Evolve
Date: June 4, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time for another big show this week, with the first Men’s Evolve Champion being crowned in another four way elimination match. That should make for a big time match, but we also might be finding out what is going on with the first ever Women’s Evolve Champion, as Kali Armstrong won the title last week. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the four participants in the men’s title match and teases fallout from last week’s title match.

Opening sequence.

Here is Kali Armstrong to brag about her title win. She’s happy with how things went and now she wants to see how hard this can get. So who is first to come after the title? Cue Zayda Steele, who says they are both history makers. Armstrong is the first Evolve Champion and Steele is the first official WWE ID prospect. Cue Nikkita Lyons to say she should get the first title shot because she’s not afraid to pounce. She should be getting the first title shot and the brawl is on. Armstrong gets double teamed down so here is Natalya to make the save. Natalya goes to help Armstrong, who snatches the title away from her again.

Carlee Bright has been attacked backstage. Post break, Bright says it was someone in a black hoodie but she couldn’t see their face. She’s cleared to compete, with Stevie Turner not sure what to do.

Keanu Carver is ready to win the title because he wants a ticket to avoid going back to the streets of Washington DC.

Sean Legacy, with Timothy Thatcher, says he’s been waiting eight long years for this.

Jin Tala vs. Carlee Bright

Bright has a bad shoulder coming in so Tala goes right for it, with an early takedown getting two. Bright fights up with an armbar of her own and a knockdown gets two. Tala goes after the arm again but Bright is right back up with a Codebreaker. The standing moonsault misses though and Tala ties up the arm for the tap at 4:19.

Rating: C. That was short and to the point, though Tala didn’t exactly blow anyone away. The problem here was the focus being on Bright’s injury more than Tala, making her feel secondary. She beat a low level star who came in injured. That’s not exactly a great way to make your debut, though at least she did get the win.

We look at Wendy Choo attacking Kylie Rae after last week’s title match.

Rae wants to fight Choo and wrap it up but Chantel Monroe comes in to call Rae annoying.

The Vanity Project gives Jackson Drake a pep talk.

Edris Enofe talks about his shoulder injury, but what hurt him worse was having to be out of the ring for so long.

Here is High Ryze for a chat. Wes Lee talks about seeing people with dreams and potential in the locker room, and maybe they can become the next big thing. Lee loves that these people think they can take his spot but it’s not happening. He has a lot more that he wants to accomplish but here are Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel to interrupt. They’re not here for a rematch though, but rather because Jones wants to face Lee one on one. Jones wants to prove himself and Lee agrees, though he thinks Jones is in over his head.

Je’Von Evans is here to present the first Evolve Men’s Title and runs into Jordan Oasis, who he likes.

Marcus Mathers is coming and is very excited.

Evolve Men’s Title: Keanu Carver vs. Jackson Drake vs. Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe

Elimination match for the inaugural title. They start fast with Legacy and Drake being sent outside. Enofe hits a huge flip dive and follows with a high crossbody to Carver. That’s not working for Carver, who is back with his spinning powerslam for the pin on Enofe at 1:49. Well thanks for coming man. We take a break and come back with Legacy and Drake taking turns on Carver, with a missile dropkick into a moonsault getting two. A running knee into a springboard 450 finishes Drake at 4:16, leaving us with Legacy vs. Drake for the title.

They immediately start trading shots to the face before exchanging German suplexes. A super Spanish Fly gives Legacy two but Shambles is broken up. Drake drapes him over the top and gets two off a Swanton, followed by a kick to the head for the same. Legacy pulls him into the STF but Drake makes the rope. Another Shambles is broken up and the running knee gives Drake the pin and the title at 10:06.

Rating: C+. Much like last week, this was actually pretty disappointing. At the end of the day, it felt like a match that was totally rushed. The first two eliminations didn’t mean anything and it was basically Drake vs. Legacy for the title. That’s a fine way to go, but when you build this up as being some epic showdown, you kind of expect more out of such a monumental moment. That being said, Drake needed to win here as the Vanity Project needs some success given how prominently they’re being featured.

Post match the Vanity Project comes in to celebrate and Je’Von Evans presents Drake with the title. Drake is thrilled and hugs Evans to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. Well, the main event wasn’t great and Tala’s debut was just ok, with Jones and Lee’s showdown not being much better. There wasn’t much to see on this show and I’m hoping they can pick up the pace next week. Just not much to see here, on a show which should have been huge given the nature of the main event.

Results
Jin Tala b. Carlee Bright – Arm lock
Jackson Drake b. Sean Legacy, Keanu Carver and Edris Enofe last eliminating Legacy

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 25, 2008
Location: Wachovia Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler

It’s been a minute since I’ve done one of these and the Raw archive being moved off Peacock didn’t help. I want to finish the gaps I have in the show’s history though and that includes a long stretch around this time. We’re coming up on Unforgiven and that means we need to fill in some spots in the Championship Scramble. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

CM Punk vs. John Bradshaw Layfield

Non-title. JBL grabs a headlock to start but misses the elbow, allowing Punk to fire off the kicks. A kick to the face gets two and Punk forearms away in the corner. An armdrag into an armbar has JBL down again and a big kick to the head has him on the floor. The suicide dive is kind of sent into the announcers’ table but Punk is fine enough to hit a high crossbody for two back inside. JBL kicks him outside without much trouble and we take a break.

Back with JBL working on a bearhug but Punk fights out and hits a tornado DDT for a delayed two. The bulldog out of the corner gives Punk two but the Clothesline From JBL gets the same. JBL goes for a chair in a not so bright move and of course has it taken away. Punk uses the distraction to hit a quick GTS for the pin.

Rating: C+. They were in a weird spot here as Punk needed the win but JBL is also on his way to the Scramble match. In theory he shouldn’t be taking falls, but it’s not like JBL has much int eh way of value in the first place after all those losses. The match was a decent enough brawl, but it’s nice to see Punk getting a clean(ish) win like this.

Here is Mike Adamle for a chat. He shows us a video from Summerslam, with Batista beating John Cena. This included some Batista Bombs, which have resulted in Cena needing surgery. That means he will be out of the Championship Scramble but a replacement will be announced by the end of the night. Why not just announce it now? Did we really need two Adamle appearances?

Kane talks about destroying Rey Mysterio and the pain makes him salivate. He loved hurting Mysterio and now people are wondering if Mysterio is alive or dead.

Primo Colon is with Mike Adamle and says he’s not like Carlito. Shawn Michaels comes in and says he wants Chris Jericho, who isn’t here yet. He ignores a question about how his wife is doing.

Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix

Non-title and Santino Marella is here with Phoenix. Kelly goes after her to start and is quickly sat on the top. That’s broken up and Kelly gets two off a quick rollup. Phoenix pulls her into a chinlock and cranks away but Kelly fights up. Marella pulls Phoenix away from a handspring elbow but the distraction lets Kelly get a rollup for the upset pin.

Post match Phoenix beats up Marella.

We look at a classic moment from 1989 with Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect. Sounds classic to me.

Primo Colon vs. Charlito

That would be Charlie Haas doing a Carlito impression, with commentary not hiding what is going on. Primo sends him into the corner and snaps off a middle rope headscissors. Charlito gets in a right hand and hammers away, setting up a chinlock. Primo fights up, strikes away, and hits a high crossbody for the win. This was as good as Charlie Haas doing a Carlito impression in a short match was going to be.

We recap Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho, with Jericho accidentally hitting Michaels’ wife to make this mega personal. Jericho isn’t overly disturbed.

Here is Michaels, looking rather serious, for a chat. First off, his wife is hurt and he has been trying to tell himself that it was just an accident. Then they watched Raw and Jericho blamed Michaels. Why didn’t Michaels send in a letter of resignation? It’s because he has earned the right to come out here and thank the fans one last time.

That’s why he had his wife out here with him and she got punched in the face. Michaels isn’t going anywhere, but here is Jericho on the Titantron. He isn’t here because people are scared of what he might do if he was. Remember what happened the last time they were in the ring together? Jericho knows that Michaels is trying to goad him into the match but Michaels cuts him off, saying that it has to be a match.

Otherwise, Michaels would be thrown in jail. He’ll sign whatever Jericho wants to make this match happen because of what he can do. Jericho says try to use that bad eye or look at his bruised wife. Michaels says his wife is tougher than Jericho and that’s enough for the match to be on. They’re set for Unforgiven, with Michaels saying an eye for an eye. They sold the heck out of this and I want to see them fight. Nice job.

Ted DiBiase/Cody Rhodes vs. Jerry Lawler/Jim Duggan

Non-title, though Rhodes and DiBiase don’t have the titles after Cryme Tyme stole them last week. Lawler backs DiBiase against the ropes to start before cutting him off with a shot to the face. DiBiase takes him into the corner though and it’s off to Rhodes for a cross face chickenwing.

Back up and Rhodes slaps him in the face, which means the strap comes down immediately. Lawler slugs away and hits a jawbreaker to DiBiase, allowing the tag off to Duggan. House is quickly cleaned with a clothesline and swinging slam getting two on DiBiase. Everything breaks down and DiBiase grabs a Million Dollar Dream legsweep for the fast pin on Duggan.

Rating: C. This was pretty much the definition of “exactly what you were expecting” as Duggan and Lawler were the veterans who didn’t like how the loudmouthed rookies are acting. That means the old guys get in a few shots before falling short, which is how it should have gone. If nothing else, DiBiase and Rhodes need to deal with Cryme Tyme, who are likely waiting on them at Unforgiven.

Post match Rhodes grabs the mic and says it’s a crime to steal titles so here is Cryme Tyme to introduce themselves. They want a title shot at Unforgiven, with DiBiase not being happy but agreeing. DiBiase promises to show that the team is priceless, with Shad calling him a “silly white boy”.

Batista sends well wishes to John Cena, calling him one of the toughest opponents he has ever faced. Tonight he is facing a monster in Kane and it’s personal.

Intercontinental Title: Santino Marella vs. Kofi Kingston

Marella is defending. Kingston goes after the arm to start and hits the jumping back elbow for two. A monkey flip sends Marella into the corner for the right hands to the face but Kingston’s spinning high crossbody misses. Marella slaps on an abdominal stretch, which doesn’t last long as he’s right back with a middle rope shot to the head. The Boom Drop connects and Marella rolls outside but here is Beth Phoenix to cut him off. Kingston throws Marella back inside but Phoenix grabs the leg, sending Kingston’s head into Marella’s knee. This apparently knocks Kingston completely cold so Marella can retain.

Rating: C. That was quite the weak ending, with Kingston looking like he got knocked cold off a simple trip. If you didn’t notice him landing on Marella’s knee, Kingston now looks like one of the weakest stars in WWE today. This would have been better suited with a fluke rollup, but at least Phoenix and Marella have made after all those….minutes since they had a fight.

Post match Phoenix pins Marella into the corner and kisses him. Marella does the same to her, though she might not be as enthused.

Josh Matthews and Candice Michelle are at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Go vote.

Mike Adamle picks Rey Mysterio to replace John Cena in the Championship Scramble. Wasn’t he possibly dead about an hour ago?

Unforgiven rundown.

Batista vs. Kane

They actually go to the mat to start, which is quite the bizarre visual. Batista fireman carries him down and works on an armbar as I’m almost wondering if this is a rib. The armbar is broken up so Batista tries a failed Batista Bomb attempt. A clothesline puts Kane on the floor and we take a break.

Back with Kane holding a chinlock, which feels a lot more his speed. Batista fights up and kicks him in the head but Kane dropkicks the leg out as this match is full of surprises. Some rapid fire elbows to the knee keep Batista down and Kane stomps him down in the corner. A big boot in the corner sets up more cranking on the leg but Batista goes back to the arm for a breather.

Kane shrugs that off and slams the bad knee into the mat before pulling on the leg again. Back up and Batista manages a heck of a clothesline and a powerslam but the knee gives out. Kane can’t hit a chokeslam but Batista can hit a spinebuster. That doesn’t do much as Kane wraps the leg around the post and hits it with a chair for the DQ.

Rating: C. So it’s personal and they do a technical match to start? That’s one of those things that does not make sense no matter how you slice it, though at least things did pick up a bit near the end. The leg and arm stuff made for a good enough match, but it’s not the kind of match that they should have been having given how we got here. These two can have a big brawl, but for some reason they just didn’t.

Post match Kane goes after the leg even more but Batista gets in a shot of his own. Batista takes the chair and unloads, doing the same thing to Kane’s leg in a nice touch. Both guys go down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The Shawn vs. Jericho feud is absolutely carrying the show right now and that’s not a surprise. The rest of the important parts of the show is almost exclusively about the Championship Scramble and that’s not the easiest match to build towards. Throw in a pretty extended focus on Glamarella and this show was kind of all over the place. That being said, Shawn and Jericho are on another planet right now and that’s more than worth the look.

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: June 2, 2025
Location: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s the last Raw before Money In The Bank and there are still some spots left to fill in the show’s namesake matches. At least one of those spots is going to be filled in this week and that should make for some interesting changes to Saturday. There are other things to cover before we get there though so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Seth Rollins qualifying for Money In The Bank last week, with some shenanigans setting up this week’s tag match.

We run down tonight’s card.

Michael Cole has lost a bet to Pat McAfee over the NBA Playoffs so Cole will be doing this show in a tank top. It happens to be a Pacers tank top (as in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s opponent) so Cole is not exactly popular this week.

Here is CM Punk to get things going. After making some NBA Finals references (and saying that if they’re on, you should be watching Raw or Smackdown instead), Punk moves on to Money In The Bank, which he has won twice. He’s looking forward to doing it for the third time because it’s time for him to get some gold. There are two names on top of that mountain, with one of them being Jey Uso.

Punk considers him a friend and if Punk comes after Uso, it’s just business. The other name on top is John Cena and it’s a bit personal there. Punk has always had Cena’s number and he might come pick the bones a bit. It’s time for Punk to become champion one more time, so he’ll see us at Money In The Bank after he qualifies tonight. Cue Sami Zayn, with Punk saying he usually hates being interrupted but he loves that song.

Punk has said that he wants to be World Champion but that’s what Zayn wants too. It just won’t be through Money In The Bank, though it still could be for Punk. Tonight, Punk has to win because he needs to be there to stop Seth Rollins from winning. If Rollins wins, everything is over for them around here. However, if Punk winds up winning the title, Zayn will be coming for it, which Punk likes too. Everything seems to be serious but ok. Punk getting back into the title picture is interesting, as it almost has to happen sooner or later. That being said, Zayn finally winning the big one could be an incredible moment.

We look back at Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez arguing last week, resulting in Kairi Sane pinning Liv Morgan.

Perez offers Morgan help tonight but Morgan says the best way to help is to stay out. Rodriguez yells at Perez as Morgan leaves. Morgan runs into Iyo Sky and promises to use Money In The Bank to take the title back. Sky says that’s not gonna happen. Morgan: “Watch me.”

Video on Stephanie Vaquer, who is officially on Raw.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer, Ivy Nile

Vaquer starts fast and sends Nile into the corner, setting up the Devil’s Kiss to Morgan for a nice reaction. Nile gets the same treatment but Morgan breaks it up with a dropkick. Morgan hits some running shots in the corner until Nile cuts her off. Nile German suplexes both of them at once and we take a break.

Back with Vaquer dragon screw legwhipping Nile out of the corner for two with Morgan making another save. Vaquer and Morgan slug it out until Vaquer gets her into the corner as well. Nile is back up with a Tower Of Doom and gets to trade near falls with Vaquer. Morgan gets up top for a double Codebreaker and a double near fall, followed by Oblivion to Vaquer. Nile tries and fails to steal the pin and brawls to the floor with Morgan. With Morgan sent into the steps, Vaquer grabs the SVB (double underhook backbreaker) for the win at 10:17.

Rating: B-. It’s kind of remarkable to see what Vaquer has become in so little time. She signed with the company less than a year ago, has already won two titles in NXT and feels like she belongs on the main roster. It would not surprise me to see her as champion within the next few months and that is an amazing rise. As for the match, they did well at the end, as I thought they might actually have Nile steal the win, so points for a good head fake.

Paul Heyman comes in to wish AJ Styles a happy birthday and offers him some information. Dominik Mysterio is the Intercontinental Champion and that means the title needs someone better, like Styles. That’s what Styles should focus on while leaving Money In The Bank to Seth Rollins. Styles asks if Heyman is tired because he must have thought this was going to work. He’ll get back to the Intercontinental Title later, but for now, it’s time to win Money In The Bank.

Rusev tells Sheamus to not mess with him. Sheamus has a body of granite but a neck of sand. Now stay away or he’ll snap Sheamus’ neck. Can you snap sand?

Sheamus gives the Alpha Academy and Natalya a pep talk. As for Rusev, his time outside of WWE lasted about as long as Rusev Day while Sheamus has been putting on banger after banger. If Rusev wants to prove himself, just remember that Sheamus bullies bullies.

War Raiders vs. Judgment Day

New Day is on commentary. We get some WE WANT TRUTH chants (and not for the first time tonight) as Erik gets taken into the corner for some choking to start. Erik gets beaten up in another corner but avoids a charge, allowing Ivar to come in and clean house. A handspring kick to the face even sends McDonagh to the floor and into the announcers’ table. Ivar gets slammed onto McDonagh and New Day bails from the threat of a crash.

The threat of a retaliation earns New Day an ejection and we take a break. Back with Ivar still in trouble but giving McDonagh a Tour of the Islands. Erik comes back in to clean house, including the pop up headbutt for two on Balor. Back up and Balor drops Erik but misses the Coup de Grace. Ivar’s seated senton out of the corner sets up the Bronco Buster but cue Roxanne Perez for a distraction. McDonagh breaks up the Doomsault and the Coup de Grace finishes Ivar at 11:07.

Rating: C+. You know how I keep talking about how cold this division feels? Well this was the latest example of the same issues. There is just nothing here that makes me want to see what is coming for any of the teams and these segments are feeling more and more like filler every time. It’s just not clicking and no one in the division feels even remotely important. That needs to change, but I have no idea how that is going to happen.

Becky Lynch has only been back for six weeks and Lyra Valkyria has already cost her a bunch. That’s because she has already forgotten everything Lynch has done for her, both here and in NXT.

Stephanie Vaquer speaks some Spanish but Rhea Ripley comes in (oh the fans REALLY like this one). The cheers are so loud that I can’t hear what Ripley says as she shakes Vaquer’s hand.

Here is Lyra Valkyria for a chat but she wants Becky Lynch out here to say this to her face. Cue Lynch, with Valkyria talking about how Lynch’s mind has been poisoned to believe that Valkyria couldn’t be champion. Lynch, who is backing up against the ropes, talks about how Valkyria is really the one whose mind is poisoned for thinking she can be the replacement.

The only think that Valkyria needs to learn is how to raise Lynch’s hand after Lynch beats her. Lynch goes to leaves so Valkyria challenges her for right now…but it’s not happening in Tulsa. Valkyria charges up the ramp and the brawl is on with referees breaking it up. As usual, Valkyria is trying but it’s not quite clicking.

We look at the Indiana Pacers beating the New York Knicks.

Penta is ready to win Money In The Bank.

Sami Zayn/Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker/Bronson Reed

Zayn has his own classes and you know he can get fired up for this kind of an entrance. Paul Heyman is here with the villains as Breakker drives Uso into the corner for some shoulders to the ribs to start. Breakker runs him over and we take a break. Back with Zayn fighting out of the corner but getting crushed right back into said corner. Breakker’s jumping knee puts Zayn down again but Zayn manages a DDT on Reed.

That’s enough for the tag back to Uso, who slugs away. Breakker’s fireman’s carry gutbuster gets two on Uso but the Super Spear is cut off with a superkick. Reed misses a splash on the apron and Breakker is sent outside, with Zayn’s slingshot dive being pulled out of the air. Uso dives onto all three of them though….and here is Seth Rollins to Stomp Uso for the DQ at 9:02.

Rating: B-. The action was good, but there was pretty much no way one of these four was taking a fall in this match at this point. They have too much going on at the moment and if they’re going to lose, it will be on a much bigger stage. For now though, Reed looked good in his new role as a monster for the heel stable and the whole thing continues to feel like it has a great deal of potential.

Post match the beatdown is on and Zayn is loaded onto the announcers’ table. CM Punk makes the save with a chair.

Liv Morgan isn’t happy with Finn Balor using Roxanne Perez to win but Balor says Morgan might be jealous. Balor insists there is no plan. Morgan trusts Dominik Mysterio but Balor wants her to trust him. With Morgan gone, Balor assures Mysterio that things are good.

Kairi Sane vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Liv Morgan is here with Rodriguez. Sane tries a waistlock to start and gets spun around without much trouble. A headscissors staggers Rodriguez again but she manages to swing a charging Sane into the apron. Morgan gets in a cheap shot and Rodriguez powers Sane into the corner back inside. Sane knocks her back and tries a high crossbody but gets pulled out of the air.

That’s reversed into a DDT (as we get a botched graphic saying that the Zayn/Uso tag match is still to come) and Sane is able to start the comeback. Sane strikes away in the corner and dropkicks the knee out, setting up a basement Blockbuster. Morgan gets on the apron for a distraction so here is Iyo Sky to cut her off. Rodriguez goes after Sane and gets kicked head first into the post. The Insane Elbow gives Sane the pin at 6:04.

Rating: C+. The match was pretty much just a reason for the interference and teasing Morgan vs. Sky. The good thing is that it did give Sane another pin after the unintentionally messed up return. That Insane Elbow is still great and makes Sane feel like she could beat anyone, though right now she’s just having random matches.

Sami Zayn is in the trainer’s room when Karrion Kross comes in. Kross doesn’t like what Zayn has been doing and Zayn asks what Kross wants from him. Kross says Zayn could be a ten time World Champion if he’ll just do the right thing and be evil. The reality is Zayn is just like him, but Zayn says Kross is wrong. Kross: “I may be wrong…..but I may be right too.”

Worlds Collide rundown.

Money In The Bank rundown.

Video on Gunther, who is getting his rematch against Jey Uso next week.

Gunther comes up to Uso in the back and talks about how Uso is trying to be a great champion. The problem is Uso refuses to think with his head instead of his heart, which is the wrong way to go. Next week, Gunther is getting the title back because he has known he would do this since the title loss at Wrestlemania. Next week, the party is over. Uso doesn’t take kindly to this and says he’ll see Gunther.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: AJ Styles vs. CM Punk vs. El Grande Americano

Americano gets double teamed to start and is quickly sent outside. Punk and Styles are cool with each other until Punk grabs a headlock. The drop down dropkick puts Punk down and might have taken out a tooth. Americano gets back in as Punk sends Styles into the corner a few times. Styles’ springboard is broken up and Americano flip dives onto Punk. Americano knocks Zayn over the announcers’ table and we take a break.

Back with Punk hitting the top rope elbow on Styles but Americano throws Punk down. American’s high crossbody is rolled through but Styles breaks up the GTS. Styles hits a double DDT for two each so Americano tries the ankle lock on both of them. That’s broken up and the Styles Clash hits Americano with Punk making the save.

The Styles Clash to Punk is countered into a failed GTS attempt but Americano moonsaults onto both of them for two on Styles. Another moonsault misses and the GTS hits Americano…with Bron Breakker pulling the referee out. Breakker and Bronson Reed beat him down but Jey Uso and Sami Zayn run in for the save. Styles hits a big springboard dive onto the pile but the Phenomenal Forearm hits the loaded headbutt to give American the pin at 11:48.

Rating: B. I wasn’t sure which way they were going here, but they are teasing the heck out of Rollins winning the briefcase again. That is far from guaranteed from happening, but the storm clouds seem to be forming around Raw. Americano is rolling in this spot, and they’re doing the smart thing by not having him out there every week to run out his welcome. On the other hand, Styles needs to get to the Intercontinental Title feud as soon as possible, as he is the most “and he’s here too” name in WWE right now.

Post match Punk goes after Breakker and Reed but Seth Rollins runs in and keeps up the beatdown. The villains wreck the heroes and Reed drops some Tsunamis to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Money In The Bank season is such a weird time for WWE as so much of the shows are built around getting to the ladder matches. Saturday will see all kinds of things reset at once, but it makes for some hyper focused shows and they can be a bit tedious. The good thing here is that the action was enough to carry the show, even if it feels like it was the end of the first part of a season.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Liv Morgan and Ivy Nile – SVB to Nile
Judgment Day b. War Raiders – Coup de Grace to Ivar
Sami Zayn/Jey Uso b. Bronson Reed/Bron Breakker via DQ when Seth Rollins interfered
Kairi Sane b. Raquel Rodriguez – Insane Elbow
El Grande Americano b. CM Punk and AJ Styles – Loaded headbutt to Styles

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

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

Smackdown
Date: May 30, 2025
Location: Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

Somehow we are just over a week away from Money In The Bank and that means it is time to start getting the card finalized. That is likely going to included some more qualifying matches, which can be hit or miss around here. Other than that, the rest of the show needs some attention and as of Saturday Night’s Main Event last weekend, Cody Rhodes is back. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is hometown girl Bianca Belair for a chat. She’s so glad to be back after her injury and it’s time to get back where she belongs. This brings out Naomi, who wants to be Belair’s friend again. It was so bad that she went to Belair’s parents’ house and looked through one of Belair’s photo album. Belair brings up Naomi attacking Jade Cargill and promises worse if Naomi goes near her family again. Cue Cargill to take Naomi out but here is Nia Jax for the scheduled match.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Nia Jax vs. Naomi vs. Jade Cargill

We’re joined in progress with Jax crashing out to the floor, leaving Naomi to hit a running dropkick to Cargill in the corner. Jax is back in with a running hip attack to Cargill in the corner but Cargill is up with a fall away slam to Naomi. Back up and Jax plants both of them down, followed by a double legdrop. A singular version hits Naomi for two but she rolls through a Samoan drop for two of her own as we take a break.

Back with Jax and Naomi double teaming Cargill but Jax doesn’t like Naomi going for a cover. Cargill is back up with a spinebuster to Jax and Jaded to Naomi but Jax makes the charging save. A double high crossbody gives Jax two each and frustration is setting in. Jax hits a super Samoan drop on Naomi, with Jax diving in for the save. They go to the corner for a Tower Of Doom, setting up an Annihilator to Cargill. Naomi is right there to steal the rollup pin on Jax at 12:21.

Rating: B-. Naomi has been needing a win and this is as good of a way to make that happen as possible. I could actually go for her winning Money In The Bank as she is an interesting choice to have hanging around the title picture. This got a bit of time too and that was nice to see, though Cargill vs. Naomi needs to wrap up already. What is left for Cargill to do to her?

Solo Sikoa and company run into R-Truth, who is talking to Little Jimmy (hey he’s back….I think). Sikoa thinks it’s dumb JC Mateo gets in R-Truth’s face. R-Truth thinks Mateo is his son (of course) and wants to teach Sikoa’s “husky” son a lesson. Works for them, though Jacob Fatu has his own plans for tonight. That sounds painful.

Chelsea Green, holding up a mask to hide her broken nose, and the Secret Hervice stop Nick Aldis. Green demands that she be named US Champion to make up for her injury but Aldis says no. And that’s that.

Tiffany Stratton wants to see who wins the Money In The Bank briefcase because someone will try to cash in. Cue Naomi to say she’s coming for the title. Naomi leaves and Alexa bliss comes in to say she wants the title too.

We look at the four way for the NXT North American Title at Worlds Collide.

JC Mateo vs. R-Truth

Mateo powers him into the corner without much trouble to start but R-Truth is back with the flying shoulders. That’s cut off in a hurry and Mateo hits the standing moonsault. The ProtoBomb and Five Knuckle Shuffle actually hit Mateo, but he grabs the Tour Of The Islands for the pin at 2:19. That’s what it should have been.

Post match Solo Sikoa goes after R-Truth but Jimmy Uso makes the save with a chair. Mateo takes Uso out as well.

Here are the Street Profits for a chat. The division is on fire right now and they’re the ones leading the charge. Now the Wyatts are here? Cue Fraxiom to say they should get another shot but here are the Motor City Machine Guns, who say the Profits never beat them either. They’ll take a title shot too, but here is DIY, who claims a conspiracy against them. Ciampa (who is looking in INCREDIBLE shape here) wants a moment of silence for the tag division….and we’ve got Wyatts to wreck everyone.

Los Garza vs. Je’Von Evans/Rey Fenix

This is a preview for the NXT North American Title match at Worlds Collide, with champion Ethan Page on commentary. Fenix and Garza start things off with Fenix snapping off a running hurricanrana. Berto comes in and gets caught with a running kick to the head as we take a break. Back with Garza giving Evans a running knee in the corner, followed by a Gory Bomb/slingshot cutter combination for two. Evans fights up and gets over for the tag to Fenix so house can quickly be cleaned.

Everything breaks down and Evans makes a blind tag to come in with a springboard clothesline. Evans and Garza chop it out from their knees and then from their feet, until Garza grabs a slingshot sitout powerbomb for two. Fenix breaks up the double super gorilla press slam though and Evans hits a big flip dive to the floor to take all of them out. Page pops up and sends Fenix over the announcers’ table, earning a superkick from Evans. Back in and Evans drops Berto but Page shoves him off the top. Los Garza’s double spinning slam finishes Evans at 12:23.

Rating: B-. For a commercial for a match that has pretty much nothing to do with this show, this could have been a lot worse. Evans getting something close to a tryout on the main roster isn’t a surprise either as it is clear that WWE is rather high on him. The action here was good too, with the right team winning in the end.

We get a video from the Wyatts, with Uncle Howdy saying (I think) it’s time for them to get what is owed.

Zelina Vega vs. Alba Fyre

Non-title and Piper Niven/Chelsea Green are here with Fyre. Vega gets sent into the corner a few times to start but she comes back with some kicks to the ribs. A headscissors sends Fyre down again but she hits a shoulder to drop Vega. Back up and Vega hammers away in the corner but Green’s distraction cuts off the 619 attempt. Fyre hits a superkick and we take a break.

Back with Fyre hitting a gordbuster for two and grabbing the chinlock. Vega fights up and gets in a knockdown of her own, setting up the clothesline comeback. A running knee in the corner hits Fyre and the middle rope Meteora gets two. Stundog Millionaire drops Fyre again but she avoids a moonsault. Fyre’s Swanton gets two and Vega is sent outside, where Green takes the face protector off. Green hits Niven by mistake though, leaving Vega to grab the Code Red for the pin at 11:07.

Rating: B. I liked this one more than I was expecting to, if nothing else because it was an actual fresh match. It feels like Vega and Niven have fought multiple times so getting Fyre in there on her own was a good idea. Vega needs to move on to someone new, but it was nice to see her getting to complete the set of opponents here in a way.

Miz tells Carmelo Hayes to follow his instructions tonight but Hayes says he got here on his own talent. Hayes needs Miz to let Him be Him, which Miz doesn’t seem to like.

Giulia isn’t here to be the best, but to be indisputable. It doesn’t matter who she is facing, because they are just part of building her legacy.

Zelina Vega runs into Giulia, who seems interested in the Women’s US Title.

Here is Damian Priest for a chat. Priest talks about how he has fought on the streets before but here in wrestling, when you have a fight with someone, the match usually ends things. He and Drew McIntyre went on for over a year and that’s not normal. McIntyre is gone for a bit to heal up and Priest still hates him. The thing is, that was the old McIntyre in the cage and Priest was glad to see him.

As for Priest, he wants titles, starting with Jacob Fatu and the US Title. Priest respects Fatu, but not the crew that Fatu follows around. They’ll do their thing one day and Priest will be the champion. Priest goes to leave and here is Fatu for his match and the staredown on the way. That’s a good way to go as you can always get into a hoss fight.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes

Non-title and Miz is here with Hayes. Andrade and Fatu clear the ring to start fast, leaving Fatu to send Andrade to the apron. That earns Andrade a knock out to the floor so Hayes is back in to get dropped by Fatu as well. For some reason Miz thinks it’s a good idea to grab Fatu’s leg, with the distraction allowing Andrade to clothesline Hayes. Fatu crushes Miz against the barricade and we take a break.

Back with Fatu knocking Andrade into the corner but missing the running Umaga Attack. Andrade hits Fatu with the running knees in the corner but walks into La Mistica to give Hayes two. Back up and Andrade hits something like a middle rope reverse Spanish Fly for the double down.

Andrade’s double moonsault hits Fatu, with Hayes making the save. The three of them slug it out from their knees until some double teaming manages to send Fatu outside. That doesn’t work for Fatu, who brings them outside but misses a running Umaga attack through the barricade.

We take another break and come back with Andrade catching Hayes on top, only for Fatu to help with a super Spanish Fly. Fatu Swantons Hayes for two but Andrade hits the spinning back elbow for two of his own. Hayes’ springboard spinning clothesline gets two more with Fatu making the save this time. A Samoan drop drops Andrade but the triple jump moonsault misses for Fatu.

Nothing But Net gets two and Andrade and Hayes go into a pinfall reversal sequence. Back up and Andrade hits a spinning back elbow to drop Hayes and we get a three way breather. Fatu hits an implant DDT each and the triple jump moonsault to Andrade…but Solo Sikoa gets on the apron for some reason. JC Mateo joins him but here is Jimmy Uso to go after them. Andrade hits Hayes with the Message for the pin at 20:27.

Rating: B. Yeah this was good, partially because it got some time and partially because it gives us someone else in the ladder match while having Hayes and Miz continue their issues. Andrade can bring it when he is given the chance and that’s what we got to see here. I could go for him getting to do something more important and it seems that he is at least having a small chance.

LA Knight is ready for Money In The Bank because he’s going into his third straight Money In The Bank. Aleister Black comes in to say that win was partially his, but Knight is welcome.

Jacob Fatu wrecks a bunch of stuff backstage and tells Solo Sikoa that he doesn’t need help.

Worlds Collide rundown.

Money In The Bank rundown.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes talks about having to get through the loss at Wrestlemania XLI and asking a friend if he was a good champion. His friend said yes and Rhodes goes over what he did during his year with the title. This included his boss, the Final Boss, and of course John Cena. That gives us the dueling chants, with Rhodes talking about how Cena forced him to make a choice.

Rhodes isn’t sure if Cena will ruin wrestling, but Rhodes will never think twice about taking Cena out again. He apologizes for getting a bit worked up but he has a surprise. The fans chant for Jey Uso…so perhaps we should YEET. Cue Uso (who picks up a kid for the YEET dance and it’s still great) and we take a break. Back with Uso giving us an encore but here is Cena to interrupt. Cena calls them both Cena wannabes who want his money and fame but they won’t get it.

There is one person in WWE who has Cena’s hustle, loyalty and respect so here is Logan Paul. Cena says Paul doesn’t have to pay his dues because he is paying your mortgage. Paul asks what the fans are crying for because he could walk on water and people would say it’s because he can’t swim.

This is a special moment and the most important thing that anyone here in Tennessee will ever see. Paul should be the World Heavyweight Champion but Uso got lucky at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Rhodes had to cheat because that’s what Uso and Rhodes do. Paul on the other hand is a self made man and no one would have believed he would be teaming with Cena.

While Cena’s time is almost up, Paul’s time is now. Uso and Rhodes want to fight right now, who Rhodes suggesting that Paul is going to go polish Cena’s peacemaker. The brawl is on and the villains are quickly dispatched. Cena was bringing it a bit more here, as teaming with Paul is about as vile as you can get on this show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a strong edition of the show with a nice collection of in-ring work. Throw in a solid main event promo segment and I had a pretty nice time with the show. It was also a big push towards next week’s pay per view and it was a good effort towards making that show feel more important. I could still go for this show being back at two hours, but they can make it work like this on occasion.

Results
Naomi b. Jade Cargill and Nia Jax – Rollup to Jax
JC Mateo b. R-Truth – Tour Of The Islands
Los Garza b. Je’Von Evans/Rey Fenix – Double spinning slam to Evans
Zelina Vega b. Alba Fyre – Code Red
Andrade b. Jacob Fatu and Carmelo Hayes – The Message to Hayes

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

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

Evolve
Date: May 28, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s a big show this week, with the first Women’s Champion being crowned. That means a four way elimination match for the inaugural title and that means we should be in for a big time main event. Other than that, the Men’s Title is being crowned next week so it’s time for a big push. Let’s get to it.

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

The four women in the title match (Kendal Grey, Kali Armstrong, Wendy Choo and Kylie Rae) are ready to win. Well Choo doesn’t talk because of course she doesn’t.

Opening sequence.

Jackson Drake vs. Lince Dorado vs. Jordan Oasis

The Vanity Project is here with Drake and the winner is in the Evolve Title match next week. Drake elbows both of them down to start and Oasis is sent outside. A top rope ax handle gets two on Dorado with Oasis coming back in for the save. Oasis hits a gutbuster for two on Drake and it’s time for a three way strike off.

Dorado gets the better of things but gets sent outside, leaving Drake to hammer on Oasis in the corner. Oasis plants him down for two but Brad Baylor makes the save. Dorado hits a big dive to the floor and goes to the back with the Vanity Project. Back up and Drake avoids a charge in the corner, setting up a running knee to pin Oasis at 5:52.

Rating: C+. This was a fine enough way to get the Vanity Project into the title match, as it would have been strange to not have them around in one way or another. I like the idea of bringing in a veteran like Dorado as well, as the fans are going to respond to someone they know. He’s still more than good enough in the ring to hold his own out here too, even if he isn’t likely going to win much.

Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont are ready to take out Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel.

It’s Gal is by the pool but he can’t have as much fun as he wants because people are saying Troy Yearwood has a better physique. That doesn’t work for Gal, so Yearwood needs to stay out of his way.

Jackson Drake is back in the ring and brags about his success, promising to win the title next week. Cue Edris Enofe to interrupt, saying Drake shouldn’t brag while he’s around. Cue Sean Legacy to interrupt, saying he’s going to win. Drake isn’t impressed but cue Keanu Carver to interrupt, with Drake getting beaten down.

Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel say it’s their speed against Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe’s power.

Cappuccino Jones/Jack Cartwheel vs. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont

Igwe powers Cartwheel down to start but Cartwheel is back up to work on the arm. DuPont comes in for a side slam but misses a charge into the corner. It’s off to Jones for a basement dropkick and a double clothesline puts DuPont on the floor. Cue Wes Lee to check on DuPont and Igwe, with the distraction letting DuPont get in a cheap shot to take over.

The double teaming is on but Jones gets over for the tag to Cartwheel. As we get a graphic saying Cartwheel is friends with Frank Frontroll and John Backflip, Cartwheel hits a big flip dive to take DuPont down, followed by a spinning moonsault for two on Igwe. DuPont runs Jones over on the floor though and it’s a Heartstopper for the pin on Cartwheel at 5:08.

Rating: B-. Power vs. speed very well may be the most basic story in wrestling and it went rather well here. They made the story clear and didn’t veer to one side or another with it, which is exactly how this needed to go. I liked this more than I was expecting, and Jones/Cartwheel as a regular team could be worth a try.

Stevie Turner signs Jin Tala to the roster. Carlee Bright comes in and is told she can’t be at ringside. Next week: Tala vs. Bright, and they’re both fine with it.

Natalya is here to watch the title match.

High Ryze (Wes Lee/Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont) are happy with their win and acknowledge that Jack Cartwheel and Cappuccino Jones have potential.

Women’s Title: Kylie Rae vs. Kali Armstrong vs. Kendal Grey vs. Wendy Choo

Elimination rules for the inaugural title. They start fast and everyone but Grey goes to the floor, meaning it’s time for the big dive to take them out. Back in and Armstrong is rammed into Rae for two each, followed by Grey crossbodying Choo for the same. Choo pops up and gets all creepy, including a running shot to all three in various corners. A high crossbody hits Rae but Grey runs Choo over. The Kali Connection hits Choo and Rae adds a superkick to get rid of Choo at 2:54.

We take a break and come back with Rae hitting a pair of Cannonballs for two. Armstrong suplexes them both at the same time but Grey fights up and cleans house. Grey goes for a cross armbreaker on Armstrong but Rae grabs a rollup to pin Grey at 6:05 total. We’re down to Armstrong vs. Rae, with Armstrong making a quick comeback.

The Kali Connection is countered into a crossface in the middle of the ring but Armstrong powers up anyway. A powerslam doesn’t work for Armstrong and Rae gets two off a small package. Back up and Armstrong hits the powerslam followed by the Kali Connection for the pin and the title at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Uh, where’s the rest of this? They hyped up the match as being this huge deal and then it’s over in less than nine minutes? I was expecting this to go a lot longer than this and it was actually disappointing. That being said, Armstrong is the right choice for the win, as she has had the hot hand in recent weeks. Someone is going to have to overcome the power and athleticism and that is going to make them a big deal.

Post match Rae is distraught and Wendy Choo looks on, because that still needs to be a thing.

Natalya comes in to present the title, which Armstrong snatches away from her.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was focused on the titles for the most part, with the tag match in the middle adding a bit of variety. The men’s title match is feeling huge, though the women’s version didn’t quite live up to expectations. I’ll take the step forward though, as this is starting to feel like a more traditional wrestling show week by week.

Results
Jackson Drake b. Jordan Oasis and Lince Dorado – Running knee to Oasis
Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe b. Cappuccino Jones/Jack Cartwheel – Heartstopper to Cartwheel
Kali Armstrong b. Kendal Grey, Kylie Rae and Wendy Choo last eliminating Rae

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

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

Earthquake Dark Matches
Date: 1989, 2001

This is part of Giants Week on the WWE Vault and the name speaks for itself. Earthquake was one of the better big men of his era but people forget how young he was. It’s fascinating to see what he could do and now we are getting a look at both the beginning and end of his career. Let’s get to it.

From March 26, 1989.

John Tenta vs. Sam Houston

Yes Tenta, despite him wearing the Canadian Earthquake gear. Houston rolls around to start before getting powered into the corner. The big firearm to the chest sets up quite the slam so Houston crawls through Tenta’s legs. Some dropkicks don’t get Huston very far so it’s off to a front facelock for about as much success. We hit the required bearhug until Houston fights out and tries a sleeper. That doesn’t work either so Tenta grabs a spinning belly to belly suplex for the pin at 4:51.

Rating: C. Yeah this was just a squash and that’s all it needed to be. The point in bringing in a monster like Tenta is to put him in there with a smaller guy who had just enough status to matter. Tenta looked decent in there and the gear worked well for him, which is impressive as not every giant can pull off baby blue.

From September 20, 1989.

Earthquake Evans vs. Paul Roma

Evans is in pretty much street clothes and has Slick with him. They circle each other to start until Roma is shoved down with ease. Roma’s right hands in the corner just annoy Evans…but he actually manages to armdrag the monster down into an armbar. Roma stays on the arm for a bit before getting pulled into a powerslam.

A hard whip into the corner rocks Roma again and Evans slaps on the bearhug. Rather than squeezing, Evans sends him into the corner and hits a splash. Rima avoids a charge though and comes back with three straight middle rope forearms to the head to stagger Evans, followed by some dropkicks to actually put him down. A high crossbody misses though and Evans drops the big elbow for the pin at 6:54.

Rating: C. The previous match worked a bit better and oddly enough, a lot of that is due to the gear. The Earthquake singlet worked fine but this was basically him looking like a lumberjack. That takes away a lot of the aura and makes him look like a big guy who can do moves. Roma did his part well though and the fans were getting into it, but Earthquake, at least cosmetically, took a big step backwards here.

From December 22, 2001.

Earthquake vs. Tank Meloche

The fans are rather pleased to see Earthquake, who goes with the power to start. Meloche manages a running shoulder to actually drop him though and it’s off to the corner for a running clothesline. Some chops give us some WOOing and a hiptoss brings Earthquake back out.

Meloche gets in a nice slam for one and a crossbody connects for two. Back up and earthquake hits a splash in the corner, followed by a runing clothesline for two. A terrible looking splash misses for Earthquake (Meloche had already moved before Earthquake left his feet) and Meloche suplexes him down. Earthquake manages a slam off the top and drops the big leg, followed by the Earthquake for the pin at 5:03.

Rating: C-. I can definitely see why Earthquake didn’t get signed, or even another chance, after this. He looked old and not overly impressive, with nostalgia being the only thing he offered here. On the other hand, Meloche looked completely decent and could have been worth another look, but from what I can tell, this is the only recorded match he had, at least under this name. Odds are he worked smaller shows and probably under another name, but he did well enough here that he had me curious.

Overall Rating: C. This one is definitely more in the “historical curiosity” category and not much else. The matches aren’t exactly high quality, though you know what you’re getting from a bunch of dark matches. Earthquake was a talented star in his day, but it was clear that those days passed him by and there wasn’t much of a reason to bring him back. Still though, the early days were good and the Houston match showed a fine enough preview of what he could do.

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

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: May 26, 2025
Location: Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Pat McAfee, Michael Cole

We’re done with Saturday Night’s Main Event, which saw the return of Cody Rhodes and a huge tag match likely being set up for Money In The Bank. The show is coming up in less than two weeks and this week is going to be qualifying matches. There are some other matches either already set or likely to be set so let’s get to it.

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

Saturday Night’s Main Event recap.

Here are Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker, now with Bronson Reed, to get things going. Heyman brags about this being the future of wrestling, as these are going to be the men who main event Wrestlemania XLV. The fans chant for CM Punk, who isn’t here tonight, thanks to Reed. Heyman praises Reed as a monster who took Punk out on his own at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

That brings Heyman to Rollins, who is everything he names himself as being. Rollins very slowly talks about how this is the vision, and his vision. The fans do not like Rollins and tell him he sold out, but he doesn’t know who he sold out to. Himself? The fans swear at him a lot, though he points out that five minutes ago, they were singing his song.

Sami Zayn and CM Punk cost him the World Heavyweight Championship, but Rollins has a better idea. He is going to qualify for Money In The Bank and take the title whenever he wants. That’s true power, which he has because he is a visionary. I’d assume the team is going to be called The Vision and while I’ve heard worse, you know what name they should be going with in the end.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Penta vs. Dragon Lee vs. Chad Gable

Gable is sent to the floor to start, leaving Lee to send Penta into the corner for a running boot to the face. Some running dropkicks connect in the corner but Gable is back with a t-bone suplex. Penta is back up and takes Gable down, followed by a superkick to an upside down Lee in the corner.

A package piledriver/Gory Bomb combination sends Gable and Lee to the floor (with Gable landing on his head), followed by the big flip dive to the floor. We take a break and come back with Gable taking over on the floor, where El Hijo del Vikingo is not happy in the crowd. Lee hits a SCARY dive to take Penta out on the announcers’ table as Gable goes after Vikingo.

Back in and Lee hits the sitout powerbomb for two on Gable, who German suplexes both of them at once. A moonsault gives Gable two on Penta and he goes up again, but Vikingo breaks it up. Lee hits his super double stomp but Penta gives him a Canadian Destroyer. The Penta Driver finishes Gable at 10:03.

Rating: B-. Penta makes the most sense here, as he has been teasing that Intercontinental level run for a long time now. While he isn’t likely to win the briefcase, he’s someone who can do some kind of a big spot and steal a good chunk of the show. El Grande Americano will likely get involved somehow, and that’s all he needs to be doing, especially with the mask involved.

We go to the Judgment Day clubhouse, where Roxanne Perez gives Dominik Mysterio some chicken tenders and rubs his shoulders. Liv Morgan is back though and does NOT like this. She is off to qualify for Money In The Bank, with Perez looking all innocent. They’re not wasting time with this one and it should be fun.

We get the Memorial Day video, as narrated by Cody Rhodes.

Akira Tozawa vs. Rusev

Tozawa, with Maxxine Dupri, comes right at him to start for no logical reason. Rusev shrugs it off and hits the running superkick, setting up the Accolade for the win at 54 seconds. That’s all it should have been.

Post match Rusev won’t let go but Sheamus comes out for the save. That’s better than having random matches for both of them.

Comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura, promote their shows on Netflix but Bert runs off. Bert calls Tom over to meet the War Raiders and do the WAR chant. Tom isn’t impressed. Neither am I, as Kreischer seems to be as entertaining as a bad infection.

Sami Zayn is upset but Jey Uso comes in and tells him to win Money In The Bank. Handshakes abound.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. New Day vs. Creed Brothers

The brawl is on before the bell with the Raiders clearing the ring, allowing Erik to slam Ivar onto the pile. Back in and Woods saves Kingston from a powerbomb and Erik gets double teamed into the barricade. The villains are in control as we take a break. Back with Woods hitting a top rope double stomp between Erik’s shoulders.

Erik fights up and hits a right hand to Woods, allowing the tag to Ivar. House is quickly cleaned and Ivar wrecks everyone. Ivar stacks Kingston and Brutus up for a splash and everyone but the Raiders are sent outside. Back in and a superplex brings Erik down and Woods adds the Limit Break. Ivar’s top rope splash hits Woods, with Kingston and the Creeds making a save.

Kingston’s Trouble In Paradise misses so the Creeds take Erik down. Ivar’s double handspring elbow drops the Creeds but Brutus is back up with a Brutus Ball to the floor. Ivar sends Kingston into the ring wall and hits a crossbody to crush him again. Back in and Julius hits a step up knee to knock Ivar off the top but Woods rolls him up with tights to retain at 9:49.

Rating: B-. I’m kind of astounded by how ice cold the tag division is at this point and this didn’t help things. It was just a triple threat match with the Raiders getting to look dominant until New Day cheated to win. There’s nowhere for them to go right now as there are no other teams to come after the titles right now, but I guess this is about as featured as the titles are going to get.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez run into Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane. Morgan mocks both of them, so Sane issues the challenge for later.

Here is Jey Uso for a chat. Uso recaps recent issues…and gets cut off by Gunther. He wastes no time in congratulating the Usos for being in WWE for fifteen years and for Uso’s first successful title defense. Gunther did not expect Uso to hold the title this long. Uso’s long term plan seems to be to take care of his friends at a moment’s notice, which is a great thing for a friend but a terrible idea for a champion.

The reality is that Uso might not be smart enough to get what it takes to keep the title. That’s why Gunther is going to relieve him of the champion. Uso says that’s enough because he is tired of everyone saying his days are numbered. In two weeks, Uso is going to fight for the people’s support and keep his title. Good stuff here, but it felt like a rerun of the build to Wrestlemania.

Cody Rhodes has a new podcast with his wife Brandi as the first guest.

Liv Morgan vs. Kairi Sane

They grapple around to start until Morgan takes her into the corner for some stomping. Sane fights up and headscissors her into the ropes, setting up a heck of a running forearm to the chest. Morgan is back up with a big knockdown on the floor though and we take a break. Back with Sane breaking up the Three Amigos and hitting a top rope fist (basically a Phenomenal Forearm without the springboard).

A rather painful looking leglock goes on but Morgan slips out and hits a middle rope Codebreaker for two as the fans are getting back into this. Morgan grabs a Backstabber for two but Sane rolls her up out of the corner for the same. Sane goes up but here is Dominik Mysterio for a distraction, allowing Roxanne Perez to shove her off. Raquel Rodriguez yells at Perez as Sane counters Oblivion into a rollup for the pin at 10:58.

Rating: C+. It’s good that last week’s loss doesn’t seem to have impacted Sane very much and there is a chance that this was designed to boost her back up. That’s the secondary story though, as the big deal here is going to be Morgan wanting to massacre Perez for various reasons. That should set things up for the future, as it could go in a variety of different ways.

Rhea Ripley is ready to win Money In The Bank, which is somehow her first ladder match.

Liv Morgan yells at Roxanne Perez…and blames Raquel Rodriguez as well.

Here is Lyra Valkyria for a chat. She wishes she was here to talk about new competition but Becky Lynch has whined and complained and gotten another shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Normally, Valkyria beats someone between the ropes and moves on, but Lynch came out here, with her ego still high, and acted like she won the match. She’s like a rat with a piece of cheese and Valkyria couldn’t let her do it.

Valkyria is ready to hurt her at Money In The Bank but here is Lynch, looking a bit stunned, to interrupt. Lynch can’t believe Valkyria claimed Lynch is the one who made this personal. The reality is that after Backlash, Lynch went home with her hot husband and Valkyria went to the hospital with her fiance. Valkyria calls Lynch’s husband the best thing about her and Lynch says she made Valkyria what she is today. That doesn’t work for Valkyria, because people are talking about her for her win at Backlash.

Lynch has to calm herself down and offers a stipulation: if Valkyria beats her, she can never challenge for the title again. Valkyria says that’s fine, because she beat Lynch at Backlash with her eyes closed. Lynch wasn’t done though, because she wants Valkyria to raise her hand after Lynch wins. That’s fine with Valkyria, who will always raise the hand of someone who beats her. That just hasn’t been Lynch yet. Valkyria is trying so hard with these promos but there is only so much you can do against an all time talker like Lynch. Odds are Lynch wins at Money In The Bank, though I said the same about Backlash and was very wrong.

Karrion Kross, with Scarlett, stop Sami Zayn, who has no time for this. Kross says Zayn won’t win the title, but Zayn says he’ll deal with Kross later. It seemed that New Day was in the back, possibly talking to Grayson Waller (though you couldn’t see his face).

We run down the Money In The Bank card.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor

Balor chops away at Zayn to start so Zayn dives onto Rollins on the floor. Back in and Rollins drops Zayn with a clothesline but Balor hits a double DDT for two. We take a break and come back with Balor hammering on Zayn as Rollins is on the floor. Zayn fights up and hits the Arabian moonsault to take them both out.

Back in and Rollins puts Zayn on top, where Zayn snaps off a sunset bomb. Balor escapes a Pedigree attempt and goes up, where Zayn superplexes him down. Rollins hits a heck of a frog splash for two and we take another break. We come back again with Zayn in trouble and Rollins agreeing to team up with Balor to go after him.

Balor superplexes Zayn for two but Rollins is back up to Pedigree both of them for two each. Zayn knocks Balor down for two and can’t believe the kickout, leaving Rollins to slap Zayn in the corner over and over. The Exploder sends Rollins into the corner but Balor cuts off the Helluva Kick. The shotgun dropkick sends Rollins and Zayn into the corner but the Coup de Grace misses.

A Stomp hits Balor and a Helluva Kick hits Rollins…and Bron Breakker pulls the referee out. Cue Jey Uso to go after Breakker and Bronson Reed but Rollins offers a distraction. Breakker spears Zayn but here is Dominik Mysterio to slide Balor a chair. That lets Rollins Stomp Balor onto the chair for the pin at 19:38.

Rating: B. They had some options for the winner here, but the result was going to be Balor taking the pin one way or another. That’s just what he does these days (and for several days now) and there is no reason to believe it’s going to change. At the same time, Rollins gets to move closer to the title, but I would be stunned if he actually wins the briefcase with so many people wanting to keep him from regaining power.

Post match CM Punk runs in for a GTS to Rollins, with Reed and Breakker chasing him off to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Money In The Bank season is so tough to get through most of the time as it is a bunch of qualifying matches to get ready for a glorified #1 contenders match. That was the focus of this week’s show, though they did enough to set up some other stories to keep it interesting. Unfortunately there is also the ice cold tag division in the middle of the show, which didn’t do it much favors. This show did enough to keep things interesting, but dang I can’t wait for those ladder matches to be over so we can move on to something else.

Results
Penta b. Dragon Lee and Chad Gable – Penta Driver to Gable
Rusev b. Akira Tozawa – Accolade
New Day b. Creed Brothers and War Raiders – Rollup with tights to Brutus
Kairi Sane b. Liv Morgan – Rollup
Seth Rollins b. Finn Balor and Sami Zayn – Stomp onto a chair to Balor

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

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

Forgotten Giants Of The Ring
Commentators: Michael Cole, Josh Matthews, Jim Ross, Kevin Kelly, Dusty Rhodes, Chris Cruise, Mike Tenay, Scott Hudson, Carlos Cabrera, Hugo Savinovich, Lee Marshall, Bobby Heenan, Tony Schiavone

So the WWE Vault is doing Giants Week this week and well, the title kind of speaks for itself in this case. I’m not sure what to expect, though the term “forgotten” gets thrown around pretty easily in things like this. Hopefully it winds up being a nice collection of surprises, but you never know with this stuff. Let’s get to it.

From NXT, June 22, 2010.

Kaval vs. Eli Cottonwood

Cottonwood is 7’ and he’s forgotten for a reason. Kaval (better known as Low Ki) tries to kick his way out of trouble to start and is quickly thrown into the corner. A bearhug has Kaval in more trouble but he slips out and goes to the middle rope to kick away. Cottonwood misses a clothesline that was eight inches above Kaval’s head and throws him over the top (well mostly over).

Kaval gets in another kick to the head and a springboard double stomp to the back of the head connects for two. Cottonwood isn’t having that and hits his reverse chokeslam (exactly what it sounds like) for the win at 2:43. Cottonwood was terrible and you could definitely see that in full here.

From Raw, January 12, 1998.

Kurrgan vs. Jimmy Cicero/Lance Diamond

Kurrgan has the Jackyl, better known as Don Callis, with him. The team goes after him to start and get splashed in the corner for their efforts. A powerslam plants Cicero as the Jackyl is on commentary, talking about how Mike Tyson would be scared of Kurrgan if anything happens at the Royal Rumble. The claw pins Cicero and the music plays, but then we remember that Kurrgan has to beat both of them. A suplex puts Diamond down and it’s a double pin at 2:24.

Post match Kurrgan destroys a football helmet to show his strength. That’s rather effective. Jackyl slaps Kurrgan to get his attention back.

From WCW Prime, January 29, 1996.

Yeti vs. Barry Houston

So you might remember the Yeti as the mummy who did, uh, things to Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc 1995. Well now he’s a masked ninja and happens to still be named Yeti because WCW. Houston gets thrown around to start and hit with a backbreaker. A press slam makes it worse and Yeti chops away in the corner. Houston tries to fight back and is quickly powerslammed for the pin. This was Yeti’s long singles match on TV with the name and gimmick and it’s not hard to see why. He would eventually become Reese in Raven’s Flock to slightly (and I do mean slightly) more success.

From Smackdown, April 10, 2003.

Nathan Jones vs. Bill DeMott

I wouldn’t call DeMott forgotten. Or a giant for that matter. Jones knocks him down to start so DeMott tries a front facelock. That’s broken up with DeMott being sat on and knocked off the top. Back in and a slow motion big boot finishes for Jones at 1:20. Jones had an incredible look but my goodness he was a disaster in the ring. Just absolutely nothing at all and it’s no surprise they pulled the plug fast.

From WCW Saturday Night, July 25, 1998.

Roadblock vs. Lash LaRoux

Roadblock was a big guy who was mainly there to get beaten up by Lex Luger and Goldberg. LaRoux gets stomped down and a clothesline just annoys Roadblock. One heck of a clothesline cuts LaRoux off and Roadblock drops an elbow for two (kind of a surprising kickout). With LaRoux still mostly done, Roadblock goes to the apron and leans on to the rope for a moonsault (the Dead End) and the pin at 1:52. Roadblock wasn’t terrible but he didn’t have a ceiling anywhere above this.

From WWF Super Astros, January 10, 1999.

Giant Silva vs. JR Ryder

Silva knocks him down to start and chokes away in the corner. A boot choke keeps Ryder in trouble and his weak shots to the leg don’t make it better. Silva hits a big chokeslam….and a mini wrestlers dressed as Zorro is on the announcers’ table as Silva gets the pin at 2:48.

From WCW Worldwide, August 23, 1997.

Rick Fuller vs. Kevin Northcutt

Fuller is the giant in question here, while Northcutt would have a cup of coffee in the early days of TNA. Fuller sends him into the ropes to start and hits a spinning kick to drop the also large Northcutt. Something like a hiptoss doesn’t look very good as Northcutt goes into the corner, followed by a running clothesline out to the floor. Back in and Northcut hits a clothesline and kick to the face for two but Fuller knocks him down again. A powerbomb drops Northcutt on his hip and Fuller grabs a half crab for the win at 4:13.

Rating: C. Not much to this one, as Fuller was similar to Roadblock in that he was big but not very good. You’re only going to get so far when you’re coming up around the same time as Goldberg, and I’d bet on Fuller being one of his victims. Another nothing match in a series of them, even with this one getting a bit more time.

From Smackdown, November 20, 2003.

Matt Morgan vs. Shannon Moore

Moore slugs away to start and has his headscissors cut off with pure power. The beating is on, with Morgan hammering him down and adding a big boot. The beal sends Moore flying and a second sends him over the top to the floor. Morgan throws him back inside for two and finishes with a spinning powerbomb at 2:48. Morgan is pretty easily the best of the giants thus far.

From Monday Nitro, February 19, 1996.

Alex Wright vs. Loch Ness

Ness (better known as Giant Haystacks in England) is over 600lbs and shoves Wright down as quickly as you would expect. Wright’s dropkicks don’t get him anywhere so he tries a sleeper. That’s reversed into a bearhug but Wright gets out again. Some more shots just annoy Ness, who swats him out of the corner. The elbow finishes at 2:28.

From Thunder, June 4, 1998.

Reese vs. Van Hammer

The rest of the Flock is here with Reese as we’re getting a double appearance. Reese shoves him into the corner to start, which is rather impressive given Hammer’s size. Some big forearms have Hammer in trouble and an Irish whip, with Reese not letting go, takes him down again. A slightly delayed vertical suplex drops Hammer for two but he jawbreaks his way to freedom. Hammer slugs away and manages to drop Reese with a clothesline. Then Horace jumps up with a stop sign to the head (Schiavone: “He must have gotten that from an intersection!”), allowing Reese to hit a chokebomb for the pin at 3:04.

Rating: D+. This was a good example of why Reese didn’t last long in wrestling. At some point, you need to be able to do something other than just be big and he never figured that out. Nothing to the match of course, though Schiavone’s line about the stop sign made me laugh at how ridiculous it came across.

Post match the beatdown is on to wrap things up.

Overall Rating: C-. The problem here is very simple: these people were forgotten for a reason. Other than Morgan, none of them were worth much of anything at this point in their careers and it showed badly. That being said, this is also a great collection of the idea of being larger than life. You do not see people this size elsewhere and getting to see them being physical in a ring is a heck of a spectacle. Presenting a giant in the right way is hard, but if it’s done right, you can get a lot of mileage out of it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with most of these guys, though I did have fun with the flashbacks.

Head over to my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com with thousands of reviews from around the world and throughout wrestling history.

Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXIX
Date: May 24, 2025
Location: Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

We’re back and with one heck of a card. This edition of the show features five matches, including two with titles on the line and a grudge match inside of a cage. If that isn’t enough for you, there is a huge tag match and John Cena facing R-Truth in a match that is way more interesting than it should be. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker vs. CM Punk/Sami Zayn

Paul Heyman is here with the villains. It’s a brawl before the bell and the villains are knocked outside. We start with Zayn hammering on Rollins but Breakker pulls him out to the floor. Breakker hits the clothesline onto the announcers’ table and we take a break. We come back with Zayn fighting out of trouble and handing it off to Punk. House is quickly cleaned with a neckbreaker dropping Rollins.

A Code Red gives Punk two (and leaves Heyman panicking) and the top rope elbow connects for the same. Breakker distracts Punk though and Punk gets caught with a Pedigree. It’s back to Zayn for the springboard moonsault to Breakker on the floor and we take a break. Back with Punk and Rollins slugging it out until a double clothesline leaves both of them down.

Zayn comes in but can’t hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Breakker. Instead Zayn hits a tornado DDT but Rollins breaks up a Helluva Kick attempt. Back up and Heyman cuts off another attempt…and Bronson Reed is back to knock Punk through the barricade. Breakker hits the Super Spear for the pin on Zayn at 13:08.

Rating: B-. This was all about the big surprise return at the end and that works well. Reed is someone who had been gone long enough that he had been forgotten but not long enough that his return didn’t have an impact. Other than that, the match was about what you would expect, but the ending did work for a good surprise (as I initially thought it was JC Mateo so it was a nice double surprise).

Post match Breakker and Reed have a staredown…and Reed is a Paul Heyman Guy. Punk tries to get in and is crushed again, setting up the Tsunami and the big group villain pose. I like that, as Reed is a different kind of force to add to the team.

Chelsea Green is losing her voice but knows that the votes are in and it’s time for her to get her Women’s US Title back.

Women’s US Title: Chelsea Green vs. Zelina Vega

Green, with the Secret Hervice, is challenging. They start fast with Green taking her down and knocking her into the corner. Vega slips out of a slam and knocks her into the ropes but misses a 619. A knee to the face sends Green outside but she pulls Vega off the apron with a powerbomb. Back in and Green slides into a faceplant to put Vega down again and we hit the chinlock.

Green kicks her down but misses a Vader Bomb, allowing Vega to hit a rolling kick to the head. Vega suplexes her into the corner and hits the running knees, followed by a not so clean 619. The Hervice’s distraction doesn’t work and it’s a super Code Red to retain the title at 5:11.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure how much this needed to be on the show, as it felt more like a way to get a women’s match on the show. I can go for that idea, but at the same time it wasn’t something that felt important at all. Their feud had been mostly wrapped up, though I can take Vega getting a win after her unnecessary loss last night on Smackdown.

Jimmy Hart and Bushwhacker Luke are here.

El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Chad Gable is set for When Worlds Collide.

We recap John Cena vs. R-Truth, with Cena claiming that the fans abuse and take advantage of him. He promised to ruin wrestling, with R-Truth (who isn’t actually shown here until the graphic) believing in Cena but now needing to beat some reality back into him.

John Cena vs. R-Truth

Non-title. After Cena’s full entrance, R-Truth comes out to Cena’s music and in Cena gear. Cena jumps him at the bell and hammers away, looking down at R-Truth with disgust. A Whip into the corner sets up some running shoulders and the ProtoBomb plants R-Truth again. The AA is countered and R-Truth initiates Cena’s finishing sequence. An AA gets two and the STF sends Cena over to the ropes. They go outside and Cena gets in a posting before grabbing the belt. Back in and R-Truth stares at him, with Cena pausing to think about it. Cena hands the title to the referee, kicks R-Truth low, and finishes with the AA at 4:26.

Rating: C. This was disappointing after R-Truth gave a heck of a promo this week on Smackdown. While I never believing that R-Truth was going to be a threat to Cena, I was expecting something a bit better than this. Cena squashed him outside of R-Truth’s one flurry, though I did like Cena teasing a turn of heart and then just sticking with the evil.

Post match Cena hits him with the belt and leaves.

Video on Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre. They’ve been feuding for months and McIntyre blames Priest for all of his problems. This has led to a bunch of brawls, and now it’s time for them to fight in a cage.

Jey Uso runs into John Cena, who he eliminated to win the Royal Rumble. Cena loves the idea of leaving with the title while Logan Paul is the World Heavyweight Championship.

Lelani Kai and Tatanka are here.

Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre

Inside a cage with escape/pinfall/submission to win and Jesse Ventura is on commentary. McIntyre jumps out of the cage to take over before the bell and they go inside (with some chairs included) to officially start. Priest hammers away and gets in a Downward Spiral but misses a charge in the corner. McIntyre launches him face first into the cage and we take a break.

Back with the two of them fighting on the top and getting knocked back down down. Priest kicks him in the face and hits South Of Heaven for two. Priest goes up and gets superplexed back down, setting up the Claymore for two of his own. Back up and they slug it out with McIntyre missing another Claymore. Instead McIntyre hits his own South Of Heaven for two and chairs Priest down. The Claymore to the chair in the corner misses though and Priest slams the chair into McIntyre’s throat. The Conchairto crushes McIntyre’s head and Priest walks out (with a look over his shoulder) to win at 11:49.

Rating: B-. There was a good match in there somewhere, but they were rushed through the whole thing with the break cutting off the momentum. Priest absolutely had to win here and looked vicious with the Conchairto, but there is only so much when you have about eight minutes of televised action. We’ll probably get one more match between them, and hopefully it is treated as a bigger deal.

Ventura complains about Priest walking out the door instead of going over the top, which he somehow makes work. McIntyre staggers up, which is a bit much to see so soon after a Conchairto.

The US Express is here.

We recap Jey Uso defending the Raw World Title against Logan Paul. Uso won the title at Wrestlemania and Paul said he wanted the title because it’s the only thing he hasn’t done. Paul has knocked him out a few times and hopes to do it again here.

Raw World Title: Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul

Uso is defending and shoulders/slaps Paul to start. Paul gets a boot up in the corner and hits a middle rope Blockbuster to send Uso outside. A dive takes Uso down again and we take a break. Back with Uso hitting a running Umaga attack but the Superfly Splash hits raised knees. Paul’s Lionsault hits raised knees too though and Uso grabs a heck of a pop up Samoan drop.

Uso knocks him to the floor but the dive is cut off with a right hand. Back in and the big right hand gets two on Uso but he’s right back up with a superkick. The Superfly Splash connects…and John Cena pulls the referee out. The beatdown is on but Cody Rhodes is back to clear Cena out in a hurry. Uso hits a spear and the Superfly Splash to retain at 9:44.

Rating: C+. Much like the previous match, there is only so much you can do when the match was just shy of ten minutes and about a third of that was left during the break. Paul didn’t feel like a major threat to the title, at least not in this spot, with Gunther already set for a Wrestlemania rematch next month, but it could have been a lot better than this. That’s not even including the screwy interference, which took away even more time. What we got was ok, but this could have used a lot more time to really build something up.

Rhodes issues the challenge for a tag match at Money In The Bank to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was definitely underwhelming, as I was impressed with the card coming in but then they had to rush through almost everything. While I get why it was on the show, the women’s match being pulled would have allowed things a bit of a better chance to breathe, which it really needed. It doesn’t help that the matches themselves were mainly just ways to set up stuff for the future, making this not exactly a smash hit. It’s not bad for a free show on national television, but I was expecting something huge and instead it felt like they were racing to get everything in and that’s not a good feeling.

Results
Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker b. CM Punk/Sami Zayn – Super Spear to Zayn
Zelina Vega b. Chelsea Green – Super Code Red
John Cena b. R-Truth – AA
Damian Priest b. Drew McIntyre when Priest escaped the cage
Jey Uso b. Logan Paul – Superfly Splash

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

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

Smackdown
Date: May 23, 2025
Location: Enmarket Arena, Savannah, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event, which is one heck of a card. It is big enough to feel like a bonus pay per view and this week’s show is likely going to be focused on building it up. Other than that, we have some spots in Money In The Bank to be filled, which should make for some good action. Let’s get to it.

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

Various people are coming to work, including Damian Priest, who jumps Drew McIntyre. Security breaks it up.

Here is Tiffany Stratton for a chat. She’s rather happy with what she has been doing lately and is looking forward to Money In The Bank, but no one better think twice about cashing in on her. Cue Alexa Bliss for a formal introduction before saying she needs that briefcase. She doesn’t know Stratton very well, so Stratton better pray that Bliss doesn’t win.

Cue Charlotte to brag about everything she’s done, save for winning Money In The Bank. She wants the spotlight back, but Charlotte calls her a hypocrite. Charlotte has called the briefcase a cheap way in, but it doesn’t matter because Charlotte and Bliss are a bit old school for her. Stratton is the upgraded version of the two of them and that doesn’t sit well.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Charlotte vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega

Non-title. They stare at each other to start and Charlotte knocks Vega outside. Back in and Vega gets sent flying with a fall away slam before Giulia takes Charlotte down. Some leg stomps and a neck twist have Charlotte in more trouble but she’s back up with a clothesline. Vega is back up to take both of them down and a moonsault to the floor drops them again.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte kicking Giulia off the apron. Giulia is back up with something like a Doomsday dropkick to Vega but Charlotte pops up with a high crossbody to the two of them. Charlotte moonsaults onto both of them for two but Giulia pulls Charlotte into the Rings Of Saturn. Vega breaks it up with a dropkick and hits a 619 but Charlotte drops Vega again. The Figure Eight has Giulia in trouble until Vega makes the save with the Meteora. Charlotte boots Vega down but Giulia comes in with a top rope double stomp for the save. The Northern Lights Bomb gives Giulia the pin on Vega at 13:31.

Rating: B. The second Vega was introduced as the third entrant, it was a question of whether Charlotte or Giulia would beat her. With all of the women they have available around here for this kind of a spot, they had no better option than the US Champion? The title has only been around for a few months and having losses like this isn’t going to help it. The match was good, but some better thinking would be appreciated.

DIY takes credit for the tag division coming together and doesn’t like other teams acting like they did it.

Zelina Vega is in the back and Chelsea Green mocks her. The ensuing brawl is quickly broken up by the Secret Hervice. B-Fab and Michin come in to say they want a fight tonight, with Nick Aldis making it happen.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Chris Sabin

Johnny Gargano and Alex Shelley are here too. Sabin works on an armdrag to start and grinds away at the arm. Ciampa breaks that up and stomps away in the corner but Sabin armdrags him out to the floor. Sabin goes after him so Ciampa throws in a jacket, setting up Willow’s Bell as we take a break.

Back with Sabin hitting a German suplex and a running shot to the face for two. They slug it out on the apron until Ciampa grabs a White Noise for two of his own. Back in and Sabin blocks the Fairy Tale Ending, with Ciampa favoring his knee. A springboard tornado DDT drops Ciampa so it’s time for Gargano and Shelley to get involved. Sabin dives onto DIY but cue Candice LeRae to rake Sabin’s eyes. Ciampa hits a running knee for the pin at 10:15.

Rating: B-. It’s so nice to have teams like DIY and the Guns who can be slotted in as singles stars if need be. That’s what we got here and it was a perfectly fine way to keep the feud going without doing the same match time after time. Having LeRae in the DIY fold would make perfect sense too, as it’s not like she has anything else going on.

Fraxiom is ready for the biggest night of their careers as they have a Tag Team Title shot.

We look back at John Cena’s heel turn and how he blames the fans for abusing him over the years.

Damian Priest is supposed to come out to talk about Drew McIntyre but they brawl to ringside instead. It’s broken up but Priest says he wants more, with the brawl continuing.

Jacob Fatu doesn’t know JC Mateo and doesn’t trust him. Solo Sikoa says use that aggression tonight. Sikoa wants Jimmy Uso back in the fold but Fatu doesn’t seem convinced by the two of them.

Alexa Bliss mocks Charlotte for losing.

Secret Hervice vs. B-Fab/Michin

B-Fab tries to slug away at Niven to start and gets nowhere as a result. Fyre comes in and Niven hits a backsplash to put B-Fab in early trouble. A Boss Man Slam gives Niven two but B-Fab gets up and brings in Michin to clean house. Chelsea Green gets on the apron but here is Zelina Vega to cut her off. Eat Defeat into a swinging faceplant from B-Fab finishes Fyre at 3:44.

Rating: C. So I guess we’re getting ready for another Vega vs. Green title match, which hopefully leads to Green getting the title back. Vega has gotten her big win but Green being her hilarious self is the better option. For now though, this was another attempt to make B-Fab a bigger deal and I’m not sure how likely that is to work.

The Street Profits are ready for Fraxiom and don’t like the suggestion that there is a better team. Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo come back for some glaring.

Legado del Fantasma has a meeting to try to calm things down. Santos Escobar wants them ready for a six man tag at Worlds Collide on June 7. Berto still doesn’t seem convinced but drinks a toast. Not exactly with them, but close enough.

Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix are ready.

Jacob Fatu/JC Mateo vs. Jimmy Uso/Rey Fenix

Jimmy and Fatu start things off but Mateo tags himself in, earning a glare from Fatu. Mateo takes over but Fatu tags himself in and gets hurricanranaed down by Fenix. Jimmy helps Fenix hit a springboard corkscrew dive and we take an early break. Back with Fatu hitting a running Umaga attack on Jimmy but Mateo can’t get a belly to back superplex. Instead Jimmy knocks him down and hits a Whisper In The Wind, giving us a diving tag to Fenix.

The pace is picked way up, with a 619 into a poisonrana getting two on Fatu. A pop up Samoan drop cuts Fenix off though and Mateo sends him flying, with Fenix sticking the landing. Jimmy tags himself in, leaving Fenix to dive onto Fatu, who pulls him out of the air. A spear drops Mateo so Sikoa offers a distraction. Jimmy isn’t interested, but it’s enough for Mateo to hit the Tour Of The Islands for the pin at 12:27.

Rating: B-. Nice stuff here for a pair of monsters who don’t get along and a makeshift team of Uso and Fenix. I’m curious about where this is going for Fatu, who is pretty clearly about to become one heck of a good guy, while the rest of the team won’t like that. It’s an interesting change of pace and the idea of Jimmy possibly being brought back in is…well that’s another thing that could be happening.

LA Knight is ready to go through Aleister Black and Shinsuke Nakamura to go to Money In The Bank. He’s tired of the darkness and is ready to BFT them into the light.

Here is R-Truth for a chat. John Cena is his childhood hero but he doesn’t recognize this Cena. The problem is power, because they used to be friends. The more power and fame Cena got though, the more disconnect he felt. They stopped talking and R-Truth felt like Cena was always annoyed at him. Maybe R-Truth thought he had done something wrong, but other people felt the same.

Cena is like Gollum from Lord Of The Rings, with his championship being his precious. He doesn’t believe Cena is happy, but maybe he can bring Cena back. If R-Truth wants to save wrestling, he has to save Cena, so he’ll beat the hustle, loyalty and respect back into Cena. If Cena wins, WE RIOT! This was the serious R-Truth for the first time in forever and he did exactly what he needed to do here. Good promo, even if he’s going to get massacred.

We look at Sami Zayn/CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Video on Naomi vs. Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax in next week’s Money In The Bank qualifying match.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight vs. Aleister Black

They slug it out to start and Nakamura gets sent outside. Knight and Black seem cool with each other before locking up, with Knight grabbing his jumping neckbreaker. Nakamura breaks up Knight’s stomping in the corner and trades kicks with Black. Knight gets kneed down and we take a break.

Back with Nakamura sending Knight into the steps but Nakamura gets knocked outside. Black takes Knight down with a running flip dive but comes up holding his leg. Back in and Black misses a moonsault, allowing Knight to catch him with a DDT. Black is sent into the post but he catches Nakamura with Black Mass. That’s fine with Knight, who sends Black outside and steals the pin at 11:02.

Rating: B-. Knight needed a win like this, even if he didn’t do the damage in the first place. I can’t imagine him getting the briefcase, but he needs to get away from facing these same people for the US Title for a bit. He’s been there twice now and there is little left for him to do in that area. If he’s going to move up to the main event scene, this is as good of a chance as he is going to have.

Miz has gotten Carmelo Hayes a Money In The Bank qualifying match because he knows how important it can be to a wrestler’s career. Now he wants Hayes to follow his play calling, with Hayes seemingly being in on the idea.

Video on Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown, with Zelina Vega defending against Chelsea Green added.

Nick Aldis tells Jacob Fatu that he’s in the final Money In The Bank qualifying match next week. Fatu actually says he loves Solo Sikoa.

Bianca Belair is back next week.

Tag Team Titles: Street Profits vs. Fraxiom

The Profits are defending and we get the Big Match Intros. Dawkins takes Axiom down by the arm to start so Frazer comes in for a headlock. That’s broken up and it’s off to Ford to work on the arm. Everything breaks down in a hurry and the champs are knocked outside for the dives. We take a break and come back with Dawkins pulling Axiom down into a chinlock.

Ford flips in and hits a running shoulder in the corner before handing it back to Dawkins. Barrett gets in a very insightful statement by saying that it’s not about hitting your best move, but rather taking away your opponent’s best move. That’s some incredibly logical thinking about how to dominate a match. Axiom gets in a knockdown though and hands it back to Frazer to pick up the pace.

A running shooting star hits Ford and Frazer head fakes him to hit a springboard missile dropkick (Barrett is VERY impressed). Frazer gets knocked down again though and we take another break. Back again with Axiom pulling Ford into a rear naked choke and Frazer guillotines Dawkins at the same time. Those are both broken up so Frazer takes Ford up top for the superplex and rolls into a brainbuster/superkick combination for two.

Dawkins cuts off a dive though and sends Frazer into the steps, meaning a Doomsday Blockbuster can hit Axiom. Frazer dives in for a save, meaning the Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash plants Dawkins. Ford makes a save of his own and everyone is down. Cue DIY but the Motor City Machine Guns cut them off. Ford flip dives onto all of them, leaving Dawkins to spinebuster Frazer. Then the lights go out and the Wyatt Sicks are back. The brawl is on and it’s a double DQ at 21:08.

Rating: B. That’s certainly one way to get you out of the issue of having one of the teams lose. They were having another awesome match, as Fraxiom knows exactly how to do this kind of fast paced offense. The Wyatts being back is certainly a way to go, but at least they seem to have a target rather than just doing random stuff.

The Wyatts wreck everyone and Sister Abigail plants Gargano to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I had a good time with this show as the action was solid and they made me more interested in Saturday Night’s Main Event. R-Truth’s promo was shockingly good and it fits with what they’re doing. Other than that, they set up some things for Money In The Bank and the rest of the card can come together after Saturday. Nice work this week, with the best part being that the show didn’t feel nearly as long, which has been a major issue in recent weeks.

Results
Giulia b. Zelina Vega and Charlotte – Northern Lights Bomb to Vega
Tommaso Ciampa b. Chris Sabin – Running knee
B-Fab/Michin b. Secret Hervice – Spinning faceplant to Fyre
Jacob Fatu/JC Mateo b. Rey Fenix/Jimmy Uso – Tour Of The Islands to Uso
LA Knight b. Aleister Black and Shinsuke Nakamura – Black Mass to Nakamura
Street Profits vs. Fraxiom went to a double DQ when the Wyatt Sicks interfered

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

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