Major changes have taken place to both of today’s WWE Holiday Tour house shows in New York City and Tampa, Florida.
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will not take part in the advertised main event in Tampa as he, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre, Sir Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods had been the advertised main event. McIntyre and Sheamus are now challenging The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team titles on that show.
At Madison Square Garden in New York, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins, WWE Champion Big E and Bianca Belair are off that show. Big E vs. Rollins vs. Kevin Owens, and Lynch vs. Belair in steel cage matches had been the advertised main events. Edge was brought in for MSG and will now be facing Owens in a cage match in a first-time matchup. Natalya was also reportedly brought in to New York for the show.
There is no word from WWE as to the reason for the changes to the lineups, but earlier in the week, it was reported that a number of both WWE talents and staff had tested positive for COVID-19 following last weekend’s house shows. Sunday marked the beginning of a five-day stretch in which WWE is running two shows a day. On Saturday, WWE holds their Day 1 pay-per-view in Atlanta, GA.
Dave Meltzer noted on Twitter that “there are people being kept off the shows who haven’t tested positive to minimize risk so the PPV headliners are at less risk of having to miss the event on Saturday.”
While not directly admitting he has the virus, Rollins did tweeted the following on Sunday indicating he was home:
Merry Covid Christmas to me!!!! I LOVE FOOTBALL!!!
How ROH came to be, its start, highs and lows, peak, legacy and perhaps its ending
Match of the week and performers of the week
A look at the three NJPW Wrestle Kingdom shows and details
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors, World Tag League, and last major show of the year
The voting, politics and results of the 2021 Tokyo Sports awards for Japanese pro wrestling
History of every Japanese MVP of the last 48 years
The sad story of Jimmy Rave
Kevin Owens signs new WWE deal and a look back at his career
Update on WWE Day One PPV and notable business
Why WWE Raw may be struggling badly over the next month
Updates on ticket sales for all major WWE and AEW events
Those who have worked for AEW at WWE tryouts this week
AEW Winter is Coming Danielson vs. Page, which type of viewers grew the most, which didn’t, the realities of the rating and the ratings patterns of pro wrestling the last seven weeks
Thoughts on Jon Huber and his wife’s story
Thoughts on AEW potential additions
International TV ratings
The audience of all shows over the past week, what is the pattern across the board and why the pattern is something ratings or even 18-49s don’t tell you
Thoughts on two incredible matches on the same day and compare and contrast Danielson vs. Page and Takahashi vs. YOH
The beginning of Flair vs. Sting and the dozens of matches before the famous one in Greensboro
UFC 269, where things go from here for the key stars, one of the biggest upsets, business numbers and what stats UFC on TV was strongest in, plus fight-by-fight notes
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
The dark match from last night’s Raw had Becky Lynch defeat Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan in a triple threat match.
An video that was posted on WWE’s social media had Io Shirai and Zoey Stark running into Legado Del Fantasma.
Main Event for this week will have Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez vs. R-Truth and Akira Tozawa and Veer vs. T-Bar.
Big E told The U.S. Sun that he thinks he has a few years left in his in-ring career after originally telling himself he wanted to be out of wrestling by 35. ”I’ve got a few more years left in me. I don’t really know when that time will be… but when you’re 23, 35 feels like it’s ages from now and that you’ll be an old man and beat up. So 35 felt like at the time a good time to get out and I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I was talking to one of our refs, Rod Zapata, and I’ve known him since I got to FCW – so I’ve known him for 12 years. We’ve talked about how I’d spoken about getting out at 35 but I think, in many ways, a lot of wrestlers’ primes are like 35, 40… We’re seeing Bobby Lashley now having his best run in his mid-40s. We have so many guys now… Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Kofi Kingston, Bobby Roode, Dolph Ziggler – so many guys in their 40s performing at such a high level. They look great and are ageing well. So, I don’t know if I’m going to wrestle into my forties as I always told myself that I would make sure I was out before then, but my body feels great.”
AEW has released their Road to Holiday Bash video, focusing on Sammy Guevara vs. Cody for the TNT Championship and Nyla Rose vs. Ruby Soho in a semifinal match in the TBS Women’s title tournament.
Tony Khan on Twitter regarding the Owen Hart Cup Tournament: “Tomorrow night on #AEWDynamite #HolidayBash LIVE on TNT @ 8ET/7CT/6MT/5PT we have a special video on the Owen Hart Cup Tournament including stars of multiple generations speaking about his legacy + footage of Owen wrestling in @njpw1972 & private home movies from Dr. Martha Hart!”
Pro Wrestling Tees recently sent out a physical letter to consumers regarding a recent data breach. They were informed on November 1 that “a small portion of our customers’ credit card numbers had been compromised. We immediately conducted an extensive investigation of our systems and concluded that a malware virus was the source of the breach.” They have said that they have removed the virus from their system and have provided free IDX identity protection services.
Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine will appear at a ISPW GrandSLAM event on February 18 at St. Anthony’s Church Gym in Butler, New Jersey. Scotty 2 Hotty, returning to the ring, and Gene Snitsky will be at the show.
Allie Katch vs. Kylie Rae has been added to GCW’s Say You Will event on January 15.
Impact Wrestling is partnering with Serious Pizza in Dallas ahead of their Hard to Kill event on January 8.
In an interview with Sportskeeda, former WWE star Jeet Rama talked about the portrayal of Indians in WWE: “WWE is a business at the end of the day. I can’t tell them to make business decisions around me. They are doing what they think is right from a business perspective. But why is it that you take any Indian WWE wrestler…why are they always made heels? Why are we only presented as villains? Why do they have to behave in such a manner that the audience there insults them and boos them?”
Matches set for Jonathan Gresham’s Terminus promotion on January 16 in Atlanta include Jay Lethal vs. Lee Moriarty, Fred Yehi and Tracy Williams vs. Dante Caballero and Joe Keys, Jordynne Grace vs. Kiera Hogan, Moose vs. Alex Coughlin, and Janai Kai vs. Liiza Hall.
The WWE Championship match at Day 1 is now a fatal four-way.
Big E will defend his WWE Championship against Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Bobby Lashley in a fatal four-way match at Day 1. Lashley was added to the match by defeating Big E, Rollins, and Owens throughout tonight’s Raw.
After Lashley laid out Big E, Rollins, and Owens last week, Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville informed Lashley tonight that he would only be added to the Day 1 title match if he could defeat all three of Big E, Rollins, and Owens in one night. Lashley defeated Owens first, then Rollins, and finally defeated Big E in the main event.
When Lashley went to put him in the Hurt Lock, Owens quickly tapped out to avoid getting injured. Rollins and Owens conspired to have Rollins win by countout in his match against Lashley, but Pearce and Deville restarted the match and made it no disqualification. A no DQ stipulation was also added to Lashley vs. Big E.
Big E didn’t want Rollins and Owens’ help against Lashley, but they got involved anyway. Big E and Lashley fought off Owens and Rollins and sent them through tables. MVP then hit Big E in the knee with his cane and Lashley hit a spear on Big E to get the win.
The State Farm Arena in Atlanta is hosting Day 1 on New Year’s Day (Saturday, January 1). Here’s the updated card for the show:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Brock Lesnar
WWE Champion Big E defends against Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Bobby Lashley in a fatal four-way match
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) defend against The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston)
Edge vs. The Miz
Hip-hop group Migos will make a special appearance
A steel cage match will be taking place on Monday’s episode of Raw.
During SmackDown tonight, it was announced that Big E and Kevin Owens will face off in a steel cage match on Monday’s Raw. Big E’s WWE Championship won’t be on the line.
Big E is set to defend the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins and Owens in a triple threat match at WWE’s Day 1 pay-per-view on New Year’s Day.
Owens was added to the WWE Championship match at Day 1 when he defeated Big E by disqualification on Raw earlier this week. Owens provoked Rollins into attacking him and causing the disqualification.
WWE has also announced that Monday’s Raw will feature a Miz TV segment with Edge appearing as the guest. Edge, Miz, and Maryse all returned to WWE television on Raw earlier this week. Their returns kicked off a feud between Edge and Miz.
Monday’s Raw is being held at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
Non-title steel cage match: Big E vs. Kevin Owens
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Liv Morgan
Kevin Owens has been added to the WWE Championship match that will take place at the Day 1 pay-per-view event on January 1st.
Owens was added to the match after Seth Rollins interfered in the Raw main event between Owens and Big E. Rollins attacked Owens, giving Owens the disqualification win. Per the stipulation of the match, Owens was then added to the pay-per-view event, with Rollins appearing frustrated as the show ended.
The show opened with Rollins announcing he would get the title match against Big E. Later, Owens told Rollins backstage that he would be added to the match if he won in the main event tonight. Rollins was initially told by WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville that it wasn’t true, but they then told Rollins later in the show that the idea was a good one and they would go with it.
Day 1 will take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Big E and Seth Rollins are set to face off for the WWE Championship on New Year’s Day.
During the opening segment of tonight’s Raw, it was announced that Big E will defend his WWE Championship against Rollins at WWE’s Day 1 pay-per-view. The PPV is being held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, January 1, 2022.
Rollins became the number one contender to Big E’s title by winning a fatal four-way ladder match on Raw five weeks ago. Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, and Rey Mysterio were Rollins’ opponents in that number one contender’s match.
Big E has held the WWE Championship since cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby Lashley this September. He’s since had successful title defenses against Lashley, Drew McIntyre, and Austin Theory.
Rollins announced the title match during a promo on Raw. Rollins then defeated Balor on tonight’s show.
This is the first match that’s been confirmed for Day 1.
Date: November 29, 2021 Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
The Big Takeaway —
Raw’s main event ended in a DQ and Edge returned to begin a feud with The Miz.
Liv Morgan faces Becky Lynch for the title next week.
Show Recap —
Seth Rollins entered to start the show as the announcers ran down tonight’s card.
Rollins said people might expect him to be in a bad mood after what happened last week but he was in a great mood because he had some breaking news: he would be facing Big E for the WWE title at Day 1 in Atlanta. It would be day one of the new year and day one of a new era.
Finn Bálor interrupted. He did his usual entrance before charging to the ring to attack Rollins. Bálor clotheslined Rollins (and himself) over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area and tossed him around ringside. Rollins fought back briefly but Bálor gave him a slingblade on the outside before hitting him with the steel steps.
Rollins, who just got hit with the steel steps, told the referee to go ahead and start the match.
Seth Rollins defeated Finn Bálor (8:41)
Bálor hit a flip dive and they went to break a few seconds into the match, and less than 10 minutes into the show.
Bálor was in control until Rollins stopped him from attempting the Coup de Grace and hit a superplex into a falcon arrow for two. Rollins tried a frog splash but Bálor got his knees up and used a cradle for two. Bálor followed with a foot stomp for two and Rollins responded with a slingblade and superkick for two.
Bálor avoided a stomp and followed with another slingblade and a shotgun dropkick. Rollins avoided a Coup de Grace again and they traded strikes. Bálor set up for a reverse DDT but Rollins poked him in the eye, which the ref didn’t see.
Rollins followed with a back elbow and curb stomp for the pinfall win.
Good match for the time they had. Unfortunately, like last week, I don’t think this did Bálor any favours. He beat up Rollins before the match and still lost. Rollins did cheat but it wasn’t much. (Also, the slow-motion replay showed that Rollins didn’t actually get him in the eye.)
********
Austin Theory approached Vince McMahon in his office backstage. They shook hands and Theory asked how he was doing. Vince hated that question because he knew that nobody actually wanted to hear the answer.
Vince invited Theory to stay in his office tonight so they can watch the show together. Theory was nervous initially but seemed excited to hear that. His excitement didn’t last long when Vince said, “If you steal from me again, I’ll kill you.”
********
Raw Women’s Championship contract signing
Becky Lynch took credit for Liv Morgan getting her first contract signing and for firing her up last week. Lynch warned her that one punch wasn’t going to be enough to beat her. Lynch wondered what Morgan would do when she finally gets the shot. Lynch already signed the contract and invited Morgan to do the same.
Sonya Deville announced that the match would happen next week. They piped in fake cheering for that announcement, which was silly because Lynch made fun of the Long Island crowd for being upset that they don’t get the match this week. She also made a dig at the New York Islanders for not having a win yet in their new arena.
Morgan told her to shut up. Morgan played a clip of an emotional Lynch interview following Survivor Series where she spoke about her win and how great it felt being able to share these moments with someone she cared about (Rollins) and mentioned that they almost died in a car crash.
Morgan mocked her for crying after all the times that Lynch mocked her for the same. Morgan said Lynch must hate what she’s become. Morgan threatened to attack her right now but Deville got in her way.
Lynch told her that the interview showed her emotion following a big win, something Morgan would know nothing about. Lynch requested a 10-woman tag match earlier tonight and Deville showed the teams they came up with. Morgan accepted the challenge.
Lynch was the heel here, obviously, but they unintentionally made her way more sympathetic than Morgan, who was being kind of a jerk.
********
Riddle approached Randy Orton, surprised that Orton wasn’t dressed like him. Riddle said they Freaky Friday’d last week and thought it would be awesome if they remade that movie with them. Riddle was ready to let him ride his scooter. Orton said Riddle was even more braindead than he thought if he expected him to ride a scooter barefoot to the ring.
Orton appreciated what Riddle was doing but they needed to be ruthless and stay ten steps ahead of everyone. Riddle asked Orton to close his eyes and he obliged. Riddle put a wig on his head. Orton saw himself in the mirror and told Riddle to remove the wig immediately. He did.
These two continue to be very good together.
Randy Orton & Riddle defeated Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships (10:27)
Roode and Ziggler took control before a break by attacking RK-Bro on the outside. Orton hit a back suplex and made the hot tag to Riddle who hit strikes and suplexes and sentons on both men. Riddle also gave Roode a draping DDT which Orton enjoyed.
Riddle tagged Orton and they both set up for RKOs but they both got countered. Ziggler gave Orton a Zig-Zag for a nearfall. Orton dodged a superkick and gave Ziggler an RKO for the pinfall win.
This match was fine. The crowd popped for the win.
********
Kevin Owens approached Rollins in the back. Owens informed him that if he beat Big E tonight, he would be added to their title match at Day 1 (per Adam Pearce). Rollins laughed because he didn’t believe him. Owens told him to go ask Pearce.
********
Edge entered for the top-of-the-hour segment.
[Second Hour]
Rollins approached Pearce and told him what Owens just said. Pearce said Owens was, in fact, lying. Rollins was relieved. After Rollins left, Deville admitted that Owens’ idea was a good one.
Edge promo/return of Miz and Maryse
Edge said he was glad to be back. The last time we saw him he beat Rollins inside Hell in a Cell and now Rollins was the number one contender. He admitted that Rollins deserved it because he was operating on a whole other level right now. Edge was ready to fight someone new and there was a long list of candidates: AJ Styles, Finn Bálor, Kevin Owens, Damian Priest and Big E.
The Miz and Maryse interrupted. They showed clips of Miz on Dancing With The Stars. Miz was annoyed that Edge received the big return announcement and press release. Miz wondered if that’s all Edge’s career was now — returning for the big moment after injuries and retirements.
Miz was happy to announce that Maryse was back. However, Miz was annoyed that Edge didn’t mention his name on his list of potential opponents. Edge mocked him for dressing as a genie on DWTS and, after Maryse talked about how great he was, Edge also mocked him for not coming close to winning. Miz yelled at the fans for not voting for him.
Edge knew that Miz was targeting him because it put him in the main event picture. He prompted the crowd to chant “Miz sucks.” Miz said he didn’t need Edge’s help to be in the main event. He was WWE Champion eight months ago while Edge hasn’t been champion in a long time. Miz said he surpassed Edge and suggested that Edge should have stayed home.
Edge admitted that he can’t fight for much longer but there was a reason that everyone in the back wanted to be across the ring from him. Edge said Miz spends too much time complaining. He credited Miz for getting very far coming from Tough Enough and did, in fact, beat John Cena at WrestleMania.
He said Miz was even used to get cheap heat on the other show (AEW). (That got a slight buzz from the crowd.) Edge spoke about how hard he worked just to get back here while Miz was just using this as a launching point for his next endeavour while his tag partner got fired.
Miz was getting upset so he took off his shades and Edge challenged him to a fight. Miz acted like he might fight but he left.
********
Sarah Schreiber asked AJ Styles and Omos about the Street Profits using a fire extinguisher last week. Styles wore shades because he claimed he couldn’t see after getting sprayed in the face. He warned the Street Profits that they were going to get burned. (Styles acted like he couldn’t see throughout the interview and Omos had to stop him from bumping into stuff.)
The Street Profits defeated Alpha Academy (3:15)
Styles joined commentary for the match. He tried to interfere but Montez Ford easily knocked him aside. Ford gave Chad Gable a frog splash and the Street Profits came up with a quick win.
Styles remained on the ground after the match and looked up at Omos, wondering what just happened. Styles came across like a comedy loser between this and the earlier segment.
********
Rollins approached Owens. Rollins acted like a child and said, “liar, liar, pants on fire.” Owens said he wasn’t lying. If he beats Big E tonight, he’s added to their match. Rollins laughed as Owens walked away.
(There’s a new bumper ad for SmackDown in Canada that includes Hit Row.)
********
Damian Priest defeated Apollo Crews (w/Commander Azeez) to retain the United States Championship (8:27)
They went to break a minute into the match after Commander Azeez distracted Priest and Crews wiped him out with a flying knee strike. Azeez got involved again after the break so the ref kicked him out. Priest’s face changed like a cartoon and he fired up before hitting a chokeslam and Reckoning for the pinfall win.
This was not a good match and they cut away from this quickly.
********
Rollins approached Pearce and Deville seeking clarification. Pearce said Deville liked Owens’ idea so they made it official. If Owens wins tonight, he’s added to the title match. Rollins was pissed.
********
Dominik & Rey Mysterio defeated Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin (3:02)
The Mysterios hit a double 619 and Dominik pinned Alexander after a frog splash.
Rey and Dominik needed a win so this served its purpose. Alexander and Benjamin used the Hurt Business music but their association with the group seems to end there.
[Third Hour]
There was a long Smackdown recap.
10-woman tag match: Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki ASH, & 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke defeated Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Tag Team Champions Carmella & Queen Zelina, Tamina & Doudrop (19:36)
A few minutes in, Belair got Tamina up for the KOD but Tamina’s teammates pulled her out of the ring and all ten women just stood around as they waited for the commercial break to start. Doudrop was randomly in control over Nikki following the break.
Nikki dodged a leg drop by Lynch and quickly scampered to her corner but she got there too quickly and had to stop abruptly because it wasn’t time to make a tag yet. Carmella cut her off but Nikki made a tag to Ripley.
Ripley hit Carmella in the face before knocking a few opponents off the apron. This led to everyone trading moves (the highlight being Belair giving Tamina a Glam Slam). Carmella escaped a Rip-tide and hit a superkick for two.
After a second break, Brooke made a tag to Morgan who hit Tamina with strikes and a Codebreaker but Lynch broke up the cover. Nikki wiped out Lynch with a crossbody to the outside before Doudrop knocked down Nikki with a clothesline.
Zelina and Carmella shoved Brooke off the top to the outside into a group of bodies, which didn’t look fun for anyone considering how fast Brooke came down.
Tamina gave Morgan a superkick for a nearfall and Morgan followed with an Oblivion for the pinfall win.
Lynch immediately attacked Morgan after the match. A few others brawled, and once the ring was clear, Morgan laid out Lynch with an Oblivion.
This match was rough and the crowd didn’t seem to care. There was also no explanation for why nobody attacked Brooke for her 24/7 title before or after the match.
********
There was another segment with Vince and Austin. Vince explained to him the element of surprise. I think.
Veer Mahaan is coming.
There was a big video package for Bobby Lashley.
*******
Kevin Patrick asked Big E if the Owens’ stipulation added any pressure. Big E said “no” and walked off. He came back because he knew Patrick wanted more. Big E said he feared no man and he feared no Kevins (he gave Kevin Patrick a look). Big E planned on finally ridding himself of that “duplicitous scourge” Kevin Owens and would face Rollins one-on-one for the title.
Big E was good here.
********
Theory told Vince he had a great time tonight. Vince asked what he learned. Theory said to expect the unexpected. Vince seemed happy and was going to show him out but slapped him in the face instead. Vince said Theory had a lot to learn.
*******
Rollins joined commentary for the main event.
Kevin Owens defeated WWE Champion Big E in a non-title match via DQ (16:26)
Owens fell to the outside and Rollins was being annoying so Owens slapped him, which was funny. Big E gave Owens a splash on the apron but Owens followed by giving him a DDT on the steel steps.
After a break, Owens hit a superplex for two. Big E came back with three belly-to-belly suplexes but Owens got his knees up on a splash. Owens tried a senton but Big E got his knees up too and followed with a splash for two.
Big E tried a spear through the ropes but Owens got his knee up and followed with a cannonball for two. They traded right hands until Owens hit a superkick for two. Big E responded with an STO for two. Owens came back with a pop-up powerbomb for a nearfall.
Owens started making his way to the top but decided to attack Rollins. He attempted a stunner on Big E but it was blocked. Owens hit a superkick but Big E came right back with a clothesline.
Rollins took the bait and attacked Owens for the DQ. The crowd lightly groaned as Rollins gave Big E a curb stomp.
They announced that Owens was the winner by DQ which meant he’s being added to the title match. Owens laughed as Rollins freaked out.
Two main event-level matches and a return have been announced for Monday’s episode of Raw.
During a commercial that aired on SmackDown tonight, it was announced that WWE Champion Big E will face Kevin Owens in a non-title match on Monday’s Raw. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor is also set for the show, along with the return of Edge.
Big E and Owens have been feuding since Big E defeated Owens on Raw three weeks ago. Rollins, who is the number one contender to Big E’s WWE Championship, wanted Owens to take out Big E in that match. Big E didn’t believe Owens when he said that he didn’t know Rollins interfered.
On Raw earlier this week, Big E retained his WWE Championship against Austin Theory after Theory was distracted by Owens and Rollins arguing on the outside. Big E threw Rollins over the announce table after the match and then went after Owens, but Owens got away. Rollins attempted to attack Big E, but Big E gave him the Big Ending.
Rollins laid out Balor in an angle on Raw earlier this week. There was then an incident where Rollins was attacked by a fan as he was heading up the ramp.
Edge’s appearance on Monday’s Raw will be the first time he’s been on WWE programming since defeating Rollins in their Hell in a Cell match at Crown Jewel. It will also be the first time Edge has been on Raw since being drafted to the brand last month.
The UBS Arena in Long Island, New York is hosting Monday’s Raw. It will be WWE’s debut at the venue, which just opened this month.
The search for Vince McMahon’s missing $100 million egg concluded on last night’s Raw.
The storyline began when the egg, which was said to be a gift from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, was stolen at Survivor Series on Sunday night. McMahon opened Raw by threatening to fire Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville if the egg wasn’t found by the end of the show. McMahon also said that whoever gave him the information that led to the egg being returned would receive a title shot.
Sami Zayn revealed that Austin Theory was the culprit, but McMahon instead chose to give the WWE Championship shot to Theory. Theory said he just wanted to take a selfie with the egg but was scared to return it after so much security got involved.
Theory showed McMahon the selfie that he took with the egg. McMahon said Theory reminded him of himself and he was going to drop the charges. After McMahon gave him the title shot, Theory took a selfie with McMahon and the egg. Zayn was upset about not getting the title shot, but McMahon told him that no one likes a snitch.
Theory challenged Big E for the WWE Championship in last night’s main event. Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens both came out to watch the match from ringside. When Rollins got involved, he and Owens started to argue. That distraction led to Big E hitting the Big Ending on Theory to get the win.
Big E threw Rollins over the announce table after the match and then went to attack Owens too, but Owens was able to get away. Rollins tried to attack Big E, but he got laid out with the Big Ending.
Ahead of their match at Survivor Series, Raw’s Big E appeared on SmackDown last night and brawled with Roman Reigns.
A confrontation between Reigns and Xavier Woods was set up for last night’s main event after Reigns and The Usos humiliated Woods and destroyed his crown earlier in the night. Paul Heyman called for The Usos to join Reigns for the confrontation, but it was revealed that they had been laid out by Big E.
Big E and Woods beat down Reigns until The Usos recovered. They took out The Usos, but Reigns then dropped Big E with a Superman punch. When Reigns tried to hit a spear, Big E caught him and went for the Big Ending. Reigns was able to slip out of the move and escape.
The final spot on SmackDown’s men’s team for Survivor Series was determined as Sheamus defeated Cesaro, Ricochet, and Jinder Mahal in a fatal four-way match last night. Sheamus got the win with help from Ridge Holland.
A grudge match between Sasha Banks and Shotzi also took place last night. With Banks and Shotzi both being on SmackDown’s women’s team for Survivor Series, Sonya Deville told them that they would have to shake hands after their match. Banks got the win and followed through by shaking Shotzi’s hand, but she then gave Shotzi a backstabber.
Kevin Owens snapped and attacked WWE Champion Big E to close last night’s episode of Raw.
Last night’s main event between Owens and Seth Rollins ended with Owens losing by countout. Big E was at ringside for the match, and Owens couldn’t get past him to beat the count after fighting with Rollins on the outside. Owens blamed Big E for his loss and started attacking him.
Owens beat Big E down, including sending him into the steel steps twice and giving Big E a pop-up powerbomb on the ring apron.
Rollins, who is the number one contender to Big E’s title, claimed before last night’s main event that what happened the previous week was a plan between him and Owens. Rollins interfered in last week’s Big E vs. Owens match, though Big E still was able to pin Owens to get the win. Owens then pleaded with Big E that he didn’t see Rollins interfere, but Big E didn’t believe Owens and laid him out with the Big Ending.
A change to one of Raw’s Survivor Series teams was made last night as Bobby Lashley defeated Dominik Mysterio to take his spot on the men’s team.
Liv Morgan also won a fatal five-way match to become the number one contender to Becky Lynch’s Raw Women’s Championship.
WWE has announced its first two non-title champion vs. champion matches for Survivor Series.
WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair were both made official for Survivor Series on tonight’s episode of Raw. The pay-per-view, which pits Raw and SmackDown against each other in “brand warfare,” is being held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, November 21.
Big E won the WWE Championship by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby Lashley this September. Reigns has held the Universal Championship since August 2020.
Reigns and The Usos are currently feuding with Big E’s New Day stablemates Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston on SmackDown. Big E stayed on Raw in the WWE Draft last month, while Woods and Kingston moved to SmackDown.
Lynch and Charlotte both changed brands in the draft. To resolve the situation with their titles, Lynch and Charlotte exchanged Women’s Championship belts on the October 22 episode of SmackDown. Lynch became Raw Women’s Champion, while Charlotte became SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Here’s the updated announced card for Survivor Series:
Non-title match: WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Non-title match: Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
Women’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Zelina Vega) vs. Team SmackDown (Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Natalya & Aliyah)
Men’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Rey Mysterio & Bobby Lashley) vs. Team SmackDown (Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Xavier Woods, Sami Zayn & Baron Corbin)
If he had his way, WWE Champion Big E would have faced Goldberg at October’s Crown Jewel pay-per-view, he says.
In an interview with Sportsnet, Big E states that facing his childhood idol would have been a “full circle” deal.
“I was trying to make some noise for this Goldberg match at Crown Jewel, but that clearly [didn’t happen],” Big E said. “It would have been really full circle. He was my childhood hero and idol, and I’ve spoken effusively about that.”
For his part, Goldberg has made it clear that a match with Big E is something he has interest in.
“Big E could bring stuff out of me that I’d want to do just to make Big E proud of me, right?” Goldberg said on an edition of WWE’s The Bump in April 2021.
“So the story goes with Big E and I, that the only match I was ever late for, or I ever missed in WCW, was a match that I called in and told them I couldn’t catch the plane because I was at a signing and I had to stay until everyone was taken care of. Big E was one of the kids I stayed for, okay?” Goldberg said. “So, I will never forget his face, I’ll never forget that day.”
“So, getting in the ring with him would be a different situation but it’d be really cool in its own way.”
Goldberg reportedly has one match left on a WWE deal that may extend through 2022 or 2023, though there are conflicting reports as to the details of the deal. The WWE Hall of Famer turns 55 in December.
A Raw Women’s Championship match kicked off last night’s Raw, while the WWE Champion was in non-title action in the main event.
Becky Lynch retained her Raw Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair after cheating to get the win. When Belair was going for the KOD, Lynch held onto the top turnbuckle and ripped the turnbuckle pad off. Lynch then sent Belair into the exposed buckle and rolled her up to get the win while holding onto her tights.
Later in the night, Liv Morgan appeared to emerge as Lynch’s next challenger when she confronted Lynch during a backstage interview.
Big E and Kevin Owens faced off in their first-ever one-on-one singles match in the main event. After becoming the number one contender to Big E’s WWE Championship last week, Seth Rollins wanted Owens to take out Big E. Rollins interfered in the match and struck Big E while the referee wasn’t looking, but Big E kicked out when Owens went for the pin. Big E then reversed the pin into a crucifix to get the win.
Owens apologized to Big E after the match and claimed that he didn’t know that Rollins interfered. Big E didn’t believe Owens and dropped him with the Big Ending.
Owens also issued a challenge to Rollins for next week’s Raw.
Seth Rollins is next in line for a shot at the WWE Championship.
In the main event of Monday night’s season premiere edition of Raw, Rollins defeated Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, and Rey Mysterio in a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender to Big E’s WWE Championship. WWE hasn’t announced when Rollins will be getting his title shot.
Rollins sent Owens through a ladder and laid out Balor with a stomp before climbing a ladder to retrieve the contract for a future WWE Championship match. Mysterio had been laid out when he was powerbombed through a table by Owens.
Big E made his way out and had a confrontation with Rollins on the entrance ramp after the ladder match. Rollins was then interviewed backstage and said he’s back on Raw and this is his show. Rollins said he’ll be the next WWE Champion.
Rollins, Balor, Owens, and Mysterio all joined Raw in the WWE Draft earlier this month. Tonight’s Raw was the first episode of the show where the post-draft rosters were in effect.
Big E has been WWE Champion since cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby Lashley last month. At Crown Jewel last Thursday, Big E retained the title by defeating Drew McIntyre.
