There’s an axiom that goes back to the beginning of time, which is that you draw based on the main event and not the depth of the show. It’s been shown over-and-over again in every combat sport. Granted, in wrestling, things have changed in the sense that WWE draws based on the name value of its biggest shows although in the PPV era, the highs and lows of those shows were always main event based.
Double or Nothing on 5/30 turned out to be the exception, because most saw it as a deep card, but it didn’t have the killer main event that other shows had. But it ended up as the second most successful PPV show in company history, trailing only Revolution earlier this year.
Unlike with Revolution, which, when it became clear it was breaking the old record, we asked people why and the reason was largely exactly what one would think, people were interested in the explosive barbed wire match with Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley for the AEW title and that match got people to buy.
The now former Aleister Black (Tommy End) took to Twitch this afternoon to discuss his WWE release, Vince McMahon, and other subjects.
On the hour-long stream, Black said that he was told that budget cuts were the reason for his release. He said that the last few years were like a “slow death” for the Aleister Black character, but would always be pitching ideas. He was excited for the ‘Dark Father’ storyline that had been playing out on TV for the last month, which culminated in an attack on Big E nearly two weeks ago on SmackDown, which was his final WWE appearance.
Regarding Vince McMahon, Black recalled having positive conversations with him.
“Being on the main roster, in all my conversations with Vince, he was always positive,” Black said. “I had a good relationship with Vince. I always told him how I felt and he respected that about me. He always praised me on my creativity and manners of respect but being honest about how I felt. From my point of view, I always felt Vince was always high on me. ”
Regarding WWE’s creative process, he asked for people not to get mad at them. “Creative tries their absolute hardest, and there are good people working there” he said.
Others he thanked include Triple H, Bruce Britchard, Paul Heyman, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Rowan, and Brodie Lee for what they did for him. He also said that Roman Reigns was one of the best locker room leaders he has ever been around.
At one point during the stream, he addressed various reports made about him during his WWE run. Black said that reports of him asking to be sent to NXT being shut down were not true, and were in fact praised. However, Vince wanted to see how his character went first before going back to NXT. He said reports that Vince were never high on the Black character were also not true, though he did say that the seven months being at home “murdered” him.
Towards the end of the stream, he mentioned that he had just created new music for the new character and thought it was the best song he’s had.
WWE thus far have released six people today from their contracts, including Black, Braun Strowman, Lana, Murphy, Ruby Riott, and Santana Garrett.
At the end of last night’s SmackDown, Aleister Black made his return to the show and targeted Big E.
Last night’s SmackDown was headlined by Apollo Crews defending his Intercontinental title against Big E, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens in a fatal four-way match. Big E hit the Big Ending on Crews near the end of the match, but Crews’ bodyguard Commander Azeez pulled Big E out of the ring. Big E sent Azeez into the ring post and got back into the ring. But when he did, the lights dimmed and smoke filled the entrance ramp.
Black emerged from the smoke and confronted Big E. As Crews grabbed Big E’s legs, Black laid out Big E with Black Mass. Black exited the ring and Crews pinned Big E to retain the Intercontinental title
Weeks of vignettes with Black reading from a book titled “Tales of the Dark Father” aired on SmackDown leading into Black making his in-person return. Black read the chapter “Beautiful Pain” earlier in last night’s show. It ended with Black warning that it was time for him to separate the weak from the strong. Black said that — as father taught him — it was time for him to cull the herd.
Aleister Black made his return to SmackDown tonight, attacking Big E to close out the show.
Black made an appearance towards the end of the fatal four way match for the Intercontinental title between Big E, Apollo Crews, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens. Big E posted Commander Azeez and went to finish Crews off when smoke filled the arena, and Black appeared. Crews grabbed E’s legs, allowing Black to hit the Black Mass. Crews then pinned Big E to retain the title.
The show closed with Black standing on the entryway, smiling as the show went off the air.
In recent weeks, vignettes featuring Black have aired on SmackDown, where he talked about his father and what he has taught him, reading from a book called Tales of the Dark Father.
Prior to the new character, Black had not been seen on television in six months, last appearing on the October 12 edition of Raw where he lost to Kevin Owens in a No Disqualification match. Black was then drafted to SmackDown as part of the 2020 WWE Draft, but had not been seen on television until recently.
Aleister Black re-emerged on tonight’s SmackDown, narrating a story and berating the WWE audience.
A vignette was shown on SmackDown tonight featuring Black sitting in a chair among a number of candles. He read a book named “Tales from the Dark Father”. He told a story about a boy whose father took him to rituals of life and death. Black claimed that the boy never learned how to slay the dragon, but he learned to be the dragon. He called the people watching the vignette monsters, saying he would never help them with their lies and their deceit. He called them vile and they should be condemned.
Black had not been seen on WWE television in six months. He had been drafted to SmackDown as part of the 2020 WWE draft in October, but was never shown on television until tonight’s show. Prior to the draft, he had been feuding with Kevin Owens, with his last match being a No Disqualification match in a losing effort.
A few announcements have been made for Monday’s WWE Draft night two edition of Raw:
– Seth Rollins will bid farewell to Raw.
Rollins was drafted to SmackDown on Friday, making this the first time he hasn’t been on Raw since being drafted by the brand in 2016. Murphy and Rey & Dominik Mysterio were also drafted to SmackDown and will continue their storyline with Rollins on Friday nights.
– Mustafa Ali will speak for the first time since being revealed as the leader of RETRIBUTION.
Ali was revealed as RETRIBUTION’s leader following a match against MVP last week. When Ali was cornered by MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin during the match, the lights started to flicker and RETRIBUTION surrounded the ring. Ali acted like he was going to fight alongside The Hurt Business but instead ordered RETRIBUTION to attack them. The segment ended with Ali posing as RETRIBUTION stood behind him.
The Hurt Business stayed on Raw in night one of the draft. RETRIBUTION are eligible to be drafted by Raw or SmackDown on Monday night.
– A dual-brand battle royal will determine Asuka’s next challenger.
Asuka stayed on Raw in night one of the draft. WWE hasn’t announced when the winner of the battle royal will challenge for Asuka’s title. The next pay-per-view is Hell in a Cell on Sunday, October 25.
– Kevin Owens and Aleister Black will face off in a no disqualification match.
In a post-Raw video last week, Black said he wants to do barbaric things to Owens and challenged Owens to face him one more time. Black ambushed Owens after a KO Show segment last week and laid him out with Black Mass.
Owens lost to “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in the main event of Friday’s SmackDown.
Owens and Black are both eligible to be drafted by Raw or SmackDown on Monday. Updated rosters for both brands and the list of wrestlers in the night two draft pool can be found here.
– After retaining his title against Randy Orton in their ambulance match at Clash of Champions, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will kick off tonight’s show. He’ll be joined by Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Big Show, and Christian for the segment. Michaels, Big Show, and Christian all got involved in McIntyre and Orton’s match at Sunday’s pay-per-view and got revenge against Orton for past attacks on them. Flair also drove the ambulance away after McIntyre won.
McIntyre hit a Claymore on Orton and put him in the ambulance near the end of their match last night. But instead of closing the door, McIntyre hit a punt on Orton. McIntyre then closed the door to get the win.
– Jerry Lawler will host a King’s Court segment with the Mysterio family as his guests on tonight’s Raw. Last week, Seth Rollins taunted the Mysterios by trying to claim that Rey Mysterio’s daughter Aalyah isn’t his. Rollins showed video of Aalyah checking on Murphy after his steel cage match against Dominick Mysterio on Raw the previous week. Rollins said that doesn’t look like something a Mysterio would do.
Aalyah got angry at her father for calling her young and naive. Murphy then tried to comfort Aalyah backstage and apologized if he’s done anything to hurt her.
– Kevin Owens and Aleister Black will face off again on Raw tonight. Owens defeated Black on Raw two weeks ago, getting the win by hitting a stunner when the lights flickered. Black then attacked Owens during a KO Show segment on Raw last Monday and drove Owens crotch-first into the ring post three times.
In a rematch from Clash of Champions, tonight’s Raw will also feature Asuka defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Zelina Vega.
WWE has revealed three of the matches that are taking place on tonight’s Labor Day edition of Raw.
– Keith Lee and Randy Orton will face off in a rematch from Payback.
Lee defeated Orton in their match at Payback. On Raw last week, Orton won a triple threat number one contender’s match and will challenge for Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship at Clash of Champions later this month.
Lee and Seth Rollins were the other wrestlers in the number one contender’s match. Rollins went for a stomp on Lee near the finish, but Lee countered and hit a Spirit Bomb. Orton then came into the ring, hit an RKO on Lee, and pinned Rollins to get the win.
McIntyre hasn’t appeared on WWE television since the angle where he was given three punts by Orton on Raw two weeks ago. Lee made his official Raw debut that night in a match against Orton, but McIntyre interrupted the match and went after Orton.
– Kevin Owens vs. Aleister Black will take place in Raw Underground.
Orton advanced to last week’s number one contender’s main event by defeating Owens in a qualifying match earlier in the show. Black attacked Owens before the match, but Owens chose to still compete and was quickly defeated by Orton.
Black appeared on the KO Show with Owens two weeks ago. It was Black’s first appearance since the angle where his eye was attacked by Murphy the previous month. Black snapped on Owens and laid him out with Black Mass. Black has been wearing a black bandage over his eye since it was attacked.
– Dominik Mysterio will take on Murphy.
Dominik and his father Rey Mysterio defeated Murphy & Rollins in a tag match at Payback. Rey was originally supposed to face Rollins in a qualifying match last week, but Dominik took his father’s place due to Rey suffering a partially torn triceps at Payback. Rollins defeated Dominik and then — with Dominik’s family watching on backstage — laid him out with another stomp.
Aleister Black returns to Raw on Monday as a guest on Kevin Owens’ ‘KO Show.’ Black has been out of action since July 27, when Seth Rollins laid him out with a Stomp on the outside before Murphy viciously drove his right eye into the steel steps.
What will Black have to say upon his return on the night after SummerSlam? Find out on Monday, live on Raw at 8/7 C on USA Network.
Owens was part of the commentary team for The Street Profits’ Raw Tag Team title defense against Andrade & Angel Garza at SummerSlam. He announced that there will be a KO Show segment on Monday’s Raw and that he’s inviting Black to appear.
This will be the first Raw of the ThunderDome era. WWE has announced that Keith Lee will appear on the episode. There will also be a Raw Underground match between Ivar of The Viking Raiders and Dolph Ziggler.
Following his win against Rey Mysterio in last night’s Eye for an Eye match, Seth Rollins will be in action of tonight’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced Rollins vs. Aleister Black for tonight’s show. Black faced Murphy on Raw last week, but their match ended in a disqualification due to Rollins breaking up a pin after Black hit Black Mass on Murphy. Rollins then lost to Kevin Owens on last week’s Raw after being distracted by Mysterio, Dominik, and Black.
Rollins drove Mysterio’s eye into the side of the steel steps to win their Eye for an Eye match at Extreme Rules. WWE then issued a storyline update saying Mysterio “was rushed to a local medical facility to be treated for a potential globe luxation. Medical experts were optimistic that if the optic nerve is not severed and there is not too much strain on the blood vessels and nerves that connect the eye to the rest of the head, there’s a chance Mysterio can maintain his vision.”
Tonight’s Raw will feature an unsanctioned match between Randy Orton and Big Show. WWE will also follow up on the situations with the Raw Women’s Championship and United States Championship coming out of Extreme Rules.
Sasha Banks left last night’s pay-per-view with Asuka’s Raw Women’s title belt, but it was Bayley who put on a referee’s shirt and counted the pin after interfering when Asuka accidentally spit green mist into the referee’s eyes. MVP, who was supposed to challenge Apollo Crews for the United States title at Extreme Rules, called himself the new US Champion due to Crews not being able to compete last night.
This will be the first time Mysterio has wrestled since the angle where his eye was attacked by Rollins in May.
Dave Meltzer has reported that — after his deal expired — Mysterio is currently working without a WWE contract. Meltzer noted that there was a plan for Mysterio to face Rollins in an “eye for an eye” match at Extreme Rules, though that has yet to be announced.
Following the angle where Seth Rollins attacked his eye earlier this month, WWE is hyping that there will be a “retirement ceremony” for Rey Mysterio on Raw next week.
Mysterio & Aleister Black defeated Rollins & Murphy by disqualification in a tag match on Raw two weeks ago. After the match, Rollins hit a strike to Mysterio’s eye and then drove his eye into the corner of the steel steps.
WWE put out a storyline injury update on Mysterio after the attack: “Rey Mysterio’s injury status is still listed as critical. Doctors cannot properly assess the damage to his retina until the swelling subsides, as Rey is currently at-risk for infection. Mysterio suffered an eye injury when Seth Rollins grinded his face into the corner of the steel ring steps. Stick with WWE’s digital and social platforms for more information on Mysterio’s status as it becomes available, and tune in to Raw every Monday at 8/7 C on USA”
Since then, Rollins has been cutting promos saying that Mysterio was sacrificed for the greater good.
Rollins’ disciples Murphy & Austin Theory defeated Humberto Carrillo & Black on Raw tonight. Rollins directed Murphy and Theory to attack Black after the match, then Rollins threatened to do the same thing to Carrillo’s eye that he did to Mysterio. Black got a steel chair, and Rollins said if he moved another step Carrillo would lose an eye. Rollins said he knows they want to fight for Mysterio, but everything Mysterio sacrificed for will be in vain if they keep standing in his way. He warned Black and Carrillo not to make him sacrifice them like he was forced to sacrifice Mysterio.
Rollins vs. Black has also been announced for next week’s Raw.
Date: April 20, 2020 Location: WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL
The Big Takeaway —
As expected, Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio and Apollo Crews qualified for the men’s MITB ladder match.
Drew McIntyre (the champion) challenged Seth Rollins to a title match at MITB and Rollins accepted. McIntyre went on to beat Angel Garza in the main event and continued to terrorize Zelina Vega’s stable.
For the second straight week, Kevin Owens was not on the show.
Show Recap —
Drew McIntyre entered to start the show. He said Raw was the highlight of his week and welcomed us to the show. He talked about being jumped last week but wasn’t at all surprised. The title meant history, prestige and fame but it also painted a bullseye on his back. McIntyre was once told that it was lonely at the top but that was a lie — it’s crowded as hell at the top.
McIntyre said Rollins wasn’t all that complex. McIntyre was the champion and Rollins wanted to be the champion. McIntyre noted that people didn’t think Rollins deserved a shot but admitted that he was one of the most decorated wrestlers of all-time. McIntyre wanted to continue to beat the best so he challenged Rollins for a title match at Money in the Bank.
McIntyre was about to give Rollins a message but was interrupted by Zelina Vega, Angel Garza and Austin Theory. Vega said he was too focused on MITB and was looking past Garza. At that moment, Andrade attacked McIntyre from behind. McIntyre quickly responded with a Claymore Kick.
Vega urged Theory and Garza to go after him but they didn’t budge. McIntyre Claymore kicked Andrade out of the ring. McIntyre looked into the camera and encouraged the audience to put their kids to bed because he was going to slaughter Garza later tonight.
Byron Saxton, Tom Phillips and Jerry Lawler are tonight’s announcers. They spoke about the gimmick for this year’s MITB ladder match.
Aleister Black defeated Austin Theory to qualify for the MITB ladder match (11:51)
Vega joined commentary, so there were once again four people sitting side-by-side-by-side at the announce desk. They’re not acknowledging that Vega and Black are married, which is silly.
Black dropkicked Theory out of the ring so Vega left commentary to yell at him for not fighting fairly. Theory then chucked Black into the barricade and they went to break. Theory was in control until Black applied a triangle choke but Theory countered into a deadlift powerbomb. Black came back later with strikes and springboard moonsault for two.
Theory went on offense briefly until Black caught him with a knee, German suplex and Black Mass for the pinfall win. This match was fine.
Saxton asked Black about his strategy for the corporate ladder match. Black said he didn’t know much about corporate life and guessed he would have to cover up his tattoos. Black promised his opponents that each floor of the building would turn into their own personal hell.
Shayna Baszler defeated Indi Hartwell (1:00)
Before Baszler entered, Charly Caruso asked her if she took it too far against Sarah Logan last week. Baszler responded, “Did I break any rules? Nah, I just broke Sarah Logan’s arm.” They showed a replay.
Baszler tried the arm-break spot again but Hartwell avoided it and applied a schoolgirl for two. Baszler used a forearm, slam, knee strike and then stomped the arm as she did to Logan. The referee immediately called for the bell and they announced Baszler as the winner. Baszler marched off.
As officials checked on Hartwell, Baszler brought a ladder to ringside. She swung Hartwell into the barricade and the ladder. The ref yelled at her to stop and Lawler said they should probably try to do more than just ask her to stop. Baszler trapped Hartwell’s arm in between the ladder and kicked it in. Saxton said Baszler was evil.
There’s some sort of Ricochet feature airing on the Network after Raw. Thorne and Vink very briefly got some offense, but this was really a showcase for Ricochet and Alexander. They won quickly after Ricochet gave Thorne a Recoil and Alexander followed with a Lumbar Check for the pin. Lawler seemed amused by those move names.
Caruso interviewed Kairi Sane and Asuka. Caruso wondered how Sane thought she would fare in her rematch against Nia Jax. Asuka said Sane was ready. They danced and sang their way out of frame.
Bobby Lashley was at the gym inside the PC. Lana joined him. Lashley wanted to show how easy it was to flip a giant tractor tire. Lana stroked his muscles. They left, so I guess this is happening later (Lashley needed to warm up first).
[Second hour]
For the second time in less than an hour, they plugged the Triple H anniversary show on SmackDown this Friday.
Nia Jax defeated Kairi Sane (4:07)
The announcers said Sane asked for this rematch. Like last week, Asuka watched from the back for some reason.
Jax tossed Sane into the turnbuckles and she took an ugly bump. Jax missed a charge and began selling her leg so Sane kicked away at it. Sane hammered away on Jax, hit a spinning back fist and sliding forearm. Jax avoided an Insane Elbow and hit a Samoan drop for the pinfall win. Jax lightly smacked Sane in the face after the match.
They aired a Rollins promo which appeared to be from a remote location. Rollins noted how much he and McIntyre had in common and that they both beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania for the title.
Rollins accepted his challenge but not out of respect or even disdain. This wasn’t personal. It was necessary. Rollins said the WWE universe needed a leader, but as much as they had in common, he was a proven leader and McIntyre was not. Rollins would be the light in the darkness. He would take the title, not because he wants to, but because he has to.
They aired a tape of the Viking Raiders driving around doing their own version of carpool karaoke. They wore t-shirts and jeans to go along with their Viking headgear. Ivar chomped down on a drumstick as Erik drove. They were in a much more gleeful mood than usual. This seemed designed to give them some personality.
Apollo Crews defeated MVP to qualify for the MITB ladder match (8:09)
Crews interrupted MVP’s pre-match promo. They went to break 45 seconds into the match. MVP was in control until Crews countered his finisher into a spinebuster. Crews followed with a Stinger splash, fists, superkick, clothesline and powerslam for two. MVP got his knees up on a frog splash attempt and hit the Playmaker for a nearfall.
Crews came back with an enziguri, press slam, standing moonsault, standing shooting star and a spin-out powerbomb for the pinfall win. Not much of a match but Crews’ finishing sequence was impressive. Phillips yelled that this was the biggest win of Crews’ career.
Caruso interviewed Ruby Riott about the Riott Squad and her match against Liv Morgan tonight. Riott said there never really was a squad. She had double shoulder surgery because she had to carry Logan and Morgan on her back. She made them look threatening. Now Logan has a broken arm and Morgan might leave here with broken arms. Riott said Morgan thinks she’s all grown up but she would learn how small and lonely and weak she was without her.
Liv Morgan defeated Ruby Riott (3:19)
They went back-and-forth until Morgan caught Riott with a Flatliner off the ropes for the pinfall win. The announcers intimated that Morgan was now done with Riott. (I like Riott a lot but Morgan did pick up a win on the Mania pre-show, so this makes sense.)
Back at the gym, Lashley was all warmed up. Lana said he wasn’t warm, he was hot. Lashley flipped the tractor tire. He admitted that any world-class athlete could flip that tire but questioned if they could flip a much bigger one. They had one that seemed twice the size.
They aired a tribute graphic for Howard Finkel. RIP.
Rey Mysterio defeated Murphy to qualify for the MITB ladder match (15:03)
Mysterio wore Under Armour gloves with the Batman logo on it. He appeared to injure his finger and went outside to regroup so Murphy went after him and pushed him into the barricade. Murphy tried working over his hand but Mysterio fought him off until Murphy stomped his hand on the steel edge of the ramp.
Murphy continued to target the hand after the break. He stomped it against the top of the ring post, then Mysterio shoved him to the outside and used a leg scissors takedown against the ramp. Murphy tried countering a 619 but Mysterio turned that into a tilt-a-whirl DDT for two. Mysterio then drove Murphy into the barricade with another leg scissors takedown.
Mysterio appeared to try popping his finger back in place. Back in the ring, Murphy rolled through a high cross attempt and hit a fireman’s carry neckbreaker, knee strike and brainbuster for two. Mysterio blocked a sunset flip powerbomb and hit a Canadian Destroyer, 619 and frog splash for the pinfall win. Good match.
McIntyre vs. Rollins for the title was made official for MITB.
Caruso tried interviewing Vega but she continuously mocked her. Vega intimated that her plan was going just fine and suggested McIntyre may not make it to MITB after tonight. Garza invited Caruso to ask him how it feels to beat a champion after his match tonight. She smiled and responded, “I could do that.”
NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defeated Kayden Carter in a non-title match (2:45)
Charlotte stretched using the ropes as the bell rang to start the match then caught Carter off guard with a big boot. She said you should always do your homework, which is fine advice. Carter fought back and used a crucifix driver.
Charlotte fought out of an octopus hold and hit a spear. She applied the Figure Four, slapped Carter in the face while holding the move, then transitioned into the Figure Eight and Carter tapped out. Charlotte mockingly clapped for Carter after the match.
Back in the gym, Lashley admitted he wasn’t sure he could move the 450-lbs tire, but if anyone could do it, it was him. Lashley attempted it a couple of times but it barely budged. Saxton, an idiot, called this embarrassing. Lashley then flipped it over without much problem. Lana was very impressed. (Lawler said it was a monster truck tire and it would have weighed well over 500-lbs.)
(There was a piece of exercise equipment in the background with the NXT logo on it. It appears they tried to cover up the NXT logo with black tape but the tape peeled off.)
US Champion Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) defeated Akira Tozawa in a non-title match (4:56)
Tozawa was all over Andrade early on and hit the same running flip dive to the outside that he did last week. No, Lawler did not make the same remark as last time. Tozawa followed with a flying front dropkick for two. Tozawa tried going after him on the outside but Vega momentarily got in his way which allowed Andrade to attack.
Tozawa managed to apply an octopus hold anyway but Andrade got a rope break. Andrade hit a back elbow but Tozawa then psyched him out and punched him in the face. Andrade came back with a dropkick but Tozawa countered a vertical suplex into a small package for two, followed by two more rollups for two.
Tozawa hit a superkick and went to the top but Andrade knocked him down and hit an elevated hammerlock DDT for the pinfall win. This was short but quite fun.
As Vega and Andrade exited, the Street Profits entered and they danced on the announce table, so five people were in close proximity to each other. In fact, Vega and Andrade walked past them to leave so there were really seven people quite close to each other for a moment.
Back from break, the Street Profits were still on the announce table and they introduced Bianca Belair. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins joined commentary for the match.
Bianca Belair defeated Santana Garrett (4:11)
Ford and Dawkins were very excited on commentary and Saxton joined them in their excitement until Phillips told him to shut up. Ford and Dawkins went crazy for a shoulder tackle, which was kind of funny. Garrett hit a high cross but Belair kicked out at one.
Belair followed soon after with KOD for the pinfall win. The Street Profits went absolutely crazy for the win. I assume a lot of people would have found them annoying, but I thought this was pretty amusing.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defeated Angel Garza (w/Zelina Vega, US Champion Andrade & Austin Theory) (5:03)
Like last week, the main event started with only about 7-8 minutes left in the show.
McIntyre chopped the hell out of Garza. Andrade tried to distract him as Garza went for a dive, but McIntyre caught him and hit a headbutt. Theory also tried to attack but McIntyre fended him off. Garza finally managed to take advantage and rammed him twice into the post. Garza followed with a missile dropkick for a one count.
McIntyre fought out of a single leg crab and hit a clothesline and boot. McIntyre hit a double axe handle and went for a Claymore kick but Garza tried to escape the ring. As he did, McIntyre ripped his pants off. McIntyre then hit an Undertaker dive onto all three men.
McIntyre sent Andrade over the barricade and Claymore kicked Theory. He tried giving Garza a reverse Alabama Slam but Garza rolled into a cover for two. McIntyre followed immediately with a Claymore kick for the pinfall win.
After the match, McIntyre let the announce team know he was going to hit another kick. So, in fact, McIntyre went to the ring and gave Garza another Claymore kick. He told Vega to keep lining them up. Theory got in the ring for some reason so he also ate a Claymore kick.
Andrade went up the ramp and got too close to the WWE title, so McIntyre chased after and Andrade bailed to the back. McIntyre did a baseball slide to pick up his belt and posed with it. McIntyre couldn’t help but chuckle. He seems to be having the time of his life right now.
I enjoyed this show more than most of the recent empty arena shows.
Three Money in the Bank qualifying matches have been announced for next week’s Raw.
MVP, in a VIP Lounge segment backstage, announced three matches that are set to take place for the first time ever next week. Rey Mysterio will battle Murphy, while Austin Theory will face Aleister Black. MVP then announced Apollo Crews versus himself. MVP called himself a ladder match legend.
Early on tonight’s episode of Raw, Asuka defeated Ruby Riott to earn a spot in the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Two more qualifying matches (Kairi Sane vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler vs. Sarah Logan) are set to take place later tonight.
This year’s Money in the Bank ladder match will consist of two six-person ladder matches, with three wrestlers representing Raw and another three representing SmackDown. Two qualifying matches, Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro and Dana Brooke vs. Naomi, has been announced for this Friday’s SmackDown.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Money in the Bank event will take place on May 10 at the WWE Performance Center.
Crews made his return on tonight’s episode of Raw, facing off against Aleister Black. The announcers explained that Crews was Raw’s newest acquisition, as Raw “had draft picks that were about to expire”. Crews and Black proceeded to wrestle a match that went 27:30 and spanned three commercial breaks. Black finally scored the win over Crews in a competitive match after hitting the Black Mass.
Since being traded to SmackDown last year, Crews had largely been left off television. In recent months, he had been teaming with Shorty G. On recent episodes of SmackDown, their team had shown signs of dissention as both men had lost multiple matches to Sheamus.
Crews made his main roster debut in 2016 and has switched between both Raw and SmackDown on multiple occasions in the years since. His most famous run was when he joined forces with Titus O’Neil and Dana Brooke to form Titus Worldwide.
