Gunther has named WWE main roster’s best technical wrestler

Often regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the industry by fans and critics, Gunther recently named his ‘best technical wrestler’ on the WWE main roster.

Speaking to Netflix Italia ahead of Clash in Italy, Gunther heaped praise on Axiom as the best technical wrestler on the WWE main roster.

I don’t think he has the chance to show it a lot at the moment, but I think Axiom actually is the best technical wrestler on the main roster right now,” Gunther shared. “He’s in a tag team, he’s doing different kind of matches right now, but when he gets the chance to show his skills, I think he’s by far the best technical wrestler we have.”

Gunther and Axiom faced each other once in 2021. Back in January 2021, Gunther successfully defended his WWE NXT UK Championship against Axiom, then known as A-Kid. The two also recently faced each other in a singles match last year on SmackDown in Barcelona.

Gunther is now set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship at Clash in Italy on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Inalpi Arena in Turin.

Axiom vs. The Miz set for next WWE SmackDown

A singles match is set for next week’s SmackDown.

Friday’s show saw The Miz and Kit Wilson talk about their recent losses when Fraxiom came in. Axiom told Miz he assumed they were having bad luck due to being cursed by Danhausen. The Miz denied this and after he got embarassed about not supporting his basketball team told Axiom he would embarass him next week when SmackDown heads to Barcelona, Axiom’s hometown.

Miz & Wilson have continued to feel the effects of Danhausen’s curse following Backlash, where they lost to Danhausen and his mini, Minihausen, in a tag team match. Last week’s SmackDown had The Miz challenge Trick Williams in the latter’s home state of South Carolina, but came up short.

Meanwhile, Danhausen has continued to experiment with something, or someone, though it remains to be see what that would entail. Nick Aldis attempted to find out what Danhausen was up to on Friday’s show, only for the lights to go out again.

WWE begins their European tour on Thursday when they head to Liverpool, followed by Barcelona on Friday. The following Monday, Raw will be in Turin while SmackDown will be in Bologna, Italy.

WWE SmackDown (May 29)

  • Axiom vs. The Miz

WWE & NXT stars to make AAA debut this month

AAA announced Wednesday that a pair of WWE and NXT wrestlers will be participating in a big match later this month. 

WWE’s Axiom will be facing NXT’s Je’Von Evans and AAA’s Octagon Jr. on the Saturday, November 22 show at Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium in Mexico City, Mexico. The winner of that match will go on to challenge Laredo Kid for AAA’s Cruiserweight title.

Axiom, formerly known as A-Kid, has been wrestling for over a decade including the last three years with WWE/NXT, but hasn’t previously worked for AAA and this show will mark his first match ever in Mexico.

That’s also true for Evans, a seven-year pro at just 21 years of age, who has been a full-timer with NXT for just over a year. Octagon Jr., a 17-year pro, has been a AAA mainstay since 2018 and has also teamed with Laredo Kid in TNA as the Aztec Warriors.

Laredo Kid, a former TNA Digital Media champion, is a two-time AAA Cruiserweight champion having won it from Sammy Guevara in 2018 and from Matt Riddle last December. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Fraxiom challenge for Tag Team titles

Two weeks after Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) in a non-title match, the teams will meet again on SmackDown tonight with the WWE Tag Team title belts on the line.

Fraxiom defeated DIY last week before Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa attacked Frazer & Axiom in a post-match beatdown. Motor City Machine Guns made the save for the babyfaces.

Also tonight, two Money In The Bank qualifying matches will take place. On the women’s side, it will be Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega. The winner joins Roxanne Perez, Rhea Ripley, and Alexa Bliss, who have already qualified for the Saturday, June 7 PLE.

On the men’s side, we will see LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Aleister Black for a spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Whoever wins will join Solo Sikoa, who secured a spot in the men’s match last week.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Savannah, Georgia, aired.

– The Street Profits, Fraxiom, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo and Drew McIntyre were shown walking in and around the building. As McIntyre walked, Damian Priest appeared out of nowhere and attacked McIntyre. Officials ultimately broke the two up.

The Tiffany Stratton/Alexa Bliss/Charlotte Flair segment

Tiffy started by asking Savannah, Georgia, what time it was. Stratton reflected on how she walked into Money In The Bank last year while this year, she stands as the WWE Women’s Champion. The Charlotte match was brought up. Last week’s Nia Jax match was brought up. Stratton said at MITB, someone will have the same opportunity she once had. As Stratton spoke, Alexa Bliss’s music hit and Bliss walked out.

Bliss said she didn’t think she and Stratton had formally met and then proceeded to list off her accomplishments in WWE. Bliss said she had her eye on Tiffy and weirdly added that she initially felt bad for Charlotte but then realized she shouldn’t feel bad for a queen (so I guess that interaction a couple weeks ago is already dead?). Bliss talked about how she doesn’t know Tiffy and she told Tiffy that if she thought her rise to the top was quick, Tiffy will have to take note of how fast her downfall will be. Charlotte Flair’s music then hit and out walked Flair.

Flair started talking with a microphone in hand while walking to the ring. The crowd booed the hell out of her. Charlotte said she might be the most humbled champion in the history of WWE. Charlotte congratulated Tiffy on beating her at Mania. Charlotte said she’s done everything there is to do in the business except win Money In The Bank. Charlotte said she will take her title back after she wins the MITB briefcase – as well as the spotlight. Charlotte said when she wants something, she doesn’t wait; she just takes it.

Tiffy questioned the hypocrisy of Charlotte because Charlotte had said cashing in the MITB briefcase was the easy way out. Tiffy called Bliss and Charlotte the standard while Tiffy is “the upgrade.” Tiffy worked in reminding everyone that it will be Tiffy Time and Tiffy’s music hit. Then, while Tiffy started her walk to the back, Giulia’s music hit and out she came, presumably for the first match. Giulia stopped and engaged in a stare down with Tiffy as they crossed paths.

Fairly basic stuff from everybody involved, but two things of note: One, Bliss felt really, really, really comfortable on the mic – more so than I remember her being even before she was off for a couple years. And two, as I mentioned earlier … so we’re just going to forget that Bliss/Charlotte thing from a couple weeks ago? That’s a bummer because that was intriguing. I don’t know what they had in mind, but they could have tried anything and it would have been more compelling than a lot of whatever’s been happening on Friday nights. Outside of those two things, this was fine enough, I suppose. If anything, it was a clever way to set up the first match while not having to put Giulia through having to cut a live promo in a language that isn’t her best language quite yet.

**********

Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega in a Money In The Bank qualifier match

Things were slow to start as Charlotte and Giulia teased locking up, but Vega kept getting in the way. Charlotte eventually threw Giulia into Vega and lifted Giulia briefly until Giulia stomped Charlotte’s head into the canvas. The two traded chops until they clotheslined each other at the same time. Vega reinserted herself into the mix and DDT’d both Charlotte and Giulia at the same time for two-counts. Vega and Giulia found themselves on the outside and Charlotte followed. Before long, Vega hit a moonsault on both Giulia and Charlotte on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Giulia and Charlotte were roughing each other up inside the ring. Giulia wound up on the apron and Charlotte kicked her to the floor. Vega came off the second rope and Charlotte caught her, but Giulia came off the top rope and took both women down for two-counts. The three traded blows until Giulia took Charlotte down and got a two-count out of it. Charlotte hit a cross-body off the top on both women. Vega came right back and worked a submission Vega, but Giulia hit a knee on Vega. Charlotte took out Giulia and got a two-count out of it. Charlotte stood tall and walked over both women to get to the top rope.

Charlotte landed a moonsault on both Giulia and Vega, but both Vega and Giulia kicked out at two. Giulia came right back and worked a Rings Of Saturn on Charlotte. Vega dropkicked her opponents and amped the crowd up before hitting a 619 on Giulia and Charlotte. Giulia then barely kicked out of a spear from Charlotte. Vega was on the outside and Charlotte went for a Figure Eight, but Vega broke up the move. Vega then landed a Code Red on Giulia, but Charlotte broke that pin attempt up. The crowd started dueling chants and the match reset.

Charlotte missed a spear on Vega, but booted Vega in the face. Charlotte worked a Figure Eight on Vega, but Giulia broke it up. Giulia followed up with a Northern Lights Bomb on Vega and that was good enough to earn her the win.

Match result: Giulia defeated Charlotte Flair and Zelina Vega to earn a spot in the women’s Money In The Bank ladder match (13:31).

A good MITB qualifying match. There seemed to be some timing issues with Giulia and Charlotte, but Vega came to fight and stood out in a good way. The crowds might not make a noise for her, her entrance, or anything she does in the ring, but damn if she doesn’t work her ass off each time she goes out there. Giulia going over was the right call as Vega is stuck in the mid-card, complete with mid-card title, and Charlotte would have felt stale, even if there is something to the fact that she’s never won a MITB briefcase. The women’s ladder match is shaping up to be pretty good/interesting/compelling/fun. As for tonight, it was a good strong first Big Win for Giulia on the main roster. It might take a little bit for her to adjust to the main roster style – just as she had her best-ever NXT match and looked like The Real Giulia, to boot! – but I’m pulling for her.

**********

– A #DIY vignette aired.

– Vega was shown walking backstage, selling pain from the match and Chelsea Green walked into the frame with the Hervice. Green called Vega a loser and Vega attacked Green. The Hervice intervened and Michin and B-Fab showed up. All the women brawled and Nick Aldis ran in to break things up. Michin yelled for a tag match between Michin/B-Fab and the Hervice. Aldis made the match for later.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Chris Sabin

The two locked up to begin the match. Sabin arm-dragged Ciampa and Ciampa sold arm pain. Sabin went to work on Ciampa’s arm. Ciampa came back and stomped a mud hole in Sabin, which woke up the crowd. Ciampa chopped the hell out of Sabin and stomped on Sabin’s face. Sabin fired up and took Ciampa out. The action spilled outside after Ciampa came back with a Willow’s Bell DDT. Ciampa ran Sabin into a corner and then pat himself on the back. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the show, both guys were down. Sabin tried to kick Ciampa, but Ciampa blocked it. Sabin brushed it off and landed a leaping kick on Ciampa for a two-count. Ciampa rolled outside to talk to Gargano and Sabin and Ciampa battled on the apron, exchanging chops. Ciampa ended all that as he dropped Sabin on his head on the apron. Ciampa set up for a Fairytale Ending, but Sabin countered into a dragon-screw leg-whip, which was followed by a Tornado DDT. Sabin got a two-count out of it.

Sabin went to the top and Gargano hopped on the apron to distract him. Alex Shelley confronted Gargano and Ciampa botted Shelley in the face. Sabin hit a cross-body on both Gargano and Ciampa on the outside. “This is awesome!” chants began. Sabin went to the top, but Ciampa cut him off. Sabin pushed Ciampa off and Ciampa sold a leg injury. The referee checked on Ciampa and Candice LeRae showed up to attack Sabin. Ciampa took advantage, rolled down his knee pad, hit Sabin with the knee and got the win.

Match result: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Chris Sabin (11:13).

I really like pairing LeRae with Ciampa and Gargano. It might have major NXT black-and-gold vibes, but those three work really well together and this keeps LeRae on TV without having to be Nia Jax’s sidekick. I’m excited to see what’s next for that trio. The match itself was pretty good. It never quite kicked into the next gear, but that’s more a function of the television format, including the commercial break that tends to stagnate matches that could be very good and force them to only be merely good. That said, Ciampa and Sabin are pros and this was a solid professional wrestling match.

**********

– Fraxiom were interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. They were fired up about being the best tag team in the world and said they could cement that if they beat the Profits later in the show.

– A video package on John Cena and R-Truth aired.

– Priest was about to make his entrance, but he and McIntyre instead brawled through the curtain and down to ringside. WWE officials broke them up and Priest grabbed a microphone. Priest screamed into the microphone said tonight, he will get his “pile of flesh.” Priest then broke through security and the two went back to brawling until they were broken up again.

– Solo Sikoa was shown talking with JC Mateo backstage. Jacob Fatu walked up and Fatu asked to speak in private. Sikoa said they could talk there because they are family. Fatu said he didn’t trust or like Mateo. Fatu said Mateo isn’t his blood or his family. Mateo stepped to Fatu and Sikoa stopped him. Sikoa said Mateo has to channel that energy for his match later. Sikoa said he never left like Roman has left and he wants everyone to come together as a family. Fatu told Sikoa to stop talking and hit his go-away line to end the segment.

– Charlotte was shown walking backstage and she ran across Alexa Bliss, who said it was important to have friends. Bliss was speaking with her doll Lilly and told Charlotte she’d see her at Money In The Bank, but then remembered Charlotte lost earlier and said, “Sorry.”

The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) vs. B-Fab & Michin

B-Fab and Niven started the match, but Fyre quickly tagged herself in. Niven knocked Michin off the apron and hit a Senton on B-Fab. Fyre kept kicking B-Fab in a corner as Green shouted things off camera. Niven tagged in and worked somewhat of a Million Dollar Dream on B-Fab. Niven sidewalk-slammed B-Fab. Eventually, B-Fab knee’d Piven in the face and got the hot tag to Michin, who fired up and dropkicked Fyre. Green hopped up on the apron to distract the referee, but Zelina Vega showed up and took Green out. Niven ran Vega off while inside the ring, Michin hit Eat Defeat on Fyre. B-Fab tagged in and landed her finisher on Fyre and that got her team the win.

Match result: Michin & B-Fab defeated The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) (3:45)

Quick and painless. I wonder if this leads to a six-woman tag for tomorrow night’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. Time will tell. B-Fab has improved so much and Michin feels like she’s really sinking her teeth into her character more than ever. The Hervice, meanwhile, are gold anytime they step through the curtain. That said, a sub-four-minute match was probably the right call.

**********

– The Profits were interviewed backstage. Dawkins said it’s a big night for Fraxiom and the Profits. Dawkins started shouted how tonight isn’t a friendly exhibition. Ford chimed in a mocked Fraxiom for being called the best tag team in the world. Ford said they would walk out the same way they walked in – as tag champs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo walked by the Profits on their way to the ring and the five people engaged in a quick stare down. Fatu and Mateo made their entrance, alongside Sikoa, for the next match.

– A Legado Del Fantasma vignette aired. They were sitting at a dining room table with glasses of wine. Escobar told Berto and Angel they are capable of achieving greatness together. Escobar said at Worlds Collide, they will come together as the best they have to offer. Escobar said they will stand victorious in front of their people. Escobar tried to make a toast, but Berto seemed despondent. Escobar told him to see the vision. Berto stood up, drank the wine, and left. Escobar told Angel to let Berto go because soon, Berto will understand.

– Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix were backstage hyping themselves up for the next match.

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

Uso and Fatu technically began the match, but Mateo tagged himself in, which made Fatu angry. Mateo took Uso down quickly and stomped on him in a corner. Fatu then tagged himself in and that made Mateo angry. Fenix tagged in and kicked Fatu in the head. Mateo ran into a bunch of superkicks. With Mateo and Fatu on the outside, Fenix hit a corkscrew plancha on both guys. Fenix got incredible height out of it. A replay aired and the show went to a commercial break.

Back to action, Mateo had the advantage in the ring against Uso. Mateo even hit a standing moonsault on Uso. Fatu tagged in and landed a hip attack on Uso. The crowd ate it up. Fatu eventually hip-attacked again. Mateo tagged in and placed Uso on the top rope. Mateo teased a German Suplex, but Uso fought out and knocked Mateo off the top. Fenix then received a hot tag from Uso. Fatu tagged in as well and Fenix walked the ropes, taking everyone out, complete with a poisonrana on Fatu for a very good near fall.

Fenix stepped to Fatu and Fatu landed a pop-up Samoan Drop before going for a hip attack, which he missed. Mateo tagged in and went for a German Suplex, but Fenix landed on his feet. Uso tagged himself in and hit a cross-body on Mateo, but Fatu broke up a pin attempt. Fenix missile-dropkicked Fatu to the outside. Fenix tried to followed it up with a splash, but Fatu caught Fenix and threw him over the commentary desk. Inside the ring, Uso hit a spear on Mateo and went to the top, but Sikoa hopped up to distract Uso. Uso missed the splash as a result and Mateo executed Tour Of The Islands for the victory.

Match result: Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo defeated Jimmy Uso & Rey Fenix (12:26).

Do you know how hard it is to type “JC Mateo” after, for so long, you typed “Jeff Cobb?” The amount of times I had to correct myself here … anyway, enough of my whining. I like the friction between Mateo and Fatu, but something seems a little off about Mateo. As Jeff Cobb, he was never not a badass. And I’m not so sure this is on purpose, but pairing him with Fatu, who came in with a rocket strapped to his entire soul, hasn’t been the best idea? Maybe? Whatever it is, Mateo doesn’t look as powerful or engaged or even crisp as he would if he was just introduced as his badass self, minus the Bloodline (or at least the overpowering Fatu). I digress. The crowd was up for this and it might just have been Rey Fenix’s best showing on TV since arriving in WWE. It’s worth 12-and-a-half minutes of your time. And sure, it kind of seemed like a hodgepodge of wrestlers at times, but it worked and it worked well.

**********

– Byron Saxton was talking backstage and LA Knight walked into the frame. Knight said Sikoa has a first-class seat to watch Knight win the MITB briefcase in two weeks. Knight said the odds have always been against him, but in Los Angeles, it will be Knight standing tall. Knight said that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he is living, talking and breathing Money In The Bank. He then offered up his catchphrase to end the segment.

The R-Truth segment

The proceedings began with the “What’s up?!” bit. Truth said people asked him how he’d handle fighting his childhood hero, but Truth said they don’t get it because he’s not fighting his childhood hero and instead, the man who attacked him is a man Truth doesn’t recognize. Truth said he can’t figure out where things went wrong or how he could have prevented things. Truth said he realized a problem – power. Truth said Cena used to call him his friend or brother, but the more power and fame Cena got, the more disconnected he felt.

Truth said the phone calls stopped from Cena. Truth said he felt Cena was always annoyed with him because whatever Truth did was wrong. Truth said he blamed himself and he was worried he did something to upset Cena. Truth said he talked to other people and they felt the same way Truth did. Truth said Cena isolated himself with power. Truth called out Cena’s ego. Truth said Cena stopped having fun so now Cena gets mad when someone else wants to have fun. Truth said he doesn’t like who Cena has become and he doesn’t believe Cena is happy. Truth said Cena is the GOAT and the crowd booed. Truth said he wasn’t sure if he could bring Cena back, but he’ll try, and Cena will not take Truth’s joy away from him.

Truth said if he’s going to save wrestling, he has to save Cena. Truth said he won’t want to put his hands on Cena, but if he has to, he’ll beat the … everything … out of Cena. Truth said he misses his hero and he can’t deny that. As such, Truth said if Cena wins on Saturday night, “we riot.” Truth yelled “What’s up?!” and jumped, did a split, and that was it.

I don’t even know what to say about what’s become a farse of a retirement tour for Cena. A weak explanation for his turn due to The Rock disappearing. Cena mean-mugging and pouting any week he shows up. And now, while the guy has six months left, we’re going to waste a date on a completely silly match with R-Truth? This ain’t workin’, brothers. Truth did the best he could here. The lack of Cena on a weekly basis makes these things hard and it’s not like Truth is out here each week, cutting eight-minute promos on his own because they have him positioned as a person to cut eight-minute promos on his own each week. God bless him. This whole thing is too silly for my admittedly-basic-and-probably-bad taste.

**********

– A video recap of Raw’s main event aired.

– A Naomi/Jade Cargill/Nia Jax vignette aired. It turns out, this will be the women’s MITB qualifier match next week.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Aleister Black vs. LA Knight in a Money In The Bank qualifier match

Nakamura was quickly disposed to the outside as the match began. Black and Knight went at it as the crowd chanted “We want tables!” Knight hit his jumping neck-breaker on Black and stomped on him in a corner. Knight ran at Black, but Nakamura tripped Knight up and disposed of Knight to the outside. Nakamura and Black were left to go one-on-one inside the ring and the kicked each other twice at the same time. After a quick fury, Black took control with a knee and Nakamura rolled to the outside. Black went for a moonsault, but Knight popped up and super-plexed Black from the top to the canvas. Nakamura ran in and hit Knight with a jumping knee. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Black had the upper hand on Nakamura. Black landed a springboard moonsault, but Knight broke up a pin attempt. Knight lifted Black and the two attempted their finishers on each other, but each wrestler countered. Ultimately, Knight dropped Black and Nakamura dragged Knight to the outside, where he ran Knight into the ring steps. Black and Nakamura went head-to-head and traded strikes. Knight returned and threw Nakamura to the outside. From there, Black hit a knee on Knight and threw him to the outside. Black then twice went for high-risk moves on the outside and neither Knight or Nakamura caught him.

Anyway, Black rolled Knight back into the ring, but Knight DDT’d Black. Knight followed up with a leaping elbow, but Nakamura reinserted himself with a knee to Knight’s head. Nakamura covered Knight, but Knight grabbed the rope to break up a pin attempt. Nakamura went for a knee, but Black caught up. It didn’t matter because Nakamura rank Black into the ring post. Nakamura fired up, but instead ran into Black Mass. Knight reappeared, threw Black to the outside and pinned Nakamura for the win.

Match result: LA Knight defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Aleister Black to earn a spot in the men’s Money In The Bank ladder match (11:01).

I’m kind of surprised they didn’t go with Black here, but at some point, someone really ought to take full advantage of how over LA Knight is with these live crowds. Still, it is kind of funny to see how the only two men’s MITB ladder match participants, as it currently stands, is Solo Sikoa and LA Knight while the women have Roxanna Perez and Giulia. The former is a stale SmackDown third-hour match. The latter is an exciting NXT PLE main event. This match was fine, even though I feel for Black with how everyone sort of bailed on him each time he tried to something neat. Nakamura is not the Nakamura of old, LA Knight’s strong suit is most definitely not in-ring work and then … there’s Black, who is a very good professional wrestler. It worked in its own way, but this will not go down as the match of the night.

**********

– The Miz and Carmelo Hayes were shown talking backstage. Miz asked Melo how many times he had to take a Black Mass before Melo would listen to him. Miz told Melo he put Melo in a qualifier match for MITB next week. Miz put over how important MITB is. Miz said he wouldn’t be where he is if it wasn’t for the MITB contract. Miz said that’s how much he believes in Melo. Miz did the catchphrase to end the segment.

– A Jey Uso/Logan Paul vignette aired.

– The commentary team ran down the SNME card for Saturday night. Added to it will be Zelina Vega, who will face Chelsea Green for the Women’s United States Championship.

– Fatu, Mateo and Sikoa were walking backstage. Aldis walked up to them and said next week on SmackDown, the final triple threat qualifier for the men’s MITB match will take place. Aldis said Fatu will be in that match. Fatu said, “I love you, Solo,” and Sikoa said, “He hadn’t said that in, like, six months,” and it was very funny.

– A Bianca Belair vignette aired. She said the past six months have been some of the most challenging, frustrating times of her career. She lost friendships and her first match at Mania, etc. Belair said sometimes, she wants to give up, but she can’t let those things define her. Belair said she’ll get through it because she’s healing her finger and in her heart and “here’s to a new beginning.” Belair said the only consistent thing in life is change and her best is yet to come.

– Next week, Andrade, Melo and Fatu will face off in the MITB qualifier match. On the women’s side, Cargill, Naomi and Jax will compete for their ticket to MITB. John Cena will return as well. And, finally, Bianca Belair will be there. It is in Knoxville, Tennessee, after all.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Axiom and Dawkins began the match. Dawkins overpowered Axiom at first. Dawkins worked Axiom’s arm and Ford was animated on the apron. Axiom backed into his own corner and Frazer tagged in to work a head-lock on Dawkins. Dawkins ran the ropes and ultimately shot Frazer off and shoulder-blocked him to the mat. Ford tagged in and dropkicked Frazer for a two-count. Dawkins tagged back in and slowly worked on Frazer until Frazer hit an enziguri and tagged in Axiom. Things broke down and Frazer and Axiom hit a series of dives onto the Profits on the outside. The sequence ended with a top rope moonsault from Axiom onto the Profits. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the action and Dawkins was working a headlock on Axiom. Ford tagged in and drove his shoulder into Axiom, who was in a corner. Dawkins tagged back in and hit his spinning splash in said corner for a two-count. Axiom slapped Dawkins repeatedly and hit a DDT from the second rope. At about the nine-and-a-half minute mark, Frazer received the hot tag. Ford tagged in as well. Frazer ran the ropes and eventually landed a running shooting-star press on Ford. With Frazer on the apron, he first stumbled, but ultimately landed a springboard missile dropkick on Ford for a two-count. Dawkins tagged in and the Profits took back control with back-drop. The show then went to its final commercial break at about 11 minutes.

When the show returned, Ford was working over Axiom, who fired up and hit Ford with some chops and kicks. Axiom went for a rear-naked choke. Frazer ran in and worked a choke on Dawkins, who threw Frazer onto Axiom to break everything up. All four wrestlers were down in the ring as the match went to its home stretch. Frazer tagged in and hit a step-up enziguri on Ford. With Ford on the top, Frazer ran up to the top repeatedly to hit a super-plex. Axiom tagged in and kicked Ford as Frazer suplexed him and that was good enough for a two-count.

Frazer ran at Dawkins on the outside, but Dawkins cut him off with a right hand. Ford tagged in Dawkins and Dawkins put Axiom on his shoulders for the Blockbuster from the top. Frazer then broke up a pin attempt and all four wrestlers were down once again. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Dawkins went to the top, but Axiom cut him off and delivered a Spanish Fly from the top. Frazer tagged in as well and hit the Phoenix Splash, but Ford returned from the outside and broke up the pin attempt. #DIY ran down to the ring with LeRae and hopped on the apron. MCMG appeared, too, and brawled with #DIY.

Ford landed a splash on the teams outside the ring. Frazer missed a splash on Dawkins and Dawkins landed a spinebuster on Frazer. Ford tagged in and went to the top, but the lights went out. Inside the ring, the Wyatt Sicks stood as the lights came back on. The faction took out everyone in sight. Uncle Howdy gave the Mandible Claw to Frazer. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Howdy gave Gargano a Sister Abigail. The Sicks posed in the middle of the ring with what looked like a birthday cake (it was Bray’s birthday earlier this week). Howdy blew out the candle on the cake and the show ended.

Match result: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) fought The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) to a no-contest (21:17).

They had a good match while they had it, and though I’m usually down on cheap finishes to matches like this, the Wyatt Sicks return sure did pack a punch. I can’t be mad at it. I’m not exactly sure why they targeted the entire SmackDown tag-team roster, but perhaps that will be explained later. Either way, the return was pulled off really well. In the meantime, the guys who worked the actual main event put a good bout together despite the crowd feeling dead for most of it (be better, Savannah). I don’t know what this means moving forward for the tag division, but I like the uncertainty of it all. On to next week.

Fraxiom join WWE SmackDown brand, defeat Legado Del Fantasma

Fraxiom have arrived on the main roster.

It was announced on SmackDown that the duo had officially been called up to the main roster. After a short video aired introducing Nathan Frazer and Axiom, they wrestled Legado Del Fantasma, emerging victorious following a spanish fly from Axiom and a phoenix splash by Frazer.

After their match, Triple H on social media posted a picture of himself and the newest members of the SmackDown roster:

The duo wrestled over WrestleMania weekend, losing to Hank & Tank at Stand & Deliver, finally breaking their long run as NXT Tag Team Champions. The former champions had been teaming together since late 2023. They are two time champions, most recently winning them from Chase U at NXT’s No Mercy premium live event back in September.

SmackDown’s tag team division has been heating up as multiple title matches have been held over the last few monthS, with The Street Profits recently winning the titles. They will defend them later on Friday in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match that will also include DIY and The Motor City Machine Guns.

Axiom makes surprise indie appearance in Spain

Reigning WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Axiom made a surprise appearance in Spain Thursday in his return to his home country.

The former A-Kid/Nino Anonimo came out unmasked during a Lucha Libre Rebelion event — a surprise to some online who have never seen his real face. He appeared and presented the first-ever Nino Anonimo Cup to local wrestler Zozaya.

WWE is making a stop in Barcelona, Spain, Friday for SmackDown as part of a big European tour ahead of next month’s WrestleMania 41.

The 27-year-old native of Madrid last wrestled as A-Kid in April 2022 as part of WWE UK before moving stateside to compete for the main NXT brand under the masked Axiom character.

Axiom and Nathan Frazer were unsuccessful in unseating TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys at this past Tuesday’s NXT Roadblock in New York City. Matt & Jeff Hardy later intimated they want a shot at the NXT tag titles at some point.

The Hardy Boyz want WWE NXT Tag Team title shot

The Hardy Boyz’s victory at Roadblock looks to have set up a future NXT Tag Team title match.

Matt & Jeff Hardy retained their TNA Tag Team titles against Nathan Frazer & Axiom at NXT Roadblock in New York City on Tuesday night. Fraxiom are the current NXT Tag Team Champions, but their belts were not on the line. The Hardyz now want to face Fraxiom again for those titles.

“Their human hearts are more like rocket boosters, that’s the fastest team I’ve ever been in the ring with,” Jeff Hardy said about Fraxiom. “And my question is: Do we get a shot at the NXT tag titles now?”

“They’re incredible. I cannot put them over enough. They are amazing, and they are the NXT Tag Team Champions for very specific reasons, because they’re incredible,” Matt said. “Tonight we were defending the TNA World Tag team titles and we were able to retain them. But we did beat them, unfortunately the NXT titles weren’t on the line. Maybe next time the NXT titles will be on the line. Because that is something The Hardyz do not have on their list of gold.”

Axiom called last night’s match a dream come true and said he wants to face Matt & Jeff again in a rematch.

After their loss, Fraxiom got a pep talk from Bubba Ray Dudley backstage:

If The Hardyz do become NXT tag champs, it would be their first WWE title reign as a team since 2019. They’ve recently competed in two NXT matches because of the partnership that exists between WWE and TNA. We could eventually see The Hardyz appear on Raw or SmackDown as well, with WWE reportedly optimistic that Matt & Jeff will have a main roster run this spring/summer.

Big Vinny V: TNA Impact with Fraxiom vs. Nemeth Bros.

NXT Tag Team champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom were one of the best duos in the world last year. What happens when they defend their belts against multiple-time world champion Nic Nemeth? Oh, and his brother too.

PLUS: Joe Hendry’s concert is shockingly interrupted by a new challenger, Ace Austin shows how awesome he is against NXT’s Tyson Dupont, a Knockouts battle royal to name a new challenger for Masha Slamovich, Josh Alexander sets the stage for his last TNA match ever (for real this time), a new star emerges when Leon Slater teams with the Hardy Boys to face the System, Mustafa Ali starts to form his coalition, and Matt Cardona faces Mike Santana. All this and more on the Big Vinny V Show!

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NXT Tag Team title match set for next TNA Impact

A match for the NXT Tag Team titles is set for the next episode of Impact.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom will defend the titles against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz) on Thursday during a special live edition of TNA Impact in San Antonio. The move comes after the two teams confronted one another during TNA Genesis.

Right as the TNA Tag Team title match was set to take place between champions The Hardys and challengers The Rascals, the NXT Tag Team Champions came down with chairs and sat ringside as a surprise. During the match, however, there was a spot where the Rascalz were sent out of the ring, crashing into Fraxiom. The two teams exchanged words as TNA security escorted Fraxiom backstage. The Hardys eventually emerged victorious, retaining the TNA Tag Team titles.

Also on the show, it was announced that TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella would address Josh Alexander’s statements following his I Quit match against Mike Santana. Alexander shook Santana’s hand after his loss, saying he not only quit in the match, but also quit TNA.

Here is the updated lineup for Thursday’s Impact:

  • NXT Tag Team titles: Fraxiom defend against The Rascalz
  • Santino Marella to address Josh Alexander quitting TNA

WWE NXT star Axiom announced for indie show in Spain

WWE NXT star Axiom is coming to an indie show in his home country of Spain later this month.

After teasing that they had a huge announcement, indie promotion Tyris Wrestling revealed today that Axiom is set for their Snowball 30 event in Valencia on Saturday, December 28. Further details on Axiom’s role for the show have not been announced yet.

Axiom is from Madrid and got his start on the Spanish indies, wrestling as A-Kid. He became a worldwide indie star before signing with WWE as a member of the NXT UK roster in 2019. Now wrestling as the masked A-Kid, he holds the NXT Tag Team titles with Nathan Frazer.

This Tuesday, Axiom & Frazer are defending their belts against Gallus on NXT. Due to a miscommunication between him and Frazer, Axiom is working double duty on the episode with a singles match against Oba Femi scheduled.

WWE wrestler Lyra Valkyria is also set to work an indie match in her own home country this holiday season. Valkyria vs. Debbie Keitel will take place for OTT Wrestling in Dublin, Ireland on December 21.

WWE NXT live results: Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying continues

Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying continues on WWE NXT tonight for both the men’s and women’s matches.

Wes Lee, Je’Von Evans, and Nathan Frazer have already secured their spots in the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. Tonight, one of the last men’s spots will be confirmed as Axiom takes on Ethan Page.

Either Giulia or Kelani Jordan will earn their place in the women’s Iron Survivor Challenge as they face off in a qualifying match tonight. Sol Ruca, Stephanie Vaquer, and Zaria are the first three participants confirmed.

The Iron Survivor Challenge matches are being held at NXT Deadline on December 7 and will determine new number one contender’s for the NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship.

A pair of North American title bouts are set for tonight’s NXT episode. Fallon Henley defends her women’s North American Championship against Tatum Paxley. Shawn Spears challenges Tony D’Angelo for the men’s title belt.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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The show begins with a recap from last week, showing the fall of Chase U. Opening the show from the sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando is the Chase U theme song. The live studio audience pops, but their cheers would soon turn to jeers.

Busting through a Chase U banner is Ridge Holland. He smirks as the studio audience showers him in boos. Holland gets into the ring and grabs the house microphone. All he says is, “I told you so.” That was in reference to the disbanding of Chase U. Holland then says he will see Trick Williams at Deadline, meaning he is challenging for the NXT Championship at the next NXT supercard.

Holland soaked in the jeering from the crowd, and although his promo was brief, Holland had a ton of heat in front of this audience.

Ethan Page defeated Axiom (with Nathan Frazier) in a Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match

Page pinned Axiom to win the match and qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline. They had a pretty great match. After the match was an in-ring interview with Page, that led into a large brawl with multiple tag teams. Page and Axiom were given plenty of time and they made the most of their match. Page targeted Axiom’s lower back during the match.

The match itself goes through two commercial breaks. When the show returns from the first break, Page goes flying into the announce desk. Meanwhile, a bunch of the tag teams on the roster are watching the match from a monitor backstage.

Before the second commercial break, they are fighting atop the turnbuckles. Page gives Axiom a backbreaker on the top turnbuckle, and Axiom falls to the floor as the show goes into a break. Upon returning from the commercial break, Page and Axiom do a Rey Mysterio-Eddy Guerrero spot from their famous classic match at Halloween Havoc. In the spot, Axiom springboards off the top rope into a back flip and a DDT on Page.

In setting up the finish, they do another Rey Mysterio spot. This one was Rey against Psicosis, where Page goes for a super splash mountain and Axiom reverses into a hurricanrana. Axiom then measures for his finisher, but Page counters with a lariat that turns Axiom inside out. Page then covers Axiom for a three count.

Sarah Schreiber interviews Page in the ring after the match. Page cuts a promo where he gives props to Axiom, while Page also says to not bet against him. Page vows to be the Iron Survivor.

Nathan Frazier jumps into the ring to confront Page. Frazier cuts a promo on Page, but Page gets Frazier to inadvertently put down Axiom. Frazier immediately tries to backtrack his comment.

Wes Lee is out to interrupt. Lee boasts about himself winning the Iron Survivor. Out comes Je’Von Evans for another interruption.

OTM is out for yet another interruption. They do not care about the Iron Survivor, but they do not like the tag team champions chasing a singles title. Several other tag team are behind OTM. Similar to last week, a huge brawl erupts, and the NXT Tag Team Champions, join the melee. All of the teams would continue to brawl throughout the show.

Lola Vice defeated Wren Sinclair (with Charlie Dempsey)

Vice pinned Sinclair after a spinning back fist. Sinclair was working Vice’s injured hand, and Dempsey coached Sinclair into trying to smash Vice’s hand on the ring steps. Sinclair was reluctant, and Vice biels Sinclair off the steps. Vice then takes a rough bump into the steps as Sinclair drop kicks her. Back in the ring, Sinclair goes for a roll-up, but Vice kicks free. Vice then blasts Sinclair with a spinning back fist, with Vice using her good hand. Vice then covers Sinclair for a pinfall.

Vice cuts a stern promo after the match, where she challenges Jaida Parker to an Underground match.

Fatal Influence bully Tatum Paxley in a backstage skit where Paxley as playing with dolls. Paxley offers a cryptic warning to Fatal Influence as a mysterious hand picks up Paxley’s doll.

NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo (with Adrianna Rizzo) defeated Shawn Spears (with Brooks Jensen) to retain his title

D’Angelo pinned Spears after a spinebuster. They had a pretty dang good match. Spears worked a leg. Lots of body parts being worked over tonight, which would make the Minnesota Wrecking Crew proud. Anyway, this was a good match. The heels jump D’Angelo after the match, and Niko Vance runs to attack D’Angelo. Niko is aligned with Spears and Jensen, forming a trio.

The title match itself goes through a commercial break. D’Angelo has sold his knee in previous weeks, and it plays into this match as well. Spears targets the injury, and they do spots related to the injury. “The Don” manages to execute a superplex, but his knee soon buckles again. Spears locks in a figure-four leglock. D’Angelo breaks free, and they trade near falls with roll-ups. D’Angelo then counters with a pop-up spinebuster, and “The Don” covers Spears for a pinfall.

Jensen and Spears try to attack D’Angelo after the match, but “The Don” fights them off. Niko runs in and jumps D’Angelo, leaving the champ laying on the mat. The heel trio glare at Rizzo as they stand over D’Angelo.

The tag team are brawling outside the building.

Andre Chase is packing up stuff from Chase U in a vignette paired with sad music.

Giulia defeated Kelani Jordan in a Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying match

Giulia pinned Jordan after a Northern Lights bomb. This was another good match on the show that got a lot of time. This is a very wrestling-heavy show, and I’m loving that. This match also goes through a commercial break, and Giulia was such a talented wrestler. Jordan held her own.

NXT General Manager Ava takes a bump in a backstage skit. It begins with Ava announces a last chance qualifier for the Iron Survivor Challenge, which is a fatal four-way that takes place next week. Eddy Thorpe is upset and thinks it is unfair for him to face multiple opponents.

Ava then talks with Nathan Frazier & Axiom, and Ava tells them she has booked a battle royal next week to determine the number one contender’s to their tag titles. More tag team arrive to argue among themselves.

Thorpe tries to talk again with Ava, but she tries to go into the trainer’s room. Thorpe grabs her hand to stop Ava, and Ava yells at him to never grab her. Someone hits the trainer’s room door, and the door smacks into Ava. She takes a bump on the floor.

After a commercial break, Ava is still selling the bump. She is sitting up with the trainers checking on her. Shawn Michaels is there as well. Thorpe comes in to plead his case, and HBK flips out on him. Michaels shoves Thorpe backwards into a roll-up door. They glare at each other after Michaels tells Thorpe to get of there .

NXT Champion Trick Williams enter the sounstage for an in-ring monologue. Williams addresses Ridge Holland, which hypes their title match at Deadline. Williams mentions past NXT stars and acts, talking about how they build up the NXT brand. Williams then says Holland only tears things down.

Out comes Ridge Holland to interrupt and confront Williams. Before Holland can say much he is interrupted by Eric Bischoff, who is appearing “via satellite” from Cody, Wyoming. Bischoff announces he is coming to NXT next week. He is hosting a talking segment with Holland and Williams next Tuesday on the go-home show for Deadline.

In a backstage skit, Charlie Dempsey informs Wren Sinclair that she is in a fatal four-way next Tuesday for a final spot in the Iron Survivor (similar to the men’s last chance qualifier). Sinclair wonders how she can win, but Dempsey seems to have faith in her.

NXT North American Champions Fallon Henley (with Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) defeated Tatum Paxley to retain her title

Henley pinned Paxley after a famouser. The heel trio tries attacking Paxley after the match, which leads to the return of Gigi Dolan.

The match itself goes through a commercial break. Just before the break, Paxley has Henley reeling and on the ropes. Henley powders, and her partners in Fatal Influence cause a distraction. As Jayne and Nyx distract Paxley, Henley swings around the ring post to hit Paxley. The show cuts to its final commercial break with Fatal Influence gloating over their actions.

Paxley makes a comeback well after the show returns from the commercial break. Paxley gets near falls in the closing moments. Paxley climbs the turnbuckles, but Jayne causes another distraction to hinder Paxley. Moments later, Paxley connects with a 450 splash, but Henley kicks out.

As they go home, Henley kicks out of an O’Connor Roll. Paxley then hits Jayne with a wrecking ball dropkick. Henley tries to capitalize on Paxley being distracted again, but Paxley counters Henley. Paxley goes for her finisher, but Henley counters that. Henley then runs the rope and uses a flying famouser to drop Paxley. Henley then covers Paxley and hooks a leg for the deciding pinfall.

Fatal Influence goes to gang up on Paxley after the match, but Gigi Dolan returns to make a save. Dolan’s theme song blares as Dolan sneaks up on Fatal Influence. Dolan cleans house, and Paxley joins in. The two babyfaces stand tall as the show goes off air.

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Two title matches set for next week’s WWE NXT

Two title matches are set for next week’s NXT.

Axiom & Nathan Frazer will defend the NXT Tag Team titles against Je’Von Evans and Cedric Alexander. In a backstage segment that aired on Tuesday, the champions consoled Evans after he lost in the main event of last week’s show. Frazer, however, was more pandering in his comments, saying that Evans was young and had a lot of time, and told Evans to get used to it. Evans slapped Frazer as their partners held them back.

The champions were later seen in Ava’s office, where Frazer agreed to put up the NXT Tag Team titles with Axiom reluctantly agreeing.

Charlie Dempsey also agreed to give Lexis King a shot at the Heritage Cup trophy on next week’s show. King told Dempsey that he didn’t want to be seen as a loose cannon like his father. Later, King went into Ava’s office and asked her to appoint someone in his corner for the match. Ava said she couldn’t do it.

Here is the lineup for next week’s show:

  • NXT Tag Team titles: Axiom & Nathan Frazer defend against Je’Von Evans & Cedric Alexander
  • NXT Heritage Cup: Charlie Dempsey defends against Lexis King

A-Town Down Under issue WWE NXT Tag Team title challenge

Main roster tag team A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) are coming after the NXT Tag Team titles.

On social media today, A-Town Down Under posted a video challenging Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) to a Tag Team title match on the October 8 episode of NXT from Chesterfield, Missouri. That’s the second episode of NXT’s new TV deal with The CW Network.

Theory & Waller said they’ll also be appearing on NXT next Tuesday (September 24) for a Grayson Waller Effect segment where Frazer & Axiom will respond to their challenge.

Fraxiom are two-time NXT Tag Team Champions. Their current reign began at NXT No Mercy earlier this month.

In their challenge, A-Town Down Under said that — while they’ve had a reign as main roster tag champs — neither Theory nor Waller got to hold the belts in NXT.

The October 8 episode of NXT was originally supposed to take place from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, but it’s been relocated to The Factory at The District in Chesterfield. Randy Orton is advertised to appear at the show.

The Bloodline attack Street Profits, Nathan Frazer & Axiom on WWE NXT

The Bloodline made their presence felt on Tuesday.

During the opening match between Nathan Frazer & Axiom and The Street Profits, The Street Profits had hit their finish on the NXT Tag Team Champions when Tama Tonga came in and broke the count, causing the match to be thrown out. Tanga Loa and Jacob Fatu then entered and proceeded to lay out both teams, standing tall as the segment ended.

On Friday’s SmackDown The Bloodline including, Solo Sikoa, defeated The Street Profits and DIY in an eight-man tag team match. Sikoa got the win for his team after two Samoan spikes to Montez Ford. Sikoa will now wrestle Cody Rhodes in a steel cage match for the WWE title on this coming Friday’s SmackDown as it returns to the USA Network.

The Rascalz were originally announced to take on Nathan Frazer and Axiom for the titles. However, Ava announced on social media Monday that they were unable to compete due to “somewhat conspicuous circumstances.”