A Pub Rules match has been added to Tuesday’s NXT lineup.
In a digital exclusive that aired on social media Friday, The Brawling Brutes were seen backstage at SmackDown. They challenged Gallus to a Pub Rules match, which Ridge Holland explained was an anything goes six-man tag match that would involve Tyler Bate teaming with Butch and Ridge Holland. Butch said they were coming to NXT to put on a banger.
At NXT No Mercy last weekend, Butch lost his NXT Heritage Cup match to Noam Dar after Gallus interfered. After they went to attack Tyler Bate on Tuesday’s show, both Butch and Ridge Holland came out for the save.
A previous Pub Rules match took place last fall in NXT, which saw Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen defeat Gallus.
Here is the updated card for this coming Tuesday’s NXT, which will go head-to-head with a Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite called Title Tuesday:
Carmelo Hayes (with John Cena) vs. Bron Breakker (with Paul Heyman)
Roxanne Perez vs. Asuka
Pub Rules: Brawling Brutes & Tyler Bate vs. Gallus
The man advantage has been decided for Saturday’s WWE Survivor Series WarGames.
Drew McIntyre and Sheamus defeated The Usos in a tag match on Friday’s SmackDown to earn the man advantage in Saturday’s men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series.
Playing off a storyline teasing dissension between Sami Zayn and The Bloodline, Zayn inadvertently caused a distraction in Friday’s tag bout allowing Kevin Owens to interfere in the match and leading to Sheamus pinning Jey Uso.
The card for Saturday’s pay-per-view was finalized at the top of Friday’s SmackDown with the return of Becky Lynch, revealed as the final member of Bianca Belair’s WarGames team.
Here is the lineup for Saturday’s Survivor Series:
Butch says that knowing how his new character on the main roster would be received was “a pretty anxious, tense time.”
The 28-year-old appeared on an episode of Out of Character released on Wednesday. During the discussion, he was asked about his transition from Pete Dunne to Butch after being called up to the main roster.
“I was just about to board the plane, I got a call saying the new name and a basic rundown of the vision. Then I spent the whole flight thinking to myself, ‘How is this going to be received?’ And knowing how it was going to be received, for the most part,” he responded.
“Luckily I have a great network around me in wrestling. I was able to call William Regal, Shawn Michaels, get their opinion on it. The sort of overriding conclusion I came to was Pete Dunne the name, that isn’t why people connect to me, people connect to me through what I do in the ring.”
“There are a lot of people now that have really come around to the Butch character, whatever that means now, but there’s a lot of people who liked the work that we did, especially now [that] I’m getting that time to go out there and wrestle.”
“Knowing how that was going to be received, that was a pretty anxious, tense time. But the second it was out there, and then you get that wave of people saying, ‘What’s this? This is not what we wanted.'”
“If anything I took it as a huge positive because the fact that people were so upset by it at times, or concerned about it, worried about it, it shows how into what we’ve done in the past they were and I’m grateful for every single one of them.”
Butch would also say that since he began portraying Butch on the main roster, he has been more popular with kids.
“What I will say, especially about the earlier Butch stuff, it’s the first time in my career that when I meet people in the street they say, ‘you’re my kid’s favorite wrestler.’ It’s always been before ‘you’re my favorite wrestler.'”
“That was nice to see that okay now I’m connecting with a completely different portion of the audience.”
Butch was also asked about his relationship with Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
“I have full trust in him. That whole UK tournament and all that, the trust that he put in me to do that. To that point, he probably seen me have one tryout match – he probably had watched footage of me and stuff separately – but I hadn’t even met him until the press conference which was a few weeks before the UK tournament, and then never worked with him until the UK tournament. He had full trust in me to go out there and have three or four matches that weekend, to be the ongoing story throughout that weekend, and to sort of build the UK title around me, myself and Tyler [Bate], Trent [Seven], Mark Andrews, others. The trust he put in me there, ever since then my full trust is in him. I try not to bother him too much but I know that he’s there, I know that he’s approachable.”
The build to Halloween Havoc continued on last night’s NXT.
Pretty Deadly kicked off the show with a “Commonwealth Address.” The NXT Tag Team Champions were dressed in their regal best complete with powdered wigs and robes. After claiming they are out of challengers, Elton Prince and Kit Wilson attempted to issue a decree that they would be the champions “forever.” This brought out Ridge Holland and Butch of the Brawling Brutes and a championship match was made for later in the night.
Holland and Butch looked like they were on track to win the titles until Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci of Imperium interfered. This allowed the champions to hit Spilt Milk and Prince pinned Holland to win the match.
NXT this week also featured a new setup inside the WWE Performance Center. The brand has switched back to a black and gold theme with a darker-colored ring mat.
Additionally, two more matches were confirmed for Halloween Havoc on Saturday, October 22. Cora Jade will face Roxanne Perez in a weapons match and Damon Kemp and Julius Creed will square off in an ambulance match.
Date: September 23, 2022 Location: Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, UT
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Show Recap —
The entire Bloodline entered — including Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn. They aired a clip of Reigns and Logan Paul at the press conference last week. Roman Reigns and the Usos held up their championship belts as fireworks went off.
(Michael Cole said the Usos defending against the Brawling Brutes is tonight’s main event.)
Reigns told Salt Lake City to acknowledge him. They did.
Paul Heyman referred to the locals as “Salt Lake C-idiots” and Zayn laughed uproariously. Heyman said not to feel bad for Drew McIntyre for losing on his home turf because WWE was Reigns’ turf. Now McIntyre had another bridge to “cross.”
Heyman said the elders sent Solo Sikoa. Sikoa got involved because Brock Lesnar took out Heyman himself and the Usos were busy. Everyone needed to stop blaming Reigns for his involvement. Solo was the new enforcer on the island of relevancy and now the Usos could focus on becoming immortal. Jimmy and Jey said they would retain their titles tonight.
Reigns told Sikoa that the elders may have sent him but he answers to Reigns now. He told Sikoa to acknowledge him. Sikoa responded, “I acknowledge you, my tribal chief.” They hugged. Zayn was happy.
Reigns’ music played and they were about to leave but Zayn wanted to say something first. He wanted to publicly acknowledge Reigns to show gratitude to the Bloodline for treating him like family.
Reigns told Zayn that he liked him but wondered why he was even speaking or why he was wearing their shirt. (Heyman looked concerned in the background.) Reigns told Zayn to remove the shirt. Jey yelled at him to take the shirt off. Zayn was upset and didn’t budge until Jey ripped the shirt off.
Reigns said he would never wear that shirt again — because he got him a new one. Reigns tossed him a shirt that read “SZ — Honorary Uce.” Zayn was pumped up and the crowd chanted for him. Zayn celebrated with the Bloodline — minus Jey Uso, who was not impressed.
This was a long segment but the stuff was Zayn was really good.
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Smackdown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan defeated Lacy Evans in a non-title match (8:36)
The announcers spent most of the match talking about the challenge Morgan faces in having to face Ronda Rousey in an extreme rules match and needing to show a different side to prevail.
I think this match was meant to show that Morgan could endure. Evans took 95% of the match until she decided to grab a kendo stick for some reason. Morgan ducked the kendo stick shot, hit a codebreaker and Oblivion for the pinfall win.
— Morgan showed her aggressive side post-match. She attacked Evans with the kendo stick and gave her a Russian leg sweep into the barricade.
This was followed by an insane spot. Morgan put Evans on a table outside the ring and put her through it with a senton off the top. (Morgan was limping but hopefully, she’s alright.)
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Hit Row, the Street Profits and Shinsuke Nakamura hung out backstage.
Elsewhere, Zayn told an employee that he should be able to get a vegan meal now that he’s an honorary Uce. Madcap Moss and Ricochet approached him and asked what happened to him. They said he’s obnoxious and unbearable, which was true before, but now it’s worse. Moss accused Zayn of having his head up Reigns’ ass.
Sikoa suddenly attacked them and shoved them into a garage door. He was all over them until Zayn pulled him off. Zayn also said he was just about to do that before Sikoa showed up.
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There was a video package putting over the length of the Usos’ title reign narrated by Heyman. He mentioned that the Usos were now only behind Demolition and New Day for the record.
There was a clip of Shawn Michaels winning the 1995 Royal Rumble. They plugged tickets for the 2023 show.
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I forgot to mention early that Lacy Evans didn’t get an entrance. Maximum Male Models didn’t get one here either.
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Maximum Male Models (w/Maxxine Dupri & Max Dupri) (2:28)
The models got more offense than you (me) might have thought but they spent too much time posing so Kingston took out Mace with a dropkick and Woods rolled up Mansoor for the pinfall win.
Max Dupri was pissed at them for posing and losing the match. He screamed at them and left.
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There was a video hyping up Otis and Braun Strowman. The ring crew reinforced the ring for their match.
[SECOND HOUR]
Hit Row’s backstage gathering is now a party with more attendees, including Drew Gulak, Sonya Deville, Natayla, and Xia Li. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo tried to hit on B-Fab but they were kicked out.
This was pretty much exactly what you’d want from these two. There was a tale of the tape before the match and the announcers treated Otis like a real threat.
Strowman had the early advantage but when he tried to run over Otis outside the ring, Gable distracted him. That allowed Otis to push Strowman into the barricade and take over.
Strowman fought back and ran over both Otis and Gable outside the ring before tossing Gable over the barricade. However, Otis caught him with a World’s Strongest Slam for two, followed by a Vader Bomb for two.
Otis tried a flying headbutt but Strowman moved and hit a powerbomb for the pinfall win. The crowd popped big for the win.
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Kayla Braxton interviewed the Brawling Brutes. They were pretty confident they would win tonight. Sheamus also announced that he was getting a rematch against Gunther in two weeks on Smackdown’s season premiere.
Sheamus said tonight was not about him, it was about Ridge and Butch and it would be another banger. They chanted “banger” over and over and Butch randomly ran off as the other two kept going.
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Drew McIntyre/Karrion Kross/Scarlett segment
McIntyre entered with a leather strap in his hand. He said everyone should know by now that if you had an issue with him, he’s more than ready to fight you. He insulted Karrion Kross for attacking him from behind but congratulated Kross on getting his first big match. It would be a match where Kross can’t run or hide — a strap match at Extreme Rules.
Scarlett entered and the screen went black and white. Kross tried to attack from behind (the colour returned) but McIntyre saw it coming and chucked him shoulder-first into the ring post. McIntyre tied the strap to Kross and booted him before repeatedly hitting him with the strap.
Scarlett stepped in front of Kross so that McIntyre would stop. McIntyre stopped, then she shot a fireball in his face. It actually missed and Corey Graves acknowledged that it missed. It didn’t really matter though because McIntryre gave Kross a spinebuster anyway.
Scarlett gave McIntyre a low blow and he sold it like he got shot in the dick. They were about to leave but Kross put him in the Kross Jacket. As held the submission, Kross yelled that this was exactly what they wanted and Drew fell for it. He kept telling McIntyre, “let it go.”
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Raquel Rodriguez defeated Tag Team Champion Dakota Kai (w/Bayley & IYO SKY) (1:20)
Kai took control thanks to a distraction by Bayley but Shotzi ran out and attacked both Bayley and SKY. Rodriguez took advantage of that distraction and rolled up Kai for the quick win.
A post-match brawl ended with Rodriguez and Shotzi standing tall in the ring.
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Humberto and Angel barged into the party to hand out superkicks to Hit Row before they bailed.
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Smackdown next week in Winnipeg:
Shotzi vs. Bayley
Hit Row vs. Los Lotharios
Sami Zayn & Solo Sikoa vs. Madcap Moss & Ricochet
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The Usos (w/Solo Sikoa & Sami Zayn) defeated Ridge Holland & Butch (w/Sheamus) to retain the Tag Team Championships (14:11)
Butch took a nasty spill to the outside which allowed the Usos to take over through a break. Butch tried to fight back but ran into an enziguri for a nearfall. Zayn almost got involved which led to a long argument between him and Jey outside the ring. Butch then hit Jey with an enziguri and made the hot tag to Holland.
Butch got a couple of nearfalls moments later but was superkicked by both Usos. Butch tried fighting them off and he went for a moonsault but the Usos superkicked him simultaneously in mid-air which led to a close nearfall.
Butch snapped Jey’s fingers and tagged in Holland but Jimmy made a blind tag. Holland ducked their superkicks and hoisted both Usos on his shoulders which popped the crowd. Holland slammed them and the Brutes hit their double-team finisher, the combo kick/powerslam, but Jey just barely broke up the cover.
Zayn grabbed a chair but Sheamus yanked it away. Sheamus was about to go after Zayn but Imperium took him out.
The Usos took out Holland with superkicks before giving Butch a 1-D for the pinfall win.
Strong match and the crowd was into the nearfalls.
WWE has updated the lineup for tonight’s SmackDown.
Two new matches have been added to the show. The “Honorary Uce” Sami Zayn will be in singles action against Ricochet and Bayley will face Raquel Rodriguez.
Additionally, three of the four teams originally announced for the tag team number one contender’s match have been replaced. The original teams scheduled for the match were The New Day, The Street Profits, Alpha Academy, and Los Lotharios. The match is now listed as Hit Row vs. Imperium vs. The Brawling Brutes vs. The New Day. No reason was given for the change.
Logan Paul is also scheduled for the show.
The September 16 edition of WWE SmackDown takes place from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The announced lineup is as follows:
Logan Paul appears
Sami Zayn vs. Ricochet
Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Tag Team title number one contender’s match: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) vs. Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis) vs. The Brawling Brutes (Butch & Ridge Holland)
A mystery partner six-man tag match is set for tonight’s SmackDown from the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch) take on Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and a partner. Last week, Woods defeated Butch in a singles match. Since Kingston was away on New Day business, Woods challenged Butch to leave his teammates in the back. After the match, The Brawling Brutes beat down Woods as he celebrated. Later, Woods challenged them to a six-man tag and promised to have a mystery partner.
A non-title match between SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and Raquel Rodriguez is also set for tonight. It’s a rematch from two weeks ago, where Rodriguez answered Rousey’s open challenge but lost when Rousey reversed her Chingona Bomb into a pin.
Plus, Raw’s Kevin Owens comes to SmackDown to host the KO Show. Owens vs. Ezekiel is set for WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on Sunday, June 5.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped The Usos defeating RK-Bro last week to unify the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team titles.
The Usos Segment
This was a fine opening segment. The Usos were good in their roles, and the fans popped for Shinsuke Nakamura and Riddle.
Samantha Irvin introduced the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Usos, to start SmackDown. Michael Cole noted Randy Orton’s injured because of The Bloodline’s attack last week.
Jey demanded the fans join them in thanking Roman Reigns. He started to cut a total babyface promo. He mentioned they made their WWE debuts 12 years ago. The fans cheered and applauded. He added that the fans cheered them and booed them at times. The fans erupted in boos.
Jey started addressing the fans and thanked them for their support over the years. They couldn’t have done it without the fans. The fans cheered again. Jimmy finally spoke. They went back to being heels. Jimmy added that they also thank nobody. They started to laugh at the fans and mocked them. Jimmy and Jey only have each other to thank. The fans erupted in boos.
The Usos mocked RK-Bro and bragged about injuring Orton. Suddenly, Shinsuke Nakamura’s music interrupted. Nakamura challenged The Usos to face him and his brother. He added that his brother wanted to face The Usos alone.
The Usos laughed at Nakamura. They assumed he was talking about Rick Boogs. Instead, Nakamura introduced Riddle to a big reaction. Riddle and Nakamura tried to get in the ring, but The Usos cut them off.
They beat down Riddle and threw him out of the ring. Jimmy and Jey isolated Nakamura, but Riddle made the save with the floating bro. Riddle and Nakamura cleared the ring, and The Usos took off.
They recapped SmackDown Women’s Ronda Rousey defeating Raquel Rodriguez two weeks ago.
In the locker room, Shotzi, Xia Li, Natayla, Shayna Baszler, and Aliyah watched Rodriguez walk to the ring. Shotzi addressed each one of them.
Shotzi thinks they each deserve a title shot more than Rodriguez. Li left without answering. Aliyah told off Shotzi and walked out. Baszler and Natayla appeared to agree with Shotzi.
Back from the break, Kayla Braxton approached Riddle and Shinsuke Nakamura. They were trying to come up with a team name. Riddle mentioned that it was Randy Orton’s idea for him to team with Nakamura.
In the locker room, Baszler, Natalya, and Shotzi decided to go to the ring. Shotzi went back for her helmet, but Aliyah locked the door. Aliyah was on the other side with the key.
This was barely a match. The heels ran in for the disqualification immediately.
Rodriguez went for the powerbomb, but Rousey rolled through for an early near fall. Rousey recovered and went after the arm. Rodriguez fought back with a boot to the face. She caught Rousey in a backbreaker.
Suddenly, Natalya and Baszler ran in and attacked Rodriguez. Natalya gave Rodriguez a chop block. Rousey recovered to make the save, and the faces cleared the ring.
The match started during the commercial break. The heels were firmly in control. They isolated Rodriguez on their side of the ring and worked over her leg. Rodriguez fought back and tagged in Rousey. Rousey briefly ran wild, but Natalya caught her in the sharpshooter.
Rousey fought back and tagged Rodriguez. Rodriguez hit a corkscrew splash, but Natalya made the save. Rousey and Baszler faced off, but Natalya pulled Rousey out. Rousey took out Natayla. Rodriguez then hit the powerbomb on Baszler for the win.
Cole mentioned that Money in the Bank now takes place from the intimate location of the MGM Grand.
In the back, Megan Morant interviewed Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston. They refused to reveal their mystery partner. They noted it could be anyone.
They recapped Happy Corbin injuring Madcap Moss. They announced Moss returns next week.
Los Lotharios defeated Jinder Mahal & Shanky (2:16)
This was strange. Shanky appears to be a face now. Mahal and Shanky worked as faces in the match, but Mahal was still a heel. The fans didn’t know how to react.
Before the match, Mahal couldn’t find Shanky and searched the backstage area. He finally found him dancing to Mahal’s theme music. He yelled at Shanky to get to the ring.
At ringside, Los Lotharios were dancing in front of Samantha Irvin.
Mahal and Shanky had the early advantage. Shanky threw Humberto around the ring and rocked him with a boot to the face. Los Lotharios took over and isolated Mahal. Mahal fought back, but Angel sent him into the commentary table.
Angel threw Mahal back in the ring. He looked over to Irvin and walked towards her. He started dancing again. Shanky mocked Angel and rocked him with a superkick. Back in the ring, Humberto took advantage and pinned Mahal for the win.
After the match, Mahal yelled at Shanky and blamed him for the loss. Mahal walked off. Shanky looked over at Irvin and started dancing.
In the back, Max Dupri approached Adam Pearce. Pearce looked into the contract and welcomed Dupri to SmackDown. Dupri’s officially looking for his first client,
The KO Show with Sami Zayn
This was an awesome segment. Owens and Zayn were great in their roles and the best thing on the show.
They announced Owens’s guest would be a Bloodline member. Cole and Pat McAfee wondered which member would be the guest. They speculated that it’s Roman Reigns.
Kevin Owens noted he’s been looking for the truth for the last few weeks. He’s still trying to prove that Elias is Ezekiel. He then turned his attention to the reason he’s at SmackDown tonight.
Owens introduced his guest, the locker room leader Sami Zayn. Owens called Zayn a close confidant of the Bloodline. Zayn and Owens were so happy to see each other. They hugged.
They praised each other. Zayn told Owens he knows that Elias is Ezekiel. Owens was overjoyed and hugged Zayn. He was so happy somebody admitted the truth. That was a great moment.
Zayn and Owens briefly mentioned their previous problems but downplayed the issues. Owens said he always believed Zayn, even with all the conspiracy stuff. Zayn noted that Owens didn’t believe him, but Owens ignored him.
Owens wants Zayn to come to Raw with him to call out the entire roster. Zayn turned down the offer because the Bloodline needs him. He also has a locker room to run. Zayn called Owens “Uso.” Owens was confused that he called him “Uso.”
Zayn and Owens started arguing and insulting each other. Owens became angry and claimed the Bloodline didn’t care about Zayn. Zayn was furious and claimed that Elias and Ezekiel were two different people. Owens pointed out that The Usos walked out on Zayn on Raw.
Owens then introduced The Bloodline to prove they wouldn’t come out. He said that’s proof Zayn isn’t a member of The Bloodline. Zayn heard enough and walked off. Owens went after him and begged him to come to Raw.
Zayn pushed Owens and walked away. In the ring, two crew members started clearing the KO Show set. A furious Owens jumped in the ring and gave both guys stunners.
Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser defeated Ricochet & Drew Gulak (6:23)
This was a fine match, but most of it happened during the break.
They recapped Ricochet pumping up Gulak to confront Gunther.
Kaiser had the early advantage and worked over Gulak’s arm. Gunther rocked Gulak with a chop and threw him out of the ring.
Back from the break, Kaiser was firmly in control with a chin lock. Gulak fought back, and Ricochet got the hot tag. Ricochet ran wild and hit a springboard crossbody. Kaiser rolled up Ricochet for a near fall after Gunther caused a distraction.
Ricochet rocked Kaiser with a knee to the face. Kaiser threw Ricochet out of the ring after Gulak got the tag. Kaiser then rocked Gulak with a stiff kick for the win.
After the match, Gunther and Kaiser attacked Ricochet. Kaiser rocked Ricochet with a kick as well.
In the back, Sami Zayn spoke with The Usos. Zayn can’t help but feel that Owens was right. He thinks The Bloodline doesn’t care about him. He asked to be an honorary Uso to make himself feel better. Jimmy agreed, but Jey seemed unsure. The Usos finally decided to let him be an honorary Uso. Zayn was thrilled and called them “Uso” as they walked away.
They showed a Memorial Day video package.
They announced Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Usos in a championship contender’s match for Raw.
New Day & Drew McIntyre defeated The Brawling Brutes (11:33)
This was a good match. The fans were into it and popped for McIntryre being the mystery partner.
Before the match, The Brawling Brutes mocked New Day. They’re not worried about New Day’s mystery partner. Sheamus mentioned Moby Dick, so there ended up being a lot of Moby Dick jokes. Sheamus promised to win no matter who they choose as their partner. They added that the partner isn’t Big E.
New Day interrupted and made fun of Sheamus. They praised their partner and introduced Drew McIntrye to a big pop. They made a bunch of Moby Dick references.
Butch charged at Xavier Woods at the bell. Woods fought back, but the heels took over. The Brawling Brutes isolated Woods in their corner. Sheamus hit the ten beats of Bodhran.
Woods recovered, and the faces gained control. Butch tried to interfere, but McIntyre knocked him down. The faces backed Ridge Holland into their corner. Holland took over after Butch’s interference finally worked.
Back from the break, Holland hit a power slam on Kofi Kingston. Sheamus followed up with a knee off the top rope. Sheamus went for the Irish Curse backbreaker, but Kingston countered. Kingston went for the tag, but the heels pulled McIntyre and Woods off the apron. Sheamus then hit the Alabama Slam for a near fall.
Kingston fought back and hit the SOS on Sheamus. McIntrye got the hot tag and ran wild on the heels. Woods then took out Butch at ringside. Kingston followed up with a trust fall dive wiping out the heels.
Back in the ring, Holland went for the power slam on McIntyre but he slipped out. McIntyre hit the Glasgow Kiss and followed up with the Claymore Kick. Woods tagged in and hit the elbow off the ropes for the win.
After the match, Woods played his trombone, and Kingston danced. They then convinced McIntyre to dance to a big pop. New Day and McIntyre celebrated to end SmackDown.
A six-man tag team match has been announced for next week’s SmackDown in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and a mystery partner will take on the Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch). This follows events that took place on tonight’s edition of SmackDown.
Woods had defeated Butch in a singles match on tonight’s show when Sheamus and Ridge Holland appeared on the entrance ramp, taunting Woods. This distracted Woods long enough for Butch, who went into the crowd, to come back and attack Woods from behind. In a backstage promo, Woods said that he was tired of playing the numbers game. He said while Big E was still recovering thanks to Holland, he had a partner that would even the odds.
In the weeks since WrestleMania 38, the Brawling Brutes have continued to feud with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. On last week’s SmackDown, Butch defeated Kofi Kingston in a singles match, leading to tonight’s match where Woods defeated Butch.
A new name has been given to the Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland group.
On tonight’s SmackDown, a backstage segment between Sheamus, Holland, and Butch revealed the new name for the group, Brawling Brutes. The name was also seen during Butch’s entrance for his match against Xavier Woods, and was also mentioned on commentary.
It was reported earlier this week that WWE had trademarked the term ‘Bloody Brutes’ on May 12.
Woods defeated Butch tonight on SmackDown in a singles match. After the match, Holland and Sheamus taunted Woods from the entranceway. However, it was a distraction, as Butch jumped Woods from behind. In a interview backstage, Woods promised he, Kofi Kingston, and a third partner would take on the Brawling Brutes in a six-man tag match next week.
Holland was drafted to SmackDown last fall and was immediately paired up with Sheamus. In March, Pete Dunne was called up to the main roster under the name Butch and was introduced as a childhood friend of Sheamus and Holland. Since then, the team has been feuding with The New Day, leading to a win at WrestleMania 38 when Holland & Sheamus defeated Kingston and Woods. The feud has continued in the weeks since.
