadline) will face him next Saturday.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend want the Tag Team Titles.

Alba Fyre vs. Jade Cargill

Non-title and Chelsea Green is here too. Fyre starts fast and actually manages to kick Cargill down. Cue Kiana James to distract Green so Giulia can jump her from behind. Fyre isn’t sure what to do and gets spinebustered by Cargill. A pump kick sets up Jaded to finish Fyre at 1:34.

Axiom wants to fight DIY and pleads their case to Nick Aldis. Ilja Dragunov comes in to demand a match with Tommaso Ciampa, which Aldis grants. Dragunov says Axiom can have whatever is left of Ciampa, but here is Tama Tonga for the staredown. Solo Sikoa pops up and tells Tonga, and the rest of the MFT’s, to do this later.

B-Fab runs into Jade Cargill and they argue a bit. Michin comes in with her kendo stick to break it up and glare at Cargill a bit more.

Here are Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s to brag about their win last week. That brings him to the Wyatt Sicks, as he isn’t happy with them stalking his family. Sikoa is too smart for that and is ready to take the memories from Uncle Howdy. It is time to show that Howdy does not deserve the name Wyatt (which Howdy doesn’t actually use) because all he has to do is bo-lieve. Sikoa and company go to leave but here are the Wyatt Sicks, with Howdy popping up behind Sikoa for the staredown. The big brawl is on and we get the Rowan vs. Talla showdown, with the fans loving the whole thing. The Wyatts clear the ring.

Miz wants on the Saturday Night’s Main Event card and is accused of switching the balls for the tournament last week. Bayley comes in and distracts Aldis, which has Miz storming off. Bayley is wrestling next Saturday and will be facing…Sol Ruca, who comes in for some friendly threats. Bayley will be watching Ruca at Deadline.

Gunther is ready to win and knows that there are a bunch of hungry superstars in the back. He’s the different kind though and wants John Cena to watch how he beats Knight.

Aleister Black is sick of Damian Priest, who he knew was broken. Zelina, carrying a snake, comes in and mocks Rhea Ripley, with both of them promising to destroy the former Terror Twins.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Last Time Is Now Tournament Finals: Gunther vs. LA Knight

Gunther starts with the chops but can’t hit the powerbomb. Instead Knight knocks him outside and hits a dropkick through the ropes as we take a break. We come back with Gunther missing an elbow but chopping Knight down again. Knight gets up anyway and sends him into the corner for the jumping neckbreaker. The BFT misses but the sleeper is countered into a quick rollup for two. Knight gives Gunther a messy AA, followed by a Burning Hammer for two as we take a break.

We come back with Knight winning a strike off and going up, only to miss the jumping elbow. Gunther hits his shotgun dropkick but the powerbomb is countered into a DDT. Now the jumping elbow gets two but the BFT is countered with a German suplex. Knight’s neck is banged up so Gunther twists it around, followed by a hard clothesline. Knight takes him up top but gets shoved down, setting up Gunther’s top rope splash.

Gunther does it again to the back (not the back of the neck Cole) for two, followed by the powerbomb for the same. A BFT out of nowhere connects for two, as Gunther gets his foot on the rope. Gunther gets the sleeper but can’t finish him off, so Gunther elbows him in the head. A modified crossface has Knight in more trouble and he actually taps at 17:34.

Rating: B+. This was what it should have been, with Knight giving it his all but not being able to hang with the monster Gunther. That’s where it should be interesting next weekend when that version of Gunther faces Super Cena. Knight was trying hard here but came up just short, with the tap out making Gunther look that much better. Rather good main event here, with a predictable (not a bad thing) winner.

Post match Gunther promises to make Cena tap out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The main event helped a lot and it came at the end of the show with the fired up Rhodes promo and the pretty awesome Wyatts vs. MFT’s showdown. This was a show that made things look more important for the next few times and that gives me hope for what we’re going to be seeing in the next few weeks. Bringing NXT up for the special Saturday Night’s Main Event is a good call and I’m curious to see how well the whole thing goes.

Results
Ilja Dragunov b. Carmelo Hayes – H Bomb
Alexa Bliss b. Kairi Sane – Sister Abigail DDT
Jade Cargill b. Alba Fyre – Jaded
Gunther b. LA Knight – Crossface

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

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

Survivor Series 2025
Date: November 29, 2025
Location: Petco Park, San Diego, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s back to the stadium for this show as we’re in for one of the bigger nights of the year. As usual, the show is built around the two WarGames matches, which should be more than enough to carry the show. Those matches are going to take up nearly two hours combined when you add in entrances, meaning the other two matches can only have so much impact. Let’s get to it.

The opening video actually looks at all four matches on the card. Naturally WarGames gets the most attention, but it’s nice to see something else getting even a bit of attention.

Since we’re going to have two of them, here are the WarGames rules:

Two wrestlers start and fight for five minutes.

After five minutes, the team with the advantage (as determined before the match) gets a three minute advantage.

The teams alternate until all ten are in and then it’s first pin/submission to win.

Team Ripley vs. Team Lynch

Rhea Ripley, Charlotte, Alexa Bliss, AJ Lee, Iyo Sky
Becky Lynch, Lash Legend, Nia Jax, Asuka, Nia Jax

Charlotte (in gear inspired by a girl battling cancer) and Asuka start things off, which should be a nice way to go. Of note, there are no shark cages near the entrances and the other wrestlers are staying in the back until their turn comes. They lock up to start with Charlotte getting the better of things and grabbing the figure four neck rolls. Back up and Asuka gets her into the ropes to fire off the kicks but Charlotte knocks her back down. They slug it out in another ring until Asuka knocks her off the top.

Sky is in to give Charlotte and company the advantage (the timing isn’t quite on but I’ve seen worse), bringing in a trashcan lid. And yes, there is an advertisement on the trashcan lid, because WWE managed to find a company to pay them to be associated with trash. Sky takes over on Asuka, despite slipping on a springboard attempt. The Bullet Train with the trashcan lid hits Asuka in the corner and Sky crushes her head against the metal plate.

Becky Lynch is in to even things up and thankfully she brings her kendo stick with her rather than looking underneath the ring over and over. Sky is taken down but Charlotte wants no part of Lynch’s offer of peace. Charlotte and Lynch both hit exploders before slugging it out again as we actually hear about FCW for a bit. Lynch takes over on Charlotte and yells about being the best ever until Bliss is in to get the advantage back.

Some dragon screw legwhips have the villains down, setting up the double Natural Selections. Sky is back up as well so she can help Charlotte and Bliss with the beatings. Charlotte gets to step on Lynch’s face and brag about her own greatness in a nice moment. Sane is here to even things up, though she takes her sweet time and shows off the chain she’s bringing with her.

Charlotte and company get tied together with the chain for a triple dropkick, which frees them so the villains can pose. Heaven forbid that when the other three were tied together, Asuka or Lynch or Sane, I don’t know, beat on them with a chair or something. Anyway, Lee is in to make the save and go after Lynch, including the Shining Wizard. The rest of the team gets up to continue the fight but Jax is in to even things up again.

Naturally that means a bunch of running hip attacks against the cage but Sky climbs the cage. That earns her a hard powerbomb and a lot of choking ensues until Ripley is in, again carrying a bunch of weapons but also doing her full entrance. Ripley cleans house with the kendo sticks and uses Sky to crush Sane in a trashcan.

Jax runs them over so Bliss makes a save until Legend is in to complete the fields, meaning first fall wins. Legend gets to wreck people, including a chokeslam to Charlotte. Ripley gets up for the monster showdown and kicks Legend in the head for a staggering. Legend’s pump kick gets two on Ripley but a headbutt looks to set up Riptide. Jax breaks that up so she and Legend can powerbomb Bliss and Charlotte into the cage for two. Lynch’s Manhandle Slam gets two on Lee with Sky making the save.

Sky is tossed into the rest of her team and the Kabuki Special with a chain drops her again. Ripley has to make a save this time but she’s left alone. Charlotte saves Ripley from the mist, which hits Legend by mistake though and Sky goes up top. Ripley lifts Lee up so she can hand Sky the (sponsored) trashcan to hit the big dive. Lynch is alone this time and tries to escape, only to get pulled into the Black Widow for the tap at 40:52.

Rating: C+. It was definitely better than last year, though that’s only so much of an accomplishment. The match is still too long, though they toned the weapons WAY down this year, including the time spent searching for them, and it helped a good bit. I still don’t know why this needed to be a WarGames match when a Survivor Series match would have fit better, but at least they took some steps in the right direction.

We recap John Cena defending the Intercontinental Title against Dominik Mysterio. Cena, who has this and one more match left, took the title from Mysterio, who wants a rematch on his home turf. Naturally Cena is in.

Intercontinental Title: John Cena vs. Dominik Mysterio

Cena is defending in his last PPV match and Raquel Rodriguez/Roxanne Perez are here with Mysterio. The first music stops playing and the fans are already going nuts, with WWE being smart to wait and let the buzz build before hitting Cena’s music. Cena’s entrance takes a bit longer than usual, as you can tell this means a lot to him. After the Big Match Intros, Cena takes him down with a headlock takeover but Perez gets in some interference.

Mysterio takes over with a good shot to the head and gets in some taunting to the crowd. Rodriguez’s cheap shot lets Mysterio get two and Three Amigos connect for the same. Cena knocks him outside but the women’s distraction lets Mysterio get in another knockdown. A hurricanrana off the barricade doesn’t work as it almost turns into a powerbomb, with Mysterio holding his shoulder.

The medics come out to check on him but the women use the distraction to hit a Tejana Bomb into Pop Rox. Mysterio pops back up for a 619 and the referee is living, ejecting Rodriguez and Perez. Cena makes the comeback and initiates the finishing sequence but Mysterio escapes the AA. That’s fine with Cena, who pulls him into the STF, with Mysterio having to make the rope.

Mysterio unzips his boot so Cena pulls it off, setting up another 619. The frog splash gets two, as does a quick AA from Cena. A slugout goes to Cena, who accidentally shoulders the referee to the floor. Cue Finn Balor and JD McDonagh to break up the STF but Cena gives them a double AA (because he can do that). Mysterio misses a belt shot and walks into another AA…but Liv Morgan is back. She hits Mysterio in the face and jumps on Cena, only to kick him low. The 619 and frog splash give Mysterio the title back at 16:48.

Rating: B-. Yeah this was fun, and they made the right call. Cena had to drop the title at some point and, assuming Gunther is winning the tournament, it makes a lot more sense to let Mysterio get this kind of a win. They were flying through this despite having some time, but I can go for some insanity here as it’s hard to fathom Mysterio being able to beat Cena one on one (or even close to it). Mysterio can brag about this for the better part of ever and that’s the right idea in this situation.

Post match Mysterio and Morgan celebrate together. With the two of them gone, Cena gets the big sendoff and thanks the camera.

Raw Women’s Title: Nikki Bella vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer is defending. Bella jumps her from behind to start fast but Vaquer is right back with a ram into the buckle. They head outside with Bella being sent into the announcers’ table but misses a kneedrop onto the apron. Bella fires off some forearms as commentary tries to hype up Bella’s career from the Divas era.

A facebuster and running faceplant give Bella two before she grabs a spinebuster. Vaquer belly to back suplexes her way out of trouble but Bella slips away from the Devil’s Kiss. Instead it’s a Russian legsweep into quite the rollup for two on Bella. The dragon screw legwhip out of the corner sets up the SVB for two but Bella breaks up the corkscrew moonsault.

The Rack Attack 2.0 gives Bella two as Vaquer gets a foot on the rope. They go back outside and this time the kneedrop on the apron connects for Vaquer. Bella is sent onto the announcers’ table for the Devil’s Kiss, with commentary having to be careful about commentating on the visuals. Back in and the regular Devil’s Kiss keeps Bella in trouble, setting up the corkscrew moonsault to retain at 12:23.

Rating: C+. It might not have been a classic, but at least there were no terrible moments in there. Bella might not be on the level of the modern stars, but she’s better than the mess that took place last time. Vaquer winning is nice to see as well, as she’s still the kind of star who could become a big deal if she’s given the chance, which she’s starting to get.

New Day and Grayson Waller talk about WWE Supercard in a completely natural way.

We look at Dominik Mysterio beating John Cena.

We look at the Last Time Is Now Tournament.

Tonight’s attendance: 46,016.

We recap the men’s WarGames match, which is basically Paul Heyman’s Vision and some hired guns vs. everyone who hates Heyman. It’s certainly star studded and that’s making this feel like a major showdown.

Team Reigns vs. Team Vision

Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso
Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, Brock Lesnar

Punk (going over the top of the cage, as a hero should) and Breakker start things off with Breakker powering him around. Back up and Punk gets in a leg lariat, followed by some kicks to the leg. The top rope ax handle doesn’t exactly work for Punk though as Breakker snaps off a suplex. Punk’s middle rope clothesline connects but here is McIntyre for the first advantage.

Punk tries to fight both of them off but walks into a Claymore. A double ram into the cage has Punk down even more and the slow beating continues. Rhodes is in to even things up and dives off the cage to take McIntyre down. The Cody Cutter connects but Rhodes accidentally elbows Punk (bleeding) in the face. Things are smoothed over as Punk plays Hart in a Hart Attack to McIntyre.

That’s not it as Breakker gets caught with a Doomsday Device, with Breakker taking a TERRIFYING landing on the back of his head (you can hear the fear in Barrett’s voice as he wants Breakker checked on immediately). Breakker disappears for a bit as medics make sure he can still move and it’s a Bionic Elbow from Punk to McIntyre.

Paul is in with a chair (first weapon) as Breakker is somehow walking again. Rhodes and Paul go to the top of the cage and slug it out, with Paul getting the better of things. A double suplex drops Rhodes again and it’s Jimmy Uso in to even things up. Jimmy even gets smart by ramming the door onto Breakker’s head and grabbing a table. The Whisper In The Wind connects on Paul and Breakker but McIntyre breaks it up.

The super Frankensteiner drops Rhodes as the fans want someone to use the table. Reed is in for another advantage and it’s time for the Tsunamis. Rhodes is crushed against the cage and Punk is slammed into it as well. Jey Uso is in to tie it up again and thankfully he at least jogs down the aisle rather than doing his full entrance. The 1D connects and let’s run that entrance theme back. Naturally this lets Jey sit on top of the cage for a bit because that’s what you do in WARGAMES. Barrett: “People shouldn’t be having this much fun inside WarGames.”

And here is Lesnar, with Heyman, to complete the team. German suplexes and F5’s abound and Lesnar goes to wait on the steps because here comes Reigns. Lesnar starts the fight and counters a Superman Punch into an F5 through the announcers’ table. Lesnar throws Reigns inside and the bell officially rings. Another F5 gets two on Reigns with Rhodes making the save.

Cross Rhodes hits Lesnar but Paul makes the save this time. Paul loads up the brass knuckles and knocks Rhodes silly but Reigns is there to spear him down. Reigns gets the knuckles and fires off the Superman Punch, followed by a spear to Breakker. Another spear sends Lesnar (holding Jey) through a table in the corner and Breakker spears Jimmy.

McIntyre hits Rhodes low, leaving Breakker to spear Rhodes (Breakker: “YOU WILL NEVER BE AS GREAT AS A STEINER!”). Punk makes the save…and we’ve got a masked man, who kicks Punk down and hits a Stomp. Breakker puts the straps back up and then takes them down again (that will always work), setting up the Super Spear to pin Punk at 39:25.

Rating: B. This felt much more like a war and notice that they did it with far fewer weapons than usual. The masked man is certainly an interesting way to go, but what matters the most is that Breakker got the pin. It feels like we’re in a countdown before Breakker wins his first World Title, which thankfully can happen because he didn’t break his neck. I liked this well enough, and it sets up some stuff going forward. Nice job.

Post match everyone else leaves so Punk, Rhodes and Reigns can look at each other. Reigns goes to leave and says he and Rhodes are never teaming again to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Despite having all the star power in the main event (with the women’s match not being far behind), I kept thinking “this is it?” There wasn’t much to the show with four matches, including two which only felt so important. It’s definitely not a bad show and the main event was good, but it didn’t have that big bang to it that these shows need to have. That being said, I do like that it clocked in at around three hours, so it definitely didn’t overstay its welcome. Not a bad show, but they’ve done a lot better before.

Results
Team Ripley b. Team Lynch – Black Widow to Lynch
Dominik Mysterio b. John Cena – Frog splash
Stephanie Vaquer b. Nikki Bella – Corkscrew moonsault
Team Vision b. Team Reigns – Super Spear to Punk

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

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

It’s the last of the Big Four this year and we’re back in a stadium. As usual, it’s all about the WarGames, though at least this time we have two other matches, at least one of which has some potential. This is one of those shows where you have everything built around two matches though, and that’s not exactly leaving much for the remainder of the card. Worse things have worked before though so let’s get to it.

Raw Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer(c) vs. Nikki Bella

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Bella’s return has been a misfire, as she’s just not that interesting, even after the heel turn. This idea that she’s suddenly some kind of evil, horrible star who is coming for Vaquer’s title is a stretch at minimum and realistically, a vast stretch. Normally I would say Bella had no chance here, but stranger things have certainly happened.

For the sake of my sanity, I’ll take Vaquer to retain here, as the idea of Bella getting even more of a focus would be almost too much to bear. Bella’s most recent big match was quite the mess and I’m almost scared to see what might happen here. While I don’t expect the same disaster, the fact that it feels like a possibility tells you about all you need to know about this match. Hopefully Vaquer retains, as the alternative is almost scary.

Intercontinental Title: John Cena(c) vs. Dominik Mysterio

Dang it’s so weird to write that down after so many years. The other thing that is so weird is that this match could go either way. Cena is going to be gone in about two weeks and pretty much has to lose the title in one of his two remaining matches. There is a very real chance that it happens here, which would be a heck of a moment for Mysterio’s career. The fact that he is a legitimate threat to take Cena out is impressive, as Mysterio really has gotten that good.

While I originally planned to pick Cena as the winner, I think I’m actually going with Mysterio. Beating Cena in his last match is probably bigger than winning the title, so this is about as good as anything else could be. Mysterio getting to beat Cena in his final pay per view match is something that he could milk for years, which is what I’m hoping winds up happening here.

Team Ripley vs. Team Lynch

And then there’s this, which feels like about four or five stories thrown together for the sake of making a WarGames match. While there are some pairings in here which feel like they belong on the big stage, this absolutely comes off like something that would be better as a traditional Survivor Series match. The good thing is we could be getting some rather violent stuff here with a lot of powerhouses involved.

I think I’ll take Lynch and company to win here, as Ripley’s team won last year so it might be time for the villains to get their chance. Lynch and the Disarm-Her should be more than enough to get a submission out of someone (Bliss feels like a strong option) and the feuds can continue from there. Odds are this one is wrong, but Lynch and company winning feels like the more logical way to go.

Team Punk vs. Team Heyman

In case the women’s match didn’t have enough star power, here we have two World Champions, Roman Reigns, a future World Champion and the Usos, plus Brock Lesnar. Now take all of those people and lock them in a pair of cages. That should be quite the battle, though unfortunately it’s a battle that is going to go on for a rather long time. At the same time, it’s also quite the toss up.

At the end of the day, I can’t imagine a team with Lesnar losing to one with Jimmy Uso on the other side so I’ll take the villains winning. Throw in some rather wedged drama between Rhodes/Punk/Reigns and I can’t imagine their team winning. Again, that makes for a better result, as both champions could get new challengers out of this match. It should be wild and violent though, which is entirely the point of something like this.

Overall Thoughts

Well, you can’t say it’s lacking in star power. This show couldn’t feel much bigger if they were trying, and that’s nice to see with Survivor Series. The show has been kind of up and down over the years so the infusion of WarGames, which might not always be the best, has been a great addition. I want to see where this show goes and that is a great feeling to have going into a show where that isn’t always the case.

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

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

Survivor Series 2023
Date: November 25, 2023
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

So believe it or not, the focus is going to be on WarGames and in this case it means the good guys need one more star to help fight off Judgment Day. In theory that is going to be Randy Orton, who has been gone for about a year and a half and isn’t quite back yet. Other than that, Damage CTRL is facing another ragtag group of women so let’s get to it.

It’s almost weird to see the old Then Now Together Forever intro after the change at Wrestlemania XL.

The opening video focuses on WarGames, because what else was it going to be?

The cage is lowered.

WarGames recap:

• Two wrestlers start and fight for five minutes.

• After five minutes, the team with the advantage (as determined before the match) gets a three minute advantage.

• The teams alternate until all ten are in and then it’s first pin/submission to win.

Women’s WarGames

Charlotte, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Shotzi
Bayley, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane

Lynch and Bayley start things off with Lynch sending her into the cage, only to get sent into the buckle. Bayley catches Lynch going up top but Lynch rolls over her and they slug it out. Lynch’s exploder sends her flying but Bayley gets in a ram into the cage. They go between the rings so Bayley can get in a suplex as they’re certainly going with the violence to start. The fight goes into the other ring and Lynch sends her into the cage a few times.

The Disarm-Her goes on but here is Dakota Kai with a kendo stick through the cage to break it up. That’s enough for Bayley to take over and it’s Shotzi coming in, with a ram of the door onto Bayley’s head, to take over. Naturally that means a bunch of chairs and weapons are thrown in, because THE BIG DOUBLE CAGE isn’t enough. Shotzi sets up the chair and Bayley has to climb the cage to get away from some rather painful swings.

They all go up the cage and ram each other into the steel until Bayley crashes down. Stereo forearms from the to take her down again but it’s Iyo Sky coming in to tie it up, complete with a chain. For some reason Lynch and Shotzi don’t see her coming and get beaten down, as WarGames seems to make people a bit slow. A springboard double missile dropkick puts Lynch and Shotzi down again and Bayley is back up. Lynch gets double superplexed down for a crash but Shotzi fights out of the corner, allowing Belair to come in.

Belair whips with the hair and the fans rather approve. A spinebuster puts Bayley down but she and grab the braids, only to get suplexed down. Lynch and Shotzi are back in with a guillotine legdrop and top rope splash before Kairi Sane is in to even things up. Well eventually that is, as she takes her sweet time getting a trashcan lid and then headscissoring Belair anyway.

The sliding forearm against the cage sends Belair into the cage before it’s time to bury Shotzi under some chairs. The pop up elbow drop crushes Shotzi but Belair is back to throw Sane onto Bayley and Sky. Charlotte comes in to complete her team and Sky is sent crashing into the cage. Naturally the fans want tables but have to settle for a top rope double Natural Selection (which Graves has to point out to Cole, who realizes his mistake in a funny bit) to Bayley and Sane.

Charlotte starts climbing the cage but Sky, with a chain, gets o her shoulders and gets all the way to the top. Sky drops the chain to Kai, who ties it around a trashcan so Sky can pull it up (that was clever). Sky puts the trashcan over her head and dives onto the pile (she LOVES that spot), who were nice enough to stand there while Sky took forever to get ready (fair enough). Asuka is in to complete the field and she has some colored kendo sticks. And a table. And a fire extinguisher.

Therefore, a good minute after her clock ended, Asuka gets in and WarGames officially begins. Damage CTRL all grab weapons to hammer on the others, with Lynch and Belair being tied together with the chain like they’re in an old western. Shotzi is back up but gets misted by Asuka to cut her right back down. Lynch is put inside the trashcan and dropkicked down for two and it’s time to set up a table. Belair and Lynch come back with powerbombs out of the corner though and Charlotte goes all the way up top for the huge moonsault to wipe out everyone.

We get the big staredown between Lynch and Charlotte, who hug for the rather positive reaction. The Figure Eight and cross armbreaker go on but Sane is up for the save. Shotzi is back up to drop Asuka for two with Bayley making a save of her own. Bayley Rose Plants Lynch but gets caught with a Sliced Bread from Shotzi. Belair is up with the fire extinguisher and Charlotte spears Bayley. The KOD hits Bayley as well and the super Manhandle Slam through a table finishes her off at 33:37.

Rating: B. It had the carnage and violence with the weapons, but there is always a lack of intensity to these matches that hold them back. Part of it stems from the people coming to the ring but then pausing to get their weapons. Other than that, it was the usual WWE WarGames: a lot of brawling and hitting other people with weapons, with the cage mainly being there to jump off of rather than for violence, which is more than a bit odd.

The winners pose on top of the cage.

Chelsea Green, Piper Niven and the Alpha Academy are enjoying some Ruffles when Pretty Deadly come in to argue over whether they’re chips or crisps. R-Truth comes in to say they’re Ruffles.

Sami Zayn tells Jey Uso that Randy Orton, the last member of their team, isn’t here yet. Jey isn’t surprised and takes the blame because the Bloodline injured him two years ago. Sami says it’s not his fault and things seem to be ok.

We recap Miz challenging Gunther for the Intercontinental Title. Gunther is the longest reigning champion and doesn’t think much of Miz, who wants the title back. To say Miz has no chance here would be an understatement.

Intercontinental Title: Miz vs. Gunther

Gunther is defending and commentary spends his entrance talking about how he is almost unbeatable, even giving Miz’s long shot betting odds. Miz kicks at the leg to start and a chop just annoys Gunther. A much better chop puts Miz down but he’s back up with more chops and some left hands in the corner to actually take over. Gunther gives chase but gets his leg wrapped around the post to slow him down.

The Figure Four around the post stays on the leg, though it’s good enough to boot Miz out of the air back inside. Gunther slows things down a bit and chops away to drop Miz again. A release German suplex sends Miz flying and a big boot lets Gunther pose as the dominance is on. Back up and Miz strikes away at the knee again, with a shinbreaker slowing Gunther down. Some kicks to the chest stagger Gunther into the corner and a tornado DDT gets two.

The Skull Crushing Finale is blocked though and Gunther grabs his powerbomb for his own near fall. The sleeper goes on so Miz goes to the corner, pulling the turnbuckle off in the process. A low blow into the Skull Crushing Finale gets two (with Cole letting us know that “MIZ IS GONNA DO IT!” to ruin the moment) and Miz is shocked. The fans want to see it again but Miz gets caught in the sleeper. That’s reversed into a ram into the buckle so Miz can roll him up for two (with a Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper reference), only to get blasted with a clothesline. The top rope splash into the Boston crab retains the title at 12:19.

Rating: B-. This was about as good as it was going to be as there was just no reason to believe that Miz was going to win. Even his big near fall was only so good, as pretty much no one was on Gunther’s level at this time. Miz going after the leg to slow Gunther down was a good story, as Miz can still wrestle a fine match given the chance. It was a good match, but there was just not much drama and that held it back.

Judgment Day is ready for WarGames and is rather pleased that Randy Orton doesn’t seem to be here. Even if he shows up, he might poison the other team and Judgment Day wins anyway.

We recap Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar. This stems from Escobar turning on Rey Mysterio and the LWO, so Lee is standing up for the team (replacing Carlito, who was also injured by Escobar). Pretty simple story here and that’s not a bad thing.

Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee

Escobar forearms away to start and stomps him down, setting up a quick backbreaker for two. Some running knees in the corner send Lee outside, where he has to escape having his leg crushed in the steps. A running hurricanrana off the apron sends Escobar outside and there’s the big running flip dive.

Back in and Escobar kicks him in the head, setting up a super hurricanrana for two. Like any good rudo, Escobar goes after the mask but Lee is fine enough to tie him in the tree of woe for thee double stomp. Back up and Escobar hits a heck of a superkick but Lee muscles him up into a sitout powerbomb for two. Escobar shrugs that off and his a Canadian Destroyer, followed by the Phantom Driver for the pin at 8:20.

Rating: C+. WWE was doing what they could to make Lee into a bigger deal around this time but it was only going to get so far when he kept losing. Escobar was running through the LWO on his way to a showdown with Rey Mysterio whenever Mysterio got back and he had to beat Lee on the way there. This wasn’t a great match, but it kept Escobar looking strong and it’s nice to have something other than a title or WarGames mach on the show.

New Day is here with a Slim Jim car.

We recap Zoey Stark challenging Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women’s Title. Stark is the new tough star and Ripley needs a fresh victim so the match is on.

Raw Women’s Title: Rhea Ripley vs. Zoey Stark

Ripley is defending and Stark actually double legs her down to hammer away to start. A dropkick sends Ripley outside and there’s the dive off the top to take her down again. Back in and a missile dropkick continues Stark’s hot start but Ripley headbutts her into the next county to cut that off in a hurry. Stark is right back with a DDT onto the apron and a springboard corkscrew senton gets two. They go outside again with Ripley dropping her onto the apron and then sending her into the post to really take over.

Ripley cranks on both arms back inside and then stomps her down before taking Stark up top. What looks to be a super chokeslam is countered into…I have no idea what Stark was doing there but she gets two and screams a lot. Ripley elbows and kicks her in the face, setting up a belly to back faceplant. Riptide is countered though and Stark hits a running knee for two. The Z360 is blocked as well and now Riptide can connect to retain the title at 9:16.

Rating: C. This got a bit sloppy after that whole thing off the top, as even commentary didn’t seem sure about what was going on. Other than that, it was Ripley against someone who only felt like so much of a threat. That’s part of the problem with someone becoming as big of a star as Ripley: you can only have so many realistic challengers to her and that is becoming an issue here.

Randy Orton still isn’t here and Jey Uso still blames himself.

We recap the men’s WarGames match. Judgment Day is the big monster heel stable on Raw and a bunch of people are sick of them, so violence ensued and the match is on. Drew McIntyre is in with Judgment Day for the sake of getting his hands on Jey Uso in a cage. It still isn’t clear if Randy Orton will be here, as he hasn’t been around in about a year and a half at this point.

Men’s WarGames

Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton
Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Drew McIntyre

McIntyre and Priest stare each other down on the stage as Balor goes to start with Rollins (who doesn’t have a Randy Orton here yet). They start fast with Rollins diving over the ropes to jump Balor and hammer away. The fight is quickly on and Rollins sends him into the cage a few times and they change rings, where Balor escapes a buckle bomb. Balor sends him into the cage to take over and there’s a Sling Blade to drop Rollins again as a CM PUNK chant starts up.

A superkick gives Rollins a breather but Balor backdrops him onto the plate between the rings. The Coup de Grace misses though and Rollins grabs a quick Sling Blade. Rollins drops him again and it’s JD McDonagh to uneven things, albeit a good bit less than five minutes into the match. Rollins kicks him on the way in but gets hit with a kendo stick for his efforts.

Balor and McDonagh take turns choking with the kendo sticks but Rollins sends McDonagh into the other ring. That’s broken up in a hurry and a middle rope kendo stick to the back puts Rollins down again. Jey Uso is in next (McIntyre gives him a death stare) and chairs McDonagh down before firing off the YEET punches. The dancing spit punch puts Balor down but McDonagh is back up with a running Spanish Fly.

Rollins makes the save and hammers on Balor in the corner as the clock runs down. McIntyre is ready to get in and go after Uso but Priest cuts him off, saying they stick to the plan. Rollins and Uso jump him as he comes in but the other two make the save, allowing Priest to whip out a baton and take over. Priest hits some running shoulders in the corner, followed by a lifting Downward Spiral to Rollins.

A top rope flip dive takes out Rollins and Uso and Balor chairs Uso in the back. Sami Zayn comes in to even the sides, and takes his sweet time doing so. McDonagh, ever the nitwit, swings a kendo stick at Zayn, who takes it away and blasts him with it instead. The table is thrown in, which the fans find UCEY. Zayn is fired up as he stomps away, setting up a Blue Thunder Bomb to Balor. With the villains down, Zayn goes up and grabs a pipe, which is used on various opponents in rather painful ways.

A kendo stick to the back rocks Balor and Zayn throws the stick out of the cage, possibly by accident. McIntyre is in and throws Rollins and Zayn around without much effort. That leaves McIntyre to finally go into the other ring with Uso, who slugs away but gets dropped by a neckbreaker. The rest of Judgment Day is back up to hammer away, but McIntyre’s Claymore runs into a superkick from Uso.

A 1D puts McIntyre down and Cody Rhodes is in, with Cole immediately going into the Dusty Rhodes tribute. Cole: “Cody also invented a big event in this city as well!” And we move on. Rhodes cleans house and suplexes Balor onto McDonagh for a crash. It’s bullrope time (of course) and Rollins joins Rhodes in taking out Balor and McDonagh. Dominik Mysterio is in to complete the Judgment Day and gives Rhodes Two Amigos…and then realizes he’s surrounded.

The big group beatdown has the fans rather pleased and a table being set up in the corner makes them even happier. The rest of the villains save Mysterio and the fans chant for Orton. That’s switched to Punk, followed by silence as McIntyre and Priest hit a triple chokeslam (and a good one at that). McDonagh adds a moonsault, Balor hits the Coup de Grace and Mysterio drops the frog splash.

Priest Razor’s Edges Rollins through a table and the clock ends….but there’s no Orton. Instead here is Rhea Ripley with Priest’s Money In The Bank briefcase, which for some reason is enough to bring Orton out (no cash-in) and egads the fans are happy to see him. Orton gets in the cage (no weapons) and slams the door, which bounces back open in a funny bit. House is quickly cleaned, mainly because Judgment Day comes at him one at a time.

McIntyre gets in a shot on Orton and the big beatdown is on. Everyone else is back up for the save and Orton and company hit quintuple hanging DDTs. Orton teases an RKO to Uso but Uso superkicks Priest to save Orton instead. The RKO drops Mysterio and it’s a parade of finishers to the villains. Everyone goes after McDonagh, who tries to escape but Zayn and Rollins follow him up top. With Orton on the mat, Zayn and Rollins throw McDonagh into an RKO, leaving Rhodes to Cross Rhodes Priest for the pin at 34:22.

Rating: B+. I liked this one a bit more than the women’s version, mainly because it felt more like a fight rather than a big series of weapons spots. The pop when Orton came out was insane and it made things feel special. You don’t see that kind of thing very often and the whole thing was about as violent as this is going to get. Seeing Mysterio and Mysterio get beaten down was a good way to go and this felt like an all-star team coming together to take out a mostly unified opposition. Solid main event here, and while it wasn’t a classic WarGames match, it was good by WWE standards.

The good guys celebrate, the copyright notice comes up….and the impossible happens as CM Punk is back for the first time in almost ten years. The fans take over the IT’S CLOBBERIN TIME and Punk hugs a bunch of fans. This was an absolutely insane moment that I never thought I would see. Even after Punk left AEW, it was hard to fathom and yet here it was. Great way to end the show and dang it worked.

A long recap ends the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show was centered around two matches and those matches both delivered. The other three were just filler to get us from one big match to the next and that’s a fine way to go. The big stories here were the double returns at the end and those worked rather well. It helps that the show was less than three hours from start to finish so they didn’t waste any time. Good show here, with the special moment at the end being worth a look.

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

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

AND

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

Survivor Series 2022
Date: November 26, 2022
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,609
Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Wade Barrett

It’s been a year since WWE had its first (main roster) WarGames match and believe it or not, the focus is on the Bloodline. This time around Sami Zayn has to prove his loyalty to the team, which is creating some drama. Other than that, we have Team Belair vs. Team Damage CTRL in the women’s version, which should be quite good as well. Let’s get to it.

The opening video, featuring Ozzy Osbourne, looks at WarGames because, well, what else would it look at?

Commentary welcomes us to the show and explains the rules of WarGames:

• Two wrestlers start and fight for five minutes.

• After five minutes, the team with the advantage (as determined before the match) gets a three minute advantage.

• The teams alternate until all ten are in and then it’s first pin/submission to win.

• No it isn’t the original WarGames rules. Let it go already.

Team Belair vs. Team Damage CTRL

Belair: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Mia Yim, Becky Lynch
Damage CTRL: Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Nikki Cross, Rhea Ripley

Kai and Belair start things off with the former running away to get it going. Belair wrestles her to the mat before hitting a running shoulder as the slow pace starts. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker puts Kai down again and we talk about Belair’s recent interview with Sports Illustrated, which is as WARGAMES-y as you can get.

Kai gets in a shot of her own and they go into the second cage and try to make it all the way to first gear. A scorpion kick staggers Belair but she runs Kai over and sends her into the cage (as we now remember that they’re in a CAGE). Another toss into the cage leaves Kai down and it’s Sky unevening the odds. Sky and Belair take turns flipping around until Belair gets caught between the two of them in between the rings.

The villains take over on Belair in the corner until she double suplexes her way out of trouble. Asuka comes in to help Belair clean house and we get the big showdown with Sky. They both counter whips into the ropes until Asuka hits a running hip attack against said ropes. The running knee to the head puts Sky down again and Belair is back up with a gorilla press toss to Kai. Cross is in next but first it’s time for the weapons. Asuka gets the door slammed onto her head, leaving Cross to tornado DDT Belair.

With Belair and Asuka down, Cross whips them with her coat until Kai and Sky are up to get in their variety of choking. It’s Bliss coming in to even things up again and some dropkicks put Cross and Kai down. Belair gets back up and breaks a kendo stick but Kai and Sky use the full ones to cut her off. Cross sits on top of the cage as sticking and hair whipping ensue below. Naturally that means the big dive to take everyone out and yes Cross laughed the whole time.

Now it’s Bayley coming in so let’s grab some ladders. The fans want tables so Bayley obliges as the match has more or less stopped while she moves stuff around. Bayley sends Belair into the corner before putting her in between the rings again. A table shot to the ribs leaves Belair trapped until Yim is….released to grab more weapons. House is quickly cleaned, including Kai being rammed into the cage and kicked in the face over and over.

Cross chokes Yim and the people split off again as this really isn’t picking up. Some superplexes have everyone down and it’s Ripley coming in to complete Damage CTRL. House is quickly cleaned until everyone just kind of stands around (save for Ripley Prism Trapping Asuka) until Yim makes a random comeback on Ripley as the rest are in the other ring.

That’s broken up and it’s Lynch in to complete the field, meaning the match can officially be won. Lynch gets to clean house as the ans aren’t exactly on fire for this. That might be due to how slow everything is going since Lynch keeps messing with the trashcan instead of running around punching people or wrecking them all with a chair.

We get the big Lynch vs. Bayley showdown with Lynch easily getting the better of things. With Bayley stomped down, Lynch turns around to see Ripley for the really big showdown. A quick Riptide attempt is broken up but Bayley makes the save. Now Riptide can connect for two with Asuka making a save. The mist blinds Ripley but Bayley drops Asuka face first onto the turnbuckle.

Bayley beats Lynch down and declares herself as a role model more than The Man. The Rose Plant onto the steel between the rings gets two and it’s time for a bunch of people to go to the corner. Cross cuts Belair off to break up a seven person Tower Of Doom so a bunch of people crash down instead. Sky moonsaults off the top of the cage onto Yim and Belair (who is favoring her leg) to FINALLY wake up the crowd.

Everyone is down (cue the overhead camera shot) until Cross beats up Bliss. Cross shouts about how she hasn’t forgotten and handcuffs Bliss to…nothing as Bliss handcuffs herself to Cross instead. An electric chair onto a trashcan leaves them both down and we pause again. Ripley is back up to send Asuka into the cage but Yim is back up with a choke.

That means a big crash through the ladder and, say it with me, everyone is down again. Becky and Belair get the showdown Damage CTRL and Kai gets Manhandle Slammed. The KOD to Sky lets Belair put Kai on a table and send Bayley into the cage. Lynch drops a leg off the cage to put Kai through the table for the pin at 39:34.

Rating: C. Sweet goodness this was boring. As is the case with just about every modern incarnation of this match (in WWE, NXT or AEW) it went WAY too long as this was about 15-20 minutes longer than it needed to be. The longer time meant that there were far too many stretches where nothing went on as they were laying around waiting on someone to do something. There were good parts to it, but this needed to be WAY shorter with a lot more action than we got.

On Smackdown, with a hidden Jey Uso listening, Kevin Owens told Sami Zayn to turn on the Bloodline. With Owens gone, Jey asked if Sami had talked to anyone but Sami said he just got here. Then Sami cost Jey a match for the WarGames advantage, with commentary wondering if it was on purpose.

Roman Reigns makes sure Jey Uso is ready for WarGames. Jey is ready, but he doesn’t trust Sami after last night. He would take Sami out if Reigns gave the order, but Reigns tells him to be on the same page tonight. Reigns will know if Sami is telling the truth and wants Jey to focus. With Jey gone, Reigns looks worried and has Paul Heyman call Sami.

We recap Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles, which has been going on for a few months. Styles couldn’t deal with the Judgment Day’s numbers game, so he brought back the OC to even things up.

Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles

The rest of Judgment Day (minus Rhea Ripley) and the OC are here too. Of note: Cole talks about Dominik and Ripley invading Rey Mysterio’s home during Thanksgiving. Dominik better watch that or he’ll get arrested. They fight over arm control to start with Styles driving him up against the ropes for a clean break.

Back up and Balor takes him into the corner but his kick to the ribs is cut off. Styles starts going after the leg, including a shinbreaker which has Balor appealing to their past friendship. Balor manages to take him down though and stomp away, though he has to stop to favor the leg. A knee to the back gets two and we hit the abdominal stretch. Styles fights his way out and hits the running forearm, followed by the fireman’s carry backbreaker for two.

Another shot to the leg cuts Balor down but Dominik breaks up the Phenomenal Forearm. Everyone else brawls on the floor and fight into the crowd, leaving Balor to hit a Sling Blade on Styles. A charge is cut off though and Styles suplexes him into the corner. It’s too early for the Calf Crusher though as Balor manages a double stomp to leave Styles down. Balor’s back is all messed up from….something but he’s fine enough to try his own Styles Clash. That’s broken up, just like Styles’ Calf Crusher attempt.

Another double knockdown gives us a breather, followed by Balor’s own fireman’s carry backbreaker. 1916 is broken up though and Styles moonsaults into a Nightmare on Helms Street for two. Balor puts him back down but misses the Coup de Grace. Instead Styles grabs the Calf Crusher until Balor rams him head first into the mat to escape. Back up and they slug it out until Styles is sent to the apron, where the Phenomenal Forearm finishes Balor at 18:23.

Rating: B. There are matches where you know you’re going to see something good just based on who is out there. That was the case here and WWE was smart enough to give the two of them that much time. Styles hadn’t been doing so well in his battle against Judgment Day and you have to give him a win like this every so often to keep him looking strong. Good stuff here and a heck of a match between two talented stars.

Post match Styles yells at Balor a bit.

We recap Shotzi challenging Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Title. Shotzi won a six way #1 contenders match but Rousey isn’t taking her incredibly seriously, though having Shayna Baszler help with a beatdown made it easier. Rousey and Baszler also injured Shotzi’s friend Raquel Rodriguez so things are personal.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Ronda Rousey vs. Shotzi

Rousey, with Baszler, is defending. Shotzi slugs away to start but gets flipped over. The ankle lock goes on until Shotzi sends her into the corner. Rousey is sent outside but Baszler takes Shotzi’s dive instead. Shotzi sends her into the steps and fires off some hard forearms back inside. A high crossbody is suplexed out of the air but Shotzi sweeps the leg. That doesn’t work for Rousey, who ties up the legs and they kind of lay around on the mat.

Back up and Shotzi nails a right hand to stun Rousey but gets sent outside. Shotzi takes out Baszler and sends her over the barricade, setting up a dive onto Rousey and Baszler at the same time. They beat the count back in and Shotzi goes up, only to get judo thrown down hard. Piper’s Pit and the armbar retain the title at 7:13.

Rating: C+. They were limited with what they could do here, as it’s hard to buy Shotzi as a threat to either the title or Rousey. Shotzi has all kinds of charisma but she hasn’t been presented as a major star, certainly not on Rousey’s level. For what we got here, things went well, though that was about as good as it was going to be.

Sami Zayn comes in to see Roman Reigns and admits that yes, he did talk to Kevin Owens. He didn’t tell Jey Uso about it because he didn’t want to put something extra on Jey’s plate before the WarGames advantage match. And Owens talked to him, saying he should turn on the Bloodline. Reigns gets that Owens and Zayn were friends but this is about his family, so whose side is Zayn on? Zayn says this is what he wants and he’s not turning on the Bloodline. That seems good enough for Reigns.

US Title: Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins is defending. Lashley runs Theory over to start and Rollins sends Theory outside, leaving the other two to slug it out. Rollins slips away from a Hurt Lock attempt but Theory pulls Rollins outside for a ram into the barricade. Back in and Theory hammers away on Lashley, who fights up to beat on both of them. A DDT/Downward Spiral combination drops Rollins and Theory and the spinning Dominator hits Rollins as well.

Theory pulls the referee though and tries to grab a chair, which is easily blocked by Lashley. Rollins sends him into the steps though, allowing Theory to jump Rollins from behind. The steps hit Lashley as well and the rolling dropkick gets two on Rollins. A running elbow to the face gets the same and Theory talks a lot of trash. Rollins is back up with a Sling Blade, followed by a bunch of suicide dives to the other two.

That’s not enough as Rollins hits a big dive to take them both out again. Back in and Theory counters a dropkick into a powerbomb for two on Rollins and everyone is down. It’s Lashley up first to take over, meaning Theory uses a sleeper to…well attempt to break up the Hurt Lock. The save eventually works, leaving Rollins to Pedigree Lashley for two. The Phoenix splash misses though and Theory gives Lashley a running Blockbuster.

A Town Down is countered into the Hurt Lock but Theory flips backwards out of the corner. That’s broken up by Rollins’ frog splash so Lashley Hurt Locks both of them at once. With that broken up, Lashley’s spear misses in the corner so Rollins forearms Theory in the back of the head. Rollins uses Theory for a step up Stomp to Lashley and superplexes Theory. The Falcon Arrow is loaded up but Lashley spears Rollins, with Theory landing on him for the pin and the title at 14:50.

Rating: B. This got a good bit better by the end but it was only working so well for the most part. It needed to be about three minutes shorter to really work well. The whole feud was only so good in the first place and then the blowoff match, while good, hit a ceiling. Theory getting the win is nice to see, even if he had to steal the pin for the title.

Jey Uso tells Roman Reigns that he’s ready.

We recap the men’s WarGames match. Everyone hates the Bloodline, who isn’t sure if they can trust Sami Zayn. Now it’s time to see if he can prove himself.

Bloodline vs. Team Owens

Bloodline: Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn
Owens: Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Ridge Holland, Butch

Butch and Jey start things off and they shout at each other from different rings for a good while. Jey finally gets into the other ring after about a minute of standing around. Butch takes him down without much trouble and cranks on the fingers (as he is known to do), which he then ties into the cage wall. Back up and Jey manages to send him into the cage, followed by a pop up neckbreaker.

Jey goes after the arm and sends it into the cage, only to have Butch stomp on the arm again. Butch gets in something close to a Kimura and it’s Ridge Holland in to give the good guys an advantage. Holland crushes Jey in the corner over and over and a high/low takes him down again. The Brutes start in on Jey’s arms for a bit of a unique strategy, including stereo jumping stomps to said arms. The clock runs down and a sitting Reigns instructs Sami to even things up.

Sami takes more than a minute to get to the ring, allowing Jey to get up and take over on the Brutes. Holland gets stomped between the rings and the fans seem to approve of Zayn. Double teaming cuts off Holland’s comeback but Butch gets up the cage to moonsault onto Jey and Zayn. Now Holland is able to fight up and actually take over until he misses a charge into the cage (thanks to Zayn pulling Jey out of the way).

Drew McIntyre is in next and beats up both villains without much trouble. Jey is sent into the cage over and over before a belly to belly sends Zayn into the corner. Drew: “I’M FEELING PRETTY UCEY RIGHT NOW!” Jey manages to knock Drew into the Tree of Woe but he sits up to send Jey crashing back down. There’s the Futureshock to Zayn but Jimmy Uso comes in to tie it up. That means it’s time for some tables, though Jey doesn’t want Zayn to help set them up.

Jimmy has to break it up as even more time is burned off. The Brutes are beaten down again though, with Butch being sent into the cage so a table can be set up in the corner. McIntyre fights up and avoids being sent through it as Kevin Owens unties things again. Owens brings in some chairs and plants Jimmy onto one, setting up the Cannonball to Jey. A chair is thrown at Jey and we get the Owens vs. Zayn staredown.

Holland, continuing to be useless, breaks it up by jumping Zayn, allowing Jimmy to deck Owens. Jimmy is put through a table though as Cole can’t remember who has the advantage at the moment. Solo Sikoa makes it 4-4 and gets to clean house, as tends to be the villains’ custom. The Samoan drop hits Holland and it’s an Owens vs. Sikoa staredown. They slug it out between the rings until Sikoa shrugs off a ram into the cage.

Some superkicks have the same lack of effect and Sikoa backdrops his way out of a powerbomb attempt. Sikoa goes over to slug it out with McIntyre with Sikoa getting the better of things, only to have the Umaga attack cut off. Sheamus completes Team Owens but Zayn holds the door shut in a smart move. Not that it matters as Sheamus slams it onto Zayn’s head and starts to clean house.

A double clothesline takes down some villains as Reigns is getting ready. Zayn is sent into the cage and the Brutes go after Zayn and the Usos for the big beatdown. White Noise hits Sikoa but it’s Reigns time so the match can officially begin. Naturally this means everyone gets up and we get the five on five staredown, making the last 28 minutes or so pretty much a formality. The fight is on and Reigns cleans house without much effort.

Sheamus cuts off a spear though and we get the quintuple ten (or more in some cases) forearms to the villains’ chests. McIntyre and Sheamus beat on Reigns and the Brogue Kick hits Sikoa. The distraction lets Reigns spear Sheamus but Butch makes the save. Zayn is back up to beat on Butch but Jey superkicks Zayn, presumably by mistake. A super 1D hits Butch for two with Holland making the save this time. Reigns spears Holland through the table in the corner but McIntyre is back up.

Sikoa saves Reigns from a powerbomb and Spinning Solo puts McIntyre through a table. Owens Stuns Sikoa for two so Reigns makes the save for a change. Reigns and Owens slug it out with Reigns hitting a Superman Punch. Owens is back with a Pop Up Powerbomb into the Stunner but Zayn grabs the referee at two. That leaves Owens staring at Zayn (who the fans like) but a superkick is cut off by a low blow. Zayn seems to know he has sealed his fate and Reigns looks up at him, leaving Zayn to Helluva Kick Owens. Jey adds the Superfly Splash for the pin at 38:32.

Rating: B. It’s good fight and as usual this was about the storytelling with Zayn and the Bloodline, but the same problems were there again. There is just SO MUCH waiting around for the match to really get going and it doesn’t feel like hatred. Instead, it feels like “how can we get these weapons spots in” rather than just beating each other up. Cut the match down by about fifteen minutes and it’s much better, but for now it’s just good rather than great.

Zayn is officially accepted into the team, with Jey giving him the big hug. Replays and posing end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. There were some good parts, but WarGames continues to be more of an idea that sounds great on paper rather than in execution. Two matches took about an hour and forty minutes and that does not leave much for the rest of the show. What we got was good and having Zayn get the big definitive Bloodline acceptance (which will absolutely last forever) was nice, but dang it took time to get there. I know Survivor Series has evolved beyond the traditional elimination tag format, but it would be nice to have this new format tweaked a bit, as it could make the show that much better.

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

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

AND

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