Smackdown
Date: June 20, 2025
Location: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re still in the middle of the build towards Night Of Champions and tonight the two tournaments get a big boost. This week will see one of the two semifinals taking place in each of the tournaments and that should make for a big night. Other than that, we need some other things on the card and we might get some of that this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is LA Knight to get things going. Knight has been sabotaging people in the King Of The Ring tournament because he wants to get his hands on Seth Rollins. Therefore he wants Rollins out here right now, but he gets Paul Heyman instead. As Heyman does all of his usual stuff, Knight asks him to get to the point already.

Heyman talks about representing Seth Rollins and company but he’s a huge Knight fan as well. He even gives us a YEAH before saying Rollins has allowed him to say to Knight, that as a favor, it is time for Knight to get out of town. Either that or something bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Knight calls Heyman a grifter and a leech who bleeds everyone dry. Right now it’s Rollins and Knight doesn’t care who is next.

Since there is no Rollins, Knight is willing to face Heyman right now, and even turns his back so Heyman can get in a free shot. Heyman bails to the floor and reiterates his warning about something bad happening to Knight tonight. And that’s a spoiler, so here are Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. The monsters get in and take Knight down, with Reed throwing him into the timekeeper’s area. Knight finally gets smart by grabbing a chair to fight back. The villains are cleared out. This was more of Knight getting a strong performance and I could go for more of that.

Post break, Heyman and company are told that it’s Reed vs. Knight later tonight. Heyman implies this was the plan all along.

Queen Of The Ring Semifinals: Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka

Bliss’ running shoulder just earns her a growl from Asuka so Bliss grabs the leg instead. A basement dropkick takes Asuka down for a change but she’s right back up with a running shot of her own. Bliss gets knocked off the apron and we take an early break. We come back with Bliss breaking out of the Asuka Lock and hitting a running flipping backsplash for two.

Asuka’s running knee gets two but she has to counter the Sister Abigail DDT into a rollup for two. The big kick to the head gets two on Bliss, who grabs a DDT for two more. Bliss goes up for Twisted Bliss but instead drops down, allowing Asuka to grab something like the Rings of Saturn, but Bliss slips out as well. The Empress Impact is blocked and Bliss hits a running corner dropkick. Twisted Bliss hits raised knees though and now the Empress Impact can finish Bliss at 9:26.

Rating: B-. Bliss was putting in the work here but there was almost no way that she was going to be able to beat Asuka in a straight match. Asuka went toe to toe with Stephanie Vaquer on Raw so having her lose to Bliss would have been a stretch. It helps that Asuka is someone who is talented and decorated enough to be put back into this place rather quickly, which is exactly what WWE has done.

Jade Cargill is impressed by Asuka but she’s ready. Cargill is also ready for Roxanne Perez in the semifinals on Monday because Perez is still proving herself. Asuka is a different story but the tournament was made for a woman who can take the crown. She’s walking in to reign. This was as rehearsed of a promo as I’ve heard in a long time.

Chelsea Green mocks Alexa Bliss for her loss when Charlotte comes in, threatening to take Green out tonight. Bliss says she doesn’t want Charlotte’s help, but Charlotte wasn’t offering it.

Kit Wilson vs. Aleister Black

Hold on though as here is R-Truth to attack Wilson during Black’s entrance. The STF makes Wilson tap and R-Truth wants a microphone. He wants John Cena (who he’s facing later tonight) out here right now and puts Wilson in the STF again. Agents come out to break it up as Black stands and watches. R-Truth leaves and Black…is still standing there. No match.

We recap Goldberg’s return and setting up his match with Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

In the back, R-Truth is told to calm down but he wants to kill John Cena. Aleister Black comes in to ask why R-Truth is getting involved in his matches but R-Truth says it had nothing to do with Black. They go nose to nose but Damian Priest comes in to separate them, saying he’ll talk to R-Truth. Priest says that there was no need for that because it’s what Priest used to do. Then R-Truth would be the one to make him smile. Use that aggression on Cena tonight and then they’ll hit the town. That seems to get through to R-Truth, but he’s still angry. If nothing else, points for addressing Black just standing there.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat but before he can say anything, it’s Jey Uso (facing Rhodes in the King Of The Ring on Raw) to interrupt. After a few encores of his entrance, Uso says that this Monday, there’s only room for one of them. Uso knows Rhodes is going to bring it and he knows this isn’t personal. But with that being said, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it’s going to be four letters and one word.

They shake hands but here is Sami Zayn to interrupt. Zayn says this is nice, as he gets to share the ring with two great friends, who are two of the best the business has to offer. He’s the only one to have never been World Champion though and that bothers him. Zayn talks about being the first one to congratulate both of them when they won their World Titles but now it is time for him to finish his story.

Cue Randy Orton to interrupt, saying he’s going to be going after the World Title by winning the King Of The Ring. He respects everyone here and makes it clear that it isn’t personal. Orton says Zayn will be World Champion one day soon, but it’s not at Summerslam because tonight, Orton is taking him out. Unless I missed it, Rhodes did not say a single word on the microphone here. I wonder if he’s under the weather or something.

King Of The Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn

Orton works on the arm to start but gets sent to the floor, where he has to avoid the dive. Instead Zayn bounces back into the middle of the ring and is smart enough to wait for Orton to join him. Back in and Orton gets chopped so he pokes Zayn in the eye, with Zayn doing it right back to him. Zayn sends him outside, where Orton grabs the leg to send Zayn face first into the apron. Orton drops him onto the announcers’ table and then does it again as we take a break.

Back with Orton hammering on Zayn’s chest but charging into an elbow in the corner. Zayn’s middle rope ax handle connects but the Blue Thunder Bomb is blocked. Orton grabs the hanging DDT and they go back outside, where Zayn escapes another drop onto the table. This time Orton goes onto said table before missing a charge into the post back inside. The Helluva Kick is countered with a powerslam for two on Zayn, who is back with the Blue Thunder Bomb for two more. The RKO is blocked but then the second attempt isn’t and Zayn is done at 11:19.

Rating: B. This was two professionals getting to have a match and there was almost no way it was going to go badly. Orton winning is a bit of a surprise, but they have definitely planted the seeds to get us to a major Zayn title win. That is going to be a heck of a moment and it would be awesome to see it take place at Wrestlemania next year, if not before.

Here is Nia Jax for a chat. Tiffany Stratton came to her to ask Jax to be a mentor. Cue Stratton, who says Jax is like the annoying ex who won’t leave her alone. It’s ok though because next week they’re facing each other, with Stratton getting to add some more scars to that five head of Jax because it’s Last Woman Standing.

The brawl is on and Jax easily leaves her laying. That would be the second Last Woman Standing match taking place on WWE programming next week. With Stratton down, Naomi runs out and tries to cash in but Jax won’t let her, giving her a new way to get on my nerves. Stratton gets up and dropkicks Naomi into Jax before leaving. No cash-in. Jax is just not interesting, which was on full display here.

Video on CM Punk vs. John Cena, comparing them to yin and yang as they have been intertwined for years. This is quite the package, with the two of them being treated as the major stars they have become.

Charlotte vs. Chelsea Green

The Secret Hervice is here with Green and Alba Fyre offers a distraction, allowing Green to get in a cheap shot to start. Charlotte kicks her away and hits a high crossbody for two, followed by a kick to the head in the corner. Fyre distracts Charlotte again though and Green takes over again as we take a break.

Back with Charlotte chopping away and hitting the fall away slam into the nip up. Charlotte mocks the salute and hits a front flip clothesline for two. Fyre offers a third distraction but gets booted down, allowing Green to hit a Rough Ryder for two of her own. Green takes her mask off and tries the Unprettier, which is countered into a spear to give Charlotte two. Green gets two off a small package but the Figure Eight finishes for Charlotte at 9:36.

Rating: C+. I am running out of ways to explain how little I care about anything Charlotte does. She’s been around for so long and has been in the title picture so many times that it is just too hard to get interested again. This was Charlotte wrestling as a hero and my goodness that does not sound like something I want to see.

Post match the Hervice comes in for the beatdown but Alexa Bliss makes the save. Charlotte walks away from the offer of a handshake.

JC Mateo is getting ready to beat up Jacob Fatu but Solo Sikoa wants to try and talk it out. Mateo should be ready though.

Here is Sikoa, who requests and receives Fatu so they can clear the air. Sikoa says he’s not here for a fight because he loves Fatu, as he always has. Families fight but then they move forward, which is what Sikoa wants to do again. Fatu is all Sikoa has and that’s all he needs. Sikoa says he loves him but the fans are certainly not convinced. Fatu thinks Sikoa has been using him to gain power and fight his battles. Is that all this was for Sikoa?

Fatu wants Sikoa to look at him while he’s speaking. Ever since Fatu won the title, Sikoa has been acting differently, so maybe the title is the problem. Fatu lays it on the mat and says come fight him for it. Sikoa loads up the Spike but Fatu shoves him down, only to have JC Mateo run in. The double teaming takes Fatu down but Jimmy Uso runs in for the save. Uso gets taken down until Fatu is up for the real save. They have to do the Sikoa vs. Fatu match sooner or later and Night Of Champions would be a good place for it to happen.

Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight

Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker are here with Reed. Cue Knight through the crowd to post Breakker and send Reed outside. Reed has to calm Breakker down before getting inside, where Knight stomps him down in the corner. The seated sitdown splash misses for Reed but he grabs the ropes to block the jumping neckbreaker.

Reed misses the backsplash though and Knight is back with a middle rope bulldog. Knight sends him to the floor and hits a springboard spinning crossbody as we take a break. We come back with Knight blocking a superplex attempt and dropping the jumping elbow for two. Reed’s Death Valley Driver gets the same but Knight fights back up, only for Breakker to come in with the Super Spear for the DQ at 7:33.

Rating: B-. They were having a good match until the ending, which is what makes sense all things considered. Knight is someone who can fight back and probably will, likely with some kind of a weapon or some help. What matters right now though is that Knight is getting higher level competition, which is what he has been needing for a good while.

Post match Breakker hits another Super Spear, setting up three straight Tsunamis.

Here’s what’s coming next week from Saudi Arabia.

Jacob Fatu is ready for Solo Sikoa at Night Of Champions for the US Title. Get in where you fit int, because if not, it’s about to be all gas, no brakes.

R-Truth vs. John Cena

Non-title. R-Truth starts fast and slugs away, even sending Cena outside to keep up the beating. Back in and Cena gets sent into the corner as we take an early break. Back with Cena hitting the Shuffle but R-Truth slips out of the AA and hits a Thesz press. Cena bails out and grabs the title to leave but R-Truth cuts him off. That’s fine with Cena, who hits him with the belt for the DQ at 5:45, most of which was during the break.

Post match CM Punk runs in for the brawl but gets kicked low. Another belt shot gives us a loud THUD and Cena pulls out a table. Cena gets in another belt shot and AA’s Punk through the table. Cena grabs the mic and sits on the turnbuckle, where he starts a slightly tweaked version of the Pipebomb. Cena has a lot to get off his chest, starting with the fact that he doesn’t hate Punk. He hates the idea of Punk being the best in the world because Cena is the best in the world.

Punk is better at one thing, as he is the best bulls****** in the world. Uh oh. He said a bad word so the show must be off the rails. Look at him! He’s breaking the fourth wall! Cena is jealous of Punk for conning people saying he’s the best in the world, especially when he changes his values more often than Cena changes his shirts. Cena: “Hey Claudio Castagnoli! Hey Nic Nemeth! Hey Matt Cardona!”

Punk has done nothing but repeat the same things over and over again because he’s a promo potato salad. He’s not the Voice Of The Voiceless anymore because he’s a millionaire these days. In Saudi Arabia, he’ll face a different tune when he finds out that Cena is the best of all time. Punk was the best in the world for seven minutes, ten years ago. If he still thinks that after Night Of Champions, it must be a small world after all. Punk needs to bring his a-game because the mood is starting to change.

A referee FINALLY comes in to check on Punk, which seems to be a signal that they need to stretch things out a bit longer. Cena says he won’t do anything else to Punk and holds up the title, saying get a good shot of the champ. And USA can keep the extra 2.5 minutes, because he doesn’t need the time to set off a bomb. He flips the mic to Punk, saying that he just made the stupid promo more famous. Cena poses to end the show.

Yeah this was rather good, and makes their match feel all the more important as it ties back into one of the most famous promos ever. Cena was getting some of his swagger back here too, which has been missing for a rather long time. Good stuff here, and it did exactly what it was supposed to do.

Overall Rating: B. This show did a good job of making Cena vs. Punk and the King Of The Ring feel way more important. That’s what both of them have been needing, as Night Of Champions got a heck of a boost out of this show. Now just get everything else going on the show, which is where Monday Night Raw should work. Next week’s show is pretty stacked and that’s some nice momentum to have, even if it’s in Saudi Arabia.

Results
Asuka b. Alexa Bliss – Empress Impact
Randy Orton b. Sami Zayn – RKO
Charlotte b. Chelsea Green – Figure Eight
LA Knight b. Bronson Reed via DQ when Bron Breakker interfered
R-Truth b. John Cena via DQ when Cena used the title belt

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

Smackdown
Date: June 13, 2025
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re on the way to Night Of Champions and the big story is John Cena vs. CM Punk for the Smackdown World Title coming up in Saudi Arabia. Other than that, we have a pair of Money In The Bank briefcases floating around, which are likely going to be teased for a good while now. This week we should be seeing some more things being set up for the pay per view so let’s get to it.

Here is Money In The Bank if you need a recap.

This show was in my hometown but I had something more important to do. Happy birthday buddy.

We open with a long recap of Worlds Collide and Money In The Bank.

Here is John Cena to get things going. After his special introduction, Cena says that the Mount Rushmore of wrestling is four of him because no one has ever been him. He is smarter than everyone and he is always 1000 steps ahead of you. Last year, he announced his retirement a year in advance so he could have six months to scout his biggest opponents.

Cena goes through the year, explaining every action he has taken like a maniacal movie villain. Now Punk is coming up on Night Of Champions but he’ll have to become a hypocrite to get his shot. Seth Rollins won’t cash in on him because he wants Cena to take the title away so Rollins can be the one champion. Cena has solved everything because he is smarter than everyone and it will take you years to understand it.

No one is capable of hanging with him but here is Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Rhodes calls Cena a genius and agrees that Cena’s plans have been right the entire time. Cena has this twenty five year master plan but there is one detail he overlooked: Rhodes pinned him at Money In The Bank. Rhodes isn’t part of Cena’s plan, because Cena is part of his. Cue Randy Orton to say he has Cena beaten at Backlash until someone saved Cena again. Now Orton is ready to win the King Of The Ring to get to Cena and he’ll go through Rhodes to get there.

Cue LA Knight to interrupt (Barrett: “YES!”), who knows that no one in the ring wants him walking down there. Knight is the sore thumb against the WWE establishment and that’s how he likes it. King Of The Ring is here and if he has to drop any of them to be WWE Champion, so be it. Cena goes to leave but R-Truth jumps him from behind. Everyone lining up to come after Cena as the clock is ticking is an interesting story, and Knight jumping into the main event scene is a logical way to go for him. The US Title doesn’t mean anything for him anymore so see what he can do.

King Of The Ring First Round: Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Aleister Black

This could be interesting. Hayes and Black slug it out to start, leaving Orton and Knight to brawl in the corner. Hayes gets two off a quick rollup but gets sent outside for a moonsault from Black. Knight, Orton and Black all miss their finishers and we take an early break. Back with Knight stomping Hayes down in the corner and then doing the same to Orton. Hayes is back up to kick Knight down and the Fade Away puts him down.

A running flip dive takes Black out but Knight is up to send Hayes into the announcers’ table. Orton drops Black onto the table but can’t superplex Hayes. Instead Black posts Orton, leaving Hayes to frog splash Knight for two as we take another break. Back again with Black striking away but having to block an RKO. A series of strikes give Black two on Hayes but Orton gives everyone a powerslam.

The double hanging DDT is loaded up, with Knight coming in with a neckbreaker to Orton, driving the other two down in the process. The BFT hits Black with Hayes making the save but cue Bronson Reed to cut off the jumping elbow. Bron Breakker is in for a Super Spear to Knight and Hayes adds a frog splash….into an RKO onto Knight. Orton gets the pin on Knight to advance at 16:17.

Rating: B. I was digging this one with the ending being quite the creative way to go to wrap it up. That’s one of the best things you can see, as it came out of nowhere for a cool way to go. Other than that, it was nice to see all four of them being an option to win. The interference was a fine way to keep Knight looking strong, though I could have gone with someone else taking the fall.

Jacob Fatu warns us that he is coming.

Here is Jacob Fatu for a chat and the fans are happy to see him. Just because you are family doesn’t mean you can go behind someone’s back and take credit for their success, which is what Solo Sikoa did to him. That’s why he took Sikoa out at Money In The Bank and he’s on his own. Cue a clapping Sikoa on the Titantron, saying he brought Fatu here a year ago because Fatu was doing nothing. He gave Fatu a chance and next week he’ll give him another one. Fatu can apologize and say he loves Sikoa, because Sikoa can take him out. This should be interesting, but Fatu as a monster face has all of the potential.

The Secret Hervice comes in to see Nick Aldis, with Chelsea Green on the phone, saying that she needs to have her Queen Of The Ring match in a city other than Lexington. Aldis isn’t doing that and puts Alba Fyre in her place. The Secret Hervice leaves and Zelina Vega comes in, saying she wants Giulia. That can’t happen this week, so she’ll face Giulia next week, with Aldis not really able to get a word in.

Queen Of The Ring First Round: Michin vs. Piper Niven vs. Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax

Niven and Michin go to the floor, leaving Cargill to shoulder Jax in the corner. Michin comes in and gets taken down by Cargill, who gets two off a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Back up and Michin hits a running dropkick to put Cargill down but Niven hits a running backsplash on Michin. Jax is back in to take over on Cargill, who avoids a charge to send Jax shoulder first into the post. Michin is back up for an Asai moonsault onto all three and we take a break.

Back with Cargill superkicking Jax but getting taken down by Niven. Some running shots in the corner have Cargill in trouble but it’s time for Jax and Niven to argue. Michin is back in to pick up the pace with a running hurricanrana, with Jax making the save. Cargill slugs away on Jax and Niven on the floor, only for them to throw Cargill over the announcers’ table (and over Wade Barrett) for the big crash.

Back in and Michin grabs a spinning DDT on Niven, only to get dropped by Jax. The Annihilator hits Michin but Niven makes the save. Niven drives Jax through the barricade and hits the Piper Bomb on Michin. Cargill is back in though and Jaded finishes Niven at 12:52.

Rating: B-. There is something amazing about watching Cargill muscle someone up and plant them down with Jaded and that’s what she did again here. It was fun to see someone going power vs. power with Jax, as that isn’t something you often see. It was an entertaining match and Cargill feels like she could be in for something big sooner than later.

Here is Miss Money In The Bank Naomi for a chat. Naomi says people here are looking real shocked and real stupid but she took what she deserved. The entire time when she was trying to take the title from Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton was there to stop her. Too nice Naomi allowed it to happen…and here is Stratton to interrupt. Stratton says just cash in right now and take the title if she’s so confident.

Naomi is all talk and no action and that’s why she couldn’t beat Jax. That doesn’t work for Naomi, who wants to surprise Stratton and is going to make her life h***. Proceed with caution. Naomi leaves but here is Nia Jax to jump Stratton and hit the Annihilator. Naomi teases the cash-in but Jax glares her off. And so we start what is likely going to be a months long ordeal with one tease after another.

Earlier today, Nick Aldis talked to the tag division, all of whom want the Wyatt Sicks. The Motor City Machine Guns get the nod this week.

Wyatt Sicks vs. Motor City Machine Guns

It’s Dexter Lumis/Joe Gacy for the Wyatts with the rest of the team here too. It’s a brawl to start with the Wyatts taking over and Lumis’ jumping spinning legdrop gets two on Sabin. Gacy comes in but gets low bridged to the floor, with the Guns following with stereo slingshot dives.

We take a break and come back with Sabin cleaning house and the stereo apron superkicks rocking Lumis. Gacy is back in with a double clothesline to take over and powerbombs Lumis onto Sabin for two. Sabin is back up with a DDT to Lumis and the Dream Sequence connects. Skull & Bones is broken up though and Lumis’ guillotine legdrop finishes Sabin at 9:23.

Rating: C+. It’s about time to do something with the Wyatts, as you can only have them do a bunch of random beatdowns. Going after the Tag Team Titles isn’t a bad idea and it feels like this is the start of setting up the Wyatts to go through the division and maybe even take the titles. Good enough stuff here, which is absolutely no shock given that the Guns were around.

John Cena comes up to Jimmy Uso in the back and is looking for R-Truth. Uso hasn’t, but Cena wants R-Truth to meet him in the ring.

Here is an angry Cena for a chat. He can tolerate a certain level of disrespect but R-Truth has crossed the line. Cena calls R-Truth out for a fight right now but gets CM Punk instead. Punk says he has a mic and wants Cena to turn around and let the fans celebrate him like they want to. Cena: “Why?”

He wants to know why he should waste his time in front of a bunch of people who don’t matter. These people don’t matter. This place doesn’t matter. Basketball doesn’t matter. Horse racing doesn’t matter. The title is all that matters. Punk gets serious and says there is one reality: Cena cannon beat him. When Punk was at his best, Cena could not beat him. It is Punk’s belief in himself that brought him here and he’s not here dressed like a toddler who just struck out at t-ball.

Punk wants that one back because it sounds like PG John Cena, but “I’m going to take the title and walk out” sounds like something Punk would say. It’s ironic that Cena is stealing Punk’s material because Cena couldn’t stop him. Punk will meet him in Saudi Arabia and he will sacrifice the goat to the gods of wrestling. The reality is Punk can see through him and that’s the truth. Cue R-Truth to jump Cena from behind and put him in the STF. This was more of the hard sell from Punk, with R-Truth being an interesting side piece to the whole thing.

Alexa Bliss is ready to move closer to being Queen Of The Ring but Charlotte comes in to say there is one queen.

R-Truth requests and receives a match with John Cena next week.

Queen Of The Ring First Round: Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Alba Fyre vs. Candice LeRae

Bliss cuts off Charlotte’s entrance to make this especially personal. LeRae and Fyre break up the staredown but Charlotte is back up to knock both of them down and take over. Bliss comes in with a high crossbody to Charlotte but Charlotte takes them all down again as we go to a break.

Back with Bliss hitting a Tower Of Doom and we get a parade of faceplants. Charlotte gets the Figure Eight on Bliss but LeRae breaks it up with an Asai moonsault. Bliss is back up with Twisted Bliss to Fyre, only for Charlotte to break it up. Charlotte’s spear gets two on LeRae and she grabs the Figure Eight on Fyre. Bliss is right back with the Sister Abigail DDT to pin LeRae for the win at 10:49, just before Fyre taps.

Rating: C+. I like seeing Charlotte lose, but why do I have a feeling this is going to result in her complaining about a lot of things and probably costing Bliss the semifinals? Either way, Bliss getting a push is intriguing as she could be slotted into the title scene rather easily, though Charlotte will likely have something to say about that. Other than that, this won’t sit well with Chelsea Green, which should be great.

Post match Charlotte glares a lot.

Cody Rhodes runs into CM Punk, who wishes him luck tonight.

King Of The Ring First Round: Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest vs. Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura bails to the floor to start so Rhodes decks him, leaving Andrade to knock Priest into the corner. Rhodes is back in to clothesline Priest out to the floor but Nakamura is back up to go after both of them. Andrade hits a big dive to the floor to take everyone out as we take a break.

Back with Nakamura hitting the sliding German suplex on Priest but he’s back up to knock everyone else down. Rhodes breaks up Old School though, leaving Nakamura to cross armbreaker Andrade. That’s broken up so Rhodes brings out a (Slim Jim) table but Nakamura saves Andrade from going through it. Instead Rhodes is kicked through the table and we take a break.

Back with Andrade cleaning house but Rhodes fires off a string of clotheslines. Nakamura breaks up Cross Rhodes and hits Kinshasa for two but Andrade is back up. The Message gets two on Priest and Andrade slugs it out with Nakamura. Rhodes breaks that up and Cody Cutters Priest, followed by Cross Rhodes to pin Nakamura at 16:46.

Rating: B-. You could all but guarantee who was taking the fall the second Nakamura was announced for the match and that’s not the worst thing. He’s leaving when his deal is up so why bother wasting a loss on anyone else? Rhodes needs a nice run in this tournament after Wrestlemania and putting him against Cena again at Summerslam is hardly a bad idea.

Overall Rating: B. This show was heavily focused on the tournaments, with only the tag match getting attention otherwise. As a result, the wrestling was rather good, though my goodness I could go a long time without seeing a qualifying/first round multi person match. Other than that though, this was about people lining up to come after John Cena, who is trying to run out the clock on this time in WWE. I’m curious to see where that is going, and the match with Punk at Night Of Champions should be more than worth a look. Good show here, and things are looking up around here.

Results
Randy Orton b. LA Knight, Carmelo Hayes and Aleister Black – Frog splash to Knight
Jade Cargill b. Piper Niven, Nia Jax and Michin – Jaded to Niven
Wyatt Sicks b. Motor City Machine Guns – Guillotine legdrop to Sabin
Cody Rhodes b. Shinsuke Nakamura, Andrade and Damian Priest – Cross Rhodes to Nakamura

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

Smackdown
Date: June 6, 2025
Location: Dignity Health Arena, Bakersfield, California
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Money In The Bank and that means it is time to get into the final push to the show. The ladder match lineups are set, so that means it might be time for people to sit on some ladder. In addition to that, we should be getting a push towards the big tag match. Things are starting to pick up around here again and Money In The Bank is a major part of that so let’s get to it.

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

Here are Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman to get things going, meaning we immediately hit the CM PUNK chants. Rollins says he is ready to take everything tomorrow night when he wins the Money In The Bank contract to gain absolute power. That warrants an OTC chant, with Rollins saying no one can hear him on the Island of Irrelevancy.

They are here to take care of anyone in their way, like Sami Zayn, Punk or Reigns. None of them have ever cared about the people, but Rollins always has. He is willing to drag them into the future and no one can stop them. Cue Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu/JC Mateo to interrupt for the big staredown, with Sikoa saying they’re standing here. Is Breakker supposed to be Right Hand Man Jey Uso? Is Reed the new Zayn?

Rollins tells him to choose his next word very carefully so Sikoa promises to win the briefcase tomorrow. Sikoa should be scared of Reed and Breakker, but he should be more scared that his family would rather stab him in the back than have his back. Maybe Fatu can stop being the Samoan Werewolf and start being called Sikoa’s B****.

Sikoa is ready to fight but Breakker and Fatu get in their way for one heck of a staredown (and it gets the same OOOO reaction that it received on Raw a few months back). Most of them leave and it’s Jimmy Uso running in to jump Mateo, his scheduled opponent for tonight. Fatu’s turn keeps getting teased and it’s going to be massive if they do it right.

Jimmy Uso vs. JC Mateo

We’re joined in progress with Uso hammering away in the corner and getting two off a high crossbody. Mateo shrugs that off and knocks him down, setting up the chinlock. With that broken up, Uso avoids a charge to send him crashing out to the floor. Mateo knocks him off the ropes though and we take a break.

Back with Mateo hitting a standing moonsault, which Barrett does not think should be allowed. Uso comes back with a shot of his own and the Whisper In The Wind gets two. The spinning belly to back suplex plants Uso again but he comes back with the superkicks and a spear. Fatu offers a quick distraction but Mateo hits him by mistake, allowing Uso to steal the pin at 11:27.

Rating: C+. It’s quite the choice to have Mateo take a fall so soon but if nothing else, it does make Fatu feel like a more indestructible monster if he never loses. Uso needed a win like this as he’s getting back into the mix with Sikoa and company. It wasn’t a blowaway match, but there is a good chance that it leads to Fatu having more issues with the team, as he should.

Post match Mateo yells at Sikoa that Fatu is the problem. Seething ensues.

Zelina Vega comes up to Giulia, saying she has to earn a Women’s US Title shot.

Damian Priest tells Jacob Fatu that he’s coming for the US Title, which works for Fatu, but Priest better bring it.

Piper Niven vs. Zelina Vega

Non-title Bakersfield Brawl, which seems to mean street fight, and Chelsea Green/Alba Fyre are here with Niven. Vega gets shoved down to start and it’s time for an early breather on the floor. Back in and Vega’s kendo stick shot doesn’t do much but she slips out of a powerslam and hammers away. A stomp to the back crushes Niven but she drops Vega face first onto the apron.

We take a break and come back with Niven sending her into the buckle and setting up a chair. Vega grabs a quick DDT onto the chair, with Niven rolling out to the floor. A dive takes out the other villains and it’s a super Code Red back inside, with Fyre breaking up the cover. Green jumps Vega on the floor and of course it’s time for a table. The Piper Driver on the floor knocks Vega silly and the table (which has sponsorship logos on it, which is a stretch even for modern WWE) is set up. Cue Giulia to make a save and kendo stick Niven, allowing Vega to hit a powerbomb through the table for the win at 10:44.

Rating: B-. Can this please be the end of the feud already? Vega is out of people in the team to beat already and thankfully it seems time to face Giulia. I’m not sure how well that is going to go for Vega, but at least she is getting some wins like this one to build her up a bit. This was a good enough brawl and Vega overcomes some odds, but I don’t need her to face Green or the Hervice for a long time.

Post match Giulia lays Vega out without much trouble.

Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso are here, with Jey being a bit banged up. Jimmy Uso comes in and they’re all ready for tonight and tomorrow.

Aleister Black thinks LA Knight stole a win from him, so now it’s time to take something from Knight. Say in a match with no special rules. If Knight wins, Black will shake his hand and admit defeat.

Here is LA Knight for a chat before his match. This is his third year in a row in Money In The Bank (fan: “THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM!”) and he knows some people in this match. He has some respect for Penta and Andrade, but there are some dummies in this match too. Those dummies are people like El Grande Americano Gable, Solo Sikoa and Seth Rollins. Knight isn’t going to let Rollins burn it down because it’ll be a hot night with him in Los Angeles. As for Aleister Black, it’s time for him to be disappointed again when he gets to Los Angeles. Knight: “Well we’re in Bakersfield tonight but he’s not making it to LA!” Eh close enough to a save.

LA Knight vs. Aleister Black

They start fast by trading some early rollups for two each, leaving with a rather intense staredown. A lockup sees them fighting around the ropes until Black headlock takeovers him down. Knight pops up for a snap suplex but a DDT is blocked. Black kicks him away but Knight hits a hard clothesline for two more. A snap suplex gives Black two of his own and tries a springboard but gets knocked out to the floor, with Knight crashing after him.

We take a break and come back with Knight dropping him and trying the jumping top rope elbow. That’s broken up but Knight counters the counter and tries a torture rack, which is countered as well. Black goes with the kicks to take over but Knight counters into a Burning Hammer to send Black outside. And cue Seth Rollins to jump Knight for the DQ at 10:16 (Charles Robinson freaking out at the interruption is great).

Rating: C+. Ah that makes more sense, as there was no reason for either of them to lose, as Knight has Money In The Bank and Black hasn’t been back that long yet. Rollins interfering to help take out the competition for Saturday is a logical way to go and we can run this back later if needed. If nothing else, Black wanting to go after one of the bigger teams could be interesting.

Post match Black is not happy with Rollins for costing him a match but Bron Breakker is in with the Super Spear. Knight takes one of his own and the villains stand tall.

Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce announce the King and Queen Of The Ring tournaments, which will start with four four way matches (ERG), setting up the semifinals, with the finals taking place at Night Of Champions. The winners get title shots at Summerslam.

Jade Cargill is ready to win the Queen Of The Ring but she is asked about her relationship with Bianca Belair. Cue Charlotte to interrupt, telling her to choose her friends wisely. And Charlotte is winning the tournament. Tiffany Stratton comes in to say good luck to both of them, though she didn’t seem overly sincere.

Legado del Fantasma is ready to prove that they are the real family of lucha libre at Worlds Collide.

Chad Gable and American Made are here, with Gable saying he’s ready to win the AAA Mega Title at Worlds Collide. Andrade and Penta come in to mock him but Nick Aldis makes a tag match for later.

Here is Tiffany Stratton for a chat. Last year she became the youngest Miss Money In The Bank in history and the It Girl of WWE. Now it’s time for someone else to win the briefcase, and that means their world will be revolving around her. She asks Bakersfield what time it is but here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt. Ripley says she’s never been in Money In The Bank because she has never had to before. She does know what it’s like to be a champion and she will be again. Cue Stephanie Vaquer to interrupt and it’s time for a (scheduled) six woman tag.

Rhea Ripley/Stephanie Vaquer/Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi/Roxanne Perez/Giulia

Vaquer and Giulia start things off with an exchange of near falls and Giulia breaks up the Devil’s Kiss. Naomi comes in and everything breaks down with Vaquer giving Naomi the Devil’s Kiss and the villains bailing out to the floor. Back in and Naomi sends Vaquer throat first into the middle rope to take over, with Giulia getting in some choking in the corner. Perez’s stomp in the corner gets two and Giulia hits a snap suplex for the same.

Vaquer flips out of a suplex though and it’s off to Bliss to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and Perez takes over on the floor as we take a break. Back with Naomi kicking Bliss down in the corner but Bliss escapes rather quickly. It’s off to Ripley to clean house, including a toss Razor’s Edge to Perez. Bliss gives Giulia the Sister Abigail DDT and Perez counters the Riptide into a DDT for a double down. Back up and Naomi won’t tag Perez, who walks into Eat Defeat and Riptide for the pin at 12:03.

Rating: B-. This was your big preview for the women’s ladder match and as usual, pinfalls means a grand total of nothing for Money In The Bank. The good thing is they have toned down the number of BUILDING MOMENTUM matches in recent years, which takes away a lot of the sting from this season. As for the match, it was smart to let Ripley remind us that she’s still a force, as she hasn’t been featured much lately.

Solo Sikoa tries to calm JC Mateo down about Jacob Fatu, who isn’t all that bright. And yes, of course Fatu is nearby.

The Wyatts cut off Sign Of The Night with Uncle Howdy talking about how his grief continues. He has watched the loyalty, trust and brotherhood in the tag division but everyone wants to forget about them. They are not back for nostalgia or closure, but to destroy everyone.

DIY tries to rally the tag division to fight against the Wyatt Sicks but the rest of the teams seem pretty ok with fighting on their own.

Worlds Collide rundown.

Money In The Bank rundown.

Penta/Andrade vs. American Made

Chad Gable is here and El Hijo del Vikingo is in the audience. Penta and Andrade start fast with dives to the floor before the bell and the fans approve. We get inside for the opening bell and Andrade hitting the running knees in the corner. Penta comes in for some shots of his own and his little dance, followed by the rather loud chops. Julius gets a running start and step up though and smashes Andrade in the face with a running knee.

We take a break and come back (with the director audibly counting commentary in) with Penta coming in to clean house. Gable goes after his mask so Vikingo jumps the barricade and they brawl into the crowd. That leaves Penta to hit the Canadian Destroyer for the pin on Brutus at 7:56.

Rating: C+. I’m not exactly expecting Penta or Andrade to have much of a chance on Saturday, but putting them together made for a fast paced enough match. Andrade is one of those guys who can be moved into a midcard spot at the drop of a hat and that is more or less what he’s doing again. On the other hand you have Penta, whose charisma is carrying him a long way, though I’m not sure what he is going to do next.

Post match the winners celebrate but here are Seth Rollins and company to interrupt. The beatdown is on and Penta gets Tsunamied.

Post break Paul Heyman says they don’t fear the future because they ARE the future. Rollins has told them everything that would happen and then it has all come to pass. They are the vanguards of the future of WWE and tomorrow, Rollins will become Mr. Money In The Bank again. Then he will cash in and become the new World Champion again, with Heyman….being cut off by Cody Rhodes. Cue Jey Uso and we take a break.

We come back with the villains gone and Rhodes asking the people what they want to talk about. Rhodes talks about John Cena calling him desperate last week. This is ironic coming from Cena, who threw 21 years of good will away and is now with Logan Paul, which is like seeing Michael Hayes with the Hardys. Cue Cena, who gets his big introduction, which allows Logan Paul to sneak in for the big beatdown.

Paul and Cena clean house, leaving Cena to say that no one is coming to save them. This is your future, with Paul holding up the Raw World Title. Cena tells the people to humble themselves for Paul, before the good guys are taken out again. Cena: “You want OUR TRUTH? The truth is right here!” The fans want truth and Cena says that is because they are all a bunch of losers. Paul and Cena hold up the titles to end the show. These two make for great heels together, and at least Cena has mostly settled down on one idea rather than seemingly changing what he was talking about every week.

Overall Rating: B-. This show put the focus firmly on the ladder matches and showed what it can mean for someone who wins the thing. You have Stratton as the most recent women’s winner and Rollins wanting to win to bring back the power in the company. It’s a good way to focus on them without having people doing the same things over and over again. Everything changes on Saturday though and this was a nice enough effort at getting me more into the pay per view.

Results
Jimmy Uso b. JC Mateo – Rollup
Zelina Vega b. Piper Niven – Powerbomb through a table
LA Knight b. Aleister Black via DQ when Seth Rollins interfered
Rhea Ripley/Alexa Bliss/Stephanie Vaquer b. Roxanne Perez/Naomi/Giulia – Riptide to Perez
Penta/Andrade b. American Made – Canadian Destroyer to Brutus

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

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Smackdown
Date: May 23, 2025
Location: Enmarket Arena, Savannah, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event, which is one heck of a card. It is big enough to feel like a bonus pay per view and this week’s show is likely going to be focused on building it up. Other than that, we have some spots in Money In The Bank to be filled, which should make for some good action. Let’s get to it.

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

Various people are coming to work, including Damian Priest, who jumps Drew McIntyre. Security breaks it up.

Here is Tiffany Stratton for a chat. She’s rather happy with what she has been doing lately and is looking forward to Money In The Bank, but no one better think twice about cashing in on her. Cue Alexa Bliss for a formal introduction before saying she needs that briefcase. She doesn’t know Stratton very well, so Stratton better pray that Bliss doesn’t win.

Cue Charlotte to brag about everything she’s done, save for winning Money In The Bank. She wants the spotlight back, but Charlotte calls her a hypocrite. Charlotte has called the briefcase a cheap way in, but it doesn’t matter because Charlotte and Bliss are a bit old school for her. Stratton is the upgraded version of the two of them and that doesn’t sit well.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Charlotte vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega

Non-title. They stare at each other to start and Charlotte knocks Vega outside. Back in and Vega gets sent flying with a fall away slam before Giulia takes Charlotte down. Some leg stomps and a neck twist have Charlotte in more trouble but she’s back up with a clothesline. Vega is back up to take both of them down and a moonsault to the floor drops them again.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte kicking Giulia off the apron. Giulia is back up with something like a Doomsday dropkick to Vega but Charlotte pops up with a high crossbody to the two of them. Charlotte moonsaults onto both of them for two but Giulia pulls Charlotte into the Rings Of Saturn. Vega breaks it up with a dropkick and hits a 619 but Charlotte drops Vega again. The Figure Eight has Giulia in trouble until Vega makes the save with the Meteora. Charlotte boots Vega down but Giulia comes in with a top rope double stomp for the save. The Northern Lights Bomb gives Giulia the pin on Vega at 13:31.

Rating: B. The second Vega was introduced as the third entrant, it was a question of whether Charlotte or Giulia would beat her. With all of the women they have available around here for this kind of a spot, they had no better option than the US Champion? The title has only been around for a few months and having losses like this isn’t going to help it. The match was good, but some better thinking would be appreciated.

DIY takes credit for the tag division coming together and doesn’t like other teams acting like they did it.

Zelina Vega is in the back and Chelsea Green mocks her. The ensuing brawl is quickly broken up by the Secret Hervice. B-Fab and Michin come in to say they want a fight tonight, with Nick Aldis making it happen.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Chris Sabin

Johnny Gargano and Alex Shelley are here too. Sabin works on an armdrag to start and grinds away at the arm. Ciampa breaks that up and stomps away in the corner but Sabin armdrags him out to the floor. Sabin goes after him so Ciampa throws in a jacket, setting up Willow’s Bell as we take a break.

Back with Sabin hitting a German suplex and a running shot to the face for two. They slug it out on the apron until Ciampa grabs a White Noise for two of his own. Back in and Sabin blocks the Fairy Tale Ending, with Ciampa favoring his knee. A springboard tornado DDT drops Ciampa so it’s time for Gargano and Shelley to get involved. Sabin dives onto DIY but cue Candice LeRae to rake Sabin’s eyes. Ciampa hits a running knee for the pin at 10:15.

Rating: B-. It’s so nice to have teams like DIY and the Guns who can be slotted in as singles stars if need be. That’s what we got here and it was a perfectly fine way to keep the feud going without doing the same match time after time. Having LeRae in the DIY fold would make perfect sense too, as it’s not like she has anything else going on.

Fraxiom is ready for the biggest night of their careers as they have a Tag Team Title shot.

We look back at John Cena’s heel turn and how he blames the fans for abusing him over the years.

Damian Priest is supposed to come out to talk about Drew McIntyre but they brawl to ringside instead. It’s broken up but Priest says he wants more, with the brawl continuing.

Jacob Fatu doesn’t know JC Mateo and doesn’t trust him. Solo Sikoa says use that aggression tonight. Sikoa wants Jimmy Uso back in the fold but Fatu doesn’t seem convinced by the two of them.

Alexa Bliss mocks Charlotte for losing.

Secret Hervice vs. B-Fab/Michin

B-Fab tries to slug away at Niven to start and gets nowhere as a result. Fyre comes in and Niven hits a backsplash to put B-Fab in early trouble. A Boss Man Slam gives Niven two but B-Fab gets up and brings in Michin to clean house. Chelsea Green gets on the apron but here is Zelina Vega to cut her off. Eat Defeat into a swinging faceplant from B-Fab finishes Fyre at 3:44.

Rating: C. So I guess we’re getting ready for another Vega vs. Green title match, which hopefully leads to Green getting the title back. Vega has gotten her big win but Green being her hilarious self is the better option. For now though, this was another attempt to make B-Fab a bigger deal and I’m not sure how likely that is to work.

The Street Profits are ready for Fraxiom and don’t like the suggestion that there is a better team. Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo come back for some glaring.

Legado del Fantasma has a meeting to try to calm things down. Santos Escobar wants them ready for a six man tag at Worlds Collide on June 7. Berto still doesn’t seem convinced but drinks a toast. Not exactly with them, but close enough.

Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix are ready.

Jacob Fatu/JC Mateo vs. Jimmy Uso/Rey Fenix

Jimmy and Fatu start things off but Mateo tags himself in, earning a glare from Fatu. Mateo takes over but Fatu tags himself in and gets hurricanranaed down by Fenix. Jimmy helps Fenix hit a springboard corkscrew dive and we take an early break. Back with Fatu hitting a running Umaga attack on Jimmy but Mateo can’t get a belly to back superplex. Instead Jimmy knocks him down and hits a Whisper In The Wind, giving us a diving tag to Fenix.

The pace is picked way up, with a 619 into a poisonrana getting two on Fatu. A pop up Samoan drop cuts Fenix off though and Mateo sends him flying, with Fenix sticking the landing. Jimmy tags himself in, leaving Fenix to dive onto Fatu, who pulls him out of the air. A spear drops Mateo so Sikoa offers a distraction. Jimmy isn’t interested, but it’s enough for Mateo to hit the Tour Of The Islands for the pin at 12:27.

Rating: B-. Nice stuff here for a pair of monsters who don’t get along and a makeshift team of Uso and Fenix. I’m curious about where this is going for Fatu, who is pretty clearly about to become one heck of a good guy, while the rest of the team won’t like that. It’s an interesting change of pace and the idea of Jimmy possibly being brought back in is…well that’s another thing that could be happening.

LA Knight is ready to go through Aleister Black and Shinsuke Nakamura to go to Money In The Bank. He’s tired of the darkness and is ready to BFT them into the light.

Here is R-Truth for a chat. John Cena is his childhood hero but he doesn’t recognize this Cena. The problem is power, because they used to be friends. The more power and fame Cena got though, the more disconnect he felt. They stopped talking and R-Truth felt like Cena was always annoyed at him. Maybe R-Truth thought he had done something wrong, but other people felt the same.

Cena is like Gollum from Lord Of The Rings, with his championship being his precious. He doesn’t believe Cena is happy, but maybe he can bring Cena back. If R-Truth wants to save wrestling, he has to save Cena, so he’ll beat the hustle, loyalty and respect back into Cena. If Cena wins, WE RIOT! This was the serious R-Truth for the first time in forever and he did exactly what he needed to do here. Good promo, even if he’s going to get massacred.

We look at Sami Zayn/CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Video on Naomi vs. Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax in next week’s Money In The Bank qualifying match.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight vs. Aleister Black

They slug it out to start and Nakamura gets sent outside. Knight and Black seem cool with each other before locking up, with Knight grabbing his jumping neckbreaker. Nakamura breaks up Knight’s stomping in the corner and trades kicks with Black. Knight gets kneed down and we take a break.

Back with Nakamura sending Knight into the steps but Nakamura gets knocked outside. Black takes Knight down with a running flip dive but comes up holding his leg. Back in and Black misses a moonsault, allowing Knight to catch him with a DDT. Black is sent into the post but he catches Nakamura with Black Mass. That’s fine with Knight, who sends Black outside and steals the pin at 11:02.

Rating: B-. Knight needed a win like this, even if he didn’t do the damage in the first place. I can’t imagine him getting the briefcase, but he needs to get away from facing these same people for the US Title for a bit. He’s been there twice now and there is little left for him to do in that area. If he’s going to move up to the main event scene, this is as good of a chance as he is going to have.

Miz has gotten Carmelo Hayes a Money In The Bank qualifying match because he knows how important it can be to a wrestler’s career. Now he wants Hayes to follow his play calling, with Hayes seemingly being in on the idea.

Video on Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown, with Zelina Vega defending against Chelsea Green added.

Nick Aldis tells Jacob Fatu that he’s in the final Money In The Bank qualifying match next week. Fatu actually says he loves Solo Sikoa.

Bianca Belair is back next week.

Tag Team Titles: Street Profits vs. Fraxiom

The Profits are defending and we get the Big Match Intros. Dawkins takes Axiom down by the arm to start so Frazer comes in for a headlock. That’s broken up and it’s off to Ford to work on the arm. Everything breaks down in a hurry and the champs are knocked outside for the dives. We take a break and come back with Dawkins pulling Axiom down into a chinlock.

Ford flips in and hits a running shoulder in the corner before handing it back to Dawkins. Barrett gets in a very insightful statement by saying that it’s not about hitting your best move, but rather taking away your opponent’s best move. That’s some incredibly logical thinking about how to dominate a match. Axiom gets in a knockdown though and hands it back to Frazer to pick up the pace.

A running shooting star hits Ford and Frazer head fakes him to hit a springboard missile dropkick (Barrett is VERY impressed). Frazer gets knocked down again though and we take another break. Back again with Axiom pulling Ford into a rear naked choke and Frazer guillotines Dawkins at the same time. Those are both broken up so Frazer takes Ford up top for the superplex and rolls into a brainbuster/superkick combination for two.

Dawkins cuts off a dive though and sends Frazer into the steps, meaning a Doomsday Blockbuster can hit Axiom. Frazer dives in for a save, meaning the Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash plants Dawkins. Ford makes a save of his own and everyone is down. Cue DIY but the Motor City Machine Guns cut them off. Ford flip dives onto all of them, leaving Dawkins to spinebuster Frazer. Then the lights go out and the Wyatt Sicks are back. The brawl is on and it’s a double DQ at 21:08.

Rating: B. That’s certainly one way to get you out of the issue of having one of the teams lose. They were having another awesome match, as Fraxiom knows exactly how to do this kind of fast paced offense. The Wyatts being back is certainly a way to go, but at least they seem to have a target rather than just doing random stuff.

The Wyatts wreck everyone and Sister Abigail plants Gargano to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I had a good time with this show as the action was solid and they made me more interested in Saturday Night’s Main Event. R-Truth’s promo was shockingly good and it fits with what they’re doing. Other than that, they set up some things for Money In The Bank and the rest of the card can come together after Saturday. Nice work this week, with the best part being that the show didn’t feel nearly as long, which has been a major issue in recent weeks.

Results
Giulia b. Zelina Vega and Charlotte – Northern Lights Bomb to Vega
Tommaso Ciampa b. Chris Sabin – Running knee
B-Fab/Michin b. Secret Hervice – Spinning faceplant to Fyre
Jacob Fatu/JC Mateo b. Rey Fenix/Jimmy Uso – Tour Of The Islands to Uso
LA Knight b. Aleister Black and Shinsuke Nakamura – Black Mass to Nakamura
Street Profits vs. Fraxiom went to a double DQ when the Wyatt Sicks interfered

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

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Smackdown
Date: May 16, 2025
Location: First Horizon Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Backlash and that means it is time to get ready for Money In The Bank. The show is in less than a month so it’s time to start getting ready with the qualifying matches. Other than that, John Cena is still the World Champion and that means he’ll need a new challenger sooner or later. Let’s get to it.

Here is Backlash if you need a recap.

We open with a long Backlash rematch.

Here are Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Jeff Cobb for a chat. Sikoa introduces Cobb as JC and talks about how it’s time to bring everything back to the family. That starts tonight with him winning his Money In The Bank qualifying match. Fatu grabs the mic (the fans approve) and says don’t get it twisted: he brought the US Title back to the Family and he’s ready to deal with anyone coming after the title by himself.

Sikoa says he and JC get what he means and this is all to help Fatu. The title on his shoulder is proof of the love Sikoa has for him. Fatu begrudgingly says he loves Sikoa, who wants a bit more than that. Cue LA Knight to run in from behind and jump JC before running off again. At some point Knight needs to win something over one of these guys and I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

Michin and B-Fab want to win a briefcase and the titles but Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice come in, with Green saying she’ll win the briefcase. Alexa Bliss pops in for some glaring. Green threatens to put tariffs on mediocrity and B-Fab and Michin are first.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green vs. Michin

Green charges into a superkick to the floor to start and Michin blocks Bliss’ headscissors. Bliss rolls Michin up for two instead so Green yells at both of them, earning herself a double dropkick to the floor. Green is back up to knock both of them down and we take a break. Back with all three down before Michin gets up to knock them into the corner.

A Cannonball hits both of them for two each before everyone gets in a kick to the head. Green and Bliss slug it out until Michin cuts Bliss off. Back up and Bliss gives Michin a tornado DDT and Twisted Bliss gets two with Green making the save. The Unprettier hits Michin but Bliss pulls her away and hits the Sister Abigail DDT to pin Green at 9:03.

Rating: C+. Bliss is back and in a match where she has succeeded before, but at the same time, it’s still hard to get interested in her with the whole weird evil stuff. Otherwise, this was a match where I was hoping to see Green move on, and it would not surprise me to see her get into the match anyway. It would be a shame to see that incredible run she had over the last few months just end so quickly and it would surprise me if that wound up happening.

We look back at Fraxiom beating the Street Profits last week and then getting beaten up by DIY (who also attacked the Motor City Machine Guns).

Fraxiom vs. DIY

Ciampa takes Axiom down by the arm but Axiom is right back up so Frazer can come in for a kick to the face. Everything breaks down and Fraxiom hit some dive, only for Gargano to pull the rope down. Axiom crashes out to the floor and DIY gets in a double pat on the back as they take over. Back in and Gargano slams Axiom legs first into the ropes and we take a break.

We come back with Frazer coming in to clean house, with the running shooting star press getting two on Gargano. The Phoenix splash misses though and Gargano superkicks Frazer’s moonsault out of the air. The Fairy Tale Ending/superkick combination gets two on Frazer with Axiom making the save.

Project Ciampa gets the same on Frazer but Ciampa misses the running knee. A superkick/brainbuster combination plants Gargano for two, with Ciampa’s running knee making the save. Axiom and Gargano slug it out until Axiom tries to tie up the arms. Ciampa is back in to go for Axiom’s mask but Frazer makes the save. Frazer rolls Gargano up for the pin at 11:18.

Rating: B. Fraxiom’s rapid push continues and that is a fun thing to see. They already have some status from NXT and it’s nice to see them having such similar success around here. If nothing else, we might be in for a surprise title change when the rematch takes place. As usual, DIY can work with anyone and they can more than hang with a team as fast as Fraxiom.

Post match DIY jumps Fraxiom but the Motor City Machine Guns run in for the save.

Andrade gives Rey Fenix a pep talk before Fenix’s Money In The Bank qualifying match. Solo Sikoa and company come in to look for LA Knight.

The Street Profits applaud Fraxiom on their win and the title match is on for next week. Works for Fraxiom.

Wade Barrett had a sitdown interview with R-Truth earlier today. R-Truth says you can always depend on John Cena, who he calls a beacon of light. Barrett thinks this is crazy, as Cena attacked R-Truth at the Backlash press conference. R-Truth says that wasn’t the Cena he knew but if he has to beat Cena back to his senses, so be it. They’re fighting at Saturday Night’s Main Event. This continues to be one of the more interesting stories in WWE at the moment, just because it has been set up for such a long time now.

Damian Priest is sick of Drew McIntyre and wants him in a cage.

Carmelo Hayes, with the Miz, is ready to take out Aleister Black.

Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes

Miz is here with Hayes. They grapple to start until Black shoulders him down, giving us a double nip up. The threat of Black Mass has Hayes bailing away, with Black sitting down at the same time. Miz offers a distraction though and Hayes takes over with a flip dive. We take a break and come back with Black kicking Hayes out to the floor.

Back in Black strikes away, including a dropkick to put him down again. Hayes gets in a spinning faceplant but Black kicks him in the face again. A German suplex gives Black two but Hayes grabs the suplex cutter for the same. Miz gets on the apron, which doesn’t sit well with Hayes, allowing Black to strike away again. Black Mass is loaded up, which draws Miz in for the DQ at 10:27.

Rating: C+. They’re in a bit of a weird place here as they’re teasing the idea of Black needing help against these two but that brings up a pair of problems. First of all, Black needs to be on his own rather than being part of a group, at least for a good while. At the same time, shouldn’t Black be able to handle them on his own? It doesn’t seem to be asking that much.

Post match Miz and Hayes lay Black out.

Alexa Bliss wants the Money In The Bank briefcase but stops to talk to Charlotte, who is outside of Nick Aldis’ office. Charlotte says they were never friends but Giulia walks out of the office. Aldis comes out and says Giulia is on Smackdown. Makes sense as there was no need for her to be in NXT for the long term.

We look at Tiffany Stratton cashing in her Money In The Bank briefcase to beat Nia Jax for the Women’s Title. Now Jax wants her title back.

Here is Drew McIntyre for a chat. The only thing in that video from Damian Priest that was true was all of the violence they have inflicted on each other. McIntyre has beaten Priest a few times now and Priest can’t let it go. The reality is that Priest has cost McIntyre over and over and this has to end, so he’ll see Priest in a cage next Saturday. As McIntyre goes to leave, he runs into Solo Sikoa and company on the way to the ring for Sikoa’s match. Simple and to the point here, which is what the feud needs. We’ve seen them fight enough already.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Rey Fenix vs. Jimmy Uso

JC and Jacob Fatu are here with Sikoa, who drops Fenix to start. Uso and Fenix knock Sikoa outside though, leaving Fenix to kick Uso in the head. They chop it out until Fenix hits a springboard missile dropkick. Sikoa pulls Jimmy to the floor for a ram into the announcers’ table, only for Fenix to dive onto both of them. Back in and Spinning Solo plants Fenix before Rock Bottoming Uso onto the table.

We take a break and come back with Uso going up top, where Fenix catches him with a shot to the head. Uso superkicks Fenix out of the air but Sikoa drops Uso to give us a three way breather. Sikoa hits a pair of running Umaga Attacks in the corners but Uso superkicks him into a rollup from Fenix. Back up and Fenix’s rope walk kick to the face hits Uso. Cue Sikoa’s monsters to offer distractions though, allowing Sikoa to hit the Samoan Spike to pin Fenix at 13:07.

Rating: C+. It was nice to have a match with a bit more drama, as Sikoa has bragged about doing a lot of things but hasn’t been able to make the m happen. If nothing else, it’s nice to see him getting the chance to succeed, even if it isn’t likely going to go anywhere. At the same time, Fenix isn’t exactly on fire yet and that’s not a great sign for his future.

Post match LA Knight runs in for the brawl but Nick Aldis says it’s Knight vs. JC right now.

LA Knight vs. JC Mateo

Mateo is in street clothes and powers Knight down to start. Knight’s rollup doesn’t work at all so he grabs a headlock instead. With that broken up, Knight’s running shoulder gets him nowhere but a neckbreaker works a bit better. Knight hammers away in the corner but Mateo runs him over with an elbow to the face. A belly to belly is cut off and Knight is back with a middle rope bulldog.

Back up and Mateo suplexes him over the top for the big crash. We take a break and come back with Mateo hitting something like a spinebuster. Another overhead belly to belly sends Knight flying and Mateo grabs a waistlock. Back up and Mateo sends him outside, where Mateo posts himself by mistake.

Knight makes the comeback and hits a neckbreaker into a reverse DDT. Mateo is right back with the swinging belly to back suplex into a standing moonsault to leave them both down. Knight is back up but dives onto Sikoa and Fatu. That’s enough of a distraction for Mateo to grab the Tour Of The Islands (spinning reverse powerslam) for the pin at 15:24.

Rating: B-. This was a fine way to get Mateo off to a strong start, as he is another monster around Solo Sikoa, but nothing close to the rest. Mateo is more about technical skill and power, which isn’t something you see very often. Good start here, even if it meant that Knight had to take another loss.

Post match Mateo and company pose, with Fatu holding up the title not sitting so well.

We look back at Berto standing up to Santos Escobar.

Escobar talks to Angel and is willing to forgive Berto, but he needs Angel to find him.

Shinsuke Nakamura is not scared of Aleister Black and he is sharpening his katana into an unstoppable blade.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tiffany Stratton runs into Jade Cargill, who wants the title. Stratton isn’t worried about Cargill getting the briefcase. Naomi can be seen watching in the background.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton

Stratton is defending. They circle each other a few times to start before Jax goes with the power. That means Stratton can have her handspring cut off and Jax drops her onto the top rope. A running hip attack sends Stratton into the post and we take a break. Back with Stratton being sent hard into the post but avoiding another hip attack. A hurricanrana sends Jax into the post and a high crossbody gives Stratton two back inside.

Jax’s Samoan drop into a backsplash gets two so Stratton grabs a belly to belly for two. Jax sitout powerbombs her into a legdrop for two so she goes up. Stratton is right there to cut her off and a super small package gets two more. Cue Naomi with a chair but Jade Cargill cuts her off. That leaves Jax to hit the post and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever…gets two?

Jax shoves her off the top for a crash to the floor and it’s time to clear the announcers’ table. A Samoan drop onto the table plants Stratton and they head back inside. The Annihilator is loaded up but Stratton tries a powerbomb, only to pull Jax down onto her…for two as Stratton grabs the rope. Jax tries to bring in a chair but Stratton dropkicks it into her face. The Prettiest Moonsault Ever retains the title at 13:46.

Rating: B. They were rolling near the end there and it’s a big deal for Stratton to hopefully wrap things up with Jax. Beating the former champion without the briefcase helps and I can even forgive Stratton surviving a bigger than usual Annihilator. Odds are Jax will be in Money In The Bank, but as long as she doesn’t win, it should be a good enough deal for her in the short term.

Overall Rating: B-. The focus has definitely shifted hard towards Money In The Bank and that is a good thing. Without Cena here this week, there wasn’t much else to focus on so instead they built towards the ladder matches and Fraxiom vs. the Street Profits. Throw in a title match main event and the show worked out. Just please get us down to two hours again, as these longer shows are not doing it any favors.

Results
Alexa Bliss b. Chelsea Green and Michin – Sister Abigail DDT to Green
Fraxiom b. DIY – Rollup to Gargano
Aleister Black b. Carmelo Hayes via DQ when Miz interfered
Solo Sikoa b. Rey Fenix and Jimmy Uso – Samoan Spike to Fenix
JC Mateo b. LA Knight – Tour Of The Islands
Tiffany Stratton b. Nia Jax – Prettiest Moonsault Ever

Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com 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: May 9, 2025
Location: Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the last show before tomorrow’s Backlash event and that means we might be getting one more match added to the pay per view card. Other than that, John Cena is in the house and that means we should be in for a little more hype up between Cena and Randy Orton. Let’s get to it.

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

Damian Priest is ready to get his US Title back but LA Knight comes in to say he wants the title. They’re willing to work together tonight though.

LA Knight/Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu

Sikoa jumps Priest to start things fast but Priest runs him over without much trouble. A rebound lariat misses for Priest though and Sikoa bails to the floor, where Fatu offers a distraction. Knight and Priest argue until we take a break. Back with Priest fighting out of a chinlock but Sikoa knocks Knight off the apron in a smart move.

The Samoan drop gives Sikoa two and hands it off to Fatu, which the fans seem to like. Priest fights up and drops Sikoa, allowing the hot tag off to Knight to clean house. The spelling elbow hits Fatu and Knight loads up the top rope elbow, only for Priest to tag himself in. Knight does the same to break up the South Of Heaven and the BFT plants Sikoa for the pin at 10:08.

Rating: B-. Perfectly nice story advancement here and that’s what it needed to be. The story of the title match seems to be Knight and Priest needing to get together to beat Fatu but not being able to work together. This match showed how well it can work when they are on the same page, but that isn’t likely to be the case tomorrow.

Post match Fatu takes out Knight and Priest but gets Claymored by Drew McIntyre. My goodness McIntyre vs. Fatu one on one sounds glorious.

A rather pro-John Cena R-Truth is in the back (complete with a sign) when Jimmy Uso comes in to ask what he’s doing. R-Truth still isn’t convinced that Cena has really gone bad, leaving Uso confused.

Drew McIntyre isn’t sure why Damian Priest is getting a title shot when McIntyre already beat him at Wrestlemania. He doesn’t think much of Knight either, and Fatu being all gas and no brakes means he’s going to hit a wall at some point. That wall is McIntyre as the US Champion. Good stuff here from McIntyre, as usual.

We recap Chelsea Green’s recent issues.

Green and the Secret Hervice held a funeral for her title reign when Nick Aldis and Zelina Vega came in. The three of them imply that Vega has no friends, so Aldis made a tag match for later tonight.

Video on Aleister Black.

Chelsea Green/Piper Niven vs. Zelina Vega/???

Vega’s partner is….the returning Alexa Bliss. Yeah that works. Vega takes Niven down to start but gets caught with a release World’s Strongest Slam. It’s quickly off to Green, who misses a splash, allowing Vega to hit a double 619. Green is back up to cut off the tag though and Niven elbows Vega as we take a break.

Back with Niven cutting off the tag attempt again but Vega plants her with a DDT. The tag brings in Bliss to clean house, including a running Blockbuster for two on Green. Bliss catches her in the Tree Of Woe for a running dropkick and Twisted Bliss connects but Niven makes the save. Bliss’ superkick sends Niven into a Code Red but Niven rolls out to the floor. Vega takes out Niven and it’s a Sister Abigail DDT to finish Green at 8:17.

Rating: C+. It’s nice to have Bliss back and hopefully she can just be herself without all of the Wyatt Sicks stuff. She’s a big enough star on her own already and doesn’t need to do all of the supernatural nonsense on the side. If nothing else, there is always the chance that she could go after Vega for the title, which isn’t a bad idea for both of them.

Rey Fenix cuts Santos Escobar off because he already beat Escobar last week. Legado del Fantasma runs in to jump Fenix until agents and Andrade come in to clear things out.

We look at John Cena vs. Randy Orton in the Cell in 2014.

Here is Charlotte for a chat. She’s fresh off the greatest women’s match in Wrestlemania history and she took Tiffany Stratton to the limit. Now she’s here to announce her path back to the title. The fans aren’t pleased and she wants to know why they are so disrespectful to her. If they don’t lighten up, she’s leaving and never coming back to this town. Charlotte goes to leave but gets cut off by Jade Cargill, who is here for a #1 contenders match. Cargill even tells her to go to the back of the line, which isn’t likely to go well for her.

Post break, Charlotte goes to leave but Alexa Bliss is waiting in her car for a staredown.

Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax

For a future Women’s Title match so here is Tiffany Stratton to watch from ringside. They trade lockups to start with Jax shoving her down. It works so well that she does it again so Cargill fires off her own running shoulder. The Samoan drop cuts Cargill off for two and we take a break.

Back with Cargill powering her up for her own Samoan drop (nicely done) and grabbing a regular suplex. Some superkicks into a spinebuster give Cargill two but Jax is back with a sitout powerbomb for the same. For some reason Jax goes up top but gets slammed down (there’s your reason), setting up Cargill’s frog splash for two more. A pump kick gives Cargill two more…and here is Naomi to jump Stratton at ringside. The distraction lets Jax run Cargill over and hit the Annihilator for the pin at 10:03.

Rating: B. This turned into a heck of a fight because Cargill was getting to show off her power stuff, which not many people can do with Jax. I was getting into seeing these two hammer on each other until one of them couldn’t get up. Unfortunately they had to go with the screwy ending, but at the end of the day, you can’t have Cargill take a clean fall and Jax needs to get the title shot.

Michin and B-Fab praise the Street Profits for their TLC match.

Here are the Street Profits for a chat. They’ve been the talk of the town in recent weeks and just had the greatest TLC match of all times (eh….) and it even involved a prosthetic leg. Cue Fraxiom to interrupt and say they’re happy to be here. Now they want a title shot, but the Profits are a bit shocked after Fraxiom has only been around for a few weeks.

Street Profits vs. Fraxiom

Non-title and we’re joined in progress with Dawkins (with his bad arm) flipping over Frazer. A headlock takeover takes Dawkins over with a headlock but he’s right back up to tackle Frazer onto the announcers’ table. Ford (with his bad ribs) comes in to take over on Frazer and it’s quickly back to Dawkins for a running splash.

Dawkins’ spinning splash in the corner gets two but Frazer spins up to hit a dive to the floor. Axiom hits his own dive and we take an early break. Back with Frazer and Dawkins making a double tag, with Ford hitting a hard clothesline to Axiom. The standing moonsault gives Ford two and it’s back to Frazer, who gets superkicked down.

Frazer fights back but gets caught in a Doomsday Blockbuster for two, with Axiom making the save. Axiom superkicks a diving Ford in the ribs and super Spanish Flies Dawkins down. Frazer adds the Phoenix splash but Ford dives in for the save, taking out Axiom as well. Ford kicks Frazer down, only to miss the frog splash and bang up the ribs again. A missile dropkick/legsweep combination finishes Ford at 13:32.

Rating: B. Fraxiom continues to have one good match after another and that was the case again here. It’s great to see them getting out there and doing their thing with the better teams, because there was nothing left to do in NXT. There’s a good chance we’ll see this again soon and I’ve heard far worse ideas.

Respect is shown post match.

Tiffany Stratton is looking for Naomi but finds Nia Jax instead. Jax is ready to win the title back, but Stratton is going to send her to the losers’ table with Charlotte.

Video on Gunther vs. Pat McAfee, including a long recap of how they got to Backlash.

Miz gives Carmelo Hayes a pep talk before he faces Aleister Black. Granted this one should go better, because Miz won’t be out of place like Hayes was last week.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Aleister Black

Miz is here with Hayes. Black chills in the corner to start before pulling him into a headlock. Back up and Hayes strikes away in the corner, earning him some glaring from Black. They head outside with Black hitting a middle rope moonsault but Hayes kicks him over the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Black hitting a running boot to the head to catch Hayes on top. One heck of a jumping knee to the head drops Hayes again and it’s time to trade forearms. Black gets the better of things and hits a springboard moonsault but Hayes knees out of a suplex. Back up and Black grabs a brainbuster for two so Miz gets on the apron. Black sends them together and rolls Hayes up for the pin at 9:11.

Rating: C+. I was expecting a bit more, as Black still has one of the coolest finishers in wrestling. That makes a heel collision and a rollup finish a bit less than optimal, especially so soon after Black returned. Not much to this one, but at least some of the spots before the ending were impressive.

Post match Black gives Miz Black Mass. That’s better.

Solo Sikoa says he and Jacob Fatu need a game plan, but Fatu just wants to wreck people. Sikoa: “Ok.”

The Motor City Machine Guns are proud of Fraxiom and they know they’ll face each other one day. DIY runs in and lays both of them out.

Los Garza vs. Rey Fenix/Andrade

Fenix cleans house to start fast, including a cradle for two on Garza. Berto comes in to take Fenix into the corner and a dropkick gets two. Fenix rolls over for the tag off to Andrade to take over without much trouble. We take a break and come back with Andrade grabbing a poisonrana on Berto, allowing a double tag. Fenix hits a quick rope walk kick to the head, plus a wristdrag, to take both of them down.

Andrade comes back in for a knockdown but gets kicked in the head by Berto to leave everyone on the mat. Berto is back up with a moonsault to Fenix with Andrade making a save. Fenix grabs a hurricanrana but gets reversed into a sunset flip, only for Escobar’s distraction to take the referee away. Fenix’s rope walk kick takes out Garza and Andrade hits the Message to pin Berto at 10:25.

Rating: B-. This was more fun stuff and that’s what you would expect from these four. It made for a good showcase of Fenix and Andrade, the latter of whom usually does well when he is given the chance. Los Garza might not win very often, but at least they look good while they are out there.

Post match Escobar yells at Los Garza, with Berto standing up to him and leaving on his own. Garza isn’t sure what to do.

Backlash rundown.

Here is John Cena for the big closing. After getting his corrected introduction, Cena says everyone’s childhood dies tomorrow. Randy Orton is not here tonight and that is because he took Cena’s advice from last week. Cena goes over his history with Orton and how much success they have had. If you are part of this generation, you have picked one of them over the other but tomorrow, everything ends.

Everyone has to pick one more time and the reality is Orton has been lying to himself for years. Orton has never been held accountable for any of failures. He is the greatest of all time at not living up to his potential. Cena is the greatest of all time at hustle. Orton is a Laz-E-Boy and coasts, which is what he describes as loyalty. Cena is the greatest of all time at being loyal.

Orton has to beg for respect because no one knows Bob Orton Sr. and the only thing Bob Orton Jr. ever accomplished was knocking up Orton’s mom. The only thing Randy has ever done is ride on Cena’s coattails. Tomorrow, Randy kills his own legend, by being just like his 2006 drug test (that gets a gasp): a FAILURE. Cena is the greatest of all time because he IS respect.

Someone in a mask comes in to try an RKO but gets caught with an AA. Then the real Orton comes in for an RKO to leave Cena laying. I’m not sure what to make of Cena’s promo, but given that it’s the last time he’ll probably ever talk about Orton (barring a rematch), he probably wanted to get in every line he had about him. I’m not sure the whole thing worked though, as this felt like something Cena would say as a hero rather than a villain.

Overall Rating: B-. As usual, this was a good example of how Smackdown does not need to be three hours. There is a strong go home show to Backlash in there somewhere with stuff being made for later, but a lot of it feels like filler because they had too much time to cover. It could have been a lot worse, but cutting this down by about 30-45 minutes would have been so much better. I’m fairly interested in Backlash and this show boosted it up a bit, so we’ll call it enough of a success.

Results
LA Knight/Damian Priest b. Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu – BFT to Sikoa
Alexa Bliss/Zelina Vega b. Chelsea Green/Piper Niven – Sister Abigail DDT to Green
Nia Jax b. Jade Cargill – Annihilator
Fraxiom b. Street Profits – Missile dropkick/legsweep combination to Ford
Aleister Black b. Carmelo Hayes – Black Mass
Rey Fenix/Andrade b. Los Garza – Message to Berto

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: April 21, 2025
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

So we’re finally done with Wrestlemania and there are a lot of changes to cover. First of all, we have two new World Champions as Jey Uso and John Cena are the top stars in the company, having defeated Gunther and Cody Rhodes. Those are on top of a rather long list that I’m sure we’ll get to this week. Let’s get to it.

Here is Wrestlemania if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of Wrestlemania Week in Las Vegas.

Here is John Cena to get things going, again with the black screen other than just his name. Hold on though as Cena does not like his ring introduction and hands the ring announcer a paper with the proper way to do it. Cena is the Unseen 17 and the greatest of all time, but he says that he doesn’t owe us an apology. On Friday, everyone bullied him but now that he has some gold, the people want to cheer him?

That is an unhealthy relationship and not the way you treat your wife or child. The people should give him an apology but we get a WE’RE NOT SORRY chant. Cena says the people are pathetic and mean nothing to him before soaking in some negative chants. Cena has taken all kinds of shots over the years and this isn’t going to be the crowd that breaks him. What matters is the 36 dates (which appears on the screen).

No matter what happens, Cena is on his way out and runs down the dates he’s already appeared this year. That brings us down to 27 dates (Cena: “Not matches! Appearances.”). The fans say he doesn’t wrestle but he doesn’t have to. All he has to do is show up and do this. When that countdown hits zero, the professional wrestling countdown stops cold. Now of course there will be another Raw and another champion, but the title of Bruno Sammartino, Steve Austin, Roman Reigns and everyone else is coming home with him.

All he has to do is keep playing us like the puppets we are because they lost their best chance to stop him last night with Cody Rhodes. The reality is there is no one in WWE with the strength, speed or RUTHLESS AGGRESSION of John Cena. However, Cena has a heart so he tells us to take out our cameras. Take your pictures because the last real champion is here. Then Randy Orton pops up and Cena turns around (Cena: “S***!”) for an RKO. With Backlash in St. Louis, that makes all the sense in the world. It was also an outstanding promo from Cena, who continues to flow so naturally as a heel that it’s almost unbelievable.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez vs. Becky Lynch/Lyra Valkyria

Lynch, who returned last night, and Valkyria, are defending. Lynch’s kicks to various parts of Morgan put her down and it’s already off to Valkyria to kick the villains down. Stereo dropkicks through the ropes have Morgan and Rodriguez down again and we take a break. Back with Lynch fighting back and blocking Oblivion. The Manhandle Slam gets two with Rodriguez coming in for the save.

Everyone goes up top and Morgan grabs a sunset bomb on Lynch. Rodriguez hits a super bomb for two on Valkyria, who gets up for the Nightwing to Rodriguez but Morgan makes the save. Lynch gets posted and Valkyria big boots Valkyria in the face for two more. Rodriguez tries to powerbomb Morgan onto Valkyria but only hits raised knees. Valkyria sends Rodriguez outside but knocks her into Lynch, with the distraction letting Morgan hit Oblivion for the pin and the titles at 11:54.

Rating: B. This turned into a heck of a back and forth match and I kind of like the rapid fire title changes. Lynch and Valkyria got their big moment last night with the surprise return, but they aren’t a regular team and this brings back some stability to the titles, with the long term champions holding them again. If also frees Valkyria from being a double champion, which didn’t need to happen.

Post match Rodriguez and Morgan leave and Lynch erupts on Valkyria, beating her down and screaming at her. Lynch teases leaving a few times but comes back for a few Manhandle Slams. That’s either going to make Lynch the second Intercontinental Champion or give Valkyria by far her biggest wins to date.

We look at Paul Heyman turning on Roman Reigns and CM Punk to join Seth Rollins on Saturday.

New Day is coming to the ring and get a nod of approval from Karrion Kross.

Here is New Day for a chat. They tell us to get down on our knees and thank God for them. They are the greatest team of all time and no one, dead or alive, can touch them. Cue the Alpha Academy, with Maxxine Dupri bringing up the Academy beating them in sixty seconds. The challenge is issued and decline, so Dupri dubs them the Minute Men. That’s enough to get the title match and here’s a referee.

Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. Alpha Academy

New Day is defending but the lights go dim and…..Rusev is back. New Day bails and Rusev wrecks the Academy with no trouble. No match. He had been rumored to come back and while I’m not sure how far he’ll go, it’s better than having him sit on the sidelines for the better part of ever.

Judgment Day celebrates their new titles when Finn Balor comes in to glare at Dominik Mysterio. Balor breaks into a smile and congratulates him but Carlito thinks he and Balor should get some titles of their own.

Here is Iyo Sky for a chat. Last night was the best night of her career because she beat the best in the world to prove that SHE is the best. Now no one will ever forget her because she is the Genius of the Sky and the Women’s World Champion. Cue Stephanie Vaquer (NXT Women’s Champion) to say that she wants to fight the best. The challenge is on for right now so Adam Pearce makes the match.

Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Non-title. Feeling out process to start with neither being able to get very far. Sky blocks an O’Connor roll attempt and they stare at each other a bit, followed by Sky sending her outside. The big suicide dive connects but Vaquer gets in a dive off the barricade as we take a break. Back with Sky armdragging her off the top and nailing a missile dropkick. The Bullet Train gets two but Vaquer is right back up with a Meteora.

The SVB (a butterfly backbreaker) is blocked and Sky stomps her down for two. Instead Vaquer is back up with the Devil’s Kiss (figure four necklock with Vaquer sending her face first into the mat) to quite the reception. Back up and Sky snaps off a German suplex, only for Vaquer to hit one of her own. They’re both down and get a FIGHT FOREVER chant so they go up top, where Sky hits a super Spanish Fly. Sky gets up and here is Roxanne Perez to jump Sky for the DQ at 13:58.

Rating: B-. They were having a good match and thankfully went with the most logical ending. What mattered here was getting Vaquer a quick look on the main roster with a top talent and she more than lived up to the task. The ending keeps everything going and boosts up Perez vs. Vaquer for the title this week on NXT.

Post match Giulia (from NXT) runs in to go after Sky, with Perez beating on Vaquer. Cue Rhea Ripley for the save. Ripley stares down Giulia and the villains leave, with Ripley saying she’s coming for Sky’s title.

We look at Jey Uso’s rise up to the main event.

Here is Uso for his World heavyweight Championship celebration. After doing the YEET thing again, he says he is so grateful to finally have the title on his shoulder. He is ready to put in the work every week to keep it and asks for the catchphrase. Cue Sami Zayn to interrupt and give Jey a big hug. It was hard for him to miss Wrestlemania because just like Jey, he is a game day player and it’s hard to not be in the ring.

The thing is, he had to be the first one to stand in this ring and congratulate him on being the new champion. Every single person in this building knows that Jey deserves that and we are here to celebrate, so hit his music. The celebration is on and here is Jimmy Uso to join in with no issues. This was a nice moment and it was refreshing to not have another turn from these guys.

Last night, Logan Paul denied any knowledge of interference in his match. He’ll face anyone, anywhere, anytime.

AJ Styles says he’s ok with the loss last night and he’s ready to bounce back. Karrion Kross and Scarlett come in to yell about Styles being the best around here but now he’s legitimized Logan Paul. Styles does not want to be the old, evil version of himself before and tells Kross to go solve the problem himself. Kross: “Maybe I will.”

We come back from a break with Gunther yelling at commentary, getting on Cole for saying negative things about him. Gunther shoves McAfee and chokes Cole, earning a shot from McAfee. Agents and referees come in and Gunther chokes McAfee out while trying to hold back some other people (possibly people from McAfee’s show). Gunther is FINALLY dragged off and McAfee is revived but has to be helped out.

After a break, Cole and McAfee are going to the trainer’s room and Joe Tessitore has taken over commentary. Cole starts to go back to the ring but Adam Pearce tells him to take the rest of the night off. Cole says Gunther might have broken his nose but he isn’t going to let some bully not let him do his job. That gets a big reaction and Cole comes back to commentary to join Tessitore, with the fans cheering for Cole, which you do not hear very often.

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio

Mysterio, with Judgment Day, is defending and stomps Penta down in the corner to start. Penta fights up and hits a crossbody before knocking Mysterio down again. We take an early break and come back with Penta in control, including a running Canadian Destroyer. Mysterio rolls outside for a breather though and Finn Balor gives him a pep talk. Penta hurricanranas Balor into Mysterio but cue JD McDonagh to shove Penta off the top. The frog 619 and frog splash retain the title at 8:02.

Rating: C+. McDonagh being back is another boost for the team, but it feels like Balor’s days as part of the lineup are numbered. There is something interesting about the idea of Balor constantly acting like the leader but never being able to win anything or come up with a plan. That very well could be leading to a shift in power and that could be rather interesting.

We get an old school style newsreel on El Grande Americano’s win at Wrestlemania, including shots of the massive celebrations in the streets. He’s earned them.

Here are Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman for a chat. The fans want CM Punk or Roman Reigns but Rollins starts talking about how he is a visionary. He is also the winner of the main event of Wrestlemania…and here is Punk. The brawl is on but Punk turns his attention to Heyman, allowing Rollins to beat him down. Heyman says they are going to say this all the way until Wrestlemania XLII, but there is a new reigning, defending, undisputed top star in WWE and he is Seth Rollins.

Cue Reigns (Rollins throws Punk outside) to charge into the ring and hit the spear on Rollins. That leaves Heyman all alone though and Reigns drops him with a Superman Punch. The spear is loaded up…and BRON BREAKKER cuts Reigns off with a Super Spear. Breakker and Rollins have a staredown and Breakker drops Punk with a Super Spear.

Rollins hugs Breakker and tells him to take out Reigns again. Reigns fights back with a shot to the face but Breakker runs around the ring and hits a Super Spear through the barricade. Rollins Stomps Punk and poses with Heyman and Breakker as we now have two Paul Heyman Guys.

Oh that’s a very intriguing way to go as Breakker fits in perfectly as a Paul Heyman Guy and could easily be moved into a main event slot. I like this a lot and it has all kinds of potential. If nothing else, you can see the huge tag match at Backlash from here. Heck of a way to end the show with a big surprise and a smart one at that.

Overall Rating: B. This was a very wrestling lite show and as usual, that’s not the point of the post Wrestlemania Raw. This week was all about the fallout and the big moves going forward. We had returns, a big reveal in the end and several matches/feuds being teased for the near future. I liked this show a lot and it felt more like a traditional post Wrestlemania Raw, which is nice to see after something of an absence.

Results
Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez b. Becky Lynch/Lyra Valkyria – Oblivion to Valkyria
Iyo Sky b. Stephanie Vaquer via DQ when Roxanne Perez interfered
Dominik Mysterio b. Penta – Frog splash

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

Wrestlemania XLI Night One
Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, Pat McAfee
God Bless America: Jelly Roll

We have finally arrived with the biggest two nights of the year. The show is stacked as always and that means we should be in for a major event. There are multiple titles on the line and there is always the chance that we will have some surprises, including the question of who Paul Heyman will side with in the main event. Let’s get to it.

Various people came to work today.

The set looks like a big casino, which looks rather good.

The opening video talks about knowing the whole story, but realizing that this is just the beginning. We look at some famous Wrestlemania moments and legends and this is the realest it has ever been. There are legendary stories and sometimes they are true.

Here is HHH to open things up. After his usual speech thanking the fans and hyping up the show, we’re ready to go.

Raw World Title: Jey Uso vs. Gunther

Uso is challenging and comes to the ring with a DJ, people waving big YEET flags and the Las Vegas Raiders cheerleaders. The stadium goes NUTS for the entrance and it must be amazing to realize that those people are going that nuts for you and you alone. After the Big Match Intros, we’re ready to go with Uso seemingly favoring his wrist. They lock up and Jey actually knocks him down, with Gunther needing a breather on the floor.

Back in and Gunther grabs a headlock takeover but gets enziguried right back to the floor. Gunther gets back in and grabs him to slow things down, setting up a huge chop to knock Jey off the top and out to the floor. Jey gets back in and gets chopped some more, including a running one in the corner. A sudden spear gives Jey two but Gunther chops him down again. Jey counters the powerbomb into a Samoan drop so he goes up, only to get superplexed back down.

The dropkick into a powerbomb gets two but Jey is back with another spear. The Superfly Splash connects for two and Gunther is ready to walk out. That does work for the referee or Jey, the latter of whom charges into a belt shot. Gunther hits the top rope splash and fires off the elbows to the head before grabbing the sleeper. Jey makes it to the ropes and Gunther’s frustration is growing rapidly.

More chops have Jey laughing as we’re getting reminiscent of Roman Reigns against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXXI. Jey fights up with a clothesline and a German suplex but Gunther dropkicks him down again. Gunther’s powerbomb is countered into a powerbomb from Jey, followed by some superkicks. Three straight Superfly Splashes have Gunther getting back to his feet but Jey pulls him into a sleeper for the tap and the title at 16:33.

Rating: B. They actually did it. I know they’ve set this title change up for months now but I didn’t think they would actually pull the trigger on the change. Good for them for making a new star, as Jey is one of the most popular stars in all of the company and they needed to capitalize on it. I have no idea how long the title reign will last, but at least he has this one big moment. The match was good too, with Jey overwhelming Gunther, which has been his kryptonite for a long time. I’m not sure what is next for Gunther, but going after Cody wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Pyro goes off and Jimmy Uso comes in to celebrate. Jey gets to leave through the crowd in a great moment.

We recap New Day’s heel turn from four months ago, when they had a bunch of momentum. Then they just kind of waited around and did nothing important for a long time, but now they’re getting a title shot against the War Raiders. The champions feel like afterthoughts, but New Day isn’t exactly red hot anymore.

Raw Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. War Raiders

The Raiders are defending and New Day gets quite the negative reception, even arguing with NFL star George Kittle at ringside. Commentary spends the entrance talking about Clash Of Clans, with McAfee being either a huge fan or really good at reading a script. The Raiders jump them to start and send New Day outside for a running crossbody against the ring board.

Back in and a belly to back suplex/top rope legdrop combination gets two on Woods but Kingston pulls him outside. Erik’s dive is cut off and a top rope dive hits him on the back so New Day can take over. A double stomp gives Woods two and we stop for a Ric Flair strut. Poetry In Motion misses though and it’s back to Ivar to pick up the pace. The basement crossbody and seated senton splash out of the corner rock New Day but Kingston kicks him in the head.

Woods hits the Honor Roll but Erik breaks up the Daybreak. Trouble In Paradise hits Erik but Ivar kicks Kingston down. The Doomsault gets two, with Woods making a save with a Limit Break elbow. Woods and Erik slug it out but another Honor Roll is broken up. The War Machine is broken up though and Daybreak, with Kingston holding the leg, gives us new champions at 9:12.

Rating: C+. The match was good, but the story has felt ice cold. The problem boils down to one thing: the entire point of New Day’s heat is built around Big E. and if he isn’t there, why should I be interested? I know Big E. can’t get in the ring, but he can’t make an appearance? Maybe that comes soon, but it’s holding back everything they do.

We recap Jade Cargill vs. Naomi. Back in November, someone attacked Cargill and Naomi had to take her place as a Women’s Tag Team Champion. Then Cargill came back and attacked Naomi, revealing that she was the attacker. Naomi said she did it for her friendship with Bianca Belair, with Cargill just jumping to the front of the line. Then Naomi kept running her mouth and got wrecked by Cargill. Now they’re having a match, even after Naomi has gotten beaten up a few times already.

Jade Cargill vs. Naomi

Naomi keeps up her PROCEED WITH CAUTION theme, complete with a bunch of caution tape. Apparently enough is enough and it’s time for a change. Cargill on the other hand gets an introduction featuring a reporter from the Weather Channel, because a storm is coming. Cargill starts fast and sends her outside for a heck of a whip into the barricade. Naomi manages a ram into the steps to take over and they head inside for a big legdrop. The chinlock goes on and Cargill has to adjust her gear.

Cargill is back up with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker before pulling Naomi’s Blockbuster out of the air for a Jackhammer. Because that’s something one human can do to another. It works so well that Naomi goes up again, only to dive into a slam. Naomi kicks her down though and hits the split legged moonsault for two, followed by some basement superkicks. Naomi’s big kick to the head misses though, allowing Cargill to muscle her up for a NASTY spinning powerbomb. Jaded finishes Naomi at 9:26.

Rating: C+. Well, this could have been far worse. I’m not sure why it went that long when Cargill should have been smashing through Naomi, but they didn’t have any major botches. Throw in Cargill’s offense getting to look awesome and this was a good showcase for Cargill. Naomi never had a chance of winning and that’s an acceptable way to go with something like this.

We recap LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu for the US Title.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu

Knight, driving in a Maserati, is defending and slugs away to start. A neckbreaker puts Fatu down but the BFT is blocked, leaving Knight confused. Fatu slowly hammers away and screams a lot, setting up a suplex drop across the top as Knight’s ribs are banged up. Knight goes after the knee for a breather and goes up, only to dive into a powerslam. The Samoan drop is countered into a crucifix driver and they’re both down again.

Back up and Fatu is sent face first into the post and a running knee to the face smashes him again. Knight sends him shoulder first into the post a few times and goes up for the standing elbow drop. Fatu is back with a superkick but his moonsault is broken up. Knight runs the corner for the belly to back release superplex for the big crash.

That’s shrugged off as well and Fatu hits three straight running hip attacks in the corner. A Swanton gives Fatu two so he goes up for the moonsault, which is pulled into a BFT (not a bad one either). Fatu grabs the rope though and Knight is a bit stunned and frustrated. Fatu knocks him off the top and hits a pair of triple jump moonsaults for the pin and the title at 10:40.

Rating: B-. They had to do the title change here, as Fatu is not someone who should be losing a singles match, especially on this stage. He comes off as the biggest monster in wrestling these days and giving him a title is a big way to boost him up. It should be interesting to see what is next for them, but what matters is getting the title on Fatu and they did that in relatively dominant style.

Post match Haku of all people comes out to celebrate. Fatu should probably give him the title just to keep the peace.

We recap Rey Fenix (replacing an injured Rey Mysterio) vs. El Grande Americano, both of whom have only been around for a few weeks. Americano is a Mexican legend but the jealous Mysterio and Fenix think it’s Chad Gable, because they can’t handle his greatness. Now it’s time for a showdown as Fenix gets to find out what lucha libre is all about.

Rey Fenix vs. El Grande Americano

Americano’s entrance is in sepia tone and a masked Mariachi band plays him to the ring. AAA star Vikingo is in the front row and Americano shoves him, earning a kick to the head. The bell rings and Fenix gets a quick rollup for two and they go to a quick test of strength. American is sent outside for a big dive off the top but Americano is back in with a German suplex.

Fenix comes back with a kick but gets suplexed into the corner. Americano goes up and hits a moonsault 450 (because that’s a thing that can be done) for two more. Fenix is back with the Black Fire Driver for two of his own but Americano knocks him away. Americano loads up the metal plate in the mask but Fenix rolls him up. Fenix goes up for a kick to the face but hits the metal plate to hurt his ankle. The ankle lock goes on but is reversed, only for Fenix to get headbutted out of the air. The top rope headbutt finishes Fenix at 7:59.

Rating: B. The action was good enough, but the whole thing was so much fun. This was just silly wrestling stuff and it worked to near perfection. Everyone is in on the joke but the villain is getting away with his lies. That’s not a bad thing and it’s working here, with the match being good as well.

Post match Vikingo helps Fenix up.

We look back at the official announcement of WWE acquiring AAA. That’s a pretty big deal.

Here is Shawn Michaels to announce the official attendance of 61,467.

We recap Tiffany Stratton defending the Smackdown Women’s Title against Charlotte. Stratton is the new star and Charlotte won the Royal Rumble to get the shot. They have traded some VERY personal insults on the way here, making it quite the controversial feud.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte

Stratton, with a Barbie theme (makes sense) is defending and they waste no time in going for the brawl. They slug it out on the mat and head to the floor, where Charlotte gets posted. Back in and Charlotte hammers away and they go back to the floor, where Stratton is sent into the barricade. Charlotte starts yelling a lot and hits Stephanie Vaquer’s Devi’s Kiss before rolling Stratton around.

Stratton breaks out of a Boston crab and hits some handspring shots in the corner, followed by the spinebuster for two. Charlotte’s rollup doesn’t work as Stratton hits a basement dropkick. Charlotte plants her down but Natural Selection is blocked. A nice sitout powerbomb gives Charlotte two but Stratton avoids a shot to the leg. Another spinebuster gives Stratton another two but Charlotte’s high crossbody gets two.

Charlotte comes up favoring her knee though and Stratton is on it, only for the good leg to kick Stratton in the face. Stratton’s knee is wrapped around the post and the Figure Four goes on. Stratton escapes again and knocks Charlotte down but the Prettiest Moonsault Ever hits raised knees. A super Natural Selection gives Charlotte two but she can’t get the Figure Four again. Instead, Stratton hits a Regal Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to retain at 19:10.

Rating: B. They had a few issues here and there but the important thing is Stratton won clean, which is what needed to happen. Stratton losing would have put her next on a long list of people beaten by Charlotte but having her get the win here is a big deal for her. I have no reason to believe Charlotte is done coming after the title, but at least she should be knocked back a few steps for the time being.

We get the Hall Of Fame video recap.

Here is the Hall Of Fame class:

Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart at Wrestlemania XIII (they’re both here and Austin will never look right in a suit)
Michelle McCool
Natural Disasters
HHH (who shakes everyone’s hands in a nice moment)

No Lex Luger, but maybe he didn’t want to be out there in his wheelchair.

We recap Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns in the main event. Rollins hates both of them, Reigns wants to prove he’s the best, and Punk is here because he wanted to be in the main event. Punk also has Paul Heyman in his corner to mess with Reigns, but Rollins has been trying to convince Heyman that neither Punk nor Reigns care for him.

Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins gets a flamethrower, Reigns has screens of members of his family, and Punk, with Paul Heyman, gets a special video looking back at his early days in WWE before Living Colour plays him to the ring. Yeah he’s earned this. Punk, in the old school hoodie and yellow trunks, rolls outside and has a talk with Heyman at the opening bell. Reigns isn’t about to wait around and hammers on Rollins, which draws Punk back in to strike away at Rollins.

Reigns is back up with the apron dropkick before sending Punk into the apron and shouting at Heyman. Rollins goes after Punk on the floor and they brawl into the crowd. Punk hits him in the back with a chair but gets hit in the head with a trashcan to cut him down. That’s broken up and Punk suplexes him onto the trashcan before they head back to ringside.

Reigns pops back up for a dive over the barricade and they’re both wiped out. It’s time to load up the announcers’ table, with Reigns managing to use the Prime station to keep them both down. Punk fights back up and takes Reigns back inside, setting up the swinging neckbreaker. The running knees in the corner set up a DDT/neckbreaker combination to put Reigns and Rollins down at the same time. The Macho Elbow gets two so Punk goes up again, only to get caught by Rollins.

Reigns pulls him down for a Doomsday Device but pops back up to Superman Punch Punk for two. The spear is cut off with a knee and Punk slugs it out with Reigns. The Anaconda Vice is broken up and Rollins busts out some Buckle Bombs. Reigns is back up with a spear to Punk but Rollins counters a spear into the Pedigree for a rather near fall. Another spear does hit Rollins, only for Punk to GTS Reigns for two and shock has set in.

Rollins Pedigrees Punk for two more and shouts at Reigns, about how neither Mox nor the Bloodline is here for him. Rollins suggests they take Punk out and Reigns eventually agrees…or at least he teases it, only to punch Rollins in the face instead. Rollins is put through the other table and a spear gives Reigns two. Reigns yells at Heyman and grabs a guillotine on Punk, which is reversed into an Anaconda Vice.

Rollins breaks that up and grabs a Sharpshooter on Punk, only for Reigns to break it up and guillotine Rollins. Punk breaks that up with a Stomp for two on Rollins and everyone is down again. Back up and Punk spears Rollins but Reigns spears Punk but gets Stomped by Rollins, leaving everyone down yet again. Hold on though as Heyman goes to grab a chair. Both Reigns and Punk hold their hands out but Heyman hands it to Punk….and then gets in the ring to hit Punk low.

Heyman shouts that HE MADE ME DO IT and hands the chair to Reigns to unload on Punk. Heyman calls him off and points out that Rollins is right there….and then Heyman hits Reigns low too. Yep that’s the best way to go right now. Rollins gets the chair (with Heyman chilling in the corner) and blasts Reigns in the back, setting up the Stomp for the pin at 32:38.

Rating: B+. The Heyman turn was at least somewhat telegraphed but that doesn’t make it a bad thing. Heyman is at his best when he finds the next big thing and then has his former protege coming for revenge and that is where we’ll be heading for a long time. Rollins winning is hardly a stretch and it felt like a huge moment for him. Solid back and forth main event and I liked it more than I was expecting. What mattered the most is it felt big and that’s what you want from the Wrestlemania main event.

Overall Rating: B. This was kind of a weird one because the big matches worked well, but there weren’t many of them. You had seven matches and three of them (opener, Women’s Title, main event) felt big. The other four were just kind of there, but none of them were bad. It was a good show which flew by, but looking at Rhodes vs. Cena tomorrow makes it feel a little less important. Still though, good show, with the twist at the end being an emotional moment.

Results
Jey Uso b. Gunther – Sleeper
New Day b. Viking Raiders – Daybreak to Ivar
Jade Cargill b. Naomi – Jaded
Jacob Fatu b. LA Knight – Triple jump moonsault
El Grande Americano b. Rey Fenix – Swan Dive
Tiffany Stratton b. Charlotte – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Seth Rollins b. CM Punk and Roman Reigns – Stomp to Reigns

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 31, 2025
Location: 02 Arena, London, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Wade Barrett

We’re wrapping up the European shows this week with one more show in London. They’re getting a big one here too, with John Cena and Cody Rhodes going face to face again, plus Rhea Ripley getting another shot at the Women’s Title. Gunther is also getting to face Jimmy Uso to get ready for Wrestlemania so let’s get to it.

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

Here is John Cena to get things going but as he puts the mic to his mouth, cue Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Rhodes says we’ve seen Cena talk for two weeks now so let Rhodes do his job for him. Let’s see: Rhodes has a bit of a lisp, so some S words don’t come out right. Like STARDUST. That’s who Cena is facing in his final Wrestlemania match in the main event: STARDUST. What else? Oh yeah: Rhodes has an arm tattoo his neck and he created his own wrestling company.

Rhodes knew Cena would go with some of these things but Rhodes is dealing with the idea that Superman is really dead. The truth is that they used to ride together and Rhodes knows that Cena cared about the people. Cena finally responds, saying he’s not going to punch down to Rhodes’ level. Instead he’s going to bury Rhodes at Wrestlemania. Cena is always accused of burying talent, but the reality is he is talent but buries mediocrity. He isn’t going to call out Rhodes for things like a lisp because Rhodes is just a chauffeur.

Rhodes thinks he found the blueprints so he can run the kingdom. For years, Rhodes sat by Cena and learned from him, then he tried to do it himself. Now he relies on cheap gimmicks like having fans chant his name to get by. Rhodes is a pied piper, as he uses cheap tricks to get people to follow him. All we get is some big mixture of every TV show that Rhodes has ever watched from a kid who is still scared of public speaking.

Cena hates seeing a pathetic nepo baby carrying the title when he had his gimmick tattooed on his neck. Rhodes is nothing but a common fan, who can go buy the Fanatics toy title and be the People’s Champion (nice touch of Cena calling out Rhodes for doing the same thing as the Rock, who got Cena to turn). Rhodes says that the people chose him, just like one man chose Cena but we don’t talk about him anymore (the fans OOO at that one). The reality is that Cena has more dick in his promo than in his jorts and he hangs out with Zac Efron and wishes he was 16 anymore.

Sure Rhodes left for his own company, but Cena didn’t even clean up his room before he went Hollywood. There are two of them in this ring right now, and which one of them sold out to the Rock? Rhodes: “John, you are still my hero, but you’re also a piece of s***.” Cena says Rhodes’ mind is full of feces and not facts. He sold out because no one is worthy of following him.

After all these years, he still finds ways to make things great, including Rhodes. Cena: “I make empires for billionaires. All you’ve ever done is steal money from their kids.” Cena goes to leave, but Rhodes says that not once have the fans told him that he can’t wrestle. THAT touches a nerve with Cena, who gets back in and they go face to face. Cena teases leaving but tries a right hand, only to walk into Cross Rhodes. With Cena down, Rhodes tucks his tie in (nice touch) and points to the Wrestlemania.

Cena was starting to go over the top supervillain here but then he and Rhodes started throwing bombs at each other. What mattered here was Cena gave something more of a clear explanation for why he turned. That gives both of them something to prove, with Rhodes needing to show that he can beat one of the best of all time and Cena wanting to prove that he still has it. Heck of a segment here.

Video on Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky.

New Day comes out for a match and Adam Pearce introduces their surprise opponents.

New Day vs. New Catch Republic

The team is back and Tyler Bate has cut off a lot of his hair, looking a lot more like he did when he made his WWE debut. Dunne easily takes Woods down so Bate can hit a Swanton, followed by a pair of dives to the floor as we take a break. Back with Dunne in trouble and Woods hitting a running dropkick in the ropes.

Kingston knocks Dunne down again but misses a charge, allowing the tag to Bate. A suplex sends Kingston out of the corner so Bate can do his airplane spin. The German suplex/rebound lariat combination gets two, as does Kingston’s SOS. Dunne is back up with a kick to Kingston but Bate’s springboard is broken up. The Daybreaker finishes Dunne at 8:52.

Rating: B-. It was nice to have the Republic getting back in the ring as they’re a good team and there will always be a place for a team like them. That being said, New Day needed the win as they have fallen pretty far since their nuclear heat after turning on Big E. Having them win the titles at Wrestlemania would be nice, but dang there would be something to having Big E. cost them the match.

Post match New Day says they want a title shot so here are the War Raiders to say come get it.

Jimmy and Jey Uso fire each other up for their matches with Gunther. Jey tells him to be careful.

Gunther vs. Jimmy Uso

Non-title. Gunther starts fast with the chops and they’re on the floor in a hurry. Back in and Jimmy sends him outside for a suicide dive but the Superfly Splash hits raised knees. Jimmy catches him on top for a superplex into the Superfly Splash for two as the hot start continues. They go outside again where Gunther drops him onto the apron, setting up that hard lariat. We take a break and come back with Gunther hitting his big dropkick. The powerbomb gets two, with Gunther pulling him up. The sleeper puts Jimmy out at 8:35.

Rating: C+. I was surprised and a bit disappointed by this one as Jimmy felt like he was going to be getting this big shot at Gunther and then it was barely a step above a squash. Gunther kicked out of the Superfly Splash and then just mauled him. That’s not the most thrilling match, but at least Gunther looked like a monster again.

Post match the beatdown is on but Jey Uso makes the save.

Post break Jey helps Jimmy out but Gunther runs back in and beats both of them down. Gunther isn’t done and zip ties Jey to the ropes, allowing him to beat Jimmy up even more. He taunts Jey and gets in a belt shot to knock Jimmy off the apron. Jimmy is busted open and Gunther rubs the blood on his own chest. Jey tries to pull Jimmy to him but Gunther pulls him back for elbows to the head and a sleeper. Gunther: “HELP YOUR BROTHER!” Agents and security finally come in for the save. This was awesome and some good, old school heeling from Gunther, who is going so far that Jey is going to want to get his revenge.

We recap the CM Punk/Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins contract signing for Wrestlemania, with the announcement that it’s closing the show, making Punk a Wrestlemania main eventer. Punk made it clear that is NOT the favor Paul Heyman owes him though.

Finn Balor is ready to bring gold back to the Judgment Day, but doesn’t seem pleased with Raquel Rodriguez for losing last week. Balor and most of the men leave but Carlito stays behind, only to be thrown out by the women.

Judgment Day vs. Bron Breakker/Penta

Penta gets knocked down to start but Breakker comes in to take over without much trouble. It’s already back to Penta for the slingshot dropkick in the corner to Balor, followed by a backbreaker to Mysterio. Breakker pulls the top rope down so Penta can hit a big running flip dive to the floor as we take an early break. Back with Penta hitting the Backstabber and handing it off to Breakker to clean house. The running clothesline hits Balor and a super Sling Blade takes out Mysterio. The Super Spear hits Penta by mistake though and Balor adds the Coup de Grace for the pin at 9:12.

Rating: C+. It seems that we’re getting ready for a big multi man match for the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania and Balor getting the pin here should getting him back into the title picture. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Dominik Mysterio added to the whole thing too, and having him steal the title would be great. Penta losing is a bit annoying, but it came after two finishers and miscommunication in a tag match so it’s hardly a terrible idea.

Chad Gable is still out with a medical issue, but he’ll be fine by next week for a match in his hometown. Adam Pearce says nothing is more important than his health, so next week, it’s El Grande Americano in action instead. Gable goes to leave and runs into the Alpha Academy, who he calls clowns and an idiot (Otis). Maxxine says she and Natalya have been talking and they want in the Women’s Tag Team Title picture. Oh dear.

Penta yells at Bron Breakker for the spear.

Here is AJ Styles to call out Logan Paul, who doesn’t leave him waiting long. Paul mocks the fans for not liking him, saying they’re on his time. As for Styles, Paul has had a change of heart. He’s a girl dad now, and he forgives Styles for what he did to him at Madison Square Garden. Styles has a daughter too, and forgives Paul for being the biggest douchebag ever in WWE. Paul can have all the money and fame that he wants, but the people care about what he can do in the ring.

The fans get on Paul for Prime being awful before the insults continue (with Styles kind of stumbling over his line about not letting your mouth write a check you a** can’t cash and Paul having to save it). Styles seems ready to fight but Paul teases a Wrestlemania match instead. Paul calls the fans poor and then tries a kick to the ribs, with the fight being on. They go outside but Paul gets in a low blow, setting up the Paulverizer to leave Styles laying. The Paulverizer looked great, but this feud isn’t clicking for me. It doesn’t help that it feels like the “these two have nothing else to do” feud.

Lyra Valkyria is happy with her title defense last week but now she wants to even the score with Bayley. She’ll do that next week in their title match.

Finn Balor says “he” won the tag match and wants an Intercontinental Title shot. With Balor gone, Liv Morgan says Dominik Mysterio shouldn’t be happy with this and is going to talk to Adam Pearce.

Raw Women’s Title: Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley

Ripley is challenging and Bianca Belair is guest referee. After the big match intros, Ripley hammers away into the corner but Sky fights out in a hurry. They trade rollups for two each until Ripley takes over again and we take an early break. Back with Sky hitting a running dropkick, followed by a missile dropkick to put her on the floor. Sky’s suicide dive takes Ripley down again and they go back inside, where Ripley gets caught up top.

Sky tries a super poisonrana but Ripley blocks it, setting up a….I think super Samoan drop but Sky seems to get the better of it. Weird sequence. Anyway, Sky hits the Bullet Train and goes up, only to get headbutted out of the air for two. A toss Razor’s Edge sends Sky flying for two but Belair accidentally gets decked. Riptide connects but there is no referee, with the fans counting up to about thirteen.

Back in and Sky kicks out (over a minute after Riptide connected so it’s fine), leading to an argument between Ripley and Sky. Ripley hammers on Sky in the ropes but gets wrestled down, with Ripley hitting Belair in the face. Sky comes in off the top with a (accidental) missile dropkick to Belair, who calls the double DQ at 14:45.

Rating: B. This was a big time angle with a match included and that worked well. The double DQ is a way to avoid either of them taking a fall and should get us to what will likely be a triple threat title match at Wrestlemania. This one does have a story, though dang I could go for some more singles title matches for a change. Either way, good stuff here and they did it as they should have.

Post match the big three way brawl is on with Ripley getting to stand tall. Ripley adds a super Riptide to Belair to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. It’s always impressive when there can be so little wrestling (only four matches) and yet it felt like a show that did so much for Wrestlemania. You can see most of the card from here and some of the other matches are just waiting to be set. The Rhodes/Cena segment was great and made me want to see the match that much more. This was the moving day show for Wrestlemania and that is a great feeling in Wrestlemania season. It’s the kind of show they needed to do and the next two weeks should be similar.

Results
New Day b. New Catch Republic – Daybreaker to Dunne
Gunther b. Jimmy Uso – Sleeper
Judgment Day b. Penta/Bron Breakker – Coup de Grace to Penta
Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky went to a double DQ when both attacked the referee

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

Smackdown
Date: March 28, 2025
Location: 02 Arena, London, England
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re still in Europe and this time around we’re in a rather big location. The major attraction this week is actually a contract signing between CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, which should make for some fireworks. Other than that, Braun Strowman is getting a US Title shot, which might attract some attention. Let’s get to it.

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

Various people came to work today.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Naturally the fans sing his song before Cody asks what they want to talk about. We get the dueling John Cena chants before they switch back to singing (positively) about Rhodes. He’s ready for Wrestlemania but on Monday, he and Cena will be face to face in the same arena.

Cue Randy Orton to interrupt and the fans get to sing again. Orton says he isn’t the sentimental type, but for the sake of London, he looks at Rhodes and can’t believe the man he has become. He remembers Rhodes in his early 20s, working harder than anyone but Rhodes realized that he needed to go somewhere else to grow. That took some guts, which Rhodes displayed again when he was facing Seth Rollins inside of the Cell and again when he beat Roman Reigns.

That was the end of the story, but now Rhodes is in another story. Orton respects him and loves him and he’s very proud. Now though, it is time for Wrestlemania and Orton is going to kick Kevin Owens’ head off. After Wrestlemania though, Orton is going to come after Rhodes and the title, but he’s going to look Rhodes in the eye and say he’s coming for this. Cue Drew McIntyre to interrupt, saying he is sick of these nepo babies.

Orton has been back and took more time off, because people talk about McIntyre’s five minute World Title reign than Orton’s entire comeback. That’s why Wrestlemania should be McIntyre vs. Rhodes, but Damian Priest screwed that up. If Rhodes survives Cena, McIntyre is the one taking the title from him. The reality is that Orton looks great on the outside, but his back is hanging on by a thread. Orton tries a quick RKO but McIntyre bails out to the floor. This isn’t so much adding something new to Wrestlemania, but it’s teasing something for after Wrestlemania, which is important as well.

Tag Team Titles: Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly

The Profits are defending. Dawkins headlocks Prince to start but it’s quickly off to Ford, who gets double hiptossed down. We take an early break and come back with Ford knocking Prince down and handing it back to Dawkins. A whip into the corner crotches Ford on top though and everything breaks down. Dawkins grabs a spinebuster to set up the frog splash but Ford hits the illegal Wilson, meaning Ford can get a rollup for two. A four way collision lets Pretty Deadly hit Spilled Milk on Dawkins with Ford making the save. The Doomsday Blockbuster retains the titles at 7:56.

Rating: C+. Pretty Deadly was getting to be more serious tonight in their home country and it was nice to see them getting to do something like this. They weren’t about to win the titles but the fans liked them and were into the match. There are a bunch of teams going for the belts at the moment and I hope that doesn’t result in a ladder match at Wrestlemania.

Earlier today, the Green Administration annoyed Zelina Vega and Kayden Carter/Katana Chance, with a tag match being set for tonight.

Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart, as in the match from Wrestlemania XIII, is going into the Hall Of Fame. That’s a new concept.

Kayden Carter/Katana Chance vs. Piper Niven/Alba Fyre

Chelsea Green is here with Niven and Fyre. Carter and Chance take Fyre down to start for a basement dropkick to the head. Fyre is sent outside for a pop up crossbody but Niven is back with a running crossbody. We take a break and come back with Carter fighting back, including a springboard spinning legdrop for two on Fyre. Niven accidentally crushes Fyre with a backsplash but Carter manages to Samoan drop Niven for a breather. Everything breaks down but Green offers a distraction to break up the After Party. The Piper Driver finishes Carter at 7:01.

Rating: C. You need to give the new evil team a win or two and that’s what we got here. Chance and Carter aren’t a great team but they’re good enough that people know who they are. It might not have been a great match, but it was the kind that set things off in the right direction for Niven and Fyre.

Post match the beatdown is on so Zelina Vega runs in to clear the ring, only for the numbers game to catch up with her.

US Title: Braun Strowman vs. LA Knight

Knight is defending and gets shoved down to start. A belly to back suplex isn’t happening for Knight so Strowman runs him over for two. Strowman gets low bridged to the floor, where he easily cuts Knight off with a big boot. We take a break and come back with Strowman charging into a boot in the corner to give Knight a needed breather.

Knight sends him into the corner and now the belly to back suplex connects. The jumping elbow gets two on Strowman but the BFT is easily blocked. Strowman knocks him to the floor for the train but Jacob Fatu jumps Strowman for the DQ at 6:19. Not enough shown to rate but they didn’t get very far into it anyway.

Post match Fatu easily takes both of them out, with the running hip attacks rocking Strowman in the corner. The Moonsault makes it even worse.

Jimmy Uso is fired up after slapping Gunther on Raw because he knows that Jey Uso can beat Gunther at Wrestlemania. He runs into Miz and Carmelo Hayes, the former of whose insults set up a match tonight.

Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga yell at Jacob Fatu for what he just did, but Fatu isn’t having any of that. Fatu promises to be the last man standing with Strowman and promises to bring the US Title home to the family. He’ll do it with or without Sikoa.

Naomi talks about being someone who always wants to do the right thing. This includes taking out Jade Cargill last year. How can Cargill just show up out of nowhere and take Naomi’s place? Naomi has been an influence on people for the last ten years but now she’s tired of being just another third wheel. Moving forward, if Cargill will continue to be in her way, proceed with caution.

Cargill is looking for Naomi, who hasn’t been seen here. B-Fab and Michin come in to know Cargill will give Naomi what she has coming.

We see a shadowy person with smoke and Roman numerals popping up.

Michin vs. Charlotte

B-Fab is here with Michin….and they’re both jumped by Naomi before Charlotte comes to the ring. Cue Jade Cargill to chase Naomi off, with B-Fab having to be taken out. Charlotte comes out and has a staredown with Cargill on the way. The bell rings and Charlotte gets an early two as we take a slightly less early break.

Back with Michin fighting out of a chinlock and managing a tornado DDT for two. Charlotte kicks her in the head but Michin manages a sitout powerbomb for another near fall. The cannonball sets up Eat Defeat for two as Charlotte gets her foot on the rope, which has Michin annoyed. Charlotte gets up and goes after the leg, with the Figure Eight getting the fast tap at 7:39.

Rating: C+. Michin got in some offense here but there was no reason for her to be a serious threat to Charlotte, who is on her way to another title match at Wrestlemania. Let Michin shine a bit, then have Charlotte win in the end. That’s all this needed to be and they made it work well enough.

Tiffany Stratton mocks Charlotte’s insults to her last week, because that little girl is going to retain the Women’s Title over Charlotte at Wrestlemania.

We look at HHH’s entrances over the years.

Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre

Orton grabs a quickly broken headlock to start and McIntyre starts in on the back. McIntyre gets sent into the corner for some right hands and his shoulder goes into the post. They go outside, where Orton drops him onto the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with McIntyre working on the arm but Orton fights up and makes the clothesline comeback. The powerslam looks to set up the hanging DDT but McIntyre snaps the throat across the top. Orton fights back but cue Kevin Owens for a distraction. McIntyre hits the Claymore for the pin at 7:56.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t exactly their World Title matches from a few years ago but there is only so much you can do with about eight minutes. Owens coming out for the distraction is fine and gives McIntyre one of his bigger wins in a bit. That’s what he has been needing, even if it seems like he is heading for a showdown with Damian Priest at Wrestlemania.

Post match Owens goes after Orton but can’t hit the package piledriver on the announcers’ table. The Punt is loaded up but Owens gets away.

The orange luchador is confirmed to be Rey Fenix, who will debut next week.

Jimmy Uso vs. The Miz

Uso starts fast and hammers away but Miz is back up with some knees to the back. The running boot misses though and Uso clotheslines him to the floor. Another shot takes Miz into the timekeeper’s area and we take a break. Back with Uso fighting up and striking away, only to get caught with a short arm clothesline. The DDT gives Miz two and the Yes Kicks connect. Uso is right back with a quick superkick and the Superfly Splash finishes at 7:52.

Rating: C. Another fairly short match tonight, with Uso getting some momentum before his likely destruction at the hands of Gunther on Raw. Miz is the perfect choice to give Uso a singles win as he’s been a made man for so long. Uso might not have much of a chance against Gunther, but at least he’s being built up well.

Post match Uso promises to take Gunther out on Raw.

Drew McIntyre meets a singer and goes to leave but runs into Damian Priest in the parking lot. The brawl is on and Priest chokeslams him through the windshield of a car. With Priest gone, CM Punk walks by and I managed to avoid a “real glass” joke.

We look back at the John Cena/Cody Rhodes segment from Raw.

Here is Nick Aldis to run the main event contract signing. Roman Reigns, with Paul Heyman, comes out first and appreciates the fans chanting his name. Even Heyman gets in on the act and Reigns is basking in his own glory. Reigns signs the contract and seems to think his night is done but here is Seth Rollins to interrupt.

Rollins talks about their history in this building and how they are on the same mission. Reigns points out that THEY died a long time ago, but Rollins points out the evil that is CM Punk. When Reigns had the chance to take Punk out, he let it go, which is why Rollins has to clean up Reigns’ mess again. Rollins signs as well, giving us two out of three.

This brings out Punk, who says he has come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract, but he is all out of bubblegum. Punk starts looking through the contract, which has Reigns annoyed. Reigns: “Go to page four. Clause five. Come on junior this is TV today.” Heyman goes over to Punk and says he knows what Punk is looking for….and it’s in there: the match will be closing the show, making Punk a Wrestlemania main eventer.

Punk starts crying but Rollins snaps, shouting about how Punk doesn’t deserve it. Rollins blames Heyman and Reigns for letting this happen but Punk thanks the fans here and in Louisville, Kentucky for making this happen. Reigns wants the thanks for making this happen so the fans chant his name again. Punk thanks him as well, signs, and says he’ll see him in the main event of Wrestlemania….but that’s not the favor that he is owed.

Like him or not, Punk being in the main event of Wrestlemania is far from a stretch. It’s a genuinely emotional moment for him and that’s a great thing to see. The favor aspect makes things more intriguing, and Punk’s delivery of that line made me a lot more interested.

Overall Rating: B-. As is usually the case for Wrestlemania season, the wrestling wasn’t the point here. This was about getting things ready for the show, with the contract signing giving the match the big fight feel that it needs. This was a solid enough show, with stories advancing in some very nice ways. Now just keep it up for a few more weeks and everything will go on fine.

Results
Street Profits b. Pretty Deadly – Doomsday Blockbuster to Wilson
Piper Niven/Alba Fyre b. Kayden Carter/Katana Chance – Piper Driver to Carter
Braun Strowman b. LA Knight when Jacob Fatu interfered
Charlotte b. Michin – Figure Eight
Drew McIntyre b. Randy Orton – Claymore
Jimmy Uso b. The Miz – Superfly Splash

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