Smackdown
Date: December 27, 2024
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re wrapping up the show, and the two hour era of Smackdown, with this week’s edition. That should make things all the more interesting and I’m curious to see how they wrap it up. The big story is still Cody Rhodes being out of action at the hands of Kevin Owens, who has stolen the Winged Eagle belt. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens.

Nick Aldis makes it clear that Owens is not the champion and he has until the end of the night to give up the title or face severe consequences. This is not a negotiation.

Naomi and Bianca Belair still don’t know who attacked Jade Cargill but they’re ready to team with Bayley tonight.

Bayley/Naomi/Bianca Belair vs. Tiffany Stratton/Nia Jax/Candice LeRae

Before the match, Jax talks about how none of them attacked Jade Cargill, as Stratton couldn’t even help them win the Tag Team Titles. Jax accuses Belair of being the attacker and we’re ready to go. Belair takes Stratton down but it’s too early for the handspring moonsault. Instead everything breaks down and the villains are cleared out on the floor as we take a break.

Back with Naomi giving Jax a Stinkface and getting powered down as a result. LeRae comes in and gets double suplexed but Stratton’s distraction lets Jax take over again. Stratton has to tag herself back in and hits a top rope splash on Belair, nearly landing on LeRae by mistake. Bayley comes in and is swung into the post to cut her off just as fast. LeRae drops Bayley on the apron and we take another break.

Back again with Bayley fighting her way out of trouble and bringing Naomi in to clean house on Stratton. Everything breaks down and we hit the parade of knockdowns until Naomi gives Jax a super hurricanrana. Stratton makes the save and teases a cash in but LeRae cuts it off. The argument is on again, allowing Naomi to hit a Bully Bomb for the pin on LeRae at 16:12.

Rating: C+. This got some time and it made for a nice enough match, especially with Stratton’s face turn seeming all but a matter of time. The fans are getting behind her as she’s getting yelled at by the resident villains. That is a recipe for the fans to care about her and it wouldn’t shock me to see her cash in for a big reaction. Ignore that a hero cashing in isn’t overly heroic but she’s new at this.

A-Town Down Under gives Nick Aldis an invoice for the damage Braun Strowman did to their set. That doesn’t work, as Sami Zayn comes in, saying he and Aldis should talk. Post break, Zayn says he wants the Bloodline but Carmelo Hayes interrupts with some Christmas cards for the two of them. Zayn isn’t happy with being interrupted and crumples his up, Instead, he’ll face Hayes tonight. The things I got out of this: Hayes makes a lot of Christmas cards and he’s rather short.

Braun Strowman vs. Austin Theory

Grayson Waller is here with Theory. Strowman wastes no time in launching him across the ring and we take an early break. Back with Strowman in trouble and Theory taking out his knee to keep him down. The rolling dropkick staggers Strowman, who hits a dropkick of his own to put Theory on the floor. Waller’s interference doesn’t work and Strowman runs both of them over. Strowman throws Theory back in, setting up the running powerslam for the pin at 7:26.

Rating: C. This was a basic match with Strowman overcoming the numbers game without much trouble. That’s what Strowman can o rather well and he made it work just fine here. Strowman is still relatively new on Smackdown, this time around at least, and having him smash two pests is a fine way to get him started.

Next week: Smackdown officially expands to three hours.

Kevin Owens is in his car and says he should be the WWE Champion. He’ll talk to Nick Aldis tonight, but it’s going to be the two of them alone in the ring with no security.

Here is Piper Niven to introduce Chelsea Green for her Women’s United States Championship Celebration. Green is dressed as the Statue Of Liberty and gets to the point: they did it! They have turned the blue brand into the Green House! She is he tannedest, shiniest, youngest, longest reigning Women’s United States Champion in history! As for Michin, good riddance! She asks us what we can do for Chelsea Green but here is Michin to interrupt. Michin chases Green off with a kendo stick and Green panics.

DIY has nothing to say about the Street Profits being attacked. Pretty Deadly saw what happened and, after a failed attempt to get funding for their musical, say that it was Garza. That’s enough for the Profits, who go off to brawl with Legado del Fantasma. Nick Aldis says take it to the ring.

Street Profits vs. Los Garza

Apparently Berto and Angel are now Los Garza. It’s a brawl to start with Ford and Berto hitting stereo slingshot dives to the floor. Back in and the Profits give Berto a double flapjack but Berto takes Dawkins into the corner. Angel comes in to hammer away and we hit a not great camel clutch. Everything breaks down and a belly to back moonsault gets two on Berto with Angel making the save.

We take a break and come back with Ford’s comeback being cut off by a spinebuster. A running knee in the corner rocks Ford again but he manages a jumping DDT for a breather. That’s enough for the tag off to Dawkins so house can be quickly cleaned, including a neckbreaker for two on Berto. Everything breaks down and a double super gorilla press drops Ford. Berto adds a moonsault for two but the Profits are back up. Elektra Lopez pulls Angel to safety and gets dropped by B Fab. Ford hits a big dive and the Doomsday Blockbuster finishes Angel at 11:04 shown.

Rating: B-. This took some time to get going but it was a fast paced match by the end, which is all you can ask for her. The Profits get a bit of revenge, though it’s kind of surprising that Los Garza were the ones to take them out. If something fresh, but DIY being behind this would make a bit more sense. Either way, nice match here, with the Profits getting back on the right track.

Andrade wants the US Title.

DIY and Pretty Deadly seem to come to an agreement. With DIY gone, the Street Profits come in to say they’re up for a title shot. The Motor City Machine Guns come in to say they’re next in line but Apollo Crews comes in to say DIY attacked the Profits. Ford: “WHAT!”

Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

They shove each other around to start, with Hayes not being thrilled with his arm being cranked. Hayes is sent outside so Zayn can do his flip back into the middle. Zayn sends him into the barricade and we take a break. Back with Hayes hitting a springboard clothesline and looking rather cocky about doing so. Zayn gets fired up and hits a clothesline, setting up a middle rope ax handle (that needs to make a comeback).

The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Zayn two but Hayes hits the First 48 for the same. A springboard DDT his Zayn, who pops up with a clothesline. Zayn exploders him into the corner and Hayes walks out…and has to run away from Braun Strowman. Before we can get to the countout though, the Bloodline runs in to jump Zayn for the DQ at 11:30.

Rating: B-. This match gets points for not having Hayes take a pin after he beat Strowman last week. Let him get a little something out of the win, because otherwise it feels like such a waste of time. For now though, Hayes gets to live another day and it’s nice to see some more thinking for a change.

Post match the beatdown is on but Strowman makes the save. Jacob Fatu pops up for the showdown though and the Bloodline beats Strowman down. Zayn gets taken out as well and here is Kevin Owens to deal with Nick Aldis, with everyone else leaving.

Post break Owens and Aldis are alone in the ring, with Aldis telling him to hand over the Winged Eagle. Owens wants a rematch where the referee can’t cost him, so he wants Cody Rhodes to come get the title. Aldis threatens to end Owens’ career if he doesn’t hand it over but here is Rhodes to interrupt.

Rhodes doesn’t want Aldis to fire Owens because it would just make him a martyr. Rhodes does everything he does because of his friends and family so he wants a match where the referee can’t stop what he’s going to do to Owens. Like in a ladder match, which Aldis makes for the Royal Rumble. We don’t get a handshake so Owens shoves Aldis into Rhodes and stomps away to end the show. A ladder match is an interesting way to go and thankfully we haven’t seen that many as of late around here.

Overall Rating: B-. Not a great show here but it moved some stories along and set up the big title match for the Royal Rumble. That’s the important thing, as Smackdown needs something to build towards other than the big main event on the January 6 Raw. I liked the show well enough and there was some nice action so we’ll call it enough of a success for a show before everything gets bigger next week.

Results
Bayley/Naomi/Bianca Belair b. Tiffany Stratton/Nia Jax/Candice LeRae – Bully Bomb to LeRae
Braun Strowman b. Austin Theory – Running powerslam
Street Profits b. Los Garza – Doomsday Blockbuster to Angel
Sami Zayn b. Carmelo Hayes via DQ when the Bloodline interfered

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Monday Night Raw
Date: December 23, 2024
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re almost to the end of the year and since it’s the holiday week, we have a taped show from last week. We are also two weeks away from the show’s big debut on Netflix and that means it is time to finish building up the card. Everything is already looking big enough and now we could be in for some more additions tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Drew McIntyre to get things going. McIntyre talks about how banged up he has been since the Cell, but he has also been gone due to the death of a close family member. There are some people who are probably saying they didn’t know, but they also never asked. McIntyre’s brother John would never stab him in the back, but people like the Usos and Sami Zayn certainly would. He has given so much time over the years and kept fighting, only for those people to forget about him.

From now on, he is going to take and tell the truth, like the fact that the real villains are people like Roman Reigns and CM Punk. After Reigns did everything to those people, he snapped his fingers and they came running back. Cue Zayn to interrupt, saying he didn’t know what was going on with McIntyre’s family.

Zayn knows about losses and having to go to work, with missed birthdays, weddings and funerals. He knows exactly what it is like because this is the life that they have chosen. They are lucky to be here, but everyone in these stands have their own stories of losses and sacrifices. Those people keep getting up every day and doing what they have to do, but McIntyre thinks he’s different because someone called him the Chosen One.

What the Usos or Zayn do has nothing to do with him, but if McIntyre wants to blame them, that’s fine. It’s also fine with Zayn to face McIntyre right now. McIntyre talks about his family being far away but Zayn has never beaten him. Instead, McIntyre thinks Zayn needs to go to the back with his family and leave before things get worse. Zayn swings away but gets dropped. Cue Jey Uso for the save. This was McIntyre getting to explain everything wrong with him and why he was so angry, which is all you need for his situation. He’s arguably the biggest villain on the show and now we know why, which should do him good.

The Pure Fusion Collective suggests that Sonya Deville take Kairi Sane’s place in the Women’s Intercontinental Title tournament. That’s a no from Adam Pearce, who has put Iyo Sky in the spot instead.

Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament First Round: Alba Fyre vs. Iyo Sky vs. Natalya

Fyre jumps Natalya to start but gets sent outside. Natalya’s basement dropkick to Sky is broken up with a basement dropkick and Sky takes them both out as we take a break. Back with Sky slipping between the ropes and springboard dropkicking Fyre. A tornado DDT drops Sky and Fyre pulls Natalya into a Koji Clutch. That’s broken up and Natalya puts both of them into a double Sharpshooter. That doesn’t last long either so Sky sends both of them outside and hits a springboard moonsault. Back in and Over The Moonsault to Natalya gives Sky the pin at 8:08.

Rating: B-. Pretty to the point here, with Sky getting to do her thing and move on to the final four. Her getting the spot over Kairi Sane makes for an interesting option, as there is always the chance that Sky had something to do with it. For now though, Sky has a real chance of getting the title, which would be a nice way to go.

Judgment Day bickers over their loss last week and Dominik Mysterio volunteers to face Damian Priest this week to step up. Things still aren’t good, with everyone sneering.

Sami Zayn and Jey Uso are glad they’re together again and they both want to take out Drew McIntyre tonight. Zayn has this, with Uso having next. They’re good.

We look at the Netflix Kickoff Show last week, with Logan Paul officially coming to Raw.

Chad Gable vs. Akira Tozawa

American Made and the Alpha Academy are here too. Gable wastes no time in chopping him down to start but stops to yell at Otis. That’s enough for Tozawa to snap off a spinning kick to the head but Gable pulls him into an armbar over the ropes. A slap to Otis lets Tozawa kick Gable in the face, only for the top rope backsplash to hit knees. Rolling German suplexes into a powerbomb into the ankle lock finish Tozawa at 2:10.

Post match the hold stays on but Otis makes the save.

New Day runs into Dominik Mysterio, and even he thinks what they did to Big E. was “crazy”.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Damian Priest

Mysterio bails to the floor to start as a good coward should do. Back in and Priest grabs a torture rack to crank out some aggression but Mysterio gets outside again. Priest throws him over the announces’ table but has to stop to go after a Santa Claus. That would be JD McDonagh, who is thrown over the announcers’ table. Carlito gets in a distraction but it’s Finn Balor jumping Priest for the DQ at 2;53.

Post match the brawl is on but the Viking Raiders make the save.

We get a sitdown interview with Seth Rollins, who is asked about the driving force behind his feud with CM Punk. Rollins talks about how he wants to cut Punk out and they’ll fight on January 6. He was sick of Punk after Survivor Series and now it’s time to wrap everything up for good. It’s going to be violent, but Rollins has to stop this. This was a fine way to bridge one of the weeks before the showdown.

The Miz vs. Dexter Lumis

They go outside in a hurry with Lumis sending him into the apron, followed by a running flip dive off said apron. Back in and Lumis hits a Thesz press into a running elbow but has to dive on the AOP on the floor. Then Karrion Kross jumps Lumis for the DQ at 2:25. Sweet goodness I know it’s a Christmas show but you can actually have a match get some time.

Post match the Final Testament surrounds Lumis but the lights go out and we’ve got Wyatts. The Wyatts quickly clear the ring and Nikki Cross is powerbombed onto the Testament.

Damian Priest thanks the Viking Raiders, who said they owed him one from last week. They’ll go to war with the Judgment Day together.

We recap the fans’ issues with the New Day, who come out to complain about commentary. They claim biased commentary, with Joe Tessitore not being around long enough to know how things work. Xavier Woods accuses Wade Barrett of being just like Big E., meaning not man enough to get back in the ring. New Day gets in the ring and says the fans shouldn’t be upset when they didn’t hurt Big E. again.

Tonight is a homecoming for Kofi Kingston and his mother is in the front row after a 20 hour flight from Ghana! Kingston says his mom doesn’t deserve this and goes over to her for a hug….but she just walks away instead. That’s a great visual and the heat on New Day is great. Turn that into something and they could go a very long way.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

New Day runs into Rey Mysterio, who thinks they should apologize if they want to start fixing things. Kofi Kingston says they didn’t do anything wrong, so Rey says he tried. Just get used to NEW DAY SUCKS chants.

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn

Zayn chops away in the corner to start and knocks McIntyre to the floor. That means the tease of the dive with a flip back into the corner as we take a break. Back with McIntyre suplexing him back inside, setting up a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two. Zayn manages a tornado DDT for a needed breather, with McIntyre bailing out to the floor. The slingshot dive is pulled out of the air though and Zayn is sent into various hard objects.

A side slam onto the apron has Zayn screaming in pain and McIntyre looking all giddy as we take another break. Back again with McIntyre missing a shoulder into the post but he catches Zayn on top. The super White Noise gets two but the Claymore is cut off with a clothesline. Zayn’s back gives out on a Helluva Kick attempt though and the Claymore finishes him of at 15:45.

Rating: B. To the point match here, as they played up the idea that Zayn can’t beat McIntyre, which could make for a big payoff down the line. For now though, McIntyre working over the back and then having Zayn’s back give out at the end is a nice story for the match. McIntyre being all vicious and violent is good stuff and I could go for seeing just how far they can take it.

Post match the beatdown is on but Jey Uso runs in with a spear. Cue the Bloodline to lay Uso out, with McIntyre just walking away. Uso and Zayn fight back

Overall Rating: C. Oh they were phoning this one in and there was no hiding it. Other than McIntyre and Zayn, there was very little here that you needed to see and a good chunk of the matches were barely getting started when they wrapped up. WWE knew this show wasn’t going to get an audience this week and didn’t bother trying. That didn’t make for the best show, but it’s probably what they should have done here.

Results
Iyo Sky b. Natalya and Alba Fyre – Over The Moonsault to Natalya
Chad Gable b. Akira Tozawa – Ankle lock
Damian Priest b. Dominik Mysterio via DQ when Finn Balor interfered
Dexter Lumis b. The Miz via DQ when Karrion Kross interfered
Drew McIntyre b. Sami Zayn – Claymore

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: December 16, 2024
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Saturday Night’s Main Event and there wasn’t much of a change on the Raw side. Gunther is still the World Heavyweight Champion and we are officially on the road to the first Raw on Netflix. This week will see a pair of title matches as both the Intercontinental and Tag Team Titles are on the line. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a quick Saturday Night’s Main Event recap and a preview for tonight.

Here is CM Punk to get things going. Punk: “Careful. Some people might get mad if you chant my name.” A few weeks ago, he told Seth Rollins that he doesn’t think about him while Rollins always thinks about Punk. While Punk is out here talking to his people, he knows that the stupid music is going to play and he’s going to come tiptoeing out here like Liberace (who Punk loves) but wearing Elton John sunglasses doesn’t make him Elton John. Just like growing up wanting to be CM Punk doesn’t make you CM Punk.

If Rollins wants Punk to be the bad guy, that’s fine. There are no such thing as bad students but just bad teachers, because 16 year old Rollins is Punk’s failure. If Punk still wants that lesson he can come and get it, but the last person who did that was Drew McIntyre. Punk has the fans chant his name, which has driven Rollins nuts for years.

Cue Rollins in the crowd, saying he’s taking a good hard look at Punk. Rollins: “Nah, even from out here, you’re still an a******.” Punk: “You still belong out there with all of the other CM Punk fans.” Rollins talks about carrying the company while Punk was gone and this “fan” has more Wrestlemania main events than Punk ever will. The fight is on with referees and security barely being able to break them up. They get into the crowd and brawl some more. Good segment here, which should set up a big match between them down the line.

The Judgment Day gives Finn Balor a pep talk but Balor wants to know where they were at Saturday Night’s Main Event. They praise him instead and things seem cool….but Balor sneers as some of the team leaves.

Seth Rollins yells at Adam Pearce to make the match with CM Punk as soon as possible. That sends Pearce away, with Drew McIntyre popping in to say that Rollins told him to get over it. Well Roman Reigns seems to be on the way back up to the top and they need to stop this. Rollins says he already stopped Reigns and did it with Jey Uso and Sami Zayn by his side. They’re his friends but the jury is still out on McIntyre. For now though, Rollins is off to do what McIntyre never could: beat Punk.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Breakker is defending and drives him into the corner to start for a quick overhead belly to belly. For some reason Kaiser slaps him in the face and the beating continues, with Kaiser being sent outside as we take a break. Back with Breakker hammering away in the corner, with the fans being rather behind him. Kaiser starts to go after the arm to limited avail but a ram into the corner works a bit better.

Breakker sends him outside though and the apron clothesline over the announcers’ table rocks Kaiser again. They get back in and Kaiser goes after the arm again, allowing him to stomp away on the mat. The arm is wrapped around the rope for a running dropkick in the corner and we take another break.

Back again with Kaiser going after the arm again to cut off a comeback bid. The armbar goes on again but Breakker is up with a jumping knee for a breather. The top rope Frankensteiner gives Breakker two but the spear is countered into the Kaiser Roll for two more. Kaiser sends him outside to try Breakker’s running dropkick, only for Breakker to cut him off with a running shoulder. Back in and a gutbuster into the super spear retains the title at 18:15.

Rating: B-. Nice match here, with Kaiser working on the arm to slow Breakker down but Breakker was just too much to overcome. The idea of Breakker just muscling through everyone is a good way to go, but he is starting to put a bit more together to make himself more well rounded. It helps when the fans are getting into him, as that could be the sign of Breakker moving up the card in a hurry, likely on the good side.

Rey Mysterio doesn’t want New Day in the locker room, saying they crossed the line. It would be better for them if they found another place to change, but they don’t want to be in that locker room anyway.

We look at Cody Rhodes retaining over Kevin Owens at Saturday Night’s Main Event but Owens laid him out with a package piledriver after the show. Rhodes has a cervical injury but it’s not clear how long he’ll be out.

The War Raiders talk about how they’re back after their injuries and they’re ready to get the titles.

Adam Pearce announces CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins for the Raw debut on Netflix.

Here are Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for a chat. The fans boo a lot but Rodriguez has brought a bullhorn so Morgan can brag about how great she has been as champion. Morgan is ready to lead WWE into the future but here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt. This has gone on lone enough and it’s time to finish it for good. Ripley is officially the #1 contender and she is ready to get the title back. Then Morgan will only have her little “chicken tender sl*t.” That’s a great insult.

Seth Rollins is being asked about his match with CM Punk when Drew McIntyre comes storming up from behind. Before McIntyre can get to him though, Sami Zayn jumps McIntyre and the fight has to be broken up.

Miz tries to get away from the Final Testament but Karrion Kross does not accept that. This whole thing with the Wyatt Sicks isn’t over because it is time to take the first step against them. That’s why Miz is going to fight Dexter Lumis one on one next week. Paul Ellering says Miz has saved him twice so Miz owes the team. Kross reminds Miz that he is a 22 time champion so he can do this. With Miz gone, Kross says Miz is going to have to learn what happens if you make a deal with the devil.

Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament First Round: Zoey Stark vs. Kayden Carter vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Rodriguez throws them around to start and gets an early two on Carter. Stark breaks it up and sends Carter outside, followed by a DDT to Rodriguez. Back in and Carter sends Rodriguez outside, leaving Stark to hit a basement superkick for two. With the other two outside, Carter hits a quick corkscrew dive through the ropes and we take a break.

Back with Carter tying up Rodriguez’s legs and hitting a fisherman’s neckbreaker on Stark at the same time. That’s broken up and Stark hits a dive out to the floor, only to get powered over the top by Rodriguez. Carter’s springboard basement dropkick gets two on Rodriguez, who is back up with a fall away slam to Stark. The twisting Vader Bomb hits Carter but Stark is back in to break up the Tejana Bomb. A not exactly smooth Z360 finishes Carter to advance Stark at 9:20.

Rating: C+. They were trying here, with Stark being a bit of a surprise winner, but there were a few not so great spots in there. Rodriguez felt like the more logical choice for the winner here but going with Stark shakes things up a bit. Carter doesn’t get to do this on her own very much and she worked fairly well here.

R-Truth is talking to the Alpha Academy and refers to Pete Dunne as Butch again. Cue Dunne to yell at R-Truth but American Made comes in to mock what the Alpha Academy has become. Chad Gable is sick of the entire team and it’s time to finish them off, starting with Akira Tozawa.

We see a weird red symbol with a slash going through it. The circle was round. Like a zero. Like Penta El Zero Miedo perhaps?

New Day has their bags ready to go but the Pure Fusion Collective has crushed Kairi Sane’s arm in an anvil case. Damage CTRL runs in for the save.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. Judgment Day

Judgment Day is defending. McDonagh kicks away at Ivar to start and gets knocked outside without much effort. Erik comes in to slam Ivar onto McDonagh and we take an early break. Back with McDonagh still in trouble but Ivar gets taken into the corner. That’s broken up in short order and Erik comes in to start cleaning house.

Erik drops McDonagh with a forearm and sends him outside but Balor cuts off a dive. The champs send Erik into the steps and then do it again as we take another break. Back again with Erik still in trouble but he’s able to get over for the tag to Ivar without much trouble. Ivar takes too long to go up though and gets crotched by Balor. McDonagh tries to pull Ivar down but gets caught with a super World’s Strongest Slam for two.

Balor breaks up the War Machine and McDonagh gives Erik the headbutt. There’s the Sling Blade to Erik as well with the moonsault into the Coup de Grace connecting. Ivar makes the save so McDonagh brings in a chair. That’s a distraction so Balor can grab one of his own….but Damian Priest grabs it as well. The War Machine gives us new champions at 16:10.

Rating: B. This was the feel good moment that the show needed and I was wanting to see the Raiders pull it off. Commentary was making a big point out of the idea that the Judgment Day were rather horrible champions who never defended the belts. Ivar getting the win as the hometown star was a good choice and the match worked rather well. Nice job here, with the title change that needed to happen.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show without a ton of matches but the two title matches combined for almost thirty five minutes and the title change felt like a big moment. The other important part was adding the Punk vs. Rollins match to the Netflix premiere, as the show is instantly feeling bigger. The two hour run time worked well here, as the show never felt like it was dragging in the slightest. That’s nice to see for any show and it made for a nice week here, with the title change feeling rather nice. Good show here, with the big one coming in just a few weeks.

Results
Bron Breakker b. Ludwig Kaiser – Super Spear
Zoey Stark b. Kayden Carter and Raquel Rodriguez – Z360 to Carter
War Raiders b. Judgment Day – War Machine to Balor

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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Saturday Night’s Main Event #37
Date: December 14, 2024
Location: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Jesse Ventura, Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

This show is back after more than 18 years and in this case, the card might be the biggest of all time with basically a pay per view quality show. There are two World Title matches and the inaugural Women’s United States Champion will be crowned. The show is also in prime time (well for a Saturday night) so this could be a big deal. Let’s get to it.

After a quick opening to this year’s show, we get a retro look at the show, with a bunch of clips from the 80s and 90s.

The opening video featured modern clips to classic commentary, which is quite the way to go. We even get the still shot of Cody Rhodes next to the logo.

Jesse Ventura joins Joe Tessitore (yes he has the feather boa and the snake skin jacket) and he isn’t impressed with Cody Rhodes.

If that’s not enough, Pat McAfee is back (as are the red, white and blue ropes).

Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre

Zayn starts fast and hammers away in the corner before a clothesline sends him to the floor. The Arabian moonsault hits McIntyre and Zayn knocks him over the top again. A slingshot dive is pulled out of the air though and McIntyre tosses him over the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with McIntyre tossing him by the neck but charging into a boot in the corner.

The Helluva Kick is blocked though and a spinebuster into a sitout powerbomb gives McIntyre two. A super White Noise is countered into a sunset bomb to give Zayn two and they’re both down. Back up and the Claymore is blocked with Zayn hitting the Blue Thunder Bomb for two more. The threat of a Helluva Kick sends McIntyre outside but he comes back in to catch Zayn with the Claymore for the pin at 10:04.

Rating: B. They got going here and were having a hard hitting back and forth match, which shouldn’t be a surprise given who was in there. McIntyre seems to be on a revenge quest and that should make for an interesting story. If nothing else, McIntyre might cross paths with Roman Reigns sooner than later and that could be a rather different way to go.

Tito Santana, Rich Hering (worked backstage) and Jimmy Hart are all here.

Raw Women’s Title: Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan

Sky is challenging and flips away from her to start. A running dropkick puts Morgan down and a flapjack does it again for two. Sky sends her outside for a springboard moonsault and we take an early break. Back with Sky hitting a dive to the floor, followed by a missile dropkick for two.

Morgan is back with a Codebreaker for two of her own but Sky rolls some German suplexes for another near fall. Sky tries another springboard but slips, allowing Morgan to hit another Codebreaker for two. An enziguri staggers Morgan and Sky pulls her into a knee to the face for two more. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and Oblivion retains the title at 9:09.

Rating: C+. This could have been worse as they started to slip a bit near the middle but got it together well enough. It’s a bit weird to see Morgan beat Sky clean but it’s not the biggest stretch in the world. For now though, good enough match here, even if it’s weird to see a serious Women’s Title match on this show.

Post match Morgan (with a rather banged up nose) is cut off by Rhea Ripley for a big staredown.

Raw World Title: Gunther vs. Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest

Gunther is defending. They start fast with Gunther going after Balor and then headbutting Priest. Balor rolls Gunther up to block a powerbomb attempt but gets punched out to the floor. Priest elbows Gunther out to the apron and then to the floor, with a big flip dive just barely clearing the ropes (Priest banged into them a bit) as we take an early break.

Back with Gunther booting both of them down and looking rather fired up. Priest is back up with chops and running elbows in the corner as McAfee randomly congratulates the Heisman Trophy winner, with Cole having to point out that people are talking about Saturday Night’s Main Event. Something close to Old School hits Gunther and Priest’s lifting Downward Spiral gets two on Balor. Priest knocks Balor outside but gets choked by Gunther, only to power out.

The South Of Heaven connects but Balor is in with the standing reverse DDT. Balor dropkicks Priest into the corner, only for Gunther to break up the Coup de Grace. A Razor’s Edge out of the corner hits Gunther and the Coup de Grace makes it worse, with Priest having to make the save. Gunther rolls outside and Priest hits South Of Heaven, with Gunther making a save with a grab of the hair. The sleeper has Priest in trouble on the floor and a powerbomb onto the steps drops him again. Back in and Gunther dropkicks Balor into the powerbomb to retain at 11:18.

Rating: B. This got rolling by the end and Gunther gets a nice win to look like the monster that he can be. The last few seconds with Gunther powering Priest down and running over Balor made him look that much better. Heck of a fight here and Gunther is looking like his old self, which is nice to see.

Jesse Ventura is impressed with Liv Morgan.

Women’s US Title: Chelsea Green vs. Michin

For the inaugural title and Green has little pictures of herself attached to her gear (which has the half tights/half trunks for an old Zack Ryder look. Michin gets sent to the floor to start but cuts off a charge with a slap. Niven offers a distraction though and Green takes over again as we take a break.

Back with Michin hitting a tornado DDT for two but Green sends her outside. The big dive only hits Niven though, allowing Michin to flip dive off the apron. Eat Defeat drops Niven on the floor but Green kicks her in the face. Another Eat Defeat gives Michin two, with Green getting a boot on the rope. Back up and Niven offers a distraction, allowing Green to flip onto Michin for the Unprettier for the pin and the title at 8:08.

Rating: C. There were some rough parts in there (the Eat Defeat to Green didn’t work at all) but that was a monster reaction to Green finally winning a singles title. She has put in the work and gotten the fans behind her, which is quite the sign of respect. I’m not sure how Green is going to do as champion, but she got the important win here and she earned the spot.

Greg Valentine and Koko B. Ware are both here.

Jesse Ventura joins commentary and says that his snake skin used to be Damien.

We recap Kevin Owens challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE Title. Owens spent four years fighting the Bloodline but then Rhodes teamed with them. That doesn’t work with Owens, who thinks Rhodes turned his back on him. Now Owens has hurt Randy Orton and wants to do the same to Rhodes.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens

Rhodes is defending and has a bad ankle coming in. Owens drops to the floor to start as is his custom but Rhodes is right there after him. Back in and Rhodes sends him to the floor but comes up favoring his ankle, which has Ventura wondering how bright of an idea that really was. Owens is back up to knock him down and drops Rhodes onto the announcers’ table as we take a break. Back with Owens hitting a Swanton for two (Jesse: “GET ON THE LEG!”) but Rhodes snaps off the powerslam.

Rhodes stops to pose, with Jesse saying “feed off of them all you want, win the d*** match”, because he’s really good at commentary. The Disaster Kick gets two and they go outside, where Owens gets caught with an RKO onto the announcers’ table. Back in and the Cody Cutter gets two on Owens but Rhodes takes him up, only to get caught with the swinging superplex for two. And yes, Ventura thinks there was a slow count, as is tradition.

Back up and the referee gets bumped so Owens’s Stunner doesn’t get a count. Ventura is losing it on commentary over the lack of a referee as another comes down to count two. Another Cody Cutter hits the second referee So Owens grabs a chair, only to get caught with the Cody Cutter. Cross Rhodes onto the chair gets the three (with the original referee counting from the floor) to retain at 12:03.

Rating: B. This was a good main event to close the show and while there was only a sliver of a reason to believe that Owens was going to win the title, they did some nice stuff with the ref bumps to make you wonder where it was going. That being said, Ventura absolutely stole the show here and I can’t imagine people were expecting him to be THAT good. He’s a great example of someone who just gets wrestling (telling Cody to try and win the match is a perfectly logical point) and he was a lot more than just a special nostalgia act. Anyway, nice main event here, feeling like a solid house show finale.

Jesse says the pleasure was all his in a classy move to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. For a free special on network television, this couldn’t have gone much better. Even the worst match was watchable enough, but above all else, the show was fun. Everyone seemed fired up to be there and I can see this being a nice regular quarterly feature. It doesn’t need to be something they do more often than that and odds are the novelty will wear off, but dang this was a heck of a way to start with a pay per view level card. Nice job here, and Ventura managed to steal the show.

Results
Drew McIntyre b. Sami Zayn – Claymore
Liv Morgan b. Iyo Sky – Oblivion
Gunther b. Damian Priest and Finn Balor – Powerbomb to Balor
Chelsea Green b. Michin – Unprettier
Cody Rhodes b. Kevin Owens – Cross Rhodes onto a chair

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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NXT
Date: November 13, 2014
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Jason Albert, Alex Riley, Rich Brennan

So the WWE Vault randomly added this and since I haven’t looked at this show since it aired, it’s time to go back to go back to one of the best periods NXT ever had. We are coming up on Takeover: R-Evolution and Sami Zayn is chasing Adrian Neville and the NXT Title. Other than that, Hideo Itami needs some held dealing with the Ascension and has a new friend who debuted last week to help him out. That friend: Finn Balor. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of the Ascension attacking Hideo Itami, who brought in Finn Balor to even the score. The Ascension was quickly dispatched.

Opening sequence, featuring The Roar Of The Crowd (or whatever it’s called) and various stars with their names included. Dang I had forgotten how much fun this show was back in the day.

Here is Finn Balor, with the theme song but not the timed poses yet, which is quite bizarre after so many years of the same thing. He’s here because he is the future but here are Tyson Kidd and Natalya to interrupt. Kidd says no one cares but gets drowned out by a NATTIE’S HUSBAND chant. The first thing the Harts are taught is respect but here is Justin Gabriel to interrupt. He’s not impressed with Balor either and the brawl is teased but Hideo (Kenta) Itami comes in to even things out. A referee, as sent out by William Regal, says we’re having a tag team match (insert English word for “playa” here).

Finn Balor/Hideo Itami vs. Tyson Kidd/Justin Gabriel

Natalya is here with Kidd and Gabriel. Itami works on Kidd’s arm to start and it’s quickly off to Balor to dropkick Gabriel. The villains head outside and Balor hits the big flip dive as we take an early break. Back with Itami hammering on Gabriel and grabbing a chinlock to keep him down. Balor comes in for a chop but gets distracted by Kidd, allowing Gabriel to get in a dropkick.

Back in and some double kicks have Balor down for two but the chinlock doesn’t last long. Balor Pele’s his way out of trouble and hands it off to Itami for the harder kicks. Kidd gets a boot up in the corner to cut him off but Balor comes in for stereo basement dropkicks in the corner. The top rope double stomp gives Balor the pin on Gabriel at 10:34.

Rating: C+. Nice start for Balor here as he looked like a killer with some of the strikes, especially the yet to be named Coup de Grace. Bringing him in with someone like Itami is a good way to go and he got to smash some midcarders here. That’s about al you could hope for here and it was a good start, with Balor coming off like a star.

We look back at Sami Zayn vs. Adrian Neville (eventually known as Pac in AEW) in a #1 contenders match about a year ago, with Neville winning a good match.

Zayn says this feels different and his road to redemption continues. Destiny never makes mistakes and tonight will unfold like it’s supposed to.

Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss

Banks’ new friend Becky Lynch is here with her while Bliss is still all about sparkling and blows glitter. The weirder thing is hearing them called Divas though, which feels like such an absolute relic of the past. Banks takes her into the corner for the double knees to the ribs to start as Bliss is compared to a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. A surfboard has Bliss in more trouble but she flips out and fires off forearms. Bliss’ sunset flip out of the corner gets two but Banks pulls her into the Bank Statement for the fast tap at 2:12. This was pretty much a squash and my goodness that’s weird to see given what Bliss would become.

Post match Banks calls out Charlotte, saying she has what Banks wants, meaning the Women’s Title. The challenge for the title match is on (again).

NXT Champion Adrian Neville knows Sami Zayn is going to bring everything he has but the reality is Zayn can’t win the big one.

Lucha Dragons vs. Wesley Blake/Buddy Murphy

The Dragons’ Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Blake powers Kalisto down to start and hands it off to Murphy, who pulls a springboard crossbody out of the air. Blake’s knee drop gets two and we hit the seated armbar. Kalisto fights up and grabs a sunset flip before rolling over into a kick to the head. That’s enough for the tag off to Cara as the pace picks way up. Kalisto’s step up flip dive to the floor takes out Murphy and Cara Swantons Blake for the pin at 5:05.

Rating: C+. I had forgotten about Blake and Murphy as a team but there were worse options out there for a pair of muscular guys with nothing else to do. On the other hand you have the Dragons, who were a good high flying team who took the titles from the monster Ascension. That doesn’t make them sound like long term champions, but they’re doing well with what they have.

The Vaudevillains promise to take the Tag Team Titles from the Dragons. Not quite, but they were in line.

NXT Title: Sami Zayn vs. Adrian Neville

Zayn is challenging and twists the arm to start, sending Neville bailing into the corner. Neville’s headlock is countered and he misses a dropkick, allowing Zayn to dropkick him to the floor. The springboard flip back into the middle of the ring lets Zayn pose and he even holds the ropes open so Neville can get back in. Back in and Neville strikes away, with a running boot to the face sending us to a break.

We come back with Neville grabbing a chinlock before a running elbow in the corner connects for two. The chinlock goes on but Zayn fights up with some clotheslines and knocks Neville outside. The big dive connects and we hit those NXT chants. Back in and Neville blocks a high crossbody (though I’m not entirely sure how), setting up a standing shooting star press for two.

A spinning powerbomb gives Zayn two of his own and he rolls some German suplexes for another near fall. The exploder is blocked and Neville goes up, only to miss the Red Arrow. Neville comes up holding his knee and falls down before Zayn can fire off the Helluva Kick. Zayn goes to check on him…and gets rolled up to retain Neville’s title at 15:33.

Rating: B. These two worked very well together, which would be shown again during their classic at R-Evolution. This was more about Zayn screwing up at the last second though, as he was too compassionate about Neville’s injury to go for the title. That’s a good storytelling beat for him at the end of a rather solid TV match, with a reason to believe that Zayn could get the title if he just focuses that much more.

Neville is checked on by medics as Zayn is crushed to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Sweet goodness I had forgotten how much fun this show really was. The action is good, the stories make sense and you can see where things should be going. What made NXT special was that they didn’t go in some weird direction out of nowhere and it made for a much more enjoyable show. From a flashback perspective, it is fascinating to see the next generation coming up, with Balor only having been there a week. This was a lot of fun and it’s still a good show so hopefully they pop up a few more of these as it’s one of the best runs any wrestling TV show ever had.

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: December 2, 2024
Location: Angel Of The Winds Arena, Everett, Washington
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re done with Survivor Series and on the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event in less than two weeks. Gunther is still the World Heavyweight Champion and that means he is going to need a new challenger for the title. Other than that, it’s the ten year anniversary of the New Day but things are not going well. Let’s get to it.

Here is Survivor Series if you need a recap.

We open with a Survivor Series recap.

CM Punk is on his way to the ring but stops to shake hands with Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. With that out of the way, here is Punk for a chat. Punk left WWE for a bit after Bad Blood but now he’s back and knows where he wants to go. Maybe he gets there through the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber…but here is Seth Rollins to interrupt. They stare each other down until Rollins says he should have knocked Punk out the day Punk came back.

A lot has happened in the year since Punk came back but the last time they saw each other, Rollins had pity on him. Now it’s time to rectify those problems and there is nothing between them but air and hatred. Punk says he is long past running races he didn’t know he was in. Six months ago, Rollins was champ but now he has nothing Punk wants. Rollins thinks about Punk for six months while Punk never thinks about him at all.

That’s enough for Rollins, who shoves him down but here are Zayn and Uso to break it up. Uso and Punk leave, with Rollins asking Zayn why he teamed with Reigns when they aren’t even family. Zayn cuts him off and says he asked Rollins to be on the team, but Rollins is too stubborn. Rollins says Zayn wanted to help Reigns get back to power, but Zayn says Rollins created the monster by hitting Reigns in the back with a chair ten years ago. Rollins: “You did the same d*** thing!”

Reigns hasn’t changed and Zayn is being really stupid. Zayn challenges him for tonight and Rollins is down. This was the latest big dramatic moment and the important part is they did a great job of explaining the motivations. It’s a story that weaves through years and impacts a lot of people and you can see how it is coming together. That’s hard to do and WWE is making it work really well.

After Survivor Series, Damian Priest and Finn Balor got in a fight in the parking lot. More of Judgment Day came in and beat Priest down.

Balor isn’t happy with Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan for not getting their jobs done. He’s taken care of things and they better do it too, including Morgan defending her title against Iyo Sky at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Damage CTRL vs. Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez

Morgan has a bad back and Rodriguez has a banged up elbow. Sky gets sent to the floor to start but Sane is back with a flipping neckbreaker out of the corner. That lets Sky come back in for a German suplex to Morgan and a headscissors to Rodriguez. A missile dropkick sets up the Insane Elbow for two and there’s a dive to Morgan. Rodriguez kicks Sane in the face and the Tejana Bomb finishes at 3:59.

Rating: C+. They kept this fast and to the point and that is a good thing, as it made for a more exciting match. Damage CTRL can do that kind of match very well and Rodriguez was good for the power game. It was a fun sprint of a match with Rodriguez getting to show that she can still run through people if given the chance.

Post match Rodriguez goes after Damage CTRL again but Rhea Ripley (no mask) comes in for the brawl. Morgan gets up again though and Ripley is sent eye first into the announcers’ table.

Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio interrupt Gunther, with Balor saying Gunther owes him a title shot because that’s two times he’s helped him beat Damian Priest. Gunther isn’t convinced, but he’d be glad to beat up Dominik tonight.

Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament First Round: Dakota Kai vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Katana Chance

Kai kicks Baszler out to the floor to start and follows her out, only to be taken out by Carter. We take a break and come back with Kai kicking Baszler down for two. Chance is back up with a hurricanrana to pull Kai off the top and onto Baszler for two each. A DDT sends Chance outside but Baszler knees Kai for her own near fall. Baszler knees Chance to the floor, only for her to come back in with a 450. Kai grabs a fireman’s carry kick to the head to pin Baszler at 7:40.

Rating: C+. Another fast paced match here with everyone moving around and something of a surprise winner in Kai. Baszler winning would have made sense but it was nice to see Kai getting a chance for a change. Chance was flying around as well and did well, but Kai going forward is good stuff.

We get a long video on the New Day’s history, though things aren’t going great these days.

Here is Adam Pearce to host the New Day’s ten year anniversary, complete with some New Day memorabilia, including the giant Booty-O’s box from Wrestlemania XXXII. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods come to the ring and we get a NEW DAY ROCKS chant. Woods talks about how this is more than they could ever dream of and thanks the fans. Kingston says he never believed this would happen and it couldn’t have happened without the fans.

Woods says that they’re about to tell you isn’t the fans’ fault. Kingston teases the break up but here is Big E. to interrupt. You can see how emotional it is for him to be back but he wishes he was here under different circumstances. Seeing Kingston and Woods arguing has troubled him deep. Ten years ago, Kingston was considering retirement and Woods was frustrated. Then the two of them were there when he was in a neck brace making sure it was ok.

Big E. was the first person to be there when Woods won King of the Ring and left tears on his shoulder. That’s why Big E. is going to be here every week to remind them who they are by serving as their manager. Woods: “Now? Now you want to come back?” Where was Big E. when they were fighting for months. Woods: “E, you left us.” Big E.: “I broke my neck!” Kingston: “YOU LEFT US! You broke your neck. So what?”

Steve Austin, Kurt Angle and Edge broke their necks and came back without even having family to come back to. As big and strong as Big E. is, he could have been back here sooner. Big E. pleads his case about everything he’s been doing with the doctors but Woods says he was back in nine months after tearing his Achilles. If Big E. cared, he would have been back a long time ago, but Big E. chose his new life and girlfriend over him. Woods calls Big E. a burden because everyone says they miss him so much.

Kingston says it’s always been “we before me” but Big E. is all about himself. He’s never going to be medically cleared so get back to your desk where you belong. They’ll call if they need him. Big E. isn’t throwing this away and says they can fix this but the two of them won’t do it. Big E. slowly leaves and Kingston says it’s just them.

Well that was heartbreaking, as I didn’t think they would ever actually do it. I’m not sure how long this is going to last, but if they ever do a reunion, it could be one heck of a reaction. For now though, I just kind of want to be sad. I know a lot of people are sick of New Day or never liked them in the first place and I get that, but dang that’s a long time to be together and then split up.

Karrion Kross talks about how the Wyatt Sicks went too far last week when they went Nikki Cross after Scarlett. They started this fire and he’s going to end it.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Gunther

Non-title. Gunther puts him onto the apron for a pat on the head and a big boot to the floor. Dominik switches places though and hits a dive as we take a break. Back with Gunther holding a Boston crab, with Dominik going straight to the ropes. Gunther’s sleeper is broken up with a low blow and a 619 into the frog splash gets two. The fans are behind Dominik but it’s cut off with a bit boot into the powerbomb for the pin at 6:29. Not enough shown to rate but Gunther shrugging off Dominik’s offense and pinning him made sense.

Post match Finn Balor runs in to jump Gunther for three Coup de Grace’s.

Pete Dunne is ready to hurt R-Truth over calling him Butch, but we run over to see Jey Uso having been attacked.

Pete Dunne vs. R-Truth

Dunne knocks him down to start and goes after the arm before slowly kicking away. The fans chant BUTCH, with the distraction letting R-Truth grab a rollup for the pin at 1:53. Barrett thinks R-Truth is a master manipulator and…maybe?

Ludwig Kaiser interrupts Bron Breakker, saying he’s coming for the Intercontinental Title. Breakker likes a challenge and after a heck of a match on Saturday, he’ll talk to Adam Pearce. Just get out of Gunther’s shadow sooner, because Gunther’s stock is going down. That makes Kaiser think.

Adam Pearce won’t say who attacked Jey Uso but Sami Zayn seems to think it was Seth Rollins (without saying his name).

Finn Balor wants to know when he’s getting a World Title match so Adam Pearce makes it for Saturday Night’s Main Event. First though, Balor has another title match next week, opponent to be named.

Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn

Zayn sends him to the floor to start and does his bounce back into the middle as we take an early break. Back with Zayn hitting a Blue Thunder Bomb for two but the Helluva Kick is cut off with a superkick. Zayn is knocked to the floor, where he says he knows it was Rollins. That earns him a ram into the steps but Zayn is back with a kick to the face. Zayn grabs a chair and says Rollins did it but Rollins says it wasn’t him. Rollins suggests that it was Punk, which makes Zayn throw down the chair and get rolled up for the pin at 9:20.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have much time here but it was more about the story than anything else. As usual, Zayn tries to be the peacemaker in the whole thing and gets distracted, causing him to lose. That’s about all you can expect from Zayn these days, but it would be nice to see him turn it on and make a serious run for a change.

Rollins leaves but Drew McIntyre is back to kick Zayn in the face. In theory, there’s your attacker.

Overall Rating: B. The wrestling was pretty mediocre this week but the storytelling was more than enough to make up for it. Between some matches being set up for Saturday Night’s Main Event and the pretty gut wrenching New Day segment, I want to see where these things are going and it could make for some good stuff going forward. You can see where a lot of these stories are going and that’s a great thing to see as we’re gearing up for the big season.

Results
Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez b. Damage CTRL – Tejana Bomb to Sane
Dakota Kai b. Shayna Baszler and Katana Chance – Fireman’s carry kick to Baszler
Gunther b. Dominik Mysterio – Powerbomb
R-Truth b. Pete Dunne – Rollup
Seth Rollins b. Sami Zayn – Small package

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

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AND

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Survivor Series 2024
Date: November 30, 2024
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Commentators: Corey Graves, Michael Cole

It’s WarGames night and that should be enough to carry the evening. In this case we have the men’s and women’s version, but there are also three title matches to fill out the card. That should be more than enough, as the card is looking rather excellent all things considered. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks a the two WarGames matches, with the other matches not really being important enough to warrant much time.

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

• Two wrestlers start and fight for five minutes.

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

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

The cage is lowered.

Women’s WarGames

Naomi, Iyo Sky, Bayley, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair
Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Candice LeRae

Bayley is a last second replacement for the possibly injured Jade Cargill. Jax and Bayley start things off with Bayley bouncing off of her but being smart enough to avoid a charge. They go between the ring where Bayley loudly calls for an elbow and is then elbowed in the face. Bayley takes her into the other ring and goes up for a super hurricanrana before taking off some weird shoulder pad to whip Jax.

That gets taken away and a running hip attack sends Bayley back into the first ring. Jax runs her over and it’s Naomi, wearing a freaking birthday hat, is in, albeit after grabbing some weapons (including a toilet seat). Naomi steps on her in the back then slides under a clothesline and helps double team Jax down. Jax gets the kendo stick but is knocked into the corner, where the toilet seat is put on her face for the Stinkface.

Jax gets double backdropped and it’s…well it was going to be Tiffany Stratton but Candice LeRae comes out of the cage instead. Some chair shots put Bayley and Naomi down and the slow beating begins. LeRae lays Bayley over some open chairs for a Lionsault and it’s Belair coming in (after getting a trashcan, a fire extinguisher, a table and a chair) to even things up. Belair drops LeRae onto the turnbuckle and puts Jax into the corner.

A dropkick sends a chair into Jax’s face in the corner (she was nice enough to hold it) and Tiffany Stratton is in to give the villains the advantage again. A handspring elbow connects and a middle rope G9 hits Belair. Naomi takes a chair from Jax and knocks her down with some not so great chair shots. Sky is in next and grabs a painted trashcan, which she uses a string to tie around her back. That’s broken up though with LeRae cutting her off, leaving the trashcan on top of the cage.

Sky and Stratton take turns flipping around until Sky chairs her down. Jax is back up to run Sky over and it’s Raquel Rodriguez coming in to a limited reaction. After taking her required time to bring in weapons, Bayley and Belair jump Rodriguez. Jax breaks that up and the villains wreck everyone until Ripley (in red for once, plus a horned mask) is in to complete her team. Naomi is back up with a double Rear View and almost everyone lays around a lot.

Rodriguez and Jax get beaten up in the corner and Ripley headbutts Jax down, leaving her as the only person standing. Morgan is in to complete the field and brings in a baseball bat, with Ripley taking the mask off, revealing black eye paint. Morgan’s big swing misses and the beatdown is on but Jax makes the save. Ripley is held for a bunch of bat shots to the ribs and the handcuffs are brought out, with Ripley managing to fight them off.

Sky and Bayley make the save and it’s a parade of shots to the face to put people down. Bayley gets caught with a Samoan drop as Sky and Stratton climb to the top of the cage. They both do flip dives (Sky with the trashcan) and everyone is down. Stratton pulls out the briefcase and teases a cash in but Sky makes the save with a fire extinguisher. Rodriguez is handcuffed in the corner and Belair drops LeRae face first onto the turnbuckle.

A legdrop gets two on Belair but Jax gets powerbombed through a table. Morgan grabs a baseball bat for some shots but Belair takes it away. A quick Oblivion onto a chair hits Bayley but Rodriguez saves Morgan from Riptide. Morgan’s Codebreaker sends a chair into Ripley’s face before they go up top. Ripley powers her up into a super Riptide through the table and Morgan is done at 38:03.

Rating: C-. They had some moments which worked, but my goodness this did not work very well. It was a mixture of a lot of blown spots, people standing around waiting for their spots, too many weapons, and just too much time overall. This is a match that would have been far better as a run of the mill Survivor Series elimination match, if nothing else as it would suit the styles better. Just way too long here and too much standing around waiting or screwing up stuff that didn’t need to be so complicated. This was possibly the weakest WWE WarGames match yet and that’s not nice to see.

We recap LA Knight defending the US Title against Shinsuke Nakamura, who returned and attacked Knight to jump back into the title picture. Mist was blown too and Knight was partially blinded.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Knight is defending and Nakamura has a very Samurai style entrance. Nakamura strikes away to start but Knight is back up with the stomping in the corner. A middle rope elbow to the back gives Knight two but Nakamura elbows him in the face. Nakamura’s basement dropkick rocks Knight but he ducks a spinning kick to the face.

The torture rack slam plants Nakamura and Knight puts him up top, where it’s an overhead belly to back superplex to drop Knight on his face. Knight knocks him back down though and hits the jumping top rope elbow…for no cover. Instead Nakamura rolls between the rings and grabs a reverse DDT onto the steel plate. Kinshasa gives Nakamura the title back at 9:52.

Rating: B-. I can go with the result, as either of them coming out with the title would have gone well enough. Nakamura coming back to lose wouldn’t have made a ton of sense, but it’s still a bit surprising that Knight lost the title so soon. For now though, it’s the right way to go and odds are the feud isn’t over yet.

Alpha Academy sell t-shirts, but Otis has forgotten his pants.

We recap the Intercontinental Title triple threat. Sheamus wants the one title he’s never had, Ludwig Kaiser wants to prove himself, and Bron Breakker wants to fight everyone.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Breakker is defending. Kaiser is sent outside fast to start and grabs a chair but Breakker knocks him down. Breakker gets in a shot to Sheamus’ knee but Kaiser is back up to put the chair in the corner. Sheamus and Breakker hammer away on Kaiser in the corner but he cuts off both of them with running dropkicks on the floor. Breakker flies in with a shoulder to drop Kaiser though and then runs Sheamus over for a bonus.

Sheamus gets hammered down as well and Breakker does the Scott Steiner pushups back inside. Back up and Sheamus knocks him down but Kaiser is right there to take Sheamus to the floor. A powerbomb is broken up and Breakker hits a huge clothesline from the apron onto the announcers’ table to take both of them out. Breakker sends Sheamus over the barricade, where he rises up for some forearms to their chests.

The double clothesline off the barricade has Sheamus in control but Kaiser grabs the shillelagh. Sheamus drops him with ease and goes inside to slug it out with Breakker. The Celtic Cross gives Sheamus two but Breakker is back with the Frankensteiner. Sheamus avoids a charge into the chair in the corner though and the Brogue Kick connects, only for Kaiser to pull the referee out.

Kaiser unloads on him with the shillelagh but Sheamus is back with the knee to the face for two. Kaiser hits a Regal Roll on Sheamus and hits him in the bad ribs, setting up the wind up DDT. Breakker spears the heck out of Kaiser and does it again to Sheamus for the pin at 14:22.

Rating: B+. This was what I wanted out of a match like this, with Breakker looking like an absolute freak of nature. I could have seen any of them leaving with the title here and that is a great feeling to have on the way in. Sheamus almost has to win the title one day just to pay off the buildup, but for now it’s Breakker’s time and that’s what it should be. Heck of a match here.

We recap Gunther defending the Raw World Title against Damian Priest. This is more about the wrestler vs. the brawler, with Priest getting inside of Gunther’s had by messing with his confidence.

Raw World Title: Damian Priest vs. Gunther

Gunther is defending. They go technical to start with Priest grabbing an armbar and knocking him outside. Back in and Priest fires off some kicks, followed by a faceplant but Priest’s shoulder gives out on him so Gunther can have an opening. Gunther starts in on on the arm and takes it outside for some rams into various things. Back in and Gunther slowly starts kicking away at the arm, seemingly being happy that he is getting to take the fans out of this.

The double arm crank has Priest screaming but he fights up and scores with a kick to he head. Back up and Priest hits the running elbow in the corner into the lifting Downward Spiral for two with just the one arm. The arm gives out on the Razor’s Edge attempt though and Gunther grabs a sleeper. That’s broken up so Priest hits a super hurricanrana into the Razor’s Edge for two.

South Of Heaven is loaded up but the arm gives out, allowing Gunther to grab a Kimura. Priest gets over to the rope for the save but Gunther knows Priest is in trouble. Gunther takes his time going after him, allowing Priest to come back with a clothesline for a delayed two. Priest goes up top but has to shove Gunther down, only to crash out to the floor. Cue Finn Balor with a Coup de Grace off the steps to crush Priest, allowing Gunther to grab the sleeper for the win at 19:13.

Rating: B-. It was good enough but the ending being almost the same as the one from Summerslam didn’t help things. You can only get so much out of doing something so similar, but this does at least get Gunther past Priest and on to whomever is next. That’s a good thing to accomplish, as Priest can have his big blowoff with Balor once and for all.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

We get NFL style intros for the participants in the main event.

We recap the men’s WarGames match. The new Bloodline is running roughshod over Smackdown so Roman Reigns, the Usos and Sami Zayn have risen up to fight them. The Bloodline got Bronson Reed to help them, so Reigns called Paul Heyman to get CM Punk’s help. The idea is that if the Bloodline isn’t stopped here, they can’t be stopped.

Men’s WarGames

Bloodline/Bronson Reed
Roman Reigns, Usos, CM Punk, Sami Zayn,

Jey and Tama start things off and they take their time going after each other. Jey starts swinging away but misses an enziguri, allowing Tama to hit a sliding lariat into a powerslam. The slingshot hilo connects and Tama hits a splash before going for a cover out of instinct. Another basement lariat misses and Jey hits the running Umaga Attack in the corner. Bronson Reed is in next and he grabs a bunch of chairs, with Jey throwing them at Reed.

Some of them stagger Reed but he knocks another out of the air. Tama is back up and Jey gets dropped, with Reed hitting a big backsplash. Jey gets crushed again but it’s Jimmy Uso coming in to even things up. Jimmy doesn’t even bother with weapons but starts striking away and runs both of them over. Tama is sent into the cage and the Usos hammer away in the corner. Reed is sent into the cage as well and it’s….Jacob Fatu in on Solo Sikoa’s orders.

As he tends to do, Fatu wrecks everything in sight (well everything not on his team at least), including running Jimmy over. Jey is held up and taken down with a flipping slam and it’s all Bloodline. CM Punk is ready to enter, but Roman Reigns cuts him off and has Sami Zayn go in instead. Zayn hammers on Reed in the corner and stomps on him in between the rings. Fatu pulls a high crossbody out of the air but Jimmy hits a superkick to make the save, setting up the big hug with Zayn.

Fatu’s implant DDT plants Jimmy though and the Bloodline is in control as Tonga Loa comes in. Some tables are thrown in and the Bloodline slowly hammers away as the pace lowers a lot. Fatu hits a springboard moonsault and Jimmy is sent into the cage. Roman Reigns is ready to come in but CM Punk walks in front of him to even the score again. Punk looks back at Reigns, who shakes his head, before Punk grabs a toolbox. A bunch of toolbox shots to the head stagger the Bloodline and Fatu is dropped onto the toolbox…but he pops up and hits the Samoan drop to plant Punk.

Zayn is beaten in the corner and it’s Solo Sikoa in to complete the Bloodline. Sikoa slams the door onto Zayn’s head and then does the same thing to the Usos. A chain is brought in and the Usos are stacked up for Fatu’s double springboard moonsault. The Tsunami crushes Zayn as Sikoa is rather pleased. Punk tries to get up but gets beaten down, leaving Sikoa to use the chain to lock the door (Sikoa: “HEY ROMAN! YOU AIN’T GETTING IN HERE!”).

Reigns comes to the cage but can’t get in through the door so he climbs the wall and punches away to get inside, even diving onto all five at once. All ten get up and Reigns goes to glare at Punk. Cue Paul Heyman to say work together…and sure we’ll do that. We get the ten way slugout between the rings with the Bloodline getting beaten down. The Usos hit stereo Superfly Splashes on the Tongas.

Fatu and Sikoa wreck the Usos and go to slug it out with Reigns and Punk. Reigns ducks the Samoan Spike and spears Punk by mistake, allowing Sikoa to hit the Samoan Spike for two. Reed hits the Death Valley Driver but Fatu messes up the springboard moonsault and hurts his knee. Reigns is back up with a low blow to Fatu and a spear to Sikoa but Reed hits a superkick. Reed puts him on the table and climbs the cage (uh oh) but Punk makes the save, leaving Reed to crash through the table (which exploded).

Fatu breaks up the big handshake but gets Superman Punches. Sikoa hits a pair of Samoan Spikes but Jey makes the save, suddenly remembering that he’s in the match. The Usos superkick Fatu and give him the 1D, followed by Zayn’s Blue Thunder Bomb to Tama. Jimmy goes all the way to the top of the cage and, eventually, hits a Superfly Splash to drive Fatu through the table. Sikoa is left alone, leaving him t turn down the chance of acknowledging Reigns. A parade of finishers into the spear gives Reigns the pin at 41:55.

Rating: B. As usual, this match was far longer than it needed to be, but they didn’t rely on the weapons nearly as much as they did in the opener. At the same time, there was way too much laying around waiting to get something else going. That meant making the match go longer than it needed to and that is the case with almost every WarGames match. The ending felt like a pretty strong closing of the door on Sikoa, but there is a very good chance that the story could keep going. For now though, the good guys needed a win and then got one.

Post match Reigns and Punk show respect and Punk hugs Heyman, saying he’ll ask for the favor one day. Works for Heyman. The winners pose together to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. As usual, this show was built around two matches but in this case only one of them worked. The main event was rather good while the opener was pretty weak. The good thing is the three matches in between boosted up the rest of the card, making a good show that was done in about three and a half hours. The heroes won in the two major matches, which is a nice feeling at a bigger show. Good stuff here, with the main event working as well as it could have given the circumstances.

Results
Naomi, Iyo Sky, Bayley, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair b. Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Candice LeRae – Super Riptide through a table to Morgan
Shinsuke Nakamura b. LA Knight – Kinshasa
Bron Breakker b. Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser – Spear to Sheamus
Gunther b. Damian Priest – Sleeper
Roman Reigns/Usos/Sami Zayn/CM Punk b. Bloodline/Bronson Reed – Spear to Sikoa

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It’s time to go north of the border as we’re in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the match and as has been the case for a few years now, the show is centered around WarGames. We have a men’s and women’s edition, with the men’s centered around the Bloodline civil war, with CM Punk and Paul Heyman being added in to really spice things up. That should be enough to make the show work so let’s get to it.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker(c) vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser

This is the continuing saga of Sheamus trying to finally win the Intercontinental Title, which has been set up for years now before WWE actually pulls the trigger. That opens up the possibility of WWE going there this time around, though I’m not sure if that is what they’re going to do. Breakker holding onto the title is certainly a possibility, but Kaiser has been ding some very nice work recently as well.

I think I’ll go with Breakker retaining here as you don’t want him losing the title again so soon, but at the same time, I wouldn’t be stunned to see Kaiser steal the belt. Sheamus almost has to win the title at some point, which could make for a heck of a WrestleMania moment if that is where they want to go. For now though, I’ll take Breakker to retain, as it’s the best option at the moment.

United States Title: LA Knight(c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Here we have the other midcard title match, which is a bit less complicated, as Nakamura returned and went after the title, even misting Knight in the eyes. Knight isn’t happy and is ready to fight, as is Nakamura most of the time. Knight is in a weird place as he’s a fighting champion but this feud was just kind of dropped into place out of nowhere with little connection between them. On the other hand, Nakamura has been gone for months so he needs something to do.

I’m not sure what to do here but I’ll go with Knight retaining the title, possibly via DQ, as I don’t think this is it for the two of them. Knight shouldn’t be losing the title so soon but Nakamura shouldn’t be losing his first big match back. We’ll say Nakamura mists Knight again for the DQ to set up a rematch where Knight can go over clean, but for now they do something to extend the story.

Raw World Title: Gunther(c) vs. Damian Priest

This is a rematch from Summerslam where Gunther beat Priest for the title, albeit with help from Finn Balor. This time around it should be a bit more of a straight up match, though in this case Priest is getting inside Gunther’s head. Gunther seems to be questioning whether he can actually beat Priest, who has shown that he is capable of winning a fight rather than a match.

That being said, I can’t imagine the title changes here, as Gunther seems poised for some major matches going forward. We’ve already seen Priest having a major run with the belt so he can lose here to give Gunther the clean (well likely cleaner) win that he didn’t get at Summerslam. I’m not sure what is next for Priest at the moment, but he doesn’t need to get the title back. Yet.

Women’s WarGames

Now we get to the focal point of the show, as a pair of ragtag groups come together in the biggest team match that WWE has all year. Bayley is a last minute replacement for the (possibly) injured Jade Cargill and that has the radar going up. Someone attacked Cargill and there is a good chance that the attacker will be revealed during the match. That very well may cost the team, and odds are that’s where this goes.

I’ll take Team Jax to win here, likely through some kind of betrayal when the attacker reveals themselves. Bianca Belair herself would be a likely way to go (likely, not necessarily logical), with Naomi possibly taking the fall. Either way, this is going to be about what happened to Cargill and odds are we find out a big piece of that puzzle this week, especially with the last minute change having to take place.

Men’s WarGames

This is the big one though, as CM Punk and Paul Heyman are back to help cut off the Bloodline once and for all. I’m not sure how that is going to go, but at the end of the day it is going to be the latest chapter in the big drama. Heyman very well could turn on Reigns or they could fight off the Bloodline again. Either way, we could be in for something rather big, which is the point of the whole thing.

I think I’ll go with Reigns and company winning here, just because the team has been beaten down so many times lately. At some point they have to win something back and beating the Bloodline in WarGames would be a good place to start. I’m not sure where it goes from here, but for now, the Bloodline takes a loss, likely with one of the Tongas getting pinned to help preserve Sikoa’s status.

Overall Thoughts

This show is absolutely stacked, with three title matches and a pair of WarGames matches. That’s a pretty good lineup for one night and I want to see how it goes. We’re getting into the interesting time in WWE’s calendar as we have this, then two weeks before Saturday Night’s Main Event and then it is time to get ready for the Royal Rumble. This show is both part of the end and part of the beginning and the pieces are there for a rather awesome show if everything goes as planned.

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Smackdown
Date: November 29, 2024
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the go home show for Survivor Series and we’re taped after last week’s show. This week still has some implications for the pay per view as we’re going to need a replacement for the injured Jade Cargill in WarGames. That and the rest of the show will probably get some featured time so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of CM Punk and Paul Heyman returning to save Roman Reigns and company last week.

Here is Team Rhea Ripley, now with Bayley replacing Jade Cargill, for a chat. Ripley talks about how the team isn’t a bunch of friends, but they all have someone they want to get their hands on in WarGames. The rest of the team (Naomi, Bayley, Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair) agree but Team Liv Morgan interrupts.

Nia Jax brings up all of the other team’s past issues, with Morgan accusing Bayley of attacking Jade Cargill. Ripley cuts her off and says Morgan is going to have to face her. Various threats are made and the brawl is on in thee aisle. And on the stage. Some in the ring too. Security and referees make the save. Bayley makes as much sense as anyone else but there is always the chance that she’s up to something nefarious

Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura, now with some face paint, strikes away in the corner but gets taken down with a middle rope crossbody. That doesn’t get him very far as Nakamura hammers away again but Nakamura kicks him down, with the fans being rather pleased. Nakamura goes up and gets knocked to the floor with a springboard dropkick, setting up a moonsault to drop him again.

We take a break and come back with Andrade elbowing him in the face and grabbing a dragon screw legwhip. Nakamura catches him on top but gets elbowed down, setting up the double moonsault for two. Andrade misses a shot to the face but ducks Kinshasa, setting up the spinning backfist to the face for two more. Two Amigos connect, with the third suplex sending Nakamura into the corner. The running knees in the corner miss, with Nakamura pulling them turnbuckle off to make the crash even worse. Kinshasa finishes for Nakamura at 10:34.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of win that Nakamura needed to show that he’s still quite the threat, including possibly being able to take out LA Knight at Survivor Series. That’s the right way to present him and the match worked here, with Andrade putting in some effort. Nakamura looking good was the point though and him winning the title isn’t out of the question.

Post match LA Knight runs in to jump Nakamura but gets mist in the face.

Nick Aldis bans the Bloodline from ringside for Jacob Fatu’s WarGames advantage match.

Tommaso Ciampa rants at Johnny Gargano about how things have changed and now he wants to get the Tag Team Titles back. Gargano has one more week to figure this out or it’s Ciampa’s way.

Kevin Owens explains his history with the Bloodline, with everything he’s been through, only for his former friend, Cody Rhodes, to TEAM WITH ROMAN REIGNS. Now it’s time for revenge, with the title match being set for Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Cody Rhodes vs. Carmelo Hayes

Non-title. Before the match, Hayes says Owens was right about Rhodes turning his back on his friends. Who needs enemies when you have friends like Rhodes? They lock up to start before trading rollups for two each. Hayes manages to knock him to the floor and then gets in a dropkick to the knee on the way back in. Rhodes is fine enough to hit a Disaster Kick and we take a break.

Back with Rhodes hitting a delayed superplex but Hayes grabs a spinning faceplant for two. Rhodes goes in a new direction with a running powerslam into a Figure Four, with Hayes making the ropes in a hurry. Hayes goes for the knee and breaks up the Disaster Kick but has to get out of a Cross Rhodes attempt. The Cody Cutter works better and now Cross Rhodes finishes Hayes at 11:17.

Rating: B. They started slowly but the pace picked up and it turned into a nice, fast match near the end. That’s all it needed to be, with Hayes being a good enough test for Rhodes. With Saturday Night’s Main Event coming up for Rhodes, he’s going to need to get in the ring time and Hayes has been needing something to do anyway.

Earlier this week, Paul Heyman held a sitdown interview with Roman Reigns and CM Punk. Naturally Punk showed up late to get on Reigns’ nerves, eventually showing up to say he’s here for Heyman rather than Reigns. That doesn’t work for Reigns, who doesn’t like anything about Punk.

Heyman says it’s over without Punk, and if Punk doesn’t help, he’ll be next for the Bloodline. United, at best, they survive. Punk still doesn’t care about Reigns but he’s here to avenge Heyman. If Reigns wants to revisit this after Survivor Series one on one, Punk is all ears. For now though, their wise man owes Punk a favor. Punk leaves and Reigns asks Heyman about the favor. Heyman will tell him if they get through WarGames. Well that’s ominous, and now we get to see where it goes from here. In other words, more good drama.

Women’s United States Title Tournament First Round: Piper Niven vs. Michin vs. Lash Legend

Chelsea Green is here with Niven, who gets hit in the face to start. Niven is fine enough to faceplant Michin and splash her for two with Legend making the save. A dropkick sends Niven to the floor and Michin sends Legend outside with a hurricanrana. That means a Lionsault to take the other two down but here is B-Fab to cut off an interfering Green. Legend kicks the distracted Niven in the face and we take a break.

Back with Niven hitting Michin with a cannonball and Legend having to make a save. Legend backbreakers Michin and chokeslams Niven for two (that was impressive), followed by a powerbomb for two on Michin. A super Piper Driver is broken up and Niven misses a middle rope backsplash misses, allowing Legend to hit the Lash Extension. Michin comes off the top for the save though and steals the pin at 10:19.

Rating: B-. As has been the case recently, Legend got to showcase her power here and it worked very well, with her throwing Niven around being rather impressive. Michin’s rise up the ranks continues and she is a dark horse to win the title. Niven was good as the monster to offer some issues, but Michin winning was a good way to go.

LA Knight is still ready for Shinsuke Nakamura, mist or no mist.

Survivor Series rundown.

Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso give Jey Uso a pep talk but Nick Aldis says it’s one on one.

Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu

For the WarGames advantage. Fatu shoulders him down to start and chokes in the corner. Back up and a running clothesline sends Fatu outside, where he tosses Jey into and over various things. We take a break and come back with Jey fighting out of a nerve hold and sending him into the corner. Fatu misses a charge into the post, setting up the running Umaga Attack for two.

Back up and Fatu plants him down, setting up a handspring moonsault for two of his own. The pop up Samoan drop gets two more but a Swanton hits raised knees. The Superfly Splash gives Jey two and Fatu rolls outside, with a suicide dive knocking him over the announcers’ table. Fatu Samoan drops him onto the announcers’ able (THUD), setting up the springboard moonsault for the pin at 13:49.

Rating: B-. This is what it should have been, as Fatu was making his singles debut and got to smash his way through someone with quite the level of success. Beating Uso feels like a big deal and it even has an impact on WarGames. This was a great way to get Fatu in the ring on his own for the first time and he more than held up his end.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a heck of a show, with nothing but good matches and an intense as heck Reigns/Punk/Heyman segment. I want to see what is going to happen at Survivor Series and that is a great feeling to have less than a day before the event. WWE is getting really good at hitting their stride before their big shows and they are doing it again here with an awesome Smackdown before Survivor Series.

Results
Shinsuke Nakamura b. Andrade – Kinshasa
Cody Rhodes b. Carmelo Hayes – Cross Rhodes
Michin b. Piper Niven and Lash Legend – Lash Extension to Niven
Jacob Fatu b. Jey Uso – Springboard moonsault

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

United States Title: LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar

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

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

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

Post match Nakamura runs in and lays Knight out.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bayley/Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton/Candice LeRae

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

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

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

Montez Ford vs. Tommaso Ciampa

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

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

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

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

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