Monday Night Raw
Date: November 18, 2024
Location: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re taped from the same venue as last week and the big story continues to be the build towards Survivor Series. The Raw side seems to be heading towards a women’s WarGames match and the lineup should be firmed up a bit more this week. Other than that, the men’s side is likely approaching its final form as well, with only one star left to be added. Let’s get to it.

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

Here are Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to get things going. Morgan knows Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill are gunning for her, so she has backup in the form of Nia Jax, Candice LeRae and Tiffany Stratton. Jax gets right to the point: she doesn’t think anything of Morgan and Rodriguez, but she thinks about Belair, Cargill and Naomi a lot.

Cue the trio, with Iyo Sky joining them. They need a fifth member…and here is the returning Rhea Ripley (in a protective mask), to shout WARGAMES and deck Morgan. Sky’s moonsault clears out some villains and the villains are dispatched. That got to the point and if Ripley is available, she was the only possible choice for the fifth spot.

We look back at the big Bloodline vs. Roman Reigns and company brawl on Smackdown, with Bronson Reed seemingly joining the Bloodline’s WarGames team.

LWO vs. American Made

That would be Zelina Vega/Rey Mysterio vs. Ivy Nile/Chad Gable with the women brawling out to the floor to start. That leaves Gable to whip Mysterio chest first into the buckle for two but Mysterio headscissors him out to the floor. Vega comes back in to kick Nile down into the corner but Three Amigos are broken up and we take a break.

Back with Vega still in trouble but fighting out of a chinlock. The comeback allows the tag off to Mysterio to pick up the pace on Gable. That’s broken up as well though and Gable plants Mysterio with a DDT. Vega comes in for a pop up hurricanrana to Gable though, leaving Mysterio to hit the 619. The springboard splash finishes for Mysterio at 9:59.

Rating: C+. The LWO actually gets a win for a change and American Made takes a loss, as some things never change. It seems that Gable and company are not exactly doing well at the moment and I’m not sure how much longer they’ll be around. At the same time, it might be a good idea for Gable to get away from teams for a bit, as he’s kind of done the same thing for a long time now.

Post match Gable yells at American Made, who pose with him.

Finn Balor calms Liv Morgan down and sends Carlito and Dominik Mysterio after the War Raiders. JD McDonagh needs to talk to Balor.

Miz brags about fooling the Wyatt Sicks last week, leading to the Final Testament’s beatdown. It could relaunch the Marine franchise!

We recap Damian Priest getting in Gunther’s head and taking out Ludwig Kaiser.

Gunther tells Kaiser to go make a name for himself. Then Gunther goes after Priest with a pipe but Priest lays him out, saying Gunther may be the Ring General, but Priest is king in the streets.

Intercontinental Title: Sheamus vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker is defending. They stare each other down to start and slug it out to the floor, with Breakker taking over. Back in and a quick Irish Curse gets Sheamus out of trouble but Breakker knocks him outside again. The jumping clothesline from the apron onto the announcers’ table connects and we take a break.

Back with Breakker knocking him to the floor and hitting a top rope shoulder to drop him again. Breakker tells him to quit while he has a chance but Sheamus tells him to bring it on and gets in a knockdown of his own. A backdrop sends Sheamus to the apron, where he gets in the ten forearms to the chest.

Breakker knocks him down again and goes up, only to get pulled down with a super White Noise or two more. This time it’s Sheamus going up, with Breakker Frankensteinering him back down. Sheamus’ knee cuts the spear off for two but another spear attempt connects, with Sheamus rolling outside. Breakker tries another one…but here is Ludwig Kaiser to deck him for the DQ at 13:33.

Rating: B. This was right in Sheamus’ wheelhouse as he is at his best when it’s about beating the fire out of each other. Breakker is more than capable of holding his own in that kind of a power match and it worked well here. The Kaiser interference does tie into Sheamus telling him to do his own thing and three way match could be interesting.

Post match Kaiser lays both of them out again.

Sami Zayn and the Usos again try to get Seth Rollins to join WarGames, but it’s a no from Rollins due to the Roman Reigns problem. Tonight, he’s going to take out Bronson Reed.

Video on Dakota Kai, who returned from her latest injury last week.

The women’s WarGames match is official.

Judgment Day vs. War Raiders

Ivar slams Carlito to start and Erik slams Ivar onto him for two. Ivar has to fight out of the wrong corner and hands it back to Erik, who is knocked outside. Mysterio hits a dive to drop Erik and we take an early break. Back with Mysterio hitting the slingshot hilo but Erik fights up and hands it back to Ivar. House is quickly cleaned, including the Bronco Buster to crush Mysterio. Ivar tosses Mysterio at Carlito (that’s effective) and the War Machine finishes Carlito at 9:38.

Rating: C+. That’s a classic way to set up the already established title match and it worked well here. The Raiders get to run through the lower level Judgment Day team and look like a threat to the champs. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Raiders get the belts back when they get the chance and this was a good way to help set it up.

Post match Finn Balor and JD McDonagh jump the Raiders and leave them laying.

The Wyatt Sicks hack the feed and promise revenge on Miz for not accepting their offer of help out of the pit.

Video on Lyra Valkyria.

Kofi Kingston isn’t sure what is going on with Xavier Woods, who comes up and talks about what Karrion Kross said (that the team is dead and New Day is the only ones who don’t know it). Otis (who had been talking to Kingston) tries to calm him down but Woods snaps at him and a tag match is set for next week.

Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed

The bell rings so here is the Bloodline, with Sami Zayn and the Usos popping up to brawl them into the crowd. Reed is knocked to the floor and Rollins hits a dive as we take an early break. Back with Reed knocking him around ringside and getting in a whip over the barricade. They get back inside where Reed knocks him right back to the floor, setting up the flip dive off the apron.

This time Rollins is able to ram him head first into the steps a few times, setting up a springboard knee to the head. Reed grabs a quick powerbomb for two and we take another break. Back again with Rollins powerbombing him out of the corner to leave them both down.

A Lionsault and springboard Swanton get one on Reed so Rollins gets in a low superkick. The frog splash gets two but Reed is back with a brainbuster for two of his own. Rollins is ok enough to roll away from a Tsunami attempt and now a superkick into the Pedigree gets two. The Stomp connects and Rollins goes up but cue Solo Sikoa for a distraction. Reed hits a Death Valley Driver and the Tsunami for the pin at 17:38.

Rating: B. Reed needed this win and continues his rather strong push, even after losing to Rollins at Crown Jewel. Rollins threw a lot at Reed here but couldn’t put him away, which is a simple way to make a monster look strong. At the same time, this could set up Rollins as the last member of WarGames, even if he isn’t thrilled with being on the team. I’m no sure who else it could be, so for now at least it’s going well.

Overall Rating: B. This was the show that got a focus on what is either already locked in for Survivor Series or is all but set. The WarGames matches are all but set and Priest vs. Gunther should be good for a featured match. They’re doing a nice job of making me want to see what they have at Survivor Series and this made for solid stepping stone there. The show could use another match or two and that can be set up in the next few days, but the big stuff is ready.

Results
LWO b. American Made – Springboard splash to Gable
Bron Breakker b. Sheamus via DQ when Ludwig Kaiser interfered
War Raiders b. Judgment Day – War Machine to Carlito
Bronson Reed b. Seth Rollins – Tsunami

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Survivor Series 2009
Date: November 22, 2009
Location: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Attendance: 12,500
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, Matt Striker

Team Miz vs. Team Morrison

The Miz, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger

John Morrison, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Shelton Benjamin, Finlay

Off to Matt vs. Drew as things slow down a bit. They send each other into opposite corners with Matt taking over via a neckbreaker and the yelling legdrop for two. Another neckbreaker puts McIntyre down but Matt goes up and misses a moonsault press. A second Future Shock (called a Kobashi DDT by Striker) gets a second elimination for Drew, leaving us with Morrison vs. Sheamus/Miz/McIntyre.

Rey Mysterio vs. Batista

We recap Team Kofi vs. Team Orton. Orton was all evil and psycho so Kofi stood up to him. This resulted in what looked to be one of the best face pushes in a long time, as Kofi showed some AWESOME emotion and looking like a serious threat to take Orton down. He destroyed an Orton racecar and then got in a BIG brawl with Orton all over Madison Square Garden, culminating in hitting a Boom Drop through a table.

Team Randy Orton vs. Team Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston, MVP, Mark Henry, R-Truth, Christian

Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, CM Punk, William Regal

Smackdown World Title: Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho vs. Big Show

Jericho misses a charge and Taker pounds away on Show before clotheslining him down. Show heads to the floor and Jericho gets beaten up for awhile but the big bald guy pulls the champ to the floor. Taker is all cool with that though and posts Show before getting crotched when attempting Old School on Jericho. Chris superplexes him down but Taker gets the knees up to block the Lionsault. Jericho counters the counter and puts on the Walls, but Show breaks it up with a chokeslam.

The survivors of Team Miz (Miz, McIntyre and Sheamus) brag a bit. They all claim to be the future.

Team Mickie James vs. Team Michelle McCool

Michelle McCool, Layla, Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall, Alicia Fox

Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Melina, Gail Kim, Eve Torres

Batista liked hurting Rey.

Raw World Title: HHH vs. Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena

Cena signs some autographs for National Guard members to end the show.

Ratings Comparison

Team Miz vs. Team Morrison

Original: B

Redo: C+

Batista vs. Rey Mysterio

Original: C+

Redo: C+

Team Kingston vs. Team Orton

Original: B+

Redo: B

Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho vs. Big Show

Original: C+

Redo: C+

Team Mickie James vs. Team Michelle McCool

Original: D

Redo: D-

John Cena vs. HHH vs. Shawn Michaels

Original: C+

Redo: B

Overall Rating

Original: B-

Redo: B-

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2011/11/18/history-of-survivor-series-count-up-2009-the-pg-powers-explode/

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: November 4, 2024
Location: Mohammed Abdo Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever with a taped show as we are fresh off of Crown Jewel. There wasn’t much in the way of development there as neither of the top titles were on the line. We’re also less than a month away from Survivor Series and that means the card is going to need to start coming together. Let’s get to it.

Here is Crown Jewel if you need a recap.

Long Crown Jewel recap.

Here is Judgment Day to get things going, with commentary already pointing out that Liv Morgan won the Crown Jewel Title on Saturday but only gets to keep the ring. The Revenge Tour is over and it’s time to start the World Tour. Morgan lists off her recent accomplishments but here are Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair to cut off Dominik Mysterio. Belair brags about their success “last night” but Morgan isn’t impressed.

Morgan points out that Belair and Cargill both think they’re the best, unlike herself and Raquel Rodriguez, who are real friends. Belair issues the challenge for the tag match but Adam Pearce interrupts and says not so fast. Morgan keeps talking and the fight is on, only for Pearce to say there’s a battle royal to crown a new #1 contender. Belair and Cargill are included and it starts right now.

Battle Royal

Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Natalya, Lyra Valkyria, Sonya Deville, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Shayna Baszler, Isla Dawn, Alba Fyre, Maxxine Dupri, Ivy Nile, Zoey Stark, Zelina Vega

For a shot at Liv Morgan’s Title. Carter and Chance waste no time in diving off the top onto a bunch of people, setting up some catapult cannonballs in the corner. Dawn is knocked out and Deville gets rid of Carter shortly thereafter. Dupri busts out an inverted Worm but gets knocked out without too much trouble. Vega 619s Nile out and we take a break.

Back with Damage CTRL hitting a double dropkick on Natalya as we apparently missed Chance walking on her hands to avoid an elimination. Then she was eliminated shortly thereafter. Sane and Natalya are knocked out, as are Deville and Baszler. We’re down to Valkyria, Belair, Cargill and Sky, with the fans rather impressed.

Belair and Cargill send the other two to the apron before staring each other down. Valkyria and Sky come back in but get planted with some finishers. Morgan and Rodriguez get involved though, with Belair being pulled out BY THE HAIR (GEEZ), with Cargill falling out with her. That leaves Sky and Valkyria to fight to the apron with Sky stomping her down. Sky snaps off a German suplex to eliminate Valkyria for the win at 12:48.

Rating: C+. With Ripley hurt, this is as logical of a move as you can have. Sky is someone with the experience and success to be a threat to anyone and she’s been treated as a major star. It’s a fast way to set up a title match and that’s a good thing to see. Throw in Belair and Cargill having issues with Morgan and Rodriguez and things are even more interesting.

New Day isn’t happy with losing last week, with Xavier Woods blaming Kofi Kingston for the loss. The Wyatt Sicks hack the feed and show a kidnapped Miz, who says he isn’t part of the Final Testament. Bo Dallas says there is no mistake because they want him, not the Final Testament.

We look at Goldberg announcing his retirement match for 2025, though no details are set.

New Day vs. War Raiders

Erik wastes no time in sending Woods outside, where Ivar gets in some shots of his own. A half nelson backbreaker plants Kingston and we take a break. Back with Woods fighting out of trouble but getting knocked down again for a quick two. A jumping enziguri and superkick get Woods out of trouble and it’s back to Kingston to pick up the pace. The big running flip dive to the floor hits Ivar and Trouble In Paradise connects. Woods tags himself in to hit the Limit Break, only to get caught with the War Machine for the pin at 9:09.

Rating: C. The issues continue and the #1 contenders get a win over a still rather efficient team. It feels like they’re dragging this out for the big tenth anniversary of the New Day though and that almost has to mean Big E. showing up. If he’s the thing that brings them back together and gives them the titles back, I could think of far worse ideas.

We look at the European tour coming next spring, including Raw and Smackdown. Cool.

Here is Sami Zayn for a chat. Zayn speaks (I believe) Arabic and is very happy to be here but cue Jey Uso to interrupt. Jey gets right to the point: did Zayn kick Roman Reigns in the face on purpose at Crown Jewel? Cue Jimmy Uso to interrupt before Jey can respond, asking what Jey is thinking. Of course Zayn kicked Reigns in the face on purpose!

Zayn says Jimmy isn’t exactly trustworthy but he’s not a bad guy. He’s just someone who has made bad choices. Zayn liked the minute that felt like old times, but he’s not going to do this again. Jey asks a departing Zayn to come to Smackdown and deal with this like family. Jimmy says Zayn isn’t family, but Jey disagrees, dubbing him Sami Uso. Zayn doesn’t give an answer but appears to be thinking about it. The saga continues, but you can see the WarGames teams coming from here and with 26 days to go, that’s a good place to be.

Seth Rollins is ready to get back to the World Title picture. He and Bronson Reed can pick that up again later.

Dragon Lee vs. Chad Gable

Zelina Vega and Ivy Nile are here too. Gable throws him down to start and the referee has to check on Lee, who landed on his head. Back up and Gable does it again but Lee fights out of a headlock and snaps Gable’s singlet against his chest. A high crossbody gives Lee two and they go to the apron, where Lee hits a nasty knee. Gable is fine enough to hit a backdrop to the floor, which has commentary panicking as we take an early break.

Back with Lee hitting his top rope double stomp but Gable suplexes him into the corner. Lee fights up and they trade forearms until Lee snaps off a scary German suplex. Gable hits one of his own as commentary isn’t sure what they’re seeing with this kind of intensity. Gable’s rolling German suplexes have Lee in trouble but he’s fine enough to hit a running powerbomb. Gable is back with a Dominator into a DDT but Vega shoves his feet off the ropes to break up the pin. Nile chokes Vega out so here is Rey Mysterio, which is enough of a distraction for Operation Dragon to give Lee the pin at 12:30.

Rating: B. Well they weren’t taking it easy here. This was a surprisingly hard hitting match with both of them trying rather hard. It’s still disappointing to see Gable lose AGAIN though as that has happened far too often. We’re reaching the point where it just isn’t going to happen with him and that was on full display here. As for Lee, I’m not sure I can see it with him either, but he’s in a better place than Gable at the moment.

Gunther, with Ludwig Kaiser, is ready for any opponent after tonight’s four way #1 contenders match. They both have to do better though.

Damian Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Sheamus vs. Seth Rollins

For a future shot at Gunther. As you might expect, Dominik gets beaten up to start but Rollins breaks it up. Rollins knocks Sheamus and Priest outside for the big dive and we take an early break. Back with Dominik hammering on Priest, who fights back up with a lifting Downward Spiral.

Sheamus is back in with the Irish Curse to Priest and another to Rollins and Mysterio. Sheamus goes up top and drops a knee on Dominik but Rollins makes the save. Priest and Rollins kick each other down and we take another break. Back again with Dominik’s 619 being broken up by a Sheamus powerslam.

Rollins scores with a Pedigree but cue Bronson Reed to wreck Sheamus and Rollins as well. Reed hits a Death Valley Driver into the Tsunami on Priest and then another to Sheamus. A third Tsunami sends Rollins through the announcers’ table and Reed is gone. Dominik tries to steal the pin on Sheamus but gets caught with South Of Heaven to give Priest the pin and the title shot at 17:40.

Rating: B-. The good thing about this match is you could have had it go multiple ways. Rollins is always an option, there was a slim chance of Mysterio stealing it to set up his pure destruction, and Sheamus has enough of a history with Gunther to be at least a slim hope. That being said, Priest was the right call here due to how Gunther got the title, as a rematch is not an unreasonable thing. Reed interfering helped as well and made sense, as he and Rollins aren’t done.

Overall Rating: B-. The important aspect of this show is they actually got some stuff done. I’m not sure why Sky vs. Morgan and Gunther vs. Priest are going to happen, but they are officially ready to go at some point and that’s more interesting than the Crown Jewel Titles. Survivor Series can start getting set up in the near future and there is a good chance that we started setting that come together here. Not a great show, but more engaging than what they’ve been doing in recent weeks.

Results
Iyo Sky won a battle royal last eliminating Lyra Valkyria
War Raiders b. New Day – War Machine to Woods
Dragon Lee b. Chad Gable – Operation Dragon
Damian Priest b. Dominik Mysterio, Sheamus and Seth Rollins – South Of Heaven to Mysterio

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: October 28, 2024
Location: Giant Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the last Raw before Crown Jewel and that means we get to hear about the entirely and completely important Crown Jewel Titles. Other than that, the Usos are back together with Roman Reigns after the Bloodline went too far last week. There is a good chance that we’ll hear some more about that this week so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Bloodline and Jey Uso costing each other titles last week.

Here is Jey Uso for a chat. After recapping what he’s done over the last week, Jey brings out Jimmy Uso, as the only person he wants to talk to. Jimmy says he’s here to say thank you because they need to be together to take down the Bloodline. Jey cuts him off though, saying they’re not the ones either.

Jey hasn’t seen him since Wrestlemania but now no one gets them confused because Jey is the former Intercontinental Champion. He’s won titles, but none of them top being Jimmy’s twin brother. They still have things to work out but they can be the USOS. Jimmy invites Jey to Smackdown to make things right with Roman Reigns, which Jey accepts. Cue the Bloodline to interrupt but the Usos fights their way out of a beating and clear the ring. Good reunion here, but it’s the next step in a very long story.

Post break, Adam Pearce is on the phone with Nick Aldis and yells about the Bloodline being here. Judgment Day comes in to ask which former World Champion Dominik Mysterio will be facing. Pearce doesn’t have time for this so it can be Damian Priest. Mysterio says he has this.

Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser

They slug it out to start and fight into the corner with Sheamus getting the better of things. That heads out to the floor, with Kaiser grabbing a guillotine but getting driven into the steps. We take an early break and come back with Sheamus hitting the ten forearms on the apron. Sheamus hammers away in the corner but gets powerbombed down, only to say COME ON when Kaiser starts punching him. Some hard shots from Sheamus set up the Brogue Kick to pin Kaiser at 9:46.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here due to the break and it’s a little strange to see this feud picked up again when it was mainly going back in the early summer. That being said, there is absolutely some value in building up Sheamus to challenge Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Title in a hoss feud. It has some stories built in and that should be good enough if they go in that direction.

Rhea Ripley is sick of Raquel Rodriguez and her betrayal. All Ripley wants is the title back and nothing can stop her.

Sami Zayn talks to Jey Uso and can’t believe what he’s seeing. Solo Sikoa wasn’t the one who was getting in his head for years and Jey could just be his own may. Jey says Sami wouldn’t understand because he isn’t family. Oh that was harsh.

Gunther doesn’t think much of Cody Rhodes and is ready for a tag match on Smackdown.

Zelina Vega vs. Ivy Nile

The LWO and American Made are both here too. They start fast with Vega sending her outside for a Meteora off the apron as we take an early break. Back with Vega getting two off a moonsault (not much contact there). Nile is back with a German suplex for two but Vega is back with a Code Red. The guys get in a brawl on the floor though and the distraction lets Nile hit a swinging Rock Bottom for the pin at 6:28. Not enough shown to rate but it was short and not exactly great.

Jimmy Uso is ok with Sami Zayn not being family.

Here is Seth Rollins for a chat. He’s ready to go to war with a monster at Crown Jewel because a part of him that has been gone for a long time is back. Bronson Reed pops up on screen to say he promised that he wouldn’t wreck anything in the arena, but he’s out in the parking lot. Rollins comes out for the brawl, where Reed shrugs off a Stomp onto the hood of a car. They go into the back of a truck and Reed hits a Death Valley Driver through some tables to leave Rollins laying. That’s either a way to write the match off of the crowded card or to give Reed a way to injure Rollins again.

We recap Miz and R-Truth brawling, which drew out the Wyatt Six to attack Paul Ellering.

Miz tried to get away from the Final Testament but they weren’t letting that happen.

R-Truth was with the Alpha Academy when Miz came up to try to make amends. That earns him a shot to the face, with R-Truth saying good luck with the Wyatts. R-Truth runs into Pete Dunne, who he calls Butch. It’s rather funny when R-Truth gets it.

Tag Team Title #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: LWO vs. War Raiders vs. New Day

Kofi and Lee dropkick Ivar to start but he crushes Lee in the corner for two. Erik comes in to knee Rey to the floor and the ring is cleared early on as we take a break. Back with Erik crushing Woods but Rey fights up and knocks Erik outside. Woods is back in but refuses to tag Kingston, with commentary talking about Woods being the “quarterback” of the team. Now Kingston comes in and his a Boom Drop. Woods hits a dive to the floor and Kingston dives onto them again as we take a break.

Back again with Rey kicking Kingston in the head and bringing Lee in to pick up the pace. The double stomp out of the Tree of Woe hits Kingston before Lee, Kingston and Erik go up at the same time. That’s broken up and Lee powerbombs Kingston for two with Woods making the save. Kingston loads up Daylight but Woods would rather dive onto Lee. Cue Chad Gable to pull Rey to the floor for an ankle lock, leaving the Raiders to hit the German suplex/springboard clothesline to pin Kingston at 17:34.

Rating: B. I would have bet on the LWO getting the win here but good idea of pulling the trigger with the Raiders. They’re an established team and a pair of monsters so why not see if they can get the gold again. If nothing else, Judgment Day isn’t doing a thing with the belts so moving them on to a more traditional team is a good idea.

Seth Rollins is off getting medical treatment at a facility.

Miz’s advice for the Final Testament regarding the Wyatt Sicks: run. That doesn’t work for Karrion Kross, who wants Miz to take Bo Dallas out.

The Usos are going to leave but see Sami Zayn talking to Solo Sikoa. Jimmy says he told Jey all they had was family, with Jey agreeing. Now usually this isn’t something that winds up being what it seems, but Jimmy is often presented as stupid so it kind of fits.

Damian Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio

Mysterio is here on his own. Priest starts fast and knocks him to the floor without much effort. Dominik manages a posting to take over though and we go to an early break. Back with Priest breaking up the Third Amigo and hitting a hard clothesline for two. Priest gets sent outside though and here is Liv Morgan for a distraction so Carlito and JD McDonagh can come in for some cheap shots. Priest beats them up with a chair but Dominik grabs a rollup with tights for the pin at 8:58.

Rating: C. This felt like a way to keep Priest’s issues with Judgment Day going until he can move on to a feud with Gunther and there are worse ideas. Priest lost because there were three people helping Mysterio, who had to cheat as well. If nothing else, the idea of Mysterio getting built up towards a World Title match could have quite the reactions, as the fans still love to boo him out of every arena.

Post match Priest wrecks Dominik and Carlito to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Maybe it’s the lack of any time left or realizing that it’s not working, but the lack of focus on the Crown Jewel Titles made this so much more enjoyable. WWE might have known that the idea was lame from the beginning but it’s nit to get the focus off of them for a night. Other than that, you had some things st up for the post Crown Jewel shows as Survivor Series is on the way. Not a great show, but it got some things done.

Results
Sheamus b. Ludwig Kaiser – Brogue Kick
Ivy Nile b. Zelina Vega – Swinging Rock Bottom
War Raiders b. New Day and LWO – German suplex/springboard clothesline combination to Kingston
Dominik Mysterio b. Damien Priest – Rollup with tights

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: October 21, 2024
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re closing in on Crown Jewel and the show is going to need some help. At the moment, the only things announced for the show are the two Crown Jewel Title matches and those aren’t exactly setting things on fire. Maybe we can boost things up this week, with the Intercontinental Title being on the line as well. Let’s get to it.

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

Various people came to work, including Bronson Reed, with Seth Rollins attacking him but quickly being separated.

Here is Rollins in the ring and calling out Reed for a fight right now. Reed plows through security so Rollins hits a dive, with Adam Pearce’s security not being able to hold them apart again. Reed knocks him down but it’s too early for the Tsunami. Security is taken out again but the Tsunami off the barricade only hits announcers’ table.

Damage CTRL is ready for Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson but Liv Morgan, with Raquel Rodriguez, interrupts to say she’s taking out Nia Jax at Crown Jewel. Damage CTRL is ready for a fight tonight and one seems to be on. Morgan, who isn’t that big in the first place, towered over Damage CTRL.

Video on Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker.

Apparently Samantha Irvin has left WWE and Lilian Garcia is back. That’s out of nowhere and is kind of a downgrade.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: New Day vs. Authors Of Pain

The rest of the Final Testament is here too. Kofi headlocks Akam to start and it’s off to Woods for a basement clothesline. It’s off to Rezar to knock Kofi outside for a beating though and here is Miz to watch as we take a break. Back with Kofi coming back in to take over on Akam. The Boom Drop connects but Rezar fights back up, only for R-Truth to come in and take out Miz. The distraction lets Kofi grab a rollup for the pin at 9:37.

Rating: C+. This was one which could have gone either way and it gives New Day a bit of a bridge to the next step in their issues. The team is still good enough to hang in there in a match like this and possibly even get the title shot, but things are not going to go well or them. At the same time, it’s another loss for the Final Testament, who still do not have the best track record.

Post match Miz and the Final Testament beats R-Truth down. Kofi wants to go help but Woods holds him back. The beatdown is on but the Wyatts are back to wreck the villains and brawl with them into the crowd. Miz is left alone in the ring….and it’s Uncle Howdy behind him. Paul Ellering takes the Mandible Claw for him.

Bronson Reed and Seth Rollins brawl in the back again.

We recap Jey Uso’s issues with the Bloodline and Roman Reigns/Jimmy Uso on Smackdown.

Jey says what happened on Smackdown is what it is, but tonight it’s about retaining the Intercontinental Title.

Raquel Rodriguez says Rhea Ripley isn’t getting any kind of revenge on Liv Morgan. Ripley cost them the Women’s Tag Team Titles and now Ripley needs to walk away. Since Ripley won’t end this though, Rodriguez will.

Damage CTRL vs. Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez

Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson are at ringside. Damage CTRL strikes away on Rodriguez to start and some double dropkicks have her in trouble. Back up and Rodriguez backdrops Sane over the corner (for a nasty landing but Sane saved it) before Rodriguez picks both of them up with ease. A double elbow misses though and Sky gets two off a rollup. Rodriguez drops Sky with a hard shot of her own though and we take a break.

Back with Sane escaping an over the shoulder backbreaker. Sky comes back in to clean house, including a dragon screw legwhip to Rodriguez and a springboard dropkick to send Morgan into the corner. Sane’s pop up elbow gets two with Rodriguez having to make a save. Rodriguez misses a charge into the post with Sky following her out to the floor. Sky goes after Jackson and Legend, with the latter decking her for the DQ at 12:13.

Rating: C. The Jackson and Legend run continues as they are likely set up for another big match with Damage CTRL. That isn’t the most appealing match, but I definitely do approve of the idea of having more teams to go after the titles. There hasn’t been much of a division in a long time so this is at least a step in the right direction.

Post match Damage CTRL gets laid out the four villains have a staredown. Cue Rhea Ripley, with Legend and Jackson bailing. Rodriguez goes after Ripley and is quickly taken out, only for Morgan to hit a quick Codebreaker. That earns her a knee to the face and Ripley grabs the Prism Trap. A dropkick cuts Rodriguez off again but Dominik Mysterio runs in to break up the Riptide. That earns Dominik a Prism Trap of his own with Dominik having to bail out to the floor. This was a good way to make Ripley look awesome again, which is overdue.

Bronson Reed and Seth Rollins get into it AGAIN but Adam Pearce yells at them, saying they can fight at Crown Jewel. They could have just asked and saved a bunch of time.

The War Raiders burn their viking armor and are ready to get the gold back.

Judgment Day has a meeting in the clubhouse and Finn Balor is worried about Damian Priest. The idea of Dominik Mysterio getting a World Title shot is floated, with Carlito laughing about the concept. Carlito is asked what he does around here, but he’ll go take care of something.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: LWO vs. American Made

The rest of the LWO and Chad Gable/Ivy Nile are here too. Lee chops away at Julius and it’s quickly off to Rey for two off a headscissors. Brutus comes in to whip Rey hard into the corner, meaning it’s time to take the straps down. Everything breaks down in a hurry and Lee hits a heck of a suicide dive as we take a break.

Back with Julius suplexing Lex down and grabbing a chinlock. Lee fights up and sends him into the corner, allowing the tag off to Rey for a tornado DDT. It’s back to Brutus to take Rey down setting up back to back moonsaults to give Julius two. Lee ties Julius in the Tree Of Woe for the top rope double stomp. Everything breaks down and the 619 into Lee’s frog splash is good for the pin at 10:59.

Rating: C+. Maybe it’s Dragon Lee not being interesting but I could not get into this one. The match felt long and it’s hard to imagine that either of them are going to win the title match next week. For now though, it’s a perfectly fine match between two teams who aren’t exactly lighting the world on fire.

Adam Pearce promises Damage CTRL that he’ll take care of this. Carlito comes in to suggest that Dominik Mysterio gets to challenge Gunther next. Pearce cracks up and says Dominik has done NOTHING. Carlito begs, so Pearce says if Dominik can beat a former World Champion next week, he’ll think about it.

Bron Breakker is ready to get the Intercontinental Title back.

Gunther doesn’t think Cody Rhodes bringing up his (as in Cody’s daughter) was necessary because the Crown Jewel Title is a big enough prize. Rhodes is a great champion, but his title’s legacy has long since been established. Gunther will be at Smackdown on Friday…but here is Damian Priest to say he has no issues with Gunther. His issues were with Judgment Day but those are done, so next up, he wants his title back. Priest is willing to earn it, and he’ll even wait for Gunther to be done with Crown Jewel. Gunther doesn’t seem impressed.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso

Breakker is challenging. We get the Big Match Intros and Uso wastes no time in knocking Breakker to the floor as we take a break less than a minute in. Back with Breakker ramming him into the post, followed by a backbreaker for two. A standing moonsault gives Breakker two more but Uso fights back with some right hands. Uso goes up top but gets pulled down with a super Frankensteiner as we take another break.

Back again with Uso getting in a knockdown for a needed breather and they both have to pull themselves up. Cue the Bloodline and some front row tickets so Uso goes outside to yell, allowing Breakker to get in some cheap shots. Uso has to superkicks the Tongas down and Breakker spears Solo Sikoa by mistake. That brings Jacob Fatu over the barricade so Breakker takes down the straps and the fans REALLY like this.

Uso cuts that off with a dive onto both of them but the Superfly Splash hits raised knees. The spear is cut off by a pair of superkicks and Uso hits own spear. The Superfly Splash connects for two so the Tongas gets back on the apron. Adam Pearce and company come down to break it up but the distraction lets Fatu get in a superkick to Uso. A Samoan drop onto the announcers’ table leaves Uso laying and another spear gives Breakker the title back at 19:35.

Rating: B. They weren’t exactly hiding where this was going from the second that Uso showed up on Smackdown last week. That’s not a bad thing either, as I would rather have a logical but predictable moment rather than something that makes no sense and is there for the sake of shock value. The other benefit here is that it shows there are still short title reigns in WWE. One of the criticisms is that it’s hard to believe a title reign can end shortly but here is something to show that isn’t guaranteed. That’s important.

Overall Rating: C+. The title change was big and they set up a grudge match for Crown Jewel, but this show was lacking something throughout. Maybe it was the focus being on setting up a #1 contenders match for next week, but long stretches of this show did not feel overly interesting. It wasn’t a bad show by any means, though it let me with a bit of a ho-hum feeling.

Results
New Day b. Authors Of Pain – Rollup to Rezar
Damage CTRL b. Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez via DQ when Lash Legend interfered
LWO b. American Made – Frog splash to Julius
Bron Breakker b. Jey Uso – Spear

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

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

AND

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

NXT
Date: October 1, 2024
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re officially on the CW and it is an absolutely packed show with two title matches and CM Punk as a special guest referee. That’s more than enough for this show but the question is what other surprises we might be seeing. This show has some serious potential and now we get to see just how it goes. Let’s get to it.

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

We get a new opening sequence with a silver logo. That’s not bad.

Here is Shawn Michaels to gt things going and he gets right to the point by unveiling some new NXT Men’s and Women’s Titles….and HHH is here as well.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Giulia

Giulia is challenging. They fight over wrist control to start with Giulia taking her down but missing some elbows. An exchange of rollups gets two each until Giulia hits a dropkick. Perez slips out of a hammerlock slam but it’s too early for Pop Rox. Another exchange of rollups gets two each (and someone loses a buckle) as we take an early break.

Back with Perez working on the arm until Giulia fights up and hits some headbutts. Giulia plants her down with a hammerlock northern lights suplex for two but Perez knocks it outside. The dive connects but Giulia kicks her in the face on the way back in. A butterfly superplex with a bridge gives Giulia two but she can’t get what looked to be the Rings Of Saturn. Instead Perez pulls her into a crossface and uses the Bayley/Sasha Banks kick off the apron to get it back to the middle.

Giulia reverses that into an STF and Perez makes the rope. Back up and a quick Pop Rox connects, with Giulia rolling outside to leave Perez frustrated. Perez follows her outside and it’s a northern lights bomb to plant Perez on the floor. They both beat the clock back in so Perez goes out and grabs the title. The distraction lets another woman in a hood run in and hit a double arm DDT on the floor. Back in and Pop Rox retains the title at 13:06.

Rating: B-. Oh I’m not sure on that finish, as ending the first match on the new show with a screwy result is a bit of a stretch. Perez winning is one thing as Stephanie Vaquer is waiting on her,

And it’s Cora Jade.

Axiom and Nathan Frazier play WWE2K to train for A-Town Down Under, who win the titles.

Ava and CM Punk are sure that things are going to be down the middle in the main event when Lexis King interrupts. He isn’t sure if he should do what he wants to do or try to win. Punk tells him to figure out his own path.

We recap Wes Lee turning on the Rascalz, meaning it’s time for a street fight for revenge.

Jaida Parker and Lola Vice argue over who is running the team tonight. Kelani Jordan comes in to tell them to chill.

Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz

Street fight. Lee misses a big flip dive to start and gets a shopping cart rammed into him for crash into the steps. Wentz pulls out a board but Lee dives into it for the big crash. It’s time to throw in a bunch of weapons but Wentz scores with a superkick and some chair shots. They go to the apron and crash through a table at ringside as we take a break.

Back with Wentz hitting a Coast To Coast but Lee dropkicks him into a chair in the corner. Wentz slams him onto a chair and pus a trashcan over Lee, setting up a Swanton for another near fall. Back up and Wentz tries a UFO (springboard cutter) but gets shoved over the top and mostly past the table for a nasty crash. Back in and a double stomp onto the back onto a chair gives Lee two. Wentz fights up and grabs a chair, only to get low blowed. Lee puts him in a chair, wraps a chain around his legs, and hits a middle rope Meteora for the pin at 13:24.

Rating: B-. It was a violent match but it’s still hard to get into the whole crossover feud. Wentz won a quick X-Division Title and lost it two weeks later, thereby ending his career singles accomplishments. Just having a history with Lee doesn’t make for an interesting match and the fans only seemed so invested here.

Here is the freshly heel Miz for MizTV, featuring Oba Femi and Tony D’Angelo, who are facing off for Femi’s North American Title next week. D’Angelo talks about how he’s going to win the title next week after training even harder. Femi says Miz should know when someone doesn’t mean a word that they are saying and that is the case with D’Angelo.

That sends D’Angelo on a rant about growing up on the streets of Chicago and how his family are here. Femi says they can’t fight for D’Angelo, who knows he can’t win. They stand up and D’Angelo says Femi is just a man, with Femi saying he is inevitable. Miz hits the catchphrase to wrap it up. Miz added absolutely nothing here, though he wasn’t given the chance to.

We look back at Cora Jade’s return earlier tonight.

Jade says everyone had forgotten about her when Roxanne Perez comes in. Maybe a common enemy can drive them back together.

Jaida Parker/Lola Vice vs. Fatal Influence

It’s Jacy Jayne/Fallon Henley for the team here, with Kelani Jordan on commentary. Henley and Parker start things off, with Parker hitting her in the face and scoring with a running shoulder. Vice comes in for a front facelock before punching the villains in the ribs. Parker stacks them up on the middle rope for the running sitdown splash, followed by Vince’s running hip attack. Henley fights out of the wrong corner as Jordan can barely get a word in. Parker and Vice get in an argument though, allowing Henley to get in a cheap shot.

We take a break and come back with Jayne holding Vice in a bodyscissors, setting up a cannonball for two. Henley’s running elbow gets two but Vice fights up, only for Jazmyn Nyx to distract Parker. Vice is sent into her and you know that isn’t going to go well. The comeback doesn’t last long for Vice as stereo running knees finish her off at 10:57.

Rating: C+. This was all about the team exploding and I’ll take that just breaking down rather than waiting around for weeks to get to the obvious. Vice and Parker could both be stars if given the chance, which makes it all the better that they seem to have something to do. Fatal Influence isn’t a great team, but they’re good enough for what they’re doing.

Post match Fatal Influence calls in Kelani Jordan, who brings out Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill to clean house.

Video on Je’Von Evans, who is ready to face Randy Orton. This is to set up a huge RKO isn’t it?

Video on Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Title. Page won the title, pretty much by accident, at Heatwave in July and now it’s time for Williams to get the title back, with CM Punk as special referee.

We get a vignette of a woman walking down a road with the signs saying 10/27, or the date of Halloween Havoc.

NXT Title: Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page

Page is defending and CM Punk is guest referee. Page takes him into the corner to start and Punk breaks it up at four before doing the same thing to Williams. Back up and Williams takes him to the ropes, where Punk blocks a right hand. That lets Page grab a rollup with feet on the ropes, meaning Punk won’t count. Williams knocks him outside but Page’s whip sends Williams through the barricade (they really need to fix those) as we take a break.

Back with Page hammering away and grabbing a DDT to cut off a comeback attempt. Williams’ jumping neckbreaker lets him strike away but Page sends him face first into the steps. A not great Ego’s Edge sends Williams through the announcers’ table but Punk isn’t going to count. Instead it’s a quick Trick Shot to Page, who falls onto Williams (ala Heatwave) for two and Williams is ready to fight. Another Trick Shot misses so Page hits his own knee for two. Page glares at Punk and hits a GTS for two but Williams slips out of another Ego’s Edge. The Trick Shot gives Williams the title back at 12:28.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure what it was but this never came close to taking off. Maybe they ran out of time or something or there was just no drama over who was winning (like there was any chance Page was retaining), but I never got into this one. Williams gets the big feel good moment and the unofficial Punk endorsement, which is all fine and good. It’s not a bad match, but I was expecting a bit more than what we got here.

Post match Punk gives Page the GTS and confetti falls to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was good but didn’t feel like some big blow away show. Given the card that they had and some of the guest stars, I was expecting something huge and got an ok show for the most part. The biggest issue is other than the main event, nothing on here felt like it was a special moment. I came in thinking this would be some major show and instead I just got a pretty good edition of NXT. That’s an acceptable way to go, but it felt like it should have been more.

Results
Roxanne Perez b. Giulia – Pop Rox
Wes Lee b. Zachary Wentz – Middle rope Meteora with a chain
Fatal Influence b. Jaida Parker/Lola Vice – Running knees to Vice
Trick Williams b. Ethan Page – Trick Shot

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

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

AND

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 30, 2024
Location: Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the last Raw before Bad Blood and that means we are in for the final push before Saturday’s Cell match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. Other than that, Jey Uso is the new Intercontinental Champion and that means he is going to need a new challenger. Finally we have a big showdown this week, with Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman, Last Man/Monster Standing. Let’s get to it.

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

Commentary is in the ring to welcome us to the show.

We look at Jey Uso beating Bron Breakker last week to become the new Intercontinental Champion.

Uso is in the back and comes to the ring, with his son helping lead the YEET chants for a great moment. After seeming pretty emotional about the title win, Uso talks about how he’ll fight every week to retain the title. He’s always been known as just a twin and part of the team but now he’s here by himself as Intercontinental Champion. Uso has a bunch of fans, but the biggest is his mother, who told him to go out there and show the people who he is. She told him to go get it and that’s what he did, but cue Bron Breakker to interrupt.

Breakker says he respects Uso after last week’s match and how he had said the best man should walk out as champion. On that night, Uso was the better man. Breakker says he isn’t here to attack Uso, and offers a handshake, which Uso accepts. As Breakker goes to leave (in peace), Uso stops him and says there are some dogs around here. That felt like a face turn for Breakker, which could be a rather interesting way to go.

Earlier today, Finn Balor called Dominik Mysterio, with the rest of Judgment Day not being sure where Balor was. Balor told Dominik that “it’s all taken care of” and he’ll see them soon. Dominik tells the rest of the team that Balor is just stuck somewhere but he’s on his way.

Rey Mysterio vs. Xavier Woods

This is fallout from an argument last week. Woods grabs a rollup to start but Rey sends him to the floor for a seated senton (West Coast Pop according to Tessitore) off the apron. We take an early break and come back with Rey sending him outside for a nice looking Asai moonsault. Back in and the 619 misses so Rey tries a reverse suplex, only for Woods to rip the mask off. Woods is upset at himself but grabs the rollup for the pin at 7:34.

Rating: C+. Oh I think you know where this is going and it’s getting more and more interesting every week. Woods is going closer and closer to the dark side but I’m curious if Big E. is going to come back and reunite the team for good. For now though, it was a quite match and that’s all it needed to be.

Sonya Deville and Shayna Baszler interrupts Lyra Valkyria, who doesn’t have Natalya or Zelina Vega with her tonight. Baszler will be with Deville instead, but Baszler will only bite on Deville’s orders.

Kofi Kingston comes up to Xavier Woods and asks if that was on purpose. Woods says of course he didn’t but notices the lack of congratulations. Kingston does congratulate him but says that Jey Uso has given him (as in Kingston) an Intercontinental Title shot. Woods says of course Kingston will climb the mountain again…but Kingston has said Woods should get the shot instead. That certainly works for Woods, who would love to be ringside with Kingston tonight to help cancel out American Mad. Everything seems ok for now, including Karrion Kross looking on in the background.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Zoey Stark

The rest of the Pure Fusion Collective is here with Stark. Feeling out process to start with Valkyria sending her outside for a dropkick through the ropes. We take an early break and come back with Valkyria hitting a crossbody and striking away, including an enziguri for two. The Z360 is blocked s Valkyria German suplexes her down. The rest of the Collective offers a distraction so Valkyria’s rollup gets a delayed two. Deville adds a running knee to the head though and Stark hits Z360 for the pin at 7:14.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t exactly a smooth match and the Collective continues to feel about as low rent of a stable as you can ask for in the division. What we got here was relatively sloppy as well, with the Collective barely being able to beat one person with the 3-1 advantage. Just not a very good match and this is one of the weaker parts of Raw at the moment.

Post match the beatdown is teased but Kayden Carter and Katana Chance run in for the save, with Carter running around the ring while Chance gets choked. Eventually the villains are taken out.

Video on Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman, set up like a monster movie.

Adam Pearce tells security to keep the match in the ring as CM Punk walks by.

Kayden Carter and Katana Chance get in an argument with the Unholy Union. The Union absolutely tower over them in a pretty ridiculous visual.

The Cell is lowered, with Adam Pearce and security inside. Pearce talks about how he prides himself on delivering promised matches, so tonight there will be no physicality inside the Cell. There will however be a chance for both men to say their final shot, so here are CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. They both take their time and seem to respect the Cell a bit before getting inside.

Punk appears to say he has nothing to say to McIntyre, who says he’ll go first. McIntyre points out that he’s wearing black, which is out of respect to Punk’s wife. After Saturday, she’s going to have to take care of Punk and will probably just leave him. He’s wearing a tuxedo because it’s going to be a celebration after Punk is gone for good after Saturday. McIntyre has been telling the fans the truth for ten months but they still chant his names.

After all those months, Punk has taught McIntyre how to hate, and the hatred will die at Bad Blood. Punk says people have called him a lot of things over the course of his career, including the Voice Of The Voiceless. Tonight though, he is voiceless because he can’t speak to a piece of garbage like McIntyre. Punk has been living in a hotel for a month because he doesn’t want his wife to see what he has become. McIntyre needs to remember that he prayed for all of this, but on Saturday, he’ll be praying to Punk himself. This was another intense exchange and dang they need to destroy each other.

Braun Strowman is ready for Bronson Reed…but the Miz interrupts. Before he can get anywhere, R-Truth interrupts with Strowman being surprised that he’s back. R-Truth isn’t sure what Strowman is talking about but Strowman is off to get ready. R-Truth isn’t sure why he didn’t tell Miz that he’s back but he’s gotten a match with A-Op. As in the Authors of Pain, though R-Truth isn’t sure what books they have written.

Sami Zayn doesn’t like the disrespect from Gunther and no he isn’t over it despite getting it for his entire career. It doesn’t matter what happens to him because he’s going to keep fighting until he becomes World Heavyweight Champion.

LWO vs. Judgment Day

Del Toro kicks McDonagh in the face to start and hits a high crossbody. Wilde adds a 450 and we take an early break. Back with Wilde hitting a DDT and diving over to Lee for the tag to clean house. Lee’s slingshot dropkick in the corner rocks Carlito and the villains are sent into the corner in a big pile. That means a Coast To Coast dropkick from Del Toro for two on McDonagh and a big dive to the floor makes it worse. Liv Morgan offers a distraction though and here is Finn Balor for a cheap shot to Del Toro. The Devlin Side finishes at 7:10.

Rating: B-. Some of the spots were very entertaining and that shouldn’t be a surprise given who was in there. At the same time, the numbers game being the LWO’s undoing isn’t that shocking. At the same time, it would have been ok if Judgment Day beat this version of the LWO. The good guys aren’t that strong in the first place, especially with Rey Mysterio not involved.

Post break, Balor promises to prove to Damian Priest that Priest needed him rather than the team needing Priest. Liv Morgan promises to prove that she is a home wrecking, man stealing, greatest champion of all time. Cue Rhea Ripley to interrupt and she brings out the shark cage for dramatic effect (her words).

The reality is Dominik Mysterio is scared of confined spaces so he’ll be terrified…and here is Damian Priest to jump Judgment Day. Ripley headbutts Morgan and sends Mysterio into the shark cage. Morgan is back up for the brawl, with Ripley throwing a shoe at her. Priest keeps beating up Judgment Day until Balor hits a Sling Blade. The Coup de Grace leaves Priest laying.

Sheamus talks about how bad it is to get hit in the back of the head by a man who used to be your friend. It’s even worse when that friend used to be named Butch, so now they’re in for a fight. We’ll even make it a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook.

Commentary pays tribute to Pete Rose, complete with some Wrestlemania footage. Simple and short here but anything is better than nothing, especially when the news broke about an hour before the show went on the air.

Damage CTRL want the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Chad Gable vs. Kofi Kingston

American Made and Xavier Woods are here too. Gable takes him to the mat to start but is quickly escaped both times. Kingston backflips out of a German suplex and flips out of a monkey flip as well. They go outside where Gable, with a cut forehead, hits a German suplex and we take a break.

Back with Kingston hitting a middle rope dropkick but coming up favoring his knee. An overhead belly to belly drops Kingston again and they trade rollups for two each. Kingston kicks his way out of the corner but misses a top rope shot to the head,. The ankle lock is countered into a rollup for two but Trouble In Paradise is countered into the ankle lock again. That’s broken up and they fall out to the floor, with Kingston hitting a dive onto American Made. Woods helps take out Julius Creed and trips Gable, which causes Kingston to miss Trouble In Paradise. Rolling Chaos Theory finishes Kingston at 9:30.

Rating: B. This is one of those matches where you knew it was going to be good because of who was involved. At the same time you had some interesting storyline advancement with Woods costing Kingston the win by trying to go evil. Solid match and I could go for seeing more from both of them, which is a nice feeling to have.

We look at WWE stars at various football games over the weekend, including Seth Rollins.

Bronson Reed isn’t worried that Rollins is getting ready to return to the ring, because he’ll take even more time off Rollins’ career. As for tonight, he’ll be the Last Monster Standing.

Adam Pearce is talking to security again when Gunther passes by.

We get another weird Wyatt Sicks video, saying “we see your intent” and talking about anger festering into rage, which will end in your demise. Do not force their hand, heed their admonition. Ok then.

Here is Gunther for a chat, though first we see some clips of his match with Ilja Dragunov over the weekend, where Dragunov tore his ACL and will be out 6-9 months. Gunther talks about how fantastic it is to be World Heavyweight Champion, as it comes with a lot of perks. There is one thing that he hates though, which is dealing with Sami Zayn every single week. Cue Zayn to interrupt, saying that all Gunther has to do is give him a title shot.

Gunther says Zayn isn’t on his level, which Zayn says Gunther knows is nonsense and that’s why Gunther is scared. Zayn beat him before and Gunther knows he can do it again. Gunther says Zayn is scared of his reputation, because losing to a better man would have been no problem, but losing to Zayn is an embarrassment. Gunther wasn’t sure he could win at Wrestlemania but he didn’t parade his worries around for sympathy.

After the match, Gunther had to talk to his father, who flew all the way from Vienna to see him lose to a bum. Zayn wouldn’t understand though because Zayn’s family always sees him fail. On the other hand, Gunther is his family’s golden goose. Zayn says it’s true that Gunther lost, and then he left for weeks because he couldn’t handle it. He never asked for a rematch and didn’t even show up, because his dad thought he was a loser. Now Gunther is showing his father that he is a coward, which is enough for Gunther to beat Zayn down and yell a lot. Gunther lays him out with the powerbomb and the match is on.

Awesome Truth vs. Authors Of Pain

Truth shoulders Rezar to start but gets caught in a quick Dominator. Karrion Kross is yelling at Miz from the floor as the double teaming is on. Truth manages to low bridge Akam to the floor and hands it off to Miz…who kicks Truth in the face and walks out. What A Rush finishes Truth (who wasn’t legal) at 2:58.

Bad Blood rundown.

Gunther, with Ludwig Kaiser, isn’t worried about defending against Sami Zayn next week. Bron Breakker, who beat Gunther in NXT, comes in to look at the World Heavyweight Title. He’ll see Gunther soon. New Day could be seen arguing in the back.

Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman

Last Monster (Man) Standing. Strowman hits a clothesline to start but Reed knocks him out to the floor. A missed charge sends Reed into the steps but he’s back up in a few seconds. Strowman hits him with the steps a few times and a chokeslam sends Reed through the announcers’ table. Reed is back up and we have another staredown as we take a break.

Back with Reed knocking him own as a bunch of chairs are set up on the floor. Strowman gets in a shot of his own and limps over for a forearm to send Red through the chairs. Reed is back up again and they fight up to the stage, where Strowman gets in a chair to the back. They climb onto some anvil cases with Reed slamming him through some tables but Strowman gets up again.

We come back from another break with Strowman having crashed through the barricade and beating the count. Another spear puts Strowman through another barricade, with some fans being taken out. Security and agents come out to check on the fans as Reed hits the Tsunami but there’s no referee. That means another Tsunami before Reed throws security inside. The referee is thrown down so Adam Pearce gets in Reed’s face.

The Agents go to make the save but Strowman goes up and dives onto the pile or the huge knockdown. They both beat the count so Strowman goes up, with Reed catching him in the superplex to break the ring (that’s always cool). They’re both getting up again but here is Seth Rollins to Stomp Reed onto the steps so Strowman can win at 19:18.

Rating: B+. While this didn’t quite hit the levels of violence and insanity that I was hoping for, it was still a good fight between two monsters with multiple big moments. Reed vs. Rollins can be a major match down the line (two weeks from now would work fine) and it wouldn’t stun me to see it dragged out a bit. Reed has done well in this role and I could go for more of it, but Rollins almost has to be the endgame one way or another.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a heck of a way to close out the three hours Raw’s, as they had a bunch of storyline developments and some strong action to balance it out. In addition to boosting up Bad Blood, they’ve also made me want to see next week’s pretty stacked show. Awesome stuff this week and one of the better Raw’s in a bit, as it did its own thing and set up matches for the future, which is a very efficient week.

Results
Xavier Woods b. Rey Mysterio – Rollup
Zoey Stark b. Lyra Valkyria – Z360
Judgment Day b. LWO – Devlin Side to del Toro
Chad Gable b. Kofi Kingston – Rolling Chaos Theory
Authors Of Pain b. Awesome Truth – What A Rush to R-Truth
Braun Strowman b. Bronson Reed – Stomp onto the steps

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

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

AND

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 16, 2024
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re closing in on Bad Blood with the big story being the announcement of Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk inside the Cell. Other than that we have Damian Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio this week, plus Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed II and the Tag Team Titles are on the line. Let’s get to it.

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

A bunch of people arrive, including CM Punk, who leaves his car door open and doesn’t take the key with him. Even if he has no contact starting and has the key in his pocket, that’s rather risky.

We follow Punk from the back to the ring (where he takes off his Bret Hart shirt in the process) for a chat. Punk, with what sounds like a rather weak voice, talks about people wondering how much he has left in those old bones. No matter what you think, the answer will disappoint you, because it’s more than you think. Punk recaps how we got here and of course it wasn’t going to be over because he touched a bunch of turnbuckles.

The question is how many Cell matches he has left, and the correct answer is zero. His sister, his wife and the angel on his shoulder have asked him not to do this, but let him tell you why he is going to do this. The last time they were in Portland, he told McIntyre that if he kept pushing, things would get bad.

It has to end inside the Cell and while Punk can’t promise he’ll kill McIntyre, he promises to make McIntyre bleed (the fans like that) and he’ll have to kill Punk because he is prepared to die. If McIntyre is prepared to do the same, Punk will see him in H***. This was a deadly serious Punk with no sarcasm or humor and it makes the Cell feel that much bigger.

Sheamus is sick of Pete Dunne and brings up how much Dunne hates being called Butch, while saying Butch multiple times.

Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne

They slug it out to start with Sheamus getting the better of things. The fight goes out to the floor with Dunne being dropped onto the announcers’ table as we take an early break. Back with Dunne countering a super White Noise into a sitout powerbomb for two. Dunne fires off elbows to the head but Sheamus is back up with a powerslam.

A middle rope knee to the head gives Sheamus two so he takes Dunne up and hits a super powerslam for the same. Dunne reaches over for the shillelagh but Sheamus knocks it out of his owns. Dunne knows he’s in trouble but the referee takes it away. The distraction is enough for Dunne to whip out a cricket bat and knock Sheamus silly. A pump kick (rather Brogueish) finishes Sheamus at 11:07.

Rating: C+. Sheamus is a very valuable thing to have for WWE as you can put him out there in any kind of a spot and he winds up giving you a good match while making everyone else look good. That was the case here, with Dunne getting one of the biggest wins of his career and certainly his most recent. If nothing else, the cricket bat was a nice touch and we’ll probably see it again later.

We look back at Judgment Day taking out the Terror Twins last week until Jey Uso makes the save.

The Twins run into Uso, who says he’ll be watching Damian Priest against Dominik Mysterio. Xavier Woods comes in and is told to get the Tag Team Titles away from Judgment Day.

Miz hypes Braun Strowman up for his rematch with Bronson Reed but doesn’t like Strowman suggesting that Miz is no match for Reed. Strowman tells him that’s not what it meant, though Miz isn’t overly convinced. That was definitely teasing a Miz heel turn.

Natalya vs. Zoey Stark

All of their friends are here too. Natalya takes her down to start but Stark is right back with a springboard missile dropkick (and a nice one at that) as we take a break. We come back with Natalya blocking another springboard missile dropkick but Stark snapmares her down. The basement superkick gets two and frustration is setting in. A quick Sharpshooter attempt is countered into a pinfall reversal sequence, with Natalya rolling her up for the pin at 7:01.

Rating: C. Natalya is back and while I’m not sure if last week’s return was some big, epic moment like commentary was talking, it’s nice to have her back as she’s still quality in the ring. I’m not sure where this is going, but the Pure Fusion Collective is starting to look weak. That’s not a far fall in the first place as they weren’t looking strong coming in, but another loss isn’t helping them.

Finn Balor interrupts Rhea Ripley and says she is just as bad as Damian Priest. Balor is sick of her blaming him for everything that happened. Ripley says she isn’t going to be lied to because the team was supposed to be a family. Ripley put u with everything because she loved her family. At Bad Blood we’ll see how bad the Terror Twins can be.

That’s fine with Balor, who was the devil on Dominik Mysterio’s shoulder who told him to leave Rhea for Morgan. Jey Uso comes in to ask if they have a problem, but Balor says focus on the Intercontinental Title because Ripley is out of his league. Balor leaves and Ripley says Balor has a point. Jey: “What, that you’re out of my league?” Ripley: “No, about the title.” Uso seems happy and is off to the ring. I’m not sure I can see it happening, but the roof is going to come off if Uso and Ripley get together on screen.

Here is Uso in the ring. He talks about what he has been doing lately and now it is time to get his first singles title so he can really be Main Event Jey Uso. Cue Bron Breakker, who says that he has done some homework on Jey. While Jey has been around for fourteen years and is looking for his first singles title, Breakker has done more than he has in just six months.

Breakker didn’t need his family or their name to get here, while Uso is nothing without his family. Uso is ready to fight next week, saying he can make this as short as Breakker’s NFL career. That has Breakker ready to go but Uso spears him down. Good enough here, but my goodness it’s hard to imagine Uso’s spear keeping Breakker down.

Iyo Sky yells at Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, with Belair saying that she was booked to face Kairi Sane, but Belair agrees to face Sky instead. That’s a weird change but the match should be better.

Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. Judgment Day

New Day is challenging. Kofi hurricanranas McDonagh down to start and hits the slingshot splash, setting up Woods’ jumping elbow for two. Everything breaks down and a double bulldog puts Balor down. The champs are sent outside and we take an early break. Back with Kofi and Balor knocking each other down, allowing Woods to come in and take over on McDonagh.

Kofi comes in and hits a big running flip dive onto Balor, leaving Woods to sitout powerbomb McDonagh for two. Cue Judgment Day for a distraction but the LWO comes out to cut them off, leaving Woods very confused. Kofi dives onto everyone at ringside and Woods hits the Limit Break but there is no referee. Balor comes in off a blind tag and hits the Coup de Grace to retain the titles at 8:29.

Rating: B-. This is a weird story but I’m still not sure I can actually imagine them pulling the trigger on the New Day splitting. Big E. showing up again is about the only thing that can save the team and that’s a very reasonable option. I’m not sure if I’m liking that we’re seeing here, but dang they have me interested.

We get a weird Wyatt Sicks video, ending with a graphic saying “You speak, we follow” and another QR cope.

Post break Xavier Woods is yelling at the LWO when Kofi Kingston comes up to thank them for having his back as requested. Woods asks when they ever needed help again but Kofi says they had Big E. before. That sets Woods off, because it means he isn’t good enough, but more importantly, WHY DID THE LWO KNOW THE PLAN WHEN HE DIDN’T? That’s a totally fair question.

Bronson Reed talks about everyone he has smashed.

Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman

Hold on though as Strowman sends him into the corner, where Reed breaks the top rope. A chokeslam sends Reed rolling out to the floor, where Strowman loads up the freight train. That’s fine with Reed, who grabs a person from the crowd and throws him at Strowman. Back up and Strowman tackles him through the barricade as Reed leaves through the crowd. Strowman isn’t done and chases after him with a tackle into an anvil case. They go to the back where Reed puts him through some tables, only for Strowman to get up and tackle him through a wall. No match.

Ludwig Kaiser comes in to see Adam Pearce, who wants to talk about Gunther’s next challenger. Adam Pearce thinks Sami Zayn is making a good case for the shot, but Kaiser wanted a quality opponent. As they are talking, Zayn comes into the arena, with Pearce telling Gunther to deal with Zayn in person.

In the arena, Zayn comes to the ring to talk about how he was in the ring last week, hearing Bret Hart talk about what it means to be champion. That is what Zayn needs and he needs it more than anyone can believe. Unfortunately, Gunther has declined the challenges and it’s because Zayn isn’t on his level.

Instead, Zayn thinks he’s in Gunther’s head because Gunther knows Zayn can beat him again, just like he did at Wrestlemania. Cue Ludwig Kaiser, who says this is not going to happen because Zayn is not good enough. Zayn doesn’t think Gunther needs Kaiser, but also that Kaiser does not need Gunther. Kaiser is so talented but maybe he just doesn’t have the guts to do it.

Cue Gunther to interrupt, saying he’ll get to Zayn in a minute. First though, is there anything Kaiser needs to tell him? Kaiser says there is something he has wanted to get off his chest for a long time…and he decks Zayn to hammer away. With Kaiser holding Zayn back, Gunther turns down the challenge again and hugs Kaiser. Gunther leaves but Zayn is back up with a German suplex and the Helluva Kick to Kaiser. The title match taking place is all but guaranteed, but I’m not sure what Zayn can do to push Gunther over the edge.

Liv Morgan interrupts Damian Priest and feels sorry that the Terror Twins are still so obsessed with the one time in their careers when they were actually on top. Priest is amazed that someone in Judgment Day has a set, but promises to hurt Dominik Mysterio when he gets his hands on him.

Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky

Jade Cargill and Kairi Sane are both here too. Belair powers her around to start before they trade waistlocks. Sky flips away with some cartwheels but Belair gets in a flip of her own. Sky’s hurricanrana is countered into a sunset flip for two, followed by a rather delayed vertical suplex. Back up and Sky grabs a springboard armdrag but Belair sticks the landing as we take a break.

We come back with Belair hitting a shoulder in the corner, setting up some right hands. A palm strike drops Belair, who comes back up with a gutbuster. Sky’s missile dropkick gets two and Belair wins a slugout. A quick rollup gives Sky two but Belair launches her face first into the buckle.

Belair’s spinebuster sets up a handspring moonsault for two but Sky slips out of a gorilla press. A German suplex gives Sky two and she sends Belair outside for a big suicide dive. Belair is back up and grabs a vertical suplex, which she walks up the steps to throw Sky back inside. The 450 hits raised knees but Over The Moonsault takes too long, allowing Belair to load up the KOD. That’s reversed into a small package to give Sky the pin at 12:24.

Rating: B+. This was REALLY good and I was watching every second at the end to see just where they were going to go. Belair is a major star in the women’s division and a bigger deal than Sky, but it doesn’t feel like a completely ridiculous result. They were having a pretty outstanding match and I was pulled all the way into it. Best match I’ve seen on Raw in a good while.

American Made is happy to be done with the Wyatt Sicks. They’re ready to bring honor back to the ring and make history. This was more corny than anything else.

Ludwig Kaiser doesn’t care what Sami Zayn was saying, because they’re going one on one next week. Sami Zayn wants to talk about loyalty but how many times have he and Kevin Owens turned on each other? Next week, Zayn is getting exposed.

Ilja Dragunov wishes Jey Uso luck against Bron Breakker and even says Yeet. With Uso gone, the Judgment Day comes in to say Dragunov is making some bad choices for friends. Dragunov respects the Terror Twins and Jey, which is more than he can say for the team. Finn Balor says this was just a friendly warning, but next time won’t be so nice.

We actually look at some fan signs, which is usually done off air.

Bad Blood rundown.

Damian Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio

Rhea Ripley (off crutches but still limping) and the rest o Judgment Day are here too. Priest throws Dominik into the corner to start and hits him in the face. Arm cranking has Dominik in more trouble but Dominik flips out of a belly to back suplex and dropkicks the knee. Priest flapjacks him down (Ripley laughs a lot) and Dominik’s comeback attempt is cut off with a single shot.

Finn Balor offers a distraction to break up the Razor’s Edge though and Priest goes outside. This time Carlito offers a distraction, allowing Dominik to send Priest into the post. We take a break and come back with Priest in more trouble but Ripley’s taunting starts to get into Dominik’s head. A slap to the face wakes Priest up and he slugs away, including some big right hands to put Dominik down.

Balor offers another distraction and Dominik gets two off a rollup, only for Priest to kick him in the head. The Broken Arrow gets two, with Liv Morgan putting the foot on the ropes. Ripley spears Morgan over the announcers’ table (wiping out Wade Barrett in the process) and Priest drops Carlito and glares at Balor before throwing Dominik at him as well. Back in and Dominik hits a 619 (not a great one) but the frog splash misses. Priest blasts Dominik with a clothesline and the South Of Heaven finishes at 12:11.

Rating: B-. The big thing I saw coming out of this was that Priest looks like a monster. He’s big, he’s strong, he has good facials and the fans respond to him. That is something that can go a long way and it worked here. There is no reason for Dominik to be able to hang with him in a straight up match and that was on display. It went as it should have and Priest looked great, which I’ll certainly take.

Post match Judgment Day jumps Priest, with Morgan sending Ripley into the steps. Cue Jey Uso…taking his sweet time, and then stopping outside, where Bron Breakker cuts him off with a spear. Morgan gives Ripley Oblivion and Balor hits multiple Coup de Graces on Priest. The villains pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The best thing I can say about a show is that it left me wanting more and that is what we had here. I want to see where things are going for Bad Blood and next week’s show has potential as well. WWE is feeling some things lately and there is still a bunch of big things to come. Another solid show here, with the important show on the way.

Results
Pete Dunne b. Sheamus – Brogue Kick
Natalya b. Zoey Stark – Rollup
Judgment Day b. New Day – Coup de Grace to Woods
Iyo Sky b. Bianca Belair – Small package
Damian Priest b. Dominik Mysterio – South Of Heaven

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

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

AND

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 9, 2024
Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Albert, Canada
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the season premiere of the show and since we’re in Calgary, Bret Hart is here for a special appearance. We’ve also got the Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line and a four way for the #1 contendership to the Intercontinental Title. Throw in the start of the build to Bad Blood in less than a month and we should be in for a big one. Let’s get to it.

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

The announcers welcome us to the show and throw us to a video recapping American Made vs. the Wyatt Sicks.

American Made vs. Wyatt Sicks

Street fight. It’s a big brawl to start (as it should be) with Nikki Cross bringing out the weapons. The Creeds try some double teaming but Rowan suplexes both of them down on the floor and runs Gable over. Uncle Howdy (not in the match) sits in the rocking chair as Rowan brings out the first table.

Cross sprays Rowan with the fire extinguisher and the Creeds put him through a table before burying him with a bunch of stuff. Lumis gets chaired down but pops up and hits a belly to back suplex into a jumping legdrop on Gable. Gacy hits the Upside Down to drop the Creeds but Julius kendo sticks him in the back. The women fight over the announcers’ table as the Creeds load up another table.

Rowan comes back from the burial and wrecks the Creeds with a piece of the barricade but Gable takes him down with a shot to the back. Gable German suplexes Rowan into the barricade and the Brutus Ball into a steps shot puts him down again. Gacy dives onto Gable and Lumis flip dives onto the Creeds, followed by a clothesline to drop Gable inside.

Gable is back up with a super Angle Slam to put Gacy through the table for two. Gable grabs the ankle lock and Nile is in with kendo stick shots to Gacy but Cross makes the save. Rowan claw slams Gable onto the steps, with Howdy coming in with a Sister Abigail to Julius. Lumis’ frog splash pins Gable at 16:53.

Rating: B. This was a heck of a fight and a good bit better than I was expecting. I’m still not sure what the Wyatts do next as this should wrap up the feud, but at least they got a big win. That being said, can we please stop seeing Gable lose? It wouldn’t have been the same for one of the Creeds to take the fall, but dang seeing Gable get pinned again was sad.

Tessitore lets us know that from October 7 – the end of the year, the show will only be two hours. Oh that’s a big change.

We look back at Liv Morgan injuring Rhea Ripley’s leg last week and the Terror Twins going after the Judgment Day. Morgan defending the Women’s Title against Ripley is set for Bad Blood.

Here is Finn Balor for a chat. He wants to talk about Damian Priest holding him down while Balor was trying to hold him up. Balor should have been the World Heavyweight Champion a long time ago but Priest was always there with that briefcase. He calls Priest out here right now so here is Priest to say he’s dropping Balor right now. Balor says he wants a match at Bad Blood, one on one, which works for Priest.

Cue Judgment Day to swarm Priest, with Rhea Ripley, on a crutch, limping down the aisle, but cutting Liv Morgan off with a crutch shot. Dominik Mysterio comes after Ripley and gets crutched down instead. Morgan takes out the bad knee and they get inside. Priest covers Ripley and takes the crutch shots from Morgan, only for Dominik to pull him off and unload with crutch shots to the ribs, setting up Balor’s Coup de Grace. Cue Jey Uso for the save with a chair though and the fans approve. The Judgment Day had to get some heat on the Terror Twins and this worked well.

Braun Strowman talks about how he’s ready to win the four way tonight and become #1 contender to get the Intercontinental Title back. Bron Breakker comes in and says he’s ready to prove that you don’t have to be that big to be a monster. Breakker’s confidence is great and it feels earned.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Unholy Union vs. Bianca Belair/Jade Cargill

Belair and Cargill are defending. Fyre gets taken down by Belair to start and it’s off to Cargill for the double shoulder. Dawn comes in and manages to take Cargill into the corner, where Fyre gets in a shot to the knee. Cargill kicks her away though and it’s back to Belair to clean house.

A double high crossbody takes the challengers out and there’s the handspring moonsault for two on Dawn. Belair’s superplex is blocked and a double powerbomb brings her back down for two. Cargill comes in for the save but Jaded is broken up with a superkick. The Gory Bomb/Downward Spiral hits Belair but Cargill dives in for a save. Belair gets over for the tag and the assisted German suplex to Fyre retains the titles at 6:35.

Rating: C+. That should pretty much do it for this feud as there is no reason for them to fight again. Belair and Cargill beat them cleanly here and that makes it two in a row. I’m not sure what is next for the Union, as there are only so many teams for them to face. That’s been a problem for the division since it started and it’s still the case now.

Dragon Lee and the LWO is ready for Dominik Mysterio. Judgment Day comes in to sneer and the Mysterios get into the usual argument. Rey challenges Finn Balor for tonight and the match is on.

Barrett and Tessitore are here to introduce Bret Hart to a hero’s welcome. After the announcement that Survivor Series is returning to Canada this November, Bret talks about what it meant to be a Canadian champion. It meant that he would fight anyone anywhere anytime for twenty years….and here is Gunther to interrupt (complete with what looked like a bit of a Bret pose on the way in).

Gunther is rather pleased to be here with one of his childhood heroes, but this is kind of a passing the torch moment. While Bret is the best there ever was, Gunther is the best there is and the best there ever will be. With that out of the way, Gunther talks about how everyone here watched Bret growing up and he will always be a close second to his all time favorite: Bill Goldberg. Oh that was HILARIOUS.

Cue Sami Zayn (in a Johnny Gaudreau jersey, paying tribute to an NHL player who was killed last month in an accident) to say that he can’t believe Gunther would make fun o a Canadian hero whose matches are still being studied to this day. Zayn issues the challenge to Gunther again but gets turned down again. As Gunther leaves, Hart calls him a coward so Gunther starts coming back, with Zayn brawling with him before posing with Hart. This was a nice moment and a great use of someone like Hart, but nothing was topping that Goldberg line.

Bron Breakker runs into Pete Dunne and, after teasing the Butch name, he mocks Dunne’s weird look and promises to beat him up if he wins. Breakker leaves and Sheamus runs in to jump Dunne with a knee to the face.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee

The rest of the Judgment Day and the LWO are both here too. Lee takes him down to start and goes up, only to get dropkicked out of the air in a nice spot. We take a break and come back with Dominik stomping away but Lee scores with a slingshot dropkick. A Michinoku Driver gives Dominik two but Lee muscles him up with a powerbomb for the same. Lee plants him for two again but Judgment Day interferes, meaning it’s a big brawl to the back. Liv Morgan uses the distraction to get in a chop block on Lee, setting up the 619. The frog splash finishes Lee at 8:15.

Rating: C+. What in the world happened to Dragon Lee? It felt like he was ready to be the next big thing and now he couldn’t be much more of an afterthought. Maybe it was too much too fast, but dang he has fallen through the floor. For now though, Morgan continues to help Dominik win as they are still a success, but Ripley is on the way and it’s going to be painful.

Damage CTRL come up to Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair, saying not to get used to holding the titles. That’s as good of a set of challenges as they have.

Commentary pays tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, with Jackie Redmond (who works in the NHL so she already has ties to this) looking at the memorial to him outside of the arena. You rarely see this kind of thing from WWE and it was very nice.

Pure Fusion Collective vs. Lyra Valkyria/Zelina Vega/???

It’s a mystery partner and…hang on as Sonya Deville cuts off Valkyria’s music to call out whomever the partner is going to be. It’s Calgary so here is the returning Natalya to even things up. Vega gets sent outside to start and the villains get to pose as we take an early break. Back with Natalya coming in to clean house before trading rollups with Stark for some near falls. Everything breaks down and a triple Sharpshooter ends the Collective at 6:57.

Rating: C. This was nothing more than a way to pop the live crowd and it went well enough. Natalya is only going to be so interesting no matter what she does but she’s been gone long enough that it was nice to see her again. The ending was a great thing to see in Calgary as well so this was a perfectly pleasant match.

Bret Hart congratulates Natalya, Zelina Vega and Lyra Valkyria on the win, saying it was a Nattie moment instead of a Bret moment.

Here is Drew McIntyre to mock the fans’ CM PUNK chants. Last week Punk was bragging about beating him by slapping some corners and saying that was it. McIntyre isn’t done with Punk though because he made Punk a bigger star. Things are going well for McIntyre right now, as he has his first movie coming out later this week, but he has some bad news. It has to do with Wade Barrett, who seems confused.

McIntyre talks about their history together, which involves living together, training together and being arrested together. Barrett has been one of only people to plead his case while Michael Cole lied, but last week Barrett tried to stop McIntyre from hurting Punk. McIntyre isn’t happy but if Barrett does it again, it won’t go well.

Barrett stands up and stares at McIntyre but Adam Pearce interrupts, saying he has something McIntyre will want to hear. Pearce has talked to Punk and he’s going to face McIntyre one more time. At Bad Blood. Inside Hell In A Cell. And this works because it’s a feud that has earned the spot in that kind of match.

Karrion Kross is talking to Miz when Xavier Woods (in Bret Hart cosplay) Comes in to ask what Kross is doing. Kross leaves and Woods asks Miz what’s going on. Miz says he invented that move but Woods wouldn’t understand. With Miz gone, Kofi Kingston comes in and says he’s got them a Tag Team Title shot next week. Woods is pleased and Bret posing ensues.

Finn Balor vs. Rey Mysterio

Balor kicks him down and stomps away to start but Rey is back up rather quickly. Rey manages to send him outside and hits a dive as we take a break. Back with Rey hitting a springboard crossbody and a 619 to the ribs. The regular 619 is cut off and Balor grabs a half crab in the ropes…which he doesn’t break and that’s a DQ at 8:00.

Rating: C+. This picked up a bit after the break but it’s much more of an angle than a match. With Balor getting ready for his big showdown with Priest, he needs to be reheated a bit and this was a fine way to do it. At the same time, Rey continues to be able to look good in the ring, which should not be happening for someone with a mixture of his age and knees.

Post match Balor stays on him and wrecks the knee even more.

Ilja Dragunov is ready to prove himself for another shot at Bron Breakker. Cue Breakker to say he’s beaten Dragunov before but if Dragunov wants, he can do it again. Jey Uso comes in and goes to the ring for his entrance.

Judgment Day says tonight was a message and it’ll be even worse at Bad Blood.

Braun Strowman vs. Jey Uso vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Pete Dunne

For the next shot against Bron Breakker. Strowman cleans house to start but gets knocked to the floor so Dragunov can hit some running knees on Dunne. Uso is back up to take out Dragunov, leaving Dunne to go after Strowman’s finger. Strowman throws him onto the other two and we take a break.

Back with Strowman shoving all of them away but getting knocked outside again. Strowman grabs for Dunne but Dragunov takes him down down a dive. Everyone gets together and shoves Strowman into the steps, leaving Dunne to X Plex Dragunov. They trade kicks to the head until Dragunov goes up, only to be superkicked out of the air by Uso for two.

We take another break and come back again with Dunne snapping more fingers and going up but Strowman cuts him off. Strowman does the freight train and loads up the announcers’ table but Bronson Reed returns and splashes Strowman through the table instead. Uso and Dragunov stare each other down with Uso hitting a spear but Dunne comes in to steal the near fall. Dragunov kicks Dunne in the face and gives him a powerbomb, setting up the H Bomb for two with Uso making the save with a superkick. The Superfly Splash gives Uso the pin at 13:39.

Rating: B. This was set up well as Uso felt like the most likely winner but Strowman was just enough of a threat to add some drama. Dunne and Dragunov would have felt like a big stretch no matter what they were doing but they both added enough. Reed’s interference made for a great moment and odds are they’ll have another match at Bad Blood. Good stuff here, with the right person winning.

Bron Breakker comes out for the staredown with Jey Uso to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This show covered a lot of ground with good action, matches being set up for both next week and Bad Blood, and an absolutely amazing moment with Gunther cracking me up. They set up three major matches for Bad Blood (with the IC Title likely coming there too) in the span of three hours, which is a rather efficient way to go. I liked this one a good bit and it flew by, but dang that shift to two hours in a few weeks sounds glorious.

Results
Wyatt Sicks b. American Made – Top rope splash to Gable
Bianca Belair/Jade Cargill b. Unholy Union – Assisted German suplex to Fyre
Dominik Mysterio b. Dragon Lee
Natalya/Lyra Valkyria/Zelina Vega b. Pure Fusion Collective – Triple Sharpshooters
Rey Mysterio b. Finn Balor via DQ when Balor would not release a half crab
Jey Uso b. Braun Strowman, Ilja Dragunov and Pete Dunne – Superfly Splash to Dunne

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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AND

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Monday Night Raw
Date: August 26, 2024
Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the last Raw before Bash In Berlin and the show could use a nice push. Last week’s show wasn’t as strong as the previous few weeks but maybe it was just a one off. This week will also see the start of a tournament to crown a new #1 contender to the Intercontinental Title so let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Sid. That’s still a shocker.

Here is the Judgment Day for a chat. They brag about last week’s beatdown of Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley and then promise to do even worse to them in Berlin. Dominik is booed out of the building and tries to say that Liv Morgan helps him do things he has never done before (Cole: “TMI!”).

That’s why he is entering the Intercontinental Title #1 contenders tournament but here is the LWO to interrupt. Rey Mysterio calls Dominik a lost soul and says someone needs to put Dominik in his place. Dominik brings up Rey leaving for weeks, with Rey saying Dominik is even more of a jackass than usual. The brawl is on and the LWO clears the ring rather quickly.

Judgment Day vs. LWO

Joined in progress with Rey coming in to hammer away on Balor, setting up the sitout bulldog for two. Carlito comes in so del Toro comes in off the ropes to work on the arm. Wilde gets springboarded into a moonsault for two on Carlito, who easily takes him into the wrong corner. It’s back to Del Toro, who has to dropkick his way out of the wrong corner, allowing the tag to Wilde. Everything breaks down and Wilde does his insane springboard dive to take them out in the aisle as we take a break.

Back with Wilde in trouble in the wrong corner but managing to send Balor outside. A rolling tag brings in Rey to take over on Dominik, including a kick to the head for two. Dominik catches him on top but it’s a sunset bomb to give Rey two with Judgment Day making the save. Rey sends Dominik outside and the LWO hit a quadruple dive, setting up the 619 to Dominik. Liv Morgan pulls Dominik away from the frog splash though and la majistral gives Dominik the pin at 13:31.

Rating: B-. The LWO can do the high flying fast paced stuff rather well and it worked well here. The Judgment Day on the other hand is more a bunch of people who do whatever they need to win and make it work, which was the case again here. Dominik pinning Rey again with Liv’s help is a nice point in making him seem right, but punishment is coming.

Post match Judgment Day keeps up the beatdown but Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan make the save. Dominik and Liv bail, leaving JD McDonagh to get Riptided while Carlito gets South Of Heavened.

Miz talks about how everything has been going bad for him lately while he tries to do the right thing. Bronson Reed comes in to say Miz came after him because of R-Truth, who came after him in the first place. After Reed takes care of Braun Strowman, he’ll be back for Miz.

Xavier Woods, now in black gear rather than Kofi Kingston’s lime green (Woods calls it adding his own flavor) but they’re cool because they can talk about things. They’re both in the tournament for the Intercontinental Title shot and everything seems cool.

The Pure Fusion Collective brags about hurting various people.

Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective

Sonya Deville is here with the Collective. Sky and Stark start things off until Baszler tags herself in and low bridges Sky to the floor. Deville gets in a cheap shot and we take an early break. Back with Sane getting the tag to clean house, including some spinning backfists. Sane hits the sliding lariat to Baszler in the corner, setting up a top rope forearm for two. A choke is reversed into Baszler’s ankle lock and Stark adds a missile dropkick for two. Cue the returning Zelina Vega to take out Deville, leaving Sane to knock Stark down. Sky dives onto Baszler as Sane hits the Insane Elbow to pin Stark at 7:19.

Rating: C+. The teams both work well together and Damage CTRL gets a win to put them back on the right path. The women’s division has some depth at the moment and it is nice to see things picking up a bit. Vega being back should add a bit more, which could take them into a more in-depth feud that isn’t about a title for once.

Uncle Howdy doesn’t like Chad Gable being a false leader who sends his family into danger. The Wyatt Sicks are ready to take him out to prevent things from getting worse. This is a purge.

Here is Drew McIntyre for a chat. He mocks CM Punk’s line about it being great to be alive here in Providence before moving on to how Punk had nothing to do with all of this success. McIntyre sits down cross legged and says this is what he does: he always tells the truth. The reason this keeps happening (standing back up now) is because the fans chant Punk’s name to enable him.

That’s why there is going to be a strap match on Saturday and each lashing is going to be on the fans. McIntyre brings up the bracelet but cue Punk to interrupt from behind and the fight is on. McIntyre grabs the strap but Punk backdrops him onto the announcers’ table. A few shots with the strap send McIntyre running so Punk beats up some security.

Braun Strowman isn’t going to be bullied by Bronson Reed.

Jey Uso does his walk through the concourse to start his entrance.

Intercontinental Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Jey Uso vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross

The winner goes on to a four way final. Kross gets knocked down into the corner to start for some alternating stomping, only for Uso to roll Kingston up for two. Back up and Uso gets sent outside as well, meaning it’s a big Kingston dive to take both of them down. We take a break and come back with Uso’s dancing punches putting Kross down. A running Umaga Attack hits Kingston but Kross cuts Uso off with a superkick for two. Kingston drops both of them for a double Boom Drop, only to have Trouble In Paradise broken up. With Kingston sent outside, Uso hits a spear on Kross, setting up the Superfly Splash for the pin at 8:44.

Rating: B-. I was hoping for singles matches in the tournament but I guess we covered those well enough for the King/Queen of the Ring tournaments earlier this year. Uso going over is the right way to go as he would make a great first challenger for Bron Breakker and that seems to be a possible way they’re going. Other than that, Xavier Woods might be happy with Kingston’s loss and that very well could be an issue if Woods makes the finals.

Earlier today, Gunther talks about being focused on Randy Orton at Bash In Berlin.

Here is Randy Orton for a chat. Orton talks about listening to voices in his head but lately he has been listening to the voices of the people. He loves listening to the fans singing his music, even if it took 15 years to happen. Orton wants the World Heavyweight Title back because he was the youngest champion ever and the final champion when the titles were unified ten years ago. Last year the title was brought back but he wasn’t sure if he would ever be back in the ring.

This weekend, Orton gets his chance to get the title back, even though he is in enemy territory against a living legend in Europe. Orton talks about the fans watching him grow up in front of their eyes but they have also seen him getting humbled. When Gunther came to WWE, he was a 30-something egotistical jerk who has never been put in his place. Orton has had to beat his own demons and those were a lot more dangerous than anyone Gunther has ever beaten. This weekend, Gunther gets the RKO. Good promo here as it made Orton winning the title feel that much more important.

Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn are ready to beat Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill to retain the Women’s Tag Team Titles on Saturday.

Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed

Strowman dropkicks him at the bell and hammers away in the corner, only to get dropped with a running clothesline. Back up and Strowman hits a crossbody but Reed hits one of his own to send Strowman outside. Reed’s suicide dive hits Strowman hard and we take an early break.

We come back with Reed hitting a DDT but a Tsunami attempt is countered with a slam off the top. Reed blocks a chokeslam with a neck snap over the top and goes to leave, which is not going to work for Strowman. They fight up to the entrance with Reed sending him into the video screen. Reed heads through the curtain and we’ll say this is thrown out at about 8:00.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what to say about something like this as it was more about two people beating each other up rather than trying to go for a win most of the time. There is a good chance that we’ll be seeing this again, possibly with a special stipulation, and that is not a bad idea. Reed needs to get over as a monster and beating Strowman can help him do that, but they can wait a bit for the big win.

Strowman goes after him but Reed is waiting with a big trashcan shot. Strowman gets up and beats up security before Reed beats him out to the parking lot. A chokeslam puts Reed onto the hood of a car though and a running shoulder knocks him over the hood of another. Reed knocks him onto the top of a car though and Tsunamis Strowman off a wall for an awesome visual.

Post break Strowman says he can’t feel his fingers. Adam Pearce: “HE’S TALKING ABOUT HIS FINGERS!”

Intercontinental Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Miz vs. Xavier Woods vs. Pete Dunne

Woods does some Sid fist bumps in a nice moment. They start fast with some rollups for two each until Dunne is knocked out to the floor. Back in and Dunne stomps on both of their hands at once but Miz fights up. Another double knockdown leaves Miz standing as we take a break. We come back with Woods hitting a Russian legsweep on Dunne, followed by some running elbows in the corner. Woods swings Dunne but Miz is back in to grab a DDT. A double DDT gives Miz two on each and he alternates with the YES Kicks.

Dunne is sent to the apron where he enziguris Woods, only to be knocked out to the floor. Woods hits a suplex gutbuster on Miz before powerbombing Dunne onto him (there’s another Sid tribute) for two. Dunne gets kicked outside again and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Woods, only for Dunne and Miz to get in a fight over who can cover him. Instead Dunne pulls Miz into a crossface, but Miz gets his hand onto Woods’ chest for a cover (that’s a new one) and a near fall. That’s broken up so Woods hits the Limit Break on Miz but Dunne pulls the referee out. The Bitter End gives Dunne the pin on Miz at 11:13.

Rating: B. That’s an interesting way to go as Woods is not going to be happy but he wasn’t involved in the pin. Maybe he’s annoyed at Kingston for not being there to help him, but Dunne going forward works as well. The Sid tributes were sweet, the cover in the crossface was clever and the action was good enough to make this a lot better than I was expecting.

Bron Breakker isn’t overly impressed but wants Jey Uso to keep his name out of his mouth. He’ll beat up anyone who wins the tournament.

Chad Gable is ready to show that Uncle Howdy is just an ordinary guy.

We look at Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest wrecking Judgment Day earlier.

Priest and Ripley say yeah of course they’re the bad guys. Pain is promised for Judgment Day.

Bash In Berlin rundown.

Commentary talks about Sid Vicious and we get the tribute video. They had to have this ready in advance or that’s incredibly impressive.

Chad Gable vs. Uncle Howdy

They’re on their own here. Howdy fires off some knees to start and hits some running shots to the face to send Gable outside. We take an early break and come back with Gable sending him outside, only to be tossed over the announcers’ table. Gable comes back with an Angle Slam onto the announcers’ table but Howdy beats the count back in.

Howdy gets planted with a high collar superplex, followed by the rolling German suplexes. Back up and Howdy hits a quick release Rock Bottom for two of his own, setting up a hanging swinging neckbreaker. Cue Ivy Nile for a distraction so Gable can grab the ankle lock, which is broken up into a ref bump. The Mandible Claw has Gable in trouble but the Creeds run in for the save. Cue the Wyatt Sicks for the brawl so everyone else heads off. Gable misses the moonsault and Sister Abigail finishes for Howdy at 13:58.

Rating: B-. Yeah this was pretty good. That’s one of the best things that can be said about it, as there was always a worry that anything Wyatt related was going to be total insanity. It helps that Howdy is a perfectly passable wrestler so this wasn’t ever going to be a disaster unless they went totally over the top. Instead we got a pretty straightforward match and it went well. I’ll absolutely take that over ridiculous nonsense so all this a success.

Overall Rating: B. This show did well with almost everything it had included, from the tournament stuff to building interest towards Bash In Berlin to a main event which could have been a lot worse. It was a rather enjoyable three hour show and while the only thing really worth seeing is the Reed beatdown, there was nothing on here that was bad. Good show here, and Saturday could be even better.

Results
Judgment Day b. LWO – La majistral to Rey
Damage CTRL b. Pure Fusion Collective – Insane Elbow to Stark
Jey Uso b. Kofi Kingston and Karrion Kross – Superfly Splash to Kross
Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed went to a no contest
Pete Dunne b. Xavier Woods and the Miz – Bitter End to Miz
Uncle Howdy b. Chad Gable – Sister Abigail

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

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

AND

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