Monday Night Raw
Date: September 23, 2024
Location: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re getting closer to Bad Blood and the big Raw match will see CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre inside the Cell. That’s for a few weeks away though and this week has a big match of its own. Bron Breakker will be defending the Intercontinental Title against Jey Uso, who is looking for his first singles title. Let’s get to it.

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

Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan arrive at the arena when the fight between Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed goes through a bunch of merchandise. Mysterio and Morgan come to the ring and, after a look at the end of last week’s show where Judgment Day beat down the Terror Twins, Morgan brags about taking everything from the two of them. This includes the most handsome man in the world.

Cue Rhea Ripley (no longer limping) to mock the idea of Mysterio finally finding some testicular fortitude. Morgan laughs it off and says Ripley might still have Mysterio if she paid as much attention as she did to Damian Priest. We get a rant about how Morgan is going to win because she is smarter than Ripley. That makes Ripley laugh, as she is fully medically cleared for Bad Blood, but this message is for the both of them. At Bad Blood, Mysterio is going to be behind bars in a hanging shark cage. A headbutt knocks Morgan silly. That’s a good way to go for the rematch, as it needed something to make it stand out.

We look at Sami Zayn getting beaten down by Imperium but fighting back against Ludwig Kaiser last week.

Sami Zayn vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Zayn sends him into the corner to start and stomps Kaiser out to the floor. That works a bit better for Kaiser, who tosses Zayn into the steps to take over. The running dropkick in the corner rocks Zayn again but he’s right back with a middle rope ax handle. They fight outside again, with Zayn going for his moonsault off of the barricade but getting sent into the timekeeper’s area instead.

We take a break and come back with Kaiser sitting him on top but Zayn snaps off a sunset bomb for two. An exploder into the corner and they go back to the floor, with Kaiser sending him into the steps. The running dropkick sends Zayn hard into the steps for a nine count, leaving Kaiser stunned. Back in and a rollup with feet on the ropes gives Kaiser two but Zayn suplexes him into the corner again. The Helluva Kick is countered with a kick to the face for two so Kaiser tries the wind-up DDT. That’s reversed into a German suplex and now the Helluva Kick can finish Kaiser at 12:18.

Rating: B-. Zayn’s path towards a likely World Heavyweight Championship shot continues as he beats the champion’s minion in a pretty nice match. Zayn knows how to fight back from adversity and he made it work here. This was a logical step forward for Zayn, as Gunther is not likely to be happy about what happened here.

Post match here is an annoyed Gunther to say that Zayn has wanted a title shot for weeks. Now Gunther has seen enough, so this is the right place and the right time…to say no. Barrett thinks this is hilarious.

We look back at the New Day’s issues last week.

Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston talk and say it’s water under the bridge. Kofi has brought back some classic New Day stuff (Booty O’s, Francesca) but Woods thinks it’s time to look forward and be more serious. Kofi gets that and says Woods can make the decisions for the next few weeks (Kofi doesn’t seem annoyed) but American Made interrupts. After some mockery, Woods is ready to call his first play: New Day vs. the Creeds tonight. With American Made gone, a guy comes up with some pancakes but Kofi sends him away without Woods seeing for a funny bit.

Video on Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso.

Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio protest the new stipulation to Adam Pearce, who doesn’t care. The rest of the Judgment Day comes in to say they’ll take this out on the LWO. Ilja Dragunov comes in and isn’t intimidated by the team.

Dragon Lee vs. Carlito

Lee wastes no time in knocking him outside for the big suicide dive. Back in and Carlito hammers away as the LWO and Judgment Day brawl on the floor. Rey Mysterio returns to take out Judgment Day and Operation Dragon finishes for Lee at 2:11.

Karrion Kross comes in to see Miz, who doesn’t have time for this. Kross wants Miz to be himself and says monsters come in all shapes and sizes.

Sheamus talks about how Pete Dunne attacked him last week. They’re not done, and he can’t wait to hear the people call Dunne “Butch”.

Bronson Reed vs. The Miz

Hold on though as Braun Strowman jumps Reed on the floor. The big fight is on with security not being able to break it up. Strowman loads up what could be a ring breaking superplex but security finally breaks it up. No match.

Here is Drew McIntyre for a chat. McIntyre recaps what CM Punk said last week an everything he promised to do inside the Cell. He knows Punk believed everything he said and McIntyre is worried about getting in the Cell. Their families don’t want these matches to happen because of what it is doing to them. This match is going to happen and McIntyre promises to make Punk bleed and suffer. Punk has always seen himself as a divine figure, but McIntyre is going to break him permanently. We’re kinds of to the point where there is nothing left to say and they just need to go maul each other again.

Adam Pearce makes Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed, Last Monster Standing next week. We hear a noise though and Pete Dunne has jumped Sheamus.

Unholy Union vs. Damage CTRL

Before the match, Damage CTRL is in the back and runs into Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Belair praises Iyo Sky for last week’s match and would love to run it back. Sky would love to as well, but next time they’re coming for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. The champs say they’ll keep the titles against anyone. Sky flips over Dawn to start and stomps on her foot before Damage CTRL hits a double dropkick.

Sane’s (with her eye bandaged) top rope leg lariat gets two but Fyre offers a distraction so Sane can be sent into the apron. We take a beak and come back with Fyre ripping off the bandage but Sane gets over for the tag anyway. Sky hits a springboard double dropkick, setting up a Meteora for two on Fyre. Sane hits a dive to take Fyre down on the floor and Over The Moonsault finishes Dawn at 9:42.

Rating: B-. Damage CTRL is all but guaranteed to get the next title shot and that very well may be the title match that we see on the Raw before Bad Blood. Beating the former champions is a good way to help set that match up and Damage CTRL looked good on the way there. Now just make the title match work.

We look at Jey Uso and Bron Breakker trading spears last week.

Breakker says it’s game day and someone is going to take a beating, but it won’t be him.

We look at fan signs.

We look at the Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns encounter at Georgia Tech from Smackdown.

Sami Zayn gives Jey Uso a pep talk.

New Day vs. American Made

Woods and Julius trade headlocks to start until Julius hammers away. A powerslam is broken up though and Woods hits a spinning forearm to the face. Kofi comes in to work on the arm but Julius suplexes Brutus onto him. That doesn’t last long as Kofi is back with a shot of his own. Woods comes back in to electric chair Kofi into a moonsault for two on Brutus, who is back up for a chop off. Julius and Woods both hit top rope superplexes and we take a break.

Back with Woods hitting a clothesline but the referee doesn’t see the tag to Kofi. Chad Gable gets in a cheap shot on the floor but Woods fights out of another superplex attempt and his a missile dropkick. Kofi comes in and gets to clean house, including the top rope Trust Fall to take out the Creeds on the floor. Trouble In Paradise misses though and the SOS is countered. Kofi drops Julius but Woods wants the tag, only to go after the interfering Gable instead. The distraction lets Julius hit a running knee, setting up the Brutus Ball for the pin at 15:13.

Rating: B. The downfall of the New Day continues and that could lead to some interesting situations. It still wouldn’t surprise me to see Big E. come back and reunite the team. It would make sense for the team’s tenth anniversary, though there is something intriguing about the team FINALLY splitting and doing something else after all this time.

Damian Priest talks about how he is not his brother’s keeper but he had to keep Finn Balor during their time in Judgment Day. Priest and Rhea Ripley won titles but Balor sat in the corner, all upset. Yes he is his brother’s keeper, but Balor is not his brother.

We get another Wyatt Sicks video, seemingly talking about how someone who was dead will live.

The Pure Fusion Collective declares themselves the future.

The LWO talks to New Day and apologizes for the miscommunication last week. Woods talks about how Rey Mysterio should save the advice for Dominik Mysterio. Rey doesn’t have time for this because he has to face Finn Balor next week. Woods says Rey only has time for former World Champion so Rey says they can fight next week instead.

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

Intercontinental Title: Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker is defending and shoulders him down with no trouble to start. Uso is up with a right hand to the floor though and there’s a suicide dive as we take a break. Back with Breakker hitting a powerslam and firing off the shoulders in the corner. The overhead belly to belly sends Uso flying and Breakker grabs something like a seated abdominal stretch.

A backbreaker into the pushups gives Breakker a big Steiner reference but Jey superkicks him to the floor (must be an Outsiders fan). Breakker cuts off the dive though and hits a bulldog off the apron onto the announcers’ table as we take another break. Back again with Jey punching him down and hitting the running Umaga Attack for two.

Breakker is right back with a fireman’s carry gutbuster for two of his own but Jey gets two more off a Samoan drop. Breakker is back up with a super Frankensteiner for another near fall and the gorilla press powerslam gets two more. Jey rolls outside and gets speared down but Jey hits his own back inside.

The Superfly Splash connects for a near fall with the fans going nuts on the kickout. They go outside again where the running spear is cut off by Jey’s superkick before he spears Breakker into the timekeeper’s area. Back in and another spear into the Superfly Splash gives Jey the pin and the title at 20:19.

Rating: B-. Well that was something of a surprise. This felt like it was going to be Breakker’s big win over a popular star but the pulled the trigger instead. As much as I would have loved for Breakker to have the big, dominant reign (and he still might in the future), Uso had to win something at some point and this was as good as any other idea.

The celebration ens the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This wasn’t the big show (save for the surprise title change) but it did set things up for later, which is what matters. There are some important matches set for next week, including the Last Man Standing and Rey vs. Woods, so they’re already off to a strong start. This was a passable enough show, but more importantly it got things ready for later.

Results
Sami Zayn b. Ludwig Kaiser – Helluva Kick
Dragon Lee b. Carlito – Operation Dragon
Damage CTRL b. Unholy Union – Over The Moonsault to Fyre
American Made b. New Day – Brutus Ball to Woods
Jey Uso b. Bron Breakker – Superfly Splash

 

 

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

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

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

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

American Made vs. Wyatt Sicks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finn Balor vs. Rey Mysterio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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AND

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

 

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 2, 2024
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We are officially done with Bash In Berlin and that means we have a bit of time before Bad Blood. Gunther retained the Raw World Title over Randy Orton in the show’s main event, but the more interesting match saw the Terror Twins beat Judgment Day, with Rhea Ripley getting her hands on Dominik Mysterio for just a bit. Odds are that gets some fallout this week so let’s get to it.

Here is Bash In Berlin if you need a recap.

Wade Barrett is in the ring and welcomes Joe Tessitore to the broadcast team. Tessitore, who has called a bunch of different sports, is happy to be here.

Bash In Berlin recap.

Here is a rather happy Rhea Ripley (to a ROAR) to get things going. She’s rather happy with her win at Bash In Berlin and since she pinned the Women’s Champion, it’s time she gets her title back. Cue Dominik Mysterio (sporting a heck of a black eye, thanks to Rhea) to interrupt, eventually (after some interruptions from a rather angry crowd) saying Liv isn’t here tonight.

The reality is he and Liv were jet lagged due to the lack of sleep (Dominik: “For a variety of reasons.”) but she’ll accept the challenge. Ripley tells him to callate (Spanish for “shut up”) but here is Liv to get in a cheap shot. Ripley’s leg gets tied up in the ropes so Liv stomps away until Damian Priest makes the save.

Chad Gable fires up American Made.

Rhea Ripley’s leg is messed up but she refuses medical care. Damian Priest tries to calm her down and is going to get a match with someone in Judgment Day for some pain.

Alpha Academy vs. American Made

It’s a brawl to start with Tozawa getting double teamed as we settle down. Tozawa gets over for the tag off to Otis, who goes to the floor where Julius hits a running knee. Nile comes in and gets in Otis’ face but Maxxine is in to take her down. Otis fireman’s carries Tozawa for an airplane spin to send the villains outside, where Maxxine hits a dive as we take a break.

Back with Brutus hitting a Shell Shock on Tozawa, followed by a springboard moonsault for two. Tozawa manages to avoid a charge and brings in Otis to clean house, including the Caterpillar. A few dives have Tozawa rolling until Julius cuts him off with a suplex. Maxxine comes in for her own version of the Caterpillar (it goes backwards) but a Chad Gable distraction lets Nile grab the Diamond Chain Lock (dragon sleeper) for the tap at 11:03.

Rating: C+. These teams have fought a few times now and it’s fine to see the villains win, if nothing else to boost them back up after their losses to the Wyatts. I’m not sure how much steam this feud has though, as it feels like they’ve been going around in circles for a bit. Maxxine looked a bit more comfortable in there, but it’s clear that she’s still just doing spots rather than having a mind for this. Granted given her experience, that’s about all that can be expected.

Post match Chad Gable goes on a rant about the Wyatt Sicks getting involved last week and he wants an eight man street fight next week. The lights go out and cue Uncle Howdy to talk about how the silence is deafening. His life is no longer his and if this is the path that Gable has chosen, the Wyatts will collect a debt.

Zelina Vega vs. Shayna Baszler

The rest of Pure Fusion Collective is here too. Baszler goes after Vega’s recently injured arm to start but a 619 to the legs sends Baszler outside. We take an early break and come back with Vega hitting a moonsault for two but she goes after the Collective. The distraction lets Baszler hit a knee for the pin at 6:38.

Rating: C. The fans were into Vega but she was overcome by the numbers game here. That being said, as usual, I have no idea why a match that doesn’t even run seven minutes included a break. The match wasn’t exactly a big one in the first place and then we don’t even see half of it. Multiple promotions do this and I do not get why.

Post match the beatdown is on but Lyra Valkyria runs in for the save, only to be beaten down as well. Sonya Deville brags about the team, saying there is not a man anywhere who can take them home and not a woman in the locker room that can take them out.

Rhea Ripley is now on a crutch as a precaution. Finn Balor is willing to face Damian Priest in a tag match but since Ripley is hurt, it means no match. Ripley has something in mind and Priest says let him know what he (whoever that may be) says.

Zelina Vega and Lyra Valkyria want the Pure Fusion Collective.

Here is CM Punk for a chat. Punk brags about his win and says how great it is to be in Denver. Now that the personal stuff is done though, it’s time to get down to business. He went through a fight at Bash In Berlin but there is someone else who did it there too: the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.

Punk wants to be the champion and is coming for the title, because the people are going to take it from him. The music pays and he goes to celebrate but here is Drew McIntyre to jump him. Wade Barrett tries to hold McIntyre back but he slips by and hits a Claymore to drop Punk. McIntyre sends him inside and BREAKS PUNK’S BRACELET before hitting another Claymore. Oh I think you know where this is going at Bad Blood and it should be a big one.

Post break Punk is taken out on a stretcher…where McIntyre attacks him again.

Intercontinental Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Dominik Mysterio vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Dragon Lee

Lee knocks both of them to the floor to start but Dominik breaks up a dive. That leaves Dragunov to glare at Dominik for daring to chop him before Dragunov suplexes both of them and we take a break. Back with Dragunov hitting an H Bomb on Lee but Dominik frog splashes both of them for two. Dragunov Death Valley Drivers Dominik onto the apron so Lee gets in a shot of his own…but cue Carlito to take Lee out.

Damian Priest runs in to go after Carlito and chase Dominik out of the arena, leaving Dragunov to strike away on Lee. The 619 is countered into a sitout powerbomb (they got a bit lost in there but saved it pretty nicely) to give Lee two but Dragunov Death Valley Drivers him into the corner. Lee manages to tie him in the Tree of Woe for a top rope stomp, only for Dragunov to come back with the Torpedo Moscow for the pin at 10:37.

Rating: C+. This was almost split in half as Dominik was chased off part of the way through the match, leaving it as a singles instead. In that case Dragunov is the best option as Lee hasn’t done much in the last few weeks. Dragunov hasn’t done much better, but he’s far closer to a title level than Lee at the moment.

We look at Bronson Reed crushing Braun Strowman last week.

Strowman, with very banged up ribs, wants Reed’s spot in the triple threat match. Adam Pearce says sure, as I try to figure out who in the world thought it was a good idea to have Strowman back a week after that big of a spot. Yes he’s a monster, but he’s not a monster who should b back that soon.

Isla Dawn/Alba Fyre vs. Damage CTRL

For a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Titles, with new champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill at ringside. Sane has to fight out of the wrong corner to start and anklescissors Fyre out to the floor. Damage CTRL gets in a glare off with the champs and we take an early break. Back with Sane hitting a DDT, allowing Sky to come in and clean house. Everything breaks down and Belair gets knocked over, with Cargill not being happy. The distraction lets Dawn and Fyre hit the Downward Spiral/Gory Bomb combination to finish Sky at 8:06.

Rating: C. This was another match where it didn’t have much time to go anywhere and it gets us pretty much back to the same place where we were before Saturday but with the titles reversed. I can go with the idea of a feud though, as the titles could use the effort. It’s better than one random team after another getting a shot so I’ll take what I can get.

Kofi Kingston is trying to get a Tag Team Title shot from Adam Pearce when Gunther walks by and glares.

Damian Priest talks to Rhea Ripley, who says Priest’s partner said…..yeet. I was expecting Rey Mysterio.

Here is Gunther for a chat. He brags about the success of Bash In Berlin and talks about how he beat the best version of Randy Orton. With that out of the way, cue Sami Zayn, as in the last man to beat Gunther, to interrupt. Zayn talks about wrestlers using the Intercontinental Title as a stepping stone to the World Title. Gunther did just that and now Zayn wants to do it as well because it is the one title he has never won. Gunther liked the list of legends Zayn gave, but Zayn wasn’t on there, so no shot. With Gunther going to leave, Zayn brings up the loss at Wrestlemania and that gets his attention.

Jey Uso is ready for the main event but Bron Breakker comes in to say Jey has one chance to drop out of the #1 contenders tournament. Uso doesn’t seem scared, despite Breakker being rather serious.

Intercontinental Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Braun Strowman vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Sheamus and Kaiser brawl on the floor to start but the banged up Strowman runs them both over. Strowman is sent through the barricade and we take an early break. Back with Kaiser kicking Sheamus out to the floor but Strowman throws a chair to drop Kaiser cold. Strowman chokeslams Sheamus for two but Sheamus knocks him out to the floor. The Kaiser Roll gives Kaiser two, only for Sheamus to come back with a Brogue Kick. Cue Pete Dunne to take Sheamus out though, leaving Strowman to powerslam Kaiser for the pin at 7:36.

Rating: C+. I’m still not sure I can get behind the idea of Strowman being able to move here, let alone win, but here we are with Strowman on his way to a possible title shot. He didn’t have to do much here, with the chair throw looking great, but this was a bunch of stuff going on at once. Strowman winning would be fine most of the time, though having him around despite selling such a huge attack just a week later felt off.

Damian Priest and Jey Uso are ready.

Pete Dunne says that was a message to Sheamus from an old friend, but DO NOT CALL HIM BUTCH.

Judgment Day vs. Damian Priest/Jey Uso

Non-title and Balor immediately hands it off to McDonagh to face Priest. It’s quickly off to Uso, who gets stomped down in the corner as the villains take over. That doesn’t last long as Uso sends them outside and hits a big dive as we take a break. Back with Balor driving shoulders into Uso’s ribs in the corner and handing it back to McDonagh for two off a springboard moonsault. McDonagh works on the arm until Uso fights up and kicks him down, allowing the tag off to Priest.

Everything breaks down and Balor rolls Priest up for a fast two. South Of Heaven is broken up so Priest hits a double clothesline, setting up Uso’s double high crossbody. Cue Liv Morgan to break up the Superfly Splash though and Balor hits the shotgun dropkick into the Coup de Grace into McDonagh’s moonsault. Priest makes the save and here is Rhea Ripley to, slowly, chase Morgan off with the crutch. Balor is sent outside and it’s the Razor’s Edge into the Superfly Splash to finish McDonagh at 14:20.

Rating: B-. That should set up a title match either next week or at Bad Blood (hopefully the former) and it’s nice to see Priest getting his hands on the Judgment Day. The match was nothing we haven’t seen done before, but it fits the story that they’re telling. I’m not sure how good it is for Uso to be involved with the Terror Twins, who I still want to take the titles from Judgment Day, but it makes enough sense.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling wasn’t great here but it was a show where things were set up, either for Bad Blood or likely beyond. You have Zayn vs. Gunther, more Punk vs. McIntyre, the Tag Team Title stuff and the tournament final next week. That’s a lot to set up (plus more) in three hours and they made it work. That’s certainly an eventful show and we have more than a month before the pay per view so things can breathe a bit for a change.

As for Tessitore, he did pretty well for his first night. You could tell he’s studied what he’s watching and was speaking with confidence. I’m not expecting him to know every move (he referred to Ilja Dragunov’s Torpedo Moscow as a shoulder for instance) as the details will come. You can tell he’s an experienced commentator who is going into a new field, but for a start, he did well.

Results
American Made b. Alpha Academy – Diamond Chain Lock to Dupri
Shayna Baszler b. Zelina Vega – Knee to the face
Ilja Dragunov b. Dragon Lee and Dominik Mysterio – Torpedo Moscow to Lee
Isla Dawn/Alba Fyre b. Damage CTRL – Downward Spiral/Gory Bomb combination to Sky
Braun Strowman b. Ludwig Kaiser and Sheamus – Powerslam to Kaiser
Jey Uso/Damian Priest b. Judgment Day – Superfly Splash to McDonagh

 

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Monday Night Raw
Date: August 12, 2024
Location: Moody Center, Austin, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

We are less than three weeks away from Bash In Berlin and the main event seems to have been set as Gunther will be defending the Raw World Title against Randy Orton. Other than that, there is a good chance we are on the way to a mixed tag between Damian Priest/Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio/Liv Morgan. Odds are we see more of both of those feuds this -week so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Judgment Day splitting, with Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest seemingly being ready to destroy the new version of the team.

Here is Ripley to get things going. She has gone through every feeling imaginable since Summerslam but now she is just mad. Dominik stabbed her in the back, but in something he’s probably heard before, it just wasn’t deep enough (McAfee: “GEEZ!”). As for Liv, she’s run away with the title but you can’t run far enough. Dominik and Liv pop up in the crowd, with Liv saying Dominik has something to get off his chest.

Dominik talks about how he is a man and deserves to be treated like one. Now he has a woman who calls him daddy and lets him eat tendies and play video games whenever he wants, but she also finally helped him beat his dad. Ripley says she’s proud of Dominik because seeing him grow up is one of her greatest accomplishments. She wanted to see Dominik beat Rey Mysterio on his own but now he’s made the wrong decision. It’s just the last decision he’s ever going to make. Liv says Dominik is all his and she took Rhea’s family away, along with her title. Ripley: “Are you done?”

Ripley says Liv made the mistake of leaving her standing and it’s a good thing Liv loves to talk so much, because now we know where she is. Damian Priest pops up behind them and brawls with Dominik into the concourse. Ripley charges after them and goes after Liv, with the guys going down to ringside. Cue Carlito (with one shoe on) for the save, allowing Dominik to escape. This was laying everything out and odds are the mixed tag is coming.

Damian Priest vs. Carlito

Carlito is still in one shoe and this was scheduled for later tonight. Priest faceplants him to start but it’s too early for the Razor’s Edge. A DDT gives Carlito two and a suplex puts Priest down again as we take a break. Back with Carlito hitting a swinging neckbreaker for two but Priest snaps off a spinwheel kick. The Broken Arrow sends Carlito flying and South Of Heaven finishes him off at 9:19.

Rating: C+. Carlito got in some shots here but Priest gets the win that he should be getting on the way to whatever is waiting on him in Berlin. Priest has become one of the biggest stars on the show and having him march through Judgment Day to get to Finn Balor is a fine way to go. Carlito might not be a huge star but he’s good enough to make Priest look like ore of a star on the way there.

Post match Judgment Day runs in for the beatdown but Rhea Ripley makes the save and takes out JD McDonagh. For some reason Dominik Mysterio comes after Ripley but Liv Morgan has to save him from Riptide.

Ivy Nile tells Maxxine Dupri to be careful tonight and maybe not be at ringside. Dupri is going to be there with her friends.

Bo Dallas talks about how everything came full circle last week when the Wyatt Sicks had their in-ring debut where the Wyatt Family made their debut eleven years ago. Bray Wyatt was there and now something big is going to happen. Dallas keeps saying “my life for you”.

Kofi Kingston is fired up for Odyssey Jones’ debut but Xavier Woods isn’t quite as enthusiastic.

Odyssey Jones vs. Vincent Winey

Jones throws him around to start, shrugs off some forearms, and grabs a swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 1:35.

Post match the Final Testament comes out and Karrion Kross says that while the obvious suggestion would be Odyssey Jones is replacing Big E., but the reality is Kofi Kingston is using Jones to replace Xavier Woods. That has Woods issuing the challenge for a tag match but Kofi says we should make it a six man (Woods again doesn’t look sure) and it seems to be on.

Drew McIntyre comes in to see Adam Pearce and asks why Randy Orton is getting the World Title shot. Don’t worry though because McIntyre will take care of things and stay on his best behavior.

Chad Gable is still in Paris and says he’s not done with the Wyatt Sicks.

Alpha Academy vs. Creed Brothers

Texas Tornado rules with Maxxine Dupri here with the Academy. The Creeds start fast and take Tozawa to the floor, leaving Otis to be whipped hard into the corner. Otis shoves his way out of said corner and Tozawa hits a big dive off the top. Tozawa gets launched over the top onto the Creeds and we take a break. Back with Tozawa being powerbombed into the barricade for two as Otis is still down on the floor. Tozawa’s double DDT puts the Creeds down as Otis is back up.

The Caterpillar hits Brutus for two as Cole calls Otis a “heavy machinery” type competitor. Julius knees Otis down and Brutus hits a standing moonsault into Julius’ shooting star for two. A superbomb is countered into a hurricanrana and Tozawa’s suicide dive….gets caught in the ropes and barely makes any contact whatsoever. Julius electric chairs Otis, who superplexes Brutus, allowing Tozawa to hit a top rope backsplash for the big knockdown. Cue Ivy Nile to jump Dupri, with the distraction letting the Creeds roll Tozawa up for the pin at 11:59.

Rating: B. This was a lot better than I was expecting and allowed Tozawa to showcase himself in the ring a lot more than usual. That’s a good thing to see as the team has long since been the Otis/Chad Gable show and Tozawa adds a different side to the whole thing. The ending is good as well, as there was little reason to keep Dupri and Nile on the same page given everything else that was going on.

Earlier today, Pete Dunne was in the mostly empty arena and says Sheamus was under his wing, not the other way around. Sheamus went on a great run with Dunne in his corner, while Dunne just had a stupid name. So what happened to the Brawling Brutes while Sheamus became a bigger star? Dunne never wants to hear the name “Butch” again because he is an eighteen year veteran and the Bruiserweight.

We look at Bronson Reed wrecking Seth Rollins last week, complete with breakdowns of the physics involved.

Reed tells Adam Pearce to give him an opponent tonight or he’ll find a new victim.

Damage CTRL is ready to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles back.

Sonya Deville and company seems to imply that their collection name is the “Pure Fusion Collective” and they want the titles as well. If that’s their name….my goodness just release them already.

Candice Michelle is here.

Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective

For a future shot at Alba Fyre/Isla Dawn (at ringside). Sky strikes away at Baszler to start and a double dropkick puts her down again. Sane adds her sliding clothesline in the corner but Baszler is back with a backbreaker for a breather. Stark comes in and the champs aren’t impressed as we take a break. Back with Sky coming in to clean house, including the running knees to Stark in the corner. A butterfly backbreaker looks to set up Over The Moonsault but Sonya Deville offers a distraction. Sky accidentally superkicks Dawn, which is enough to draw Dawn in for the DQ (by hitting Sky) at 9:22.

Rating: C+. The action was good, but there were two things here. First and foremost is the name, which even commentary was mocking because not only is it a really dumb name that no one would give themselves, but it’s hard to remember because NO ONE TALKS LIKE THIS. Second is the ending, which is going to be a no contest to set up a triple threat, even though that’s just not what happened but they’ll do it anyway because having Dawn and Fyre jump one member of each team at the same time was too much to ask.

Post match the champs lay out both teams. Cole makes it clear that we have no #1 contenders, which is nonsense as Dawn only hit Sky, meaning it should be a DQ with Damage CTRL winning, but for some reason that’s not what we’re getting.

Miz is upset when R-Truth comes in. R-Truth asks about various bad things that have been happening to Miz as of late, but he’s gotten Miz an Intercontinental Title match with Bron tonight. Miz: “Doesn’t he have a match with Sami Zayn?” Truth points him to the graphic….and it’s Miz against Bronson Reed. Truth: “Isn’t that the guy who killed Seth Rollins last week?” Randy Orton comes in and asks if Reed is the guy who killed Seth Rollins last week. Orton fires Miz up….but realizes he has no chance.

Randy Orton threw out the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals game.

Here is Orton for a chat. He talks about winning the World Title for the first time twenty two years ago and promises to win it for the fifteenth time at Bash In Berlin…and cue Gunther to interrupt. Orton says he’s coming to win the title but Gunther says Orton wastes his potential. There isn’t room for that kind of person in Gunther’s era, but Orton says he has owned up to his mistakes over the years.

Orton is a legend with five kids and a hot wife at home before he becomes a fifteen time World Champion, so he has done pretty good for himself. Gunther calls Orton predictable and says all three generations of his family have been screwups. Cue Drew McIntyre to interrupt….and the distraction lets Orton hit the RKO. Cue CM Punk to jump McIntyre, even beating him with his own belt, sending McIntyre running. A strap match between those two has potential.

Sheamus is interested in mysteries but the biggest of them all is how Pete Dunne’s failures are his fault. Ludwig Kaiser comes in to say it’s not over between them…and here is Dunne to jump Sheamus with a shillelagh, including a shot to his exposed hand.

CM Punk, who was said to not have been here due to travel issues, says he was lying to lure Drew McIntyre in. Punk can keep the bracelet but keep his wife and dog’s name out of McIntyre’s mouth. Punk mentions being attached to McIntyre and says the belt he’s holding gives him an idea.

Mark Henry and his son are here.

Miz vs. Bronson Reed

R-Truth is here with Miz. Reed charges into a boot to start but runs him over without much trouble. Miz is sent outside and dropped with a running shoulder off the apron as we take a break. Back with Miz fighting back and managing a tornado DDT for one. Reed isn’t having that and hits a Death Valley Driver, setting up the Tsunami for the pin at 6:39.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here due to the break that Reed shouldn’t be in long matches right now anyway. The point is to get Reed over as a monster and having him make short work of an established name is going to do just that. At the same time, Miz and R-Truth’s issues intensify as R-Truth got him into this mess in the first place. Not a particularly good match, but rather nice storytelling.

Post match Reed tries another Tsunami but R-Truth gets in his way, earning himself a high crossbody. Reed hits a pair of Tsunamis on R-Truth (Cole: “TRUTH IS A D*** NATIONAL TREASURE!”) and then adds two more until Adam Pearce and security cut Reed off. That just causes Reed to go to another corner to hit a fifth Tsunami, even with Pearce yelling at him. Then Reed goes back to hit a sixth Tsunami.

Jey Uso fires Sami Zayn up before his Intercontinental Title match. Then they’re getting the Tag Team Titles.

Rhea Ripley/Damian Priest vs. Liv Morgan/Dominik Mysterio is set for Bash In Berlin. Makes sense.

Video on the new Judgment Day.

Bron Breakker says he’s going to do bada** things.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn

Breakker is defending and this is 2/3 falls. Zayn starts fast and knocks him outside, setting up the big running flip dive as we take an early break. Back with Breakker hitting his Rick Steiner style powerslam for two but Zayn walks the corner for a tornado DDT. Breakker hits some running corner clotheslines but Zayn is right back with the Helluva Kick for the first fall at 6:55.

They had outside with Breakker catching a moonsaulting Zayn and powerslamming him over the barricade. We take a break and come back with Breakker running the corner for a super Frankensteiner, setting up the gorilla press powerslam. A pair of spears gives Breakker the second fall at 12:34 total.

Breakker goes with a rather lackadaisical cover and gets rolled up for two, meaning it’s time to send Zayn outside again. Zayn gets sat on the announcers’ table for a huge clothesline from the apron for a nine count. Back in and Zayn manages a sunset bomb for two but has to avoid a spear. Breakker hits a jumping knee but Zayn hits a running boot for two. Zayn goes up again, only to dive into a spear to give Breakker the win at 17:33 overall.

Rating: B+. This was a hard hitting match but it was also a heck of a story with Zayn trying to outsmart Breakker and having to take chances. The big chance at the end is what cost him the match as Breakker was too strong and powerful for the underdog style to overcome. That’s what they’ve been doing for their matches so far and the idea of Breakker getting smarter is a scary proposition. Awesome match here.

Overall Rating: B. The more I watch Raw, and almost any other WWE programming at the moment, the more of a flow they seem to be in. This show had the same vibe as a classic NXT, where not only did they have stuff they needed to do but they made it feel important. It would have been the Creeds vs. the Alpha Academy or the #1 contenders match for the Women’s Tag Team Titles or the main event, but the show made it feel like it mattered. That is such a huge boost for any show and it was on full display here. Rather good show and the three hours flew by.

Sidenote: the graphics that WWE has been putting up during its shows are outstanding features. Stuff like “here’s a recap of what you’ve missed tonight” and “these are your announcers” and “these are the people involved with their names and faces in case you’re not familiar.” It’s so simple and helps catch new fans up really fast while not being a distraction. I love that kind of stuff and it makes the show feel so much more polished and fan friendly.

Results
Damian Priest b. Carlito – South Of Heaven
Odyssey Jones b. Vincent Winey – Swinging Boss Man Slam
Creed Brothers b. Alpha Academy – Rollup to Tozawa
Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective went to a no contest when Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn interfered
Bronson Reed b. Miz – Tsunami
Bron Breakker b. Sami Zayn 2-1

 

 

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

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AND

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Monday Night Raw
Date: August 5, 2024
Location: CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

We’re done with Summerslam and quite a few things have happened. First and foremost, Gunther is the new World Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Damian Priest to win the title. The match saw Finn Balor turn on Priest, continuing a rather bad night for Judgment Day. Earlier in the night, Dominik Mysterio left Rhea Ripley for Liv Morgan, which means punishment is likely. Let’s get to it.

Here is Summerslam if you need a recap.

We open with a Summerslam recap.

Here is Ludwig Kaiser to introduce Gunther as the new World Heavyweight Champion (and rocking a suit). Gunther lists off his resume and says this title and company have deserved more for a long time. He is above everyone in this ring and nothing can catch him off guard because he is greatness personified. From this day forward, Raw and the greatness of this legacy belong to him….and here is Randy Orton to interrupt. Gunther: “That caught me off guard.”

Orton thinks the title looks good on Gunther’s shoulder but Orton is the reason he has that title. Did Gunther really beat him at King Of The Ring? The referee’s decision is final but there needs to be a part two. Orton is here to call that match in. Gunther considers himself a living legend but Orton has made a career out of killing legends. Gunther talks about how the voices in Orton’s head are wrong, but he accepts. The mic is dropped and Gunther says nothing, including the RKO, catches him off guard. Orton says he wants Gunther to see it coming. That’s a fine way to go for a first title defense for Gunther.

Sheamus is ready to face Ludwig Kaiser, who is the latest young guy coming after him. Bring them all on, including Pete Dunne.

Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser

They go straight to the brawl on the floor before the bell before Kaiser slaps him in the face in the corner. The exchange of chops goes to Sheamus but Kaiser goes to the knee to take him down. The Regal Roll, to Kaiser’s bad ribs, sends Kaiser outside and we pause for a breather, which is a ruse to send Sheamus ribs first into the steps. A running dropkick sends Sheamus into the steps again but he manages to beat the count back in.

Sheamus’ knee is tied up in the ropes so Kaiser can crank away before stopping to pose. For some reason Kaiser thinks it’s a good idea to do the ten forearms, which just makes Sheamus knock him backwards. More chops just wake Sheamus up and they slug it out until Sheamus hits some running ax handles.

The Irish Curse sets up White Noise for two and we hit the cloverleaf, sending Kaiser over to the ropes. The ten forearms are broken up with a clothesline and they’re both down. Sheamus wins a slugout though and NOW the ten forearms can knock Kaiser silly. Cue Pete Dunne for a distraction but Sheamus knees him out of the way. The distraction lets Kaiser hit a jumping enziguri for two, only for Sheamus to come back with a Brogue Kick for the pin at 11:19.

Rating: B-. You can tell how good a Sheamus match is going to be based on how low down his hair is pushed by all of the sweat. They were having a good one here with Kaiser being able to hang in there against a bigger name in Sheamus. I liked them avoiding the cliched distraction into the ending, with Sheamus getting a win to boost him back up a bit.

We look at the original Wyatt Family debuting in this building eleven years ago. The path of distraction ensued and now, in the same building, the Wyatt Sicks are having their in-ring debut.

Another look at Summerslam.

Here is Damian Priest, who wastes no time in calling out Finn Balor for a beating. He has been on his own for most of his life and the Judgment Day was his family. Now these people are his family and losing made him feel like he disappointed them. Balor pops up on screen, saying that Priest betrayed the team. There wasn’t supposed to be a leader but then Priest won the title.

A year ago, Balor lost at Summerslam and Priest told him to man up. Balor did that at Summerslam and now he isn’t going to fight a loser from the streets. He’ll wait until Priest has almost forgotten about him and then Balor will pop up and stab him in the back again and again. The camera pulls back to reveal JD McDonagh, Carlito and Dominik Mysterio/Liv Morgan. Priest storms up the aisle to go stable hunting.

We look at Pat McAfee and Michael Cole failing at the HHH water spit at the Judgment Day press event.

Bronson Reed comes in to see Adam Pearce, saying he should have a match tonight because he beat Sheamus last week. He’ll figure it out himself.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Shayna Baszler

Sonya Deville and Zoey Stark are here with Baszler. Valkyria gets her arm cranked to start as Cole talks about Baszler’s love of…cooking soup? Baszler lifts her up by the arm but Valkyria fights back with a gutwrench powerbomb. Deville gets knocked off the apron and the Nightwing connects, only for Stark to come in for the DQ at 2:38.

Post match the beatdown is on but Damage CTRL runs in to clear the villains out.

The Final Testament is ready to end the New Day tonight and it’s all Xavier Woods’ fault for not taking the team up on their offers.

Ivy Nile talks to the Creed Brothers but Maxxine Dupri interrupts them, saying the Creeds attacked Otis and Akira Tozawa. Nile tries to calm things down, but Chad Gable comes in to make Nile leave.

Here is an upset looking CM Punk for a chat. Punk congratulates his friend on winning the UFC Welterweight Title and yes he lost on Saturday, but he is still happy. He hasn’t been here in ten years but ten thousand people are still cheering for him. Summerslam was not a guarantee and neither was tonight but people don’t like him because he won’t stay down. He was told he would be out of action for nine months and he’s back in five.

His road to Wrestlemania started on Summerslam and it’s still summer, so these people deserve to see him fighting. Punk calls out Drew McIntyre but gets Seth Rollins instead. Rollins says they’re both in a good mood because it is finally time for him to put Punk in the dirt. The fight is almost on but cue McIntyre in the crowd. What is with all of the negativity around here? McIntyre is going to talk about Punk’s favorite topic: CM Punk! McIntyre is the new best in the world and he still has the bracelet, which sends Punk chasing McIntyre through the crowd.

Cue Bronson Reed to jump Rollins and take him out in a twist I didn’t see coming. The Tsunami crushes Rollins and Reed does it again for a bonus. Referees come out to break it up but Reed hits a third, fourth, fifth and even sixth Tsunami as Cole is going ballistic on commentary. Rollins is spitting up blood as Reed goes up AGAIN, only for the personnel to get Rollins out. Reed went so far with that that it got awesome as I wanted to see just how far it would go. Why not see what Reed can do in a spot like this?

Post break Punk asks Adam Pearce about McIntyre but Pearce says he saw McIntyre leave the building.

Authors Of Pain vs. New Day

New Day is dressed as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles due to a newly released line of action figures. Kingston can’t do much with Akam to start so he superkicks Rezar, only to walk into a spinebuster. We take a break and come back with Woods getting the tag to clean house. Everything breaks down and Karrion Kross interferes, but Odyssey Jones of all people comes out to wreck Kross and send him over the barricade. Woods small packages Rezar for the pin at 6:56.

Rating: C+. The match wasn’t exactly the point here as they only had a few minutes around the break (which was completely needed in a match that didn’t break seven minutes) but Jones of all people being back for the save is interesting. He hasn’t wrestled on TV in well over a year due to injuries/creative having nothing for him so I was rather shocked to see him. Nice job, and having a powerhouse around is always a good thing.

Post match the Authors beat on Woods but Jones side slams BOTH OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME before dropping Kross again. Kingston is pleased, though Woods isn’t as sure (he does shake Jones’ hand though).

JD McDonagh swears revenge on Damian Priest.

Kofi Kingston thanks Odyssey Jones again and Jones is grateful to be on the team. Xavier Woods still isn’t sure what is going on but apparently Kingston and Jones became friends at the Performance Center and Kingston said New Day needed some help. Woods doesn’t seem completely pleased (to be fair, Kingston just bringing someone in is VERY un-New Day) but the Alpha Academy comes in for dancing anyway, with Woods participating.

A-Town Down Under vs. Awesome Truth

R-Truth takes both of them down to start and it’s a double dropkick (both moves are Rock N Roll Express moves in a call back to Summerslam) to send the villains outside as we take a break. Back with Waller and Theory missing their own double dropkick, allowing the tag back to Miz. House is cleaned, including the alternating YES Kicks. Miz dives onto Theory and hits the basement DDT for two. Truth tags himself in and tries the AA, only swing Waller into Miz by mistake. A Town Down finishes Truth at 7:28.

Rating: C. The match wasn’t much to see as you could tell but the ending does at least set the stage for Awesome Truth’s split. The team doesn’t have much going for it right now anyway so splitting them up and letting them do their own things again isn’t a bad idea. If nothing else, A-Town Down Under needed a win if they’ll be staying together much longer.

Damian Priest says he never wanted JD McDonagh in Judgment Day, because no one but Finn Balor did. Tonight, pain is coming.

Bron Breakker says his name is on the Intercontinental Title and no one can take it from him.

Damian Priest vs. JD McDonagh

Carlito is here with McDonagh, who strikes away to start but gets kicked in the face for his efforts. A faceplant drops McDonagh again but a distraction lets him stomp Priest down in the corner. Priest kicks McDonagh outside and but gets distracted again, allowing McDonagh to get in a posting. McDonagh’s suicide dive connects and we take a break. We come back with McDonagh headbutting him down, setting up a moonsault for two. Priest fights up and strikes away including dropping Carlito…but Finn Balor runs in for the DQ at 9:19.

Rating: C+. This one could have gone either way, as I could have gone for Priest smashing McDonagh here, but having Balor come in for another cheap shot is a good way to go. It feels like we’re in a long form story here before Priest finally gets his hands on Balor and that could be interesting if done right. Priest needs to be a smashing machine in there, but it’s ok to wait a bit before it happens.

Post match the beatdown is on but Priest fights up and is left alone with Balor. Cue Rhea Ripley to chase Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan, with the latter getting caught and posted hard. Dominik saves Morgan from a Razor’s Edge through the table, leaving Ripley to headbutt McDonagh into South Of Heaven. Hot segment here, with Ripley and Priest looking like the coolest pair in a good while.

We look back at Roman Reigns returning at Summerslam.

Sonya Deville and company jump Damage CTRL and take out Dakota Kai’s knee. Please tell me she’s not hurt again.

Post break Deville and company are here to mock Dakota Kai for not being able to wrestle but we have a replacement.

Iyo Sky vs. Sonya Deville

Both of their associates are on the floor. Deville starts fast and misses a basement clothesline as McAfee confuses Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky. The fight heads to the floor, where Sky is sent into the steps as we take a break. Back with Sky fighting out of trouble and getting two off a rollup. A dragon screw legwhip takes Deville down and a missile dropkick gets two. Deville runs her over for two more but Sane is back up as well. Damage CTRL hit big dives off the same corner, setting up Over The Moonsault to finish Deville at 7:12.

Rating: B-. Sky got to showcase herself here, which isn’t surprising as she is still one of the most talented stars in WWE. It was good for her to get a win to slow down Deville and company’s momentum, but the lack of Kai worries me. She hasn’t been back long after her knee injury and that felt like a way to write her off.

Ilja Dragunov congratulates Sami Zayn on being a great champion. Zayn says Dragunov will be a great champion one day but here is Jey Uso to give Zayn a pep talk. The rematch for the title is next week and then they can win the Tag Team Titles.

We get another Wyatt Sicks video, this time on Joe Gacy, who thinks he is Huskus The Pig Boy. He’s a bit out there.

Chad Gable/Creed Brothers vs. Wyatt Sicks

The lights go out and the rocking chair, with the lantern, is in the ring. The Wyatts come out for the brawl and the fans approve, even as Lumis takes over on Julius to start. It’s oft to Gacy to clean house, including a belly to back neckbreaker on Julius. A pull of the Gacy’s hair brings Rowan in to clean house and we take a break.

Back with Gable hitting a top rope moonsault for two. Julius fights up and hands it off to Rowan to clean house. Rowan’s swinging slam puts Gable down for two as the Creeds make the save. Lumis dives off the post onto them and, the Creeds get sent over the announcers’ table. A claw slam plants Gable and it’s a frog splash to give Lumis the pin at 12:19.

Rating: B-. It was a fun match and the fans were into the Wyatts, but I’m not sure I can see what they’re going to be doing. They’re the kind of team who needs time to set up a match or a feud and that is going to require some explaining most of the time. I like the idea of the team, but I’m not sure how well it is going to work long term.

All of the Wyatts pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show that was more about the drama and setting things up for later rather than what was happening here. As a result, we got another good show that has me wanting to see where they’re going for the pay per view a the end of the month. The Judgment Day stuff is hot right now and the women’s team feud has be intrigued. It was a hot show coming out of Summerslam and that’s a really good sign.

Results
Sheamus b. Ludwig Kaiser – Brogue Kick
Lyra Valkyria b. Shayna Baszler via DQ when Zoey Stark interfered
A-Town Down Under b. Awesome Truth – A Town Down to R-Truth
Damian Priest b. JD McDonagh via DQ when Finn Balor interfered
Iyo Sky b. Sonya Deville – Over The Moonsault
Wyatt Sicks b. Chad Gable/Creed Brothers – Frog splash to Gable

 

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Summerslam 2024
Date: August 3, 2024
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Pat McAfee

It’s another stadium show for one of the biggest events of the WWE year. That should make for a big deal and now we get to see what WWE can do with this stacked of a card. There are seven matches scheduled with six titles on the line, plus a heck of a grudge match. That should be more than enough to carry things so let’s get to it.

I was in the stadium for this show, sitting opposite the hard cameras between the entrance and the ring.

HHH welcomes us to the show and introduces Jelly Roll to sing Liar, one of the show’s official theme songs, set to a preview of the card. This was a cool video but having the song played live didn’t change much.

Miz welcomes us to the show, serving his purpose as host.

Raw Women’s Title: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan

Ripley, with Dominik Mysterio, is challenging. Morgan hurt Ripley and tried to take Mysterio from her, only to have Mysterio turn her down. The bell rings and Morgan bails outside, then does it again for a bonus. An attempt at a third roll outside is cut off by a head fake and Ripley grabs her for some clotheslines. They go outside for a ram into the steps, allowing Ripley to like Mysterio’s face.

Ripley sends her into the steps a few more times and then Riptides her onto the top turnbuckle. Morgan slips out of Riptide again and sends Ripley’s recently repaired arm into the buckle. Ripley goes down fast and screams “IT’S OUT” but insists that the match keep going. It’s time to go back to the floor where Ripley’s bad shoulder goes into the steps this time, followed by some stomping back inside.

Back in and Morgan cranks on the arm (as you do) before hitting a springboard Codebreaker on said arm. Ripley gets smart by kicking her in the head and going outside, where Dominik shoves her out of the way of Morgan’s dive. Back up and Ripley rams her arm into the announcers’ table to pop it back in, meaning the beating can ensue. Another Riptide attempt is countered into a DDT and they’re both down.

Ripley gets back up and tries the Prism Trap but Morgan slips out and grabs a crucifix bomb for two. A cross armbreaker has the arm in more trouble but Ripley powers out with a spinebuster for two of her own. One heck of a headbutt rocks Ripley, allowing Morgan to snap the arm over the middle rope.

Morgan goes for a chair but walks into a Riptide for her efforts. Ripley picks it up instead, with Dominik cutting her off to save the match. Morgan sends them together and a quick Oblivion connects for two. Then Dominik slides the chair in ala how he “accidentally” helped Morgan win the title, setting up another Oblivion onto the chair for Morgan to retain. This time though, Dominik is smiling.

Rating: B-. This wasn’t exactly a great match but it told the right story. Morgan wasn’t going to be able to hang in there in a fair fight and tried to exploit the injury, which only worked so well. Dominik was always going to be the big factor here and while they had heavily teased the ending, they still made it work well.

Post match Ripley wakes up and Dominik kisses a surprised Morgan, much to Ripley’s dismay.

After some advertisements, Damian Priest storms into Judgment Day’s locker room and wants to hurt Dominik Mysterio. He asks if Finn Balor knew what was coming and seems to accuse Balor of being behind it but Balor denies knowing anything. The rest of the team and Carlito go off to find Dominik, with Priest threatening violence.

We recap Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn for the latter’s Intercontinental Title. Zayn survived against Breakker last month but now Breakker is more focused and ready.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn

Zayn is defending and avoids a charge at the bell, sending Breakker shoulder first into the post. Breakker rolls outside but gets sent back inside, where he has to avoid an early Helluva Kick attempt. Breakker catches him with a running clothesline, which works a bit better. Some right hands in the corner set up a super Frankensteiner for two as Zayn is in early trouble.

Zayn springboards over him and hits a clothesline but can’t hit the Blue Thunder Bomb. Instead Breakker goes up for the Steiner Bulldog, which is reversed into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two. The exploder into the corner connects but Breakker cuts him off with the spear. Another spear gives Breakker the pin and the title at 5:44.

Rating: B-. This didn’t have the time to go anywhere but that is the way it should have gone. Breakker went with straight power here and there was no way for Zayn to survive that kind of impact. Zayn needed to drop the title here as Breakker couldn’t lose two shots in a row and it was time for him to win something around here anyway.

Stephanie McMahon, with her weird clapping, is here.

We recap Logan Paul defending the US Title against LA Knight. Paul has frustrated Knight, who keeps coming back and wanting a US Title shot. Knight pinned him in a Money In The Bank qualifying match and that was enough to get the shot here.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Logan Paul

Paul, the hometown boy, is defending, but we cut to the back where Knight smashes the window of the Prime truck that he stole from Paul on Smackdown. It’s a brawl on the floor before the bell with Paul being sent into the barricade. Knight sends him into the hydration station but Paul fights back and clears the announcers’ table. That’s fine with Knight, who hits a torture rack neckbreaker onto the table and NOW we go in for the opening bell.

Knight fires the shoulders into the ribs to start as Graves makes a Major League joke in a nice touch. The jumping elbow hits raised knees and Paul sends him shoulder first into the post (three times in three matches so far). Paul posts him again and hammers away at the head, followed by a big boot and legdrop for two (yes with the Hogan pose). Knight fights up from his knees but walks into a gutwrench suplex for two more. A powerbomb faceplant gives Paul two but he spends too much time on mockery and walks into a powerslam for two.

Knight slugs away again and stomps away in the corner, setting up a running knee to rock Paul again. A Side Effect of all things sets up a middle rope elbow, only to have Knight jump to the top in an impressive display, for two more. Back up and Paul sends him to the apron for a springboard clothesline to send Knight outside, setting up a springboard spinning moonsault (awesome).

Back in and Paul’s big right hand gets two so it’s time for Paul’s cronies to give him the brass knuckles. That’s broken up and Knight hammers away, but Paul gets the knuckles anyway. They head back inside, where Knight grabs BFT for the pin and the title (his first in WWE) at 12:04.

Rating: B. This was all about the moment at the end as Knight FINALLY wins something. It’s long overdue and the fans went nuts when he finally got there. Paul has put together more than enough goodwill to lose here and be fine going forward so this worked out well. Knight gets his win and showcased some rather impressive athleticism at the same time, making this work out well.

Various wrestlers shill Manscaped products.

We recap Nia Jax challenging Bayley for the Smackdown Women’s Title. Jax is on a roll and won Queen Of The Ring but Bayley isn’t laying down for anyone.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Nia Jax

Jax is challenging and Bayley slugs away to start fast before tying the arm up in the ropes. Bayley has to escape a powerbomb but Jax runs her over without much trouble. An elbow drop keeps Bayley in trouble but she fights up and hits a belly to back suplex. Back up and Bayley manages to knock her outside, only to get crotched back inside. Bayley manages a guillotine choke (how she beat Jax in NXT) but gets shoved off with straight power.

Jax’s middle rope legdrop misses and a quick Bayley To Belly gets two. Bayley charges into a release Rock Bottom out of the corner and the Annihilator connects for two, leaving Jax stunned. Back up and Bayley sends her shoulder first into the post (four for four) so Jax needs a breather on the floor.

Bayley’s suicide dive is countered into a Samoan drop on the floor, followed by the running hip attack in the corner. Another Annihilator is broken up though and Bayley manages a heck of a middle rope powerbomb. Bayley’s top rope elbow gets two….and it’s Tiffy Time. Bayley cuts her off but Jax powerbombs Bayley down, setting up a pair of Annihilators to win the title at 12:32.

Rating: B-. There was zero hiding what was going on here, as there might as well have been a big countdown clock to the title change from the second Jax announced she was going to be in the Queen Of The Ring. She’s too big of a force to keep losing all of the time and even though she isn’t the most popular, this is probably the best way to go. Stratton has the briefcase and can turn on her later, which would suit her rather well.

Post match Tiffany and Jax celebrate with no cash-in attempt.

We recap Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk. McIntyre injured Punk during the Royal Rumble and then bragged about it. Therefore, Punk has promised, and managed, to ruin McIntyre’s life. McIntyre is obsessed with Punk and stole a personal bracelet of his, meaning it’s time for revenge, with Seth Rollins, who doesn’t like either of them, as the guest referee.

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

Seth Rollins is guest referee and calls for the opening bell after quite the delay. Punk hammers away to start but Rollins pulls him away in the corner. That lets McIntyre get in some stomps of his own, but Rollins breaks that up too. McIntyre strikes away until a clothesline puts him on the floor. Rollins chills on the top rope as Punk posts McIntyre before stopping to tie his shoes as Punk sends McIntyre into the steps. McIntyre fights up and swings Punk into the steps while Rollins conducts the singing crowd.

A catapult sends Punk chest first into the ring structure and it’s time to throw what’s left of Punk back inside. McIntyre powerbombs him for two, with Rollins’ count not sitting well with him. The chair is brought in, with McIntyre saying this makes their problem go away. Rollins takes the chair away and loads up a swing but has to stop himself from hitting Punk by mistake. The chair is thrown out but Rollins misses the rollup on McIntyre. Back up and McIntyre drops him again before pulling out the bracelet.

Punk fires off the running knees in the corner and the top rope elbow gets two. The Anaconda Vice is brought out of mothballs, only for McIntyre to fight out and hit the Claymore for two. The Futureshock is escaped and McIntyre misses a charge into the post (oh come on already). Punk yells at Rollins for picking up the bracelet but McIntyre rams them into each other, sending Rollins outside. The GTS gets a VERY delayed two, with Punk yelling at Rollins and his “stupid Sabu pants” (amazing line). That means a GTS to Rollins, leaving McIntyre to hit Punk low. Another Claymore finishes for McIntyre at 16:59.

Rating: B. Good stuff here, with enough smoke and mirrors hiding the fact that Punk was looking more than a bit tired at times. The main thing is they got Punk in the ring for a major match, which is the best role for him at the moment. He can’t do nearly as much as he used to be able to do, but there is an energy for his matches that few others have. The ending sets up either Punk vs. McIntyre II or Punk vs. Rollins, with commentary pointing out that Punk’s lack of focus cost him the win.

Finn Balor comes in to see Damian Priest, saying Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan are gone. Priest apologizes for accusing him earlier, with Balor accepting and apologizing for his response. Go take care of Gunther.

We recap Damian Priest defending the Raw World Title against Gunther. Priest cashed in Money In The Bank to win the title at Wrestlemania and has been trying to prove himself as champion since. Gunther on the other hand is the King Of The Ring while coming off the record shattering Intercontinental Title reign. He also doesn’t think much of Priest, referring to him as street trash. It’s a cultural battle along with a title fight.

Raw World Title: Gunther vs. Damian Priest

Priest is defending and there are no seconds. They slug it out to start with Priest knocking him into the corner and grabbing a lifting Downward Spiral to send Gunther outside. Gunther blocks a powerbomb attempt and rams him into the apron, only for Priest to hit an ear clap back inside. Priest’s superplex is broken up with some shots to the ribs but he settles for a super hurricanrana (McAfee: “Something you don’t often see: Gunther’s body flying through the sky.”

Other than when he does that top rope splash almost every match.) into the Broken Arrow for two. Priest chops him so hard that Gunther’s chest is bleeding but he’s back with a powerbomb. Gunther sees the blood and chops even harder, only for Priest to kick him in the head and hit the South Of Heaven for two. Back up and Gunther kicks him in the face so Priest tells him to bring it on (oh that’s dumb) so it’s a chop to put him own. Cue Finn Balor to cheer Priest on (uh oh) and Gunther kicks Priest down again.

A running kick to the ribs has Priest in trouble and Gunther kicks Balor in the face too. Priest fights up and hits some clotheslines, setting up the Razor’s Edge. South Of Heaven connects…but Balor puts Gunther’s foot on the ropes. Priest didn’t seem to see what happened but sees the replay on the screen and turns to glare at Balor. The distraction lets Gunther get the sleeper, with Priest flipping backwards for two and the escape. Priest lunges for Balor and Gunther grabs a powerbomb. Another sleeper gives Gunther the title at 16:39.

Rating: B. These guys beat the fire out of each other and it was a physical match before everything went down. The stories here are managing a new champion to go with the further splitting of Judgment Day, which could open up a few paths for both. Heck of a match here, with Priest having a new hot story to come off a pretty impressive title run.

Here are the Miz and R-Truth to announce the attendance of 57,791. Jelly Roll’s theme song, with the line “YOU AIN’T NOTHING BUT A LIAR” playing just after that number is announced amuses me for some reason. Cue A-Town Down Under to mock Jelly Roll, saying only Cleveland could have this many people who look like Roll (who weighs a good bit over three hundred pounds). Truth thinks he’s talking to the Rock N Roll Express (because of the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame) but here is Roll in disguise to chair them down. A Five Knuckle Shuffle ensues and Miz and Truth have to help Roll up.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa for the Smackdown World Title. Rhodes thought he defeated the Bloodline at Wrestlemania when he took out Roman Reigns but Sikoa has reformed the team with a much more dangerous lineup. Now it’s a Bloodline Rules match but all of Cody’s friends have been taken out by the Bloodline, meaning he’s all alone.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa

Cody is defending under Bloodline Rules (anything goes). We go to the back where Rhodes gets off his bus, takes his dog Pharaoh, and walks into the arena, where he runs into Arn Anderson of all people. Anderson talks about how proud Dusty Rhodes would be but Cody has four ticked off island boys coming for him. Cody’s friends are on the way though, even if they might leave as Cody takes FOREVER to get to the ring in an entrance Undertaker would think is excessive.

Feeling out process to start with Sikoa using the power to take over early on. Sikoa blocks the drop down right hand and Cody isn’t sure what to think. They chop it out until Cody low bridges him to the apron, with a Disaster Kick sending Sikoa out to the floor. Back in and Cody’s snap powerslam doesn’t work so Sikoa hits a spinwheel kick. The Samoan drop gets two but Cody is back up with a Cody Cutter for a breather.

Back up and Sikoa grabs a sitout powerbomb for two, followed by a running Umaga Attack for the same. Spinning Solo sets up the nerve hold and another Samoan drop cuts off the comeback bid. Cody is tied in the Tree of Woe for the running headbutt but another one only hits mat. A top rope moonsault to a standing Sikoa (even Graves has to admit it didn’t look great) gives Cody a breather but Sikoa plants him back down for two more.

Sikoa goes up, only to get superplexed right back down. Cody slugs away but has to counter Sikoa’s Cross Rhodes attempt into one of his own. Cue Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa so the beatdown can be on, including the double spinning neckbreaker to give Sikoa two. Cue the returning Kevin Owens for the save but the Bloodline fights back, meaning it’s Randy Orton running in (and high fiving fans on the way) for the save of his own.

Cody uses the help to hit Cross Rhodes on Solo, leaving the other four to fight off into the crowd. It’s time to bring in the steps, with Cody getting in some hard shots to the head. Sikoa cuts him off with a spear though and puts Cody up against the steps in the corner. The running Umaga Attack misses though and Cody hits a pair of Cross Rhodes. Cue Jacob Fatu to wreck Cody though, with Sikoa getting two.

Fatu takes him outside for a top rope splash through the announcers’ table….and Fatu can’t stand on his leg. I believe the term is oh de….and it doesn’t matter as ROMAN REIGNS is back to a thunderous reaction. The Superman Punch and spear cut Sikoa down and, with a look at Reigns, Cody hits Cross Rhodes to retain at 29:14.

Rating: B-. For a match where anything goes, they didn’t exactly do anything until the end. This was a regular match for about twenty minutes and then they went nuts with the interference, making it much more like the Wrestlemania match between Cody and Reigns. It’s certainly not bad, but I was expecting some wild brawl and for the most part, I only got a good match. As for the bigger story of Reigns coming back, they teased it and then did it, so there is only so much to complain about with how it went down. Everything picks up from here as the Bloodline Civil War is on, which should be good.

Overall Rating: B. Solid action, nothing bad in the ring, stories moving forward and the big moment at the end in front of a pretty hot crowd. That’s about all you can ask for out of any major show and this one more than delivered. Above all else it sets up all kinds of things going forward (the Judgment Day’s future should be fascinating) as we enter the build towards the end of the year and Survivor Series. Rather good show here, with that Reigns reception being a sight to behold.

Results
Liv Morgan b. Rhea Ripley – Oblivion onto a chair
Bron Breakker b. Sami Zayn – Spear
LA Knight b. Logan Paul – BFT
Nia Jax b. Bayley – Annihilator
Drew McIntyre b. CM Punk – Claymore
Gunther b. Damian Priest – Sleeper
Cody Rhodes b. Solo Sikoa – Cross Rhodes

 

 

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AND

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We’re back to one of the biggest shows of the year and it’s another stadium version, which should make things that much more interesting. The show has been well built up and we could be in for quite the night if things go as they have planned. We have six title matches and a major grudge match, the latter of which might be the most interesting thing on the show. Let’s get to it.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Bayley(c) vs. Nia Jax

We’ll start with what feels like the most obvious result, as Jax has been built up as the unstoppable force, while Bayley is the plucky champion who believes she can stop the monster. That’s a nice way to believe but it doesn’t feel like it is based in reality. Jax is being pushed as unbeatable right now and there is a good chance that it means we’ll be seeing a title change here.

Naturally I’ll go with Jax winning, as a mixture of WWE’s weird obsession with her and the fact that her cousin helps run the place does not bode well for Bayley’s chances. I could see Tiffany Stratton cashing in on Jax here, but it wouldn’t shock me to see it shut down. Either way, Bayley gets Annihilated and Jax gets to be the queen of everything, because that’s just what we have to see happen.

Intercontinental Title: Sami Zayn(c) vs. Bron Breakker

This is a rematch from last month at Money In The Bank where Zayn won in something of an upset. Now Breakker wants another shot on the bigger stage and has been wrecking people left and right on his way back to the title. In theory that should mean it is time for him to get the big win, but beating Zayn is one of those things that is often talked about but rarely happens.

I can’t imagine they’ll have Breakker lose at back to back pay per views though so I’ll say the title changes. Breakker is someone who feels like he could be one of the next big things around here and he is going to need a major win on the main roster do that. Beating Zayn in a major spot is a great way to go and there is no reason to believe that he loses again. Breakker wins here, as he should.

US Title: Logan Paul(c) vs. LA Knight

Here we have another weird situation as Paul is doing rather well in his role as champion but he doesn’t really have anything else to do. He already got his shot at Cody Rhodes and came up short, so there is no reason to go back there again. At the same time, Knight almost desperately needs to win a title, because he is long past the point where he has lost too much. That makes for an interesting situation, and there is pretty much only one way out.

Knight pretty much has to win here so we’ll go with that, even in Paul’s hometown. Paul is someone who has already firmly established himself as a big deal while Knight has always been the one who comes up short. Give him the win here and let him move up a bit, which is long overdue. The reign doesn’t even need to be long, but it needs to start at some point, which is what happens here as Knight wins.

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

Maybe I’m overthinking this, but the more I think about it, the more I think Priest might retain. The idea being Priest’s reign is that he is in over his head and should lose the title but then he just keeps hanging onto it. That hasn’t been a bad thing so far, though this isn’t quite the same kind of match. Gunther is a different animal, but there is one more thing that gives me caution.

In a pick I’m sure is going to be wrong, I’ll say Priest retains here, likely through Judgment Day shenanigans. For once that isn’t something the champion wants, leading to a rematch later this month in Berlin where Gunther gets the big win. You can screw Gunther over and turn him into more of a monster while Priest gets to further what should be a face turn and everything works. Or Gunther just smashes him and wins. I’ll say Priest wins, but not with the most confidence.

Raw Women’s Title: Liv Morgan(c) vs. Rhea Ripley

Here we have one of the more interesting matches on the card as it is all about the soap opera side. The question remains centered around Dominik Mysterio’s status, which seemed to shift in recent weeks. Now it seems that Mysterio and Ripley are fine and Morgan has been left out in the cold. That comes off as too simple to be true and we might see that this weekend.

I’m thinking that Mysterio officially turns on Ripley here to side with Morgan, allowing her to retain. At the same time it would not shock me to see Morgan drop Mysterio immediately because she just wanted to break him rather than wanting him for herself, but that would just be a bonus. While there is always the chance that Ripley crushes Morgan to get her title back, I’m thinking Morgan gets what she wants here while Ripley gets her heart broken instead.

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

This is the grudge match on the show and quite possibly the best thing on the entire card. These two cannot stand each other and have gone after the other for months but they have not been able to have an actual match. Hopefully everything goes well here on the health and safety side, because Punk’s next injury very well may be the last one of his career. Assuming he can stay healthy, he can keep going from here, which brings up the result.

I’m going with McIntyre here, even with Seth Rollins as guest referee. Punk has gotten the better of McIntyre too many times now and McIntyre can only get so angry at Punk anymore. McIntyre needs to win here, either with or without Rollins’ help, as there is almost guaranteed to be a rematch of some sort. This should be a great start though, and it will be very nice to have Punk back in the ring.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes(c) vs. Solo Sikoa

This match got a big boost on Smackdown as it is now under Bloodline Rules. That should help with making things a bit more suited to Sikoa, as I’m not sure how well he could have carried his half of a traditional main event. As has been the case elsewhere on the show, this doesn’t so much feel like the big event but rather a piece of a much larger story, which is due to one person.

I’ll take Rhodes to win here one way or another, as not only is it far too early for him to lose the belt, but it also could set up the return of Roman Reigns. Sikoa has hinted at Reigns’ return, and if Sikoa loses, Reigns can throw the “losses have consequences” line right back in his face. That’s the big step forward though, which is impressive when you consider that it’s likely to be the main event of Summerslam. But yeah, Rhodes wins and Reigns is back sooner than later to go after Sikoa.

Overall Thoughts

For a show that only has seven matches at the moment, they have doe a great job of making the show feel packed. There is a little bit of everything here and if the big stuff goes well, we could be in for an outstanding show. That is the hard part, but at least they have done a good job of setting the stage for success.

 

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Summerslam 2016
Date: August 21, 2016
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Attendance: 15,974
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Mauro Ranallo, David Otunga, John Bradshaw Layfield

A year has passed since I saw this show and I can barely remember much about it. That’s very telling when you look at how stacked this show really is. There are multiple top level matches here and it really wasn’t clear what was going to close the show until the night of the event. Hopefully that means that this SIX HOUR show holds up. Let’s get to it.

So here’s a quick plug. I’m going through the pre-show and there’s a three expert panel of Booker T., Jerry Lawler and Lita. Earlier this year, I met all three of them at WrestleCon. If you’re ever at a Wrestlemania weekend, treat yourself to an amazing time and GO TO WRESTLECON. I met over 120 wrestlers in about four hours. Where else are you going to get to do something like that? Anyway, on with the show.

Pre-Show: American Alpha/Hype Bros/Usos vs. Breezango/Ascension/Vaudevillains

Who would have thought that Breezango would be the most entertaining out of all these teams? This is pretty much the still titleless Smackdown tag division at this point as they had to bring in the Headbangers and throw together Heath Slater and Rhyno to be able to have a tournament. This is also a rematch from Smackdown, which shows how little effort they were putting into the tag division at this point.

Gable and Breeze start things and the fans are WAY into Gable. Chad twists around as only he can to escape a wristlock and it’s off to Jey, who is quickly driven into the corner. English comes in and says that he’s what a man is. That earns him a right hand to the jaw and it’s off to Mojo to work on a wristlock. Ryder comes in to quite the reaction as Mauro says the Hype Bros have more chemistry than the Periodic Table.

Everything breaks down (What took them so long?) and Ascension clears the ring, only to have American Alpha come off the top (the same corner) with double clotheslines (that’s pure Steiner Brothers). English posts Ryder though and we take a break. Back with Gotch putting Ryder in a chinlock, followed by Viktor doing the same. The other heels take turns stomping on Ryder until Breeze grabs his own chinlock. Fandango adds a slingshot legdrop as this is going WAY longer than it needs to.

JBL thinks cold beer uniting the APA is more effective than furry selfie sticks uniting Breezango but maybe he’s wrong. Ascension knocks the good guys off the apron but Viktor misses a charge in the corner, allowing Ryder to get in a neckbreaker on Konnor. The hot tag (with a limited reaction) brings in Jimmy to clean house.

Jordan gets the real hot tag and does his fired up sequence (which he really is awesome at) with a belly to belly getting two on Breeze. We hit the parade of secondary finishers as the referee is imploring them to tag. Mojo powerbombs Breeze and Viktor out of the corner and the Usos add stereo superkicks to set up stereo dives. Back in and Grand Amplitude plants Gotch, only to have Jey tag himself in for a Superfly Splash and the pin at 14:31. Gable is really not cool with that. Eh just wait until your team is split up for a pretty lame story where Jordan is Kurt Angle’s son.

Rating: B-. If you cut out a few minutes from this, it’s a heck of an opener. There are too many people in the match of course but they kept it moving fast enough (for the most part) to really get something fun out of it. Jordan’s house cleaning spot is a heck of a way to fire the crowd up and it made the match more fun than it should have been. Tweak this a bit (eight/ten man tag or shorten the match a bit) and it’s even better.

Pre-Show: Dudley Boyz vs. Sami Zayn/Neville

Sami works on D-Von’s arm to start and it’s off to Neville for more of the same. Both of them get in more shots as we hear about the rivalry over the NXT Title. I do appreciate the history, especially when Graves should know about that match very well. Bubba is sent outside but D-Von breaks up a springboard dive, allowing Bubba to nail Neville from behind to take over. The fans want tables but a back elbow to Neville’s jaw cuts them off in a hurry.

Back from a break with Bubba hitting his neckbreaker out of the corner. Things slow down even more as Bubba is talking even more than he usually does in a match. Bubba: “COME ON ENGLISH BOY! O-LAY! O-LAY!” The middle rope backsplash misses though and the hot tag brings in Sami. D-Von takes the Blue Thunder Bomb for two but the reverse 3D gets the same. Neville escapes the regular version though and we get some heel miscommunication. The Helluva Kick sets up the Red Arrow to put Bubba away at 7:55.

Rating: C-. That would be it for the Dudleys in WWE as they would have one more segment tomorrow night where Anderson and Gallows sent them packing. It’s also pretty much it for Sami and Neville as a team, which is quite odd as you would think they would be a fine choice for a team. The match was nothing you wouldn’t expect on Raw.

Pre-Show: Cesaro vs. Sheamus

You know, because two matches just weren’t enough for the pre-show. This is the first match of the Best of Seven Series, which really wasn’t too well received. After Cole says Cesaro is facing Cesaro and both Cole and Saxton say this is about establishing physical dominance, we’re ready to go. Sheamus misses a very early Brogue Kick but the spinning springboard uppercut is blocked as well.

Cesaro charges into an uppercut but comes back with a dropkick for one. The ten forearms to the chest are broken up so Sheamus clotheslines him onto the apron instead. It’s off to an armbar on Cesaro’s chronically taped up shoulder but Cesaro lifts him up into that kind of reverse Angle Slam of his. They’re certainly hitting each other hard here, which is pretty much the draw of the whole feud.

Sheamus hits a tilt-a-whirl slam and it’s off to a break. Back with Cesaro fighting out of a chinlock because that rule even applies on pre-shows that will never end. The Irish Curse gives Sheamus two as Cole runs down the pay per view card, which only makes me think that there are FAR too many titles in WWE. They fight over a suplex and fall out to the floor in a heap. Back in and Cesaro starts firing off the running uppercuts in the corner, capped off by a dropkick to knock him off the ropes.

The apron superplex (which wasn’t from the apron) gets two but Sheamus counters the Neutralizer into White Noise for two. There’s the super Regal Roll for two more and frustration is really setting in. Another Brogue Kick attempt is countered by one heck of a clothesline though and Cesaro adds a high crossbody for two of his own. Cesaro tries the Sharpshooter but Sheamus gets to the ropes. Back up and a poke to the eye sets up the Brogue Kick to give Sheamus the pin at 14:11.

Rating: B. They beat the heck out of each other and it was a fun match but it also brings up the problem: I’m not going to want to watch them fight six more times. No matter how good things are, having them happen so many times in a row over several weeks is going to get tiresome. It happens in all these series and it’s happening here too.

And now, after more wrestling than you get on an average Smackdown, here’s the actual pay per view.

The opening video looks at New York City, with the narrator telling you how AMAZING the city is. I’m not sure if New York City or Texas is worse about bragging about their home’s greatness. As usual, this switches over to a series of quick looks at the biggest matches on the card.

Enzo Amore/Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho/Kevin Owens

Well duh. That’s about as easy of a choice for an opener as you could ever find for this show. As you might expect, the crowd eats up the opening promo with a spoon and of course we hear a ton of New York City music references. Included are Frank Sinatra, Biggie Smalls and Jay-Z, plus more that probably go over my head. Cass adds in a few songs of his own as this is the only way this show could have opened. Since Graves is the best heel commentator in wrestling today though, he points out that Enzo is from New Jersey.

Jericho and Owens jump Enzo at the bell and the STUPID IDIOT chants start rolling. Enzo comes back with a crossbody and a running right hand to the jaw for two. It’s off to Cass, who drags Owens inside for a beal. That’s some scary power. Enzo gets launched into the corner to crush Jericho but the Canadians bail to the floor. That’s fine with Cass who tosses Enzo over the top onto them in a huge crash. I’ve always loved that spot as it just looks cool.

Back in and Enzo ax handles Owens but turns into a middle rope dropkick from Jericho. The Canadian violence begins with Owens kneeing Enzo from the apron and doing his dance on the apron in a rather funny visual. Owens’ comedic skills aren’t given enough credit more often than not. It’s back to Jericho for the Arrogant Cover and a chinlock with Owens telling Jericho to do it like he taught him.

Owens comes in and adds a gutbuster for two, followed by the running start for a chinlock. It takes real talent to turn a chinlock into an art form but Owens has somehow pulled it off. Enzo finally rolls away but Jericho is there to break up the diving tag attempt. Owens drops the frog splash for two and his stunned looked on the kickout is the usual awesome visual. Enzo gets pulled off the corner to make things even worse but, after blowing a kiss to Jericho, misses the Cannonball.

That means the hot tag to Cass and everything breaks down. Jericho dives into a big boot but Owens breaks up the Bada Boom Shaka Lacka. Cass gets posted on the floor and now the Cannonball against the barricade connects. Back in and Enzo scores with his top rope DDT on Jericho with Owens making the save. A pop up Codebreaker (didn’t look great as Jericho was too far away) ends Enzo at 12:09.

Rating: C+. Odd choice for an ending aside (not surprising of course but odd), this was a good way to get the crowd going. I could have gone for another hope spot from Enzo and more of Cass cleaning house but that pop up Codebreaker could have been a heck of a finisher if done right. Nice opener, though would it have killed them to put Enzo and Cass over in Brooklyn?

Smackdown bosses Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon run into Raw General Manager Mick Foley to brag about how awesome their shows are. Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart and his son come in to ask what Foley is thinking to work with Stephanie. He rants about abuse of power but realizes she’s right behind him. Stephanie yells at him about how great it is to abuse power but thankfully New Day comes up. As the Smackdown bosses and Foley much on cereal, New Day asks Jon if he’d like to do something. He gets out as fast as he can and Stephanie isn’t amused.

We recap Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks. Sasha won the Women’s Title on the first exclusive show after the Brand Split and tonight is the rematch. The other big idea here is Charlotte never loses singles matches on pay per view and Banks has to recreate the magic one more time.

Raw Women’s Title: Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte

Banks is defending and we get the Big Match Intros. Some early WOOing sets up a slightly less early Bank Statement but Charlotte bails to the floor. Back in and Banks climbs the corner for a wristdrag before sending Charlotte face first into the middle buckle. Banks gets caught on top though and Charlotte basically drops her onto the ropes for a backbreaker which almost had to hurt horribly. The fact that Banks had a bad back coming in and Charlotte still did some rather sloppy moves like that got her in some hot water.

We hit a Gory Stretch on the champ for a bit but she comes back with a pair of running clotheslines. That just earns her another backbreaker and Charlotte stomps away at the back. The Figure Eight is broken up but Sasha misses a charge into the corner and gets caught in the Tree of Woe. Charlotte picks her up for a super Razor’s Edge but since that would, you know, kill Sasha, she reverses into a hurricanrana to put them both down.

Back up and a WOO earns Charlotte a string of slaps before Sasha avoids a charge in the corner and hits the double knees to the back for two. Charlotte kicks her in the leg to break up a charge but gets knocked outside again, setting up the double knees from the apron. Back in and the Backstabber doesn’t work but Natural Selection is countered into the Bank Statement (thankfully too as the Natural Selection clearly didn’t send Sasha’s head anywhere near the mat).

Charlotte makes the rope for the break and takes out the knee again. Natural Selection gives Charlotte two so she yells about being better than Sasha. Another Bank Statement goes on but Charlotte reverses into a rollup for the pin and the title at 13:52. Saxton: “Just like that?”

Rating: B. This was just a straight match and that’s the key to the whole thing. The women are getting to show that they can have a good match without the smoke and mirrors, which never would have been the case otherwise. If nothing else it got the kind of time that a title match deserves to develop the story of Banks having a bad back (which would keep her on the shelf for about a month). Strong match here and another of many to come for these two.

Doctors Anderson and Gallows (oh man I had forgotten how stupid this was) run into AJ Styles for a Club reunion. Finn Balor comes up and doesn’t think much of it. Somehow, this has still never gone anywhere.

Intercontinental Title: Miz vs. Apollo Crews

Crews is defending after winning a triple threat match. Miz comes out wearing a glittery Phantom of the Opera mask while Maryse is basically in a one piece swimsuit. In a sign of the changing times, Mauro talks about Miz’s look instead of Maryse. Miz stomps away in the corner and gets two off a running kick to the chest. Crews gets the same off a rollup, only to walk into the short DDT as it’s almost all Miz to start. We’re already in the reverse chinlock before Miz sends him into the apron to cut off a comeback. Miz takes too long coming off the top though and dives into a dropkick to put both guys down.

A crossbody into a nipup has Miz in trouble as JBL rants about Otunga calling Crews a Jackrobat (jacked acrobat). The Toss Powerbomb is countered so Crews gets two off a tilt-a-whirl powerslam. An overhead belly to belly sets up a standing moonsault, which Otunga sums up perfectly: “A man with that kind of size and that kind of muscle should not be able to do that.” Miz teases taking a walk but Maryse cuts him off, allowing Miz to post Crews. The Skull Crushing Finale retains the title at 5:36.

Rating: D+. Standard Smackdown match and something that could have been cut, or at least put in the Kickoff Show in the place of the Dudleys match. Crews felt like an easy obstacle to overcome because there was nowhere near enough build to set the match up. Put some more effort into the title already people, as it’s just not working.

We recap John Cena vs. AJ Styles. They set up the first match when Styles and Cena were in the ring together, only to have Anderson and Gallows interfere to turn Styles heel. Styles went on a great rant about how Cena was a fraud who couldn’t hang in the ring with someone like him. Cena went into a great speech about how he’s here out of love because it never gets old. AJ beat him at Money in the Bank with assistance from Anderson and Gallows, setting up a rematch between the two here.

AJ Styles vs. John Cena

This just feels big. AJ grabs a waistlock to start but is easily knocked away. The announcers go out of the way to put over how AJ has been on big shows before but nothing this big. Oh I don’t know. I remember him being at that Wrestlemania thing earlier in the year. The dueling chants begin and the AJ STYLES side is pretty clearly stronger.

Cena’s headlock is countered and AJ scores with the dropkick but the bragging earns AJ a right to the jaw. A hard whip into the corner sends AJ down for a bit with Cena doing some rare trash talking. They head to the floor and the fans start belting out JOHN CENA SUCKS, only to have AJ turn it into some gasping with a suplex onto the apron. Cena is right back with a dropkick for two and it’s time for some more right hands to the head.

AJ comes back with a forearm to the face, earning himself Cena’s finishing sequence. It’s way too early for the AA though as AJ hits a Pele, followed by the Styles Clash for a close two. The fans were actually more into the near fall than I was expecting as you would think they’d know better this early. The AA gives Cena two of his own and both guys are down again.

Styles slips out of the super AA and grabs the torture rack for the spinout powerbomb. They’re trading bombs at this point and it’s the only way they should be going here. Something like a Big Ending gives Cena two but he can’t get the STF. Instead it’s the AA neckbreaker for two on Cena (not the same as the AA JBL) but the springboard 450 only hits mat.

A faceplant puts Cena down again though and AJ can’t follow up. He manages the springboard forearm but Cena reverses into the worst STF I’ve ever seen. Thankfully AJ slips out and grabs a Crossface, which Cena powers out of as well. That’s reversed into the Calf Crusher which AJ is smart enough to twist away from the ropes. Cena reverses that into another horrible STF (AJ’s face is on the mat) so AJ is quickly up with the enziguri. A tornado DDT plants AJ and there’s the top rope Fameasser for two.

Cena heads up again and gets taken down with a super hurricanrana (Mauro: “MAMA MIA!”), followed by the Phenomenal Forearm for a VERY near fall (drawing Mauro to his feet). It’s Cena’s turn now as he takes AJ up for the super AA and….it’s two. NOW the fans know it’s on as I don’t think anyone has ever kicked out of that before. Cena is stunned and the AA is countered into another Clash. The Phenomenal Forearm puts Cena away clean at 23:10.

Rating: A. I know it’s not going to sound good but a lot of this goes to Cena. At the end of the day, the crowd completely lost it when AJ kicked out of that super AA. AJ wins here not because he got a pin but because he beat Cena clean. That’s a very, VERY short list and that’s what makes it feel so important. Think back to how big of a deal it was when Warrior pinned Hogan clean. That felt like an era changing win, and while this isn’t quite that big, it’s the same idea.

Oh yeah and it’s an outstanding match and possibly the Match of the Year. This was the heavyweight slugfest formula as they beat the heck out of each other with both guys hitting everything they could until one of them couldn’t get up. That’s a really hard match to pull off and these two did it in an incredible match. It belonged on the grand stage and gives Cena one heck of a mountain to overcome, which he somehow did in a better match at the Royal Rumble.

Post match Cena takes off his wristband and leaves it in the ring. He would do dark matches for a few weeks and then be back wrestling on TV in less than a month so this didn’t mean anything.

Some fans won a contest and got some stuff. In other words, let the fans have a breather.

Here’s Jon Stewart for your celebrity appearance. He makes fun of himself for interfering in Cena’s match last year and says the big lesson he learned was to tuck your shirt in when you’re taking an AA. As for tonight though, he’s here to be in New Day’s corner to help deal with Anderson and Gallows. In honor of the moment, he throws on a unicorn horn and does Big E.’s (out injured due to getting crotched against the post) entrance.

Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. Anderson and Gallows

New Day is defending of course and unfortunately Anderson and Gallows are still doing their stupid doctor nonsense, complete with jars for Kofi, Xavier and Jon’s testicles. I hear Paige can help you with one of those. Anderson headlocks Kofi down to start but he’s right back up with the jumping back elbow to the jaw. Kofi flips onto his feet and gets two off the standing double stomp. You can tell the fans are still recovering from the previous match and it’s off to Woods.

That goes badly as the he gets taken into the corner for a beating from Gallows. At least it does bring the fans back a bit with the rhythmic clapping. Gallows gets taken into the corner for the Unicorn Stampede (which they’ve kind of stopped doing in recent months) and the fans are really not responding. Woods sends him outside so Kofi can hit a running dive (while posing in the air) to take him down again. Back in and Gallows kicks Kofi in the head to take over for real this time with Anderson working on the arm.

That goes nowhere as the hot tag brings in Woods to clean house. Anderson sends him to the apron for an enziguri, setting up the rope walk elbow drop. Everything breaks down and Anderson kicks Kofi in the chest, setting up the Magic Killer. Stewart gets in though and it’s time to crotch him as well. Hang on though as he has to tuck in his shirt first. Cue the returning Big E. for the save though and that’s a DQ at 9:09.

Rating: D. I don’t know if it was the previous match or what but sweet goodness the fans did NOT care for this one. It’s not a good match in the first place as Anderson and Gallows aren’t funny in the doctor roles, but the bigger problem here was the focus being on Stewart at the end. Oh and the ending sets up a rematch, which really isn’t what they need to be going with here. Bad match but Big E.’s return did wake up the crowd.

Big E. drinks the fluid in the jar holding his “testicles”. Stewart dances with New Day and the fans…well they care when Big E. dances at least.

We recap Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler. Dolph won a six way match to earn the shot and then it all went nuts. Ziggler started talking about how he was tired of being told that he always either too good or not good enough. It was time to turn up the jets and become champion for the third time. Serious Ziggler was nice but I don’t think anyone was buying him as having a real chance here. You know, because he’s Dolph Ziggler.

Smackdown World Title: Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose

Dean is defending and Shane and Daniel are here for no apparent reason. The fans are behind Ziggler and they trade some grappling on the mat with Ziggler getting the better of it (not exactly a surprise). The threat of a neckbreaker sends Ambrose bailing to the floor so Dolph splashes him against the barricade.

Back in and Ziggler’s jumping DDT is countered with Dean throwing him outside again. Ziggler escapes a super Dirty Deeds so Dean slaps on a half crab of all things. You can tell Dean is playing the subtle heel here as the smark crowd is always going to cheer for Ziggler. Dean heads up top and gets dropkicked out of the air but he’s right back with a double chickenwing facebuster.

Ambrose tunes up the band (which is now mocking Ziggler instead of anything involving Shawn Michaels) but shakes his head and tries Dirty Deeds instead. That’s reversed into the jumping DDT and both guys are down again. A double collision gives us another lay down period until Dean is up first and hammering away.

The top rope elbow gets two so Ziggler grabs the sleeper, earning them both a tumble out to the floor. Ziggler gets in the superkick on the floor but it’s barely two back inside. The Zig Zag gets the same but Dean pops back up with the rebound lariat. Ziggler catches Dean on top and pulls him back down, right into Dirty Deeds to retain the title at 15:22.

Rating: D+. And that people, is Ziggler choking again. This would lead to him saying he’s never won the big one, which would turn into him never holding the World Title that long because holding the title is more important than winning it. The match was nothing all that good as we were just waiting on Dirty Deeds, which only happened so Dean could keep it warm for AJ next month. That was completely obvious the second AJ pinned Cena again and that’s all this title needed to do.

Package on Summerslam weekend.

Natalya/Alexa Bliss/Eva Marie vs. Becky Lynch/Naomi/Carmella

Dang I didn’t know the Glow was a year old. Actually hang on a minute as Eva Marie is suffering from exhaustion, anxiety and stress (likely brought on by reading too many Wellness Violation messages, which meant she would never wrestle again) so we have a replacement. At least we got that amazing entrance one more time.

Natalya/Alexa Bliss/Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch/Naomi/Carmella

So yeah, you know full well that Nikki is going to be all that matters in this match because IT’S HER BIG COMEBACK THAT EVERYONE TOTALLY CARES ABOUT BECAUSE WE LOVE HER SO MUCH! She does get one heck of a pop though, which is rather scary. During her entrance, Mauro declares her return “miraculous”. Oh man this is going to be a long one.

Bliss rolls Becky up to start and gets in a hard slap for good measure. Naomi comes in to scare Alexa off so it’s Natalya instead. A forearm puts Natalya down and the splits legdrop gets two. Carmella comes in for the Staten Island Shuffle before a missed charge sends Natalya outside. Back in and a powerslam out of the corner plants Carmella before it’s off to Nikki, the heel, for a strong face pop.

We hit the chinlock but hang on as we need some Nikki pushups. Alexa chokeshoves Carmella down for the moonsault knees to the ribs as the crowd is dead all over again. The abdominal stretch keeps things slow until Carmella finally rolls over and makes the hot tag to Becky. All three heels are send into the corner for the springboard kicks from Lynch, followed by a Bexploder on Natalya.

Becky’s top rope legdrop gets two with Nikki making the save. A blind tag brings in Naomi for the dancing kicks with the fans just not reacting at all. Bliss’ springboard splash hits knees so it’s off to Nikki vs. Carmella. A bad looking Bronco Buster gets two on Nikki and everything breaks down. Nikki’s big forearm sets up the Rack Attack 2.0 (Nikki: “I’m back.”) for the pin at 11:16.

Rating: D. This was all about Nikki’s return and that’s not enough to carry a dull match. Naomi’s Glow stuff wasn’t over yet, Becky was stuck around people who weren’t up to her level and Carmella was showing that she didn’t need to be on the main roster yet. The same was true for Alexa and Natalya was her usual self. Just not a good match and it showed the lack of depth to the division.

We recap Rusev vs. Roman Reigns. Rusev and Lana were married and so Reigns interrupted for no apparent reason to insult them and shove them into a cake.

Maria Menunos interviews Rusev and Lana, who don’t like her questions about Reigns. They won’t stand for this and Lana is sure that her husband will destroy Reigns.

We recap the Universal Title match. Basically we need a new title due to the Brand Split and Universal Title was the best they could come up with. Seth Rollins was put into the match as Raw’s #1 draft pick and Finn Balor earned his way in by winning a series of matches. Not much else to it as there’s no major animosity between them but it’s better than pulling the title out of a suitcase.

Seth did get in a great promo talking about how he’s done everything Balor has done but he’s done it a little bit better. He’s not wrong, though that’s not the best thing to do when you have someone so new to the main roster. Then Balor showed up as the Demon and scared Rollins to death.

Universal Title: Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins

Anything goes and the title (which isn’t that well received due to a bad case of being hideous) is vacant coming in. Unless I’m forgetting something, to date this is the only time Balor has wrestled as the Demon on the main roster. We get the Big Match Intros and the title itself receives some hearty boos. Balor dropkicks him into the corner at the bell but it’s too early for the Coup de Grace.

Instead Balor hits a suicide dive to the floor, followed by some kicks to the knee back inside. They head outside again with Seth getting in his first offense via a suplex on the floor. Balor is right back with something like a Phenomenal Forearm off the barricade. Back in again and Balor hits a basement dropkick for two as this is almost one sided so far. Finn stays on the leg as the fans are singing something.

Balor jumps over the ropes but Rollins slides between his legs and powerbombs him into the barricade, completely destroying Balor’s shoulder and putting him on the shelf for the better part of eight months. We’re less than four minutes in though and you can see the shoulder looking all messed up. Back in and Seth gets two off a backbreaker, setting up a chinlock. The chants are still going and it sounds like THAT TITLE SUCKS to the tune of John Cena Sucks.

Seth starts the trash talk and cuts off a comeback attempt. A snapmare into a kick to the back has Finn in even more trouble but Seth would rather walk around than follow up. It’s back to the chinlock for a good while until the springboard knee to the head sets up Seth’s frog splash for two. What looks like a Rainmaker is countered into a DDT to give Balor his first major offense in a long time and he follows up with some forearms.

A basement dropkick sets up the Sling Blade but Seth kicks him down without much effort. An enziguri stuns Balor but he’s right back with the Pele, earning a very nice round of applause. If nothing else the chants about the title have stopped. 1916 (reverse implant DDT) gives Finn two but the Coup de Grace is countered into a triangle choke of all things. Finn falls outside because rope breaks don’t count (anything goes remember) and things slow down a bit.

Back in and the buckle bomb sets up the low superkick for two on Balor with Seth looking stunned on the kickout. A small package driver gets the same count and reaction so Seth goes up, allowing Balor to hit a very loud enziguri to put him on the floor. Balor adds a shotgun dropkick to send him into the barricade, followed by a top rope double stomp to the back of the head for two. The Coup de Grace misses and it’s a Pedigree for two. Finn counters a second Pedigree into a double stomp, followed by the Coup de Grace for the pin and the title at 19:23.

Rating: B+. When you factor in that shoulder injury, this is quite the impressive performance. Above all else though, how good is it that Balor won the title here? If he loses his first major pay per view match and then goes away until April, he’s lucky to come back to the cruiserweight division.

This was a heck of a match with both guys beating the heck out of each other. It took some time to get built up but once they finally got there, the fans really started to accept things, which is a very positive sign. Balor is someone who is going to get a very positive reaction no matter what and giving him the title here was entirely the right call.

Balor can barely move his right arm after the match but finally holds the title up. On his WWE 24 special, he said you could feel and hear the shoulder crunching and crackling as he lifted the title and it probably did more damage to the arm.

The pre-show channel chats a bit and throws us to a KFC ad with Dolph Ziggler dressing up as Colonel Sanders to beat up Miz dressed as a chicken. It’s actually dumber than you remember it being.

Here’s Lana to introduce Rusev, albeit while wearing half of a wedding dress, the bottom of which looks like a diaper. She’s one of the most beautiful women on the roster but she looks ridiculous here.

US Title: Rusev vs. Roman Reigns

Roman is challenging and the booing is strong with this one. Rusev jumps him before the bell and they fight out to the floor with Roman being sent into the steps. The fans chant RUSEV MACHKA because they’ve given up on America over their hatred for Reigns. Roman gets in a Superman Punch as the bell hasn’t rung yet. They fight over a chair with Reigns getting the better of it and destroying Rusev. Reigns finally leaves but comes back with a spear, all while the fans chant WE WANT SLATER. No match of course, likely due to time issues.

We recap Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar. This match was announced as Orton’s return match from surgery and the build focused on Orton being able to hit the RKO anytime, including a sweet moment where Orton interrupted a Lesnar promo with an RKO. The hype video even includes some OVW clips as they came up through developmental together and debuted within a few months of each other. This had a heck of a build and felt like something important but the question was whether Lesnar would have an actual match or just do his usual Lesnar stuff.

Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar

Heyman handles Lesnar’s introduction, saying he’s conquering out of the University of Suplex City. Brock seems to get into his MMA stance to start before driving Orton into the corner for the shoulders to the ribs. Orton escapes the first German suplex attempt but can’t hit the RKO.

Now the first suplex connects (with Mauro knowing that it’s the 33^rd Lesnar has hit at Summerslam because he’s awesome that way) and Brock follows with two more. Orton is almost out on his feet so Lesnar suplexes him again. It’s nothing but suplexes at this point and it’s already getting dull. They head outside for a much needed change of pace with Orton being thrown over the announcers’ table.

Orton gets thrown from the front row through the table as this is dominance. The other table is loaded up but whatever Lesnar is trying is countered into the RKO onto (not through) the table. The hanging DDT plants Lesnar back inside and another RKO gets two. Orton realizes he has no choice and tries the Punt, only to have it reversed into the F5 (bad one) for two more.

That’s enough for Lesnar so he takes off the gloves and pads and hammers on Orton. An elbow to the head actually busts Orton open VERY badly. Lesnar just keeps hammering on him while the fans chant GOLDBERG until the referee FINALLY stops it at 11:47. I’ve heard a bunch of answers about what happened but I believe this was the planned ending and a hard way opening.

Rating: D. Yeah this didn’t work when it happened and it didn’t work again this time around. Lesnar suplexing Orton for five minutes then selling a few big moves doesn’t make me think it’s an awesome main event. This was everything wrong with Lesnar’s current WWE run in one match and that made for a really dull match, save for the odd finish that seemed designed to protect Orton. You know, after he was basically squashed.

Lesnar keeps hammering on him until the always intimidating Shane McMahon comes out, earning himself an F5 (which thankfully didn’t lead anywhere). Heyman panics as they leave to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. If you cut an hour (or more) out of this, it’s bordering on the classic level. As it is, this is just a good show that runs WAY too long. At some point you have to cut something out and WWE just refuses to do that. Cut out the Dudleys match or the women’s tag and give us some breathing room here because sweet goodness this show could use it.

Now that being said, there’s some outstanding stuff on here with the Styles vs. Cena match as an instant classic, the Women’s Title being very good, a great Universal Title match and really only the Tag Team Title match being without much value. The show is certainly good and the positives outweigh the negatives but unless the show is a masterpiece, fans are going to start losing interest near the end. It’s a solid show but cut out a good forty minutes to really make it great.

Ratings Comparison

American Alpha/Hype Bros/Usos vs. Breezango/Ascension/Vaudevillains

Original: C

2017 Redo: B-

Dudley Boyz vs. Neville/Sami Zayn

Original: C

2017 Redo: C-

Sheamus vs. Cesaro

Original: B-

2017 Redo: B

Chris Jericho/Kevin Owens vs. Enzo Amore/Big Cass

Original: C+

2017 Redo: C+

Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte

Original: B

2017 Redo: B

Miz vs. Apollo Crews

Original: C

2017 Redo: D+

John Cena vs. AJ Styles

Original: A

2017 Redo: A

New Day vs. Anderson and Gallows

Original: D+

2017 Redo: D

Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose

Original: B-

2017 Redo: D+

Natalya/Alexa Bliss/Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch/Naomi/Carmella

Original: C

2017 Redo: D

Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins

Original: B+

2017 Redo: D+

Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton

Original: C+

2017 Redo: D

Overall Rating

Original: B

2017 Redo: B-

That’s quite the drop on Ambrose vs. Ziggler and Lesnar vs. Orton. Some of them are spot on though and that’s not the biggest surprise.

Here’s the original review if you’re interested:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2016/08/21/summerslam-2016-they-didnt/

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

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

AND

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: July 29, 2024
Location: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s the last Raw before Summerslam and that means it is probably time to firm everything up before the show. While there is a chance that we could see another match or two added, this week is probably going to be focused on things already set up. In particular, Seth Rollins will give the official referee instructions to CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Seth Rollins in his referee gear (even his boots have stripes) for the official instructions to CM Punk and Drew McIntyre (“these two morons”). Punk and McIntyre come out and, according to Adam Pearce, any physical contact means the match is off. That makes Punk head to the floor, because he doesn’t trust himself. Rollins tells him to get back in the ring so Punk says enjoy being able to lord his authority over him while he can. McIntyre likes this but Rollins says he hates both of them.

The only rule is that he runs everything. Countouts will go as long as he wants and DQ’s are at his discretion. Punk hopes Rollins referees better than he dressed, but he doesn’t want Rollins’ help at all. McIntyre says he hates everything about Punk and Rollins is going to have to stop it because McIntyre will never want to stop hurting Punk. And it’s in a stadium so he’ll get paid a fortune to do something he would do for free!

Punk talks about how the fans chanted his name while he was gone for ten years. The best thing McIntyre did was hurt Punk but the worst thing he ever did was hurt Punk because he keeps dumbing himself out of position. Punk isn’t as big or strong as McIntyre but he has heart, which will be on display at Summerslam. They to face to face and McIntyre even has the bracelet to keep it personal. This was the big final push to the match, but I do like the explanation for why it is going to be more physical without officially making it a street fight or something.

Liv Morgan has wrecked the Judgment Day clubhouse. Rhea Ripley wants them to focus…but why is Carlito still here? Post break, the team regroups and Carlito is going to take care of Sami Zayn.

Creed Brothers vs. Akira Tozawa/Otis

Chad Gable and Maxxine Dupri are here too and we actually hear about the Creeds appearing in Bloodsport over the weekend. Otis fights out of the corner to start and it’s off to Tozawa for a kick to Brutus’ head. A suicide dive drops Brutus but he gets in his own clothesline as we take a break. Back with Otis sending Julius into the corner and hitting a World’s Strongest Slam. The Caterpillar connects but Gable’s distraction lets the Creeds hit a double belly to back suplex for the win at 7:45.

Rating: C. So Otis is getting more and more popular after splitting from Gable and he is getting a strong reaction here but takes the fall anyway. I’m not sure why you would do that when you have Tozawa right there, but he was basically gone for the second half of the match anyway. Granted it doesn’t really matter when the Wyatts are going to be the bigger story, but Otis didn’t need to take the loss.

Post match the beatdown is on but Maxxine Dupri slaps Gable. Dupri hides in the corner but we’ve got Wyatts. The team shows up and, after taking off the masks, clear out the Creeds. Gable runs as well but has to avoid Uncle Howdy in the entrance.

Carlito has dealt with Sami Zayn…by getting him a match with Dominik Mysterio. Rhea Ripley says that means Carlito can deal with Jey Uso, on his own.

Sheamus vs. Bronson Reed

They slug it out to start with Sheamus knocking him to the floor and hitting a top rope clothesline. Reed knocks him over the announcers’ table though and we take a break. Back with Sheamus hitting a bunch of standing clotheslines until a running knee gets two. Reed’s Death Valley Driver gets the same so he goes up, only to get pulled down with a super White Noise. Sheamus hits the 16 forearms to the chest but cue Pete Dunne with a shillelagh to knock Sheamus silly. The Tsunami gives Reed the pin at 9:57.

Rating: B-. That’s a good way to go with Reed finally getting a nice win. That has been missing from his resume for the last few weeks and even though it came with an assist, it’s better than taking another loss. As for the match itself, they had the kind of hoss fight that you would expect them to have and that always works. Good match here.

Damian Priest talks about having to earn everything he has while Gunther was given everything he wanted. Priest fought for everything he got and now he’s willing to fight for everything he has. This was a much more traditional “talk to the camera” promo and it worked well for Priest as they’ve turned this into a match I want to see.

Bron Breakker respects Sami Zayn but now he’s seeing Zayn as a stand up comic. Zayn is already preparing for a life after WWE and after losing to Breakker. That’s why the joke is on Zayn and the Intercontinental Title is on Breakker.

Jey Uso vs. Carlito

Uso wastes no time in knocking him down for an early two and Carlito is sent outside for an early dive. A missed charge goes into the post though and Carlito grabs a neckbreaker as we take a break. Back with Carlito missing a charge into the corner, allowing Uso to hit the jumping enziguri. Uso knocks him down again and hits the spear for the pin at 7:47.

Rating: C. Not much to this one as Carlito is only going to be so much of a threat to any bigger names. It gave Uso a win to keep up his battle against Judgment Day, though I’m not sure how that is supposed to go anywhere. It’s also almost nice to see the match end without any shenanigans, as sometimes you just need a clean win.

Zelina Vega is glad Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark and Sonya Deville attacked her as it served as a wakeup call. Then the three of them jump her again.

Miz announces that he will be the host of Summerslam, which is in his hometown of Cleveland. R-Truth comes in to think that Miz is hosting the show at his own house. An hors d’oeuvre discussion ensues.

We look at the recent Japan tour.

Xavier Woods vs. Karrion Kross

Woods is on his own while Kross has the rest of the Final Testament. Hold on though as Kross says that it’s interesting that Kofi Kingston “re-injured his shoulder” during the Japan tour when the spotlight is on Woods for the first time. He wants Woods to join the team right now and admit that the Power Of Positivity was a lie. Woods hits him in the face to start fast instead and we take an early break.

Back with Woods fighting out of a chinlock but getting knocked back down for two. Woods fights up but gets punched in the face by Rezar. The Final Prayer is broken up and Woods hits a superkick, only to go after the AOP. The Limit Breaker misses as a result and Kross hits the Final Prayer for the win at 6:23. Not enough shown to rate but they got a good deal in.

Jesse Ventura was backstage earlier today and met with HHH. That’s just great to see.

Sami Zayn did a comedy show the night before Money In The Bank and he beat Bron Breakker anyway. He’ll just do it again at Summerslam, but this time it’s about taking Breakker out rather than teaching a lesson.

Liv Morgan burns a bunch of Dominik Mysterio stuff and promises to complete the revenge tour at Summerslam.

Sami Zayn vs. Dominik Mysterio

Non-title. Dominik hammers away to start but Zayn punches his way out of the corner. They head outside where Zayn hits the Arabian moonsault as we take an early break. Back with Zayn fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a clothesline. Dominik’s Three Amigos connect but the frog splash misses. Zayn exploders him into the corner but cue JD McDonagh and Carlito for a distraction and then the DQ at 8:15.

Rating: C+. The DQ was the right way to go here as you can’t have the champion take a fall before he’s coming up on an unrelated title match. At the same time, you don’t want to have Dominik look weak before he’s going to be a centerpiece of a title match of his own on Saturday. The match was just a bit better than ok, but they didn’t have the time to really go anywhere.

Post match the beatdown is on when Jey Uso makes the save. Cue Bron Breakker to go after Zayn, who suplexes him into the corner. Breakker bails before the Helluva Kick can connect.

We get another Wyatt Sicks interview, this time focusing on Dexter Lumis, who says people should run when the buzzards stop circling.

Chad Gable and the Creeds get a match against the Wyatt Sicks next week.

Lyra Valkyria/Kayden Carter/Katana Chance vs. Shayna Baszler/Zoey Stark/Sonya Deville

Valkyria and Deville start things off with Valkyria slipping between the legs and hammering away. Stark comes in and gets taken down into a wristlock. The villains are sent outside and we take a break. Back with Valkyria getting stomped down in the corner but managing to get over for the tag off to Carter. Everything breaks down and Valkyria hits a gutwrench powerbomb, only to have the After Party broken up. Stark gives Carter the Z360 for the pin at 8:35.

Rating: C. This went as it should have, with Valkyria not taking the fall as the villains get a nice boost. The team is starting to get a little somewhere and hopefully they get the chance to change the division up a bit. I’m not sure where that’s going since none of them are going to go after Liv Morgan or Rhea Ripley, but at least Valkyria didn’t take the fall.

Post match Damage CTRL comes in to beat up the villains. Oh yeah. That’s who they could fight.

Gunther talks about how Damian Priest is a weird man who is using his childhood trauma as an excuse. Tonight, Gunther is facing Finn Balor and wants to see if there is any of the great wrestler left in there.

Damage CTRL says they’re back, with Dakota Kai wanting Shayna Baszler next week.

Judgment Day gives Finn Balor a pep talk.

Gunther vs. Finn Balor

Somehow this is their first singles match. Balor tries to chop away but Gunther shows him how it’s done. The powerbomb is blocked so Balor stomps away, only to get booted in the face. We take a break and come back with Gunther’s belly to back suplex getting two. The Boston crab goes on, with Balor reaching over to make the rope.

Gunther chops him again and tries a belly to back superplex, only to be reversed into a crossbody. Balor’s Sling Blade is countered into a choke but he reverses the powerbomb into a DDT. They chop it out and now the Sling Blade can connect for Balor. The Coup de Grace misses though and Gunther is back with the sleeper. Now the powerbomb can connect for two and the sleeper goes on again…and Balor is out at 12:06.

Rating: B-. This felt like a big time match but the ending was a bit of a surprise. You don’t often see someone win a match with a sleeper, but it does continue Gunther’s trend of finishing with whatever is appropriate at the time. Balor put up a fight before falling here, which makes Gunther look strong on the way to Cleveland.

Post match Gunther goes after Balor again but Damian Priest runs in for the brawl. Gunther gets knocked to the floor and over the barricade to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a tricky show as they didn’t add much of anything new to Summerslam and the wrestling here was only so good. The Priest/Gunther stuff was good and the midcard feuds got some attention, but this was another show that you could have skipped without missing much. Summerslam is what matters, but there was only so much of interest here.

Results
Creed Brothers b. Akira Tozawa/Otis – Double belly to back suplex
Bronson Reed b. Sheamus – Tsunami
Jey Uso b. Carlito – Spear
Karrion Kross b. Xavier Woods – Final Testament
Sami Zayn b. Dominik Mysterio via DQ when Carlito and JD McDonagh interfered
Shayna Baszler/Zoey Stark/Sonya Deville b. Lyra Valkyria/Kayden Carter/Katana Chance – Z360 to Chance
Gunther b. Finn Balor – Sleeper

 

 

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

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

AND

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

 

Monday Night Raw
Date: July 22, 2024
Location: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

We are less than two weeks away from Summerslam and if the card isn’t set, you can see a lot of the matches coming together. We might get something big this week as CM Punk is back and might get to make an announcement involving his future. Other than that, Rhea Ripley is wanting to get her hands on Liv Morgan so let’s get to it.

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

Commentary runs down what we’ll be seeing.

Here is Gunther to get things going and the fans are NOT happy to see him. He took some time to think about what he said to Damian Priest last week and….he meant that every single person here is a bum! Why is he out here first rather than Priest? It’s because Priest isn’t up to this level. There is a saying in German: show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are.

Gunther judges Judgment Day as street trash so Priest has one more chance to come out here and give Gunther the title. Cue Priest who hits Gunther in the face to start the brawl. Security comes in and as usual, are completely ineffective at their jobs. They’re turning this into a grudge match and that is a smart way to go as I want to see these two fight.

Post break and Priest jumps Gunther again backstage with Priest getting the better of things before it is broken up.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Bron Breakker

For the Intercontinental Title shot at Summerslam. Breakker starts fast and knocks him outside but Dragunov scores with a running knee back inside. They head to the apron to slug it out and fight over a suplex until Dragunov is dropped ribs first onto the top of the post for a nasty crash.

We take a break and come back with Breakker holding a bearhug to stay on the ribs. A gutbuster gives Breakker two but Dragunov reverses a powerbomb into a DDT for a breather. Dragunov hits a running knee to the ribs in the corner and manages a powerbomb. With Dragunov up top, Breakker jumps up and snaps off the super Frankensteiner….a name which Cole thinks McAfee invented on the spot.

Breakker goes up but gets superplexed down, setting up the H Bomb to leave him down. They go to the apron where Breakker hits a Death Valley Driver to really rock Breakker. Not that it matters as Breakker spears him out of the air, sending Dragunov head first into the apron. That’s enough for the referee to call it for Breakker at 13:07.

Rating: B. I liked the ending a lot here as it made Breakker look like a killer without having Dragunov take another pin. It’s hard to imagine that Breakker doesn’t get the title at Summerslam, as there is little to no reason to not change it over at this point. Dragunov very well may be waiting in the rings for Breakker, but for now we have the Summerslam title match set, as we should.

Rhea Ripley gives Judgment Day a pep talk but Dominik Mysterio isn’t sure why she said yeet to Jey Uso. She’s just playing around, but Finn Balor wants Dominik to take care of Uso.

Adam Pearce and Drew McIntyre shake hands.

Damian Priest and Gunther have been ejected.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Sonya Deville

Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark are here too. Deville takes her down to start but Valkyria is back up with some shoulders in the corner. Valkyria is sent outside but seems to have hurt her ribs as we take a break. Back with Valkyria striking away and getting two off a bridging suplex. A gutwrench powerbomb gets two and it’s time for everyone to brawl on the floor. The distraction lets Deville hit the Deville’s Advocate for the pin at 8:06.

Rating: C. I’m starting to get worried about Valkyria as she came in feeling special but is turning into just another member of the pack. She’s far from a lost cause, but putting her with a team who doesn’t have the best success rate isn’t helping. Hopefully she can turn it around because she feels like a rather strong prospect.

This week’s Wyatt Sicks video is about Nikki Cross, with Uncle Howdy telling her to look at herself, earning a loud scream.

Here is CM Punk for a chat. Punk says we’re in Green Bay and his shoes are pink so let’s turn both of them red with the blood of a Scotsman. The reality is he is medically cleared so let’s do this right now. Punk tapes up his fists and here is McIntyre who says he doesn’t want to. Punk: “Well I do.”

Security cuts it off so McIntyre holds up Punk’s bracelet. Cue Adam Pearce to say the match is on for Summerslam but they can’t fight until then, and if they do, the match is off. Pearce says he has a referee problem….so here is Seth Rollins, who shakes Pearce’s hand. Rollins says he’s here to solve the problem because he is going to be the guest referee between these two at Summerslam. That is a great way to go, as Punk vs. McIntyre has been the hottest feud for a good while. I don’t know if they need Rollins there at first, but I’ll absolutely take this over another triple threat.

Judgment Day is off to find Jey Uso when Liv Morgan flags Dominik Mysterio down. She says don’t worry about Rhea Ripley and here is Finn Balor to say he can’t leave Dominik alone for ten seconds.

Sami Zayn is taking Bron Breakker seriously but tells him to not make the same mistake at Money In The Bank. As he’s talking, he sees Judgment Day jumping Jey Uso and runs over for the save.

Otis/Xavier Woods/Akira Tozawa vs. Final Testament

Maxxine Dupri and the rest of the team are here too. Woods chops away at Rezar in the corner to start but gets dropped with the straight power. Akam comes in and gets kicked to the floor by Tozawa, who hits a suicide dive as we take a break. Back with Akam elbowing Tozawa in the face for two and it’s off to Kross, who launches him with a release F5. Tozawa manages to roll away though and it’s off to Otis to clean house, including the Caterpillar to Akam. Everything breaks down and Woods comes in with a missile dropkick, only to get caught in Kross’ Final Prayer for the pin at 8:36.

Rating: C+. The fans went coconuts for Otis but this whole Final Testament vs. Woods thing wasn’t interesting when Kofi Kingston was around and this isn’t making it much better. The Testament just isn’t interesting and giving them wins like this isn’t doing much good. I’m not sure what else there is for them to do, and that’s not a good sign for anyone.

Post match here are Chad Gable and the Creed Brothers for a chat. Post break the three of them are in the ring with the former Alpha Academy, who have already lost their first match back together without Gable. He gives them a chance to join the team for one night only, which could also keep them safe from the Wyatt Sicks. Otis turns them down again so the Creeds lay out Otis and Tozawa. The Creeds post Otis and send him into the apron….and we’ve got Wyatts. They pop up on the stage, save for Uncle Howdy, who hits Sister Abigail on Gable in the ring.

Pete Dunne vs. Bronson Reed

And never mind as Sheamus runs in and beats them both up. No match.

Rhea Ripley yells at Judgment Day for not taking care of Jey Uso. A tag match is on for tonight and next week it’s Gunther vs. Finn Balor. Ripley doesn’t like hearing that Liv Morgan was around Dominik Mysterio though so they’re going to the ring.

Sheamus is happy to have a pint with Pete Dunne and talk out whatever is going on, or they can deal with it in the ring if he’d prefer a banger.

Rhea Ripley drags Dominik Mysterio to the ring and says if Liv Morgan wants him, come get him. Morgan pops up in the crowd to say she can wait for Summerslam. Morgan says she and Dominik have feelings for each other but the reality is men like Dominik don’t wind up with women who look like Ripley. Dominik holds Ripley back and yells at Morgan that he can’t stand her because she ruined his life. Ripley licks his face in approval.

We look at the Damian Priest vs. Gunther brawl again.

Here is Zelina Vega, with her arm taped up, for a chat before her match. She is tired of being underestimated so it’s time to shut people up.

Happy Birthday Shawn Michaels.

Zelina Vega vs. Zoey Stark

Sonya Deville and Shayna Baszler are here too. Vega slugs away to start but Stark goes after the bad arm to cut that off in a hurry. A spinning elbow gets Vega out of trouble for a second but Stark snaps the bad arm over the rope. We take a break and come back with Stark hitting a springboard missile dropkick for two. The armbar is broken up in a hurry though and Vega enziguris her into a DDT. A moonsault gives Vega two but Baszler trips her up. Cue Lyra Valkyria/Katana Chance/Kayden Carter to brawl with the villains, allowing Vega to get in a cast shot. Code Red finishes Stark at 8:48.

Rating: C. Nothing much to this one as the new evil gets knocked back a bit. I can go for more of Vega, as she has an energy to her matches that make you want to see her out there more. That isn’t something you get very often and it worked well enough here, evil with her being banged up.

Xavier Woods demands and receives a match against Karrion Kross next week. Drew McIntyre comes in to complain about CM Punk but Adam Pearce doesn’t have time for it.

Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre are going to be on Smackdown to address their next challengers. Sonya Deville and company come in to say they’ll be the next challengers, but the champs aren’t convinced.

Video on Gunther.

Judgment Day vs. Jey Uso/Sami Zayn

Non-title, Dominik Mysterio and Carlito are here too and Uso/Zayn come in though the crowd. Uso knocks Balor into the corner to start and snaps off a jumping enziguri. Zayn comes in and gets taken into the corner, where McDonagh sends him face first into the buckle. Back up and Zayn sends both of them outside for the Arabian Moonsault but Carlito gets in a posting as we take a break.

We come back with Balor stomping on Zayn in the corner so McDonagh can get two. Balor’s elbow to the head gets two but Zayn manages a Blue Thunder Bomb. Uso comes in and gets to clean house, only to get dropped with a Sling Blade. McDonagh drops a springboard moonsault for two but Balor gets superkicked out of the apron for a needed breather.

The double tag brings in Zayn to suplex McDonagh into the corner. Mysterio’s distraction lets McDonagh grab a Spanish Fly for two as the fans find this awesome. Everything breaks down and Balor is sent outside for a dive. The Helluva Kick into the Superfly Splash finishes McDonagh at 16:20.

Rating: B. They weren’t wrong about the awesome part as this turned into a pretty awesome match. In theory this should set up a rematch for the titles, though if Balor is facing Gunther next week, it might take some time to get there. I’m not sure I get why the champions had to lose at this point, but maybe they can get a title match in somehow before Summerslam so that won’t be a distraction.

Bron Breakker runs in to spear Zayn in half to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This show had good action and did some solid work on the way to Summerslam. You had two matches officially set up and some important development for things already in place. The Gunther/Priest brawl was a hot opener and Ripley/Morgan/Dominik is still a blast. I had a really good time with this show, which took them a lot closer to a great Summerslam.

Results
Bron Breakker b. Ilja Dragunov via referee stoppage
Sonya Deville b. Lyra Valkyria – Deville’s Advocate
Final Testament b. Xavier Woods/Otis/Akira Tozawa – Final Prayer to Woods
Zelina Vega b. Zoey Stark – Code Red
Jey Uso/Sami Zayn b. Judgment Day – Superfly Splash to McDonagh

 

 

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

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

AND

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