Monday Night Raw
Date: June 8, 2026
Location: Accor Arena, Paris, France
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re wrapping up the European run this week with another afternoon east coast show and that should make for an interesting show. If nothing else, the crowd should be more than fired up and hopefully they have the show to go along with them. Rey Mysterio is challenging for the Intercontinental Title so let’s get to it.

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

We recap the first week of the King and Queen Of The Ring.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. Femi thanks the fans for their appreciation before moving on to Paul Heyman. The two of them don’t agree on much, but they do both believe in spoilers. Here’s a spoiler for you: Femi is going to run through the King Of The Ring and win the whole thing at Night Of Champions. He needs a crown to be the ruler but there is another trophy he wants as well: Brock Lesnar’s head.

Lesnar cheated to beat him and then ran off. Heyman refers to Lesnar as the Big Bad Beast but Femi sees him as the Big Bad B****. When Lesnar is back, Femi will settle the score, but here is Dominik Mysterio (Femi’s semifinal opponent) to interrupt. After the fans boo him out of the building, Mysterio says he is a 20 year veteran and wants Femi to bend the knee and respect the stache.

JD McDonagh sneaks in with a chair shot but Femi just turns and glares at him with a look of “boy you have screwed up”. Mysterio gets in a quick 619 but gets tossed down with a powerbomb, sending Judgment Day running. Femi: “We all know that Rey Mysterio is your father. Next week, I’m going to introduce you to your daddy.” With that great line out of the way, the villains bail.

We look back at Bron Breakker accidentally spearing Paul Heyman last week and then losing to Seth Rollins.

Seth Rollins talks about how the last time he was in Paris, he was the World Heavyweight Champion. Tonight it’s about the King Of The Ring and getting back the title that he never lost. Somewhere down the line, he has a date with Roman Reigns and Rollins is ready.

Queen Of The Ring First Round: Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green

Non-title and there is a massive HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIV banner in the crowd for a rather nice touch and Morgan seems happy. Morgan is so happy that she does outside to soak in some cheers as Green goes after Lynch. That earns Green a trip to the floor so Bliss misses some knees to Lynch. What looks to be an Oblivion attempt misses and Lynch baseball slides Morgan on the floor. Green dives onto Bliss and Morgan and the fans are rather pleased again. Lynch posts Green though and we take a break.

We come back with Bliss and Green cleaning house, with Bliss hitting the other two with a standing flip dive. Green gets knocked down though and Bliss splashes her for two. Bliss goes up but Bliss is there to catch her, only for Morgan to powerbomb Green down. Twisted Bliss breaks that up for two, with Lynch making a save of her own. Back up and Oblivion is countered into Twisted Bliss for two with Lynch making another save. The Manhandle Slam drops Bliss but Green’s Unprettier…doesn’t do much as Morgan rolls Green up for the pin at 9:22.

Rating: B. This got going well and Green continues to shine under her fresh turn to the good side. The fans love her and she can do enough in the ring to make it work. At the same time, I’m rather glad to see Morgan win here, as having champions lose in these things gets annoying. Someone will take her out eventually, but seeing her win with the fans acting like this for a change was a nice moment.

Video on Rey Mysterio’s time in WWE and now he’s ready to win the Intercontinental Title tonight. Penta says he watches Mysterio for years but now it’s his time. It will be Penta’s honor to face Mysterio.

Chad Gable comes in to see Penta and apologizes for everything he did as El Grande Americano. The whole thing started because of his first loss to Penta. Gable took that loss like a coward. He doesn’t expect anything from Penta but Gable apologizes (the fans applaud). Penta says that wasn’t easy for Gable and he respects that, but there is one person Gable needs to apologize to. Gable understands.

Montez Ford comes in to see Seth Rollins, who thanks him for the help last week. The Usos and Jacob Fatu come in, with Jey Uso warning Rollins about how he speaks about the family. Jey is in the King Of The Ring but Rollins says Jimmy Uso is on the sidelines where Roman Reigns wants him.

Rollins says he’s not talking about their family because he’s only talking about Reigns. He thought the Usos were better than this but they’re just running errands for Reigns. Jey tells Fatu to get Rollins so Fatu (who had just been pacing around behind them, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else) gets in Rollins’ face…and walks away. A smirking Rollins says “family” and the Usos leave. Cole points out that last week, Fatu said he follows Reigns, not the Usos (nice catch).

Video on Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria, which was set up in a quick backstage challenge last week.

Bayley gives Valkyria a pep talk but Valkyria doesn’t seem to want her around.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria

Ruca is defending and works on an armbar to start. That’s broken up and Valkyria tries to pick up the pace, only to get taken down with an X Factor. Ruca’s springboard is cut off and Valkyria, eventually, backdrops her to the floor as we take a break. We come back with a double clothesline leaving both of them down.

Ruca shrugs off some right hands and hits a dropkick into a running knee for two. Valkyria gets her hands out to block an X Factor but has to block the Sol Snatcher as well. Valkyria’s charge misses though and she gets caught in the ropes, with Ruca hitting a quick Sol Snatcher (clean) for the pin at 10:04.

Rating: C+. The best thing here is that Ruca made it through a match without a major issue. That sounds like a joke but she really needs to get around these issues. There is certainly a learning curve on the main roster, but if you get a reputation as someone who botches a lot of stuff, it’s going to stick with you for a long time. This was at least a step in the right direction so hopefully she can get the timing and experience she ends sooner than later.

We look at Jacob Fatu acknowledging Roman Reigns last week.

Jey Uso yells at Jacob Fatu, while Jimmy is a bit calmer in his criticism. Fatu makes it clear: he doesn’t acknowledge the two of them because he only acknowledges Roman Reigns. They need to worry about LA Knight, who has been told to stop talking about the Family. He’s probably doing it again right now and the Usos aren’t doing anything. Jimmy: “Group text then!” And Jey leaves when Jimmy isn’t looking.

Here is LA Knight for a chat and he gets a microphone thrown to him, which is thrown terrible. Knight even throws it back for another chance, which he catches with one hand to a big reaction. Knight is ready for his King Of The Ring match on Smackdown where he’s ready to go through all four of them (uh, LA…..) but he’s thinking about Roman Reigns.

The truth is that Reigns’ empire is crumbling and Knight is expecting someone to come out there and cut him off on Friday. There are people against him and he thinks Adam Pearce is one of them, because Pearce didn’t choose him. The people chose him and now he can’t stop. Knight wishes everyone in the match on Friday good luck, including Jey Uso, who comes out to interrupt. Uso is still rather over and hits the catchphrase, but the fans want him to run the entrance back. Well how do you say no to that kind of a request? Knight: “You don’t possibly expect me to stand here and watch this.”

Uso says he’s always there when his family calls and this is Knight’s warning shot. That’s enough for Uso to leave, but Knight says hang on. The fans aren’t happy and Knight gets that because the YEET thing is fun. Knight appreciates Uso’s passion about his family because that’s what a good man should do. He wishes Uso good luck on Friday and from the bottom of his heart….screw your family. That’s enough for Uso to come back for the fight but Jimmy Uso comes down cut him off. Knight is in a weird place as he almost has to be in the main event scene, though I’m not sure I can imagine him actually winning the title.

Chad Gable comes up to Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio. Gable starts to apologize but Lee says he knows Gable has learned and it’s ok. Mysterio says gable needs to stop beating himself up. Mysterio did want to knock Gable’s head off his shoulders at one point (Gable: “Fair enough.”) but they saw the mask vs. mask match. Gable has apologized enough and it is accepted. Gable goes to leave but Mysterio says Gable might have said and done some things he’ll regret before he ever put the mask on. That seems to resonate with Gable.

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Rey Mysterio

Mysterio is challenging and respect is shown at the bell. An early headscissors looks to set up the 619 but Penta backdrops him to the apron. The baseball slide misses and Mysterio hits an Asai moonsault (ala Speedball Mike Bailey) as we take a break. We come back with Penta sending him to the floor for the big running flip dive. Another dive is cut off and Mysterio hits a modified 619. The sliding sunset bomb sends Penta into the barricade and we take another break.

We come back with…the screen going right back to black, as it seems they brought the feed up before they were supposed to. Either way, the Penta Driver gives Penta two and they’re both down for a bit. Back up and Mysterio hits a 619 into the slingshot splash for a rather close two. A frog splash hits knees though and the Mexican Destroyer retains the title at 13:00.

Rating: B. That was exactly what it should have been, as Penta gets another big win over the king of all lucha legends. At the same time, Mysterio can more than hang in the ring to this day, which is rather impressive given how long he has been at this. Rusev and Ethan Page are probably still coming for the title, but Penta can have a special moment first.

Post match Rusev and Ethan Page run in for the beatdown. The Accolade goes on so Dragon Lee runs in for the save. Rusev knocks Lee down and takes Mysterio’s mask, with Penta diving onto Rey’s exposed head. This brings out Chad Gable (there it is) for the save, with a bunch of German suplexes. With the villains gone, Gable holds up Mysterio’s mask and (after a bit of a stare) hands it to Penta so Mysterio can get it back on. Oh yeah he’s a big deal if he gets the chance, but if he goes all mega evil and goes after Mysterio’s mask, we’ll need a new term for the level of heat he’ll have in Mexico.

Raquel Rodriguez is ready for Iyo Sky.

Video on the European tour.

Iyo Sky talks about Asuka trusting her with the women’s division and she’s ready to face Raquel Rodriguez.

Roxanne Perez apologizes to Liv Morgan for her attitude last week. She was upset about her loss and all that matters is the Judgment Day winning. Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh come in and Mysterio isn’t sure about Oba Femi. Morgan has an idea though. With them gone, Perez doesn’t seem thrilled.

King Of The Ring First Round: Je’Von Evans vs. Seth Rollins vs. Talla Tonga vs. Ricky Saints

Saints punches Rollins out tot he floor, leaving Evans to flip away from Tonga. That doesn’t work well for Tonga, who gets up and starts to wreck everyone around him. Tonga cleans house and stands rather tall as we take a break. We come back with Saints and Rollins managing to knock Tonga into the timekeeper’s area, with Evans adding a big running dive

Rollins gets knocked down again and Saints kicks Evans in the head, setting up a springboard tornado DDT for two. Rollins hits a Pedigree but Tonga is back in with a save. Everyone goes to the corner and Tonga hits a Tower Of Doom, with Evans flipping away to safety. A big clothesline gives Tonga two on Evans and he chokeslams Evans onto the announcers’ table.

Rollins is right there with a Stomp to Tonga, followed by another from the barricade. Back in and Saints avoids a Stomp but the tornado DDT is countered. The Stomp hits again but cue Austin Theory to pull the referee. Montez Ford cuts Theory off but Bron Breakker runs in to spear Rollins. Saints goes for the cover, only for Evans to hit an OG Cutter for the pin at 15:06.

Rating: B. They followed a formula here and it worked rather well, with Tonga looking like a force and a surprise result of Evans winning instead of Rollins. That leaves Rollins and Ford to continue their issues with the Vision while Evans gets another chance to rub elbows with some stars. He’s rapidly becoming a star around here and that is very promising.

Evans celebrates to end the show while Rollins is distraught. One thing of note: the replay shows Evans giving Saints a shove on the way back into the ring. Not only does it slow down the count, but it gives Saints time to get into position for the cutter. That’s a smart move and a great sign for Evans’ ability to think in the ring.

Overall Rating: B+. This show covered a lot of ground and has me a good bit more interested in Night Of Champions, and some other things, than I was coming in. The opening promo was good and even tied into the King Of The Ring for a bonus. Gable’s apologizes were great, but my goodness the idea of him going all evil again has me rather tingly. Pretty awesome show here, with the Paris crowd making it that much better.

Results
Liv Morgan b. Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss and Chelsea Green – Rollup to Green
Sol Ruca b. Lyra Valkyria – Sol Snatcher
Penta b. Rey Mysterio – Mexican Destroyer
Je’Von Evans b. Seth Rollins, Talla Tonga and Ricky Saints – OG Cutter to Saints

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: June 1, 2026
Location: Inalpi Arena, Turin, Italy
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re still in Italy for an afternoon show in the eastern United States. Clash In Italy took place yesterday and Roman Reigns is still the World Champion, albeit now with Jacob Fatu under his thumb. That should help him as he could have an upcoming challenger via the King Of The Ring, which gets started this week. Let’s get to it.

Here is Clash In Italy if you need a recap.

Clash In Italy recap.

Roman Reigns and the Usos arrive, minus Jacob Fatu. We pause for the fans to serenade them and yeah that’s a pretty cool moment. Reigns seems impressed as this goes on for at least a few minutes before he gets in the catchphrase. Reigns is happy that it’s acknowledgment daybut there’s no Fatu. Jey: “His first day on the job and he’s already late!”

Cue Fatu, in far more casual than usual clothes, with Reigns and Jey mocking him for taking too long. Fatu glares at Jey and then takes the microphone away, saying he’s taken a lot of losses over his career. Last night was another one and he knows there are consequences. His children saw their father take a loss last night but he’s going to be a man and keep his word. Last night he lost to his Tribal Chief, but he didn’t lose to Jey’s punk a**.

Fatu goes back to Reigns and officially acknowledges him, even taking a knee in front of him. Reigns takes Fatu’s hand and pulls him up, saying that Fatu might not understand this right now, but Reigns loves him. Jimmy says Fatu is with them now and they’re the ones, with the four of them doing the pose. It could take a bit, but this setting up the other three turning on Reigns, which could do well for everyone involved.

Video on King and Queen Of The Ring. The tournaments will be four four ways, with the winners going on to regular four person elimination brackets.

King Of The Ring First Round: Penta vs. Oba Femi vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes

Non-title and the MFT’s are here with Sikoa. Femi clears the ring to start and knocks Sikoa outside with a straight right hand. Femi follows him and dropkicks Hayes into the face. They switch places and Hayes hits the Fadewaway, only to dive into a superkick. Femi and Talla Talla Tonga have the big staredown on the floor and before Femi chokeslams Penta and Hayes.

We take a break and come back with Sikoa cleaning house until Femi drops him with a clothesline. Femi gets hit with the First 48 and is sent into the post, with Sikoa and the MFT’s taking him out on the floor. Penta and Hayes hit a dive each until Sikoa clotheslines Penta back inside. The Penta Driver gets two on Hayes and everyone is down. Femi is back up though and starts cleaning house, including a spinebuster to Penta. Talla Tonga is tossed onto the announcers’ table and the Fall From Grace finishes Sikoa at 8:57.

Rating: B. The ending was OBA SMASH and that’s all it needed to be. Femi needed a dominant win after what happened at Clash In Italy and while I don’t know if he wins the whole tournament, he was treated like a huge deal here. It didn’t feel like Femi got lucky, as much as he just ran through everyone to win.

Post match Femi talks about Brock Lesnar asking if he could take a beating. Well here he is after 7 F5’s and now he’s going to be King Of The Ring. Lesnar needs to remember that they’re 1-1 so they’ll see each other again.

Video on Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker, which takes place again tonight.

Here is new Women’s Intercontinental Champion Sol Ruca for a chat. Ruca is asked if she believed she would get here and thanks the fans for believing in her. She also thanks Becky Lynch for giving her a chance, but then she proved Lynch wrong. And it’s not just hear saying it either! She’ll be a fighting champion and you shouldn’t underestimate her because she’ll snatch your soul. She even gets some pyro to wrap it up.

After last night’s show, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns had a silent staredown.

Reigns wants the Usos to keep an eye on Rhodes. For now though, he wants Jey Uso to go be King Of The Ring and go on to Summerslam to get the other World Title. Jimmy is staying with Reigns though because Jey has to do this on his own.

Rey Mysterio/Dragon Lee vs. Ethan Page/Rusev

Rusev stomps Lee down into the corner to start and it’s off to Page, who gets sent into the corner. Lee’s wrecking ball dropkick hits Lee in the corner, setting up a running dropkick for two. Rusev comes back in and gets rolled up for two before Lee looks over to Mysterio for quite the reaction. Page breaks up the tag though (that was a great evil thing to do) and Lee gets planted as we take a break.

We come back with Page breaking up Lee’s tag attempt. That doesn’t last long though as Lee gets over to Mysterio for the big tag so house can be cleaned. Everything breaks down and Page sends Mysterio into Lee, allowing him to grab a rollup for two. Page’s Boston crab has to be broken up and Lee suicide dives Rusev. That leaves Mysterio to 619 Page into the slingshot splash for the pin at 11:34.

Rating: B-. This was just a way to get Mysterio in the ring in front of the international crowd and they more than seemed to appreciate it. That was how the match should have gone and while I could have gone with Rusev taking the pin over Page, this was pretty nice stuff. If nothing else, Mysterio can still more than go in the ring and it’s more impressive every week.

Adam Pearce talks to Penta and gives him the Intercontinental Title match against Rey Mysterio. Penta approves and leaves when LA Knight comes in. Knight isn’t happy with how much attention Pearce has been giving to Roman Reigns, so maybe we need to get Pearce his own Honorary Uce shirt.

Maybe Knight can bring Pearce out of retirement so he can put him back in it. Knight thinks Pearce is trying to get the Bloodline back together and even mocks the finger point before storming off. The thing that made this work is how natural Knight sounded. It felt like he was told “here’s why you’re mad at Pearce, get this point over, go talk.” That’s a great way to go and it worked here, as Knight can talk with the best of them.

Commentary talks about the Mask vs. Mask match from last weekend’s AAA show, with the match airing again after Raw on Netflix. Watch it if you haven’t seen it.

We get some highlights of the mask vs. mask match.

Queen Of The Ring First Round: Lash Legend vs. Giulia vs. Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez

Legend catches Giulia to start but gets dropkicked down by Sky. Perez is in to go after Sky but Legend picks up Perez and Sky, with Giulia dropkicking everyone down for a change. We take a break and come back with Legend being pulled out to the floor, leaving Sky to Bullet Train Perez and Giulia in the corner.

Legend is back in with a choke to Sky but Giulia breaks it up with the running knee. Perez takes Giulia and Sky down at the same time, followed by the cartwheel knee to Sky’s head for two. Giulia takes Sky up top but Perez breaks it up, only for Legend to double powerbomb not-Sky. A Lash Extension drops Giulia and Perez but Sky makes the save. Over The Moonsault gives Sky the pin on Giulia at 10:36.

Rating: B-. Sky possibly moving back to the title picture is a good way to go as she feels like a major star. At the same time, Giulia continues to just kind of float around aimlessly and Perez will more than likely be going back to tagging. That leaves Legend, who has turned into a pretty decent power monster. I’m rather impressed with her transformation, as she looked more than capable in there this time.

Maxxine Dupri isn’t happy about not being in the Queen Of The Ring but Adam Pearce says she’s the first choice if a spot opens up. The Alpha Academy warn her about hanging out with Austin Theory, because he’s bad news. She insists she’s got this.

We get a video on Danhausen cursing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and the New York Knicks, who then went on a losing streak, then uncursed them, and then they went on a 7-0 winning streak and went on to the NBA Finals. This is the definition of “let’s run with this” and it’s working.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria want the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Valkyria goes over to Sol Ruca and praises her for ending the Becky Lynch reign of terror. Valkyria gets a title shot out of this and Bayley isn’t thrilled.

Roxanne Perez rants about her loss when Liv Morgan comes in to brag about how she’s going to win the tournament. Raquel Rodriguez has to help her get the hint and Perez doesn’t seem happy about not getting any help. Morgan says she and Dominik Mysterio are winning the tournaments, seemingly forgetting that Rodriguez and JD McDonagh are entered as well.

Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

Paul Heyman is here with Breakker. Rollins strikes away to start but gets suplexed down for his efforts. Breakker is sent outside, where’ he’s able to toss Rollins over the barricade as we take an early break. We come back with Breakker continuing to wreck Rollins, including the array of suplexes. They head outside with Breakker sending Rollins into the announcers’ table and clearing both tables off.

Rollins uses the delay to fight up and take over, with a running knee hitting Breakker back inside. Breakker is fine enough to run the corner and snap off a super Frankensteiner for two, leaving the frustration levels high. They go outside again with Rollins going onto the announcers’ table and diving at a diving Breakker for a midair collision.

We take a break and come back again with Breakker hammering Rollins in the corner, only to get reversed into a not great looking powerbomb for two. Rollins superplexes him down but has to reverse Breakker’s suplex into a small package for two more. The spear drops Rollins and they go outside again, with the diving spear being countered into a Pedigree through the announcers’ table.

Back in and cue Austin Theory for a distraction, but Montez Ford runs in to take him out. Another spear gives Breakker another two, as does Rollins’ stomp as Heyman puts the foot on the rope. Rollins goes after Heyman, who accidentally gets speared through the barricade. Breakker knows he screwed up and tries another spear but Rollins has grabbed a title belt, with Breakker knocking himself out. Another Stomp gives Rollins the pin at 22:24.

Rating: B. This got wild near the end and you know it’s a big deal if Heyman takes a bump. That’s likely going to get rid of him for at least a good while and I’m not really sure where that leaves a lot of things. The match was pretty much the traditional post PPV PPV level main event, which caps off the weekend nicely enough. It absolutely could have been on Clash, but then how else would you get in four more ads?

Rollins points at Ford and implies he wants Roman Reigns’ title to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was more about setting things up for later, with the opening segment saying “Fatu is with the Bloodline”, the main event being about getting rid of Heyman, and two of the three other matches being starts to tournaments. That’s only so much of a show and while it wasn’t bad, it was a pretty skippable show. Not bad, but you’re better off reading a recap than watching the whole thing.

Results
Oba Femi b. Solo Sikoa, Carmelo Hayes and Penta – Fall From Grace to Sikoa
Rey Mysterio/Dragon Lee b. Rusev/Ethan Page – Slingshot splash to Page
Iyo Sky b. Giulia, Lash Legend and Roxanne Perez – Over The Moonsault to Giulia
Seth Rollins b. Bron Breakker – Stomp

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: May 25, 2026
Location: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the last Raw before Clash In Italy and the show is looking pretty solid. That’s all you need for the most part going into a pay per view and this week is likely going to be about building things up for Sunday. Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar II is officially set and that should be more than enough. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is a serious Paul Heyman to get things going. He gets right to the point and says he is here to hype up the biggest rematch in history but is cut off by an OBA chant. Heyman says Oba Femi is going to be conquered by Brock Lesnar, which sends us to a video from Lesnar, who says he had never been beaten up like that. He isn’t about to let it end like that. We know Lesnar can take a beating, but can Femi? It’s time for Femi to take a beating from a retired Beast.

Back in the arena, Heyman says it’s time for Femi to be destroyed, which brings out Femi. He gets right in Heyman’s face and asks what this has awoken in him. What did four F5’s awaken in Femi himself? As Heyman cowers in fear, Femi says Heyman has to live to tell the tale of what happens when Femi retires Lesnar for the second time. Femi pulls out the contract and signs it on Heyman’s chest. The message for Lesnar is that last time, Femi was fighting to beat him. This time, Femi is fighting to kill him. Yeah this worked, as Femi feels like an absolute monster and the other one is Lesnar. What more do you need?

Saturday Night’s Main Event recap.

Intercontinental Title: Je’Von Evans vs. Penta

Penta is defending and has to block an early OG Cutter attempt. Penta’s hurricanrana is blocked and they show some respect but Evans snaps off a hurricanrana to the floor. The big no hands dive connects to drop Penta again but he’s fine enough to hit a superkick back inside. The slingshot dropkick in the corner gets two, only for Evans to come back with a kick to the head to send Penta outside again. Evans’ dive is sent HARD into the announcers’ table though and we take a break.

We come back with Penta still in trouble but he knocks Evans back, meaning it’s time to chop it out. Penta plants him down for two but the Mexican Destroyer is countered into a superkick. The OG Cutter onto the apron connects, though it’s not quite a clean landing as they both go to the floor. Back in and Penta kicks out but they both need a breather. The Penta Driver gets a close two so Penta goes up, only to dive into a superkick. The OG Cutter connects so Evans goes up again but dives into a Backstabber. That’s enough for the Mexican Destroyer to retain at 12:28.

Rating: B+. This was awesome as they were letting it all hang out in there with two of them beating the living daylights out of each other. Evans continues to feel like he is more than capable of hanging in there at this level and that is great to see. Penta’s reign gets to continue and this was a heck of a fight. I wasn’t sure if Penta was going to retain by the end so they were absolutely doing a lot right.

Post match Penta raises Evans’ hand but a frustrated Evans leaves.

Logan Paul has suffered a torn tricep and is going to be out for months. Uh oh.

Austin Theory tries to hand Paul Heyman his Tag Team Title but Heyman asks why he would do that. The contracts say the Vision are the champions so Theory is now partners with Bron Breakker. Theory gives him a VERY enthusiastic hug and Heyman’s eyes bug out as only they can. Heyman suggests that Theory needs to do something tonight and Theory should know what that means.

Post break Joe Hendry is in the ring to sing about how we need to fire Logan Paul. Cue Austin Theory to beat the fire out of Hendry with a chair.

Seth Rollins comes up to Angelo Dawkins and says he stayed out of the Street Profits’ way and he’s sorry for what happened on Saturday. Rollins saw what happened right out there and Theory has never been like that. They need to unite to take out the Vision but here is Montez Ford to say nothing good happens when Rollins is involved.

Rollins says they don’t have to like each other but they need to work together to get rid of the Vision. He understands what it means to not trust someone and brings up his own successes. Ford says that he’s also never stabbed his brother in the back. The challenge is on for tonight and Ford accepts as Dawkins is annoyed.

Video on El Grande American vs. Original El Grande Americano, with Rey Mysterio hyping up the importance of a mask vs. mask match.

Penta comes up to Je’Von Evans, who immediately apologizes for what happened out there because that was unprofessional. Penta understands and Evans says he’s coming for that title again, which works for Penta as well. Evans leaves in peace and Rey Mysterio comes up to talk to Penta. They chat for a bit and Penta offers to give him a title shot. Works for Mysterio of course.

Judgment Day vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

Rodriguez and Perez jump them before the bell but Bayley and Valkyria fight back. Valkyria and Perez are in the ring to start, with Perez getting knocked down. Bayley comes in and fires off the shoulders in the corner for some fast tags and alternating shots to the head. A double crossbody gets Rodriguez out of trouble and she elbows Valkyria over and over in the corner.

The referee yells at Rodriguez so Perez gets in a stomp to the arm. Rodriguez’s spinning Vader Bomb connects and we take a break. We come back with Rodriguez being sent out to the floor and Perez getting kicked away. Bayley gets the tag and hits a quick dive to the floor, followed by a middle rope elbow to Rodriguez’s back for two. Liv Morgan trips Valkyria up and gets ejected, as well as decked by Bayley.

Rodriguez runs Bayley over but Bayley is back up top. Dominik Mysterio offers a distraction though and Perez gets Pop Rox, with Valkyria having to make a save. Valkyria hurricanranas Rodriguez out to the floor but seems to hurt her knee on the apron. Mysterio sends the title inside and it’s a tug of war with Bayley and Perez. Bayley lets go and the belt hits Mysterio, allowing Bayley to get a rollup to pin Perez at 10:08.

Rating: B-. This got wild at the end and it’s a good sign that Bayley and Valkyria got a win for a change. At the same time, the Judgment Day’s issues continue, though they’ve had issues since they got together in the first place. Hopefully Valkyria’s knee is ok as that was quite the nasty landing.

We look back at Jacob Fatu vs. Roman Reigns, with Fatu challenging Reigns to Tribal Combat last week and Reigns accepting.

Adam Pearce talks to Reigns, saying Fatu should be fired. Reigns gets it and says he had to accept Tribal Combat because he is the Tribal Chief. He wants guarantees that if he wins, Fatu will serve him or be fired. If Reigns loses, “we’re all screwed”.

Commentary thanks the veterans for Memorial Day and we get the customary video for the holiday. That’s a nice tradition to continue.

Here is LA Knight for a chat. He hasn’t been here in a bit but first of all, he wishes everyone a happy Memorial Day and thanks the military for their service. Now he’s done with the Vision though and he’s ready to do something new. Next week is the start of the King Of The Ring tournament and Knight wants in, because he’s aiming for Roman Reigns. That has him wondering about the Usos, because they’re with the most corrupt World Champion ever

This brings out Jimmy Uso, who says he and Jey did what they had to do with Reigns. He’s completely cool with Knight trying to be King Of The Ring and if Knight wins, he gets a fair title shot at Reigns. Knight is interested in the word “fair” because he’s seen what the Usos have tried to do to Jacob Fatu.

He doesn’t want Jimmy to become Reigns’ errand boy but Jimmy calls him off, saying if Knight keeps this up, his family will become Knight’s business. Jimmy goes to leave but Knight stops him, saying Jimmy is the one of the family he likes. Knight has never cared for Reigns and if things start going badly, he’ll put the family out of business. I can absolutely go for Knight getting into the title picture.

Adam Pearce likes the idea of Rey Mysterio getting the Intercontinental Title shot but Ethan Page comes in to say he doesn’t like this. Page wants his rematch, which Pearce says has to be earned. Page asks how Mysterio earned a rematch, which doesn’t sit well with Mysterio or Pearce. Rusev comes in to ask what is going on, with Page giving his version. Mysterio asks to face Rusev for a title shot tonight. Works for Rusev, who threatens to “bangaranged” Mysterio. That just leaves everyone confused.

Seth Rollins vs. Montez Ford

Ford backs him into the corner to start but Rollins shoves him away. Rollins knocks him to the floor for a suicide dive but they collide back inside. We take a break and come back with Ford going up top, where Rollins superplexes him into a Falcon Arrow for the near fall. They go to a pinfall reversal sequence until Rollins gets the better of an exchange of superkicks.

Ford puts him in a torture rack but Rollins flips to his feet and grabs a Pedigree for two more. Rollins yells at him a lot and hits a pair of buckle bombs but the third is reversed into a hurricanrana to the floor. Ford hits his big running flip dive, only to miss a 450 back inside. The Stomp gives Rollins the pin at 12:36.

Rating: B. These two had a rather good match, which shouldn’t be a surprise. Ford can do anything athletically in the ring and Rollins is right there to match him most of the time. It was cool to see Ford getting the chance to showcase what he can do on his own, and the singles run still doesn’t feel completely out of the question.

Post match Angelo Dawkins is knocked through the entrance and gets chaired down by Austin Theory. This includes a Conchairto, with the camera showing about eight inches between the chair and Dawkins’ head (oh that was terrible). And they actually SHOW IT AGAIN during the post break replay!

Post break Ford is trying to find out about Dawkins when Rollins comes up. Ford says Rollins is right, because he does need someone. They can go after the Vision. Ford goes in to check on Dawkins and Rollins says he wants Bron Breakker soon. Adam Pearce is off to talk to Paul Heyman.

Clash In Italy rundown.

Becky Lynch is very pleased with facing Sol Ruca in a rematch and says that there’s a difference between flips and tricks and greatness. Welcome to the big time.

Rey Mysterio vs. Rusev

For an Intercontinental Title shot and Ethan Page is on commentary. Mysterio avoids a charge to start and sends Rusev outside, which just annoys him. Back in and Rusev shrugs off a right hand so Mysterio runs. The chase almost lets Mysterio set up the 619, which is cut off with an elbow to the face. Rusev gets knocked outside again for a sunset bomb into the barricade. The running hurricanrana from the apron is pulled out of the air though and Rusev swings him into the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Mysterio hitting a top rope seated senton. A running headscissors sends Rusev into the corner, where Mysterio hammers away. The running seated senton sets up a Lionsault for two but Rusev pulls a springboard out of the air. The Machka Kick gets two but Mysterio gives him a 619 to the stomach. A regular 619 is countered so Rusev tries the Accolade, which is reversed into a rollup to give Mysterio the pin at 9:31.

Rating: B-. Mysterio is someone who is somehow underrated, as he debuted thirty seven years ago and is still having perfectly good matches. After the amount of knee injuries he has had over the years and how well he can still move, it’s rather remarkable to see. Rusev is little more than a midcard monster to be slayed over and over, but at least he’s getting in the ring rather than sitting at home for months on end.

Post match Rusev jumps Mysterio but Dragon Lee runs in for the save. Page comes in and gets beaten up as well, with Lee giving him a big running flip dive. Mysterio 619s Rusev into Operation Dragon so the luchadors can clear the ring.

Adam Pearce throws Austin Theory out but Theory doesn’t like it. Paul Heyman sucks up to Pearce but they walk away and Heyman rolls his eyes. They pass the Alpha Academy, which makes Maxxine Dupri leave in a hurry. Remember that Theory and Dupri have been seen in the background of various backstage segments for weeks.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar.

Adam Pearce is in the ring for the contract signing between Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns. Fatu comes out first and signs (Anyone else find it weird that a family affair with rules that likely date back a long time requires a formal WWE contract?) before throwing the set around. This brings out Reigns, who signs, and gets a HAPPY BIRTHDAY chant from the fans.

Reigns tells Pearce and company to leave and says it’s fine because Fatu knows he signed a blood oath. With everyone but Fatu gone, Reigns says his catchphrase, which is all Fatu ever had to do. Fatu had to acknowledge him and they could have moved on. Fatu says that would make him like everyone else in here and that isn’t happening. When Reigns talks about honoring and respecting him, it’s about living by the Bloodline’s code. Did Reigns do that at Backlash, or did he bend the rules to win?

Reigns says that if Fatu wins on Sunday, he’s the new Tribal Chief, but if Fatu can’t dog walk him, Reigns is going to domesticate him. If Fatu can’t beat him, Fatu will serve him and in time, Fatu will love his Tribal Chief. Fatu says it looks like a win for him then, because he has a job either way. But when Fatu wins, Reigns and everyone else will learn how to acknowledge him. They shake hands and touch heads to end the show. I’m not sure who is winning this and that’s how a big match should go most of the time.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a rather awesome Raw with the fairly useless Saturday Night’s Main Event out of the way. That allowed them to focus on Clash In Italy, which has two big matches from Raw leading the way. I want to see both of them, even if they’re rematches, as the idea is to have everyone just go nuts on each other. They covered Logan Paul’s injury perfectly well as switching Bron Breakker in is fine given the circumstances so there isn’t much to complain about here. Solid show and one of the better Raw’s in a good bit.

Results
Penta b. Je’Von Evans – Mexican Destroyer
Bayley/Lyra Valkyria b. Judgment Day – Rollup to Perez
Seth Rollins b. Montez Ford – Stomp
Rey Mysterio b. Rusev – Rollup

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

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

Survivor Series 2021
Date: November 21, 2021
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Attendance: 15,120
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jimmy Smith, Byron Saxton, Pat McAfee

Since it’s Survivor Series and there are no other possible options for the show in the history of ever, it’s time for a Battle Of Brand Supremacy with wrestlers who have been on the roster for about a month. That means a battle of World Champions Roman Reigns and Big E., plus Survivor Series tag matches and….a Rock 25th Anniversary battle royal? Let’s get to it.

For the sake of simplicity, all matches involving champions are non-title.

Kickoff Show: Damian Priest (Raw) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (Smackdown)

US Champion vs. Intercontinental Champion and Rick Boogs handles Nakamura’s entrance, much to Pat McAfee’s (now dancing on the announcers’ table) delight. Priest works on the arm to start but a Boogs guitar solo cuts that off, allowing Nakamura to grab a headlock. Nakamura takes him into the corner for Good Vibrations, with Boogs playing something that is in no way Good Vibrations.

Back up and Priest knocks him down and grabs a chinlock, meaning Boogs plays some more for a distraction. Some strikes to the head rock Priest and the sliding German suplex makes it worse (with McAfee jumping up to celebrate). Priest fights up and hits a running elbow in the corner, followed by a hard clothesline for two.

South Of Heaven is broken up though and Nakamura kicks him in the head again. Kinshasa is countered into South Of Heaven for two but the Reckoning is blocked. Priest counters an armbar into a triangle choke but Boogs guitars Nakamura to freedom AGAIN. Finally Priest goes outside and breaks the guitar (McAfee: “YOU SON OF A B****!”), with one of the pieces nailing Nakamura for the DQ at 9:24.

Rating: C. I was having fun with the back and forth as they had some chemistry together, but at the same time, there is only so much you can get with the constant Boogs interference. I do like that they didn’t have a champion get pinned here and instead went with Priest snapping to finish things up. Not a great match, but a fast paced one to start things off.

Smackdown – 1
Raw – 0

The opening video talks about how this is two sides battling….and we see a clip from Rock’s Netflix movie Red Notice. The voiceover talks about how many things the movie and show have in common before moving into the nonsense about this being the ONE NIGHT where Raw and Smackdown go head to head. Clips from the movie mock teamwork, which is what this show is all about. After more clips and more generic opening video statements about how important the show is, we’re ready to go.

We recap Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte. They were old friends but then both wanted to be the best, with Lynch getting there in a big way. Then Lynch left on maternity leave and Charlotte bragged about how great she (as in Charlotte) is so now that Lynch is back, it’s time to fight.

Before we got there though, there was also the VERY awkward moment where Charlotte was supposed to hand over the Raw Women’s Title and dropped it instead, leading to ALL KINDS of problems/discussion. Oh and Charlotte’s REALLY annoying “UH-OH” promo. This does at least have a personal story rather than just doing the Raw vs. Smackdown deal.

Charlotte (Smackdown) vs. Becky Lynch (Raw)

For a bonus, they’re both dressed as characters from Wandavision, with Charlotte as the villain and Becky as the hero. Becky hits her in the face to start and the brawl is on early. Charlotte goes for the leg but has to escape a Disarm-Her attempt. Back up and Charlotte hits a spear but Becky hits a heck of a spinning kick to the face. They head outside for a hard posting to Charlotte but it’s too early for the Manhandle Slam.

Charlotte gets her down and rams Becky’s face into the mat over and over. Becky is sent outside so Charlotte loads up the moonsault, which is shoved HARD into the barricade for a great looking crash instead. Charlotte sends her into the barricade and they both get back in at the same time for the big staredown. Becky avoids a shot to the knee in the corner but an armbar is countered into a powerbomb for two.

Some stomps in the corner have Charlotte in trouble and the fans aren’t thrilled with Becky. A fall away slam sends Becky into the corner for a crash, followed by the Andrade double moonsault for two. Charlotte snaps her throat first across the top but Becky knocks her into the ropes. The Fameasser onto the ropes gives Becky two and Charlotte misses the big boot, only to ram her head into Becky’s for two instead. The second big boot gets two instead so Becky is right back with a Christian layout reverse DDT.

Back up and the Manhandle Slam gives Becky two more, setting up a cross between a Figure Four and a heel hook. Charlotte turns it over for the break anyway and they’re both down for a bit. I’m not sure why Becky is down but it does make things a bit more dramatic. Yet another big boot knocks Becky outside and the moonsault…well it comes close to her at least, with the replay not making it any better.

Back in and Charlotte grabs her own Disarm-Her but Becky slips out. They fight into the corner where Charlotte grabs a rollup with ropes for two, as the referee sees the cheating. Becky reverses into a rollup of her own and doesn’t get caught grabbing the ropes for the pin at 18:13.

Rating: B+. These two work well and they treated it as a huge match, especially at the start where they both came out swinging. The ending was more of a way to save Charlotte than to give us a definitive winner, but after Charlotte has gone over so many times, doing a tainted job to the biggest female star ever isn’t asking too much. Great opener, with all kinds of energy and the big fight feel.

Raw – 1
Smackdown – 1

Classic Rock Moment: Debuting at Survivor Series 1996.

Raw Men vs. Smackdown Men

Raw: Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Austin Theory, Bobby Lashley
Smackdown: Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, King Woods, Happy Corbin, Sheamus

Survivor Series match and MVP/Madcap Moss are the respective sixths. Lashley has his spot after taking it from Dominik Mysterio and also caused Rey Mysterio to lose his spot to Theory. On the other side, Sami Zayn lost to Hardy, costing himself a spot on the team. You know, in case you needed a recap on the five people per show being thrown together. Rollins, the self proclaimed Raw captain, lets Owens start, so Owens bails to the floor and leaves for the countout less than a minute in.

After Owens takes a bow, McIntyre jumps Rollins on the floor as Theory comes in to face Woods. Theory gets his arm cranked on and it’s McIntyre coming in to launch him into the corner. Sheamus and McIntyre take turns chopping at Theory (McAfee is rather giddy) and Corbin gets in on it with a pretty good right hand. Theory manages to punch his way to freedom though and the tag brings in Rollins, who is knocked right back into the Smackdown corner.

It’s Hardy coming in to start on the arm and a quick splash gets one. Rollins is able to grab Sheamus by the arm though and Balor comes in to work on that arm for a change. Again though, that doesn’t last long as Sheamus drags him right back over for the tag to Corbin. We continue to e parade of arm cranking between people who don’t really dislike each other, making this match feel all the less interesting. Deep Six gets two on Balor with Lashley making the save, meaning everything breaks down.

With almost everyone else being knocked down, Balor kicks Corbin in the head and drops the Coup de Grace for the elimination. Hardy comes in to face Balor and the fans are rather pleased. It’s Hardy taking over with the basement dropkick but Balor’s own dropkick gets his own two. Lashley comes in for a running shoulder in the corner to Hardy, which has McAfee worried on commentary.

Hardy fights out of Balor’s chinlock and hits Whisper in the Wind, leaving Lashley and McIntyre to fight on the floor. Lashley posts him (McAfee: “DREW ARE YOU OK???”), leaving Theory to cover Hardy for two as the fans are interested in….something. It’s back to Woods to clean house, including a discus forearm to Theory. Lashley crotches Woods on top though and the Hurt Lock is good for the elimination to make it 4-3 Raw.

Everything breaks down again and Balor’s slingshot dive is pulled out of the air by Sheamus. We get the big Lashley vs. McIntyre showdown with Lashley backing up for some reason. McIntyre jumps him instead but Lashley powers him into the corner. That earns him a clothesline out to the floor with McIntyre following to post Lashley for a change. They fight over the barricade and that’s a double countout to get rid of the big guys.

The fans are NOT happy, even as Lashley jumps McIntyre after the eliminations. A Claymore drops Lashley though and a Glasgow Kiss drops a laughing Rollins before both guys leave. We’re down to Sheamus/Hardy vs. Rollins/Theory/Balor with Sheamus charging into a boot in the corner. That’s enough for Rollins to dive over for the hot tag to Balor, who is quickly powerslammed for two.

Balor is back up with a Sling Blade but the Coup de Grace misses, setting up the Brogue Kick to give Sheamus the pin. Theory is right in for a heck of a dropkick and it’s Rollins coming back in for a chinlock. After a pretty good while, Sheamus powers up and brings Hardy in to clean house.

Everything breaks down with Sheamus playing Matt Hardy for a springboard splash to the other two in the corner. That’s enough for Sheamus and Hardy to hit stereo ten forearms to the chest, followed by White Noise to Rollins. Everything breaks down again and Rollins pulls Hardy off the apron, leaving Theory to roll Sheamus up for the elimination. That leaves us with Hardy vs. Rollins/Theory…but Sheamus decks Theory before he leaves….and then does it to Hardy too.

Rollins is fine enough to get the tag and hit a frog splash for two on Hardy as we settle in to the beating. Theory takes Hardy up top but gets knocked down, setting up the Swanton for the pin. Rollins isn’t happy and glares at Hardy, who grabs a rollup for two. A hard forearm to the back of the head gets two on Hardy but the Twist of Fate drops Rollins. The Swanton hits raised knees though and the Stomp gives Rollins the final pin at 29:55.

Rating: B. It was a fun, hard hitting match, but the Raw vs. Smackdown lineups continue to feel so worthless. They might as well do a Lethal Lottery format and you would get the same result. The good thing is that the talent is here and can make a match like this work, but the format desperately needs to change to make it more interesting.

Raw – 2
Smackdown – 1

WWE did some charity stuff in Harlem.

Vince McMahon arrived earlier and got a big reception from a bunch of the wrestlers. Then he pulled out a gold egg, because cross promotion.

Classic Rock Moment: recreating the Montreal Screwjob a year later at Survivor Series 1998.

Roman Reigns comes in to see Vince McMahon, who shows him the egg. That’s Cleopatra’s egg, which was given to him by the Rock. Apparently it’s worth $100 million dollars, which Reigns says is as much as his next contract. And that’s it.

The Rock 25th Anniversary Battle Royal

Shanky, Commander Azeez, T-Bar, Robert Roode, Angel, Humberto, Shelton Benjamin, Sami Zayn, R-Truth, Cedric Alexander, Montez Ford, Jinder Mahal, Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, Otis, Mansoor, Drew Gulak, Erik, Chad Gable, Ivar, Apollo Crews, Omos, AJ Styles, Ricochet, Angelo Dawkins

The Street Profits come to the ring with a bunch of Pizza Hut. Nothing wrong with a sponsorship. Cole and Graves get pizza but Saxton is denied, as he should be. Styles bails to the floor and stands on the announcers’ table as everyone else fights for the smart move of the night. Gulak and Benjamin are out to start with Humberto following them. Truth heads outside to get some pizza, which he offers to Omos and Otis.

The latter takes it before throwing Truth out and going after Omos. Otis doesn’t last long and Gable armbars Cesaro over the rope. That’s broken up and Cesaro knocks Gable out and T-Bar is dropkicked to the floor by Ricochet. The fans want pizza but have to settle for Alexander and Garza being tossed out. There goes Erik and Ivar at the hands of Shanky, because the potential is in Shanky instead of the Viking Raiders. Omos gets rid of Shanky with ease and Roode catapults Mansoor out.

Roode and Ziggler go after Omos and the giant gets rid of Roode, leaving Styles to Phenomenal Forearm Ziggler for the elimination. Zayn tries to rally the remaining Smackdown names but yells at Ricochet, leaving Ford and Dawkins to toss him out. Omos gets rid of Azeez, who pulls Styles out despite Omos’ protests. Crews is out next and we’re down to Omos, Dawkins, Ford, Cesaro and Ricochet. Cesaro rallies the troops to go after Omos, earning himself an elimination. There go Dawkins and Ford, leaving us with Ricochet vs. Omos. That doesn’t last long either as Omos tosses him out for the win at 10:38.

Rating: C. This was ALL about Omos, who threw out about half of the field and dominated throughout. It worked for Andre and even if Omos isn’t quite there, it was a nice performance. Omos is someone who works well in this kind of a spot, even if this had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Rock.

Raw – 3
Smackdown – 1

Post match Styles goes for the pizza but Ford kicks him in the head and throws it into the crowd.

Classic Rock Moment: winning the 2000 Royal Rumble, even if Big Show really won.

We look at the pre-show match.

RKBro (Raw) vs. Usos (Smackdown)

Riddle starts fast with an armbar attempt on Jimmy but gets stacked up for two and the break. A headbutt just makes Riddle mad and he grabs a spinning gutwrench suplex to send Jey flying. Orton comes in and we hear about his hear in Ohio Valley Wrestling for a bit of a rarity. The threat of an RKO sends Jimmy bailing to the floor so it’s off to Jey, who stomps Orton down in the corner.

That just earns Jey a punch to the nose (simple, yet effective) and a trip to the floor, allowing Riddle to hit the springboard Floating Bro. A drop onto the barricade cuts Riddle off though and it’s back to Jimmy for the suicide dive. We slow things down a bit with Jey hammering away in the corner until Riddle manages a kick to the head. That’s way too soon for a hot tag to Orton though and Jimmy is back in with a chinlock.

Riddle fights up and manages a Bro To Sleep (which doesn’t make anything close to full contact), allowing Orton to come back in to clean house. Snap powerslams drop the Usos and Jey gets belly to back dropped onto the announcers’ table. Not to be outdone, Jimmy gets the same as McAfee is losing it even more than usual. Back in and the hanging DDT hits Jey but he’s fine enough to block the RKO.

Riddle is up again and kicks Jey in the head before nailing Jimmy with a running forearm. Jey manages to kick Riddle down for two and the pop up Samoan drop gets two. There’s a superkick to Riddle and a double superkick to Orton. The double superkick from either side gets two on Riddle, who kicks out and stays rigid for a weird moment. Riddle’s enziguri gets him out of trouble though and Orton gets a blind tag. Jimmy doesn’t notice though and his Superfly Splash is pulled into the RKO to give Orton the pin at 14:48.

Rating: B. Two of the best teams in WWE have a good match when they are given about fifteen minutes on a big stage. Sometimes these things write themselves and that was the case here, as Orton even managed to get in the cool RKO that he hits in these important matches. Another solid match on the show in what shouldn’t be a surprise at all. Now just do it again for the titles.

Raw – 4
Smackdown – 1

Classic Rock Moment: vs. John Cena at Wrestlemania XXVIII. I’d say that counts, though it’s still hard to believe Cena lost.

Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce wait for Vince McMahon in his office. Vince comes back…and the egg is gone. The middle management goons are sent to find out who did it, saying if they don’t find out tonight, Vince will find out himself on Raw.

Video on Xia Li, the Protector, in comic book form. Yeah this was too cool to work and it never went anywhere.

Raw Women vs. Smackdown Women

Raw: Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella, Queen Zelina
Smackdown: Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Toni Storm, Natalya

Zelina is still a queen and Ripley is half of the Women’s Tag Team Titles with Nikki Ash, which mean a grand total of nothing (Zelina and Carmella would win them the next night on Raw). Toni Storm (as announced in a completely necessary tweet earlier in the day) starts with Carmella, who drops Storm with a right hand. Hold on though as Carmella hands it off to Zelina before heading outside to put on her protective mask. It takes forever to put the mask on so Carmella has Zelina do it, allowing Storm to grab a rollup for the pin.

Belair and Banks come in for a Wrestlemania rematch but Shotzi tags herself in. A quick backsplash gets two on Belair but she’s right back up to knock Shotzi silly. Belair’s jumping splash gets two so Morgan comes in for a middle rope….uh, something, and a near fall. Natalya comes in for two off a snap suplex and a pinfall reversal sequence gets some near falls each. The step over basement dropkick gives Natalya two more but it’s off to Ripley to freshen things up.

Natalya doesn’t seem to mind and brings Baszler in for a double suplex. The jumping stomp to Baszler’s arm is blocked though and the slugout is on. Ripley has to fight out of an armbar as well as the Kirifuda Clutch, allowing her to stomp on Baszler’s head. Shotzi saves Baszler from the Riptide though and everything breaks down. Ripley breaks out of another choke and it’s a double tag to give us Belair vs. Banks.

Belair tries the power but gets pulled straight into the Bank Statement. That’s broken up so Banks sends her face first into the middle buckle, setting up a tornado DDT for two on Belair. Back up and Zelina tags herself in so Belair launches her at Banks for two more. No one will tag Banks so she has to block Zelina’s Code Red. Banks tags herself in and flips Zelina over into a cutter for the pin. Morgan comes in for a pinfall reversal sequence of her own until Oblivion connects to get rid of Storm.

Baszler comes in to choke Morgan and even kicks Ripley off the apron to prevent a tag (that’s smart). It’s off to Shotzi for a weird looking splash, followed by Banks’ frog splash to eliminate Morgan. Ripley comes in and muscles Banks up for a delayed suplex and a near fall. A missile dropkick sends Banks flying into the corner but Shotzi comes in off a blind tag. Shotzi offers a distraction so Baszler can come in with a knee to the face to pin Ripley, leaving Belair vs. Natalya, Shotzi, Banks and Baszler.

Belair comes in and suplexes Natalya for two before firing off the shoulders in the corner. Baszler’s distraction lets Natalya hit a powerbomb out of the corner for two and it’s off to Banks. Shotzi gets into it with Banks and pulls her to the floor where Banks gets counted out to make it 3-1.

Natalya comes in and Sharpshooters Belair, who rolls Natalya into Baszler for the break. A rollup finishes Natalya to make it 2-1, with Baszler coming in next. The Kirifuda Clutch is countered into a release Glam Slam to get rid of Baszler and it’s Shotzi vs. Belair. Shotzi grabs a choke in the corner and a faceplant drops Belair again. The running hip attack in the ropes gets two on Belair, who sends Shotzi into the corner and hits the KOD for the pin/win at 23:46.

Rating: C-. Well that was ridiculous. The last five minutes of this was Belair doing her best Super Cena impression, as she ran through three people on her own (four if you count getting rid of Banks). The match wasn’t anything special otherwise, as the Belair vs. Banks segment was the only thing worth seeing. This felt long until the ending, when it became one head shaking moment after another. Storm was trying and got a bit of a run, but this was all about making Belair look strong and to say they went overboard would be an understatement.

Raw – 5
Smackdown – 1

Classic Rock Moment: The Rock is at the first Smackdown on FOX and rips on Baron Corbin/hangs out with Becky Lynch.

Paul Heyman knows nothing about the missing egg but thinks those people from BROOKLYN might have had something to do with it. That’s not what he is being asked about though: what about Brock Lesnar’s suspension being lifted soon? Uh, Heyman doesn’t want to talk about that either.

Video on Bobby Lashley.

We recap Roman Reigns vs. Big E. Last month, Big E. cashed in Money In The Bank to become the new Raw World Champion. The New Day celebrated because they’re a brotherhood, but Reigns said they were no Bloodline. Reigns broke Woods’ King Of The Ring crown and now it’s time for a clash between World Champions.

Big E. (Raw) vs. Roman Reigns (Smackdown)

Paul Heyman is here too as we hear about their time together in FCW. They fight over a lockup to start with neither getting anywhere, meaning it’s off to another staredown. Big E. shoves him a bit and Reigns bails to the floor, where Heyman lists off some Anoa’i family members at the table. Back in and Reigns hits the jumping clothesline for two before stomping away rather hard.

An elbow drops Reigns and Big E. gets to talk a bit of trash to set up the missed apron splash. Big E. comes up favoring his knee and you know Reigns is happy with that. Back in and the chinlock goes on for a bit until Big E. powers up for the break. You don’t do that to Reigns, who boots Big E. down for two more. Big E. is sent outside again as Reigns is getting frustrated and growling at the crowd. A reversed whip into the steps puts Reigns in trouble for a change and some belly to bellies make it worse back inside.

The Warrior Splash connects but Big E. charges into a Samoan drop for two. Reigns fires off the corner clotheslines until Big E. Rock Bottoms him out of said corner for two of his own. The Stretch Muffler has Reigns in trouble so he powers up into a sitout powerbomb to rock Big E. again. A Rock Bottom gets two more as they’re sticking with the big shots here. Two Superman Punches only keep Big E. down for a few seconds so Reigns hits a third…but Big E. is back up before the spear can even launch.

Reigns is sent to the apron for the spear out to the floor but comes right back in with his own spear (minus through the ropes) for a rather near fall. They take their time getting up, with Reigns talking about how Big E. doesn’t deserve to be here. The guillotine is broken up but Big E. tries another spear through the ropes and gets caught in the choke. Reigns gets it on again back inside, only to muscle Reigns up into the Big Ending for two.

They head outside again, with Big E. fired up this time as he sends Reigns face first into the announcers’ table. A posting and ram into the barricade have Reigns in more trouble but he’s fine enough to send Big E. knees first into the steps. A Superman Punch off the steps lets Reigns kick the knee out and hit a spear for the pin at 21:56.

Rating: B. It took some time to get going and could have had a few minutes cut out, but this was a heck of a fight. The problem here though was there was no reason to believe Reigns would lose. Big E. is great, but winning the title via Money in the Bank makes him feel a step beneath Reigns, in addition to the fact that Reigns already feels like a bigger star than anyone else at the moment. Big E. was trying here, but you know Reigns getting pinned is going to be a huge moment, not something in a stand alone show like this one.

Raw – 5
Smackdown – 2

Overall Rating: B-. This show is going to depend on how you look at it. While the wrestling was mostly good, with the main event and men’s Survivor Series match carrying it, the biggest problem is NOTHING HAPPENED. Raw dominated the head to head competition and there was nothing on here that I felt like I needed to see. Reigns is still the unstoppable force and whoever got the red shirts this year had a strong night. What else is there to say about the wrestling with non-existent stakes?

Then you have everything else and it was just sad. The Rock obsession was cool and made sense, but without him actually having anything to do with the show the impact kind of falls apart. I know he’s busy, but if he isn’t going to be there, maybe don’t focus on him so much. The egg stuff was stupid, though I can’t fault WWE for trying to make money and it was relatively short.

Overall, as has been the case for a long time, there was enough good to pretty good action to make the show a decent watch, but there is absolutely nothing from a storyline perspective. The Battle For Brand Supremacy stuff worked for a few years but now WWE has given up on it meaning anything, so why should I care about what they’re doing? Good enough show, but totally unimportant.

Ratings Comparison

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Damian Priest

Original: C+
Redo: C

Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte

Original: B+
Redo: B+

Raw Men vs. Smackdown Men

Original: B-
Redo: B

Battle Royal

Original: C
Redo: C

Usos vs. RKBro

Original: C+
Redo: B

Smackdown Women vs. Raw Women

Original: C-
Redo: C-

Big E. vs. Roman Reigns

Original: B
Redo: B

Overall Rating

Original: B-
Redo: B-

Oh yeah this is about as similar as it gets.

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

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

Smackdown
Date: July 4, 2025
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s a holiday show, but more importantly we’re back to the two hour editions every week. That’s a nice plus as the three hour versions just felt too long more often than not. We’re also finishing up the build towards Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution next weekend so it’s time to set things up. Let’s get to it.

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

Jacob Fatu jumps Solo Sikoa and company in the parking lot but it gets broken up.

Here is Cody Rhodes to get things going. He has the King Of The Ring crown in his hand, but first of all he wants to hear it for a kid named Cam battling leukemia. That gets a nice reaction (as it should) before Rhodes talks about what winning the tournament means. It means that we have the main event of Summerslam set…and here is Randy Orton to interrupt.

Orton talks about how he had Rhodes dead to rites at Night Of Champions but he couldn’t go that far. Rhodes was able to pull the trigger and Orton can respect that. Now he wants Rhodes to go on to Summerslam and take Cena out…and here is Drew McIntyre to interrupt. McIntyre says this sounds like people on the phone saying “you hang up, no you hang up” and he’s sick of it.

Rhodes has been buttering Orton up for months and then he put a knife in Orton’s back. That same back that Orton tweaked and Rhodes worked it over. The legend of Randy Orton is dead, and McIntyre wants Rhodes to win at Summerslam. That way he can take the title from Rhodes, because he won’t hesitate, like somebody. McIntyre turns to Orton, who drops him with the RKO. This felt like a way to set up Orton vs. McIntyre while reminding us that Rhodes won the tournament. In other words, it was fine.

Earlier today, Charlotte was put in a #1 contenders tag match with Alexa Bliss, who got the match set up. Charlotte isn’t happy, but Nick Aldis says let him handle this.

Drew McIntyre wants Randy Orton and gets him at Saturday Night’s Main Event. With McIntyre gone, Jacob Fatu is told to find a partner and he can face two of Solo Sikoa’s team tonight. Jimmy Uso pops up and we have a team.

Secret Hervice vs. Michin/B-Fab vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Chelsea Green is here with the Hervice. Michin, Bliss and Niven start things off but Charlotte tags herself in before anything else happens. Charlotte chops Niven away but gets jumped by Michin. Niven and Michin knock Charlotte outside, where Niven flip dives onto Michin and B-Fab.

Fyre flip dives onto all of them and we take a break. We come back with Niven’s backsplash getting two on Charlotte, allowing B-Fab to come in and strike away. Bliss gets her own tag and house is quickly cleaned for a parade of finishers. Charlotte hits a spear on Niven and pats Bliss on the head, which counts as a tag, so Twisted Bliss can finish Fyre at 9:12.

Rating: C+. Another qualifying match for another more important match later on, because we have to have something like that almost every single week these days. Bliss and Charlotte are fine for a team who don’t get along but work well together, though Charlotte could start to turn to the good side. It’s something that can be a success, and at the very least it would be something different for her for once.

Post match Charlotte hugs Bliss and then gives her a friendly shove.

Nick Aldis yells at the tag division and makes Andrade/Rey Fenix vs. Axiom. Other than that, one member of each team can face the Wyatt Sicks in an eight man tag. Johnny Gargano tries to get a SMACKDOWN TAG DIVISION chant going and it fails miserably.

Wyatt Sicks vs. Montez Ford/Chris Sabin/Johnny Gargano/Berto

Gacy and Berto start things off with Berto taking him into the corner for a corner clothesline. A springboard elbow drops Gacy and it’s off to Lumis, who shrugs off a kick to the head. Gargano comes in and gets caught with a swinging Side Effect for two and everything breaks down for the brawl. Lumis superkicks Ford down on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Ford still in trouble, including Gacy powerbombing Lumis onto him for two. The neck crank goes on for a bit but Ford is up for the tag to Sabin. Everything breaks down and Ford hits a big running flip dive but Howdy comes in to plant Sabin. Rowan comes back in, only for Sabin to catch him with a DDT. Gargano drops tot eh floor rather than come in to face Rowan though and the claw slam finishes Sabin at 10:36.

Rating: C+. This was a way to set up the Wyatt Sicks against the rest of the division without having one of the regular teams lose. At the end of the day, the Wyatts feel like the monsters who are going to take over the division. That makes for an interesting future as everyone tries to fight them off. This was at least different from what we usually get and I’ll absolutely take that.

Giulia wants everyone to come after her title because the blue flame will destroy them.

Video on the 4th of July.

Here is Tiffany Stratton to brag about her win over Nia Jax last week in the Last Woman Standing match. Now though, she’s ready to face Jade Cargill at Summerslam and then she’s going to get to choose her opponent at Evolution. Cue Cargill to interrupt, who respects what Stratton did against Jax. She wants Stratton to make a good choice…and here is Trish Stratus to interrupt (Wade Barrett is VERY happy).

Stratton gets right to the point and offers Stratus the title shot at Evolution. Works for Cargill, and Stratus talks about how great it is to see an all women’s show. Stratus wants her kids to see her as a champion, but Stratton says WWE runs on Tiffy Time. This was a very, very fast way to set up a title match and that’s all you can do with just over a week before the show.

Solo Sikoa and company are in the back, where he welcomes Tala Tonga to the team. They’re ready to take out Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu tonight, because the family is complete.

Jade Cargill tells Trish Stratus that she’ll see her at Evolution. Naomi decks Cargill with the briefcase, prompting Cargill to tell Nick Aldis that she wants Naomi once and for all. Deal.

Andrade/Rey Fenix vs. Fraxiom

Andrade and Frazer start things off with the latter taking over on the arm for some cranking. Axiom comes in for some running forearms but Fenix flips out of a tornado DDT. Fraxiom clears the ring for some stereo dives and we take a break. We come back with Fenix trying to fight out of trouble but getting launched into Chasing The Dragon for two.

Back up and Fenix grabs a running DDT, which is enough for the tag to Andrade. Frazer is quickly taken down for Fenix’s frog splash and a near fall. Back up and another Chasing The Dragon gets two with Frazer making the save as we take another break. We come back again with Frazer missing his phoenix splash, allowing Fenix to send him flying with a release German suplex.

Andrade’s running knees in the corner get two and the double moonsault gets two. The super Spanish Fly into the phoenix splash gets two more on Andrade, with Fenix making the save. Fenix is back up with the big running flip dive to take out Axiom, leaving Andrade to give Frazer the Message for the pin at 15:38.

Rating: B. This was about two teams getting to do nuts and do their thing, which is all it needed to be. Andrade and Fenix are another makeshift team, but at the same time, I’m not wild on seeing Fraxiom losing clean like this. They were red hot there for a bit and have already cooled off, which isn’t a good sign for their futures.

Damian Priest runs into Aleister Black, who will be facing R-Truth next week. Black says Priest is the good guy right now but violence begets violence. Priest doesn’t think he’s the good guy and thinks R-Truth might take care of Black next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Jacob Fatu/Jimmy Uso vs. JC Mateo/Solo Sikoa

Sikoa immediately tags Mateo, who gets to face Fatu. They waste no time in going outside to start the brawl, with Fatu sending him into the barricade. Back in and Mateo takes over on Uso, meaning Sikoa is willing to come in for a change. The Spinning Solo plants Uso and we take an early break.

We come back with Sikoa hitting a running Umaga attack to Uso, who manages to send Mateo into the corner. The diving tag brings Fatu in to clean house, including ten headbutts to Sikoa. Back to back running Umaga attacks get two and Uso is back in with a superkick. Fatu’s implant DDT hits Sikoa and the triple jump moonsault finishes him off at 8:51.

Rating: B-. Another strong showing for Fatu, as he beats Sikoa when he gets his hands on him. That makes all the sense in the world, as Sikoa himself has never been the force but rather the people he has around him. That’s all we were seeing here and it went well, with Fatu showing that he’s someone who can run through anyone on his own.

Post match the announcers’ table is loaded up but Tonga Loa and Tala Tonga are in to lay out Uso and Fatu. The villains powerbomb him through the table to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Sweet goodness the two hour time frame makes this show so much easier to watch. It isn’t that it’s so much better, but rather that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. That is nice to see after so many months of the longer form and it’s nice to see it staying. Good show, with the build towards both Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution at the same time, with Summerslam waiting in the not so far distance.

Results
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Secret Hervice and Michin/B-Fab – Twisted Bliss to Fyre
Wyatt Sicks b. Montez Ford/Chris Sabin/Johnny Gargano/Berto – Claw slam to Sabin
Andrade/Rey Fenix b. Fraxiom – The Message to Frazer
Jacob Fatu/Jimmy Uso b. Solo Sikoa/JC Mateo – Moonsault to Sikoa

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

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Smackdown
Date: November 22, 2024
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re just over a week away from Survivor Series and the card still needs some help. Right now we have the women’s WarGames match and the Raw World Title match set, but the men’s WarGames match still needs an extra name. Maybe that, plus some other things, get set up this week so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, focusing on Roman Reigns and company needing help against the Bloodline.

Here are the Bloodline and Bronson Reed to get things going. Solo Sikoa does his usual thing and requests that Roman Reigns meet him in the ring tonight to accept terms of surrender. Then Reigns and the Usos can acknowledge him. And that’s that for a fast opening sequence.

Women’s United States Title Tournament First Round: Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green vs. Blair Davenport

They trade rollups to start until Green clotheslines Davenport out to the floor. Green’s middle rope sunset flip gets two on Belair, who is back up with a slingshot dive to drop Green outside. Davenport is back up with a shot of her own though and we take a break. Back with Green hitting a Rough Ryder on Belair but getting stomped down by Davenport.

Belair suplexes Davenport for two with Green making the save, earning herself some shoulders in the corner. Green superplexes Davenport, who gets crushed by Belair’s 450, with Green’s stolen cover only getting two. We cut to the back where someone has knocked Jade Cargill through the windshield of a car, which is enough for Belair to run off to help her. The Unprettier gives Green the pin on Davenport at 9:50.

Rating: C+. Green advancing is nice to see as there is a chance that she could wind up winning the title in a nice surprise. Other than that, this was more about the Cargill attack, which could lead into something interesting with WarGames right around the corner. Other than that, Davenport was pretty much just there to take the fall, which is about all she’s doing at the moment anyway.

Post break Belair gets in the ambulance with Cargill as Bayley and Naomi aren’t sure what to do. It still isn’t clear who attacked Cargill.

United States Title: LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar

Escobar, with the rest of Legado del Fantasma, is challenging. Hold on though as we get a video from Shinsuke Nakamura, talking about how Knight is scared of everything and this is the beginning of his end. Escobar jumps Knight from behind to start fast and knocks him to the floor for the slingshot dive.

We take a break and come back with Escobar kicking Knight in the head for two, setting up the seated armbar. Knight fights up and hits the slingshot shoulder before grabbing the jumping neckbreaker for two. The jumping top rope elbow is loaded up but cue Nakamura for a distraction. Escobar takes Knight down and hits a frog splash but doesn’t cover. Instead the Phantom Driver is loaded up but Knight reverses into the BFT for the pin at 8:04.

Rating: C. They kept this short and to the point, as Knight gets to add another win to his resume. Nakamura is coming for Knight soon enough though and there is a good chance that we’ll be seeing it at Survivor Series or Saturday Night’s Main Event. For now though, Knight gets a quick boost, with a nice counter to let him retain the title.

Post match Nakamura runs in and lays Knight out.

We look back at Tommaso Ciampa costing the Street Profits their Tag Team Title shot.

Johnny Gargano asks the Motor City Machine Guns for a Tag Team Title shot but they think the Street Profits deserve another shot. The Profits come in and don’t think much of Ciampa. All this did was show me that the Profits are giants compared to Gargano and the Guns.

Nia Jax doesn’t know anything about who attacked Jade Cargill.

Cody Rhodes is told Kevin Owens isn’t here but doesn’t buy it.

Here is Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes doesn’t believe that Kevin Owens isn’t here so cue Owens (in a sleeveless tuxedo shirt) to say he deserves the Rhodes suit treatment (as Rhodes is in workout gear rather than his usual suit). Owens doesn’t get why Rhodes is upset when everything is his fault. Rhodes is ready to fight as Owens comes to ringside to rant about how Rhodes teamed with Roman Reigns after Owens spent years fighting the Bloodline.

Reigns needed help and Rhodes teamed with him so everything is his fault. Rhodes goes on a rant about how this is all on Owens, who always has to self sabotage himself. Owens has all of the accolades and is a great star but he doesn’t realize it. Rhodes beat him at Bash In Berlin because, as always, Owens couldn’t pull the trigger. He pulled the trigger later, but it was on the wrong guy.

Rhodes issues the challenge for Saturday Night’s Main Event but Owens gives him the “on my time” response. Owens says he hates Rhodes, though Rhodes says Owens hates himself. Rhodes won’t wait to cross any line when they finally fight. This was a good laying out of the whole story and Rhodes was selling the emotion rather well.

Roman Reigns, the Usos and Sami Zayn aren’t sure what to do for WarGames. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins’ names are floated but Reigns shuts them down. Reigns says the four of them can do it themselves so Zayn is in, but wants to know what the plan is going to be. Even Reigns doesn’t know this time.

Cody Rhodes is storming through the back and doesn’t like Carmelo Hayes saying Rhodes had that coming. Shoving ensues.

Bayley/Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton/Candice LeRae

Nia Jax is here with the villains. Naomi slugs away at Stratton to start and snaps off a running hurricanrana. That means Stratton needs a breather on the floor, with Jax’s distraction letting LeRae get in a cheap shot. Bayley is in with a dive onto Stratton and we take an early breather. Back with Bayley in trouble and Stratton drawing Naomi in to cut off a tag attempt. LeRae and Stratton get in an argument though, with LeRae having to make another save. Bayley fights up but Jax pulls Naomi off the apron for the DQ at 7:46.

Rating: C. This was more about the villains arguing than anything else, which is a big deal with WarGames just over a week away. I’m not sure what to expect from the match, but having Jax get involved here to avoid someone take a fall is a good idea. They weren’t given the chance to do much here but it kept the bigger story moving well enough.

Post match the beatdown is on but Iyo Sky runs in for the save. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez come in to jump Sky but Rhea Ripley runs in with the kendo stick to clean house.

Montez Ford vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Ciampa misses a charge into the corner to start and Ford hammers away, setting up a quick dropkick for two. Back up and Ciampa hits a knee to the ribs, only to be sent to the floor for the big flip dive. A hard knee to the face sends Ford off the apron though and we take a break. Back with Ford powerbombing him out of the corner and grabbing a belly to back suplex. The standing moonsault gives Ford two, with Ciampa’s swinging neckbreaker getting the same. The Fairy Tale Ending is cut off but Ciampa knees Ford out of the air. Ciampa tries the Fairy Tale Ending again, only for Ford to reverse into a cradle for the pin at 7:52.

Rating: C+. They packed in a good bit of offense here and it made for a good enough match, though I’m a bit surprised that Ciampa lost clean so soon after his recent rampage. One would think that it would lead to Ciampa doing something better but maybe it leads to DIY splitting and moving n to something better. Ford continues to look good on his own, though he seems to be sticking with the tag team for the time being.

Post match Ciampa stays on Ford but Angelo Dawkins and Johnny Gargano run in to break it up. Ciampa shoves Gargano down so the Motor City Machine Guns run in to really break it up. Ciampa asks Gargano whose team he is on.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is the Bloodline to get the answer from Roman Reigns and company. Cue Reigns, the Usos and Sami Zayn for the big showdown but Solo Sikoa says he still loves all four of them. If they join the Bloodline, the team can run the company for decades. Reigns has no fifth man and no wise man, so join the team or die where you stand….and Paul Heyman is back (in a red shirt with no tie). There is no way to do WarGames 5-4 because that math does not make sense to the Wise Man.

That’s why he has a fifth man….and CM Punk is back. The big brawl is on with the Bloodline being cleared out, leaving Reigns and Punk to have a big staredown, with Heyman between them for the awesome visual. The fans think this is awesome and…well yeah. It was going to be Punk, Rollins or on a long shot, Lesnar, and Punk is the (arguably) the most interesting of them all.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show where the wrestling was nowhere near as important as the talking and it worked well. The point of this show was the big ending with Punk and Heyman returning, but the Rhodes/Owens segment worked well too. They did a nice job of making things more interesting for Survivor Series and probably some other shows, and that’s the kind of show that can be the most interesting around. Good stuff here, with the big angle at the end being what the match needed.

Results
Chelsea Green b. Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport – Unprettier to Davenport
LA Knight b. Santos Escobar – BFT
Bayley/Naomi b. Tiffany Stratton/Candice LeRae via DQ when Nia Jax interfered
Montez Ford b. Tommaso Ciampa – Cradle

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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Smackdown
Date: October 20, 2023
Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Kevin Patrick

We’re just over two weeks away from Crown Jewel and as expected, Roman Reigns defending against LA Knight has been made official for the show. That takes care of the main event, but there are still some other things that need to be set up. There is also a good chance that we will be seeing something from Jey Uso tonight after his brother Jimmy cost he and Cody Rhodes the Tag Team Titles on Raw. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of LA Knight/John Cena confronting the Bloodline last week.

Here is Paul Heyman to get things going. Knight talks about how Jimmy Uso cost Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes the Tag Team Titles on Raw before moving on to LA Knight vs. Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. Heyman insults the Texas crowd and says everyone here is a fan of Knight, just like him. Therefore, you must watch Crown Jewel because Knight is going to get smashed for the last time.

Cue Knight, to say he isn’t here to talk to Heyman, so get Reigns out here right now. Heyman goes to leave (as Knight said he could) but Knight calls him back in here right now. Knight asks what Reigns is going to be doing to him but won’t let Heyman answer. As Heyman goes to leave again, Knight threatens to knock his hair back to gray. The word on the street is last week’s spear was just a warning shot and Knight knows Reigns is scared. As fast as Knight has risen up through WWE is as fast as he’ll take that title from Reigns.

Knight tells Heyman to say YEAH. Heyman: “Yeah.” Knight: “You’re pathetic.” Knight wants to know whose game this is and tells Heyman to tell Reigns whose waiting for him at Crown Jewel. Heyman calls Reigns as Knight leaves. This was straight fire from Knight and he has the eyes to back it up. Those are the eyes that you would see from people like Steve Austin, where you can feel how serious he looks and it works so well.

Bobby Lashley and Angelo Dawkins fire up Montez Ford.

Santos Escobar vs. Montez Ford

The rest of the LWO and Dawkins are here too. Ford starts fast and runs him over for an early two, followed by a heck of a dropkick. This allows commentary to say that Carlito is back in WWE for the first time in a decade as last year’s return is already being erased from history. Escobar tries to fight back but gets knocked to the floor as we take an early break. Back with Ford coming off the top with a backwards bulldog (that was different) but Escobar knocks him to the floor. There’s the big dive to take Ford down but Dawkins pulls him to the floor. The fight is on outside, allowing Ford to grab a rollup with tights for the pin at 8:51.

Rating: C+. This was a way to get Ford and the Street Profits a needed win to calm Bobby Lashley down. At the same time, it makes me wonder how much longer it is going to be before Escobar turns on the LWO. He keeps losing and that is likely going to result in him snapping, which is almost long overdue at this point.

Post match the beatdown stays on but Carlito runs in with a chair for the save.

Post break Rey Mysterio says the LWO is family (despite not being out there for the match) and says he has to deal with Logan Paul. Zelina Vega offers to be there wit him but he respectfully declines.

Pretty Deadly have a spa day and brag about winning last week. They’re sure they’re done with the Brawling Brutes, who then jump them from behind.

Jimmy Uso brags about costing Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes the Tag Team Titles last week but Paul Heyman sees John Cena arriving on the monitor.

Here is John Cena for a chat. The fans give him the usual THANK YOU CENA chant, which seems to get to him a bit more than usual. He says he had a rough day with some honest truths hitting him. Cena talks about how Reigns has had an incredible streak as Universal Champion, but Cena has a streak of his own: 2,002 days since he last won a televised singles match.

That’s all the way back in 2018 and he’s been talking a lot about retirement. It’s time that we all face facts. The fans say he still has it….and Cena says he still believes in all of this and says it’s time to turn the math around. He wants someone to come through that curtain right now and they’re going to get smoked.

John Cena vs. Solo Sikoa

The fight is on (no bell or referee) but here is Jimmy Uso to jump Cena. Jey Uso (in disguise) comes in to to after Jimmy but security and referees beak it up (with Jimmy calling for a time out). Sikoa loads up the Spike but gets caught with the AA. No match.

We look at Logan Paul winning a boxing match last weekend.

We look at Judgment Day regaining the Tag Team Titles on Raw.

Jimmy Uso is brought to Nick Aldis’ office, where Adam Pearce is here too. Aldis fines Jimmy $10,000 and has him thrown out of the building. Pearce can be thrown out too. Pearce: “Let the games begin.”

Here is Logan Paul for a chat. He talks about winning a fight in London six days ago, even if it was a pathetic excuse for a fight. If he wanted real competition, he should have come here. He got to beat up someone who hides behind the mask of the internet, and speaking of here with people who wear masks…..but no he isn’t here for Rey Mysterio. See, he already beat Mysterio in his first ever WWE match.

The last time he beat Rey Mysterio, Dominik was still Rey’s son and Roman Reigns actually showed up to wrestle. Mysterio does have one thing that Paul wants though and that is the coveted US Championship. Paul beat up a deadbeat dad last week and he’ll have to do it again at Crown Jewel.

Cue Mysterio to say Paul reminds him of Dominik. There is all of the natural ability in the world, but he needs some humbling. He was a little hesitant to beat some sense into Dominik but he won’t hesitate to do it to Paul. The title match is on for Crown Jewel. Rey says something in Spanish, with Paul responding with “Good luck friend” in Spanish. They tentatively shake hands. As usual, Paul is an absolute star and him winning the title isn’t the craziest thing in the world.

Video on Charlotte vs. Iyo Sky.

Cameron Grimes/Dragon Lee vs. Austin Theory/Grayson Waller

Lee takes over on Waller to start and everything breaks down with all four heading outside. The villains are sent into various things and we take an early break. Back with Grimes kicking away and sending Waller to the floor. Lee hits a big flip dive and the flipping powerslam gives Grimes two on Theory. Waller sends Lee into the announcers’ table and grabs the rolling Downward Spiral on Grimes. A Town Down finishes Grimes off at 6:01. Not enough shown to rate but this was mostly a squash until the ending.

Earlier today we got a sitdown interview with Kevin Owens, who is upset at being split up from Sami Zayn so soon after losing the Tag Team Titles. That being said, he’s glad to be back on Smackdown with a clean slate. He has a history with the Bloodline and yes the Yokozuna shirt is just a coincidence. Owens talks about the names that he hasn’t faced around here and asks Cathy Kelly who she wants him to punch. She says she has to be professional….but people do say that Austin Theory and Grayson Waller have punchable faces.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Iyo Sky vs. Charlotte

Sky, with the rest of Damage CTRL, is defending and is knocked to the floor for a break 17 seconds in. Back with Charlotte being sent into the corner but managing to kick Sky in the face. Bayley offers a distraction though and Sky kicks Charlotte to the floor, setting up a big dive. Back in and Sky grabs a chinlock but Charlotte suplexes her way to freedom. Charlotte misses a charge in the corner though and Sky strikes away before leveraging Charlotte out to the floor. Sky follows her out and gets dropped face first onto the apron as we take another break.

Back with Sky hitting a sunset bomb for two more, followed by the running knees in the corner. A crossface goes on to put Charlotte in more trouble but she reverses into a wheelbarrow suplex. Charlotte hits back to back fall away slams, followed by a super Samoan drop for two. Sky slips out of the Walls of Jericho and avoids a knee to her own knee. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and a spear gets two, with Bayley putting the foot on the rope. Charlotte goes after Bayley so Dakota Kai offers another distraction, allowing Sky to use the title to block the spear and retain at 16:08.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of match you would expect from them and it was kind of nice to avoid Charlotte getting the title back. Sky went a good bit more heelish to retain the title here and that could set up a rematch down the line. For now though, it was a solid main event and Charlotte couldn’t overcome the odds so we’ll call it a success.

Post match the beatdown is on but Bianca Belair returns for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a very talking heavy show and thankfully the talking was mostly good. That being said, I could go for more than three matches in two hours with one of them not even being long enough to rate. The good thing is they added some stuff to Crown Jewel or at least build up the card a bit more. Overall though, this just wasn’t a great show as it had such a long stretch between matches. I’m fine with a focus on things other than matches, but having nearly an hour without a match is a bit much to take.

Results
Montez Ford b. Santos Escobar – Rollup with trunks
Austin Theory/Grayson Waller b. Cameron Grimes/Dragon Lee – A Town Down to Grimes
Iyo Sky b. Charlotte – Belt shot

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Smackdown
Date: June 2, 2023
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Night Of Champions and while there wasn’t a big Smackdown title change, the major story came at the end, as Jimmy Uso superkicked Roman Reigns to seemingly remove himself from the Bloodline. Tonight just so happens to be the 1000 day celebration for Reigns’ Universal Title reign so we should be in for some fireworks. Let’s get to it.

Here is Night Of Champions if you need a recap.

Barrett and Cole welcome us to the show and throw us to a rather cool video on Roman Reigns, looking at his entire reign. The video includes a timeline as he rises up the ranks and passes various people and looks at some milestones. If there is one thing WWE knows how to do, it is look back at its own history.

Austin Theory is in the ring…and we look at Reigns retaining at Wrestlemania XXXVII, which was already looked at in the video.

Theory says this is the celebration of Reigns reaching 1000 days as Universal Champion. What is even more impressive than that though is if you combined his title reign with Reigns’ it would be 1,209 days. He’ll probably have his own 4000 day reign or so, especially if he is given challengers like Sheamus. For now though, he’ll introduce his partners for tonight, so here is Pretty Deadly to be rather happy about Theory.

Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly/Austin Theory

Holland jumps Prince to start and it’s quickly off to Wilson. Butch comes in as well but gets taken down into a chinlock. That doesn’t work for Butch who stomps on the fingers. The big kick misses though and it’s Theory coming in and wanting Sheamus (the fans agree). We take a break and come back with Butch in trouble and Theory getting to pose.

Butch DDTs his way out of trouble and it’s Sheamus coming in to clean house. A triple White Noise sets up the Brogue to Theory but Prince pulls him outside. Back to back drives drop the villains and we take another break. Back again with Sheamus hitting a top rope knee to the chest for two on Prince and everything breaks down.

We get a parade of strikes to the face until Butch is backdropped to the floor. Sheamus knees Theory in the face for two and Holland powers Pretty Deadly over. The triple forearms to the chest have the Brutes in even more control but Wilson and Prince switch places, setting up Spilled Milk to Holland. Theory gets the pin at 17:35.

Rating: B-. This got a good bit of time (maybe too much) and seems to wrap up Theory vs. Sheamus. Theory has already beaten Sheamus in a singles match and now he has beaten his team in a six man. Exactly what else is there for them to do at the moment? Pretty Deadly continues to be their goofy selves, but the Brutes could use a win sooner than later as the bad run continues.

We look back at Jimmy Uso turning on Roman Reigns and leaving the Bloodline at Night Of Champions.

Paul Heyman tells Solo Sikoa that he’s going to make sure the Usos aren’t here tonight.

We look at Seth Rollins beating AJ Styles to win the World Heavyweight Title at Night Of Champions.

AJ Styles (the birthday boy) is here and wants the OC to take out Hit Row.

Roman Reigns beat Brock Lesnar to retain at Summerslam 2022.

Hit Row vs. OC

All of their associates are here and apparently this is over a Hit Row rap about the OC. Hit Row jumps them to start and it’s Adonis taking over on Anderson with a chinlock. AJ/Michin argue with B Fab on the floor, followed by Anderson hitting a spinebuster to get a breather. Gallows comes in to clean house, including a suplex to Adonis. The Magic Killer gives Anderson the pin at 2:58.

Post match Top Dolla goes after the OC, earning himself a Phenomenal Forearm.

Paul Heyman comes in to see Adam Pearce, who says the Usos’ travel has been canceled and there is double security. Heyman calls Reigns, whose locker room he was in about five minutes ago.

Breaking News: Seth Rollins defends against Damian Priest on Raw.

It’s time for the Grayson Waller Effect, with new Raw Women’s Champion Asuka as the special guest. We look at Asuka defeating Bianca Belair to win the title at Night Of Champion, allowing Asuka to do her celebratory dance. Waller says he couldn’t have said it better himself and points to the Money in the Bank briefcases. Asuka has to know that Belair is coming for her, but here is Iyo Sky to yell at Asuka.

Cue Bayley (Cole: “There go the ratings.”) to says she’s won before so she’ll win again. Then it’s Shotzi, Lacey Evans (looking like Sgt. Slaughter mixed with Rhea Ripley) and Zelina Vega interrupting and promising to win. The arguing is on, with Waller declaring it the best day of his life, but Asuka slips away. Cue Belair for the brawl to end this really, really bad segment. It was a bunch of people coming out to say “I’ll win!/No I’ll win!/NO I’LL WIN!” until they ran out of women.

We look at Baron Corbin going after the NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes on NXT.

Cameron Grimes will be waiting whenever Corbin gets back.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Zelina Vega vs. Lacey Evans

Evans punched her during the break so Vega is rocked. An early slingshot Bronco Buster hits Vega and the chinlock is on. Evans even swings her around to make it worse before going with the normal thing. Vega fights up and sends her into the corner, setting up Code Red to finish Evans at 2:48. This was nothing.

Roman Reigns beat Sami Zayn this year at Elimination Chamber.

Legado del Fantasma praises Zelina Vega for winning her match. Escobar will do it next time and Rey Mysterio pops up to say they’ll win the briefcases.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: LA Knight vs. Montez Ford

They trade arm control to start and Knight doesn’t seem pleased. A shove off goes to Ford so Knight sends him to the apron for a hard forearm to the floor. Back from a break with Ford hitting a belly to back suplex but Knight knocks him down again. A springboard moonsault of all things misses for Knight and they clothesline each other down. Ford shoves him off the top but misses the Cash Out. Instead they trade rollups, with Knight grabbing the ropes for the pin at 9:10.

Rating: C. Knight continues his singles winning streak and that should be a good sign for his future. At the end of the day, a win over Ford and a spot in the ladder match only gets you so far, but Knight has at least shaken off a lot of his loser persona. That is a big first step and if he does win the briefcase, it won’t feel like it comes so out of nowhere.

Video on Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, who speak a bunch of Latin and promise doom. They’re leaning way into the magic stuff here.

Roman Reigns retained at Wrestlemania XXXIX as well.

Here is HHH to introduce Roman Reigns for his 1000 day celebration. After comparing him to Michael Jordan, HHH brings out Reigns, with Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa. With Reigns in the ring, HHH unveils a new title belt, which is again the big WWE logo but with a gold background and mainly black around the strap. Reigns is about to tell Pennsylvania to acknowledge him but switches it to the entire WWE Universe. Cue the Usos to interrupt though, making that Adam Pearce segment from earlier rather worthless.

We take a break and come back with Jimmy Uso and Reigns staring each other down. Reigns to Jey Uso: “Kick him in the face.” Reigns tells him to do it right now like Jimmy did to him at Night Of Champions. He tells Jey to fix this, but Jimmy says Reigns is what needs fixing. Jimmy did what he did because he was being a brother. Jimmy talks to Sikoa and says Reigns will turn on him, drawing an USO chant.

Reigns says that’s because of him so let’s ask what Sikoa thinks. Sikoa acknowledges Reigns….but the Usos are his brothers. Sikoa goes to stand next to the Usos (the place goes NUTS for that) and Reigns/Heyman look scared. Jimmy says the Island of Relevancy is going to be lonely so Reigns goes for him, earning a shove in the face. Jey isn’t happy with what and we have to shut down the audio for the HOLY S*** chant.

Jey says he needs both of them and they can’t fight like this. Jimmy: “He’s right.” They’re all brothers and let’s do this together with respect like they’ve been doing. Reigns is thinking about it as Jimmy asks if they’re still the ones. Jimmy and Reigns have the big emotional hug and Jey looks incredibly relieved. As the hug continues, Reigns says no, and Solo Spikes Jimmy. Jey checks on Jimmy and Sikoa leaves with Reigns/Heyman. As they leave, Heyman asks Reigns about Jey. Reigns: “Jey’s gonna do what he always does: fall in line. He’ll fall in line.”

This was another emotional roller coaster and it absolutely worked, as this always tends to do. At the end of the day, this has turned into a battle for Jey Uso and that could make for some very interesting different paths as we go forward. You can probably pencil in the tag match for Money In The Bank, but after that, it seems like it’s a wide open slate of options.

Overall Rating: C+. This was one of those shows that was divided in two. You had everything else, and then the Bloodline segment. At the end of the day, the Bloodline is the biggest story in WWE at the moment and this was the next step in that story. Things are entering into a meltdown stage and that should be very interesting. Other than that, you have some Money in the Bank qualifying matches and that six man. This wasn’t a very good show, but egads the final segment had the audience eating out of its hand for good reason.

Results
Pretty Deadly/Austin Theory b. Brawling Brutes – Spilled Milk to Holland
OC b. Hit Row – Magic Killer to Adonis
Zelina Vega b. Lacey Evans – Code Red
LA Knight b. Montez Ford – Rollup while grabbing the rope

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Smackdown
Date: March 31, 2023
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s the go home show for Wrestlemania and that means we could be in for a night that is a little different than normal. The featured attractions are one more Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes showdown plus the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. This show has a tendency to be a little weaker but maybe they can change it this time. Let’s get to it.

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

Here are the Usos to get things going. They are ready for Wrestlemania but here are Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to cut them off. Zayn doesn’t want anything left unsaid before Wrestlemania so let’s get it all out there. Owens says no one welcomed him to WWE like the Usos did, even to the point of playing with his son. Then they started doing Roman Reigns’ bidding (Owens: “Look at me when I’m talking to you.”) and then they tried to take away his livelihood.

Zayn is the reason Owens is standing here today and they better look at him now, because he can’t wait to do what he has to do tomorrow night. It ain’t paranoia, because they’re taking the titles. The Usos say they have no love for either of them because this is the real family. Zayn says blood isn’t the only thing that makes you family, because family is loyal. Jey: “WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LOYALTY SAMI???”

Zayn talks about being loyal to Jey and the Bloodline from day one but the Usos chose Reigns over loyalty. Zayn can’t wait to get rid of the Bloodline so the two of them can get back to being the guys Owens remembers. The Usos don’t buy it and say Owens/Zayn are going to lose the big match, when Owens stabs Zayn in the back again. The Bloodline isn’t going to fall because this is BloodlineMania. They brought the emotion here and all four can sell that like few others. This almost has to headline Night One because it is blowing away everything but the main event.

The Usos go to leave and run into the Street Profits coming out for the first match.

Montez Ford vs. Ricochet vs. Chad Gable vs. Erik

All of the respective partners are here. They circle each other to start until Ford and Ricochet are left alone, with Ford flipping to his feet and dancing a bit. Gable comes in and dances a bit as well, earning himself a double dropkick right back to the floor. Now it’s Erik back inside but a double dropkick puts him outside too. Ricochet and Ford head outside and get caught with stereo suplexes to put Gable and Erik in control. Back in and Erik runs them over again, only to get clotheslined by Erik as we take a break.

We take a break and come back with Gable belly to belly superplexing Ricochet to leave all four down. It’s Ford up first to start the comeback and knock all three down in a row. Gable is back with a German suplex for two but Erik plants him hard onto Ford. Back up and Ford hits a huge flip dive to the floor, followed by a frog splash to Gable back inside. Ricochet isn’t about to be outdone and nails a shooting star press to put Gable away at 9:35.

Rating: C+. This was the kind of all action car crash match that you want to see. The win actually does build a bit of momentum on the way to Wrestlemania, even if I can’t imagine Ricochet and Braun Strowman actually winning. For now though, good match and a fun match on the go home show.

Video on Rhea Ripley.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Baron Corbin, Top Dolla, Xavier Woods, Karrion Kross, Humberto, Butch, Ivar, Ashante Adonis, Angel, Angelo Dawkins, Ridge Holland, Otis, Cruz Del Toro, Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Dexter Lumis, Elias, Rick Boogs, Dolph Ziggler, Madcap Moss, Johnny Gargano, Shelton Benjamin, Mustafa Ali, Mace, Mansoor, Bobby Lashley, LA Knight, Braun Strowman, Bronson Reed, Cedric Alexander

Barrett: “Alright Cole, who’s going to win this?” Cole: “Top Dolla. He can’t go over the top rope.” That’s kind of vicious. Funny but vicious. Corbin is out seconds in as Lumis is standing still in the corner. Cole actually name drops Cesaro as a former winner as Lashley gets rid of Adonis and Dolla. There goes Wilde, followed by Dawkins and Erik thanks to the Maximum Male Models. They try to toss Otis but Mace is eliminated by Lumis instead.

Gargano superkicks Mace out as the ring is clearing a bit. Anderson and Gallows are both tossed and Boogs muscles Otis out (that was a big one. Los Lotharios get rid of Elias and Boogs tosses both of them to even things up. We take a break and come back with Woods and Lumis both being tossed out as the ring is much thinner now. Knight dumps Ali (I think) but gets caught in the Krossjacket. Lashley Hurt Locks Ziggler but lets go for a showdown with Kross.

Lashley dumps Kross and Moss is gone as well. We get a Reed vs. Strowman match but Lashley interrupts them to get rid of Ziggler. The big guys knock each other down and Gargano counters the Bitter End into a DDT on Butch. Knight goes after Gargano (the fans REALLY approve) but it’s time for almost everyone to hit something.

Lashley finally tosses Gargano and Strowman gets rid of Escobar. Reed eliminates Holland, who catches Butch to prevent an elimination. Reed gets rid of Brute, getting us down to Reed, Knight, Strowman and Lashley. Knight (getting crazy positive reactions) tries to eliminate Reed but can’t overcome the power of physics. Instead Reed dumps Knight, becoming the biggest villain in the company (even commentary has to acknowledge it).

Lashley fires off running clotheslines to Reed and Strowman but gets powerslammed for his efforts. Reed sends Strowman to the apron and shoulders him out (that’s an upset) to get us down to two. The Tsunami misses though and Lashley hits the spear but Reed sends him to the apron. Back in and Lashley tosses him out for the win at 14:31.

Rating: C+. While it would have been better for Lashley to do something at Wrestlemania, this is enough of a consolation prize. Lashley is also suddenly a good guy again, which might even suit him better. Other than that, Boogs and Reed looked good here, but the story is going to be Knight. Those reactions aren’t going away and there is no way to ignore them much longer. Commentary hearing them is an interesting sign and a face turn next week wouldn’t shock me.

Long video on Cody Rhodes, from the start of his career to the main event of Wrestlemania. There’s a long gap of about 6 years in the middle but close enough.

Natalya vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Sonya Deville

The respective partners are here too. Rodriguez and Natalya go after Baszler to start before throwing her and Deville outside. Natalya Sharpshooters Deville until Baszler makes the save. Rodriguez fireman’s carries Natalya and Baszler at the same time before kicking Natalya in the face. Deville posts Rodriguez, who is right back with a big boot to Baszler and a Tejana Bomb to Deville for the pin at 2:52. That was quick.

Legado del Fantasma comes to see Rey Mysterio, who is getting ready for his Hall of Fame speech. They want to see him give Dominik a lesson and will have his back to deal with Judgment Day. Rey likes the idea, but they’re going to do it in style. They all get shirts…..because the LWO (Latino World Order for you non WCW fans) is back! Cole actually remembers that Rey didn’t join the original version willingly in a nice bit of continuity.

Sheamus/Drew McIntyre vs. Imperium

Drew’s music cuts off Sheamus’ intro, which doesn’t it sit well. To make it worse, Drew says Sheamus can start and then starts instead by hammering on Vinci. A cheap shot from the apron slows McIntyre down but Sheamus tags himself in. A top rope show to the head drops Kaiser, setting up the forearms to the chest (Drew is not impressed). Sheamus and Drew glare at each other so Imperium jumps them, only to be sent to the floor.

We take a break and come back with Sheamus in trouble in the corner as Kaiser cranks on a chinlock. Sheamus Irish Curses his way to freedom though and it’s Drew coming back in to clean house. Sheamus tags himself back in though and wrecks both of them, setting up the Brogue Kick (as McIntyre hits the Claymore) for the pin on Vinci at 8:19.

Rating: C+. This was mainly a story building match as they already both can’t stand Gunther and now they can’t stand each other. There needs to be more of a story than they both want to go after Gunther so this is the personal touch that it might need. Not a bad match, but the action here absolutely was not the point.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Here is Cody Rhodes for the big final showdown with Roman Reigns. Before Reigns comes out though, Cody talks about how all of the roads have led here and the extra attention is on him. He is working harder than ever trying to deal with the media and getting his workouts and nutrition in, but he has never been more ready. Right now though, he feels wildly unprepared.

When he asked what the people want to talk about, we could talk about anything, because the fighting needs to start. He could do anything here, including reciting California Love by Tupac (which he does) but he’ll cut himself off before he gets too adult for FOX. Maybe we could talk about gratitude, because he is so thankful for getting here. The reality is that Roman Reigns is a ten year project that only started taking off in year eight. Cody: “Oh we’re shooting here cowboy.”

Reigns has talked about meeting the guy so allow Cody to introduce himself. He isn’t Dusty’s boy or dashing or Dust, but rather the next Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Before he can say he finishes the story, cue Reigns and Paul Heyman to interrupt. Reigns loads up the ACKNOWLEDGE ME but tells Cody to do it instead, because it’s his turn. They get face to face and Reigns holds up the title to end the show. This feels like a Wrestlemania main event so they have done very well with this whole thing. Now just do the match right.

Overall Rating: B-. This was the “just talk, don’t screw it up” show for the most part and that’s what it should be less than twenty four hours before Wrestlemania. WWE has done a great job with the buildup and this show has me actually wanting to see what happens. They didn’t do anything dumb in the last week and while this show was absolutely not wrestling heavy, it did what it needed to do on the last stop before Wrestlemania.

Results
Ricochet b. Montez Ford, Erik and Chad Gable – Shooting star press to Gable
Bobby Lashley won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal last eliminating Bronson Reed
Raquel Rodriguez b. Shanya Baszler, Sonya Deville and Natalya – Tejana Bomb to Deville
Sheamus/Drew McIntyre b. Imperium – Brogue Kick to Vince

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: March 20, 2023
Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Corey Graves

We are less than two weeks away from Wrestlemania and the show is mostly together. That means this week is going to be about firming up everything that is already set for the show, which will include some Roman Reigns. Other than that, it might be time to add in one or two more things, as WWE does on occasion. Let’s get to it.

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

Here are Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to get things going. They think the fans might like them before Sami goes into a talk about how he was wrong for a long time. They have always used each other to get to the next level but they have always done it as brothers. Owens has always said that Zayn is the best he has ever been in the ring with and that’s what made it harder watching him in the Bloodline. It’s time to take the Bloodline down though….so let’s look at that Wrestlemania sign.

Cue the Usos to say Owens and Zayn are just going to stab each other in the back. Zayn says Jey wants to stab Roman Reigns in the back, so we get straight to the Wrestlemania challenge. Jimmy says no, but Jey wants the chance to end the Zayn/Owens problem, so let’s do the brother vs. brother title match. The fight is on with the Usos being cleared out, only to grab chairs.

Cue Roman Reigns and the rest of the Bloodline arriving, which makes the Usos leave. You knew this match was coming but they took their time to get here, which is not a bad idea. The fans want to see the match and that is one of the hardest things to do with any match, let alone one of the bigger ones on the Wrestlemania card.

Montez Ford vs. Austin Theory

Non-title and Angelo Dawkins lets Ford do this one on his own. The fans want the smoke but have to settle for Theory shouldering Ford down and mocking his dance. Theory gets in a big beatdown in the corner but Ford is back up with some stomps of his own. A running clothesline puts Theory on the floor and there’s the toss over the barricade. Ford sits on some fans at ringside and we take a break.

Back with Ford hitting a high crossbody and a running uppercut to drop Theory again. Ford throws in a You Can’t See Me before hitting the standing moonsault for two. A DDT sends Theory outside and there’s the big running flip dive. Back in and Theory gets in a quick dropkick, setting up A Town Down for the pin at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Letting Ford rub elbows with a champion is an interesting idea as he continues to look ready to break out on his own. Theory wasn’t going to lose so close to Wrestlemania though and he shouldn’t have, so burning off a Ford loss might be a bit of an odd way to go. It makes sense after last week, but Ford should be better protected if he’s going to get a shot on his own.

Post match Theory says he’ll make John Cena believe in him at Wrestlemania.

Roman Reigns doesn’t seem pleased with the Usos but Jimmy Uso says he’ll never forgive Sami Zayn for causing trouble with Jey. Jimmy says they’ve got Zayn and Owens at Wrestlemania, with Reigns saying he hopes so. Reigns asks for the room to be cleared….except for Jey.

Post break (and what I’m guessing was a rousing spelling bee), Reigns says Jey went off for weeks and now he’s back making decisions. Should Reigns believe him? Jey says he’s Bloodline, which is all Reigns needed to hear. Reigns says he loves him and Jey leaves. Paul Heyman comes back in and Reigns says he got the answers he was looking for, while looking a bit serious.

The men’s four way showcase tag match will include the Street Profits, Braun Strowman/Ricochet, the Alpha Academy and the Viking Raiders.

Chelsea Green interrupts Adam Pearce, who isn’t happy with Carmella not being available tonight. Instead, Piper Niven will be her partner tonight. Pearce reminds her that he is the same manager over and over so Green wants to be in the Wrestlemania match. Threats ensue.

Video on Omos vs. Brock Lesnar, complete with various measurements of Omos’ gigantic hands and reach.

Omos vs. Mustafa Ali

Dolph Ziggler is watching in the back as the chokebomb finishes Ali at 55 seconds.

Post match MVP promises that Brock Lesnar will far Omos at Wrestlemania.

Logan Paul is on the way to the ring and blows off Miz on the way.

It’s time for Logan Paul and Impaulsive TV. Paul knows that no one but his dad and that one fan with a sign for his energy drink like him. No one here is going to respect him, but who cares, because it isn’t his fault that they can’t see the talent in front of them. He is a 360 degree entertainer and mocks the St. Louis Rams for heading to Los Angeles. Paul is looking forward to being with the Rams in Los Angeles at Wrestlemania on April 1, his 28th birthday.

We look at Paul knocking Seth Rollins out last week a few times, complete with Rollins’ head turning into a clown as we see the punch land over and over. Paul’s mic goes out and we see Seth Rollins (in a leopard print suit) in the control truck. Rollins asks how we’re going to save this edition of Impaulsive TV….so he plays his own music and comes to the ring.

Cue Rollins, with Paul talking over the fans singing along in a funny bit (Paul: “No one told me St. Louis was tone deaf. Your outfit is stupid.”). The fight is on fast and they go over the announcers’ table, with Rollins getting the better of things. Rollins dives off the top onto some security (that was a nasty landing) but Paul knocks Rollins out again. They’re doing a good job of making Paul feel like a real threat to Rollins at Wrestlemania and that right hand is getting over.

Now available: Wrestlemania the Musical, starring the Miz.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Johnny Gargano

Damien Priest and Dexter Lumis are here too and Gargano has bad ribs after being attacked on NXT. Gargano starts fast and hammers away with left hands in the corner. The rolling kick to the head and running hurricanrana put Dominik on the floor, setting up the suicide dive (which made good contact). The ribs are banged up though and Dominik drops them onto the barricade as we take a break.

Back with Dominik staying on the ribs until Gargano suplexes his way out of trouble. A missed charge in the corner lets Dominik roll him up for two but the referee sees the feet on the ropes. The Lawn Dart into a basement superkick gives Gargano two but Dominik knocks him off the top. Dominik hits the frog splash for the pin at 10:15.

Rating: C. Dominik stays warm on the way to a probably match with Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania and he beat a bit of a name on the way there. Gargano on the other hand just feels stagnant and seems to be living off of the reputation he built in NXT. It doesn’t help that he has been kind of floating around since returning to the main roster, but maybe that can be fixed after Wrestlemania.

Post match Dominik grabs the mic and talks about Rey Mysterio turning down his Wrestlemania challenge. Dominik isn’t done yet though and promises to not stop until he gets what he wants. This Friday, the entire Mysterio family will be live in Las Vegas, as in the same family that kicked him out of the group chat. Dominik: “That’s ok though because the Judgment Day group chat is much better.” He’ll be asking his mom for permission to face Rey at Wrestlemania, if she’ll let Rey’s testicles out of her purse.

Paul Heyman sends the Usos to the jet for seafood, because Roman Reigns is giving them the night off. Solo Sikoa doesn’t get to though, as Roman Reigns wants to see him.

Edge is in a room full of candles and talks about what a hostile man that he is. He has been taken into the Cell by the Deadman himself. We get part of the 23rd Psalm with Edge talking about how he is the valley of the shadow of death. So at Wrestlemania, bring the Demon to face the Devil. Edge’s delivery was good but the candles/Bible quotes/everything else felt almost cliched here. At least it gives Balor a reason to bring back the Demon.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat. She doesn’t want to live in the past like Charlotte, who keeps talking about what happened three years ago at Ripley’s first Wrestlemania. That was when she was trying to make a name for herself and earn respect. When Charlotte hears the name Rhea Ripley, she begins to question everything. Ripley: “Don’t WHAT me. You’re all pathetic.”

Charlotte has to admit that it is over for her and when she sees Ripley holding the title up, she’ll know her insecurities were true. She won’t respect Ripley, but she will fear her. Cue Damage Ctrl of all people, seemingly offering help with Charlotte. Ripley doesn’t need it, but Bayley says this is their show. Threats are made and Ripley is game, even if she isn’t in her gear. Bayley is in her gear though and we’re ready to go.

Bayley vs. Rhea Ripley

The rest of Damage Ctrl is here too. Ripley sends her into the corner to start but gets tossed to the apron. A Stunner over the apron sends Ripley to the floor where she blocks the dropkick under the bottom rope. Bayley is fine enough to send her into the post, only to have Ripley hit a flip dive off the apron to drop Bayley for two back inside. A hard knee to the face gives Ripley two but some interference breaks up Riptide. Cue Becky Lynch, Trish Stratus and Lita (with Becky carrying a big bag of popcorn) as we take a break.

Back with the Bayley to Belly hitting for no cover, as Ripley plants her with a belly to back faceplant. Bayley hits a running knee to the face though and they’re both down. Ripley kicks her down out of the corner though and the Prism Trap sends Bayley to the ropes. The others get in a fight at ringside, leaving Ripley to hit Riptide for the pin at 10:43.

Rating: B-. You can tell when wrestlers are a cut or two above the people around them and that is the case here. Ripley feels ready to break out to the next level and Bayley is one of the most established names in the women’s division. Becky and company coming down with the popcorn was a little weird, but at least they helped cost Bayley the match.

Chad Gable finds Otis getting a manicure and a facial and wants him ringside later. Otis seems game but Maxxine Dupri comes in to say Otis has a hand modeling gig. Otis leaves with….Gable actually.

This week’s Wrestlemania trailer: Drew McIntyre and the Brawling Brutes in the 40 Year Old Virgin, with Ridge Holland getting his overly hairy chest waxed. These still aren’t really funny.

Chad Gable vs. Ricochet

Otis and Ricochet are here too. Gable wrestles him to the mat to start as Otis keeps looking at his freshly manicured nails. Back up and Ricochet starts flipping away before dropkicking Gable into the corner. A super hurricanrana is blocked though and Gable….kind of release AA’s him down. Gable hits a top rope clothesline for two as we take a break.

We come back with Ricochet hitting a running shooting star press. Gable muscles him up though and hits something like a Razor’s Edge Dominator (that could be a finisher for someone) for two. Gable suplexes him for the same but here is Maxxine Dupri to take Otis to the back. Ricochet reverses Chaos Theory into a standing Sliced Bread, setting up the shooting star press for the pin at 10:35.

Rating: C+. The still frustrating thing about the way WWE uses Gable is he can go in the ring. I’m not at all saying he should be some kind of a next big thing, but giving him nothing to do but put others over for a long time has taken a lot away from him. Just seeing him having something fresh to do with Otis recently has helped, but it’s still not quite enough.

Bianca Belair/Asuka vs. Chelsea Green/Piper Niven

Belair drops Green for the moonsault but Asuka tags herself in and the heroes clear the ring. We take a break and come back Niven taking over on Asuka. Everything breaks down though and Niven misses a charge in the corner allowing Belair to hit an impressive KOD for the pin at 6:36.

Rating: C-. I’m still not sure what the appeal is to having these matches where half of them take place during the break. Belair vs. Asuka still feels like a pretty weak Wrestlemania match, even if the actual product will work well. They need something to bring the interest up and Belair looking scared of Asuka isn’t doing it.

Post match Asuka takes out Belair. At least that’s taking a side instead of just looking at each other.

Here is the Bloodline (Roman Reigns/Paul Heyman/Solo Sikoa) for a chat. Reigns asks for acknowledgment but cue Cody Rhodes to cut him off. Rhodes wants to know why he is a problem and tells Heyman to stop, because he’s talking to the Tribal Chief. Reigns says the problem is what Rhodes represents and makes fun of his daddy for being a professional rassler.

Let’s look at Rhodes’ track record: he didn’t want to be Stardust so he ran away. Then he started a promotion and he couldn’t get over in it so he ran away. Then he got over and his body gave out so he ran away. Rhodes keeps talking about finishing the story at Wrestlemania but that’s not what’s going to happen. The real choice is April 3, when Rhodes isn’t the champion. Reigns hopes Rhodes will do something that makes his daddy happy and not run away.

Rhodes says what Reigns said is true, but what he did when he ran away helped every locker room make a lot more money. Yeah his daddy was a wrestler and Cody wanted to be a superstar but maybe it’s true that he’s just a runaway violent professional wrestler. No one needs to bring up his father one more time because he isn’t going to show up with a Bionic Elbow. Cody’s brother works elsewhere so all you have is him.

Instead let’s talk about Cody’s Cuban mother who would tell him to knock Reigns out and then hit him again for good measure. Let’s talk about April 3, which is when Reigns is going to wake up and remember how to lose. And then Jey is going to leave him too. Then Jimmy will be gone, and all that is left will be Solo, who Rhodes knows isn’t ready.

Sikoa will leave him too and Heyman will become an advocate again. That leaves Reigns without a family, a Roman with no more reigns and a chief without a tribe. Reigns leaves and Cody mocks Sikoa for following him before kicking Sikoa in the face. Reigns stops Sikoa from using the Samoan Spike to end the show. That was kind of a weird ending, and this one, while full of big shots at Rhodes, didn’t land nearly as well as their Smackdown faceoff.

Overall Rating: C+. This show did some good stuff and helped firm up some of the other stuff for Wrestlemania, but it seems they’re readying the point where there isn’t much left to say in some of the matches. The show is either set or mostly set and that doesn’t leave much to be done. They only have the big hard sell Raw left and that should be ok as long as nothing goes too far down next week.

Results
Austin Theory b. Montez Ford – A Town Down
Omos b. Mustafa Ali – Chokebomb
Dominik Mysterio b. Johnny Gargano – Frog splash
Rhea Ripley b. Bayley – Riptide
Ricochet b. Chad Gable – Shooting star press
Asuka/Bianca Belair b. Piper Niven/Chelsea Green – KOD to Niven

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