The Bryan & Vinny & Granny & Shawn & Craig Show is back with tons to talk about including our weekly sit-down with Granny, the weekly Facebook question, wrestling report and SEVENTIES TRIVIA! Then, the boys review part 2 of StrangleMania from Las Vegas WrestleMania weekend! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Tag: mainstory
WWE NXT live results: Zaria returns, Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana team up
Tonight’s WWE NXT will feature the return of Zaria after she brutally bid adieu to Sol Ruca in last month’s Last Woman Standing match, pushing her off the stage onto tables.
AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Lola Vice and AAA’s Mr. Iguana will team up against Izzi Dame and Niko Vance as The Culling has been targeting the NXT Women’s Champion with the numbers in their favor.
Former WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong will take on budding rival Jaida Parker after a recent confrontation.
The announced lineup is rounded out by Jackson Drake against Jasper Troy.
Our live coverage kicks off at 8 pm Eastern.
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NXT is back on the air in front of a live studio audience from the Performance Center in Orlando. Highlights at the start recapped last week’s reset episode.
Much like the whole show last week, there are so many debuts and run-ins that hardly any stand out, except for Tavion Heights attacking NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo. Clips of that run-in concluded the video package, and this week began with Stone Cold Tony D opening a can in a backstage pull-apart brawl.
D’Angelo spears Heights over a folding table set up backstage, and they are quickly separated around grappling on the floor. Chaotic skit to start the show.
Opening the show from the sound stage is a match set up in a locker room skit from last Tuesday.
Jaida Parker vs. Kali Armstrong
—
They were in each other’s face before the bell, and the bout begins with a shoving match. They soon thereafter grapple with artful chain wrestling. The fight outside the ring and they collide both going for a lariat. Double down leads into a commercial break.
The match continues through the break, and Armstrong takes control soon after the show returns from commercials. Armstrong with a high cross, seemingly just for the heck of it. They go on to trade near falls.
Parker fires up and does a signature spot. Armstrong fights back, and eventually fights dirty. Armstrong rakes Parker’s face, and they do an awkward powerslam. Armstrong signals for a finisher, and she runs the ropes several times before flying into a shoulder tackle, much like the Ultimate Warrior. Armstrong then pins Parker after the finisher they dubbed “Kali Connection”. Armstrong goes over to establish her as a character on NXT, but the eye rake finish allows them to run it back.
Match result: Kali Armstrong defeated Jaida Parker via pinfall.
— Cameo from Fit Finlay as he cuts a promo on his son’s stable — Birthright. Finlay says they should be upholding tradition. Not being outmaneuvered by gamers with no pedigree, who are beneath them. Finlay has William Regal on speaker phone.
Regal says he has taken care of the matter, and he sent his son — Charlie Dempsey — back to the Snake Pit. Regal goes on to say Birthright has a six-man tag team match next Tuesday. Regal tells them to make the most to the opportunity and take care of business.
Evils gets a new name
The wrestler formerly known as Evil is the focus of a video package introducing himself to viewers. NXT is entering a new era, and this is his time to strike. He wants the biggest prize in NXT, which he says is the men’s NXT Championship. The items given to the champ, Tony D’Angelo, over the last few weeks were not gifts. Rather, it was a proclamation. Evil vows he and D’Angelo will meet for the NXT title, saying it is written in the rising sun. Naraku is revealed as his new name in WWE. Naraku debuts next week.
Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake (with The Vanity Project)
—
The match goes through a commercial break. Vanity Project assists by distracting Troy, so Drake can knock him off his feet as the show goes into commercials. Troy is pummeling Drake when the show returns from the break. Drake counters Troy to drop him into a DDT. Kip up by Troy, and he comes to life with a surge of force. Drake leaps off the top rope onto the arms of Troy. Big chokeslam by Troy, and Drake soon flees the ring.
At ringside, Troy smacks down Ricky Smokes. Brad Baylor is pressed over Troy’s head and tossed into the ring. Suddenly, Myka Lockwood runs in and body slams Troy on the floor. Lockwood debuted recently in a skit with Vanity Project. Lockwood’s assistance helps Drake set up a 450 splash on Troy, and Drake upsets Troy.
Match result: Jackson Drake defeated Jasper Troy via pinfall.
— Tristan Angels is featured in a personality profile.
— Rhea Ripley’s journey in NXT is the focus of an “NXT Origins” video package.
Potential contenders brawl over shot at NXT Women’s North American title
—
Zaria heads to the ring for a monologue, marking her first time to address the audience since besting Sol Ruca in a last woman standing match. Zaria says a change is in the air at NXT, and it could be anyone ballgame. For the first time in NXT, no one is holding Zaria back. No dead weight, nor fake partners. Zaria realizes she has to do it herself.
Zaria has her sights on the very thing that caused the rift between her and Ruca, which is the NXT Women’s North America Championship.
The reigning North American champ — Tatum Paxley — soon interrupts the monologue to confront Zaria in the ring. They are both soon interrupted by a fired up Lizzy Rain. She talks about the putting some heavy metal into the lineage of the Women’s North American title.
Out comes Nikkita Lyons for another interruption. Lyons cuts a promo that ultimately leads into a brawl with the potential contenders and the champion. Zaria stands tall and lays out the other three. Zaria stands over the champions and posing as the segment ends.
— Noam Dar returns to NXT in a backstage skit that sets up a match between him and Jackson Drake. Myka Lockwood walks in and Drake says he will accept a match with Dar for next week if Lockwood is in his corner for the bout.
— Kam Hendrix ambushes Tony D’Angelo in a backstage attack. Hendrix is pulled off D’Angelo as the show goes into a commercial break.
— NXT GM Robert Stone is rushing around backstage after the show returns from the commercial break. Stone grabs a headset and orders the mixed tag title match be moved up immediately because of the attack on D’Angelo postpones his match. The scheduled main event is up next.
AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana (with La Yesca) vs. The Culling (Izzi Dame & Niko Vance with Shawn Spears) in a non-title mixed tag team match
—
They had a really good tag match, and even had comedy spots with La Yesca. They wrestled through a commercial break. For the finish, Iguana is powerbombed on the floor by Vance. Vice is distracted by Iguana getting laid out, and she eventually ate a running knee from Dame. Dame then scores a pin. Vice got a near fall in he match where Vance stopped the referee from counting.
In winning, Dame scores a pin on the reigning women’s champ. The Culling also have a win over the mixed tag champs. That would seem to set up a mixed title match, but the outcome here seems to focus on Dame challenging for the singles title.
Match result: Izzi Dame & Niko Vance defeated Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana when Dame pinned Vice.
— Tavion Heights rants to North American Champion Myles Borne over Heights’ match tonight getting canceled. In walks Robert Stone, who says he kicked Kam Hendrix out of the venus. Stone also says D’Aneglo is good to go, and the match with Heights is on for later tonight in the main event slot.
Zaria enters the scene to confront Stone. He informs her that she is booked in a tag match next with Zaria teaming with Nikkia Lyons against Lizzy Rain and Tatum Paxley. Zaria is upset as she is done with tag team wrestling. Stone says if she wants a singles title match, she must get through the tag match.
— Nattie Neidhart in a cameo appearance tells Jaida Parker she has gotten soft. This came after a frustrated Parker was wrecking the locker room.
DarkState (Cutler James & Osiris Griffin with Dion Lennox & Saquon Shugars) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
—
The match goes through a commercial break. Before the break, the dissension continues in Darkstate. Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars must be separated at ringside after Shugars stops Lennox from using a metal folding chair. This plays on a similar spot from a previous episode. Lennox rages over Shugars blockmh a chair shot. Nevertheless, Darkstate is again in control as the match returns from commercial break.
They did several spots where teammates broke up a pinning attempt. Hot tag led to Hank & Tank running wild. They are cut off and Darkstate takes control again Darkstate catch Tank on a dive and slam him on Hank. Double-team powerbomb finisher by Darkstate, and James pins Hank.
Match result: Cutler James & Osiris Griffin defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger when James pinned Walker.
— Kelani Jordan has words with Lola Vice in a backstage skit. Kendal Grey takes up for Vice, but Vice scoffs at needing help. Jordan scoffs at Grey. Scoffs all around.
— Emily Agard is on assignment as a reporter looking to interview Keanu Carver. He does not want to speak on camera, so Agard gets the camera put down — but it still records the interaction. This was odd, but did its job in trying to get Carver over.
NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo vs. Tavion Heights in a title match
—
Good match, but the studio audience seemingly never bought the title being in jeopardy. Cheap finish did not help. Runs in both during the match and afterwards. This was overbooked like much of the show.
Lots of great offense by Heights, especially his variations of a suplex. They traded near falls, and the work itself was really good.
Spear by D’Angelo as they go home. Heights counters D’Angelo’s finisher before a sudden run in by Kam Hendrix, who was supposedly kicked out of the building earlier on by Robert Stone.
Heights thwarts the run-in, and Myles Borne runs down to the ring to do a flip dive out of the ring — in street clothes no less. Borne brawls Hendrix. Meanwhile, D’Angelo with his chokeslam finisher before pinning Heights. And still…
Match result: NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo defeated Tavion Heights to retain his title.
In a post-match angle, Mason Rook (Will Kroos) runs in to ambush D’Angelo. Rook lays out D’Angelo before identifying himself as the show goes off air.
WOL: RAW, WWE contract restructurings, Luke Owen talks 2001!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including Chelsea Green’s heart procedure, RAW from Monday Night, WWE and their contract restructurings, plus Luke Owen joins us to talk a very pivotal year in pro-wrestling history, 2001! A fun show as always so check it out~!
WOR: WWE contract restructuring, Dontaku, RAW report, Backlash, more!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the restructuring of the WWE contracts and timing, thoughts on the top matches and angles at New Japan Dontaku, line-ups for the next several days, the RAW report, Backlash and ESPN 2, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: TKO executives get giant raises as some talent are asked to renegotiate for lower pay
16:15: More NJPW Wrestling Dontaku thoughts, Shane Haste wins GHC Championship
28:54: Lineups for the week
32:21: Ratings, WWE Raw report, SANADA return, AAA
WWE Raw live results: Backlash go-home show
Date: May 4, 2026
Location: CHI Health Center in Omaha, NE
The Big Takeaway —
Jacob Fatu laid out Roman Reigns again ahead of their world title match on Saturday.
Oba Femi beat Otis, Ethan Page pinned Penta, and Sol Ruca is headed for a feud with Becky Lynch.
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Show Recap —
Oba Femi, Chad Gable Americano and the Creed Brothers (under their new masks), Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans and Penta were shown arriving. The live crowd seems hot so far, as basically everyone got a big reaction, as did the graphic for tonight’s contract signing.
Roman Reigns arrived and was on a mission. He quickly made his way to Gorilla position as Adam Pearce tried to tell him something. Reigns wasn’t listening, but Pearce finally stopped him to tell him that Jacob Fatu wasn’t there.
Reigns turned around to find Seth Rollins, who told Reigns that he was in his way. Rollins made his way out through the stage instead, but was attacked from behind by Bron Breakker.
Breakker press-slammed Rollins onto the edge of the barricade and was swarmed by officials to stop. Breakker shoved aside some security guards and continued his attack.
Officials briefly stopped Breakker from doing more, but he sprinted by them and speared Rollins in the ring. (This was a better-looking Bron spear than we’ve seen lately.) Fans booed, barked and chanted, “One more time,” as Breakker walked off.
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Judgment Day met backstage. Liv Morgan said Stephanie Vaquer was injured, so they didn’t have to worry about her anymore. Morgan watches the show, it turns out, and she asked Roxanne Perez why Finn Bálor was in the clubhouse last week, and why she didn’t mention it.
Perez said she didn’t mention it because she was clear to Bálor when she told him to leave and not come back. Perez was loyal to Judgment Day.
Morgan said she knew that, but wanted Perez to promise that she wouldn’t keep any secrets from her. Perez did promise, but she was clearly just playing along.
Finn Bálor vs. JD McDonagh (w/ AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio)
Michael Cole wondered why McDonagh would align himself with Judgment Day over Bálor and questioned his loyalty. Corey Graves said loyalty doesn’t pay the bills. Indeed, it doesn’t.
McDonagh worked over Bálor’s leg, but when Bálor mounted a comeback, he was tripped by Dom while referee Jessika Carr wasn’t watching, and McDonagh regained control. Perez marched out to ringside as they went to break. Bálor began his comeback after the break as Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez made their way to ringside, too.
Bálor hit a back body drop, double foot stomp, and slingblade. Bálor knocked Dom off the apron, which allowed McDonagh to apply a cradle for two. McDonagh followed with a Spanish Fly for two. Bálor took a nasty landing on the Spanish Fly, landing high on his neck/upper back.
With Carr distracted again, Dom tripped Bálor off the apron. Carr finally tossed Dom from ringside (but not the other three Judgment Day members). McDonagh went for a moonsault, but Bálor got his knees up and applied a cradle for a nearfall.
Morgan distracted Carr next, while simultaneously tossing a hammer to Perez. With Carr still distracted, Perez nailed Bálor with the hammer (showing her loyalty to Judgment Day), and McDonagh followed with a headbutt for the pinfall win.
Match result: JD McDonagh defeated Finn Bálor (11:44)
I assumed they were having a rematch so they could outdo the six-minute match they had two weeks ago, but that was a stupid assumption. This match was all about the insane amount of interference to set up McDonagh getting a win. They’re now even at one win apiece.
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Jackie Redmond found Rollins backstage and asked if he would be ok for Backlash. Rollins said the show was in five days, so he would be fine. He told Breakker last week that if he took chances, he better be able to finish the job, but he (Rollins) wasn’t dead yet.
El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and his buddies were interviewed during commercials. El Grande said the Original doesn’t know what he signed up for because he doesn’t actually speak Spanish. In Mexico, El Grande might not be allowed to touch him, but here, he can do whatever he wants. (There’s a six-man tag match tonight.)
There was a video package of Jacob Fatu using the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns last week, and the announcers tried to put over the hold as lethal.
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The Vision met backstage. There was some silly comedy with Breakker and Austin Theory, imitating Rollins by holding their noses and suggesting Rollins sounded like a duck. (I didn’t mind Breakker’s impression last week, but this was extra dumb.) Paul Heyman entered and asked if Rollins was still breathing. Breakker, somewhat sheepishly, said yes.
Logan Paul said Joe Hendry wouldn’t be breathing when he got his hands on him. Paul desperately wanted a match against Hendry to put him in the hospital permanently. Heyman said no. Heyman didn’t want Paul to end up in jail, especially after what Breakker had already done tonight. Instead, Hendry would wrestle Theory.
Intercontinental Champion Penta & Je’Von Evans vs. Rusev & Ethan Page
Early in the match, Evans wiped out Rusev with a dive before Penta gave Page a Penta Driver for a nearfall. A Rusev distraction allowed the heels to take control over Penta during a break.
Penta did a springboard move to knock Rusev off the apron, but collapsed and struggled to make a tag despite doing a springboard seconds earlier (the springboard actually got him relatively close to Evans, so he had to drop back a bit to create more space). The extra time allowed Rusev to knock Evans off the apron.
Evans did wind up getting the hot tag moments later, hitting Page with a jawbreaker and German suplex before wiping out Rusev with a dive again. Evans followed with a springboard clothesline for two. Page fought back briefly, but Evans nailed a Red Dot kick. Penta tagged in and hit a tornado DDT, but Rusev broke up the cover.
Evans hit Rusev with a dive for the third time, and Rusev wound up on top of the announce table. The crowd loudly cheered as Evans went to the top, but Page shoved him off.
Penta knocked Page outside the ring, but as Penta went for a dive off the apron, Page yanked the apron skirt to trip him. Page distracted the referee while Rusev slammed Penta onto the announce table, and Page followed with a fisherman’s suplex variation for the pinfall win. (Page’s usual finisher was countered twice earlier in the match).
— Rusev was happy they won, and he celebrated with Page in the ring. This might have been the first time Rusev has smiled (on camera) since returning to WWE.
Match result: Ethan Page & Rusev defeated Penta & Je’Von Evans (10:42)
A pretty good match, thanks in large part to Evans, and the crowd was into it. He felt like a breath of fresh air here. Page looked good, too, and he fits in well here.
*******
Sol Ruca contract signing
There was a video package for Sol Ruca before Adam Pearce introduced her to the ring. He put this over as a big moment for an NXT call-up.
Ruca entered, and Pearce handed her the contract. Instead of just signing it, she said, “It is going to feel so damn good when I sign this and officially be a part of Monday Night Raw.” A bit of an odd thing to say, unless you know you’re about to be interrupted.
Becky Lynch entered. She got in Pearce’s face while completely ignoring Ruca. Lynch said this was meant to be her time in the ring. She had a monumental WrestleMania win and had to fight “Iyo Jannetty” last week in an unscheduled match. She won that match despite Pearce’s meddling.
Lynch rambled until Ruca cut her off. Ruca told Lynch that not everything was about her. Lynch thought that was funny, because “everything is about me.”
Ruca said she knew all about Lynch’s accomplishments but didn’t realize she was exactly what people said: a rude, big-headed bitch.
Lynch asked Ruca, “Who are you?” and Ruca responded, “I’m Sol Ruca, and if you ever interrupt me again, not only will I kick your ass, I’ll snatch your soul.” (That got a big pop.) Ruca signed the contract.
Lynch tried a cheap shot, but Ruca dodged it, and Lynch hit Pearce by mistake. Pearce screamed at Lynch before leaving the ring.
Lynch had her head in her hands because she couldn’t believe what she did. Because she wasn’t paying attention, it allowed Ruca to fly in and hit her with the Sol Snatcher. Unfortunately, Ruca slipped on the rope, and it took her extra time to hit the move. Ruca blew a kiss to Lynch and posed for the crowd.
(The crowd was into this, and they liked Sol Ruca, but because of the slip, they did not pop for the Sol Snatcher. In her Raw debut two weeks ago, she hit the move but failed to beat Morgan with it because Morgan rolled out of the ring. It’s not a big deal, but not a great start for her finisher.)
*******
Redmond asked Jimmy and Jey Uso for comment on tonight’s contract signing. Jimmy said they loved Fatu, but he needed to understand how Reigns handled business. Jey wasn’t worried about how this would affect their relationship with Fatu. Jey warned him that he’s swimming in deep water now. The line has been drawn, and Fatu would find out who he was messing with at Backlash. “Good luck, little cousin.”
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Joe Hendry sang a song during a break, which bled into the live broadcast. He encouraged Pearce to fire Logan Paul again. An angry Paul marched out and said TKO couldn’t fire him because that would be bad business.
Joe Hendry vs. Austin Theory (w/ Logan Paul)
Theory took control thanks to a Paul distraction, Hendry made a comeback, did his pose, and Paul decked him from behind for the DQ.
— Paul and Theory beat up Hendry until Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins ran out to make the save. Breakker broke up the party by taking out the Street Profits with suplexes.
Breakker set up Dawkins for a spear, but Rollins attacked Breakker from behind. Rollins fired up and set up Breakker for a curb stomp. As he did, Ford sprinted towards Rollins, leaped right over him and over the ring post to wipe out the heels with a crazy flip dive.
However, Ford’s dive distracted Rollins, and Breakker laid him out with a spear.
The crowd was really into all of this. (I laughed at Rollins getting speared because Ford flew over his head moments prior.)
Match result: Joe Hendry defeated Austin Theory via disqualification (3:17)
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Redmond interviewed Judgment Day backstage. Morgan wanted them to have all the gold. Rodriguez called out the tag champions, Brie Bella and Paige, and invited them to Raw.
Bayley and Lyra Valkyria interrupted. Bayley said she saw them use the hammer earlier and told Judgment Day that she and Valkyria wouldn’t be that easy to get rid of. Morgan and Judgment Day brushed this off like nothing and left.
*******
Oba Femi entered for the first Oba Femi open challenge. Akira Tozawa seemingly answered the call, entering with Otis and Maxxine Dupri. Tozawa, a trained professional wrestler, cowardly walked away in fear upon facing off with Femi in the ring. Tozawa called Otis into the ring instead.
Oba Femi vs. Otis (w/ Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa)
This was awesome.
Femi and Otis traded shoulder tackles, but neither man went down or even budged. They traded tackles again before Femi hit an awesome running uppercut. Femi hoisted Otis up and chucked him across the ring.
Femi realized he may not be able to get Otis up for his powerbomb in the traditional manner, so he hoisted Otis onto the middle rope for leverage, got underneath, lifted him up and walked toward the middle of the ring to hit the Fall From Grace powerbomb for the pinfall win. The crowd ate this up.
Match result: Oba Femi defeated Otis (1:48)
*******
Backstage, a frustrated Rollins told a referee that he didn’t need his help. Rollins bumped into the Street Profits and Hendry. Rollins sarcastically thanked Ford for getting him speared again.
Ford said nobody trusted Rollins after everything he did with the Vision. Rollins said he didn’t even trust himself sometimes, but they were in the same fight against the Vision, and sometimes those fights needed to come together. Rollins told Ford to stay out of his way, and Rollins would stay out of his.
(So, he implied they should fight together, but in his next sentence, he said the opposite.)
********
Ethan Page (now wearing a suit) cut a commercial break promo. He’s gunning for the IC title.
IYO SKY and Asuka sit-down segment
This was a pre-taped segment with Sky and Asuka seated across from one another.
Sky told Asuka that she’s avoided this fight for years. Asuka was her mentor. She looked up to her and loved her. Despite everything Asuka has done to her, Sky still respected her. She never wanted this fight or for it to come to this. But Asuka has changed. The Asuka she looked up to was no longer here, so now, Sky had to fight her.
Asuka said Sky was being disrespectful. Asuka wondered who Sky even was and called Sky her biggest disappointment. Asuka was done with Sky and would cut her out of her life for good.
Sky responded, “I am ready for Asuka.” Asuka didn’t like that, so she sprayed mist in Sky’s face. Pearce scrambled into the ring to check on Sky, who screamed like she had just been poisoned.
********
Redmond interviewed the Original Americano and Los Americanos Hermanos (the Creed Brothers), who were all booed when shown on camera (despite being babyfaces, I think). Original Americano said he sought out their help because they took after his friend, Chad Gable.
Six-man tag team match: El Grande Americano, Bravo Americano & Rayo Americano vs. The Original Americano, Bruto Creedo & Julio Creedo
After a break, everyone traded moves, and all the masked men did all their usual spots. The Creed Brothers took out El Grande and Rayo while Gable hit Bravo with a diving headbutt for the pinfall win.
Even the announcers were having trouble keeping up with who was who, and I can’t blame them.
Match result: El Grande Americano, Bravo Americano & Rayo Americano defeated The Original Americano, Bruto Creedo & Julio Creedo (8:34)
********
Backlash card:
- John Cena appears with “history-making news”
- Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
- Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the United States Championship
- The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen & a mystery partner
- IYO SKY vs. Asuka
- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship
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Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu contract signing
Pearce hosted the contract signing between Reigns and Fatu. Reigns entered to a big reaction. Pearce wanted them to sign the contract. Reigns told Omaha to acknowledge him first. They did.
Reigns told Fatu that the fans’ reaction wasn’t just love, but the sound of respect. That respect wasn’t just from hanging out. While Fatu was grinding for twelve years, Reigns was in WWE for over twelve years.
Reigns held the door open for Solo Sikoa. If Sikoa brought Fatu in, then Reigns was really responsible for Fatu coming in, and he would be damned if there was not respect to be had for him.
There had to be respect, a code, an honour system among their family. There had to be a code of conduct. Fatu disrespected him with the Tongan Death Grip, something you only pull out in desperate times, like when you were at the bar at 3 am surrounded eight-to-one. You don’t do that to your own. You don’t do that to your Tribal Chief.
Fatu scoffed upon hearing Tribal Chief. Fatu admitted he was desperate. It did feel like it was him against the world, back against the wall. He had no other choice but to take out Reigns, take the title, and take everything that came with it.
Fatu was ready to put a chokehold on this game and squeeze every dollar out of it, the same way this company did to their family for decades. When he said ‘all gas, no brakes’, it meant no slowing down and no going back to where he came from. Fatu was desperate. He would do anything for his own household, even if that meant going through his own blood.
Reigns scoffed at that remark. He signed the contract before continuing. Reigns said Fatu was worried about his household, but Reigns grinded here for over a decade for multiple households. Fatu worried about his 7 kids, but Reigns worried about the 170 kids that filled this family. Fatu worried about his kids’ education, but Reigns worried about higher education for all of them.
Reigns reiterated what he said a long time ago: This was all his. This was his ring. They were the same blood in their family, but in this ring, Fatu was beneath him.
Fatu lost it and tried the Death Grip, but Reigns fought him off. Fatu went for the hold again, but Reigns countered it again. Reigns went for a Superman punch, but Fatu caught him in the grip.
Reigns no longer had a counter and held onto Pearce for leverage as Pearce desperately tried to get Fatu to stop. Fatu instead slammed Reigns onto the announce table.
Fatu signed the contract, and a portion of the crowd chanted his name. Officials checked on Reigns as Fatu left the ring.
WOL: WWE cuts in detail, Kota Ibushi, Smackdown, more!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including all the WWE cuts over the past several days plus more inside notes on what happened, worrisome finishes on Smackdown with cuts happening now, Kota Ibushi apparently doesn’t have a femur right now, weekend news, reviews and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
WOR: WWE releases, weekend news and TV recaps!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including more WWE releases including New Day, John Cena at Backlash, what’s up with Roman Reigns, nonsensical story not true, New Japan, Smackdown and Collision recaps, all the news and more! A fun show as always so check it out!
Timestamps:
Start: More WWE departures & releases including New Day
11:19: Roman Reigns off the road in June, Backlash’s first hour to air on ESPN 2 & John Cena advertised, NXT Lowell event cancelled
19:20: NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night one thoughts
30:05: Most famous wrestlers by city
37:44: AAA & CMLL notes, Trevor Murdoch announces retirement
45:36: More on the AEW & WBD non-story from over the weekend
58:29: UFC notes
1:02:15: Lineups for the week, WWE SmackDown & AEW Collision notes
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night two live results: Callum Newman vs Shingo Takagi
Night two of Wrestling Dontaku 2026 takes place today.
Night two of the two-night event is also set for the Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka, Japan.
The full lineup for the show is as follows:
- IWGP Heavyweight Champion Callum Newman retained against Shingo Takagi
- NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, & Oleg Boltin lost their titles against Will Ospreay, HENARE, & Great-O-Khan
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita lost their titles to El Desperado & Místico
- Yota Tsuji, Drilla Moloney, Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X defeated Jake Lee, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay
- Yuya Uemura & Taichi defeated Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson
- Aaron Wolf, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask, YOH, & Master Wato defeated Ren Narita, Don Fale, DOUKI, SHO, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
- OSKAR & Yuto-Ice defeated Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma
- Gedo & Daiki Nagai defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto
- NJPW World Television Champion Konosuke Takeshita retained against Chase Owens
- Pre-show: Masatora Yasuda defeated Taisei Nakahara
Our live coverage kicks off beginning at 3 p.m. Japan Standard Time.
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Pre-show
Masatora Yasuda versus Taisei Nakahara
The pair grappled to start the night. Yasuda suplexed Nakahara and applied a Boston Crab. Nakahara submitted to the hold.
Main Card
Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated Chase Owens for the NJPW World Television Championship
Owens jumped Takeshita before the bell; fortunately for the champ, he subverted this with a DDT on the floor. The challenger recovered by kicking his opponent into the blue steel guardrails and spiking him onto the apron moments into the match. Trading knee strikes, a C-Trigger by Owens got the better of Takeshita. Yujiro Takahashi blindsided Takeshita to lend Owens time for a comeback for his finisher, High Noon.
Owens tossed the referee into Takeshita. Takahashi pulled Takeshita in a full-nelson while Owens pulled out a branding iron. House of Torture descended upon Takeshita. Shota Umino showed up in support of the champion, and eventually, multiple babyfaces of the roster soon joined. Takeshita flung the referee back into action. Owens blasted Takeshita with horse stirrups. Takeshita responded with two Power Drives and a Raging Fire.
Post-match: Still wondering where his NJPW World Television Championship was, Takeshita immediately found himself submerged in darkness. A video showed the masked man from Sakura Genesis strutting around backstage. They entered, appearing behind Takeshita, delivering a Skull End. It was SANADA.
The story of Takeshita finding his place among the babyfaces, despite being seen as an outsider, was wholesome. That said, it would make sense to have this type of support whenever House of Torture matches happen, because come on, they’re an ongoing nuisance, and their tomfoolery can almost always be assured. It was a nice surprise to see SANADA, though.
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai & Gedo) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto
Nagai survived a grapple fest with Taguchi on the mat, but an extended running of the ropes left him winded. Gedo struck Taguchi with punch after punch and walked away from a Funky Weapon. Taguchi hit a successful one moments later. Matsumoto collaborated with Taguchi with a double-Funky Weapon. Nagai executed a Spinebuster on Matsumoto and finished him off with a Flying Headbutt.
A more serious outing for Taguchi. I’ve seen everyone take note of Nagai’s performances as of late, and I’m pleased. His work ethic and time given have paid off in dividends. Come the Best of the Super Juniors, I believe he’ll cement that 2026 is his breakout year.
Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeated Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma
Ice readily handled Honma, and OSKAR’s additional pressure paved the way for his partner to land a shot at the veteran’s midsection. Failing a Bomboclat, Ice shook off his knee pain only to drop at Honma’s lariat. Umino tripped OSKAR with a drop toehold and applied an STF. OSKAR took advantage of Honma missing his Kokeshi with a leg drop. Umino flattened OSKAR with a Tornado-DDT, setting up a double-Kokeshi with Honma.
Honma refused OSKAR’s Nightmare Sleeper, returning fire with a Rocket Kokeshi. OSKAR reapplied the Nightmare Sleeper, swinging Honma around until grounding him. There, he submitted the seasoned wrestler for another Knockout Brothers win.
Knockout Brothers, by the time 2026 closes, will be in the top conversation of tag team of the year, if not the ultimate decisive topic.
Aaron Wolf, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask, YOH, & Master Wato defeated Ren Narita, Don Fale, DOUKI, SHO, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
House of Torture forewent their entrance to ambush Wolf during his solo march to the ring. Yano denied starting the match with Fale, leaving it to Tiger Mask. He dodged each interference, Super Driving SHO. Wato dizzied Kanemaru and SHO with Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreakers. Fale pressed his weight on Wato in a surfboard stand. YOH leapt in with dropkicks abound to the House of Torture. Togo dropped to a neckbreaker from the hot tag. Wolf charged in, knocking over Narita and landing an elbow drop.
Takahashi distracted the referee so that Narita could secure a leg hold on Wolf. House of Torture ran a train on Wolf and coordinated a Dick-to-Dick Contact, a series of words I didn’t expect to type. Despite this isolated focus, Wolf triumphed over House of Torture with an Angle Slam.
Post-match: Tiger Mask thanked the fans
I had fun with this one, despite it being a House of Torture match. Wolf in the closing stretch kept the drama, while staunchly holding hope throughout.
Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa)
Uemura outgrappled Oiwa, enforcing strict pressure on the left arm. Jackson teased a sumo-style standoff with Taichi before shouldering him flat. Uemura gave the Aussie an arm drag and Oiwa a bulldog. Oiwa took Uemura to the mat with a side headlock. TMDK aligned to drain blood from Uemura’s head with a double-vertical suplex. Oiwa tied Uemura into a figure four leglock.
Uemura swung a comeback with a judo toss and snap arm twist. Oiwa quelled a Taichi uprising, crushing him with an elbow drop. Uemura’s shoulders bounced off the mat via Jackson tossing him mid-powerbomb. Taichi attacked Jackson from behind, but he responded with a senton. Returning to the sumo tease from earlier, Taichi and Jackson engaged in close grappling, with the former gaining the advantage with a hip toss. A Black Mephisto thwarted Jackson once and for all, gifting Uemura and Taichi the pinfall victory.
Post-match: Oiwa and Uemura shared impassioned words, but Taichi interrupted. He proposed that he and Uemura team up against Oiwa and the absent Zack Sabre Jr and hold nothing back in the World Tag League.
Jackson continues to be one of the most entertaining parts of any match he’s in. The sumo spots with Taichi were well worth the price of admission.
Unbound Co. (Drilla Moloney, Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) defeated United Empire (Francesco Akira, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay)
X and Ishimori contended with Young, but Akira cut them off, especially with Samato Knees to Ishimori’s head. Moloney’s Drilla Killa missed its mark on Jay, yet that didn’t deter him from an explosive powerbomb. Tsuji cracked Jay’s spine with a Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker and applied a Boston Crab. Jay ultimately tapped out.
Small detail, but I loved how Tsuji’s disappointment in losing both of his titles flickered both in his entrance and in the match, and he still put on a smile. That’s an element of realism that speaks so much to his character at this juncture.
El Desperado & Místico defeated Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita (c) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Desperado nearly met Fujita at every turn, but he was one step ahead with a dropkick to the solar plexus. Místico ate a tijeras takedown from Eagles. He’d mount a comeback with an arm drag from the top rope. Eagles found himself flat after a flying headscissors. La Mistica from the luchador transitioned into a pin attempt by Eagles. Desperado followed a Spinebuster to a Stretch Muffler to Fujita. Místico rocked Fujita with a tope suicida, which was met by Eagles soaring for a tope con hilo.
Following a train wreck that was Desperado’s dive to Fujita outside and into the barricade, the champion and challenger narrowly beat the 20-count. Throughout the match, Místico repeatedly tried La Mistica, but eventually employed it successfully. Though Eagles displayed a heated fire with strikes and kicks to Desperado, the latter quelled the former’s momentum by way of a spear. Fujta engaged in an armbar. Místico locked in a Numero Dos to Eagles, while Desperado returned to a Stretch Muffler on Fujita. Both members of TMDK tapped, leaving their masked opponents the new champions.
Music rights are frustrating, because I’m a huge fan of “Me Muero”. I’m sure it sounded great in the arena, as I can barely make out amid the commentary beneath the dubbed license-free music. Anyways, this match is a must-watch. Desperado has a new breath of life injected in partnership with Místico, who feels like a global superstar right now.
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Will Ospreay) defeated Bishamontin (Hirooki Goto, Oleg Boltin & YOSHI-HASHI) (c) for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship
HENARE and Khan pounded YOSHI-HASHI, warranting a save from Goto. Boltin tried to intervene, as did Ospreay. Khan clobbered Boltin’s arm outside, whereas HENARE tormented YOSHI-HASHI more with Ospreay swirling him about. YOSHI-HASHI soon fought out of his predicament with a dropkick to HENARE’s shin. Goliaths collided as Boltin and HENARE charged each other. Boltin caught his New Zealand opponent and nauseated him with his Boltin Shake. HENARE bounced back with a senton to Boltin. Ospreay met Boltin with a flying elbow, taking him and YOSHI-HASHI out with a dive into the guardrails.
Goto absorbed the chops, and the Kawada Kicks from Ospreay to unleash elbows. HENARE caught Goto with a Spinebuster. Ospreay plunged a 450-Splash onto Goto. Boltin rescued Goto in the nick of time, catching an Oscutter and turning it into a Kamikaze. HENARE and Boltin flung each other into the barricades, eventually wearing each other out on the concrete. Khan and HENARE convened for gut punches to YOSHI-HASHI and an assisted powerbomb. YOSHI-HASHI employed lariats to everyone, including an incoming Ospreay. Boltin returned to action, driving Khan to the corner for Bishamon to pick him apart. Ospreay devastated Goto with a Sky Twister Press outside. Khan and HENARE hoisted YOSHI-HASHI aloft for Ospreay to down him with a Hidden Blade. Khan pinned YOSHI-HASHI with an Iron Claw to add more gold to United Empire.
Post-match: Boasting their win, United Empire asked who was next. Out came OSKAR and Yuto-Ice, who didn’t challenge for the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship. Instead, they put their titles on the line against HENARE and Khan.
If this match were a sandwich, the back-and-forths with HENARE and Boltin were the meat. Ospreay’s that condiment that, while not needed for United Empire’s new vision, made it taste all the better. Bishamon was the bread that kept it together, while Khan was very sparse lettuce, only later throwing in some juicy tomato.
Main Event
Callum Newman (c) versus Shingo Takagi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Newman unwisely sought to trade forearms with Takagi, but rebounded with his flurries of kicks. Sensing his sudden Oscutter would be shrugged off, Newman opted out to restrategize. Takagi grew tired of Newman wasting time meandering outside and returned him to the cerulean blue, where he struck with a lariat. Newman recovered, introducing his challenger to the steel guardrails. Before the dispersed crowd, Newman deployed a dropkick that drove Takagi into a swathe of chairs. Newman taunted Takagi, putting his arm around his wife and Stardom talent Natsupoi.
Back in the ring, Newman drove his fist into Takagi’s ribs. Takagi spun a comeback with a Tornado-DDT. Newman’s head bounced nastily off the floor from Takagi’s tope con hilo. Ducking a sliding Pumping Bomber, Newman punted Takagi flat. Stripping Hiroshi Tanahashi’s table with the ring bell and Heavyweight Championship clean, Newman plummeted Takagi into its unforgiving wood. Both men traded suplex after suplex, with Newman promising to respond but instead collapsing in exhaustion. The same fate befell Takagi after a forearm exchange. Resorting to pulling each other’s hair, Referee Red Shoes humorously chastised both men.
Takagi readied a Pumping Bomber, but Newman dropped once more to the mat. Playing dead, Newman waited as Red Shoes checked him. He surprised Takagi with an attack, but feigned a knee injury. Pulling Red Shoes out, Newman directed traffic for Zane Jay and Jake Lee to attack Takagi and Daiki Nagai. Yota Tsuji came to Takagi’s aid, but Newman stomped him. Plunging his Excalibur finisher into Takagi, he followed with Made in Essex and Prince’s Curse to no avail. Denying a low blow, Takagi crashed Newman to the mat with two Made in Japans and a Pumping Bomber. Neither of those did the trick, nor a Raging Dragon. Will Ospreay, on the outside, urged Newman to return to his feet. Out of Red Shoes’s view, Newman hit a low blow and a Prince’s Curse to Ospreays’ chagrin. Newman repeated this process after suffering a poisonrana, this time succeeding his low blow with a Make Way.
Post-match: United Empire in its entirety (even IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Andrade El Idolo) joined to celebrate with Newman. Ospreay was the only one looking disappointed. He argued with Newman’s approach to things. Newman responded that if Ospreay was going to hang out with the Death Riders in AEW, he’d have to strike Takagi in his stead. Ospreay begrudgingly obliged. Newman shifted focus to Tsuji and Takagi, stating that at Ignition to Dominion, they’d face him and Jake Lee; whoever could pin Newman would face him at Dominion.
Newman was such a nasty heel. He gained heat so easily, with even his fake selling spots hitting hard. Moreover, Takagi made what seemed a foregone conclusion for a title retention look all the more unpredictable with his story. There’s almost a “Paradise Lost” situation boiling with Ospreay, and I’m here for it.
Final Thoughts
If this is Gino Gambino’s last night on commentary again, I’m going to be sad. He added so much and had so much chemistry with Chris Charlton and Walker Stewart to both nights of Wrestling Dontaku. He’s unabashedly heel, and hilariously so.
Night Two, from top to bottom, was a blast. The three title matches that culminated the show were particularly awesome. New champions in Místico and El Desperado finished what was an incredible effort by them and TMDK. The same could be said of the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship match with Bishamontin and United Empire, with Will Ospreay for their new belts. For Newman to retain as a chickenshit yet effectively devastating heel against a hopeful and dynamite Takagi was an incredible display.
B&V: Smackdown is Gingerbread, very fun Collision
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about including a full recap of Smackdown, a rather generic show with the exception of the incredible Gingerbread Man saga, and a very fun, very wrestling-heavy edition of AEW Collision! A fun show as always so check it out~!
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night one live results: Yota Tsuji vs. Andrade El Idolo
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku begins today.
The first night of the two-night event from the Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka, Japan, began on Sunday with the IWGP Global Championship on the line. Yota Tsuji defends against Andrade El Idolo in the main event.
Also, Gino Gambino made his return to NJPW commentary.
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2026 Night one (Sunday, May 3):
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji lost his belt to Andrade El Idolo
- NEVER Openweight Champion Ren Narita retained against Oleg Boltin
- Aaron Wolf defeated Don Fale
- Shingo Takagi, Drilla Moloney, Taiji Ishimori, Robbie X, & Daiki Nagai defeated Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young, & Zane Jay
- Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino defeated Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi
- Will Ospreay, HENARE, & Great-O-Khan defeated Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, & Tatsuya Matsumoto
- Yuya Uemura, Taichi, El Desperado, & Místico defeated Ryohei Oiwa, Hartley Jackson, Robbie Eagles, & Kosei Fujita
- OSKAR & Yuto-Ice defeated Tomoaki Honma & Masatora Yasuda
- Toru Yano, YOH, & Master Wato defeated Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Taisei Nakahara
Our live coverage begins at 6 p.m. Japan Standard Time.
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Toru Yano, YOH, & Master Wato defeated Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Taisei Nakahara
Yano battled his way out of Nakahara and Taguchi’s early plot, dodging their every move. Wato bounced Taguchi’s rather sensitive region and poked him on the shoulder to slowly fall to the mat. Taguchi waddled out of Wato’s Funky Weapon and a charging YOH. Nkaahara stomped and chopped at Wato, who swung a comeback by way of a dropkick. With but an uppercut, Wato scored the win for his team.
Strong comic relief from Yano and Taguchi, as usual. The genital pain is one that Taguchi excels in humorously. Yano missing his moves was an underratedly funny part of this.
OSKAR & Yuto-Ice defeated Tomoaki Honma & Masatora Yasuda
Honma had to wind down an emphatic Yasuda, who charged to a bewildered OSKAR and Ice before the bell. As soon as it rang, Yasuda kicked Ice off the apron. OSKAR sent both of his opponents down with a push and eluded Honma’s Kokeshi. Honma kept OSKAR subdued outside, while Ice nearly succumbed to a jackknife pin. Ice kicked Yasuda straight down and followed up with a thunderous right knee to completely knock him out, ending the match.
Huh. Well, okay. An entertaining, short squash.
Yuya Uemura, Taichi, El Desperado, & Místico defeated TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa, Hartley Jackson, Robbie Eagles, & Kosei Fujita)
Desperado and Fujita traded chest-reddening chops, culminating in the former spilling outside. Místico dazed Eagles with some excellent arm work, softening him up so Taichi could kick him flat. Jackson tackled Taichi and punctured him with an elbow drop.
Uemura met Oiwa after the latter dominated Taichi. Jackson came in for the assist, as did Fujita, but all of TMDK fell to adrenealine-fueled dropkicks. Oiwa trapped Uemura’s arm, tightened in a Cobra Twist Abdominal Stretch. Jackson drove the oxygen out of Uemura’s lungs with a well-placed senton. Místico and Desperado dropkicked Fujita and Eagles. Jackson burst through Uemur once again, this time by a Big Crossbody. Uemura surprised him with a quick Frankensteiner to secure the victory.
Post-match: Eagles and Fujita teased a challenge to defend their IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship. Místico took the bait gleefully and issued the challenge, to which Eagles accepted for Wrestling Dontaku, Night Two, on May 4.
Though his time was sporadic in the match, Místico’s spots were so fluid. It’s no surprise why he’s CMLL’s biggest draw right now. Uemura and Jackson shone brightest here with the time they were given.
United Empire (Will Ospreay, HENARE, & Great-O-Khan) defeated Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Tatsuya Matsumoto
Bishamon overwhelmed Ospreay, and they joined Matsumoto in clobbering his tender spine. Ospreay recovered with a scoop-and-slam on Matsumoto. In the crowd, Khan pinned Goto to the concrete as he sat proudly on a chair. Goto threw a lariat at Ospreay, and YOSHI-HASHI rescued him from Khan with a superkick. Matsumoto unwisely charged at Khan, yet succeeded in rocking him with an uppercut. Khan rendered Matsumoto unconscious with his Iron Claw, repeatedly slammed his cranium to the mat, and pinned him.
Ospreay continually seeing himself at odds with what United Empire had become really sells the heaviness of the inevitable turn the team will have against him. If NJPW is building this up to Forbidden Door, color me intrigued. Considering United Empire helped him in AEW against the Death Riders, the thought of Ospreay aligning with them in All In or Forbidden Door has me wondering.
Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino defeated House Of Torture (Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi)
Takeshita, conspicuously missing his NJPW World Television Championship, demanded that Owens give it back. Owens played the fool before sending him outside and flipping Umino over his shoulder. Takahashi charged Takeshita into the ring post. Takeshita dove outside, clattering Takahashi into the barricade. The Alpha then rocked Owens with an elbow. Owens responded with a Snapmare Driver. Takeshita ate a Z-Trigger and let loose a Knockout Shot.
Umino and Takeshita aligned to elbow hte House of Torture before accidentally bumping into each other. Following a tense stare, Takeshita pushed Umino out of the way to take the brunt of their ambush. Umino didn’t let his effort fall in vain, as he turned the page for his patented Second Chapter to pin Takahashi for the 3-count.
Takeshita’s learning to work with people better, or maybe it’s because Umino isn’t a nasty little gremlin like Kazuchika Okada. Gino Gambino on commentary was funny during this match with Takeshita’s supposedly stolen belt.
Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi, Drilla Moloney, Taiji Ishimori, Robbie X, & Daiki Nagai) defeated United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young, & Zane Jay)
Unbound Co. struck as though preemtively so, leading X and Ishimori room to batter Akira. Nagai took the subsequent opening to kick and strike Akira. Lee hurled Nagai into Newman’s boot in the corner. Newman taunted Nagai’s feeble elbow strikes until the latter’s Shotgun Blast kicked him into the corner. Takagi neutralized Jay’s dropkick attempt with a shoulder tackle. Moloney coordinated an offense with Takagi where they punched the young United Empire member to the mat. Nagai dove onto Newman outside, while X did the same to Lee, Akira, and Young. Moloney chopped down Jay, resulting in a brainbuster and a gore. His Drilla Killa put Jay down for the count in the pinfall.
Post-match: Takagi and Newman got in each other’s faces, shoving until they brawled.
United Empire continues to feel like the biggest threat in NJPW right now, and under Newman’s reign, that’s a fun thing to toy around with.
Don Fale defeated Aaron Wolf
Neither wrestler wasted a second, with the more tenacious Wolf charging his collossal opponent to one knee. Fale mercilessly threw Wolf into the sea of chairs ouside and sat on his chest. Wolf had enough of Fale’s bullying and flung him into the barricades, again and again. With a Judo Toss and elbow drop, Wolf inched closer to victory. Thanks to Chase Owens distracting Referee Marty Asami, Wolf’s hold on Fale bore no fruit. Fale and Owens niftily knocked out Asami so they could clobber Wolf and fling him into an exposed turnbuckle.
In the nick of time, Wolf rolled away from Fale’s devastating elbow drop. Baiting Fale into the corner, Wolf tossed him there again and miraculoulsy dropped him with a scoo-and-slam. With an Angle Slam, Wolf stood tall over his biggest obstacle so far with a pinfall win.
Slow build in a short match, but it made every glimpse of hope become an outright extended vision. To have me feel this amped in a match featuring Chase Owens and Don Fale should be a crime.
Ren Narita (c) defeated Oleg Boltin for the NEVER Openweight Championship
Narita executed a premeditated ambush on Boltin. Once the bell rung, however, Boltin came alive, knocking Narita outside. Dick Togo caught Boltin’s attention, lending enough time for Narita to strike his challenger with a steel chair. Narita swung Boltin into rows of chairs in front of a frightened Fukuoka crowd. The champion wrenched Bolltin’s arm against the lowest arm of the turnbuckle. Boltin powered up to convert Narita’s cross-arm hold into a ruinous powerbomb. Though Narita adorned Boltin’s arm with a steel chair for malicious purposes, the challenger used it against his foe. A Boltin Shake and Boltin Splash crushed Narita. Yoshinobu Kanemaru tried to spit whiskey into Boltin’s face, but he sneakily did it first to reduce the odds against him.
SHO arrived, temporarily distracting Boltin until Aaron Wolf came out to carry him off. Narita ensnared Boltin with a Guillotine Choke and a Double Cross. Boltin unleashed a Kamikaze but couldn’t capitalize due to his weak shoulders. The challenger writhed enough to break Narita’s cross-arm. Countering another cross-arm, Boltin nearly used it to end Narita’s reign with another powerbomb. Unfortunately, Togo returned with a low blow. Narita submitted Boltin with one last cross-arm.
The shenanigans in this match must’ve been the monkey’s paw for any hope of another House of Torture comeuppance after the prior bout. Shame.
Main Event
Yota Tsuji (c) versus Andrade El Idolo for the IWPG Global Heavyweight Championship
The main event saw these competitors sprinting full speed ahead, with Idolo and Tsuji sharing a Tranquilo pose after a standstill. In the corner, Tsuji hammered his fist into Idolo’s skull; the challenger usurped control with a spike into said corner. The AEW talent grounded the Global Heavyweight title holder with a headlock narrowly broken by the ropes. Idolo caught Tsuji on the ropes, springboarding off with a Spanish Fly. A Tsuji-cita swung a comeback for the champion. Idolo demolished Tsuji with a Running Double Knee Smash.
Tsuji unsheathed a Curb Stomp on a rope-perched Idolo, who transitioned it into a powerslam on the apron and followed with a tornillo. Returning to the ropes once more for a Marlowe Crush, Tsuji thwacked Idolo with a chop and executed the move on the ropes. Pivoting with surgical precision, Tsuji surprisingly sent Idolo flying with a hurricanrana. Tsuji unleashed anothe Spanish Fly. Idolo sensed a Gene Blaster and cut it off with a Spinning Back Elbow. In the final stretch, these fatigued wrestlers chopped a cloud of mist off each other’s chest, exposing gnarly welts. Tsuji headbutted Idolo and they traded pin attempts. His last hopes being a Schoolboy Suplex and a Hammerlock DDT, Idolo’s hopes were in vain. In a brutal spot, Idolo DM’d Tsuji into the ring post, and again on the mat to become the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
Post-match: Idolo, relieved, stated that he “did it”. Acknowledging the feelings his win may bring while being an AEW talent, he encouraged a new challenger to step up. Out came Drilla Moloney and Shota Umino, both arguing en route to the ring. Idolo proposed making the upcoming bout a triple-threat match for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champoinship.
Whoa. I didn’t expect that outcome. Tsuji began the year with a double championship reign, and having both end so soon is a genuine shocker. The match itself justified it, too. These men took each other to the limit. They left a damning mark on one another, making the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship feel like a life-or-death accolade to win. That’s what’s beautiful about this art, having something to fight for that you paint your opponent with your blood, sweat, and tears to win it. The cherry on top is his post-match promo, excellently delivered, making previous comments about his language barrier structures feel a relic of the past.
Final Thoughts
I’ve some mixed feelings on this card, to be honest. Aaron Wolf squeaking out a win against Don Fale feels like a step in the right direction (though I’d rather he have moved onto someone else). The growing dissent between Will Ospreay and United Empire is sowing seeds that can grow into something amazing as the summer stretches on. Gino Gambino’s return to NJPW commentary provided a fresh outlook, especially in the perspective of someone who’s been away for so long. Welcome back, Gino.
As if Andrade El Idolo and Yota Tsuji’s match at New Beginning in USA didn’t deliver enough, they executed a great main event. I’d say this was a fair trade-off for the Gabe Kidd injury that removed him from this match. Nevertheless, this is Andrade’s year. His post-WWE run has left him feeling a star, and it’s time to belt him up to cement that.
AAA on Fox live results: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Mini Vikingo
AAA is live on Fox in Latin America, and on YouTube and Facebook everywhere else, tonight.
The show will air live from Auditorio Jose Maria Arteaga in Queretaro, Mexico.
Scheduled for the live portion of the show is a contract signing between El Grande Americano and The Original El Grande Americano for their mask vs. mask match at AAA Noche de los Grandes. That event takes place at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico on Saturday, May 30.
Also scheduled for Saturday’s show is a grudge match between El Hijo del Vikingo and Mini Vikingo. The match comes after El Hijo del Vikingo put Mini Vikingo in the hospital earlier this year.
AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Laredo Kid will also wrestle Rey Fenix in a non-title match.
AAA on Fox lineup for Saturday, May 2, 2026:
- AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix in a non-title match
- El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. Mini Vikingo
- El Grande Americano and The Original Grande Americano sign their contract for Noche de los Grandes
Our live coverage begins at 10 p.m. Eastern.
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It’s AAA, it’s live live live, and it’s right now now now!
There’s lots to get to tonight including a non title dream match, the possible attempted murder of a small man and of course a completely normal and uneventful contract signing.
There may also be clowns. But first:
The show kicked off with Dorian Roldan telling El Hijo Del Vikingo that he will have a match against El Hiji De Dr Wagner Jr for his Latin American Championship on May 30th, while Omos looked on. Then they said some stuff about family.
El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. Mini Vikingo
The term “blood feud” gets tossed around a lot, sometimes even in wrestling. Mini Vikingo and Regular Sized Vikingo have been embroiled in a bitter battle for weeks now. It started when Vikingo started hanging around with that no good Dorian Roldan and Omos. They picked on Mini Vikingo and after a loss, Vikingo rescinded Mini’s permission to use his name and likeness. Then Vikingo and Omos put him in the hospital. Not satisfied with making Mini’s mom cry, Vikingo went to the hospital and beat him up some more. Then Mini Vikingo interfered in Vikingo’s Rey De Reyes match for the AAA Mega Championship against Dirty Dom Mysterio and spoiled Vikingo’s chance to win the WWE Intercontinental Title from Penta. So this Battle of The Vikingos has built to tonights match, where Mini faces Regular Sized one-on-one.
Right off the top, Vikingo threw his cape over Mini and stomped him. He flattened Mini with a dropkick as the bell rang and stomped his chest in the corner. Vikingo brutalized Mini, throwing strikes and slams around the ring. Mini kicked out of every pin attempt though.
Vikingo fishhooked Mini in a modified camel clutch then sent him off the ropes, dropping him with a takedown into an ankle lock. Vikingo bounced Mini’s head off the mat until the ref made him stop.
Mini found some fight in him though, open hand slapping Vikingo. Vikingo hit him with a superkick, which staggered him against the ropes. Vikingo then dropkicked Mini to the outside. He sent Mini into the steel steps and then walked him up to the ramp where he suplexed him on the steel.
Vikingo then powerbombed Mini on the ramp, throwing him about ten feet towards the entrance. Vikingo pulled Mini back to the ring by the hair and went for a cover. The ref counted one, two and then Vikingo pulled Mini up to continue the assault.
Vikingo charged Mini in the corner, but Mini woke up and avoided it. He hit him with a headscissor, nearly getting a three count. Vikingo bailed from the ring and Mini took him out with a spinning leap over the top rope into a crucifix driver, spiking Vikingo on the floor and making a highlight reel moment that should be relplayed daily. It was honestly incredible.
Mini took control, clubbing and stomping Vikingo. He went for a springboard frog splash, but Vikingo got his knees up. Vikingo powerbombed Mini in the middle of the ring, but Mini somehow kicked out of the cover.
A frustrated Vikingo started kicking and punching Mini like a schoolyard brawl. He then went over and removed the pad from the second turnbuckle. Vikingo went to throw Mini into the exposed turnbuckle, but Mini countered with a drop toe hold and sent him face first into the steel.
Mini then scrambled up and landed a 450, but Vikingo kicked out, preventing the upset. Vikingo then threw Mini into the official, who was sent to the outside. Mini hit a hurricanrana and pinned Vikingo. The bell rang, but no one knew who rang the bell, if there was a count, or who won.
In the chaos, Vikingo clotheslined Mini and then hit a very scary urinagi from the top turnbuckle. He made the pin, but again, there was no one to count it. Vikingo rolled out of the ring clutching his shoulder and grabbed a chair.
Vikingo went to use the chair on Mini, but Dr Wagner Jr ran down and hit a Wagner Driver on Vikingo on the chair! Mini scrambled up and hit a, I kid you not, 630 onto Vikingo and the ref slid back in to count 1-2-3 in one of the biggest upsets in Lucha Libre history!
Match Result: Mini Vikingo defeated El Hijo Del Vikingo
After the match, Omos stomped down to the ring and took out Wagner Jr. He then lawn-darted Mini into the ringpost and rolled Wagner into the ring. He chopped and kicked him and was about to powerbomb him when Glaneno Del Mal (Wagner’s brother) ran in with a chair! He nailed Omos and the two chased him out of the ring.
I don’t mean to be a hater, but the first 23 minutes of this episode of AAA were more exciting than both nights of this year’s Wrestlemania combined. Absolutely fantastic match, storytelling and even then run-in was fun and made sense. AAA ¡Para toda la vida!
Non-Title Match: AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix
If you joined us last week, you’ll remember Laredo Kid losing a non-title-champion-vs-champion match to El Hijo de Dr Wagner Jr abd neing pretty salty about it. After the match, Fenix tried to cheer him up, but Laredo blew him off and angrily stomped away, leaving Fenix staring after him and thoughtfully stroking his chin. That’s wrestling code for “I think I want to fight that guy who I was just trying to cheer up next week…” So here we are!
Laredo tried to keep Fenix off his feet in the opening minutes, but Fenix was able to dodge and kip up everything thrown at him. The pace picked up with neither one gaining control, each countering the other until Laredo bailed from the ring to collect himself. Fenix went off the ropes to dive, but Laredo was already back in the ring and cut him off with a spear.
Laredo went back to basics, throwing punches and slaps at Fenix. He dropkicked him in the head, but Fenix kicked out at two. Fenix tried a spin kick, but Laredo countered it into a Michinoku driver. Laredo went up top and landed a perfect crossbody splash. Fenix kicked out of the cover at two.
Fenix started a comeback with a back elbow and superkick. He punted Laredo’s head off the top rope, but Laredo kicked out of the cover. Fenix insiguir’ed Laredo to the outside and then leapt off the apron for a hurricanrana.
Fenix threw Laredo back into the ring and hit a moonsault from the top turnbuckle. Another kickout at two though for Laredo. Fenix continued with the kicks to the head, setting up Laredo for a Mexican Muscle Buster.
Laredo got out of hit though and dropped Fenix with a hard right hand and then a moonsault from the bottom rope. He went for a second one, but Fenix moved. No bother because Laredo hit him with a Mexican Destroyer DDT. Fenix somehow kicked out at ONE though!
Laredo set up Fenix, but Fenix exploded out of nowhere with a cutter. They started trading chops, until Fenix sent Laredo into the corner. He charged him but got caught by another right from Laredo. Laredo went up top, but Fenix climbed the ladder and hit an uppercut.
He grabbed Laredo and nailed him with a Mexican Muscle buster. Fenix made the cover and the ref counted three to give him the victory.
Match Result: Rey Fenix defeated Laredo Kid
Another absolutely stellar match. Fenix should be in line for a shot at Laredo’s Crusierweight Title asap. Hey, maybe on May 30th? The match was so good that the crowd started throwing coins into the ring, which is a sign of great respect in Lucha Libre.
Next, a video package aired recapping all the clown drama in the Psycho Circus lately. Someone took out Panic Clown and Dave The Clown and Psycho Clown began to suspect his tag team partner Pagano after Pagano was late to help Psycho in a match against the War Raiders. They argued and Pagano stormed off, but Psycho turned the corner and found an unconscious Murder Clown, a telltale bandanna left on his chest. A bandanna belonging to none other than Pagano! Next week, Psycho and Pagano will meet face-to-face to get to the bottom of this and I can almost guarantee that it will be awesome. Clown-level awesome.
It was also announced that next week, La Catalina will make her in-ring AAA debut.
Real El Grande Americano and Original El Grande Americano Contract Signing for Noche de los Grandes
As anyone who’s ever seen wrestling knows, the most dangerous moment in any competitor’s career is when they must face their opponent one-on-one in the ring and do the paperwork to make their match official. I’ve often wondered if other matches on the card had to go through this same paperwork and they just don’t make a big deal out of it, or if these contracts are only for big-time matches. It seems like we should have more of these segments and yet, I’d really be happy with less of them, in spite of how much WWE loves them.
Anyway, to bring you up to speed on the El Grande Americano Civil War, the “Real” El Grande Americano was living high on the hog, getting over huge in both WWE and AAA. Then, the “OG” El Grande Americano returned at the Royal Rumble in January. They both won spots in the finals of Rey De Reyes with Real Americano winning the whole darn thing and getting the bigass sword. OG Americano was not happy about this and they interfered in each others business to the point it became comical. Now, Real Americano has challenged OG Americano to a Mask-vs-Mask Match on May 30th to settle things once and for all. But first, the paperwork!
Both Americanos calmly walked to the ring. Then they signed the paper, shook hands and that was it. See you May 30th!
Just kidding!
The ring was filled with Security, ring announcers and Dorian Roldan as the Americanos made their entrances. It felt kinda pointless, as everyone knows there is noone more ineffective than a security guard on a WWE payroll. Regardless, they made it to the ring.
Roldan announced that Mask-vs-Mask is one of the most important matches in Lucha Libre. He asked the Americanos to sign the contract. OG Americano then pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Roldan.
Roldan read it, saying it was a letter from OG’s attorney. It said that OG Americano would not face Real Americano unless the following condition was met:
No Physical altercations from now until May 30th. If this was breached, then the attacking wrestler would automatically lose their mask.
Real Americano agreed and signed the addendum to the the match contract.
Roldan then read that there was one more condition: OG would not participate in the match if the current ring announcer was not removed from AAA.
This greatly upset Real Americano and was clearly an attempt to draw him into a fight. The ring announcer (who’s name I missed, apologies), left and both Americano’s signed the match contract.
OG Americano left the ring and then suddenly the Creed Brothers showed up and drove Real Americano through the table in the ring! They covered him with the American Flag, but Rayo and Bravo Americano arrived to run them off and even the odds.
So, until the match on the 30th of May, the Americanos (Real and OG) cannot touch each other or they will automatically lose their match.
The show ended with an Americano staredown.
I am not a fan of contract signings, but as they go, this was a pretty good one. The stipulations added will make the next couple of weeks really interesting! Also, if they don’t re-name the Creeds Brutus Americano and Julius Americano, they are missing out.
Another great episode of AAA! ¡Esto es lucha libre!
AEW Collision live results: Kevin Knight vs. Hook, Nightingale vs. Anna Jay
AEW Collision is live tonight from the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois.
Seven matches are advertised for the show. TNT Champion Kevin Knight will defend his title against Hook. TBS Champion Willow Nightingale will put her title on the line against the returning Anna Jay. AEW National Champion Jack Perry will put his belt on the line against Mascara Dorada.
Death Riders & The Dogs vs. Top Flight & The Rascalz and Bang Bang Gang vs. Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta are also scheduled.
The full lineup for the show is below.
Current AEW Collision lineup | Saturday | Peoria, Illinois
- TNT Champion Kevin Knight defends against Hook
- TBS Champion Willow Nightingale defends against Anna Jay
- AEW National Champion Jack Perry defends against Mascara Dorada
- The Conglomeration will be in trios action
- Death Riders & The Dogs vs. Top Flight & The Rascalz
- Bang Bang Gang vs. Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta
- Skye Blue in action
Our live coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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– Tony Schiavone welcomed us to tonight’s live edtion of Collision as we got underway for our opening contest.
Ten-Man Tag Team Match: The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley, PAC) & The Dogs (Clark Connors & David Finlay) vs. The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xavier, Myron Reed) & Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin)
We started fast and furious with both teams brawling at rinsgide. In side the ring, Castagnoli and Reed fought it out as the latter dove over the top to take out Castagnoli and PAC outside. The brawling ceased to stop at ringside as Connors and Wentz continued the battle in the ring. Wentz battered Connors in the corner with repeated strikes. Connors got the upper hand back by pushing Wentz into his corner as Finlay tagged in and showed some fury with the stomps on his foe. Wentz got out of it as Xavier and Reed showed some excellent double-team work against Finlay before Darius and PAC entered the match.
Moxley interjected with a clothesline on Darius before he officially tagged into the match. In the corner, Moxley punched at Darius as he then bit into his forehead. Darius answered back with some strikes to the face, followed by the dropkick that rocked Moxley. Dante tagged in as both Martin brothers kept Moxley on the backfoot with double team suplexes and splashes. Myron Reed tagged in and traded chops with Moxley in the middle of the ring. Reed tried to run at Moxley, but was sent flying to the outside, which allowed Marina Shafir to get in a cheapshot.
Things broke down between both teams again at ringside as they exchanged attacks that eliminated the playing field one by one. In the ring, Reed went for a dive, but Castagnoli intercepted with an anti-air uppercut as we took a picture-in-picture break.
We returned to full–screen action as Connors struck Reed in the back. Connors held his opponent by the leg to keep him at bay, but Reed kicked him away to briefly escaped. Finlay joined in on the attack of Reed as the Death Riders took out everyone on the other corner. Meanwhile, Reed dodged a clothesline and delivered a double cutter on both Dogs. Dezmond Xavier tagged in and took out Connors with an amazing handspring somersault kick for the near-fall. With Connors isolated, Wentz tagged in and superkicked him, followed by a dive from the middle rope that sent Connors’ back into the knees of Xavier.
The Dogs regained momentum as Finlay powerbombed Wentz, followed by a Connors spear. The Rascalz broke up the count and this match continued on. Wentz bounced off the ropes as he hit Connors with the knee to the face. With some space created, Wentz tagged in Darius as PAC entered for his team. PAC blocked Darius’ sunset flip attempt for a cover that didn’t work out. Darius tagged in and got PAC with a springboard leap. Top Flight showed some incredible teamwork with the kickj from Dante, followed by the slingshot DDT for the near-fall. Castagnoli tagged in and got the Martins with a double suplex. Castagnoli got Dante in the Giant Swing, which was punctuated by a Moxley dropkick.
The Rascalz and Top Flight connected with an amazing quad dropkick on Castagnoli, as things suddenly perked up and broke down with everyone in the ring. Finlay and Connors got hit with stereo Codebreakers, as Top Flight hit an assisted DDT on Moxley. Darius found himself trapped in the Death Riders conveyer belt attack, as PAC then finished it off with the Brutalizer submission hold.
The Death Riders & The Dogs def. Top Flight & The Rascalz via pinfall
A very hot opener once again as all ten men really got to show off their stuff here. I’m really liking what I’m seeing from the Rascalz as a trio and they looked really damn good here, even in defeat. Which is the beauty of how AEW functions. I think they do a great job in making wrestlers good even if they don’t end up on the winning side.
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– A vignette of Luchasaurus and Jack Perry aboard the Jurassic Express bus was shown.
AEW National Championship: “Jungle” Jack Perry (c) vs. Mascara Dorada
Perry and Dorada shook hands to begin before the two engaged in some fast-paced chain wrestling that nobody got the advantage on. Perry grabbed at Dorada’s leg and then used some nice amateur wrestling-style headlocks, followed by a shoulder block. Perry leapfrogged over Dorada and used his legs to flip his foe over.
Perry Irish whipped Dorada, but was met with a mid-air tornillio-into-hurricanrana by the challenger. Perry grabbed a hold of Dorada’s hand and leapt from the top rope with a springboard armdrag. Dorada answered back with the same move to Perry. He then followed that up wiith a tornillo over the top rope an d down to the ground to take Perry down. The National Champion recovered, as he was thrown into the crowd by Dorada. Perry and Dorada fought on top of the barricade, but it was Dorada who got the best of his foe with a Destroyer on top of the barricade! This took us into the break.
We returned from the commercial break as Dorada scaled to the top and missed with a dive to Perry, who dodged it. Dorada and Perry traded superkicks until the National Champion hit a poisonrana. That didn’t seem to affect Dorada, who answered with a modified Code Red as both men were down. As both Perry and Dorada got to their feet, the masked challenger hit his foe with chops, but Perry connected with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near-fall. Perry laid into the chest of Dorada with chops and punches in the corner.
Perry blocked an attempted dive from the apron with a punch to Dorada that sent him crashing to the ringside area. Perry then hit a moonsault from the top rope to a stunned Dorada. Back in the ring, Perry got a deadlift Liger Bomb on Dorada for a near-fall. In the corner, Perry punched at Dorada, but missed the last one, as Dorada tripped him up with a feint kick. Dorada then hit an amazing electric chair neckbreaker for a close near-fall. With Perry still trying to recover, Dorada tried to go to the top rope. However, he didn’t get far as Perry stopped him. Perry attempted a deadlift suplex, but got punched out. Dorada headed to the top rope and made no mistake with the 450 Splash. One, two… no!
Both Perry and Dorada were on the apron now as the National Champion countered a Destroyer attempt with a superkick. Another superkick by Perry allowed him to hit a hurricanrana. On the top rope, Perry’s diving attack was intercepted with a knee. Dorada then lifted him up for a modified facebuster for yet another near-fall. A frustrated Dorada headed up top again and went for a Shooting Star Press. Perry got the knees up to block it, however. Perry leapt up to Dorada perched on the top rope and got the win with an avalanche hurricanrana for the three to retain his National Title.
“Jungle” Jack Perry def. Mascara Dorada via pinfall to retain the AEW National Championship
Fantastic National Title match here. Perry has been great in this run, and Dorada looked quite great keeping up with Peryr.
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– We got footage of what happened after Dynamite on Wednesday as Renee Paquette interviewed Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida. Statlander didn’t seem happy with Shida’s antics, stating that she had cost her everything. Shida said she was going to make it up to her, but Statlander wasn’t going to have any of it. Statlander stormed off angrily.
Trios: The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong) vs. MXM TV (Johnny TV, Mason Madden, & Mansoor)
O’Reilly and Mansoor started off. O’Reilly kicked Mansoor, which prompted him to tag Mason into the match. O’Reilly kicked Mason, as Johnny was then tagged in. O’Reilly had Johnnt in the corner and hit him with the ten-punches. Strong tagged in and added some punches of his own. Then it came time for Cassidy’s turn, and in true Orange Cassidy fashion, he tried to add a little flair to his punches. However, MXM took out O’Reilly and Strong on the aprong, which allowed Johnny to get the advantage on Cassidy.
Johnny leapt from the ring to take out both O’Reilly and Strong. It looked like Mansoor and Mason were gonna do the same, but they stopped to pose instead. Orange Cassidy snuck up to join him, but he got hit with the double team. Johnny hit Starship Pain on Cassidy, but O’Reilly and Strong broke it up. Mansoor looke dfor a dive, but he was left stunned on the apron. Strong lifted the massive Mason with a back suplex, as he then put Cassidy on his shoulders. Casssidy ducked Mason’s attack as he then grabbed Mansoor and pushed him to the outside. In the ring,. O’Reilly and Strong left Johnny out cold with a double team. Cassidy then hit a diving elbow for the three.
Tommasso Ciampa appeared after the match to taunt The Conglomeration trio as we were reminded that Dax Harwood faces Orange Cassidy in a Double Jeopardy match this Wednesday, where if Harwood wins, Ciampa and FTR get a Trios Title shot.
The Conglomeration def. MXM TV via pinfal
Just a short and sweet trios match here. This O’Reilly/Strong/Cassidy tag team is just great fun.
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– We returned from commercial as Tony Schiavone gave his best wishes on behalf of the AEW family to “Rebel” Tanea Brooks, who recently announced a terminal diagnosis of ALS. We extend our best wishes to Tanea Brooks, who is loved dearly by the wrestling community.
– We got a recap of the Will Ospreay/Death Riders saga, particularly what happened in last week’s vignette, as well as what we saw this past Wednesday.
TBS Championship: Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Anna Jay
Jay attempted a side headlock takeover, but Nightingale blocked it, as the champion beckoned her foe to “show me your fire”. Jay responded in kind with a sunset flip for an early near-fall. Jay got the inside cradle pin, followed by a la magistral pin. Jay made a mistake in the corner, which allowed Nightingale to get the upper hand with blows, followed by the clothesline. Jay recovered and hit the flipping neckbreaker for the two-count.
With Nightingale in the corner, Jay hit her with kicks, followed by a snapmare and a running dropkick. Nightingale got sent out of the ring, but she tripped up Jay on the apron. Nightingale took her out with a cannonball dive as we took a break.
This match resumed as Nightingale hit a spinebuster on Jay for the near-fall. Nightingale missed with the splash in the corner, as Jay struck with a spinning kick to the face, followed by a bulldog for the two-count. Nightingale got Jay in the backslide pin, but that wasn’t enough. Nightingale put Jay on the top turnbuckle and looked like she was about to hit a massive superplex. She managed to hit it, followed by a Death Valley Driver for the near-fall as Jay kicked out. Jay hit a superkick on Nightingale, followed by an X-Factor, but that wasn’t enough to bring the TBS Title. Jay applied the Queenslayer submission on Nightingale, but the TBS Champion used her strength to muscle her way out of it. In the end, “The Comeback Killer” picked up the win with her patented Babe with the Powerbomb to retain her TBS Title.
Willow Nightingale def. Anna Jay via pinfall to retain the TBS Championship
This was a fantastic match. I enjoyed seeing Anna Jay back in action, and Nightingale’s run as “The Comeback Killer” is a nice wrinkle and opens up more possibilities for returning stars in the women’s division to step up to Nightingale. Personally, I’d love to see Nyla Rose as a challenger in Nightingale’s Comeback Killer run.
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– Backstage, Renee Paquette was with Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander, Harley Cameron, and Mina Shirakawa. Shida said that she made it up to Statlander by giving her a tag match against Cameron and Shirakawa. Statlander still didn’t seem happy with all of this as she walked away from the scene.
The Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia) vs. The Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson & Ace Austin)
As always, Jon Moxley was on commentary to watch his two Death Rider allies in action.
Juice and Yuta started it off for their two teams, as Austin was taken out from the apron. Garcia struck Juice from behind, which allowed the Death Riders’ tandem to get the advantage with Austin still recovering in the BBG corner. Garcia taunted Juice with push-ups in the middle of the ring, as Yuta tagged in. Juice foiled the Garcia & Yuta double team attempt as Austin got the tag. Austin hit a leg drop on Garcia, but Yuta got him with a chop to the chest.
Austin responded iwth a leg sweep as he kipped back up. In the corner, Austin avoided a Yuta running attack and avoided the sweep from Garcia. Yuta took him pout from behind as Garcia and Marina Shafir attacked Austin two-on-one bheind the referee’s back. In the ring, Yuta hit Austin with a suplex for a two-count. Garcia tagged in and we took a commercial break a this point.
We returned from the break as Yuta and Garcia were taking it to Austin with the conveyer belt attack. Austin was then flattened by a double shotgun dropkick from the Death Riders. Garcia appplied the Peruvian Necktie submission hold, but Austin broke free from it. Garcia prevented Austin from getting to his corner momentarily. Garcia countered a sunset flip into a Dragon Tamer attempt, but that got turned into a Death Valley Driver from Austin. As both men were trying to recover, Austin got the hot tag to Juice, who was a big ball of energy as he took out Yuta and Garcia. Senton to the solar plexus of Yuta inside the ring, followed by the crossbody to Garcia outside the ring. Yuta engaged in a little friendly fire as Juice pushed Garcia in the way of a diving Yuta.
Back inside the ring, Juice hyped himself up and stung like a butterfly against Yuta. Marina Shafir got on the apron to cause a distraction, but Yuta rolled him up. Juice kicked out, as Yuta accidentally hit Shafir on the apron. Ace Austin was thrown over the top rope by Garcia. A bloodied Yuta sent Juice into a piledriver, followed by the Fastball Special dive. One, two… 2.999999999!!!!!!!!!!!! Yuta missed with the Busaiku Knee, but Austin joined in and got dropped with a Samoan Drop. Juice got the punch on Yuta, followed by the finishing DDT to pick up tghe win for the Bang Bang Gang.
After the match, Juice motioned at Jon Moxley on commentary and looked like he wanted a shot at Mox’s AEW Continental Title. Garcia attacked Juice from behind, as Yuta took it to Austin. The Death Riders’ attack was cut short by the return of Colten and Austin Gunn. It was “Gunns Up” as they took out Yuta with 3:10 to Yuma after just missing out on finishing Moxley off.
The Gunns declared that “The Collision Cowboys were back”, and that they only had two words for those that weren’t down with that: “Gunns Up!”
Bang Bang Gang def. The Death Riders via pinfall
This was a surprisingly great match. Seeing Juice Robinson get the win here was really nice, and even better was the return of Colten and Austin Gunn, which brings the Bang Bang Gang to almost full strength. That was a great moment.
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– Divine Dominion was interviewed, as they declared that the only hope that the Women’s Division had was if God struck down the both of them. Otherwise, they should just stop trying to beat them.
Skye Blue vs. Nixi XS
Skye flattened Nixi with a charging big boot to start. She then threw her onto the apron. Skye sent Nixi down to the floor with another big boot. Outside the ring, Skye smashed Nixi’s face onto the steel steps, as she then followed that with an elevated facebuster from the apron to the floor. Skye threw Nixi back into the ring and got to the top rope. Nixi tried to intercept her, but instead, she was caught in an uncompromising position iwth the Cheeky Nandos kick from Skye, followed by the powerbomb. Knee to the face, but Skye broke up her own count. Skye then applied the “Descent Into Madness” sleeper to pick up the win.
Skye Blue def. Nixi XS via pinfall
A bit on the short side, but in terms of building Skye up for a future title opportunity — be it for the TBS or AEW Women’s World Title, this wasn’t a bad call at all. Also nice to see Nixi XS here in this match a couple of weeks after I got a chance to see her in action in the Immortal Clusterf—.
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This Wednesday on AEW Dynamite/Collision:
- AEW Men’s World Championship: Darby Allin (c) vs. Kevin Knight
- Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander vs. Harley Cameron & Mina Shirakawa
- Double Jeopardy: Orange Cassidy vs. Dax Harwood
- AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match: Jon Moxley vs. Juice Robinson
Next Week on Collision: Fairway to Hell
- AEW National Championship: “Jungle” Jack Perry (c) vs. Mark Davis
TNT Championship Match: Kevin Knight (c) vs. HOOK (w/ Katsuyori Shibata)
HOOK attempted a suplex on Knight, but couldn’t capitalize. He did manage to get a takedown on Knight, which prompted the TNT Champion to ask if Shibata taught HOOK that move. Knight and HOOK locked it up with the collar and elbow tie up, until they traded standing siwtches. Knight turned it into a hammerlock, but HOOK threw himover head with a judo flip. HOOK and Knight landed on their feet after taking their respective armdrags. HOOK retreated to his corner and got some adivce from Shibata before re-entering the fight.
In the corner, Knight blasted HOOK with punches to the chest, followed by the uppercut. HOOK responded with some clubbing strikes off his own, which let Knight gasping for air. HOOK took a run at Knight, but got sent out of the ring by Knight. HOOK avoided a dive from Knight by just stepping out of the way. Shibata provided a distraction, which allowed HOOK to throw Knight into the stands with an exploder suplex after catching an attempted diving attack and we took a break here.
Our main event on Collision returned from the break as HOOK got the near-fall with a bridging Northern Lights suplex to counter Knight’s DDT. Knight shellacked HOOK with an acrobatic lariat, followed by the scoop slam and a running frog splash-type maneuver for a near-fall of his own. Both men got bakc to their feet as HOOK blocked a Knight DDT attempt before he found himself in the corner. Knight spilled HOOK over the top rope with a tijaras takeover, followed by the running dropkick into the corner. Knight climed up to the top, but Shibata got on the apron and smashed the ropes to trip up Knight in revenge for using the dropkick of his. HOOK capitalized with an avalanche exploder suplex, followed by another suplex on the floor for the near-fall. The ten minute warning was announced at this point.
HOOK beckoned Knight to get up as he looked to go in for the kill. He applied the Redrum, but Knight reversed it into a pin. Another attempt at a pin, but Knight punched Shibata out after HOOK kicked out. HOOK attempted another exploder suplex, but Knight landed on his feet, as he then made no mistake with the DDT. Knight then headed up top and hit the UFO Splash. One, two, three, and that’s it, over. Kevin Knight retains the TNT Championship.
This week’s episode of Collision wrapped with Knight celebrating his win as the matches for this week’s combined Dynamite & Collision were highlighted.
Kevin Knight def. HOOK via pinfall to retain the TNT Championship
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A heck of a main event, which I thought was HOOK’s best match to date. Kevin Knight continues to be a standout star in recent months, and this match was no exception as he’s taken it to another level. The match for the AEW Title against Darby Allin this coming Wednesday should be a great one.,
As far as the rest of this live Collision is concerned, the non-stop action is arguably it’s biggest strength. The matches tend to be really good and never overstay their welcome. It’s what honestly makes this show so appealing to watch week in and week out, even if you’re not fully abreast with AEW’s storylines.
The multi-man matches were a huge standout for me this week, but for my money, my favorite match of the night has to go to the Jack Perry vs. Mascara Dorada match. But really, you can’t go wrong with any of the matches on this week’s show for something that you’ll want to check out if you’re in the need for some high-octane wrestling action.
UFC Fight Night 275 live results: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates
The Octagon heads back down under this weekend as a busy stretch of UFC events continues with UFC Fight Night 275 from the RAC Arena in Perth.
The main event is a pivotal five-round bout in the welterweight division as former UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena takes on Carlos Prates. Della Maddalena fights for the first time since dropping the welterweight title to Islam Makhachev in November, and he’s eager to get back to a rematch. Prates comes into this fight on a two-fight win streak after knocking out former champion Leon Edwards in November.
In the co-main event, long-time lightweight contender Beneil Dariush looks to get back into the win column as he battles surging prospect Quillan Salkilld, winner of eleven straight fights, including four straight to start his UFC career.
Also on the main card is a battle between former flyweight title challengers as Tim Elliott takes on Steve Erceg; plus, a pair of heavyweight fights that sees Shamil Gaziev take on Brando Pericic, and fan favorite Tai Tuivasa looks to end a winless drought against Louie Sutherland.
PRELIMS | 4 AM ET | 1 AM PT
> Lightweights- Dom Mar Fan (9-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Kody Steele (7-1, 0-1 UFC)
Mar Fan with a front kick. He lands a leg kick. Steele scores a takedown and starts pressuring with his shoulder from the top. Steele lands some body shots from the top. Steele hunting for the crucifix position. Steele now looking for an arm-triangle choke. Mar Fan is able to sweep and reverse to the top. They scramble and Mar Fan remains on top. Steele forces a scramble as he attacks the leg. Mar Fan lands a few punches as Steele locks in a kneebar. It is on tight and Mar Fan taps! Steele picks up his first UFC win.
Fight Result- Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan by submission (heel hook) at 3:56 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Jonathan Micallef (9-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Themba Gorimbo (14-6, 4-3 UFC)
Gorimbo with a high kick. They trade and Micallef lands a right hand. Micallef with a body kick and Gorimbo counters with a pair of kicks. Gorimbo throws a right hand and looks for a takedown against the fence. Micallef defends and they separate. Gorimbo lands a calf kick. Micallef with an inside leg kick. Gorimbo lands a right hand as Micallef comes forward. Micallef lands a left hand as Gorimbo lands a leg kick. Gorimbo lands a clean right hand in an exchange. Micallef lands a pair of left hands and they tie up. Micallef is pressing Gorimbo against the fence. Micallef with a knee. Gorimbo with a few knees but Micallef is able to sweep a leg and score a takedown. Micallef lands some shots from the top. Micallef keeps control as they get to their feet. Gorimbo escapes and Micallef lands a body kick and left hand. 10-9 Micallef.
Gorimbo lands a leg kick and Micallef pushes it against the fence. They both battle for the takedown against the fence. Gorimbo briefly gets it down and they battle for control as they stand. Micallef grabs the single leg and looks for a takedown but Gorimbo defends. They go to the mat and Gorimbo ends up on top. Micallef looks for a triangle choke from the bottom, but Gorimbo escapes and remains on top. Micallef pushes Gorimbo off with his feet, but Gorimbo gets right back on top. They battle for position as Gorimbo has the body triangle on but Micallef is able to turn in and is on top landing some punches. Gorimbo with an upkick. 10-9 Gorimbo, 19-19.
Micallef lands a high kick. They trade punches. Gorimbo lands a few leg kicks and Micallef lands a body kick. Gorimbo lands a right hand. Micallef throws but Gorimbo ducks under and gets a takedown, but Micallef forces it to the feet almost immediately. They separate and Micallef lands a body kick. Gorimbo lands a few punches. They trade leg kicks. Both land in close range. Micallef lands a quick combo. Gorimbo gets the leg and looks for a takedown but Micallef defends it. They break apart and Micallef lands a flurry including a pair of body kicks. Micallef landing with more volume late. Gorimbo lands an inside leg kick. Gorimbo lands a couple of punches and looks for a takedown. Micallef defends against the fence and lands a spinning back fist on the break. Micallef lands a body kick as Gorimbo lands a right hand. Micallef with a pair of kicks. Micallef lands late. 10-9 Micallef, 29-28 Micallef.
Fight Result- Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Middleweights- Ben Johnston (5-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Wes Schultz (8-3, 0-1 UFC)
Schultz immediately looks for a takedown, but it is Johnston who ends up scoring a takedown. Johnston with a big elbow from the top. Schultz looked for the neck but Johnston escaped and got in the full guard and lands from the top. Johnston lands more shots from the top. Schultz is able to force a scramble to the feet. Schultz looking for a takedown but Johnston ends up on top as they go to the mat. Johnston lands some from inside the guard. Schultz forces it up and Johnston lands a pair of knees. Schultz pulls guard and Johnston attacks the arm from the top. Johnston with more action from the top. 10-9 Johnston.
They tie up and Schultz lands a knee and gets on top on the mat. Schultz attacks for a guillotine choke but Johnston is able to get out. Schultz now looks for a D’Arce choke from the top. Johnston escapes and ends up on top. Johnston lands an elbow. They scramble up and back down and Schultz ends up in side control. Schultz tries to get the back but Johnston slips out and ends up on top. Schultz attacks the neck for a guillotine choke. Johnston escapes. Johnston lands a big shot from the top. Johnston with some short elbows from side control. Johnston ends the round on top. 10-9 Johnston, 20-18 Johnston.
Johnston gets a takedown and Schultz looks for a choke, but Johnston escapes and they get back on their feet. Both are landing and Johnston gets the body lock and Schultz just weasles out and goes to the ground. Johnston lands and gets on top. Schultz scrambles and looks for the guillotine choke again. Schultz has it locked in and Johnston taps! Schultz gets the finish out of nowhere.
Fight Result- Wes Schultz def. Ben Johnston by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:50 of Round 3
> Bantamweights- Colby Thicknesse (8-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Vince Morales (16-10, 3-8 UFC)
Thicknesse lands a high kick and they trade punches. They both land leg kicks after Morales lands a few punches. Thicknesse with a body kick. They go to the mat as Thicknesse is attacking the neck for a guillotine choke, but he lets it go. They get to their feet and Thicknesse jumps on the back. Morales gets out and on top as they go the mat. Thicknesse attacks the arm and then locks in a triangle choke. Morales escapes the choke but Thicknesse has an armbar locked on. Thicknesse lets go and goes back for a triangle choke. Thicknesse landing elbows as Morales is trying to defend. Morales is able to escape and Thicknesse scrambles to side control. Thicknesse gets back control and is looking for a rear-naked choke. Morales escapes and sweeps to the top. 10-9 Thicknesse.
They trade inside the pocket. Morales lands a right hand after Thicknesse lands a leg kick. Morales with another right hand. Morales lands a counter right hand after Thicknesse throws. Thicknesse lands a leg kick. Morales with a leg kick. Thicknesse tries to grapple but Morales gets away. Thicknesse with a high kick. Thicknesse lands a few more kicks. Morales lands to the body. Thicknesse with a body kick followed by a spinning back elbow. Morales is controlling the Octagon and lands. Thicknesse looks for a takedown against the fence. Morales is able to break apart and Thicknesse lands a right hand. Thicknesse with a right hand. Morales lands a right hand. 10-9 Thicknesse, 20-18 Thicknesse.
Thicknesse with a pair of kicks and then he lands a high kick. Morales lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Thicknesse with a right hand. Morales lands a right hand. They trade and Morales lands a few shots. Morales with a knee. Thicknesse with a leg kick. Thicknesse tried a takedown but Morales keeps it up. Morales hurts Thicknesse with a pair of right hands and he is pressuring. Thicknesse is on shaky legs and circles away. Morales lands a right hand and Thicknesse shoots for a takedown. Morales defends and has the neck. Morales looks for a Peruvian neck tie but loses position. Morales ends up getting the back against the fence. They go the distance. 10-9 Morales, 29-28 Thicknesse.
Fight Result- Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Middleweights*- Jacob Malkoun (9-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (37-21, 12-13 UFC)
*Meerschaert missed weight by four pounds
Malkoun is pressuring early. Meerschaert lands a left hand to the body. Malkoun lands a combo and then a right hand. Malkoun gets the single leg and Meerschaert attacks the neck as they go to the mat. Meerschaert is able to get to the top. Meerschaert is controlling from the top with neck control. Malkoun gets Meerschaert inside his full guard and throws from the bottom. Meerschaert gets to the half-guard. Meerschaert throws from the top. Meerschaert lands a left hand. Meerschaert attacks the neck. 10-9 Meerschaert.
Malkoun lands a right hand. Malkoun works the jab and he is pressing forward. Malkoun with another right hand and he pushes Meerschaert away after a grappling attempt. Malkoun back working the jab. Meerschaert lands a left hand. Malkoun with a few jabs. They trade in close range. Meerschaert with a high kick. Malkoun lands a right hand. Meerschaert shoots for a takedown and ends up pulling guard. Malkoun with some left hands from the top. Malkoun stands and Meerschaert is ordered to his feet. Malkoun lands a combination. Meerschaert lands a left hand. 10-9 Malkoun, 19-19.
Malkoun lands a left hook. Meerschaert lands a jab. They trade in close range. Meerschaert lands a combination. Malkoun with a series of shots. Meerschaert with a left hand. Malkoun with a big right hand. He lands another right hand and Malkoun scores a takedown. He works from the top a little but loses position and they get to their feet. Meerschaert with a left hand. Malkoun gets a late takedown and Meerschaert grabs the neck. Malkoun defends the choke. 10-9 Malkoun, 29-28 Malkoun.
Fight Result- Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Light Heavyweights- Junior Tafa (6-5, 2-5 UFC) vs. Kevin Christian (9-3, 0-1 UFC)
Christian lands a leg kick. Tafa just misses a left hook. Tafa lands a combination. Christian with a leg kick and Tafa reacts big and is limping. Christian lands another leg kick as Tafa connects with a right hand. Tafa with a right hand and he connects again and Christian backs up. Christian lands a leg kick as Tafa lands a right hand. Tafa connects with some shots and gets on top and starts throwing elbows from the top and Christian ends up going out cold! Nasty elbows from Tafa end it.
Fight Result- Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian by knockout (elbows) at 2:42 of Round 1
> Middleweights- Cam Rowston (14-3, 2-0 UFC) vs. Robert Bryczek (18-6, 1-1 UFC)
Rowston with a leg kick and a right hand. Rowston with a front kick. Rowston lands a right hand. Rowston with more leg kicks as Bryczek is unable to land. Rowston lands and Bryczek lands a body shot and a leg kick. Bryczek lands a big combo to the body inside the pocket. Rowston goes for the takedown and gets Bryczek down. They get to their feet and Rowston lands a front kick. Rowston gets a takedown against the fence. Rowston lands from the top. Rowston with a solid right hand from the top. Bryczek kicks Rowston off and tries to stand, but Rowston stays on top and lands a big elbow. 10-9 Rowston.
Rowston lands a right hand. He lands again and Bryczek loses his mouth piece. Rowston looks for a takedown against the fence. He abandons it but lands a combo. Rowston with a leg kick. Rowston lands an elbow. Bryczek with a pair of leg kicks. Rowston lands a stiff jab followed by a combination. Rowston looks for a takedown and gets it. Rowston gets side control and lands. Rowston lands lots of shots from the top and has Bryczek in trouble. Rowston with more shots from the top. 10-9 Rowston, 20-18 Rowston.
Rowston landing more punches to get the third started. Rowston lands a high kick. Rowston with a combination ending with a knee before he scores a takedown. Rowston gets to side control and is in total control. Rowston gets back inside the guard of Bryczek and is landing a lot of punches. Rowston gets into side control before Bryczek gives up his back. Rowston lands from the back and ends up back on top and keeps landing. Bryczek throws some hammerfists from the bottom and looks for a leg. Rowston spins out and gets the mount and reigns down with punches until the horn sounds. 10-9 Rowston, 30-27 Rowston.
Fight Result- Cam Rowston def. Robert Bryczek by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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> Heavyweights- Tai Tuivasa (14-9, 8-9 UFC) vs. Louie Sutherland (10-5, 0-2 UFC)
Sutherland lands a leg kick. Sutherland shoots for a takedown and Tuivasa has the neck but lets go and they separate. Sutherland scores a takedown but Tuivasa butt scoots to the fence. Tuivasa uses the neck to get to his feet and they are tied up against the fence. Tuivasa lands a big elbow on the break. Sutherland lands a spinning elbow and a knee up the middle. Sutherland shoots for a takedown but Tuivasa defends and lands from the back. They scramble and Sutherland ends up in the mount. Sutherland controlling from the top but not a ton of action from the top. Sutherland with some shots from the top. 10-9 Sutherland.
Sutherland lands a leg kick. He lands another. Sutherland shoots for a takedown but Tuivasa defends and lands a knee as he has the neck. They are tied up against the fence. Sutherland gets Tuivasa down, but they get to their feet. Sutherland throws Tuivasa down to the ground. Sutherland in side control. There is nothing happening here. Sutherland gets the mount as he controls from the top. Sutherland looks for an arm-triangle choke. He abandons it and lands from the half-guard. They get to their feet and Tuivasa lands a pair of hammerfists, but Sutherland gets him back down. Sutherland controls from the back. 10-9 Sutherland, 20-18 Sutherland.
Tuivasa lands a right hand. Sutherland with a leg kick. Sutherland looks for a takedown and Tuivasa sprawls, but Sutherland trips him to the mat. Sutherland is in side control and lands short punches. Tuivasa attacks the neck from the bottom and lands a weird knee that may have been illegal. Sutherland back in side control and lands short elbows. Sutherland lands some punches. Sutherland gets the half-guard and lands some small punches. They are stood up by the referee. Sutherland grabs Tuivasa and pulls guard. Tuivasa gets the back and lands some punches. Sutherland reverses to side control. Tuivasa landed an illegal knee and lost a point late. 10-8 Sutherland, 30-26 Sutherland.
Fight Result- Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
> Heavyweights- #14 Shamil Gaziev (14-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Brando Pericic (6-1, 2-0 UFC)
Pericic lands a pair of kicks before they have a heavy exchange against the feet. Gaziev lands a solid right hand and scores a takedown. Pericic works to his feet as Gaziev has back control. Gaziev with some knees to the back of Pericic’s legs. They are separated by the referee. Pericic lands a quick combination. Gaziev with a right hand. Pericic lands a flurry of right hands and it snaps Gaziev’s head back. Pericic lands to the body and some uppercuts. Pericic with big punches and Gaziev is backing up. Gaziev forces a clinch. Gaziev lands a knee. They are separated again. They trade big punches. Gaziev rocks Pericic with a combo. Pericic lands a right hand. They tie back up. 10-9 Pericic.
They start slugging away to start the round. Gaziev lands a jab and Pericic lands some leg kicks. They trade and both land body kicks. Pericic with a double jab. Gaziev lands a big combination. Pericic lands a big right hand. Pericic lands a big flurry that has Gaziev backing up. They trade in close range. Pericic lands a massive right hand. Pericic with a quick flurry and lands a knee as Gaziev pushes it against the fence. They are separated again. They trade punches and Pericic rocks Gaziev with a right hand. Pericic then drops Gaziev with a right hand and it is all over! What a fight!
Fight Result- Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev by knockout (punch) at 3:44 of Round 2
> Featherweights- Marwan Rahiki (8-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ollie Schmid (4-2, 0-0 UFC)
They trade leg kicks and Rahiki lands a body kick. Rahiki with a high kick. Schmid just misses a big right hand. Rahiki lands a combo and a leg kick. Rahiki continues to land kicks. Schmid rushes in but eats a right hand from Rahiki. Rahiki drops Schmid with a left hand and finishes it off with some shots from the top! What a performance from Rahiki!
Fight Result- Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid by TKO (punches) at 2:47 of Round 1
> Flyweights- #11 Tim Elliott (21-13-1, 10-11 UFC) vs. #12 Steve Erceg (13-4, 4-3 UFC)
Elliott with front side kicks to start, though he’s not landing many of them. Elliott lands a body kick. Elliott looked for a jumping knee but Erceg lands a right hand. Elliott with a leg kick. Elliott with a quick combination. Elliott with a left hand. They trade punches. Elliott lands a combination. They trade inside the pocket. Elliott with a double left hand. Elliott clips Erceg with a left hand. Erceg lands as Elliott misses a left hand. Elliott clips Erceg with a left hand. They both land and Elliott gets a brief takedown, but they get up and separate. Erceg lands a high kick. Elliott scores a takedown. 10-9 Elliott.
Elliott mixing some kicks to start the second. Erceg lands a right hand. He lands another as Elliott lands a leg kick. Erceg lands a left hook and a jab. Erceg lands a left hand. Erceg with some jabs and Elliott lands a combination. Erceg with a right hand. Erceg lands a combination. Elliott scores a takedown and has the back as they stand. They separate and Erceg lands a left hook. Elliott lands a body kick then a leg kick. Erceg gets a takedown and has the back, but Elliott escapes to his feet. Elliott gets a takedown, but Erceg gets to his feet. Erceg lands a combination. He lands another combo. Elliott gets a takedown and they scramble. They get to their feet and Erceg lands several punches late. 10-9 Erceg, 19-19.
Erceg with two left hands and he lands a right hand. Erceg with a few jabs. Erceg lands a head kick and is landing with more volume. Erceg lands a right hand. Erceg lands a combo after Elliott defends a takedown attempt. They trade in close range. Erceg lands a combination and a right hand. They trade but Erceg is landing more and landing cleaner. Erceg with a right hand. Erceg lands a combination. Erceg lands and Elliott lands a counter left hand. Elliott shoots for a takedown but Erceg defends. Erceg lands some good punches. 10-9 Erceg, 29-28 Erceg.
Fight Result- Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Lightweights- #12 Beneil Dariush (23-7-1, 16-7-1 UFC) vs. Quillan Salkilld (11-1, 4-0 UFC)
Dariush stuns Salkilld early with a punch and rushes in to score a takedown. Dariush working hard for the takedown against the fence. Salkilld is defending as Dariush has control of a leg. There isn’t much happening otherwise. They separate and both swing and land. Salkilld lands a right hand and Dariush goes down. Salkilld gets the back and is landing and it is stopped! Salkilld gets the big finish!
Fight Result- Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush by TKO (punches) at 3:29 of Round 1
> Welterweights- #1 Jack Della Maddalena (18-3, 8-1 UFC) vs. #5 Carlos Prates (23-7, 6-1 UFC)
Prates with a pair of leg kicks. Maddalena lands to the body. Maddalena lands a right hook. Maddalena works the jab and Prates lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. They land leg kicks at the same time. Prates lands a left hand. Prates with a leg kick followed by a combo. Maddalena lands a leg kick. Prates with a heavy calf kick then a body kick. Maddalena rushes in and both land. Prates with a leg kick. Prates scores with a body kick. Prates with a combo and a knee. Prates lands a combination. Maddalena gets a takedown. Maddalena ends the round on top. 10-9 Prates.
Prates lands a body kick. Maddalena lands a counter left hand. Prates lands a left hand and is scoring with his punches. Maddalena gets a brief takedown and tries to take the back, but Prates shakes him off and they stand. Prates with an elbow, then a knee and two left hands. Prates with a stiff left hand. Maddalena lands an uppercut then a left hand. Maddalena looks for a takedown against the fence but Prates defends. They separate and Maddalena lands to the body and Prates lands a left hand. Prates lands a knee and then stuns Maddalena with a kick and is landing a flurry looking for a finish. Prates with a knee and Maddalena fires back with an uppercut. Prates with a heavy calf kick and Maddalena is limping. Prates with a big knee. Prates lands a left hand. Big elbow against the fence by Prates. Prates lands a leg kick and Maddalena goes to the mat. 10-9 Prates, 20-18 Prates.
Prates lands to start the third. Maddalena looks for a takedown but Prates defends. Prates lands a big leg kick and more shots and Maddalena covers up. Prates with a knee. Maddalena is cut open. Prates lands two left hands and another kick and Maddalena goes down. Maddalena gets up and Prates unleashes a lot of shots. Prates lands from the top and backs off to let Maddalena up. Prates with a combo ending with a knee. Prates lands an elbow. Prates with two leg kicks and Maddalena goes down. Prates lands more leg kicks then starts landing punches from the top. Prates with hammerfists and it is stopped! Big finish from Prates!
Fight Result- Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena by TKO (punches) at 3:17 of Round 3
WWE SmackDown live results: Charlotte Flair vs. Jacy Jayne
SmackDown newcomers Fatal Influence left their mark in their debut last week when they laid waste to Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, as well as Brie Bella and Paige during their women’s Tag Title match. Later that evening, the group led by Jacy Jayne would do the same to WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley.
Tonight, Charlotte Flair looks to get a measure of revenge when she takes on Jayne in one-on-one action.
Set to make their debut this week on SmackDown is Ricky Saints. The former NXT Champion looks to bring the revolution tonight that’s led him to some successes in his WWE tenure.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will kick off tonight’s show. Last week, he declared to any challenger that he was “easy to find, but hard to beat”.
Tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown is set for the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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– Our show opened with a recap of Raw this past Monday and the situation between Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns that led to a World Heavyweight Championship match at Backlash to be made. Following the recap, we got our usual rigmorole of wrestler arrivals, including Charlotte Flair, Jacy Jayne, and Sami Zayn.
Cody Rhodes opens SmackDown
The Undisputed WWE Champion made his way down to the ring, his left eye looking somewhat better than it did in the wake of WrestleMania 42 and to a warmer reception than in recent weeks.
“Tulsa, Oklahoma, what do you wanna talk about?” started Rhodes in his usual fashion. He said that it’s always nice to get new information, namely if he was medically cleared for action. Rhodes spoke with WWE Medical officials and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and got news that he was cleared to compete. Which begets the question: “What’s next for Cody Rhodes on SmackDown?”
At that point, an old friend interrupted in the form of Ricky Saints, who was making his SmackDown debut. Saints arrived to a middling reaction from the Tulsa crowd. As soon as he got to the ring, Saints said that the crowd booed what they didn’t understand as he introduced himself. Saints declared himself as the “hottest, fliest SmackDown free agent” standing in front of Rhodes.
Saints talked about he and Rhodes were no strangers with one another, but that there was a change in the air. It was a revolution and there was only one man leading that: Ricky Saints himself. He welcomed everyone to “Friday Night Saints”.
Rhodes got back on the mic and said that he was glad to have Saints here, but it was a bold move to do it now. He asked Saints what the difference between now and the last time he stepped up to him. Saints responded by pointing out Rhodes’ recent wounds and hyped up his achievements as a former NXT Champion and a NXT North American champion. Saints said that he stood in the background of Rhodes’ own achievements to the detriment of his own benefit. Saints said he was ready to relieve Rhodes of his duties.
Rhodes officially issued the chalenge to Ricky Saints to face him tonight. Saints accepted and said that he was here to change who this show was about. Rhodes concluded by repeating what he said last week: “easy to find, hard to beat.”
I liked this opening segment and immediately putting newcomer Ricky Saints with a familiar foe in Cody Rhodes is a good way to establish him on SmackDown.
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– Backstage, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss were interviewed about the Fatal Influence situation. Rhea Ripley appeared and said that she tried to take on Fatal Influence alone, but got overwhelemed. She pointed out how she was willing to put her differences with Charlotte aside to take on Fatal Influence. Flair refused, stating that “three is kind of a crowd”. Bliss remarked that Flair was just about to make a “dramatic entrance”.
Charlotte Flair (w/ Alexa Bliss) vs. Jacy Jayne (w/ Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
As Jayne made her entrance, she had something to say. Jayne noted that last week was just a taste of what Fatal Influence will do to SmackDown. Jayne declared that she and Fatal Influence were going to take out the legends one by one, starting with Charlotte Flair.
This match kicked off with a lock-up that got broken up by the ref in the corner. Jayne answered with a kick to the gut, but Flair hit her with a running shoulder block in response. Flair got clubbed in the back after a leap from the turnbuckle as Jayne worked her over in the corner. Jayne hit a hurricanrana, but got sent face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Flair then did three successive head scissors on the ground to keep Jayne down.
Flair attempted a Figure-Eight, but Jayne escaped to the outside, as Bliss snuck up behind her. Jayne flinched in fear and we took a break.
Back to the match as Flair broke free of Jayne’s resthold, but was left stunned in the corner. However, that was for naught as Flair recovered and hit a back suplex on Jayne. The former WWE Women’s Champion got her second wind and shelled Jayne with chops, followed by the stepover clothesline. Flair got herself up to the top rope and hit a high crossbody. Jayne rolled it over to a near-fall to nearly win. Flair blasted Jayne with a big boot and had her in the drop zone for the signature moonsault. One, two… Jayne managed to kick out at two.
Jayne hit her with a chop block, followed by a big running knee to the jaw of Flair for a close two. Another big boot by Flair to block the Rolling Encore. Figure-Eight Leg Lock by Flair, but Fallon Henley broke it up behind the referee’s back. Reid dropped Alexa Bliss on the outside, as Jayne hit a distracted Flair with Rolling Encore for the win.
Post-match saw Fatal Influence continue their attack on Flair and Bliss until Rhea Ripley ran down with payback on her mind. Ripley kicked fended off the trio as Jayne escaped a Riptide attempt by nearly shoving Ripley into Flair.
Jacy Jayne def. Charlotte Flair via pinfall
This was a good match and the chicanery-filled finish is at least consistent with regards to Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence’s methods of winning.
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– WWE Women’s Tag Champions Paige and Brie Bella were interviewed about Fatal Influence. Brie talked about how they were impressed by the trio, but sooner or later they were going to have to face Brie and Paige. They then turned their attention to Nia Jax and Lash Legend, who they’ll defend their Women’s Tag Title against later tonight.
– Earlier Today footage set up Damian Priest & R-Truth defending their WWE Tag Titles against Fraxiom, that was apparently borne out of a misunderstanding because Truth was telling Nathan Frazer and Axiom about filing their taxes, but Priest assumed that a challenge was being made.
– We got some backstage antics with Danhausen and The Miz & Kit Wilson. The latter two were trying to spring a trap for Danhausen with “free human monies”, but it didn’t work. Danhausen got the money without incident, and the trap instead backfired on Miz and Kit Wilson after Danhausen left.
WWE Tag Team Championships: R-Truth & Damian Priest vs. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)
Truth and Axiom kicked it off here as the former took down his foe with a shoulder charge. Axiom quickly picked up speed with a dropklck and a tag to Frazer, but nothing more as Truth tagged in Priest. Frazer got ahead of it with a slide underneath priest, followed by the kick. The tag to Axiom, who got rocked with a elbow from Priest. Razor’s Edge countered as Fraxiom looked to hit a stereo dive on the champs. Truth and Priest wisely walked away as we took a break.
We returned from commercial as Truth hit Axiom with a suplex-into-a-Stunner. Priest entered the match and proceeded to tee off on Axiom and Frazer on opposite corners. Priest hit Axiom with the roaring lariat, but Frazer acrobatically countered the South of Heaven afterwards. Truth tagged in and unleashed the John Cena Five Moves of Doom on Frazer, ending with the Five-Knuckle Shuffle. Axiom pulled Priest down from the apron as Frazer nearly had it won by rollup. As Truth was deposited over the top rope, Fraxiom proceeded to hit the tag champs with a barrage of dives to the outside.
Back in the ring, Fraxom hit a double team dropkick (a “Catapult Inferno”, according to commentary), but Priest broke up the count before he dragged Truth to his corner for the tag. With Priest as the legal man, he hit Frazer with South of Heaven, followed by the Razor’s Edge for the three to retain the WWE Tag Titles.
After the match, the M.F.T.s launched an attack on everyone as Talla Tonga laid waste to everyone.
Damian Priest & R-Truth def. Fraxiom via pinfall to retain the WWE Tag Team Championships
This was an okay tag match, but I’m really not too keen on the Bloodline D-Team going after the tag titles again as teased in the post-match segment. The M.F.T.s just don’t interest me.
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Solo Sikoa speaks
After the break, Solo Sikoa addressed the events of last week as he stated that Jacob Fatu made a big mistake by demolishing the M.F.T.s on SmackDown just seven days ago. Even though Jacob took out Sikoa’s army, he took out his family. Sikoa said that the reason why the rest of the M.F.T.s weren’t standing was because of what Fatu did. That’s why when Jacob arrived to the arena, he’d be a dead man according to Sikoa.
The Usos interrupted Sikoa’s diatribe and confronted the last two M.F.T members in the ring. Jimmy declared that the M.F.T.s weren’t the only one who had a problem with Jacob Fatu. He and Jey had a problem with Jacob for putting his hands on their Tribal Chief, and doing so with the sacred Tongan Death Grip. Jey said that whatever plans that Sikoa had for Jacob, they’d have to wait until Roman Reigns got their hands on him. They weren’t asking Sikoa, they were telling him.
Sikoa said that they didn’t have time for this as Talla Tonga took out both Jimmy and Jey with ease. Sikoa then told the fallen Usos that Roman Reigns wasn’t his Tribal Chief, and that Jacob was still a dead man.
I don’t think I have to go on a stretch about how much I really don’t care about the retread for Bloodline drama, and the fact that it seemed like the Usos regressed character wise because of it isn’t helping. Jimmy and Jey were their own men a little over a year ago, but now they’re back being nothing more but Roman Reigns’ flunkies like it’s 2021 all over again. This “absolute cinema” just doesn’t do it for me, especially in rehehated leftovers form, and highlights the creative laziness plaguing WWE. Though whether that’s influenced by AI as rumored is up to your interpretation.
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– Just as Cody Rhodes was getting ready to face Ricky Saints, Sami Zayn confronted him and seeemed taken aback by being called “sarcastic” by Rhodes last week. Zayn tried to suggest that he and Rhodes were friends. Rhodes didn’t see it that way, stating that he and Zayn were not the same.
Cody Rhodes vs. Ricky Saints
Saints got ahead early with shoulder blocks on Rhodes, followed by a pair of armdrags as he struck a confident taunt in the middle of the ring. Rhodes responded with a suplex attempt, but Saints escaped. Saints leapt on the apron to escape, but he got socked in the face by Rhodes. Back in the ring, Saints clotheslined Rhodes out of the ring to take us into the commercial break.
We returned from the break as Saints had Rhodes in a headlock, but couldn’t keep it on for long as “QB1” escaped. Saints got back on top of it with a neckbreaker, followed by a knee to the face of Rhodes. Saints dragged Rhodes’ face across the rope before he walked the ropes for a little Old School action at the champ’s expense. Saints took a bit too long to showboat as Rhodes hit the snap powerslam, followed by a Disaster Kick and the Cody Cutter. Rhodes attempted a running powerslam, but got countered into a swinging neckbreaker by Saints for the close two.
Saints attempted a roll-up, but couldn’t put the match away. He then hit the Revolution DDT on Rhodes for yet another close near-fall. Saints then lifted up Rhodes for Rochambeau, but Cody reversed it into Cross Rhodes for the victory.
After the match, Gunther snuck up and put the sleeper on Rhodes as referees tried to pull him off. He took the Undisputed WWE Title and raised it before leaving.
Cody Rhodes def. Ricky Saints via pinfall
A solid debut for Saints, but I’m very interested in Gunther as Rhodes’ next challenger, because my goodness in heaven, he needed something to do other than being pigeonholed as “the retirement guy”. I don’t know if the big man will actually be the champ, but Gunther’s booking post-John Cena retirement (or lack thereof) has been really dire so I’m just happy he’s getting this shot at the title like what should’ve happened a while ago, y’know?
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Danhausen drops by
The incomparable Danhausen arrived in his “Hausen-Mobile”, as he gave out merchandise that he bought with the money that he had taken earlier. Danhausen’s fun was interrupted by the arrival of The Miz.
Miz said that ever since Danhausen arrived, all sorts of bad things has happened to him. He said that he had come to a realization that he was cursed. That’s why he was going to do the thing that he never thought he was going to do: be the Danhausen’s mentor. Before anything could formally happen, Kit Wilson interrupted and said that Miz was making a mistake.
Miz told Wilson to shut up because Danhausen gone above and beyond. Wilson was aploplectic and wanted Miz to shake his hand instead. After some indecision, Miz shook Danhausen’s hand, and said that there was only one thing left to do… he hit Danhausen from behind and revealing that this was a ruse. Miz and Wilson proceeded to beat down Danhausen, with a Skull-Crushing Finale and the Men Cry Too elbow.
Apparently Danhausen has no friends backstage given that nobody helped him fight off Miz and Wilson. Okay, then…
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– A vignette for Blake Monroe was shown, promising her arrival to SmackDown in the near future.
Royce Keys vs. Angel (w/ Berto)
Angel threw his jacket in Keys’ face, but that did him little good as he was deposited out of the ring by the powerhouse. As Angel got back into the ring, he tried to avoid Keys’ clothesline, but not to any sort of success. Berto tried to get invovved, but got hobbled knocked from the apron by Keys. Angel went for a leap, but Keys caught him and took him up to the top rope for an avalanche powerslam. Keys then finished Angel off in short order with the spinebuster.
Royce Keys def. Angel via pinfall
A rather short match that showed off Keys’ power off well, especially with that avalanche powerslam. This was fine.
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– Tiffany Stratton’s interview was crashed by Chelsea Green, Giulia, and Kiana James. This led to a Women’s U.S. Title match between Stratton and James to be made for next week.
– Royce Keys gave Jacob Fatu a pep talk backstage, before Talla Tonga and Solo Sikoa struck and laid the two out. Th e Jamie Noble-led road agents and officials checked up on Keys and Fatu.
Sami Zayn speaks
With the Gingerbread Man in the ring, Sami Zayn made his way to speak to the Tulsa crowd.
Once Zayn got into the ring, he asked if we were having fun. He said that he loved being in Tulsa, and he loved Bob Dylan. Zayn talked about the day Dylan picked up an electric guitar and how the people booed him for it, stating that he could relate to that. Zayn didn’t know why what he did to get the hatred from the crowd. But, that didn’t matter for Zayn, because his “Ride or Dies” were here in the building.
Zayn talked about how he couldn’t deal with the disrespect from Trick Williams. He pointed out that the Gingerbread Man represented Williams more than it did Zayn, because of Williams being a “shell of a person”. Zayn said that when he looked at the Gingerbread Man, he saw Trick Williams not taking him seriously, and as pure disrespect. Zayn said that every time he looked at the Gingerbread Man as he kicked the Gingerbread Man in the middle of the ring. The mannequin was torn apart by Zayn before Trick Williams ran in to fight with Zayn.
Williams struck Zayn with fists and had him set up for the Trick Shot. Zayn rolled out of harm’s way. He then threw up an “X” for the Gingerbread Man mannequin as it was getting checked up on.
An… odd segment, with Zayn attacking a mannequin and Williams making the save for said mannequin. I thought the story of Zayn’s heel turn was going swimmingly in recent weeks, but things kinda went off the rails here, and not in a good way. “Oof”, is all I have to say about what we just saw.
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– Trick Williams was asked about the status of the Gingerbread Man backstage. Zayn crossed the line with his action and that he’s got a lot to answer for. Williams said that Zayn will face him for the U.S. Title at Backlash. A doctor said that the Gingerbread Man didn’t make it.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Paige & Brie Bella (c) vs. The Irresistable Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend)
Legend threw Paige around easily to start off, as she then struck her with a hard strike to the face after a Nia Jax distraction. Big splash by Lash on Paige got an early near-fall. Jax tagged in and continued the punishment on Paige until a jawbreaker allowed Paige to tag in Brie Bella. Jax got struck down with knees to the gut, followed by the “Brie Mode Knee”. Brie got on the apron and was held by the leg by Legend, which allowed Jax to knock Brie down to the floor as we took a break.
This Arby’s-sponsored match returned as Brie tried to tag in Paige. Legend intercepted, but got thrown for a hurricanrana by Brie. Paige finally re-entered the match on the hot tag and floored Legend with a kick to the face. On the apron, Paige battered Legend with kicks to the chest. On the top rope, Paige went for a dive, but Legend caught her. Brie blind tagged as Legend was hit with the Paige Turner. Bella Buster by Brie couldn’t secure the win as Nia Jax broke up the count.
Jax tagged in and had Brie in the Annhilator drop zone, but Paige clipped her legs, as Brie got the flash pin for the three.
Brie Bella & Paige def. The Irresistable Forces via pinfall to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
A bit rough around the edges. Not a lot of chemistry between the two teams and this match suffered as a result.
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– Inexplicably, an In Memoriam for the Gingerbread Man was shown.
Next Week on SmackDown
- We’ll hear from Gunther
- Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid)
- Funeral for The Gingerbread Man
- WWE Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James
– Nick Aldis made two matches for Backlash: Sami Zayn vs. Trick Williams in a U.S. Title rematch, and Danhausen facing The Miz & Kit Wilson, but only if Danhausen can find a partner.
The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The M.F.T.s (Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga)
Jey went after Talla immediately with a superkick and a strike to the jaw, but that did nothing as he got taken down by the giant. Big elbow drop by Talla as Sikoa tagged in and kept the attack on Jey. Sikoa got hit with an enzuigiri by Jey, as Jimmy tagged in and worked over his foe with a chop. A dive from a top by Jimmy was intercepted with the Spinning Solo by Sikoa. Running hip attack to the corner by Sikoa as we took a break.
Our main event returned as Jimmy Uso was down and out at ringside after Talla ran into him just before the break ended. Back inside the ring, Sikoa tagged in and and kept the assault on Jimmy locked. Talla clotheslined Jimmy behind the referee’s back as he next entered the match with a stomp and a legdrop. Jimmy escaped the grip of Talla, but was dropped with a Samoan Drop. Talla attacked Jey on the apron as Sikoa tagged in and lined up his Samoan Spike. Jimmy broke free from Talla and sent Sikoa out of the ring.
Talla wiped himself out by running into the post after Jimmy dodged. With Jey recovered, he got the hot tag and dove onto Talla outside before doing the same to Sikoa back in the ring. Jey delivered a combo of rights to Sikoa and reversed the Spinning Solo with a Spear. The count, but Talla made the save. Jimmy joined in as the two hit double superkicks and a clothesline to take Talla out of the ring. Jimmy tried for a dive, but that was blocked by Talla. Both Usos were thrown about at ringside by Talla, who began to rearrange the furniture. Meanwhile, Jacob Fatu joined in and attacked Talla to cause the disqualification.
Post-match, Fatu took out Talla with the steel steps as he confronted Sikoa inside the ring. Sikoa tried to beg off, but he got the brunt of the Tongan Death Grip. Talla interjected and and looked like he was going to chokeslam Fatu through the table, but he too ate a Tongan Death Grip, followed by a Samoan Drop through the table!
Fatu stepped back in the ring and faced off with Jimmy and Jey. He walked past the Usos with disrespect, making it clear he wasn’t ready to make peace with them. Fatu ended the night by stating that he was going to dogwalk Roman Reigns’ ass at Backlash.
The M.F.T.s def. The Usos via Disqualification
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The main event was fine, and the Bloodline stuff doesn’t move me in the slightest, but I did like that Samoan Drop through the table. That was a good way to end a strange and uneven show.
The stuff with Fatal Influence and Ricky Saints I enjoyed a lot, as well as Gunther being Cody Rhodes’ next challenger for the Undisputed WWE Title. Those were great, and I’m interested in where those stories go.
What did lose me was the tomfoolery with the Gingerbread Man, Trick Williams, and Sami Zayn. It’s one thing if it was only Zayn going crazy over the Gingerbread Man namecalling and snapping over that, but it crossed over into ridiculous territory the moment when Trick Williams himself was also treating “Gingy” as an actual person.
Now, you may ask why this tilted me when something like the antics of Danhausen and The Miz entertains me. Well, the difference there is that story with Danhausen and the Miz is meant to just be a relatively comedic one. Whereas, the Zayn/Williams feud is supposed to be a bitter rivalry with delusional jerk Zayn losing his grip in reality as Williams becomes more popular. That’s why silly stuff like what we saw tonight with the Gingerbread Man just doesn’t really work at all.
Then you have the Bloodline retread. I understand it’s unavoidable given Roman Reigns being the champ and his challenger being a member of the family, but it’s really not something that’ll move the needle, especially with WWE’s booking being a bit dull as of late.
All in all, Backlash’s build isn’t as insane of a disaster as the WrestleMania 42 build was, but at the same time, I find it hard to actually want to check it out next week if I was someone being convinced to give WWE a try.
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