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

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

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

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

Lynch doesn’t want a camera on her.

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

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

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

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

AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano

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

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

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

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

Video on AJ Lee.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Penta vs. Rusev

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

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

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

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

Nikki Bella vs. Asuka

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

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

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

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

LA Knight vs. Bronson Reed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 25, 2025
Location: BP Pulse Live, Birmingham, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re in England as the company is getting ready for Sunday’s Clash In Paris, meaning this is a rare afternoon show in the United States. The big appeal of this week is Roman Reigns starting the show after challenging Bronson Reed last week. If nothing else, he might want to get his shoes back so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s extreme rules match between Jey Uso and Bron Breakker, which included a huge brawl and a bunch of interference.

Here is Roman Reigns to get things going, with the fans being VERY impressed and giving him a variety of cheers, including IF YOU LOVE ROMAN STAND UP. After an ACKNOWLEDGE ME, Reigns says that he has big plans for this year and next year, but he has to be realistic. It might feel like old times with the fans being so loud for him, but it isn’t the same anymore. He isn’t the same anymore. Fans: “YES YOU ARE!” Reigns says Cody Rhodes predicted it a year or so ago, which has the fans booing. Reigns: “Interesting.”

The Vision (the fans boo, which Reigns understands) is trying to take everything from him, which earns a F*** SETH ROLLINS chant (which Reigns takes a second to understand). He doesn’t have a Bloodline, which means a YEET chant. Reigns is extremely proud of Jey Uso, who has earned everything he has, including his title shot in Paris. Reigns’ time will come…and here is Paul Heyman to interrupt, along with Bronson Reed.

Heyman introduces Reed and talks about how he became Reigns’ Wise Man five years ago this week. The fans do their singing Roman Reigns chant, which Heyman turns into a Bronson Reed version. Heyman says Reed is going to beat some respect into Reigns, who doesn’t seem to agree. Reed talks about how Reigns may be college educated, but he needs a history lesson. Reigns’ tribe is civilized but Reed’s isn’t. Reigns paid for his tattoos while Reed earned his. Reed is the Samoan that Reigns’ family warned him about. Reigns: “This guy’s Samoan???”

That means Reed belongs to him, so he can have one more change to return the shoes, apologize for wasting our time, and acknowledge him. That won’t happen, so Reigns is ready to fight. Security and agents come in and Reed gets in a splash but can’t take more shoes. Reigns gets back up and they brawl to the back as we take a break. Heck of an opening segment here, with the crowd being way into the whole thing and boosting it up.

Judgment Day is looking for Dominik Mysterio (ignore him being in the background of the start of the shot), who is talking to El Grande Americano. Mysterio says he’ll catch up with them later and things seem ok enough.

Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh

Finn Balor is here with McDonagh. Lee takes over to start so Balor gets up on the apron, which is enough for an ejection before he can do anything. Well that sounds like an overly aggressive referee. That’s enough for Lee to go up, only to get dropkicked out of the air as we take a break.

We come back with Lee fighting up after a superplex (during the break) and hitting a REALLY scary sit out powerbomb (McDonagh landed on his head and Graves popped up to his feet on commentary) for two. The top rope (actually from the post this time) tree of woe double stomp connects but here is Dominik Mysterio. Cue AJ Styles to jump Mysterio and Operation Dragon finishes McDonagh at 8:45.

Rating: C+. That powerbomb was terrifying for a second and thankfully McDonagh’s massive head is ok. Other than that, the Judgment Day’s issues continue, which has been the case for a good while now. I’m curious to see where that goes, while on the other hand, Lee is not exactly interesting whatsoever as he’s just kind of there most weeks.

LA Knight likes the idea of working with CM Punk to take out Seth Rollins, but it’s all about Punk getting the title back. It’s feast or famine and the rations are limited. Only Knight is going to be well fed and tonight, he’s facing Bron Breakker, who will be knocked back to factory settings (that’s a great line…I think).

Rusev is ready to hurt Sheamus in Paris.

Judgment Day isn’t happy with Dominik Mysterio, so he tells Finn Balor to deal with AJ Styles tonight. Raquel Rodriguez tells Roxanne Perez to get ready for later.

Penta vs. Kofi Kingston

Grayson Waller is peddling a petition to ban the Canadian Destroyer as Penta hammers away to start. Kingston catches him the corner and hits the middle rope splash to the standing Penta’s back for two. The middle of the ropes Vader bomb is broken up and Kingston heads outside as we take a break.

We come back with Penta in trouble and Kingston dropping him for two, leaving Xavier Woods annoyed at ringside. Penta misses a running enziguri in the corner but settles for a flat foot suplex to bring him down. The Penta Driver gets two so Penta flip dives onto the New Day. Back in and Woods offers a distraction, allowing Kingston to hit Trouble In Paradise for the pin at 10:15.

Rating: C+. I have no idea what to make of New Day at this point. They’ve been doing the in mourning thing for a long time now but there isn’t much of anything for them to do. If they aren’t going to go after the titles and there is no one for them to feud with otherwise, what are they supposed to do next? It’s entertaining stuff, but the Big E. split feels like it was a lifetime ago at this point.

Video on Iyo Sky’s issues with Rhea Ripley and the Kabuki Warriors.

Sky thanks Ripley for helping her last week but explains that the Warriors aren’t happy with her. She thinks the two of them should keep their distance. Ripley understands and says it’s ok. Sky appreciates the understanding and they hug, with the Warriors in the background, not looking happy.

Video on Naomi’s pregnancy announcement.

Stephanie Vaquer is told she is the #1 contender but the title match can’t happen in Paris as the title is technically vacant. She’ll still get the title match and Adam Pearce has an opponent in mind, but he needs a week to set everything up. Vaquer isn’t happy but she understands.

Here is Becky Lynch for a chat. The fans don’t like her, but she talks about how important this place was to her career. Her WWE tryout was right here in Birmingham….and it was a dump then and it’s a dump now. Speaking of dumps, Nikki Bella thinks she can just call her out like she’s some loser like Birmingham soccer teams. She’s not some dog who responds to a whistle.

Cue Bella to interrupt, saying Lynch might not be a dog but she’s acting like a little b****. Lynch says she isn’t going to listen to Broken Neck Barbie, but Bella says she paved the way for people like her. Bella brings up that Lynch was Charlotte’s sidekick and that seems to touch a nerve, as she says a lot of people say she’s the greatest of all time. Bella calls Lynch out for disrespecting the people, sending Lynch into a rant about how the British have been oppressing the Irish for hundreds of years.

Lynch doesn’t like Bella insulting her or suggesting that she has no testicles but agrees to giver her the title shot. It’s going to be in Paris though, because Lynch isn’t wrestling in a city like Birmingham. Bella says that no matter how great Lynch is, the Bella name will always be more famous. As I try to digest how dumb that statement is, a brawl is teased with Lynch bailing out to the floor. The feud is fine, but this was a good illustration of why Bella shouldn’t be talking for long stretches. It felt like a heel promo from the heroine and that’s a weird way to go.

CM Punk talks about LA Knight calling him hungry. He’s beyond hungry because he’s obsessed with getting his title back. If he has to cripple all of them and use their blood to paint his masterpiece, so be it.

Sheamus talks about Rusev being the superstar comeback no one was asking for because Rusev has lost his passion. Things started to chance though, because Rusev has been acting like his old self. Now we’re getting the old Rusev and that’s what Sheamus wants, but Sheamus is the one who brought it out.

Roxanne Perez vs. Rhea Ripley

Raquel Rodriguez is here too. Perez rolls away to start but Ripley hammers away in the corner. That’s enough for Perez to roll outside, where she rams Ripley into the apron a few times. Back in and Ripley picks her up, with Perez bailing right back to the floor. This time Perez goes after the knee to take over and chop blocks Ripley back inside. A DDT on the knee and a Lionsault get two on Ripley and we take a break.

We came back with Rodriguez breaking up a Razor’s Edge, allowing Perez to snap off a super hurricanrana. A cartwheel knee to the back of the head but Ripley is fine enough to hit the Razor’s Edge. Ripley’s big boot gets two but Perez goes back to the knee. Pop Rox is countered and Ripley headbutts her into Riptide for the pin at 10:40.

Rating: B. It’s weird to say it but Ripley needed the win. She’s been in a weird place for a long time now, as she’s one of the biggest stars around but there is only so much she can do these days. Ripley was already Women’s Champion for over a year so getting the belt back only means so much. They need to find something for her to accomplish, but at least she got a win here.

Post match Perez and Rodriguez go after Ripley, with Iyo Sky running in for the save. Ripley approves.

Seth Rollins wants to see Bronson Reed crush Roman Reigns in Paris. As for tonight, Bron Breakker is making sure LA Knight doesn’t make it to Paris. This is everything the Vision has dreamed of and so much more.

Iyo Sky checks on Rhea Ripley’s knee and says she owed her for last week. Ripley is appreciative and leaves, with the Kabuki Warriors coming in to yell at Sky. Kairi Sane tries to calm Asuka down and Sky pleads her case but Asuka doesn’t want to hear it. Asuka leaves and Sky asks Sane to trust her, but Sane says she’s sorry and leaves.

AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor

Balor starts fast by kicking him out to the floor before losing a chop off in the corner. The Phenomenal Forearm is broken up and Styles crashes out to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Styles in trouble but hitting a swinging backbreaker to get a breather. The Pele Kick drops Balor and the sliding forearm connects. The backbreaker onto the knee connects but Balor is back up with a Sling Blade. Balor misses the Coup de Grace though and the Styles Clash finishes for Styles at 8:05.

Rating: B-. These two work well together as they’ve done this so many times over the years. The good thing is that Styles gets some momentum before what is likely going to be another Intercontinental Title shot. The Judgment Day’s issues continue and that is likely going to come to a head sooner than later.

Jey Uso isn’t sure who he should trust going into Clash In Paris but Roman Reigns doesn’t get why he’s so unsure after all these years. Reigns says Uso has helped enough people over the years so it’s time for him to smash everyone for himself. That’s just Reigns’ perspective though, and Uso has to go do what he thinks is right.

Bayley still has the voices in her head and now she’s getting annoyed at them. The voice says “we are successful because we believe in ourselves.” Then another voice complains about how the first voice is an idiot and insecure. The real Bayley tells them to both stop and gets annoyed.

Lyra Valkyria talks to Adam Pearce, saying she’s worried about Bayley. Valkyria wants someone to check in on her and Pearce says he’ll handle it. Judgment Day comes in, with Dominik Mysterio wanting Pearce to deal with AJ Styles. Pearce begrudgingly agrees and gives Styles an Intercontinental Title match with Mysterio next week. Finn Balor is rather pleased and Mysterio calls Pearce “Charles Xavier.”

Clash In Paris rundown.

Roman Reigns jumps the Vision in the back and Superman Punches Bronson Reed. Security quickly breaks it up. LA Knight runs in to jump Bron Breakker and they brawl into the arena

LA Knight vs. Bron Breakker

We’re joined in progress with Breakker in trouble in the corner as Knight stomps away. Breakker fights up and hits the rather fast running clothesline. That’s enough for Breakker to finally get his shirt off and he snaps off a suplex, only to get punched in the face. Knight hits a clothesline into a Russian legsweep, followed by another clothesline to the floor. Knight’s dropkick through the ropes connects but Breakker sends him into the announcers’ table.

We take a break and come back with Knight fighting out of a chinlock but missing his jumping neckbreaker out of the corner. The super Frankensteiner gets two but the spear is cut off with a kick to the face. Breakker tries what looks to be a fireman’s carry but they slip a bit (Graves sounds really nervous about what that could mean), with Knight landing on his feet for a reverse DDT. Knight’s superplex sets up a top rope elbow but here is Seth Rollins for a distraction. The Super Spear gives Breakker the pin at 13:40.

Rating: B-. As usual with anything involving the Vision, this was about waiting for the interference. Knight is pretty much a full fledged main eventer these days and that’s nice to see, but this was another loss when he needed to get a win. Yeah he beat Rollins at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but it’s ok to give him another win.

Post match the beatdown is on, with Jey Uso coming in for the save. The Vision beats Uso down but CM Punk comes in for the real save. That’s enough for the Vision to bail, with Rollins having to hold Breakker back. Punk, Knight and Uso get in a fight (Rollins: “They’re doing it for us.”) with Uso standing tall to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked the overall nature of the show, which was all about getting everything ready for Paris, though there were pieces I didn’t care for as much. Between Knight losing again, Bella’s promo and whatever New Day is doing, there were some significant rough parts to the show. At the same time, the fans were more than enough to carry things up a notch, as they always are when the fans are overseas. Good show here, but it needed some tweaks.

Results
Dragon Lee b. JD McDonagh – Operation Dragon
Kofi Kingston b. Penta – Trouble In Paradise
Rhea Ripley b. Roxanne Perez – Riptide
AJ Styles b. Finn Balor – Styles Clash
Bron Breakker b. LA Knight – Super Spear

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Raquel Rodriguez vs. Iyo Sky

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

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

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

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

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

We look back at AAA TripleMania XXXIII.

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

Xavier Woods vs. Penta

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

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

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

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

Judgment Day vs. Dragon Lee/Mr. Iguana

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Natalya vs. Becky Lynch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sami Zayn vs. Rusev

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smackdown
Date: July 25, 2025
Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

This is going to be a weird show, as while we are just over a week away from Summerslam, but yesterday Hulk Hogan passed away. That is the kind of loss that you do not have happen very often as there are very few people close to Hogan’s level. I’m not sure what to expect tonight but it should be interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with the roster and a bunch of legends on stage for the tribute to Hulk, with HHH talking about how big of an influence he was to everyone. They wouldn’t be here without Hogan and that is the case for a lot of wrestlers. We get the ten bell salute.

We get the video on Hogan’s career, naturally set to Real American with HHH narrating talking about how big of an influence he was on everyone. This turns into a biography of Hogan’s childhood and career, rising up through the AWA and eventually the WWF. We see some of his celebrity appearances before moving on to the big rivalries. Then it was off to WCW, with his good guy phase getting all of three seconds before we focus on the NWO.

Hogan came back to the WWF in 2002 and had one more legendary Wrestlemania match with the Rock at Wrestlemania XVIII (that’s still incredible). We jump ahead to the 2005 Hall of Fame induction and everything that he did after his career was over. He was brought back time after time and kept connecting with the fans. He passed away at 71 years old and we get one final look at his career, plus some applause from the fans. This got some time but there were all kinds of things that they didn’t touch. That’s part of the issue with someone who had such a long career, but dang this was touching.

After a break, commentary talks about Hogan and his star power.

Here is Logan Paul for a chat. He’s glad to be back in Cleveland but the reality is he made this city. He has nothing in common because he made it out and the people here didn’t. For tonight though, he’s giving back by hosting a live edition of Impaulsive. He doesn’t like Jelly Roll, who interrupts to say that he’s tired of Paul being a jerk and inspiring other kids to be jerks. Paul says at Summerslam, he gets to tag in a 6’7 300lb Scottish warrior while Randy Orton gets to tag in…Jelly Roll?

That brings Roll up to the apron, with what sounds like threats of murder. Roll talks about how he doesn’t like Paul and sees him as a punk a** b****. Cue Drew McIntyre but Roll starts singing Orton’s theme song and it’s time to even the odds. Orton punches McIntyre in the face but gets knocked outside, leaving McIntyre to knock Roll down and…not punch him. Instead Orton is back up to brawl with McIntyre, leaving Roll to slug Paul down. The big right hand is loaded up but Roll grabs a Boss Man Slam (and a decent one) to plant Paul instead. Not bad, but Paul is right about Roll not being much of a match for either villain.

Video on Andrade and Rey Fenix, who are ready to win the Tag Team Titles.

Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez

Charlotte is here with Bliss and, begrudgingly, holding pom poms and Raquel Rodriguez is here as well. Feeling out process to start until Bliss knocks her to the floor. Rodriguez comes up but Charlotte is right there for the staredown as we take an early break. We come back with Bliss running her over with a shoulder, setting up some stomping.

The basement Blockbuster connects, with Charlotte waving the pom pom just a bit. The Sister Abigail DDT is loaded up but Rodriguez offers a distraction. A quick springboard moonsault gives Perez two but Bliss is back with a DDT. Bliss goes up but dives onto Rodriguez to save Charlotte instead of trying Twisted Bliss. Back in and Perez grabs a rollup, with a rope, for the pin at 7:20.

Rating: C+. Perez getting wins is a nice thing to see, though I’m not sure what we’re going to see with the title match. At the end of the day though, this story is doing well for Charlotte, who is coming off as much more of a human than she has been for years. Granted it helps to have her doing something new, but Bliss’ charm has helped quite a bit.

Post match Charlotte checks on Bliss, who is bleeding from the nose.

Jade Cargill is ready to win the title at Summerslam. Cargill leaves and Chelsea Green, with the Secret Hervice, comes in to say she should be getting the title shot over “Crown Stealing Cargill.” The Hervice goes off to secure the perimeter and cue Cargill behind her and the beating is on, with Cargill knocking her into the arena. And we have a referee!

Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Greens

Cargill knocks her to the floor to start and we take an early break. We come back with Green posing and Cargill getting run over with some elbows to the face. A chokeslam plants Green as Alba Fyre shows up for a distraction. Green hits a Zig Zag for two but Unprettier is countered into Jaded for the pin at 5:10. Not enough shown to rate but it was pretty much destruction.

Post match the beatdown is on but Tiffany Stratton runs in for the save. The villains are cleared out and Cargill picks up the title, leading to a tug of war.

Charlotte checks on the rather bloody Alexa Bliss, saying what happened tonight can’t happen at Summerslam. They do affirm their partnership.

Classic Hogan moment: the first WWF Title win.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. He starts us off by talking about wrestling losing a giant yesterday. While there are some things about him that are complicated, what isn’t complicated is Hogan’s contributions to the WWE. While Rhodes is a WWE Superstar, Hogan was the first WWE Superstar (that’s a stretch and a half) and Rhodes wants to say thank you.

However, Rhodes has something else going on and that is Summerslam, which will be about violence. The tricky thing is Rhodes doesn’t want to wrestle this John Cena. He doesn’t want to face someone who is counting the days until he is out the door. No, Rhodes wants to fight the REAL John Cena. If Rhodes is going to be the best, he needs to beat the best and that means going through one of the best of all time.

If this is Cena’s last Summerslam, Rhodes wants Cena to wrestle like it’s his first. He wants Cena saying hello to Stu the cameraman, running to the ring and bringing the hustle and loyalty. As for the respect, they can beat it out of each other. We pause for a CODY RHODES chant and a quick stand up on the ropes before Rhodes says he needs this to mean something. The only person who can make that happen is Cena, and he’ll make that happen next week. Good stuff here on both counts, as Rhodes is doing a bunch of the build on his own.

We recap Jacob Fatu getting into it with Solo Sikoa last week, setting up their cage match at Summerslam.

Fatu talks about how he loved Sikoa but now he’s going to be locked in a cage with him. That’s enough for him to come after the US Title. The Miz pops in to yell about how Fatu doesn’t know who he is, but Miz isn’t someone who is just beaten up. He’s the main character, so he’s facing Fatu tonight. Fatu isn’t impressed but Miz slaps him. Fatu says come on with it and Miz backs away.

Video on Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest. Black talks about how Priest fights to prove who he is while Black fights to prove who Priest is. Priest is ready to prove himself when they fight next week.

The Miz vs. Jacob Fatu

Miz kicks him in the face to start but gets knocked into the corner. The stomping is on and Miz is in trouble…but here are Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s. The distraction lets Miz send Fatu into the post and we take a break. We come back with Fatu crushing him in the corner and firing off some headbutts. The running Umaga Attack connects in the corner so Miz is pulled outside, only for Fatu to hit the big suicide dive. Tala Tonga charges at Fatu but gets sent into the post, followed by a superkick to Sikoa. The pop up Samoan drop finishes Miz at 7:01.

Rating: C. There was a lot going on here, but it was a good example of what Miz does best: talk a lot and then put someone over in a good way. Fatu gets to overcome some interference and pin a former WWE Champion. That’s where Miz shines, and it’s not like a loss is going to hut him in the slightest. Fatu vs. Sikoa should be a heck of a showdown, though I’m not sure I can imagine Fatu getting the title back so soon.

Post match the beatdown is on but Jimmy Uso runs in for the save with a chair. Tala shrugs off a chair shot but Fatu is back up. House is cleaned and the running Umaga Attack, with a chair, is loaded up in the corner. Tala makes the save though and Fatu is beaten down. Sikoa screams at Fatu about this being what happens when you betray him.

The Street Profits and B-Fab want the Tag Team Titles. DIY come in to say they have a plan of their own and they want the Profits to stay out of the way. Angelo Dawkins is in a Cleveland Guardians jersey so I’m on their side.

Classic Hogan Moment: Wrestlemania III against Andre.

Zelina Vega comes up to Giulia but runs into….Kiana James, Giulia’s official representation. Vega calls James “Clipboard Karen” but James has already got the title rematch set up.

Summerslam rundown, now with nights assigned.

Tag Team Titles: Andrade/Rey Fenix vs. Wyatt Sicks

The Sicks are defending and get jumped to start fast. Andrade hits Three Amigos on Gacy but Lumis is back up to take Fenix out. We take an early break and come back with Andrade hitting the running knees in the corner. Lumis is dropped onto raised knees and the Message connects….but Nikki Cross pulls the referee out for the DQ at 7:05.

Rating: C+. It was nice while it lasted, but it didn’t last very long. There is only so much you can get out of so little time with a lame ending, but the bigger issue here is that the Wyatts continue to feel beatable. That’s not exactly what they’re going with though, as they’re treated as these unstoppable monsters with the tag team division having to come together to fight them.

Post match Erick Rowan comes in for the beatdown so here are the other tag teams….who are beaten down as well. The Street Profits come in to take out the Wyatts (naturally, as the Profits were in Guardians jerseys) but Nick Aldis is sick of this. Therefore, at Summerslam, it’s Tables, Ladders And Chairs for the titles. The huge brawl stays on, with Tommaso Ciampa hitting a big dive to end the show. Makes sense and after the one they did earlier this year, it should be a heck of a fight.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a tough one, with the big Hulk Hogan tribute at the beginning taking up that much of the show. That was the emotional part of the show, as it was always going to be, but the rest was good enough. The big brawl at the end was a good way to set up the TLC match for Summerslam and Rhodes’ promo was what it should have been. Solid enough show here, but they needed a bit more in the ring.

Results
Roxanne Perez b. Alexa Bliss – Rollup while holding the rope
Jade Cargill b. Chelsea Green – Jaded
Jacob Fatu b. The Miz – Pop up Samoan drop
Andrade/Rey Fenix b. Wyatt Sicks via DQ when Nikki Cross interfered

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

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Smackdown
Date: July 18, 2025
Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution and that means we have just over two weeks to go before Summerslam. Tonight the build will be on again, as John Cena and Cody Rhodes sign the contract for their match. That should make for a big moment, but there is more to cover than that alone. Let’s get to it.

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

We open in the parking lot, where Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s have been in a car wreck. It’s not clear what happened but more on this later. Cody Rhodes comes up to Adam Pearce and makes sure that we’ll have a contract signing later tonight.

Earlier today, Alexa Bliss said she and Charlotte should just go their separate ways but Charlotte has gotten them a Women’s Tag Team Title match at Summerslam. As for tonight, Charlotte needs Bliss by her side. Bliss: “Do I look like a cheerleader?” They both confirm that yes, she does.

Charlotte vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Alexa Bliss and Roxanne Perez are here too. They shove each other a bit to start until Charlotte is knocked into the ropes. Back up and Charlotte knocks her to the floor, where Rodriguez gets in a clothesline. Charlotte gets posted and we take an early break. We come back with Rodriguez grabbing something like a Gory Stretch backbreaker before kicking Charlotte down.

The spinning Vader Bomb hits Charlotte but she’s back up to chop away anyway. Charlotte’s high crossbody is rolled through for two but Charlotte is back up to go after the leg. Perez offers a distraction so Bliss snaps Rodriguez’s throat across the top rope. A superkick gives Charlotte the pin at 9:14.

Rating: C. Not terrible, but more about establishing Charlotte and Bliss as a team. One might think that the better way to do this would have been the team face other teams but this is about as good as we can get. If nothing else, I’ll absolutely take Charlotte doing something other than going after the singles titles for a change.

Security asks Adam Pearce about Jacob Fatu, calling him a person of entrance in the car crash. Pearce finds him and Fatu is not happy about having to answer questions.

Video on Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill, with Stratton being ready to face anyone and Cargill being ready to be the best.

We look at Aleister Black attacking Damian Priest last week.

Earlier today, Carmelo Hayes didn’t think much of Priest, who seemed ready to beat Hayes up anyway. The match is made for later tonight.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest

Hayes jumps him from behind to start but Priest fights back and takes his jacket off. They go outside where Hayes dropkicks him up against the post to send us to a break. We come back with Hayes keeping Priest in trouble but having a superkick blocked. South Of Heaven is broken up too but Hayes is back with the spinning faceplant.

Priest uppercuts him out of the air but the Razor’s Edge is escaped as well. South Of Heaven is escaped and Hayes knocks him down so that a frog splash can connect for two. Priest knocks him outside again and hits a lifting Downward Spiral onto the announcers’ table. Back in and Old School…is broken up by Aleister Black for the DQ at 8:58.

Rating: B-. They were starting to cook here but they weren’t exactly trying to hide that Black would be doing something to Priest tonight. It’s not a bad thing either, and I do like that Hayes didn’t take another pin. Black vs. Priest could be interesting, as Priest hasn’t really had the chance to fight back yet, so we’re still in the early going.

Post match Black hits Black Mass and Hayes leaves after a quick stare.

The Wyatt Sicks talk about wanting the gold and they are built for this. One by one, they will take out the other teams.

Here is Solo Sikoa, with the MFT’s, for a chat. After an OTC chant, Sikoa says tonight was a perfect example of exactly what Jacob Fatu really is. Fatu only cares about himself and has no discipline. Sikoa turned Fatu’s life around, put money in his pocket, and made him a champion. Sikoa says that if Fatu is once a criminal, he is always a criminal.

We cut to the back, where Fatu arrives in a police car, with one of the officers saying that upon further review, Fatu was NOT the person of entrance and he is free to handle his business. Fatu comes to the ring, with Jimmy Uso sneaking in to even the odds a bit. Tala Tonga cuts Jimmy off but Fatu hits one of those big dives.

Fatu dances but Tala gets up, earning himself a double team down. JC Mateo and Tonga Loa are destroyed as well as Tala and Sikoa leave. Hold on though as Adam Pearce pops up to say if Sikoa wants to get Fatu locked up, let’s see how Sikoa likes it when he and Fatu are locked in a cage at Summerslam. The police officers come out and arrest Sikoa.

We look at Jelly Roll putting Logan Paul through a table while Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre brawled on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre

Vaquer starts fast with some rollup for two each but Fyre gets in a knockdown of her own. That doesn’t last long as Vaquer is right back with the Devi’s Kiss. The SVB finishes for Vaquer at 2:04.

Post match Piper Niven jumps Vaquer but gets fought off.

The Street Profits say the Wyatt Sicks are in a different reality, but they’ll get the belts back. DIY comes in to laugh at them for screwing up the tag team division last week. Watch the next match, because the Profits could learn something.

DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Fraxiom vs. Andrade/Rey Fenix

For a future Tag Team Title shot. DIY takes over to start but Fenix (in a shirt for some reason) comes in to clean house. Fenix and Andrade’s dives are cut off by stereo superkicks but the Guns break up Fraxiom’s dives. The Guns hit stereo baseball sliced into a dive from Sabin as we take a break.

We come back with the Guns getting in a double team double Downward Spiral to DIY. Fraxiom gets to take over for a bit, with a missile dropkick hitting Ciampa for two, with Andrade making the save. Andrade suplexes Axiom and Fenix adds a frog splash for two, with five people coming in for the same. Fraxiom takes over on DIY but Andrade and Fenix are back in for some double teaming but Gargano catches Andrade with a slingshot DDT. Ciampa hits Project Ciampa for two on Axiom and we take another break.

We come back with the Dream Sequence connecting on Gargano but Skull & Bones is broken up. The super Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash hits Andrade but Fenix makes the save with a Codebreaker to Gargano. Fenix’s corkscrew dive to the floor takes out a bunch of people but Candice LeRae’s distraction lets Ciampa grab a rollup for two. Gargano superkicks Ciampa by mistake and the spinning back elbow into the Message gives Andrade the pin at 15:49.

Rating: B. This was the wild tag match that it needed to be, with Andrade and Fenix, who are new but at least something of an established team getting a surprise win. It was a wild match with everyone getting in something, as tends to be the case with the tag division these days. Fun match and I could go for more of Andrade and Fenix.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Adam Pearce is in the ring to emcee the contract signing between Cody Rhodes and John Cena. Rhodes comes out first and talks about how he got to be WWE Champion. Earlier this week he said “no not flinch and thank you for riding with me”. Rhodes did not flinch when he has faced adversity and now it is time to try to take the title back from one of the most beloved wrestlers in history.

That is the task he has received for Summerslam so he would like Cena out here now. Cena says that he is emotionally exhausted and has a movie for Netflix coming up so there is no way he can have the match. Instead they can have the match in Paris or Perth, Australia. They wanted to give these people fireworks and a night to remember but this is all Cena can give them tonight.

Cena goes to leave but Rhodes takes the jacket off and goes after him (Wade Barrett approves) and the brawl is on, with Cena sending Rhodes into the steps. Cena grabs the title but Rhodes takes it away and knocks him cold. A top rope splash puts Cena through the table and Rhodes grabs Cena’s hand to make him sign (as Rhodes seemed to do somewhere earlier). Also: it’s a street fight. Rhodes holds up the title to end the show. It’s still not great, but that’s an upgrade over another regular match between these two.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked this one well enough, with a good main event segment, plus the solid tag match to boost it up. Summerslam is already feeling like a big show and that is exactly what is should be. The show is going to need to be huge for the two night version and the first first few bits have come together rather nicely. They have a long way to go, but the first steps have me intrigued. Nice show here, with the rapid fire build to Summerslam starting off well.

Results
Charlotte b. Raquel Rodriguez – Superkick
Damian Priest b. Carmelo Hayes via DQ when Aleister Black interfered
Stephanie Vaquer b. Alba Fyre – SVB
Andrade/Rey Fenix b. Motor City Machine Guns, DIY and Fraxiom – Message to Ciampa

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: July 11, 2025
Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the last show before a rather busy weekend, which will see both Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution. That means we are probably going to be getting the last push towards both shows tonight, which should keep things busy. Other than that, we have the Wyatt Sicks getting their shot at the Tag Team Titles. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is LA Knight to get things going. Knight says predictions and spoilers are common themes in wrestling, including coming out of Paul Heyman’s mouth. Heyman seems to control some power like Seth Rollins, who needed some backup. Knight gets serious when he talks about Rollins ordering his goons to try to take him out.

They’re fighting at Saturday Night’s Main Event. He wants dignity, he wants justice, and he wants to hurt Rollins. Just because Rollins isn’t scared, it doesn’t mean he won’t get a beating. Cue Heyman, who talks about looking into the future for himself and his guys. Their future is the future of this entire industry. As for Knight, Heyman sees nothing, because he has no future.

Cue Solo Sikoa and company, which has Heyman a bit confused. Sikoa talks about how nothing has really changed for Heyman, who needs to get out of here before he goes through a table again. That’s enough for Heyman, who walks out. Sikoa mocks Knight before saying he’s gotten rid of Jacob Fatu. Knight is offered the same chance but won’t leave, with the MFT’s surrounding the ring.

Cue Jimmy Uso to throw Knight a chair though and the save is made, with Uso and Knight standing back to back with a chair each. Nick Aldis comes out to make the tag match for later tonight. Knight being treated as more of a main event star is a good thing, as he can certainly back it up on the microphone.

Alexa Bliss comes up to Charlotte (dressed as a cowgirl) and they seem to be on the same page. Bliss doesn’t think Charlotte would be a great cheerleader, though Charlotte says she cheers for herself.

Roxanne Perez vs. Sol Ruca vs. Kairi Sane vs. Alexa Bliss

Their partners are here too. It’s a brawl to start with Sane clearing the ring, only to get dropped by Perez. Back up and Ruca hits a big flip dive onto everyone and we take a break. We come back with a Tower Of Doom putting everyone down. Ruca gives Perez a running knee but Sane catches Ruca on top.

The top rope double stomp connects on Ruca but she’s back up with a double Sol Snatcher (an inverted flipping cutter, which always looks impressive). Raquel Rodriguez breaks up the cover though and the seconds get in a brawl on the floor. Charlotte cleans house and Bliss gets her feet up to block the Insane Elbow. The Sister Abigail DDT finishes for Bliss at 10:00.

Rating: B-. Bliss continues her successful streak since returning and that’s a good thing to see. The fans are going to react to whatever she does and it would be dumb of WWE to not try and capitalize on it. At the same time, I’m hoping this doesn’t lead to Bliss and Charlotte winning the titles, as it’s hardly the most interesting option.

Evolution rundown.

Tag Team Titles: Wyatt Sicks vs. Street Profits

The Profits are defending. Dawkins drives Gacy into the corner to start and gets a rather crazy laugh. Gacy elbows his way out of trouble but Dawkins is right back with a Sky High. Ford (looking like he’s in 1997 Shawn Michaels tribute gear) goes up top but Lumis pulls Gacy outside. Ford’s mocking of Lumis’ crawl takes us to a break.

We come back with Ford getting in a sunset bomb for a needed breather, allowing the tag off to Dawkins. House is quickly cleaned and Dawkins hits the big running flip dive. Back in and Dawkins hits a Swanton for two on Gacy, who is right back with the Upside Down clothesline. Lumis sends Dawkins into the announcers’ table and we take another break.

We come back again with Dawkins getting over for the tag off to Ford. A spinebuster cuts him off in a hurry for two but the Doomsday Blockbuster gets the same on Gacy. Cue Erick Rowan to take Ford out though, earning himself a Pounce into the timekeeper’s area. Ford’s frog splash misses though and an assisted sitout powerbomb/neckbreaker combination finishes Ford to give us new champions at 17:23.

Rating: B. What a weird world as Gacy and Lumis have titles in WWE. This was the right way to go, as the Wyatts needed to do something to validate everyone being so afraid of them. Someone is going to have to rescue the titles, despite the Wyatts not really doing anything wrong. Good match here too, with the Profits getting to show off their impressive athleticism.

The tag division doesn’t think that’s good, with DIY saying this wouldn’t happen if they had just listened to them. Rey Fenix and Andrade come in to mock DIY, which sends Ciampa into another tailspin.

Video on Goldberg vs. Gunther.

Here is Jelly Roll to perform a song live but Logan Paul cuts him off. Paul doesn’t like celebrities and influencers coming into their world, because it’s disrespectful to wrestlers like him. Paul starts talking about his podcast signing a new deal but Roll cuts him off. Roll says no one cares about the podcast, but Paul calls Roll an outsider.

Cue Randy Orton, who goes on one heck of a rant about how Paul is the real outsider. Roll deserves respect but here is Drew McIntyre to Claymore Orton. McIntyre is taken out by security so Paul jumps Orton, with Roll making the save. Paul is taken out by security but stops to break Roll’s instruments. They might as well announce the Summerslam tag match from here.

Post break, Roll says he’ll be at Saturday Night’s Main Event to watch Orton vs. McIntyre.

R-Truth vs. Aleister Black

Black misses a running boot to start but slips out of a suplex. Some strikes puts R-Truth in the corner but he comes back with the Lie Detector. Black rolls outside and gets sent hard into the post, meaning it’s time to grab a chair. That’s taken away and R-Truth grabs a rollup for the pin at 2:08.

Post break Damian Priest cuts off Black from wrecking R-Truth. Black wrecks Priest instead.

Here are Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus for a face to face meeting. Stratton says she picked Stratus because she has beaten everyone else. Why wouldn’t she want to face one of the best of all time? Stratus says she doesn’t need to win to be the best ever, but when she does, Stratton will leave with nothing. Stratton says she learned about Trish on those VHS tapes, with Stratus asking if she heard that on TikTok. Stratus praises her but says she’ll be winning the title. Cue Naomi to tease a cash in but Jade Cargill runs out to jump her from behind.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Jimmy Uso/LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa/JC Mateo

Knight stomps Sikoa down into the corner to start but he fights his way out of trouble. Uso gets caught in the wrong corner, only to drop down with the uppercut for a breather. Sikoa pulls Uso out to the floor though and hits the Samoan drop onto the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with Sikoa hitting a running Umaga Attack in the corner, only to miss the second attempt.

Uso flips out of a suplex though and hits an enziguri, allowing the diving tag to Knight. The jumping neckbreaker out of the corner drops Mateo, followed by the jumping top rope elbow. Sikoa’s Superfly Splash gets two, with Sikoa making the save. The fight goes outside but here is Paul Heyman with his phone. The distraction lets Tala Tonga kick Knight in the face…as Uso rolls Sikoa up for the pin at 9:03.

Rating: C+. The ending was a way to set up Sikoa vs. Uso for the US Title at Saturday Night’s Main Event and I’ve seen worse ideas. At the same time, Knight gets to deal with Heyman again, as this was a rather nicely put together deal. The action was fine enough, but what mattered here was advancing two stories at once and they made it work.

Post match Knight drops Sikoa with the BFT but gets speared down by Bron Breakker, followed by a Tsunami from Bronson Reed.

Overall Rating: B. Solid show here, as they set up some stuff for both upcoming major shows, while also having some good action of its own. That’s more than I was expecting on this show, but dang it’s great to see what happens when this show drops down to two hours. I want to see where these stories are going and that’s the right feeling with a pair of major shows coming up this weekend.

Results
Alexa Bliss b. Kairi Sane, Sol Ruca and Roxanne Perez – Sister Abigail DDT to Sane
Wyatt Sicks b. Street Profits – Powerbomb/neckbreaker combination to Ford
R-Truth b. Aleister Black – Rollup
Jimmy Uso/LA Knight b. Solo Sikoa/JC Mateo – Rollup to Sikoa

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: July 7, 2025
Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re coming up on a major weekend as we have both Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution coming up. While Saturday Night’s Main Event is mostly covered, there is still some space to fill on the other show, which is feeling more than a bit thrown together. Let’s get to it.

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

Various people came to work today.

Here are Seth Rollins and company to get things going. Bron Breakker talks about how Paul Heyman has a vision of Breakker as the top star of WWE for the next twenty years. Breakker has his own vision of WWE, and that is one without Sami Zayn. Breakker doesn’t like Zayn’s music, he doesn’t like how he looks and he doesn’t like anything about him. He doesn’t understand why people cheer for someone who looks like they never go to the gym or never play sports. If Zayn comes out here tonight, Breakker will take him apart. Rollins: “You good Breakker?”

The fans sing Zayn’s song as Bronson Reed takes the mic, saying that Breakker is a tough act to follow, but so is he. Reed is the one who gave Rollins six Tsunamis, which was enough to get him into this group. He’s ready to find a way to get rid of CM Punk. Paul Heyman says he’s not going to try to follow that promo but he knows that Roman Reigns isn’t brave enough to come back and fight them.

As for tonight, Seth Rollins is facing Penta, with Heyman insulting him in Spanish. Rollins to Reed: “Did you know he spoke Spanish?” Heyman has no idea what the hand signals mean, but after tonight, Penta won’t be able to do them anymore. Rollins hits the catchphrase and they’re out. Breakker was the highlight here, as he went off the hinges for a bit there.

We look at the Judgment Day winning the Tag Team Titles last week.

In the clubhouse, Roxanne Perez has set up a tribute to Liv Morgan, though Raquel Rodriguez reminds Perez that Morgan isn’t dead. Rodriguez wants to retain the titles and they’re off, with Dominik Mysterio being happy with the Get Well Soon Dominik cake….which is from AJ Styles. A cabinet moves and Styles is watching him, causing Dominik to grab his doctor’s note to chase after him. This was hilarious in multiple ways.

Roxanne Perez vs. Kairi Sane

Raquel Rodriguez is here with Sane. They run the ropes a bit to start with Perez grabbing a rollup for two. An exchange of rollups gets two each until Sane hits the Cutless. Sane knocks her to the floor and nails a big dive off the apron for a knockdown. Perez gets in a shot to the arm though and we take a break.

We come back with Sane striking away and hitting a neckbreaker. Perez gets in a running shot to the back of the neck though and adds a Lionsault for two. Something like Penta’s Sacrifice keeps Sane in trouble and a DDT on the arm makes it worse. The cartwheel knees to the head hit Sane but she knocks Perez off the top. A dive takes out Rodriguez and a backslide gives Sane the pin at 11:12.

Rating: B-. It’s good to see Sane get a win, though unfortunately it had to come at Perez’s expense. At the same time, Perez is freshly in the title scene thanks to Liv Morgan’s injury and it’s a bit annoying seeing her lose. At least it wasn’t in a tag match though, so it’s a bit more excusable.

Post match the beatdown is on but Asuka runs in for the save, including a bunch of strikes. Sane gives Perez the Insane Elbow. Odds are we have the Raw team for Evolution.

We look at Karrion Kross injuring Sami Zayn last week, resulting in him losing in the main event. Jey Uso made the save to prevent a further beating.

Zayn says he isn’t managing all of this and he would love to deal with his ribs or Kross or the revenge he’ll be getting on Kross, but he has to think about Bron Breakker. Zayn leaves, with Scarlett coming in…and saying she has nothing to say.

American Made is confused about El Grande Americano being in action tonight, with Brutus saying “but Chad Gable is hurt”, earning himself a smack in the head. Ivy Nile is put in the Evolution battle royal and the team leaves. Asuka and Kairi Sane come in to say they want in the Women’s Tag Team Title match and Adam Pearce makes it happen. I’ll take it over another qualifying match.

Nikki Bella didn’t expect to get in a fight with Liv Morgan, who then got hurt. She wants to be back in the ring so she’s in the battle royal.

Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn

Actually never mind as here is Karrion Kross to jump Zayn with a pipe. Post break Zayn insists that he can wrestle so here is Breakker, with Paul Heyman, to do the thing. Breakker drives him into the corner for the shoulders to the bad ribs before shouting that HE’S A BUM. The tape is ripped off the ribs and a gutbuster has Zayn in more trouble. Zayn tries to fight back and gets knocked out of the air for a nasty crash. The Super Spear hits on the floor, followed by another one for the pin at 5:12.

Rating: C. This was more a storyline advancement than a match, as Zayn was basically destroyed here. There is only so much he can do when he’s attacked before the match and then gets smashed by Breakker. Zayn is going to be back for revenge later on and that requires him to be knocked down on the way there.

New Day is in black with flowers because they are in mourning. They want their rematch for the Tag Team Titles but Adam Pearce isn’t sure. Becky Lynch comes in to show them support.

Here is Lynch to complain about having to defend her title in a triple threat. The odds are against her and that isn’t fair when she’s the biggest star in women’s history. She should get to pick her own opponent, like Tiffany Stratton and Iyo Sky got to do. Maybe she could pick a woman in the front row and beat her in about a second.

Cue Bayley to interrupt but Lyra Valkyria comes out before she can say a word. Valkyria says Lynch has completed her transformation into a total raving lunatic. She wants the title back but Bayley blames Valkyria for her loss a few weeks ago. Valkyria: “She’s really speaking to me!” Bayley rants about it a bit and Lynch is impressed.

Lynch mocks Bayley for finally having a backbone but Valkyria brings up that Lynch called her after attacking Bayley to take her place at Wrestlemania. Valkyria says Bayley finally admits she doesn’t care about friendship when it comes to being a champion, which makes Bayley just like Lynch.

On Sunday, she has to regain the title from two failures. Bayley talks about being there every step of the way for Valkyria, including when she raised Lynch’s hand like a b****. Valkyria swings but hits Lynch by mistake. The brawl is on and Bayley is sent outside, only for Valkyria to give them a Nightwing each. Valkyria mockingly raises Lynch’s hand again. Valkyria still feels in over her head, but she’s still giving it all she’s got and it’s far from a disaster.

We look at Rusev beating Sheamus last week.

Bron Breakker is annoyed that Karrion Kross helped him because it suggests he can’t do it himself. Seth Rollins says that’s nonsense but Paul Heyman comes in to say that Zayn is out of action indefinitely. Rollins wants Bronson Reed to do something similar to Jey Uso, which works for Reed.

Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso

Paul Heyman is here with Reed. Uso gets knocked down fast to start and the big elbow crushes him again. A superkick gets Reed out of trouble though and the suicide dive sends him into the announcers’ table. Reed gets superkicked in a chair…which he throws at Uso for the DQ at 3:17.

Rating: C. Again there was only so much you can do here, as it was similar to the Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn match. Reed gets to go through Uso and there is a good chance of a big beatdown coming after the match. It’s been the divide and conquer night so far and that’s a story that is working rather well.

Post match Reed hits a pair of Tsunamis to leave Uso laying.

LA Knight wants revenge on Seth Rollins, who sent Bronson Reed after him but Knight was back in one week. This weekend, Knight will take him out at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Video on Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley, focusing on Ripley never being able to defeat her.

El Grande Americano vs. Dragon Lee

Americano snaps off an anklescissors to start but a headscissors does the same to put Americano down. Cole thinks Americano used to be Chad Gable, with Graves saying Cole probably thought Giant Machine was Andre and the Midnight Rider was Dusty Rhodes. They fight over wrist control as commentary agrees that the referee should be wearing a mask. Americano sticks the landing on a monkey flip but gets knocked to the floor as Cole makes claims about missing tattoos on Americano.

Lee gets pulled outside and sent into the timekeeper’s area and we take a break. We come back with Lee getting two off a sitout powerbomb. Lee goes for the mask (rudo) before settling with a knee to the face. Lee’s slingshot kick to the mask rocks Americano again and a running basement dropkick gets two. Americano gets tied in the Tree Of Woe for the top rope double stomp and a near fall. Back up and Americano loads up the mask, setting up a running headbutt for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: B. I’m curious about where this is going, but there is something rather interesting about keeping the story going with Chad Gable out. There are a few ways that this could go and that’s a good sign for the story. Lee is still someone who can go out there and work with anyone, including a great luchador like Americano.

Paul Heyman comes in to see Penta, setting up an argument in Spanish. Bron Breakker comes in to say he doesn’t know what Penta said, but watch your tone. Breakker and Heyman hate those hand signals.

Video on Stephanie Vaquer.

Here is Gunther to say that Goldberg is afraid of him but cue Goldberg in a snazzy car to interrupt. Goldberg wants to fight right now and knocks the mic out of Gunther’s hand. The threat of a spear sends Gunther running. That’s probably better, as spearing someone wearing a big gold belt isn’t advised.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Evolution rundown.

Penta vs. Seth Rollins

Penta wastes no time in superkicking him to the floor but the chop hits the post. Back in and Penta sends him into the corner but it’s too early for the slingshot dropkick. Instead Penta clotheslines him to the floor for the big flip dive. We take a break and come back with Rollins wiping his forehead with the tie from Penta’s mask. Penta fights out of a waistlock and hits the reverse Sling Blade, followed by a Backstabber for two.

Rollins is back with a fireman’s carry gutbuster into a frog splash for two of his own but Penta catches him on top. Penta’s running anklescissors brings Rollins back down and the Penta Driver gets two more. Rollins is able to hit a buckle bomb, only for Penta to snap back with the Canadian Destroyer for another near fall as Rollins grabs the rope. Back up and a low blow slows Penta down and the Stomp gives Rollins the pin at 13:35.

Rating: B. The important thing here is how smoothly Penta has been slotted into the upper midcard scene. No he isn’t winning here, but he also doesn’t feel like he is in over his head. That is quite the accomplishment for someone who debuted about six months ago and it shows how far talent can get you. The match was another good showing, with Penta making a top star like Rollins sweat.

Post match Rollins tells Heyman to call someone so Heyman summons Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. Here they come but cue LA Knight to give Rollins the BFT to end the show. Sidenote: Cole says Rollins and company had a clean sweep. That’s true, except it’s not.

Overall Rating: B. I can always go for a show with a story running throughout and that’s what we got here, as Rollins and company smashed through most of their competition. That makes Knight surviving at the end and getting to Rollins all the better, as it sets up their match on Saturday perfectly well. Other than that, we got a bit of a last minute push towards Revolution, which fits the fairly thrown together feeling the show has had. This was a good week for Raw as they accomplished quite a bit going into a very busy weekend.

Results
Kairi Sane b. Roxanne Perez – Backslide
Bron Breakker b. Sami Zayn – Super Spear
Jey Uso b. Bronson Reed via DQ when Reed used a chair
El Grande Americano b. Dragon Lee – Loaded running headbutt
Seth Rollins b. Penta – Stomp

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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Night Of Champions 2025
Date: June 28, 2025
Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re still in Saudi Arabia and this show is at least mostly about champions, though not all of the title matches will be taking place tonight. We have the King and Queen Of The Ring finals for the Summerslam title shots, plus a few other titles on the line. The big match though is John Cena vs. CM Punk, one last time, for the World Title. Let’s get to it.

The opening video, as narrated by sports reporter Tom Rinaladi, talks about what it means to be champion and for how some people, this is their last time.

King Of The Ring: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes

They take their time to start, with barely any significant contact in the first two minutes. Orton grabs a headlock and doesn’t get very far so Rhodes comes back with a shot to the face. A bulldog connects for Rhodes so he goes up, where Orton cuts him off. The top rope superplex connects but Orton seems to have jarred his back. Rhodes sees a target and gets in a shot, followed by the Disaster Kick for two.

Orton comes back with his backbreaker but hurts his own back, giving Rhodes a breather. Rhodes bends the back around the post and cranks on a cravate into a chinlock. Orton fights up and tries the hanging DDT but Rhodes gets in a few shots to the back. The Cody Cutter gets two and a top rope version connects for the same. The hanging DDT connects but the RKO is countered into Cross Rhodes for two.

Rhodes takes his time and walks into the RKO for two and they’re both down. Orton is up first and tries the Punt, only to miss and allow Rhodes to grab a Figure Four. They roll over to the ropes for the break and it’s time for the BOO/YAY slugout. Rhodes tries another Cody Cutter, which is countered into the RKO for two more and they’re both down again. Orton goes to grab a chair, which is quickly taken away, so he takes off a turnbuckle pad instead. Rhodes sends him into the buckle and grabs a quick Cross Rhodes for the pin at 20:17.

Rating: B. Somewhat abrupt ending aside, this was a hard hitting and well put together match, with Orton’s back injury playing a fine story. Rhodes getting to control a lot of the match was a weird way to go but they made it work, with Orton going slightly heelish as he got more desperate. Good stuff here, with Rhodes going over as he should have.

We recap Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez. They were friends when they first got here (as were every wrestlers ever) and even got matching tattoos. Then Rodriguez joined the Judgment Day and went after Ripley, turning it into an on and off again feud. They got in another fight this week and now Ripley wants a street fight.

Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Street fight. They fight over a lockup to start and Rodriguez takes over with the power. Ripley fights back but misses a missile dropkick. Rodriguez hammers away and ties her in the ropes, meaning it’s time for some kendo stick shots. A chair is brought in as well but Ripley kicks it back into Rodriguez’s face.

They head outside and fight over a suplex on the announcers’ table, with Ripley being powerbombed through the table’s cover for a big crash. Rodriguez loads up a table in the corner and puts the steps on the apron, only for Ripley to send her into them. Ripley takes her belt off and starts whipping away, followed by a Razor’s Edge back inside. A running boot gives Ripley two and we hit the Prism Trap.

Cue Roxanne Perez from behind for the save but she immediately realizes she’s screwed up. The chase is on but Perez’s spinning DDT on the floor is blocked. Rodriguez uses the distraction to send Ripley into the post and then the steps on the apron. The corkscrew Vader Bomb gets two but the Tejana Bomb through the table is countered into an anklescissors (that was smooth). Rodriguez stops herself from going through the table though and drops Ripley again. Rodriguez puts the table on the top rope and they go up, with Ripley hitting a super Riptide for the win at 14:01.

Rating: B. Another solid match here, with Ripley getting a needed win. She’s still the most popular woman in the company but she has been needing some more focus in recent months. The ending was awesome here as Ripley got to show off her own power against a monster. I’m not sure what is next for Ripley, but she could be put into the title picture rather quickly if need be.

Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

Scarlet is here with Kross. No recap here but Kross has been trying to get Zayn to turn to the dark side, with Zayn refusing and getting sick of Kross bugging him. They take turns backing each other into the corner to start and Kross gets in a few shots. Zayn fights out and clotheslines him to the floor, followed by the springboard flip back into the center.

Back in and Kross hits a Doomsday Saito before taking Zayn up top. Zayn gets tied in the Tree of Woe and stomped down but some right hands give him a breather. Some right hands in the corner and an ax handle rock Kross, who is right back with a Death Valley Driver. The Krosshammer is countered into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two but Kross is back with a German suplex.

Back up and Zayn manages a suplex into the corner, only for the Helluva Kick to be countered into the Krossjacket. That’s good for two arm drops until Zayn fights up and makes the rope. Kross demands Zayn admit he’s a liar and smacks him in the corner…but takes too long and gets Helluva Kicked for the pin at 13:32.

Rating: B-. This was a good Raw match, with Zayn getting the miracle ending for the win. Zayn feels like heis on the way towards his World Title push for the mega feel good moment so there was no way he could lose here. Kross can continue to be the devil’s advocate, though it would be nice to see him actually win for a change.

We recap Solo Sikoa challenging Jacob Fatu for the US Title. Sikoa wants to bring the family back together but Fatu won the US Title and hates the way Sikoa is treating him. Fatu is is ready to fight, with Sikoa wanting to get the title back to the family.

US Title: Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu is defending and starts fast by hammering away, with Sikoa being knocked out to the floor. Sikoa gets knocked outside but blocks the suicide dive and starts talking trash back inside. The running Umaga Attack connects with Fatu in the corner and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up so Sikoa snaps off a German suplex, with Fatu flipping over and popping back up. Fatu runs him over and hits the Swanton for two, which brings JC Mateo to the apron.

Cue the returning Tama Tonga for a hanging neckbreaker out of the corner but Fatu is up at two again. Fatu knocks them to the floor and beats up Mateo back inside, setting up the moonsault. Hold on though as the referee is with the other Samoans, allowing the debuting (and unnamed0 Hikuleo to pull Fatu outside and chokeslam him onto the announcers’ table. Back in and the Samoan Spike gives Sikoa the pin and the title at 12:03.

Rating: B-. This is the logical way to go, as you can’t have Sikoa lose every big match. At some point he had to win something and that’s what we got here, with Fatu having to deal with four people to take his title. Fatu can either move up to something bigger or mow down the team, possibly with Jimmy Uso by his side. Either way, he certainly doesn’t look bad losing here and it’s the win that Sikoa has been desperately needing.

We recap the Queen Of The Ring finals, which is just a look at the tournament.

Queen Of The Ring: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill

Asuka starts fast by going after the knee, which is wrapped around the ropes to put Cargill in early trouble. Some kicks to the chest have Cargill in more trouble and a kneebar has her screaming. Cargill manages to muscle her up into a German suplex but Asuka gets in another shot of her own. Asuka wins a strike off and hits a Codebreaker but gets caught with a sitout powerbomb for two.

With the strikes only working so well, Asuka switches to a cross armbreaker. That’s broken up as well and but Jaded is countered into the Asuka Lock. Cargill flips over for two but gets rocked with a kick to the head. The Empress Impact is loaded up but Cargill reverses it into Jaded for the pin (while falling backwards in the process) at 8:13.

Rating: C. Cargill continues to not be smooth in the ring and that was on display here. She just looks unsure of herself and like she is having to think through everything she does. That is something that can be fixed in time, but it makes for some rough regular matches on national broadcasts. WWE has decided she’s it though, whether it really works or not.

Post match Cargill talks about not doubting yourself and promises that a storm is coming at Summerslam.

We recap John Cena vs. CM Punk for the former’s World Title. They’ve feuded on and off for years with Punk being the yang to Cena’s yin. Now the roles are reversed for a change and we’re getting to see them do it one more time.

Smackdown World Title: CM Punk vs. John Cena

Cena is defending and they fight over a top wristlock to start as the fans are waving their phones for some reason. Cena’s headlock is broken up and he shoves Punk down as they’re firmly in first gear to start. Another headlock is broken up and Cena runs him over, only to have to escape an early GTS attempt. The AA is countered as well and Punk grabs a Russian legsweep into an armbar.

Punk grabs something like AJ Lee’s Black Widow but Cena is out with a kick to the head. Cena initiates the finishing sequence and lands the Shuffle. The AA is broken up again and Punk hits a leg lariat into a swinging neckbreaker. The rope rope elbow connects but the GTS is countered into the STF. That’s reversed into the Anaconda Vice, with Cena reversing into the AA for two more. Punk comes back with a DDT for two and grabs this own STF, sending Cena over to the ropes.

The GTS is countered into another AA for another two and they’re both down. Back up and Punk tries a high crossbody, which is reversed into a third AA for two more. With nothing else working, Cena tries the title but the fans tell him no, with Cena actually listening. That lets Punk hit the GTS for a fast two and they’re both down again. The referee gets bumped with a running shoulder so Punk hits another GTS…and here are Seth Rollins and company with the briefcase.

Punk takes them out but gets dropped and powerbombed onto the announcers’ table, only for Cena to cut off the referee from doing the cash in. Cue Penta to take his time getting to the ring as Cena is beaten down as well. Penta brawls with Bron Breakker and here is Sami Zayn to brawl off with most of them. Back in and Punk breaks up the Tsunami, allowing Cena to hit the AA on Reed.

They stare each other down and Punk offers a handshake for Cena helping him against Rollins and company. Cena hugs him and does the look, only for Punk to counter the low blow. Rollins is back in with the briefcase though and a stomp to Punk, allowing Cena to steal the pin and retain at 26:20.

Rating: B. I am out of ways to describe how sick I am of these cash in teases. So many matches are stopped for the sake of teasing the cash in which very well might not happen for months anyway. Cena vs. Punk is a match that can more than carry itself but here is the stupid briefcase stuff anyway. Other than that, it was a good match between two people with incredible chemistry and that’s what it should have been. Punk vs. Cena had to happen one more time and they did it on a big stage, though I could have gone for a bit less insanity in the end.

Cena immediately leaves and tells us to watch the post show to wrap it up.

Overall Rating: B. Rather good show overall with a bunch of stuff taking place throughout. The big thing here was setting up the Summerslam matches, with both title matches being set, plus an all but guaranteed Rollins vs. Punk showdown. That’s a pretty good night of work, and with five weeks to go before the show, they have a lot of the big work done. The only somewhat weak match was Cargill vs. Asuka and even that wasn’t too bad. Good show here, with the really big one coming in August.

Results
Cody Rhodes b. Randy Orton – Cross Rhodes
Rhea Ripley b. Raquel Rodriguez – Super Riptide
Sami Zayn b. Karrion Kross – Helluva Kick
Solo Sikoa b. Jacob Fatu – Samoan Spike
Jade Cargill b. Asuka – Jaded
John Cena b. CM Punk – Stomp from Seth Rollins

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

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

It’s time for the latest Saudi Arabian offering with something that could be considered a theme show but is really just more of a big pay per view. The main event is John Cena defending the Smackdown World Title against CM Punk for the final time, plus the King and Queen Of The Ring finals. That should be more than enough to deliver a big time show so let’s get to it.

Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

This one has been brewing for a good while now, albeit without Kross actually wrestling. The idea is that Kross wants Zayn to go all evil to finally get what he wants but Zayn is having none of it. Zayn has finally had enough of Kross and decked him, setting up the match earlier this week. That’s more than a good enough setup, with Zayn being crazy over in Saudi Arabia as usual.

There is pretty much no reason for Zayn to lose here so we’ll take him for the feel good moment. Zayn is pretty clearly getting ready to go after his first World Title and he shouldn’t be losing to Kross on the way there. This is Zayn getting to beat someone who has been bothering him about not being what he wants to be and that is a story that can be relatable for everyone.

Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez

This is the hoss fight on the show as it’s two women who can use the power stuff and on top of that it’s a street fight, allowing them to be even more violent. What matters here though is Ripley getting a win, as she has somehow gone fairly cold in the last few months. She’s still a huge star and probably the most over woman in the company, but she hasn’t really felt like focal point lately.

I’ll go with Ripley to win here, even if there is a good chance that Roxanne Perez will get involved on Rodriguez’s behalf. That very well may be the long term solution to the Women’s Tag Team Titles in Liv Morgan’s absence but for now, Ripley getting built back up is the more important idea. She’s been all over the place lately, even after being in the awesome Women’s Title match at Wrestlemania. Ripley should win here, mainly because she needs to.

US Title: Jacob Fatu(c) vs. Solo Sikoa

As much as it feels like Fatu should be running through Sikoa here, I can’t help but think Sikoa might need to steal the title here. At the end of the day, Fatu is already being treated as the unstoppable monster, but at some point he’s going to have to lose the title. On the other hand you have Sikoa, who needs a big win to feel even remotely important. Having him steal the title, likely with JC Mateo (or even Jimmy Uso’s) help isn’t a bad idea.

But will they go that way? I’m not sure I can picture it, even though it seems like it might be a smart play at the moment. I’ll reluctantly say Sikoa steals the title here, while calling it my pick most likely to be totally wrong. I could see it happening though, as I’m really not sure how many more losses Sikoa can handle in a big match. While I would be stunned if it actually happens, I’ll take Sikoa to win here.

Queen Of The Ring: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill

So Asuka is back and already wrecking people, which shouldn’t be a surprise as that is what she is known to do. That being said, there is a difference between normal people and Cargill, which could be quite the problem for Asuka’s comeback. Cargill feels like a different kind of star around here though and that’s going to the big issue here.

I’ll take Cargill, who feels all but destined to be the next big thing in WWE, whether she’s ready to do it or not. Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton sounds like a huge match at Summerslam and it would not surprise me a bit it set up here. Asuka putting Cargill over would be a big moment for Cargill’s career and it isn’t like Asuka is going to lose any status after walking Cargill through a match like this.

King Of The Ring: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes

Orton is back in the finals against another major star and in this case…yeah he’s probably in trouble again. At the end of the day, Orton is a top guy but Rhodes is still THE top guy. At some point Rhodes is going to get his hands on John Cena again and Summerslam sounds like a very strong possibility. That would mean another awesome match here, and that very well may be what we’re getting.

So yeah, I’ll go with Rhodes winning here, as it sets him back on track for the big rematch from Cena. The good thing is that this should be a heck of a match, as both guys are capable of delivering in the big moments. Rhodes makes more sense at the moment, as we’ve seen Orton vs. Cena earlier this year and it feels wrapped up. Cena vs. Rhodes doesn’t though and that is where we should be going next.

Smackdown World Title: John Cena(c) vs. CM Punk

This is rather similar to the Randy Orton match at Backlash, with Cena getting to face one of his greatest rivals (if not his greatest rival) one more time. Punk vs. Cena is something that had to be done again and the stealing the other’s signature promos was a nice way to make things feel interesting. Punk saying that Cena could never beat him at his best gives it some drama, but that’s where we get to the ending.

As nice as it would be to have Punk be the one to end Cena’s title reign, that isn’t what makes sense here. The point of Cena’s run is that the clock is ticking and that isn’t going to be solved with about six months to go before his final appearance. Odds are this ends with either some kind of interference or another belt shot, but Punk isn’t going to be the one to take the title from Cena.

Overall Thoughts

It really is amazing how much more complete the show feels by bumping it up to six matches. WWE has been needing to tighten their shows up a bit, with the ridiculously long gaps between the matches taking away a lot of their steam. They might not be able to do that with an additional match or two and I could go for the change. The card itself should be the usual quality work, but we’re really just setting the stage for Summerslam in August.

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

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