Smackdown
Date: July 31, 2026
Location: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’ll wrap up the build to Summerslam with the last show before Summerslam Night One and the next to last show before Summerslam Night Two. That is likely going to mean a big push towards CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes, which will serve as the Smackdown main event. Other than that, we have a winner take all double Tag Team Title match. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Finn Balor to get things going. Around this time of the year, he always thinks about 2016 because it was the peak of his career, but the next day, he was right back to the lowest. Now it’s ten years later and he is close to getting back to the top. This brings out Sami Zayn, who respects Balor but knows he should be in the main event instead.

Zayn calls out a fan’s sign saying he wanted CM Punk to retain because Punk is now just a corporate poster boy. He wants to take the title from someone who stole it from him but Balor wants Zayn to come say something face to face. That brings Zayn to the ring and while he respects Balor, this is a lot bigger than him. Balor brings up trying to get back here for ten years, with Zayn responding that if it took ten years, maybe he should take the hint.

Balor points out that it took Zayn ten years to get to the title and he never gave up. Zayn isn’t going to fight him though because he’s a good guy. Instead here’s Gunther to jump both of them because he is the rightful #1 contender. Cue Adam Pearce, with Gunther asking what he needs to do to get what is rightfully his.

Balor and Zayn are up to go after Gunther but he fights right back against the two of them. Cue Nick Aldis to go after Gunther and even get him in a quick King’s Lynn Cloverleaf. Balor and Zayn needed something like this to set up their match, which kind of came out of nowhere last week. Aldis looked good out here and Summerslam should be a hit.

Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green vs. B-Fab/Michin

Jade Cargill is here too and B-Fab starts with Stratton. A quick dropkick puts B-Fab in the ropes and it’s off to Green to take over as we take an early break. We come back with Stratton and Michin coming back in so the former can clean house. The Swanton gives Stratton two and everything breaks down, with Cargill posting Stratton. Green is back in with a missile dropkick to Michin but the Unprettier is broken up. The BTA finishes Green at 6:51.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but the ending worked well, with Stratton being a wrecking ball until Cargill cut her off. The match was a surprising win for the Baddies, as they typically are just there to make other people look good. At least Stratton and Green are seemingly having fun together, which is something for Stratton to do for the time being. It worked for Charlotte and Alexa Bliss.

Speaking of Charlotte, here she is to go after Cargill as the other four brawl off.

Fraxiom and Rey Fenix are here and run into Judgment Day. Fenix vs. JD McDonagh is set for tonight.

The Tongas talk about being too obsessed with doing Solo Sikoa’s issues and ignoring what they were supposed to be doing. This brings in HAKU, their father, who wants his sons to remember who they are. Well that was an amazing cameo.

Tag Team Titles/AAA Tag Team Titles: Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. War Raiders

Titles for titles. Priest and Erik slug it out to start and R-Truth is back in for a crossbody/Lie Detector combination. That earns R-Truth a trip to the floor and a big knee to the face knocks him silly. Ivar crushes R-Truth against the barricade and we take an early break. We come back with a pop up powerslam planting R-Truth. The referee gets shoved down by the Raiders so Priest comes in…and shoves him down too, which is a double DQ at 6:06. Not enough shown to rate but this was pretty much nothing, with the whole thing feeling like “we gave you the match and that’s enough”.

Post match the brawl goes into the crowd but the Tongas show up to wreck both of them. They hold up all four belts and Haku appears to approve.

We look at CM Punk and Cody Rhodes almost getting into a fight at a house show last night.

Punk knows that he and Rhodes have been friends for a long time but now it’s time to fight, whether he’s a friend or not. Trick Williams comes in to say he’s coming for the title and Punk likes that idea. But he’ll beat Williams anyway.

Nick Aldis talks about how his first dream was to be a wrestler and we hear about some of his time in the ring, including a look at some of his success in TNA (and he did have quite a bit). Then he was offered the chance to be GM of Smackdown and he was ready to give it his all. Then along came Gunther, and now he’s going to be a wrestler again. Good, intense promo here that also showed fans something they might not have known about Aldis before.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He isn’t happy with Baron Corbin coming back with a shaved head all polished up, looking like a “big a** Tommy Pickles”. Williams wants and receives Corbin out here right now, with Corbin promising to make Williams feel like he’s in quicksand. Williams says they both know Corbin isn’t doing anything so he wants the fight right now. And that’s a no, of course.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar in the Cell.

Summerslam rundown.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Rey Fenix vs. JD McDonagh

Fenix is defending and starts with an early wristdrag. The threat of a kick to the face sends McDonagh outside so Dominik Mysterio offers a quick distraction. Fenix misses a dive and gets taken out with an Asai moonsault as we take an early break. We come back with Fenix ducking a shot to the head and grabbing a Death Valley Driver for two.

Fenix strikes away and hits a handspring cutter but charges into a Spanish Fly. Mysterio’s distraction lets McDonagh crotch Fenix on top and that’s an ejection. This brings out Danhausen to load up the Curse so Mysterio jumps him…and is promptly destroyed by the Minihausens. The distraction lets Fenix kick him in the head, setting up the Mexican MuscleBuster to retain at 10:31.

Rating: C+. I still don’t really see the need for another promotion’s Cruiserweight Title on this show but it’s a good enough way to fill in some time. At the same time, it was at least somewhat just background noise for the Danhausen/Mysterio stuff. Good match of course, but the AAA stuff is only so interesting outside of AAA.

Long video on Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns. All this really did was show how much Reigns has destroyed him on the microphone in recent weeks.

Women’s US Title Ladder Qualifying Match: Lash Legend vs. Giulia

Legend misses the pump kick to start but Legend catches her in something close to an Air Raid Crash. Giulia’s running knee gets two and she spins into a guillotine. That’s broken up and the Lash Extension finishes for Legend at 2:00. What in the name of GiveDivasAChance was that?

We get a quick video on CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes.

Here is Rhodes for the big final speech but Punk interrupts, patting Rhodes on top of the head on the way to the ring. Punk brings up the (accidental) elbow to the face at last night’s house show but Rhodes suggests that Punk getting a title shot in Chicago was quite the lucky situation.

After hitting his catchphrase, Punk says he isn’t about to say no and talk like a bench player like Sami Zayn who thinks he’s a starter. If he’s offered a title shot in Chicago, of course he’s going to take it. For Summerslam though, Punk has to know who the better wrestler is. You know, for business purposes.

Rhodes hits his own catchphrase and talks about the meaning of the title Punk is wearing. He brings up Punk’s line about being here to make money instead of friends. Punk says it might not be a good Saturday for Rhodes when it comes to losing a friend. Rhodes doesn’t want to worry about Saturday so let’s see what we’re doing tonight. They take their time sizing each other up and the fight is on. The brawl goes outside and they fight on the announcers’ table and floor to end the show. This was pretty run of the mill stuff but it’s another case where the feud is set.

Overall Rating: C. This was the often annoying show right before the big pay per view, with not much happening in the ring (such as the rather lame Tag Team Title match) and the main focus being on the talking. The problem is the talking was only so interesting, as the matches are already set. I liked the closing brawl, but this was definitely not a show you needed to watch in full. Except for Haku, as he’ll eat your face if you don’t.

Results
B-Fab/Michin b. Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green – BTA to Green
Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. War Raiders went to a double DQ when both teams shoved the referee
Rey Fenix b. JD McDonagh – Mexican MuscleBuster
Lash Legend b. Giulia – Lash Extension

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

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Smackdown
Date: July 17, 2026
Location: MVP Arena, Albany, New York
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event and the big story continues to be the setup for CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes in a little over two weeks at Summerslam. Gunther and Sami Zayn are less than thrilled with this situation and that means it is time for their final push towards tomorrow’s tag match. In addition, Gunther is having issues with GM Nick Aldis, which feels like a Summerslam match in the making. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the World Title situation and Gunther vs. Aldis.

Here is Gunther to get things going. He prides himself on being a professional but since he joined Smackdown, he has been treated horribly. Nick Aldis is the one who made this personal, and he made it worse by putting him in a tag match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. This brings out Adam Pearce, who says Gunther only owes Aldis for saving his job

Aldis has made sure that the match is still on and that the stipulation (this is new) is still on: if Gunther and Zayn win, they’re added to the Summerslam title match and it’s a fatal four way. Gunther absolutely approves but here is Cody Rhodes for the brawl. Rhodes yells about how Gunther had to know this was coming so he wants a match tonight. Pearce makes it official.

Earlier today, Pearce announced that Rhea Ripley is injured and will not be able to compete at Summerslam. There will be an Interim Women’s Champion crowned in a five way ladder match at Summerslam, with Ripley getting the shot against the winner when she gets back. Qualifying matches begin tonight. I’m really not wild on the interim thing, but if Ripley is going to be back relatively soon, it’s fine enough.

Finn Balor vs. Talla Tonga

Talla has Tama Tonga with him. Balor knocks him into the corner to start and gets choked on the ropes for his efforts. Talla gets tossed to the floor but comes back with a clothesline and we take an early break. We come back with Talla’s running powerslam getting two but he misses a charge into the corner. Balor knocks him down and goes up, where Talla’s chokeslam is countered into a DDT. Tama offers a distraction but gets crotched (and bounced) on the top, allowing Balor to dropkick him into the corner. The Coup de Grace finishes Talla at 9:35.

Rating: C+. Balor is getting a nice start to his run on Smackdown, at least after losing in the first round of King Of The Ring. He very easily could be a B show pay per view World Title challenger and they very well may be leading up to that. The Tongas are in the middle of nowhere at the moment but at least they’re putting people over.

CM Punk confirms the Saturday Night’s Main Event stipulation with Adam Pearce. Damian Priest comes up and says if Punk is retaining, he’ll be coming for the title. That works for Punk, who leaves in peace. R-Truth comes up to ask what that was about. Priest: “Dude, you were here the whole time.”

Various women are ready to win the ladder match.

Women’s Ladder Qualifying Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne

Non-title and the rest of Fatal Influence is here with Jayne. The three of them beat Stratton down but Brie Bella and Paige run in for the save. With the four non-participants gone, Stratton strikes away to officially start and gets two off a basement dropkick. We take an early break and come back with Jayne hammering away until they hit stereo crossbodies. Stratton is up with an Alabama Slam but gets crotched up top. The Rolling Encore misses though and it’s a Regal Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to give Stratton the win at 7:45.

Rating: C+. They only had so much time here but there is something to be said about Jayne having gotten so far that I could have seen her pulling the upset here. It is nice to see her doing so well on the main roster thus far and it should be interesting to see if she finds a way into the ladder match. Stratton has to be a favorite though, as she’ll be in her home state.

Baron Corbin talks about his return last week. He attacked Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes because he’s sick of hearing people pretending to be tough.

Williams wants some of Corbin, because he’s a big bald b****. Hayes comes in and argues a bit but seemingly wants Corbin as well.

We look at Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar’s near brawl from Raw.

Women’s Ladder Qualifying Match: Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax

B-Fab and Michin are here with Cargill. Jax wastes no time in knocking her down but misses a middle rope elbow. Cue Charlotte to go after B-Fab and Michin though, followed by a big boot to Cargill for the DQ at 57 seconds.

Post match a ticked off Jax lays out Charlotte, allowing Cargill to give Charlotte Jaded.

Gunther is ready for the main event and runs into Candice LeRae, with Johnny Gargano. LeRae wants Gunther to win for Sami Zayn’s sake tomorrow so Gunther says Zayn needs to show up. Blake Monroe runs in to jump LeRae and tells Gargano that he needs a haircut.

Lash Legend and Nia Jax yell at Adam Pearce over the DQ and Jax gets Charlotte next week as a result.

War Raiders vs. Fraxiom

The Raiders’ AAA Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Ivar drives Frazer into the corner to start but it’s off to Axiom for some running forearms. Frazer’s dive to the floor is cut off though, leaving Axiom to moonsault onto both of them. We take a break and come back with Ivar cleaning house, including the spinning powerslam to Frazer.

Ivar’s moonsault misses both of them but Erik drives Ivar into Axiom into the corner. Back up and the dives take out the Warriors on the floor, setting up the superplex into the Phoenix splash to Ivar. Erik makes the last second save though and the Raiders have had it, with Frazer getting crushed. Ragnarok finishes Axiom at 10:30.

Rating: B. I was expecting a squash here (Fraxiom were in the ring for the Raiders’ entrance) and wound up getting a heck of a match. The impressive thing about Fraxiom is that they have been able to do this time after time. They were able to make this work in NXT and they’re doing it again here and it would be nice to see them getting a better chance than what they’ve been doing lately.

We look at LA Knight and company being fired up at Fanatics Fest about their six man tag at Summerslam.

Video on Fanatics Fest.

CM Punk comes up to Cody Rhodes to talk about the Saturday Night’s Main Event stipulation. Punk will have Rhodes’ back tonight, but they’ll also see each other tomorrow and at Summerslam.

Video on Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Danhausen is reminded about his match with JD McDonagh at Saturday Night’s Main Event and has a black cat…but accidentally curses his computer. An evacuation is recommended.

Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Rhodes jumps him at the entrance to start fast and they get inside for the opening bell. Gunther cuts off a springboard and shoves Rhodes to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Gunther missing a clothesline and getting caught with the Cody Cutter. Another Cody Cutter drops Gunther but he’s back up to wrap the leg around the post. Cue CM Punk as they clothesline each other down.

We take a break and come back with Gunther holding a half crab but Rhodes slips out. Gunther misses a boot in the corner and Rhodes starts in on the leg, with a dragon screw legwhip bringing Gunther out of the corner. Rhodes grabs a Figure Four but here is Sami Zayn to go after Punk. That’s enough for Rhodes to let go of the hold and dive onto Zayn. The brawl is on and Rhodes gets posted for the DQ at 12:30.

Rating: B. This was getting going near the end but as usual, the two of them just do not get to have that big match. Granted in this case that wasn’t the point, as this was about pushing tomorrow’s tag match and that part worked. You also don’t want either of them losing a fall and the DQ made perfect sense here. Nice job.

The big brawl is on and can’t be broken up as the show ends.

Overall Rating: B+. Yeah this worked, if nothing else because I wasn’t bored out of my mind as the show went an extra hour. This show was focused around two big ideas, with the ladder match having to be set up in a hurry and the much bigger issue of the stipulation for Saturday Night’s Main Event Main Event.

That was a great example of what happens when you make a match more important, as Saturday Night’s Main Event has gone from ho hum to having a match that could make a big impact on Summerslam. I want to see where that match goes now and that’s an important upgrade for tomorrow night. This show did what it needed to do with a pair of hot matches to wrap it up. Well done here, though Saturday’s show is only looking so important outside of the main event.

Results
Finn Balor b. Talla Tonga – Coup de Grace
Tiffany Stratton b. Jacy Jayne – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Jade Cargill b. Nia Jax via DQ when Charlotte interfered
War Raiders b. Fraxiom – Ragnarok to Axiom
Cody Rhodes b. Gunther via DQ when Sami Zayn interfered

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

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

Smackdown
Date: July 10, 2026
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

And then everything changed, as CM Punk won the Smackdown World Title on Raw, despite not being a Smackdown wrestler. He might be now, but it’s not sure if that’s the case or not. Odds are we’ll hear something about that tonight as there is a good chance that Punk will be on the show. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Smackdown World Title situation on Raw, with Gunther attacking Cody Rhodes and costing him a chance to challenge Sami Zayn for the title. CM Punk stepped in and got the title shot instead, beating Zayn to become champion.

Here is Nick Aldis, who got Punk to challenge for the title, to say that he is officially back as Smackdown GM. With that out of the way, here is Punk for a chat. Aldis welcomes Punk to the show and steps aside, with Punk saying he missed the Smackdown fans. Punk has been negotiating to come to Smackdown and those discussions were expedited on Monday, when he got into his gear at his house and drove to the Allstate Arena where he won the title. When title opportunities fall out of the sky, he’s there to catch them and he’s ready to defend this title anytime.

If someone thinks he has something that belongs to them, come try and take it. Punk brings up Sami Zayn, who deserves a rematch, Gunther, knowing it’s a mistake to bring up, and Finn Balor, who can come get a third shot any time. He lists off a few other names but here is Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Rhodes asks about Punk’s black eye, with Punk saying he knows Rhodes wants to know something else…so what does he want to talk about?

Rhodes brings up the title matches falling out of the sky, but there are other matches that have been built up for years. Punk: “You mean like CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes?” That sounded like a Wrestlemania main event but they can’t run from each other much more. The challenge is made for Summerslam so they shake hands, with Aldis making it official. Yeah that’s a big time Summerslam match and worthy of a main event.

Jade Cargill, with Michin and B-Fab, has requested and received a match with Alexa Bliss tonight. This is part of Cargill ruining Charlotte’s life and she’s not responsible for taking Bliss out.

Finn Balor vs. Tama Tonga

Talla Tonga is here with Tama and this is fallout from the Tongas attacking Balor last week. Balor double legs him to start and hammers away but Tama gets in an elbow to the face. A clothesline puts Tama on the floor but Talla breaks up the big dive, allowing Tama to get in the shot from behind.

We take a break and come back with Balor striking away, setting up a Nightmare On Helm Street for two. A spinning belly to back suplex gets Tama out of trouble but Balor puts him right back into it with the Sling Blade. Tama cuts him off again and hits a spinning Pedigree for two so Balor backdrops him to the floor. The big running flip dive hits both Tongas and the Coup de Grace gives Balor the pin at 9:47.

Rating: B. I’m not sure what happened but they flipped a switch in the last few minutes and turned on the jets. The final two or so minutes here was an awesome fast paced slugfest with one big move after another. Balor can work well with anyone and Tama held up his end rather well here. It started good and then got very good, which made it even more fun than I was expecting.

Carmelo Hayes is ready to prove himself again because he wants to get his hands on Trick Williams.

R-Truth pays off Fraxiom over a lost bet but the War Raiders come in to say these games need to end. Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu come in, saying they’re looking for Solo Sikoa. R-Truth agrees to tell Sikoa they’re looking for him. Damian Priest comes up and seems ok with them, while also saying Royce Keys is here. R-Truth doesn’t like that, but Priest says Keys isn’t with them.

Sami Zayn, on a mental health break, is on the phone with Nick Aldis, who says he does have the authority to make a match between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. Gunther comes in to slap the phone away and says he belongs in the World Title match. Aldis has until the end of the night to fix that.

Here are Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu to call out Solo Sikoa. Instead they get Royce Keys, who Fatu doesn’t think looks like Sikoa. Keys says their family business is starting to affect him and Fatu doesn’t like that. Fatu says Keys can say a lot, but please don’t go there about OTC business. Uso clarifies that Keys isn’t part of this family but Keys talks about all of the family members he has lost.

Fatu has been his brother and Keys isn’t letting him go. Uso says this is crossing a line that he can’t come back from and he doesn’t want to do this. Keys isn’t here to fight…but steps forward over a line. Uso says that the two of them are going to give Keys the worst beating they’ve ever given anyone. Keys: “We?” This is all on Uso so he says get a referee out here. Keys knocks Uso outside with a clothesline and we take a break with the referee arriving.

Jimmy Uso vs. Royce Keys

Keys knocks him down to start and fires away right hands in the corner. A suplex puts Uso down but they head outside, with Uso sending him into the steps. The chinlock goes on back inside but Keys is up, only to be sent back to the floor. Keys is sent over the announcers’ table and we take a break.

We come back with Keys getting two off a powerslam so it’s time for the straps to come down. Keys plants him onto the announcers’ table but gets posted to cut off the momentum. Cue Solo Sikoa behind Uso to load up the Spike, which brings out Jacob Fatu. The brawl is on, allowing Uso to spear Keys for the pin at 9:25.

Rating: C+. I’m not wild on Keys losing, though it’s even worse when he loses to Jimmy Uso’s spear. Trying to make it the family move is quite a stretch when only Reigns really has the power/explosiveness to make it look good and the Samoan drop already exists. Anyway, this was more of the Bloodline drama, which is going on underneath everything Roman Reigns has going on with Seth Rollins for Summerslam. That’s a lot at once and I’m still not even sure where this part is going.

Post match Fatu lays out Sikoa and then superkicks Keys. Fatu loads up the Umaga Attack on Sikoa, who has a chair around his neck, but hits the brakes and yells at him instead.

After losing the title on Monday, Sami Zayn went on a rant about how unfair the whole thing was.

CM Punk wants everyone to get in line to come after the title but here are Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano. LeRae yells at Punk for taking away their hope of Gargano getting better. Punk remembers him as Johnny Wrestling and says whatever this is, it isn’t working. As Punk goes to leave, Finn Balor welcomes him to the show, with an eye on the belt.

Fatal Influence have had fun taking out Brie Bella and Paige and they’re ready to do it again for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event. I’d certainly hope so.

Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill

Charlotte and the minions are here too. An early Charlotte distraction lets Bliss go after Cargill’s leg and a knee to the face puts Cargill down. That just earns Bliss some backbreakers and we take a break. We come back with Cargill missing a boot in the corner so Bliss can hammer away. The running Blockbuster gives Bliss two but Sister Abigail is broken up. Charlotte gets in a neck snap across the top to give Bliss two so it’s time for the seconds to get in a fight. Cargill gets in a pump kick into Jaded for the pin at 7:04.

Rating: C+. This was another way to continue the path towards Cargill vs. Charlotte, which absolutely feels like a big showdown. I could go for seeing the two of them fight and hopefully they manage to make it work. Bliss and Charlotte have come incredibly far as a team and this was a good use of a story that has worked for years in wrestling.

Post match Charlotte fights off the minions for a bit but Cargill uses a chair to snap Bliss’ arm, allowing Bliss to do her arm out of joint deal.

Trick Williams can’t find his title but Lil Yachty comes up to present him a custom fur lined title.

Alexa Bliss is taken to the trainer’s room. I’m not sure why we needed to see this.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams

Non-title and Lil Yachty is here with Williams. Hayes gets knocked into the corner to start so Williams can stomp away. Back up and Hayes gets in a spinning crossbody, earning himself a Trick Slap as we take an early break. We come back with Hayes grabbing Dirty Diana for two and they both need a breather. Williams gets in some leg lariats, followed by a Rock Bottom for two.

Hayes flips out of a fireman’s carry though and grabs a middle rope DDT for two of his own. The jumping neckbreaker gives Williams two but Hayes knocks him off the top, setting up a frog splash for another near fall. The Trick Kick gives Williams two more but he misses a charge in the corner. Yachty gets dropped and the First 48 takes Williams down. Hayes goes up top…but Baron Corbin of all people is back to pull him into the ropes for the DQ at 10:30.

Rating: B-. They were having a good match before the big surprise return. Corbin isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but he could be a great addition to the midcard. As long as he doesn’t become the focal point of the show, he should be perfectly fine and could have some good matches with Williams, Hayes and more. The match itself was good, but these two are likely to have a big PPV match somewhere down the line after their lengthy history together.

Post match Corbin lays both of them out and drops the furry title on Williams.

Here is Gunther, with Nick Aldis coming in to say Gunther can have what he wants. Gunther can have Punk and Rhodes…at Saturday Night’s Main Event in a tag match, when he teams up with Sami Zayn. Summerslam isn’t changing one bit, which earns Aldis a beatdown. Gunther boots him in the face and grabs the sleeper a few times. Cody Rhodes runs in for the save (though the show cuts off when he’s still in the aisle) to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was designed to set up a few big matches for Summerslam, which certainly needs the help to boost things up with a few weeks ago to go. Punk vs. Rhodes being set up is a good move, as that’s absolutely a main event level match. Other than that, some of the matches which were either already set or close to it got a few nice upgrades. I liked this show, as it’s nice to have a more clear direction after everything has been shaken up in recent weeks.

Results
Finn Balor b. Tama Tonga – Coup de Grace
Jimmy Uso b. Royce Keys – Spear
Jade Cargill b. Alexa Bliss – Jaded
Carmelo Hayes b. Trick Williams via DQ when Baron Corbin interfered

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

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

Smackdown
Date: July 3, 2026
Location: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re stateside for Smackdown and the big story this week is that Sami Zayn is the new World Champion, having beaten Gunther and reigning champion Cody Rhodes on Saturday at Night Of Champions. That means we have about a month to go before Summerslam and a lot of ground to cover so let’s get to it.

Here is Night Of Champions if you need a recap.

Here is Sami Zayn to quite the strong reaction to get things going. Zayn talks about how a lot of people are here to ride or die with the last real good guy. He appreciates the reactions he has gotten and gives the fans a genuine thank you. It’s funny though, because a lot of those people booed him and jumped on and off of the bandwagon. He won’t say he told you so though because he’s a good guy who won that title the right way.

We’re here to celebrate him and he will forever be known as a Wrestlemania main eventer and a Grand Slam Champion, but also as a WWE Champion. Nothing can ever take that away from him but here is Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Zayn asks what he wants to talk about but Rhodes wants to just congratulate him. Rhodes goes to leave but Zayn tells him to just say what he really wants one time. This brings out Jey Uso to give Zayn a big hug and say that he deserves it.

As much as he respects Zayn, Uso, has to do his business and bring the title back to the family. Rhodes asks what year it is because bringing it back to the family sounds ridiculous. Uso is already a former World Champion but we’re here to talking about Rhodes’ rematch. Zayn isn’t happy with Rhodes saying Zayn would never take the title from him, and as far as Uso is concerned, the title is still in the family.

They can both stay away from him, but here is Adam Pearce (acting GM as Nick Aldis is on leave due to an incident with Gunther) to interrupt. Pearce says it’s his job to find Zayn a challenger, but Zayn says he should have some say in who he faces at Summerslam. Pearce says no one is talking about Summerslam, because Zayn is defending the title this Monday on Raw, and tonight Rhodes and Uso have a #1 contenders match tonight. They’re certainly not wasting time with Rhodes, but Zayn very well could be like Mick Foley, as winning the title itself is what matters rather than a long reign (which is ok).

Charlotte says she cost Jade Cargill at Night Of Champions because Cargill cost her. Alexa Bliss pops up to say it would have been nice to have been told Charlotte would be there but Charlotte says Bliss didn’t tell her she would be teaming with Tiffany Stratton. This brings in Stratton, who says she didn’t need Charlotte but Chelsea Green comes in to have Stratton’s back and….awkwardly say she’ll see Charlotte out there.

Charlotte/Chelsea Green/Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill/B-Fab/Michin

Stratton and Cargill start things off with Michin quickly coming in for a sunset flip. It’s quickly off to Charlotte to kick Michin down and send B-Fab flying with a suplex. A Cannonball off the apron hits Michin but Cargill is right there with the clothesline to Charlotte as we take a break.

We come back with Cargill sending Charlotte flying and even throwing in a mocking victory dance. The splash misses in the corner though and it’s B-Fab coming in to cut off the tag attempt. Charlotte fights back and Green comes in to clean house, with a Rough Ryder getting two on B-Fab. The Unprettier is loaded up but Cargill reverses into Jaded, which is reversed into a rollup. B-Fab offers a distraction though and Jaded finishes Green at 8:51.

Rating: C+. Cargill gets to look dominant again, Green isn’t hurt by the loss (or by any loss really) and Charlotte continues to kind of annoy a lot of people. Michin continues to be a solid hand in the ring and B-Fab is acceptable enough as a lackey. Just don’t ask her to do much of anything else.

We look at the Gunther/Nick Aldis incident, leading to both of them being sent home and Adam Peace being put in charge of Smackdown for the time being.

Pearce is on the phone with Aldis and doesn’t seem pleased. Then he runs into Sami Zayn, who isn’t happy with the situation. Pearce suggests that he’ll bring some Smackdown stars to Raw for a supershow and Zayn will have an opportunity. Zayn is annoyed but goes over to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, saying he might not have won without Gargano being there for him. Zayn even has a reluctant LeRae take a picture of them together.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Rey Fenix vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

Fenix is defending and Vikingo’s Latin American Title isn’t on the line. Vikingo snaps off a spinning headscissors to start but Fenix kicks him away. A springboard frog high crossbody gives Fenix two but Vikingo ties him in the ring skirt for a dropkick. Vikingo’s dive drops Fenix again and we take a break.

We come back with Fenix hitting his rope walk kick, setting up a frog splash for two. Vikingo is back up with his running knees in the corner, followed by his flipping hurricanrana out of the corner. A super spinning poisonrana (how do you even do that) drops Fenix again but he knees Vikingo back. That’s enough to set up the Mexican MuscleBuster to retain at 8:55.

Rating: B. “And then he did THIS and it was AMAZING!” That’s basically Vikingo in a nutshell and yeah that’s always going to work. This was the definition of a flippy match and as usual, it did its job. The fans get to have fun and it’s not like this is going to hurt either of them in AAA. In other words, it’s a nice use of some TV time.

We look at Blake Monroe attacking Giulia last week.

Giulia is happy to put Kiana James behind her and would love to fight Monroe face to face anytime. James comes in to say it would be like Giulia to bite the hand that feeds her, but here is Monroe to jump Giulia from behind. Not to be unfair, she jumps James too in a bit of a surprise.

We look at the Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns showdown from Raw, setting up their Summerslam title shot.

Jimmy Uso is talking to Jacob Fatu when Royce Keys comes in to say Fatu has been ignoring him. Did Roman Reigns not give him permission? Uso says they’re here to find Solo Sikoa and asks if Keys can help them or not. Keys says that blood doesn’t make you family (check). He’s been there for Fatu for fourteen years and that makes them family. Uso disagrees and leaves with Fatu.

Here are Trick Williams and Lil Yachty for a chat but here is Carmelo Hayes to interrupt. Hayes says he deserves another title shot and accuses Williams of turning that title, a title Hayes helped make, into an accessory. He can get Williams a discount code on WWE Shop if Williams just wants something to hold, so put the title on the line.

Yachty isn’t impressed and asks if we should give this “young small man” a match. Apparently the match is on for next week…but not for the title. That has to be earned and Williams knocks him down. Yachty and Williams go to leave but Hayes takes them out with a big dive.

Danhausen is on the phone (seemingly from the 30s) as Miz and Kit Wilson are there in the background. Matt Cardona comes in to say hello but Danhausen says he has a match with JD McDonagh at Saturday Night’s Main Event and has help coming in from New York. He was just on the phone with them, but Cardona points out that the phone isn’t plugged in

Danhausen says don’t worry about it and has Cardona twist a nob. It seems to fry Wilson and Miz even more, with Danhausen blaming Judgment Day and telling Cardona that he’s in charge of the two of them. Cardona mentions spiking your hair and Wilson might say AWESOME. Oh dear this won’t end well.

Brie Bella vs. Lainey Reid

Paige and the rest of Fatal Influence are here too. Bella takes her down by the arm to start fast but gets sent throat first into the middle rope. Reid misses a wind up elbow though and Bella sends her arm first into the corner. Some shots to the face slow Bella down but she fires off the YES Kicks. Bella pulls her down by the arm and rolls into the YES Lock, with Page cutting off Fallon Henley from interfering. Jacy Jayne gets posted but Henley is back up, with Bella going outside for the save. That lets Reid hitting a running knee for the pin at 3:19.

Rating: C. This was as standard of a booking trope as you can get on your way to a Women’s Tag Team Title match. That’s a good thing too, as I could go for Fatal Influence being the ones to end this title reign. Commentary hyped up Bella not having a singles match on Smackdown in years and while that’s true, it’s quite the stretch for something to brag about here.

R-Truth beats Nathan Frazer in a hot dog eating contest. Damian Priest wants ketchup but the War Raiders come in to say Priest and R-Truth should be focused on their challenge. R-Truth gets annoyed at Ivar eating Priest’s wiener but the match is on for some time in the future. It’s just going to take place on Smackdown, with R-Truth promising to take the masks too. There are no masks.

We look at the Brock Lesnar/Oba Femi segment from Raw, resulting in their match being set for the Cell.

Cody Rhodes is coming to the ring and runs into Finn Balor. Rhodes apologizes for not saying it yet but welcome to Smackdown. Balor says one of the reasons he came here was to face Rhodes and he wanted it to be for the title, so go start getting it back. Tama Tonga comes in to say he went to the family elders for guidance. Then the Tongas jump Balor, with Tama saying he’s closing the books on his past, with Balor being next.

Jey Uso vs. Cody Rhodes

For a shot at Sami Zayn on Raw. An early superkick and Cross Rhodes are both avoided so Uso sends him outside for the suicide dive. We take a break and come back with Rhodes hitting a Cody Cutter for two but Uso gets in a Samoan drop. Rhodes rolls outside where he cuts off a spear but gets sent onto the announcers’ table. Uso’s suicide dive is blocked as well and they go back inside for a double clothesline.

We take another break and come back with Uso hitting a Superfly Splash. Rhodes is up with another Cody Cutter for two of his own but Uso gives him a spear for two more. Another Superfly Splash misses though and Rhodes hits a spear, followed by Cross Rhodes for his own near fall. Uso knocks him down and tries a Superfly Splash, which hits raised knees. A sleeper works a bit better for Uso and they go into the corner where Uso tries…I’m not sure (neither is commentary). Rhodes slips away and grabs Cross Rhodes for the pin at 15:33.

Rating: B. There was just enough of a reason to believe that Uso could win here to keep things interesting. At the same time though, Rhodes is the right choice to move on to the title match, as either he gets the belt back and sets up a match with CM Punk or Zayn gets the big win in the singles match. This was a good main event though and it still helps to have Rhodes beat another former World Champion.

Overall Rating: B. Oh sweet goodness did losing an hour help this show. One of the most annoying things in wrestling is a show that just keeps going and Smackdown has been doing that since the show was extended to three hours. Switching back allowed it to feel much tighter with far less filler. It still has problems, but I wasn’t sitting there dreading how long it was going to go and that’s a great feeling. They’re flying through the World Title scene though and that almost has me worried for what they have planned at Summerslam. At least I’m wanting to see what it is though so they must be doing something right.

Results
Jade Cargill/B-Fab/Michin b. Charlotte/Chelsea Green/Tiffany Stratton – Jaded to Green
Rey Fenix b. El Hijo del Vikingo – Mexican MuscleBuster
Lainey Reid b. Brie Bella – Running knee
Cody Rhodes b. Jey Uso – Cross Rhodes

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

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AAA On FOX
Date: June 6, 2026
Location: Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Commentators: Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield, Corey Graves

It’s the second night of Noche de Los Grandes and that means we’re going to be seeing some big stuff around here. At the same time though, they might have a bit of a time keeping up with what they did last week. We have a six woman tag this week though and that should be a good time so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s mask vs. mask match which somehow exceeded expectations.

Octagon Jr. vs. Cruz del Toro vs. Lince Dorado vs. Joaquin Wilde vs. Mini Vikingo

For a Cruiserweight Title shot. Octagon and Dorado are sent outside to start, leaving Vikingo to get double teamed. Back to back moonsaults have Vikingo in trouble and Wilde tries a quick rollup. That leaves Wilde to go after del Toro, with the latter getting two off a rollup. Octagon is back in for a spinning high crossbody but Dorado and comes in as well. Dorado flips out of a monkey flip and sends Octagon outside.

Vikingo comes back inside and gets caught with a backbreaker, only to snap off a crazy headscissors. Octagon comes back in and is sent outside again with a hurricanrana. Wilde busts out his hairspray but del Toro hits a big dive to take out the non-Vikingo pile. A rope walk springboard dropkick puts Vikingo down but his hurricanrana gets two. Del Toro and Wilde get in another shoving match before Wilde facebusters Dorado for two more. Back up and Dorado knocks Wilde down and hits a shooting star press for the pin at 7:37.

Rating: B-. This was exactly what you would have expected from this match and that’s not a bad thing. They had a bunch of people flying around until one of them got a pin. That’s all it needed to be and I had a good enough time. Dorado is someone who can serve perfectly well as a first challenger for the title so it’s a good choice on the result too.

Apparently Octagon got badly hurt in there somewhere and was stretchered out. No word on how he’s doing but that’s always scary to see.

The War Raiders are ready for anyone.

El Ojo says the plan is finally coming together.

We get a press briefing with Rey Mysterio, who announces a WWE tour of Mexico and South America, with Raw and Smackdown being held in Mexico City. Also, his issues with Dominik Mysterio will not cause any issues and Dominik will be here later this month. We hear about the two night TripleMania again, with a Mega Title match headlining night two.

We look at a group of women fighting back against Las Toxicas, setting up this week’s main event.

We look at Chad Gable being unmasked and promising to return to AAA.

After last week’s main event, El Grande Americano had to be helped out by Los Americanos and thanks them for what they have done for him. He couldn’t have done this without the fans and people of Mexico who believed in him. Nice stuff here, as you can tell how big this really was for everyone.

Las Toxicas vs. La Catalina/Bayley/Lola Vice

Las Toxicas are dressed as cheerleaders. Catalina starts with Flammer, who does the tag out before fighting thing, which has become WAY too common lately. Maravilla takes Catalina into the corner and it’s off to Hiedra, who gets kneed down just as fast. Vice comes in for the running hip attack in the corner, followed by a triple suplex to the villains.

Some dives hit Las Toxicas but Catalina is sent into the steps. Vice is caught in the wrong corner and a wishbone into a Meteora gets two. Flammer knocks Bayley and Catalina off the apron, followed by a clothesline for two on Vice back inside. Something like a double chickenwing with a bodyscissors has Vice in more trouble.

That doesn’t last long as Vice slips out and brings in Bayley to clean house. The top rope elbow hits Maravilla for two but the Bayley To Belly is countered. Bayley gets crotched against the post for two and Flammer runs from Catalina again. Bayley puts Flammer down and Catalina hits a less than great moonsault for two. Everything breaks down and Maravilla walks into the Bayley To Belly. Catalina is back in with a hip attack and running knee to pin Flammer at 8:38.

Rating: C+. This was a run of the mill six woman tag but the only thing that mattered was having Catalina get the pin on Flammer. It should set them up for a big showdown at some point soon, though I’m still not sure I’m getting the appeal of Catalina. She’s ok enough, but the women’s division doesn’t exactly feel like the highest priority around here.

Overall Rating: C+. It’s weird to see this presented as something of a special as there is absolutely nothing here that stands out as a big deal. Maybe that’s just how things go in AAA as Rey de Reyes was kind of the same thing. Either way, it was a perfectly fine show and they moved some title programs forward. After last week though, it was kind of nice for a bit of a breather and probably rather needed.

Results
Lince Dorado b. Octagon Jr., Cruz del Toro, Joaquin Wilde and Mini Vikingo – Shooting star press to Wilde
La Catalina/Bayley/Lola Vice b. Las Toxicas – Running knee to Flammer

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

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AAA On FOX
Date: May 30, 2026
Location: Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Commentators: Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield, Corey Graves

It’s the first week of Noche de Los Grandes and to say this is a big one would be an understatement, as we have the ultimate showdown in lucha libre: a mask vs. mask match. That’s the kind of thing that you do not see around here very often and the big story is El Grande Americano vs. the Original El Grande Americano with the masks on the line. That’s about all you need so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the importance of the mask and how much it means in lucha libre. Tonight, someone loses everything.

Cruiserweight Title: Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix is challenging and dropkicks him into the corner at the bell. An early Mexican MuscleBuster is escaped and Kid grabs a quick powerbomb. A kick to the head puts Fenix down but he avoids a middle rope moonsault. Instead it’s a Michinoku Driver for two on Fenix, followed by a Texas Cloverleaf to stay on the back. With that not working, Kid unhooks the turnbuckle pad and avoids a charge into the post.

The Cloverleaf goes on again in the corner, setting up a curb stomp for two. Back up and Fenix hits some clotheslines to send him outside and of course that means a big dive. Fenix’s cross armbreaker sends Kid over to the rope and they chop it out. Fenix flips out of a tornado DDT and kicks him in the head, only to get caught with a running flipping DDT. That’s good for a rather delayed two, with Fenix’s rolling cutter gets a less delayed version of the same.

Another Mexican MuscleBuster is countered into a small package for two so Fenix tries a third time and gets a near fall of his own. The referee notices the exposed buckle and gets in the way, allowing Kid to get in a low blow. The frog splash hits Fenix for two but Fenix sends him into the exposed buckle, kicks him in the head, and grabs another Mexican MuscleBuster for the pin and the title at 11:53.

Rating: B. Build up a challenger against a longtime champion and have him win the title. That’s a classic story that has worked for the better part of ever in wrestling and it worked again here. Fenix finally gets some gold under the WWE umbrella and feels like a star in the profess. It came in a good match as well, which is always a nice bonus.

Post match Fenix gets to celebrate with his family in a nice moment.

Various celebrities and wrestlers are here.

We recap the Latin American Title match. El Hijo del Vikingo is getting a shot because he’s a big star and champion El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. doesn’t think Vikingo and his El Ojo knows much about family.

Latin American Title: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.

Vikingo, with Dorian Roldan, is challenging. Wagner dropkicks him into the corner at the bell (thankfully Graves points out that Fenix did the same thing in the opener) and snaps off a powerslam. They go to the apron, where a big boot puts Vikingo on the floor. Vikingo is right back up to put him on the steps for a double stomp and quite the crash.

A rather hard baseball slide knocks Wagner off the apron again and Vikingo hits a running shooting star from the apron. Back in and Wagner knees him down in the corner, setting up a running cannonball. The splash gives Wagner two but Vikingo’s crucifix driver leaves them both down.

Cue Omos to crotch Wagner on top though and Vikingo hits a running Meteora. The 450 gets two and here is Galeno, who is quickly knocked out by Omos. Galeno is back up with some chair shots to actually drop Omos and Mini Vikingo runs in with a springboard missile dropkick. Wagner plants Vikingo for two but Omos is back up to knock Wagner silly. The 630 gives Vikingo the pin and the title at 7:20.

Rating: B-. This was all about the interference and that made for a good story, as Vikingo and his family beat Wagner and his family. That’s how the story was set up and El Ojo needed a win of some kind as they haven’t meant much over the last few weeks. Wagner wasn’t doing much as champion either so this is a good move all around.

More celebrities and wrestlers are here.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. Psycho Clown/Pagano

The Raiders are challenging and the challengers aren’t getting along very well. The Raiders miss a charge to the floor to start and get taken down by stereo flip dives. Back in and Erik gets double teamed down but comes back with some forearms, allowing Ivar to come in. A big dive takes out Clown on the floor and it’s back to Erik to hammer away. The chinlock goes on for a bit before it’s back to Ivar, who just hits Clown in the face.

Clown fights up and knocks Ivar away, allowing Erik and Pagano to come in. Pagano’s middle rope Codebreaker connects and everything breaks down. Something close to an Emerald Frosion gives Pagano two and it’s back to Clown to slug away on Ivar. A suicide dive hits Erik and a Canadian Destroyer gets two on Ivar. Clown adds a top rope splash for two with Erik having to make the save. Ivar fights up and Clown accidentally clotheslines Pagano. The pop up powerslam to Clown gives the Raiders the titles at 9:13.

Rating: B-. This was about putting the Raiders over as a pair of monsters as they have the WWE experience to make this feel even bigger. At the same time they had to do something to move the Pagano/Clown feud forward. We still don’t know who attacked the Psycho Circus (unless it was supposed to be the Raiders) and there is a good chance we’re going to see those two beat the fire out of each other. They had to drop the titles for that to happen and that was more than covered here.

Post match Pagano and Clown go at it until Pagano walks off, with the Raiders laying Clown out. Pagano teases going in for the ave but walks away.

Here is General Manager Rey Mysterio for a chat. Well not so much a chat as much as he sends us to a package on the main event. The video has a comic book theme and looks at the hero in El Grande Americano against his rival, who clearly doesn’t care about Mexico. That’s how this feud should go and there is a reason why the fans have gotten so far behind Americano. Tonight, one has to go away and that is in the form of a mask vs. mask match. This feels absolutely huge and has been one of the hottest feuds I’ve seen in a minute so well done all around.

El Grande American vs. Original El Grande Americano

Mask vs. Mask, no DQ and we’ll go with Americano and Original for their names. Original comes out to a mariachi band and the fans HATE him. American has his own band and comes out in a jacket saying FOR MEXICO (WELL POR BUT I THREW IN THE TRANSLATION) and is an absolute hero.

We get some Big Match Intros but Original grabs a guitar to knock Americano silly before the bell. Original knocks him around but gets punched into the corner, with a suplex bringing Original right back out of it. The suicide dive hits Original, who is right back with a backdrop. A Death Valley Driver plants Original on the floor though and it’s time for a table. Original tackles him for a save and Americano is sent into the steps.

Something like a reverse Angle Slam drops American on to the floor for two back inside and Original is already frustrated. Original starts ripping at the mask, earning himself an Air Raid Crash from the apron through the table at ringside. Americano spends too much time celebrating though and gets German suplexed on the floor. Back up and Original throws a chair at a barricade, with Americano being knocked down off the crash.

They go back inside with Americano busted open and Original pounding on the cut. A suplex gives Original two and a top rope belly to back superplex drops Americano hard. Another slugout goes to Americano, who runs the ropes and flips over for a Blockbuster. Americano rips at Original’s mask and drops him face first onto the steps. They get back inside so Americano can hammer away and load up a chair in the corner. That takes too long (a trend) and Original gives him a German suplex.

Americano is back up but here are Los Hermanos Americanos to put him through the announcers’ table. A Swan Dive gives Original two so here are Los Americanos to go after Los Hermanos. Bravo hits a big dive from the stands to take the other three out and the fans rather approve again. Back at ringside, Original goes after a blind comedian (who was involved in the feud before) but gets Blockbustered off the apron.

One of the musicians hits Original with a guitar and unmasks as Pimpinela Escarlata. Original is up again at two so let’s get a bullrope. A low blow cuts Americano off and Original whips him with the bullrope, followed by a stomp onto a chair. Cue the former announcer (and Americano’s girlfriend) to cheerlead in the crowd. Original yells at her but she has a ticket, which is enough of a distraction for Americano to come back. A DDT onto the chair gives Americano two so they slug it out again.

Original suplexes him into the corner and hits a moonsault for another near fall. The frustrated Original grabs a chair and unloads on Americano’s ankle, setting up the ankle lock. That’s reversed into the knee in the back choke, which is reversed back into the ankle lock. Americano somehow reverses into a suplex but the ankle gives out again, allowing Original to grab Rolling Chaos Theory for two more. Original’s charge hits the post though and the running headbutt finally gives Americano the pin at 33:20.

Rating: A-. I mean…dang man. This was presented as the ultimate battle between these two and that’s pretty much exactly what we got. It felt like neither of them would allow themselves to lose and Original finally fell in the end. They had a heck of a fight and Americano looks like an absolute hero in the biggest match AAA has had since it came under the WWE banner. Awesome stuff here and it actually lived up to the hype.

Post match everyone gets in the ring and Original says he started on this path to learn everything about lucha libre and beat all of the luchadors. He learned about Mexico and its culture along the way but tonight, he could not overcome the Mexican spirit. From now on, even though he is the original, there is only one Grande Americano.

And he unmasks as Chad Gable, with the point of course being the removal of the mask rather than the identity. He talks about his career and introduces his family before promising to be back in AAA. Gable hands the mask to Americano and leaves to a fairly positive reaction, as the fans appreciate Gable being a man in defeat. Americano celebrates for a good while and leaves to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. What more do you want out of a show like this? Nothing was close to bad, they changed three titles, and had the huge showdown with a great moment to close it out. I had a great time with this and it absolutely flew by. This was every bit of the hype you could have wanted and I had a blast watching them pay a bunch of stuff off. If you don’t watch AAA, give it a shot with this one, as you’ll have a fun time.

Results
Rey Fenix b. Laredo Kid – Mexican MuscleBuster
El Hijo del Vikingo b. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. – 630
War Raiders b. Psycho Clown/Pagano – Pop up powerslam to Clown
El Grande Americano b. Original El Grande Americano – Running headbutt

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

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

AAA On FOX
Date: May 16, 2026
Location: Auditorio General Jose Maria Arteaga, Queretaro, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield

We’re two weeks away from Noche de los Grandes and the likely main event is set, with the battle of the Grande Americanos. Other than that, we have the issues between Pagano and Psycho Clown, both among themselves and with the War Raiders. That could go in a variety of directions so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tokyo Bad Boys vs. Money Machine vs. La Parka/Mr. Iguana vs. NGD

The Boys are Kento/Takuma, Machine is Oro/Plata and NGD are Forastero/Sanson. Oro and Sanson start things off with an exchange of arm cranking until Sanson takes over. Forastero comes in for a triangle choke but Oro manages a hurricanrana to escape. Plata comes in and gets superkicked down but Takuma tags himself in. The Boys double hiptoss Plata but Iguana comes in for a running hurricanrana.

Parka launches Takuma into the air for a big crash but he’s right back with a tornado DDT to put Parka down. Everything breaks down (yep) and Parka gets double teamed but Money Machine is up with some dives to the floor. Takuma hits a big corkscrew dive and Parka follows with a middle rope moonsault. Iguana comes back in with the stuffed iguana, which is used to pull him face first into the buckle. A hurricanrana gives Iguana two and Parka is back in with a springboard crossbody to Forastero. The Bone Breaker finishes for Parka at 10:09.

Rating: B-. You knew what you were going to get with this match and that’s not a bad thing. There were a lot of people flying around and it made for a bit of a mess, but that’s all this was supposed to be. The flips and dives were entertaining and the fans are still into Iguana so it was pretty much a layup. An athletic layup mind you but a layup.

Post match the War Raiders come in and wreck people.

Dorian Roldan can’t get a meeting with his mom about being the new GM, but does find Texano Jr. who basically tells him to scram.

TripleMania will be a two night event. First night’s location still to be announced.

We look at Rey Fenix beating Laredo Kid two weeks ago.

Post match, Fenix said the fans loved that and wanted another shot at the title. Kid called him jealous of Penta, but Fenix said he was proud of his brother. Anyway, the title match is set for next week.

Galeno vs. Drago/Chris Carter

Galeno runs them both over for daring to double team him to start and throws them outside. Back in and Galeno backdrops Drago over the top and punches him in the face on the way down (that was awesome). Cue Omos to watch as the Galeno Special (kind of a spike double arm DDT) is enough for the double pin. Galeno looked good here and that backdrop punch was great.

We look at last week’s brawl with Bayley and Lola Vice saving La Catalina from Las Toxicas.

The six woman tag is set for Noche de los Grandes.

Cibernetico wants to be GM and Dorian Roldan is nervous.

Creed Brothers vs. El Fiscal/Aerostar

Julius takes over on Fiscal to start but Fiscal takes over on Brutus’ arm. Aerostar does the same and gets gorilla pressed into a splash onto Brutus for two. It’s back to Julius, who gets knocked to the floor and the Creeds get to catch a diving Aerostar. They also slam him onto the apron for a huge crash and Brutus steps on Aerostar’s head back inside.

The neck crank doesn’t last long so it’s back to Brutus for a hard shot to the face. The referee has to check on Aerostar, who flips out of a belly to back suplex and gets over to Fiscal to fight back. Fiscal sends the Creeds outside for a big dive and Aerostar hits a springboard dive of his own. Back in and Aerostar gets caught in the ropes, meaning it’s a powerbomb into an ankle lock for the quick tap at 7:20.

Rating: C+. This was a bit more like a regular tag match, as the Creed Brothers got to actually have some success for a change. They’re not exactly the best team on the main roster, but at least they have something to do here at the moment. If nothing else, they’re worth having around for the sake of offering a different style around here and that should serve them well.

Post match the beatdown is on until Los Americanos run in for the save. The Original El Grande Americano runs in to go after Bravo’s mask but El Grande Americano runs in for the save. Well kind of, as he can’t touch Original and has to wait for Rayo to jump Original, allowing Americano to go after the Creeds. Original calls this his house (the fans approve) and the match is going to be about Mexican pride. The match is going to have to work, but Americano’s work building this up has been excellent.

Overall Rating: B. The best thing I can say about this show is it has me wanting to see Noche de los Grandes. They’ve built up the main event very well and the six woman tag should be good. As usual, this show flies by and it has me wanting to see where things go next. Solid effort here, with more than enough stories that I want to see keep going to call it a success.

Results
Mr. Iguana/La Parka b. NGD, Money Machine and Tokyo Bad Boys – Bone Breaker to Forastero
Galeno b. Drago/Chris Carter – Double pin
Creed Brothers b. El Fiscal/Aerostar – Ankle lock to Aerostar

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

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AAA On FOX
Date: May 2, 2026
Location: Auditorio José María Arteaga, Querétaro, Mexico
Commentators: Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield, Corey Graves

We’re coming up on Noche de Los Grandes and we have a heck of a main event for the show, with the Grande Americanos facing off in a mask vs. mask match. This week will see the contract signing and there is a good chance things are going to get intense. Other than that, we are still trying to figure out who has been attacking the Psycho Circus. Let’s get to it.

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

El Ojo is talking about El Hijo del Vikingo’s match tonight. They mention being family, but El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. comes in to ask what they would know about that.

Mini Vikingo vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

Hijo jumps Mini to start and stomps away in the corner as the fans are not pleased. The running dropkick hits Mini again and the big forearms against the ropes make it worse. Hijo rolls him up for two and grabs something like an STF, with Mini’s face being slammed into the mat. Mini tries to fight back but gets kicked in the face and dropkicked to the floor. Hijo sends him into the steps and adds a suplex onto the ramp.

Another drop has the referee ready to stop it but Mini wants to keep going. Back in and Hijo chokes away but Mini actually manages a Code Red for two. Hijo is sent outside for a running flip dive…into a crucifix bomb, which even has Mysterio impressed. They head back inside, where Hijo kicks him in the head and grabs a powerbomb for two, meaning it’s time to look stunned. Hijo takes the turnbuckle pad off but gets sent into it instead.

A 450 gets a rather near fall so Hijo sends Mini into the corner, knocking the referee outside. Mini grabs a hurricanrana and the bell rings but the referee is still down. Hijo gets in a cheap shot and hits a super Rock Bottom but there is still no one to count. Back up and Hijo seems to have messed up his shoulder, even as he grabs a chair. Cue Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. for a Wagner Driver onto the chair, allowing Mini to hit a 630 Phoenix splash for the shocking upset at 12:58.

Rating: B-. This is what you get when you keep stringing out the near falls and hope spots, as Hijo got too cocky and lost it in the end. I had a good time with this and they did a good job of keeping the story going through. Hopefully Hijo’s shoulder is ok though, as that didn’t look great in the end. Either way, nice job by Hijo by making Mini look great (which isn’t a surprise as it’s his younger brother).

Post match Omos comes in to wreck Mini and Wagner. Galeno del Mal (Wagner’s brother) runs in for the save. Hijo was getting his shoulder looked at as Omos came out and was still on the mat at the end of the segment so that’s not a good sign. Also who rang the bell? Wagner?

Rey Fenix vs. Laredo Kid

Non-title. Kid’s running shoulder doesn’t do much to Fenix, who pops up and sticks the landing on a hurricanrana. They trade some flips and flip up to a standoff, allowing Fenix to do his rather springboardy wristdrag. Kid cuts off a dive with a big clothesline though and a basement dropkick gets two.

A Michinoku Driver gives Kid two and a top rope splash connects for two more. Fenix avoids a charge in the corner though and hits a rope walk kick to the head to send Kid to the apron. Fenix kicks him out to the floor and there’s the slingshot hurricanrana. Back in and a top rope moonsault press gives Fenix two and a running springboard kick to the head connects in the corner.

The Mexican MuscleBuster is broken up though and Kid’s Canadian Destroyer gets…one. Back up and Fenix hits the rolling cutter for two and they chop it out from their knees. Fenix charges into a shot to the face in the corner but he catches Kid up top. The Mexican MuscleBuster gives Fenix the pin at 9:40.

Rating: B. These two worked well together, though that’s a pair of losses in a row for Kid. I’m not sure what that’s going to mean, but there is a good chance that this sets up a big showdown at Noche de Los Grandes for the title. Kid has been champion for the better part of ever so it might be time for Fenix to finally get a big win. For now though, you had two guys going nuts for about ten minutes and it was rather entertaining.

Post match Fenix offers a handshake but Kid clutches his belt and shoulders past him.

We recap the Psycho Circus vs. the War Raiders, which is going on at the same time that the Circus is being taken out one by one. Pagano is the most likely suspect and there is going to be a face to face showdown between Pagano and Psycho Clown next week.

Video on Catalina, who is making her in-ring debut next week.

It’s time for the Grande Americanos’ contract signing, with a bunch of security and a few hosts. Dorian Roldan explains the stakes of mask vs. mask but Original has a piece of paper, which he hands to Roldan. Apparently it’s from Original’s attorney and this match isn’t going to happen without some conditions. There can be no physical attacks from now until May 30, and if there is, the attacker has to unmask. Grande is ticked off but signs anyway and Roldan has security leave.

Hold on as there is something else on the paper: the female host/interviewer has to be removed from AAA for attacking Original. She wants Grande to take Original’s mask and leaves. Original signs and throws the pin at Grande before leaving. Grande: “SHORTY!” He has something else to say but the Creed Brothers run in and put Grande through the table. Los Americanos run in for the save to end the show. This is a great example of a story that might be a bit silly but it’s working so well because the fans care about the people involved. That’s how a good story should go and I want to see these two fight so nice job.

Overall Rating: B. This was more of a story heavy show and that’s nice to see on occasion. You can see where a lot of the Noche card is going and I’m liking what is being put together. The wrestling here was still pretty good and I want to see what happens from here. They keep me hooked week to week and that’s not something some much bigger promotions can pull off. This was a solid show and the ending was a hot angle, which is more than good enough for about an hour.

Results
Mini Vikingo b. El Hijo del Vikingo – 630 Phoenix splash
Rey Fenix b. Laredo Kid – Mexican MuscleBuster

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

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AAA On FOX
Date: April 18, 2026
Location: Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Jose Manuel Guillen, Roberto Figueroa

We’re back to Mexico but in this case the commentary is in Spanish as WWE didn’t upload the show to their YouTube channel (likely due to a case of Wrestlemania). There is no telling what we’ll get around here, but the show has been one of the more consistently entertaining series in recent months so hopefully that continues. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Aerostar vs. Lince Dorado vs. Joaquin Wilde

Dorado knocks both of them down to start and backbreakers Aerostar for two. Aerostar is sent outside but comes back in for a double superkick to Dorado. Wilde sends Dorado into a DDT from Aerostar, who gets taken down with a neckbreaker. Back up and Aerostar is sent outside for a heck of a flip dive from Dorado but Wilde takes both of them out with an even bigger dive.

Back in and Wilde poses on Aerostar and gets his picture taken until Dorado breaks it up. Dorado is sent outside and Wilde superkicks Aerostar, who catches Wilde on top. A powerbomb out of the corner gives Wilde two, with Dorado shooting starring in for the save. Aerostar knocks Dorado outside for a suicide dive and then takes Wilde out as well. Back in and Aerostar gives Dorado a rolling cutter but Dorado rolls through a super hurricanrana for the pin at 7:05.

Rating: B. This was, pardon the expression, total nonstop action and that’s what the match should have been. It was a case where any of the three winning would have been fine, though Dorado is probably the biggest name out of the three. Good opener here as they certainly started the show fast.

The War Raiders and Psycho Circus get in a fight before tonight’s main event.

Dorian Roldan appeals to his mother about Mini Vikingo costing El Hijo del Vikingo the Intercontinental Title last week. Things have been insane and the company has no leadership so he should be the new GM. She wants a week to think about it.

Mixed Tag Team Titles: Dinamico/La Hiedra vs. Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice

Iguana and Vice are defending. Dinamico isn’t sure what to make of the stuffed iguana and Iguana flipping around and having a seat makes it worse. It’s quickly off to the women with Hiedra working on the arm but getting pulled into an armbar. Hiedra pops up and shakes her hips, only to get pulled into a cross armbreaker. Iguana gets the same thing on Dinamico but both of them are broken up.

Iguana is sent into the corner for a running hip attack and Hiedra gives Vice something like Shattered Dreams. The fans react to Hiedra giving Vice a spank but Vice is right back with a suplex. Iguana comes back in for a big spinning headscissors on Dinamico, who is right back with a running cutter. It’s back to Vice, who gives Dinamico the running hip attack but gets rolled up to give Hiedra two. Vice kicks Hiedra in the face, leaving Dinamico to powerbomb Iguana for two. Iguana gets caught in an electric chair but spins out into a DDT to retain at 7:57.

Rating: C+. There was a lot going on here but these titles are hardly the most serious thing in the world. It’s fine to see something like this, with a bunch of comedy spots and the fans mainly there for Iguana and Vice’s shtick. You could do just about anything here and it would have been fine, which was on display with this one.

We look back at the battle of the Americanos last week, with the mask vs. mask match being set.

El Grande Americano talks about how what he said at Rey de Reyes came from the heart. El Texano is with him and says all the titles and accomplishments mean nothing if you won’t fight. Americano is ready to fight and Texano respects him for accepting the mask vs. mask match. They seem ready to team up.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We look at the Psycho Circus vs. the Viking Raiders at Rey de Reyes with the match ending in a double DQ.

Ivar vs. Psycho Clown

They start fast with an exchange of clotheslines in the corner until Clown takes over. Clown knocks him outside and hits a big suicide dive but Ivar is back up with a Tour Of The Islands. Clown’s comeback is cut off by Ivar sitting on him out of the corner but Clown knocks him down again. A split legged moonsault gives Clown two and he hits a running corner boot.

Ivar spinebusters him out of the air but misses the Doomsault. That’s shrugged off and Ivar kicks him in the face, followed by a tiger bomb for two more. Clown fights out of a superplex attempt and hits a sunset bomb, followed by a Code Red for another near fall. The referee gets bumped so Clown’s Samoan drop doesn’t get a count. Cue Erik to lay Clown out and a double powerbomb gives Ivar the pin at 8:43.

Rating: B. This was two big men hitting each other really hard until…well until it took a bonus big man to cause the pin. That’s all this was supposed to be and since we haven’t seen anything close to it on the show, it stood out that much more. I liked this a good big and it was a rather fun way to wrap up the show.

Post match Pagano runs in for the late save. The Raiders leave and Clown yells at Pagano for not being there. They keep arguing to the back and violence seems likely but they go different ways. Clown finds Murder Clown attacked with a Pagano shirt to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show continues to be simple, easy to follow, and entertaining. Part of that is due to it not taking up too much time every week, but I have more fun watching this show than just about anything else. I’m glad to see it finding its groove while giving some WWE stars something to do. Another good show this week with above average wrestling.

Results
Lince Dorado b. Aerostar and Joaquin Wilde – Sunset flip to Wilde
Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice b. Dinamico/La Hiedra – Spinning DDT to Dinamico
Ivar b. Psycho Clown – Double powerbomb

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

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

Wrestlemania XLI Night One
Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Attendance: 58,538
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, Pat McAfee
God Bless America: Jelly Roll

It’s kind of hard to fathom that we’re a whole year removed from this show but here we are again. The show is in (or near) Las Vegas and as usual it’s a double night spectacle, with the first main event seeing Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk in a rare non-title match. Gunther vs. Jey Uso will handle the title match aspect so let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at the influence of Wrestlemania and how many people talk about wrestling. HHH narrates about these legendary stories, but sometimes they’re true.

Here is HHH to welcome us to the show and let us know we are being seen worldwide.

A DJ and some dancers are here.

Raw World Title: Jey Uso vs. Gunther

Uso is challenging after winning the Royal Rumble. We get some people waving YEET flags on the ramp and the Las Vegas Raiderettes as Uso comes into the stadium with tens of thousands of people doing the YEET dance. There is a great shot from just over Uso’s shoulder showing what he’s seeing and my goodness it’s always cool to see this kind of thing happening because of one person.

After they Big Match Intros, they take their time to start until Gunther powers him into the corner. That earns Gunther a heck of a shot to the face to send him outside. Back in and Gunther takes him down with a headlock takeover, which doesn’t last long either. The threat of an enziguri sends Gunther outside again and we slow back down. Gunther gets back in and Uso grabs a slam before going up, where Gunther chops his soul out to the floor.

The slow chopping ensues but Uso hits a quick spear for two. Gunther is back up to try a powerbomb, which is countered into a Samoan drop. Uso goes up again and gets superplexed down, setting up the powerbomb for two. That leaves Gunther more than a bit surprised and Uso spears his way out of trouble again. The Superfly Splash gives Uso two so Gunther teases walking out.

It’s enough of a distraction for Gunther to get in a belt shot and the top rope splash for two. NOW Gunther is getting serious and we hit the sleeper. Somehow Uso makes the rope and Gunther is just mad. Uso is down in the corner so Gunther chops him anyway, which has Uso laughing (must be a family thing).

More chops don’t keep Uso down as he comes back with a headbutt. Uso has to counter a sleeper into a German suplex but Gunther is right back with the big dropkick. Another powerbomb is countered into one from Uso though and he drops Gunther with a spear. Back to back to back Superfly Splashes set up a sleeper and Gunther actually taps (and quickly too) to make Uso champion at 16:20.

Rating: B. This turned into a heck of a match with Uso throwing everything back at Gunther and beating him at his own game. At the same time, I couldn’t believe that Uso actually won the title but that is exactly what happened. They made a new big star with a clean submission in the middle of the ring. Good opener here but an awesome moment which had to happen after the way Uso was built up in the previous weeks.

Post match Jimmy Uso is the first person out to celebrate with Jey and they leave through the crowd.

We recap the War Raiders defending the Raw Tag Team Titles against the New Day. After New Day had some issues, Big E. tried to get them back on the right track but they turned him down, with New Day’s heel turned earning them a full on shunning from the crowd. This included their FAMILIES, as everyone hated them over their actions, down to Kofi Kingston’s mother walking out on him. They got a title shot anyway so here we go.

Raw Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. War Raiders

New Day is challenging and jump the champs tost art fast. Erik doesn’t care for being punched in the face and rams Kingston into Woods. That’s enough to send New Day outside, where Erik slams Ivar onto the two of them. Ivar crushes both of them against the ring video board and it’s back to Erik vs. Woods inside.

A belly to back suplex/top rope splash combination gets two on Woods but he’s able to cut off Erik’s dive. Kingston adds a top rope backsplash to Erik and we settle down to Kingston hammering away. Woods’ top rope double stomp hits Erik in the ropes but Erik fights out of the corner. It’s back to Ivar to clean house, including sitting on Kingston’s chest out of the corner. Kingston comes back with a spinning kick to the head but Ivar runs Kingston over without much trouble.

The Honor Roll connects for Woods and the Daybreak is loaded up. Erik cuts that one off and Erik kicks Kingston in the face. The Doomsault hits Kingston so Woods makes the save with the Limit Break Elbow. Another Honor Roll is broken up though and Erik hits a heck of a running knee. The springboard clothesline/German suplex combination is broken up though and the Daybreak finishes Ivar for the pin (with Kingston holding the leg) and the titles at 9:17.

Rating: B-. This was better than I remembered, though that might be due to not having to watch a dull build up to the match. The tag division was just nothing and unfortunately there wasn’t much of a reason to care. The big heel turn came from the turn on Big E., but that was several months ago. You can only get so far after that much time and it didn’t help that Big E. had no involvement. It’s a rare case where the time has helped a lot and that’s a nice relief.

Post match New Day runs out before they get destroyed again.

We recap Jade Cargill vs. Naomi. Last fall, someone attacked Cargill and put her out of actions for months. She came back at Elimination Chamber and it wound out that it was Naomi. Cargill was ready to wreck Naomi, while Bianca Belair was rather upset by everything Naomi did too. Now, as expected, it’s time for revenge.

Naomi vs. Jade Cargill

We get a celebrity cameo as….a meteorologist from the Weather Channel says we have a perfect storm in Las Vegas. From Muhammad Ali to this people. Cargill powers her into the corner to start and gets in a slam off the top. Naomi gets in a shot to the eyes though and snaps the throat across the ropes. A ram into the steps has Cargill staggered, with Naomi hitting a Blockbuster onto the floor.

Back in and Naomi grabs a chinlock while cranking on the arm as well. Cargill gets up and tosses her into the corner for a splash but charges into a raised boot. Naomi tries another Blockbuster but gets pulled out of the air into a Jackhammer, because that’s something a human can do.

Naomi fights back and goes up again but gets caught again. This time Naomi is able to bulldog Cargill off the top though and a split legged moonsault gives Cargill two. Jaded is reversed into a rollup and Cargill powers out of the Rings Of Saturn. Cargill pulls her into an electric chair and spins it into a powerbomb, followed by Jaded for the pin at 9:25.

Rating: B-. There were some sloppy moments in there, but Cargill looked like an absolute star. The power game she has is off the charts and she looks like a Greek statue come to life. Naomi was in over her head here with the power and athleticism, as the experience wasn’t enough to carry her. Nice stuff here, as Cargill felt like a monster in a great way.

We recap LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu. Knight is the very popular US Champion and Fatu is the new smashing machine. I don’t know Knight’s chances.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu is challenging and Knight rides onto the stage in a rather expensive looking card. Knight grabs a neckbreaker for two but Fatu grabs a backbreaker to take over. The pace slows down a lot with Fatu hammering away, only to be knocked outside. Knight’s dropkick through the ropes connects but Fatu suplexes him out of the air for two back inside. The running backsplash hits raised knees though and Knight hits a standing top rope elbow for two.

Fatu runs him right back over and goes up, with Knight breaking up the moonsault. That lets Knight grab a top rope flipping German superplex for the big crash as Fatu is actually reeling. Naturally he shrugs that off and huts the running Umaga Attack in the corner, followed by a Swanton for two more. The triple jump moonsault is loaded up but Knight grabs him out of the air with the BFT (and nailed it) for the rather near fall. Knight is stunned and goes up, only to get Samoan dropped down. A pair of moonsaults makes Fatu champion at 10:40.

Rating: B-. That BFT alone made this one pretty memorable as the timing required to make that work was outstanding. At the same time, it made a lot more sense to have Fatu win here as he’s the kind of monster who had to win something at some point. It came after a good enough match too, with Fatu getting through to the next level, which Knight needs to do again.

We recap El Grande Americano vs. Rey Fenix. Americano is basically mocking the idea of lucha libre and Mysterio doesn’t like it so it’s time to stand up for the sport’s heritage. Chad Gable has been accused of being Americano but insists it is NOT him. Then Mysterio got hurt and he’s replaced by Rey Fenix. This needs more Mike Tenay’s Lucha Libre And The Mexican Luchadors.

El Grande Americano vs. Rey Fenix

Americano gets the sepia tone entrance ala the old newsreels about his career and is played in by a mariachi band. Hold on though as Americano goes outside and gets into it with AAA’s El Hijo de Vikingo, who kicks him in the head. Americano gets back inside for the opening bell and a hurricanrana for two.

They fight over a test of strength and go to the mat for a double bridge up. Fenix’s super hurricanrana sets up a missile dropkick to put Americano on the floor, meaning the big dive can follow. As commentary continues to bicker about whether it’s Americano or Gable, he suplexes Fenix for two but gets kicked in the face for his efforts. Back up and Americano LAUNCHES him into the corner with an overhead belly to belly for the huge crash.

A moonsault backsplash (commentary tries to figure out the degrees) hits Fenix for two more and Americano goes after the mask. That earns him a hurricanrana and the mask is loaded up. Fenix tries a springboard kick and hitsthe metal in the mask to leave him injured. The ankle lock goes on but Fenix rolls his way out. That means a springboard headbutt hits Americano but with Gable getting knocked out. A loaded Swan Dive finishes Fenix at 7:57.

Rating: C+. This was more about getting Americano on the show but it would have made a lot more sense against Mysterio. At the same time, this was about as good of an option as they had as a substitute, with Fenix being able to fly around so well. Americano had to win as he was still a pretty new idea and the goofiness was still working rather well.

Post match Vikingo checks on Fenix.

We look at the WWE Bought AAA announcement from earlier.

Here is Shawn Michaels to announce the attendance: 61,467. The number being written on the card in big numbers is rather amusing.

We see some celebrities, including UFC CEO Dana White for the second time.

We recap Charlotte challenging Tiffany Stratton for the Smackdown Women’s Title. Charlotte won the Royal Rumble and Stratton is rather cocky and believes she deserves everything she has. Charlotte also has her usual “I’m awesome” going and they’ve been rather nasty to each other in recent weeks.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte

Charlotte is challenging. Stratton has a rather cool entrance where she appears as three different kinds of Barbies in big pink boxes and walks out of the middle one. Charlotte charges at her to start and they go to the mat to slug it out. The fight goes outside with Charlotte still in control but Stratton gets in a shot to take over.

Back in and the Flair Flip is broken up with a running elbow and a double stomp takes Charlotte out of the corner for two. They head outside with Charlotte dropping her onto the barricade and then the apron as things slow down. Charlotte takes her back inside for what would become the Devi’s Kiss, followed by the rolling figure four neck lock rolling slams. The Liontamer goes on until Stratton reverses into a rollup for two.

Some handspring elbows connect for Stratton in the corner but Charlotte gets in a neck snap across the top rope. Stratton knocks her back down but the moonsault hits knees. Instead Stratton hits a basement dropkick for two and we pause for a double breather. A big boot gives Charlotte two and they chop it out with Stratton winning the exchange of strikes. Stratton misses a charge in the ropes though and Charlotte kicks her down.

Natural Selection is blocked though and Charlotte hits a nice sitout powerbomb for two. Stratton catches her up top and hits a spinebuster for two and they’re both down again. A high crossbody hits Charlotte but she’s able to knee Stratton outside. The moonsault to the floor is broken up though and Charlotte’s recently repaired knee is banged up. Stratton kicks away at the leg so Charlotte kicks away at the head for two.

Charlotte wraps Stratton’s knee around the post and crashes down onto it in the corner. The Figure Four goes on but Stratton gets smart by hammering on the bad knee to escape. Stratton’s Prettiest Moonsault Ever hits raised knees so the banged up Charlotte gets two and they’re both down again. Charlotte goes up and knocks her off the top, setting up a super Natural Selection for two. Another Figure Eight attempt is blocked and Charlotte misses a charge into the corner. An Alabama Slam sends Charlotte into the corner and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever retains the title at 19:12.

Rating: B. They accomplished the big goal here by having Stratton win over the most successful star in women’s wrestling history. Stratton was a star but needed something like this to really make her feel like a bigger name. She’s a big part of the new generation of women’s wrestling and Charlotte put her over, which happened to come after quite the athletic display. They worked well enough together and the result was the right call.

We look at the Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.

Here is the class:

Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin from Wrestlemania XIII (doesn’t get much better than that)
Natural Disasters (they needed a tag team)
Michelle McCool (you knew it was coming)
HHH (that’s a top level headliner)

That’s about as much of a mixed bag as you can get but I do like the smaller number. Lex Luger was also in the class but apparently suffered a fall the morning of the show and couldn’t be there.

Iyo Sky was on the Goodyear Blimp over Las Vegas.

We recap Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk. Reigns and Rollins have a long history due to the Shield and subsequent betrayals, while Punk is here because he hates both of them. The match has been made, with the caveat that Punk is FINALLY a Wrestlemania main eventer. As a bonus, Paul Heyman is in Punk’s corner to pay back the favor owed to Punk for being on Reigns’ team at Survivor Series. They also had a big fight at the Royal Rumble and then Reigns cost Punk a cage match against Rollins.

Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns

Rollins has a flamethrower, Reigns has white shoes and Punk has Heyman. Advantage: Reigns. Punk also gets a special video on his career, showing his rise from OVW to ECW to Raw and all the way to the main event. Tonight is his night and his main event. Yeah that’s well deserved after it was such a big deal to him. And of course Punk is played to the ring because we need to stretch this out even longer.

The bell rings and Punk heads outside to chat with Heyman, leaving Reigns to go after Rollins. Punk gets back in and Reigns clotheslines both of them, including one to send Punk outside. Reigns gets posted and suicide dived, with Rollins sending him into the steps. Punk and Rollins go into the crowd with Punk firing off some chair shots to take over. That’s broken up with a metal stand to the ribs and a trashcan to Punk’s head but he suplexes Rollins onto a trashcan.

They head back towards ringside, where Reigns dives over the barricade to take them both out. Reigns loads up the announcers’ table (Heyman is worried) but instead takes Punk back inside for a Samoan drop. Punk fights back and cuts Reigns off, which brings Punk quite the smile. Punk’s running knees in the corner set up a DDT/neckbreaker combination to drop both of them.

The top rope elbow hits Rollins but he’s able to catch Punk on top. Reigns breaks that up and gets Rollins on his shoulder, setting up Punk as Hawk in a Doomsday Device. Reigns and Punk slug it out with Punk getting the Anaconda Vice. Rollins dives in with a suicide dive to make the save and even covers Reigns for two. Back up and Rollins hits a buckle bomb to both of them but Punk tries the GTS.

That’s broken up by Reigns’ spear but Rollins reverses another into a Pedigree (they LOVE that spot). A Stomp connects but Rollins stops to get rid of Punk, allowing Reigns to kick out. Rollins’ phoenix splash misses Reigns so he spears Rollins down. A quick GTS gives Punk two on Reigns as Heyman is looking frustrated. Rollins is back in with a Pedigree for two on Punk, allowing him to yell at Reigns about how useless Reigns is without him. Rollins goes outside and the other announcers’ table is loaded up.

Rollins teases the DoubleBomb but Reigns punches him in the face and powerbombs Punk through the table. Rollins is powerbombed through the other but the spear to Rollins is only good for two. Reigns yells at Heyman about the favor and then grabs a guillotine choke on Punk, even jumping up onto him. That’s reversed into the Anaconda Vice but Rollins is in with a Sharpshooter to Punk. Reigns breaks that up with the guillotine, which is broken up for a GTS to Rollins. Heyman is now sitting on the steps as only Punk can get up.

Another GTS hits Rollins but Reigns spears Punk, only to get Stomped by Rollins to leave everyone down. That’s enough for Heyman to grab a chair, but he isn’t sure if he should give it to Punk or Reigns. He slides it to Punk and gets in the ring (and you can see it coming from here).

The chair shot is loaded up and it’s a low blow to Punk, leaving Reigns smiling (those are some amazingly white teeth). Heyman offers Reigns the chair so he can go after Punk but points Reigns at Rollins. Reigns loads up the chair and of course Heyman hits him low as well, revealing his real allegiance. Rollins gets the chair and blasts Reigns in the back (there’s your call back), setting up a Stomp for the pin at 32:41.

Rating: B+. This went on for a good while but once they started trading finishes, it got rather good. The question became how Heyman would get involved, but at the same time the action they had was rather good. It was a grudge match built around the idea of Heyman making his choice in the end, with everyone hating each other and wanting to beat the living daylights out of each other on the way there. I’m not sure if it’s a classic Wrestlemania main event, but dang it wound up working.

Overall Rating: B. I did like it and it feels like a big show, though I’m not sure if it felt all the way up to a Wrestlemania level show. The main event was rather great and most of the rest of the show worked, though the Americano vs. Fenix match could have probably been dropped. For a first half of the biggest show of the year it’s good enough, but it needed that one great match to put it up to the next level.

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