Even when they lose talent, AEW is continuing to stockpile their packed roster with free agents with the latest to catch their eye being former WWE wrestler Buddy Matthews.
Fightful first reported Wednesday that since January, several AEW talents were told that there is a working plan to bring in Matthews. There were no other details provided.
The former Buddy Murphy in WWE was released last June in one of the company’s various rounds of cuts. Since then, the 33-year-old Australian has worked for a variety of U.S. indies in addition to New Japan Pro Wrestling against Okada, MLW against TJP and this year’s PWG BOLA tournament where he faced JONAH, “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Lio Rush.
If the signing comes to be, Matthews joins Keith Lee, Danhausen, Mercedes Martinez, Kyle O’Reilly, Nick Wayne and others to sign with AEW in recent months.
Fightful also noted that former MLW tag team Violence Is Forever (Kevin Ku and Dominick Garrini) are in Nashville, Tennessee, for AEW Wednesday.
The report stated the indie team were in Cleveland, Ohio, last week, but weren’t used in any segments or matches for Dark: Elevation but that they are “set to participate in some degree this week.”
Both men came to terms on their respective MLW releases in the last few months.
Kazuchika Okada has challenged the former Buddy Murphy for Saturday, November 13 in San Jose.
In his post-match comments after today’s NJPW Power Struggle show, Okada called out Buddy Matthews to face him at Battle in the Valley on Saturday. Matthews will be making his NJPW debut at the event.
Battle in the Valley will air on NJPW World with Japanese commentary and on FITE TV with English commentary at 11 p.m. Eastern time. The show will go head-to-head with the last hour of AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view.
Here is the lineup:
NJPW Battle in the Valley, Saturday, November 13, 11 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World & FITE TV —
NEVER Openweight Championship: Jay White (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Kazuchika Okada vs. Buddy Matthews
Will Ospreay vs. Ren Narita
Juice Robinson vs. Moose
Jeff Cobb & TJP vs. Karl Fredericks & Clark Connors
Tom Lawlor, JR Kratos, Danny Limelight, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson vs. Fred Rosser, David Finlay, Rocky Romero, Alex Coughlin & Alex Zayne
Brody King & Chris Dickinson vs. Bateman & Misterioso
Buddy Matthews will debut for the promotion on the Saturday, November 13 Battle in the Valley event in San Jose, California.
NJPW made the announcement with a video promo during tonight’s NJPW Strong tapings in Philadelphia. The video can be seen below. The company later tweeted the video, which Matthews then retweeted.
The tweet read:
“‘They say as one door closes, another opens… Maybe it was staring at me the entire time.’
Buddy Matthews is coming.”
Matthews joins an announced lineup for Battle in the Valley that includes Jay White, Will Ospreay, Tomohiro Ishii and Juice Robinson. No matches have been made official for the event as of yet.
Matthews was released from his WWE contract on June 2, 2021. He had been with the company since signing in March 2013. After a lengthy run in NXT, Matthews joined the 205 Live brand when it was part of WWE’s main roster in 2018.
Matthews had a run on SmackDown in 2019, but had his most high-profile run after joining Raw in the 2019 WWE Draft. With Paul Heyman as Executive Director of Raw, Matthews and Aleister Black had a series of matches late in the year and in early 2020 that served to elevate both.
Matthews aligned with Seth Rollins and feuded with Black and the Mysterio family in 2020. Matthews later turned face and began a storyline romance with Mysterio’s daughter Aalyah. The romance storyline was later abruptly dropped.
Matthews would make only a couple of more WWE appearances after the Mysterio story was discontinued. His appearance in the 2021 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the April 9, 2021 edition of SmackDown would be his last in WWE.
The NJPW appearance will be the most high-profile for Matthews since leaving WWE, though he wrestled a pair of independent matches in September following his non-compete expiring.
An indie match against Black for Battleground Championship Wrestling on December 18 in Philadelphia has also been announced.
The former Buddy Murphy will face Brian Cage at an independent event on September 18 in his first post-WWE appearance.
Cage posted on Instagram that he would be facing Murphy at the 2300 Arena, the former ECW Arena, for Battleground Championship Wrestling.
“JUST ANNOUNCED!,” Cage wrote. “Murphy vs Machine. One of the hot matches I was looking fwd to since the slew of WWE releases. Bout to own the spotlight, have the match of the night and def get my s*** in! One helluva return to the ECW Arena.”
Murphy was released from his WWE contract on June 2, meaning the match will take place after his 90-day no compete expires. He had been with the WWE since 2013, working in NXT until he was called up in 2018. After a run as cruiserweight champion, he switched brands until being paired with Seth Rollins. The two later split, but Murphy only appeared on television sporadically after that, last being seen asking to reunite with Rollins.
Cage is the current FTW champion in All Elite Wrestling. He is scheduled to defend the title against Ricky Starks on this week’s Dynamite, the first night of Fyter Fest.
Other names scheduled for the BCW show include Matt Hardy, nZo, and the former Aiden English.
After tonight’s Raw went off the air, WWE.com announced that Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Murphy will defend their titles against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) at Super ShowDown. The show is taking place at Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 27.
Kevin Owens & The Viking Raiders faced Murphy & AOP in the main event of Raw tonight. The match ended in a disqualification when Rollins attacked Owens as he was pinning Murphy.
Rollins got on the microphone and said that he, Murphy, and AOP were going to crucify Owens, but The Street Profits then ran in to make the save. Rollins bailed, then Raw ended with The Street Profits, Owens, and The Viking Raiders laying out Murphy and AOP.
Rollins & Murphy won the Raw Tag Team titles from The Viking Raiders last month.
Super ShowDown will air live on the WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time on February 27. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending against Goldberg
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Ricochet
Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin in a steel cage match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Carmella or Naomi
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Miz & John Morrison
Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Murphy defending against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match (AJ Styles, Andrade, Rusev, Bobby Lashley, R-Truth, and Erick Rowan)
Post Wrestling wrote that they “learned of the alteration through several sources in the company that were notified of the change moving forward.”
After aligning with Seth Rollins & AOP last month, Murphy & Rollins won the Raw Tag Team titles by defeating The Viking Raiders the next week.
Murphy joined the Raw roster in October’s WWE Draft. In an interview with Talksport that was published this week, Murphy spoke about working with Paul Heyman on Raw: “Paul has been awesome to work with. He has a lot of belief in me and I don’t want to let him down. The Aleister Black performances and what not, I want the ball and I want to run with it. I believe — and Paul believes — I can be a mega star for this company.
“Once that bell rings, I’ve got that down pat, now I just need a story to sink my teeth into and maybe being Seth’s disciple is it. Paul has been a great influence and he’s been pointing me in the direction and as long as I can keep Paul and Vince [McMahon happy], then I’m happy.”
After returning to the ring at the Royal Rumble, WWE has announced that Edge will make an appearance on Raw tonight.
WWE.com wrote:
Following a dramatic in-ring return during the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble Match, WWE Hall of Famer Edge is returning to Monday Night Raw.
The Rated-R Superstar, who retired due to injury in 2011, has been the subject of near-constant rumors ever since he leveled Elias with a Spear at SummerSlam 2019 — speculation he shot down at every turn. But he appeared in the Men’s Rumble all the same, entering at No. 21 and lasting until the final three with SmackDown’s Roman Reigns and eventual winner Drew McIntyre. What the future holds for the former WWE Champion is still unclear. But as he returns to the brand where he once took his final bow, it’s safe to say we’ll see no small amount of emotion, triumph and, perhaps, one final opportunity? Anything is possible.
Tune into Raw, live tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network, to see The Rated-R Superstar’s return.
WWE has also confirmed a Raw Tag Team title match for tonight. One week after becoming champions, Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy will put their titles on the line against Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens.
The AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas is hosting tonight’s Raw. Liv Morgan and Lana will face off in a match where Rusev and Bobby Lashley are both banned from ringside.
Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy defeated the Viking Raiders to win the WWE Raw tag team titles on Monday’s edition of Raw from Wichita, Kansas,
The duo had held the titles since October 14, 2019.
The end came when Murphy hit a flying knee to Erik who fell into the ropes. As the referee pulled Murphy away, Rollins hit Erik with a curb stomp, giving Murphy the pin and win. Ivar was taken out of action prior to that when Rollins pushed him off the top rope onto the outside. The match went just over eleven minutes.
The title match was set up following the show’s opening segment when the Raiders joined Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens in running off Rollins, Murphy, and the AOP.
While this marks Murphy’s first WWE Raw or SmackDown tag team title reign, this is Rollins’ sixth as a Raw tag team champion as he’s held the titles with Roman Reigns, Jason Jordan, Braun Strowman, and Dean Ambrose twice.
Seth Rollins & AOP have added a new wrestler to their stable.
During their main event fist fight on last night’s Raw, Buddy Murphy aligned with Rollins & AOP and helped them defeat Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe & Big Show. Murphy got involved after Big Show was going to hit a punch on Rollins. He gave Big Show a low blow, then helped Rollins put Big Show through a table. AOP also put Owens and Joe through the announce table.
Big Show avoided a curb stomp by Rollins and threw Murphy out of the ring. Big Show went to the middle rope, but AOP gave him a powerbomb. The referee called for the bell when Rollins hit the curb stomp on Big Show after. Rollins hugged Murphy and all four posed.
Murphy had stayed at ringside and was dejected after losing to Aleister Black on last night’s show. Rollins went to Murphy and asked for his help during the fist fight.
A rematch from TLC will be taking place on next week’s episode of Raw.
It was announced during last night’s show that Aleister Black will face Buddy Murphy on Raw next Monday. The episode is airing live and is the final Raw of the year.
Black defeated Murphy when they faced off at TLC earlier this month. In back-to-back matches, they both quickly defeated enhancement wrestlers on last night’s Raw.
Murphy made his entrance as Black was heading to the back on last night’s show. They exchanged words on the stage, and Black watched on as Murphy won his match. Black then came down to the ring and offered Murphy a handshake. After Murphy refused, Black laid him out with Black Mass.
Next Monday’s Raw is taking place at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. A segment where Lana and Bobby Lashley will get married has also been announced for the show.
Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy is Raw’s first match to be officially announced for TLC.
The match was confirmed for the pay-per-view on tonight’s go-home edition of Raw. Black defeated Akira Tozawa on tonight’s show, with a promo from Murphy airing prior to the match. Murphy said he’s better than Black and is going to prove that when he defeats him on Sunday.
Black and Murphy have been feuding since the final Raw before Survivor Series last month. Murphy knocked on Black’s door and said he wanted to pick a fight with him. When Black didn’t immediately answer, Murphy said Black was all talk.
TLC is taking place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:
Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Revival
– NXT’s Daniel Vidot cut a promo, with Sami Zayn then coming out and burying the city. Vidot hit him with an Irish whip with a spin and a Samoan drop neckbreaker.
– Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane defeated Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville and Peyton Royce & Billie Kay in a triple threat match to retain their titles
Asuka pinned Deville to retain. This was weird because The IIconics were working as the local faces, the Kabuki Warriors were working heel but getting cheered like faces, and Rose & Deville had no heat of any kind.
– The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) & Buddy Murphy defeated Randy Orton & SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Revival
Murphy pinned Scott Dawson after hitting Murphy’s Law. New Day cut a promo before the match informing the crowd about Xavier Woods’ Achilles injury and bringing out Murphy. They did a dance segment in the ring after the match.
– Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura (w/ Sami Zayn) defeated Ali to retain his title
Nakamura retained with the Kinshasa.
– SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defeated Charlotte Flair to retain her title
Bayley jumped Charlotte before the match. She won by pinning Charlotte with a roll-up with her feet on the ropes.
– Roman Reigns defeated Erick Rowan in a street fight
Harper interfered, but Reigns took them both out. Reigns got the pin after spearing Rowan through a table.
SmackDown takes place tonight from the Raising Cane’s River Center Arena in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Last week, Daniel Bryan revealed Rowan’s doppelganger as the “real culprit” that attacked Roman Reigns. Bryan and Rowan are demanding Reigns make a public apology for wrongfully accusing Rowan.
The King of the Ring tournament continues with SmackDown’s remaining first-round matches. Buddy Murphy takes on Ali, and Chad Gable goes one-on-one with Shelton Benjamin.
Randy Orton and The Revival attacked Xavier Woods last week on Raw. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston got some revenge when he attacked Orton and The Revival last Tuesday. Orton and The Revival are scheduled to appear tonight.
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley defends against Charlotte Flair at Clash of Champions. The match was set up last week on a Moment of Bliss, with the segment ending when Bayley shoved Flair out of her chair. Flair promises to respond to Bayley tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Kayla Braxton approached Roman Reigns backstage and asked about Daniel Bryan and Rowan demanding an apology. He’s got a lot of unfinished business, but he wants to save it for the ring.
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston made his way down to the ring. They recapped Randy Orton and Kingston’s feud. They announced Kingston defending against Orton for Clash of Champions.
The fans broke into a loud “Kofi” chant. Kingston noted Orton loves to call him stupid. He pointed out that he attacked Orton last week. Orton made this feud personal, but Kingston wants to prove that he deserves to be champion.
Orton made it personal by attacking Woods and bringing his family into it. Last week, Orton slithered away because he saw the look in Kingston’s eyes. He promised to defeat Orton at Clash of Champions and remain the WWE Champion.
Suddenly, Orton started calling Kingston stupid on the big screen. He would come down there to attack Kingston, but instead, he’s going to wait until Clash of Champions. He was trying to figure out what to do when somebody sent him a letter.
Orton read the letter. The letter asked Orton to stop hurting Kingston because it makes him cry at night. The letter is from Kingston’s son. Orton realized he’s staying at the same hotel as Kingston’s family and he’s going to pay his son a visit. Kingston left the ring and ran into the back.
In the back, Kingston attacked Orton and officials tried to break it up. Orton took over and gave Kingston the draping DDT. Orton called Kingston stupid and left.
In the back, Big E left the trainer’s room. Kayla Braxton and asked about Kingston. Big E was furious and promised to get revenge on Orton.
They recapped Buddy Murphy defeating Daniel Bryan last week and Rowan attacking him after the match.
Ali defeated Buddy Murphy in a first-round King of the Ring match
This was a good match with lots of intense back and forth action. They had a heated exchange to start the match. Ali used a hurricanrana and sent Murphy to the floor. He set up for a dive, but Murphy cut him off for a near fall.
Back from the break, Ali used a dropkick and sent Murphy to the floor. He followed up with a suicide dive. In an excellent spot, Ali attempted the rolling X-Factor, but Murphy picked him up and tossed Ali to the floor.
Murphy followed up with an insane flip dive. The fans broke into a loud “Buddy” chant.
Murphy missed a Meteora and Ali hit a superkick. He hit a reverse rana for a close near fall.
Murphy used a powerbomb for a two count and hit a knee. The fans broke into a “This is Awesome” chant. They traded shots in the middle of the ring. Ali hit a spinning heel kick and sent Murphy to the apron. Ali then hit a tilt a whirl draping DDT and hit the 450 for the win in an excellent finish.
After the match, Murphy shook Ali’s hand and raised his arm. Ali advances in the King of the Ring and takes on Elias in the quarterfinals.
In the back, Ember Moon approached Bayley. Moon promised to defeat Bayley in the ring someday. Moon said Flair’s wrong and Bayley is the face of the division. Moon said the better woman won at SummerSlam.
Lacey Evans approached them and promised to prove she’s the face of the division and will show it in their match later.
They recapped Sami Zayn and Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura attacking The Miz.
The Miz made his way to the ring. He noted Zayn is Nakamura’s spokesperson because Zayn can’t do it on his own. Zayn is a hanger-on and is just using Nakamura. Nakamura doesn’t need Zayn. Miz noted he made the Intercontinental title. He then challenged Nakamura to a match for Clash of Champions
Sami Zayn interrupted and noted he liberated Nakamura. Nakamura is feeling stronger and better in years. Zayn noted Nakamura is an artist, poetic and King of Strong Style. He called Miz the King of Soft Style. Zayn threatened to beat some respect into Miz. Miz challenged him to come in the ring.
Zayn noted he doesn’t do things on his terms. Miz came out to attack Zayn, but Nakamura attacked Miz from behind. Nakamura then gave Miz the Kinshasa against the LED board. Nakamura then gave Miz a second Kinshasa in the ring.
They announced Big E vs. Randy Orton for later tonight.
Kevin Owens entered Shane McMahon’s office and found Elias. Owens is looking for McMahon, but he’s not there. Owens thanked Elias and left.
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley defeated Lacey Evans
Bayley had the early advantage, but Evans took over with a slam. Bayley regained control with a knee and rocked Evans with a clothesline on the floor.
Charlotte Flair made her way down to the ring. Back from the break, Evans slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Bayley used a crossbody, but Evans took back over. Bayley tied Evans up in the ropes and rocked her with a dropkick. Evans regained control.
Bayley caught Evans leg in the ropes and hit a big clothesline to take over. Bayley attempted the Bayley-to-Belly, but Evans attacked the arm. Evans hit the moonsault for a near fall.
They traded pinfall attempts. Bayley caught Evans with a knee and Bayley-to-Belly, but Evans grabbed the bottom rope.
Evans kicked the injured left arm and hit a neck breaker. Bayley regained control and hit a Bayley-to-Belly. She followed up with an elbow off the top for the win.
Kayla Braxton spoke with Daniel Bryan and Rowan in the back. Bryan noted he proved Rowan’s innocence last week. Bryan promised not to leave until they receive an apology from Roman Reigns.
Randy Orton defeated Big E
Big E and Orton brawled on the floor around ringside. Big E tossed Orton over the announce table. Orton used a thumb to the eye, but Big E fought back. Orton sent Big E shoulder first into the ring post to take over.
Big E fought back with a series of clotheslines. Orton regained control when Big E missed the splash on the apron. He then gave Big E a back suplex on the announce table.
Back from the break, Big E gave Orton a back suplex on the announce table. He hit Orton with a belly-to-belly suplex and went for the splash, but The Revival caused the distraction. Big E went for the Big Ending, but the Revival interfered again. Orton then hit the RKO for the win.
After the match, Orton and The Revival gave Big E an assisted RKO.
In the back, Sara Schreiber interviewed Chad Gable. Gable noted Shelton Benjamin should know better not to underestimate him.
Benjamin approached and made a bunch of short jokes and left.
They recapped R-Truth defeating Elias for the 24/7 Championship at Fox Founders Day. Truth then appeared on the Fox College Football Kickoff Show. One of the hosts, Rob Stone, defeated Truth to win the title. Then Elias rolled up Stone to regain the title.
In the ring, Elias sat in the King of the Ring throne wearing the crown. Elias talked about winning the tournament and talked about how good he looks in the crown.
Kevin Owens approached and attacked Elias. They fought in the ring and Owens gave Elias the stunner. Owens didn’t attempt the pin to win the 24/7 title and just walked off.
Truth entered the ring and tried to pin Elias, but Drake Maverick pulled Truth out. Maverick then pinned Elias to win the 24/7 Championship.
Chad Gable defeated Shelton Benjamin in a First Round King of the Ring match
On commentary, Corey Graves made short jokes throughout the match.
Benjamin had the early advantage and scored a near fall. Gable fought back and caught Benjamin with a high angle German suplex. Benjamin fought back with a flying clothesline. He applied the Ankle lock, but Gable rolled through.
Gable leaped off the apron, but Benjamin caught him and tossed him into the barricade. Gable attempted a moonsault, but Benjamin moved, and Gable landed on his feet.
Benjamin caught Gable with knee and attempted a powerbomb.
Gable reversed and rolled up Benjamin to advance. Gable takes on Andrade in the quarterfinals.
Roman Reigns made his way down to the ring to address Daniel Bryan and Rowan. Before Reigns could speak, Daniel Bryan interrupted on the big screen and told Reigns to say I’m sorry.
Reigns asked the fans if he should apologize. Reigns then showed footage of his attack and found footage of Rowan. Bryan was furious. He slapped Rowan in the face and grabbed a mic. He promised he didn’t know anything and that he hates liars. He made his way down to the ring.
Bryan called Rowan a liar and said somebody told him to do this. He said it wasn’t him, but Reigns speared Bryan anyway.
One week after his match against Roman Reigns, Buddy Murphy was again put in a big spot on SmackDown.
Murphy got a win against Daniel Bryan in their match last night. After it was over, Bryan and Rowan attacked Murphy during a backstage interview.
The show ended with Bryan and Rowan supposedly revealing the “real culprit” in the attacks on Reigns. It was someone who looks like Rowan, and the episode went off the air with Reigns looking confused.
Charlotte Flair appeared on a Moment of Bliss last night and challenged SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley for Clash of Champions. Plus, Kofi Kingston got revenge on Randy Orton and The Revival, Sami Zayn formed a partnership with Shinsuke Nakamura, and the King of the Ring tournament continued with the first two matches on the SmackDown side of the bracket.
SmackDown takes place tonight from the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Daniel Bryan takes on Buddy Murphy on the show. Last week, Bryan and Rowan forced Murphy to say he was lying about Rowan being Roman Reigns’ mystery attacker. Later, Bryan claimed they conducted their own investigation and know the attacker’s true identity. Bryan said they would reveal the attacker tonight.
The King of the Ring tournament continues with two first-round matches on the SmackDown side of the bracket. Kevin Owens takes on Elias, and Apollo Crews goes one-on-one with Andrade. Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander advanced to the quarterfinals last night on Raw.
Randy Orton and The Revival defeated The New Day last week. After the match, Orton gave each New Day member the RKO. Orton and The Revival then laid out New Day again on Raw last night. WWE.com is teasing that Kofi Kingston promises to respond to the attacks.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
Randy Orton made his way down to the ring to start SmackDown. David Otunga joins the announce team tonight as Corey Graves is still on vacation.
They recapped Orton and Revival beating down Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods last night on Raw. Orton made Kingston watch Revival injured Woods’s knee.
Orton called Kingston stupid repeatedly. He noted Kingston ran from him at SummerSlam. He said he took out the Power of Positivity with the RKO.
The New Day’s music hit and Orton waited in the ring. Kingston attacked Orton from behind and hit the Trouble in Paradise. Kingston brought in a chair and wrapped it around Orton’s ankle.
Kingston climbed to the top and teased jumping on the chair, but The Revival ran out. Kingston fought The Revival off and beat them with the chair. Orton escaped and ran to the back.
They recapped the Roman Reigns attacker angle. Daniel Bryan promises to reveal the attacker’s identity later. On commentary, David Otunga claimed he talked to a lawyer friend, and knows that Bryan has down extensive work.
Tom Philips congratulated NXT for the huge announcement earlier today that it’s coming to the USA Network on September. 18.
Kevin Owens entered Shane McMahon’s office. Owens is trying to remain calm and focus on his King of the Ring match later. Owens noted that being fined $100,000 is on his mind.
Owens pointed out the fine hurts his family. Owens noted McMahon is a good father and knows a fine like that hurts. He asked McMahon to reconsider the enormous fine. McMahon said he’d think about it.
Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) defeated Apollo Crews in a First Round King of the Ring match
This was a good match. Right at the bell, Crews rocked Andrade with a clothesline for a near fall. Andrade fought back and hit the double knees in the corner for a two count. Andrade locked on an armbar in the ropes. He attempted a cross body off the top, but Crews countered with a dropkick in mid-air.
Andrade hit a plancha into a hurricanrana and sent Crews into the rings steps. Back from the break, Crews launched Andrade in the air into double knees. He hit the Olympic Slam for a near fall.
Crews attempted a press slam, but his injured arm gave out. Andrade missed the double knees in the corner. Crews hit a standing shooting star press for a very close near fall.
Crews tried to pull Andrade into the ring, but Vega grabbed Andrade’s leg. Crews tried to go after Vega. Andrade recovered and hit the Hammerlock DDT for the win and advances to the quarterfinals on the SmackDown side.
In the back, Daniel Bryan and Rowan walked a guy in a black hood into a room. Bryan said he knows what he did. Bryan told the guy in the hood not to move from his chair, or he’ll be sorry.
24/7 Champion Elias was walking backstage when he noticed a referee in disguise. He found Drake Maverick hiding and choked him. Elias made Maverick read a note from Shane McMahon. The 24/7 Championship is suspended for the night so Elias can focus on his King of the Ring match.
A Moment of Bliss with Guest Charlotte Flair
Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross came out for a Moment of Bliss. Bliss introduced their guest Charlotte Flair. Bliss noted that Flair requested this time. Flair pointed at the King of the Ring throne and noted that chair’s more her style.
Bliss noted that some people call the SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley the face of SmackDown.
Flair noted Bayley’s not marketable like her. Flair pointed out that Bayley and the division is an afterthought.
Bayley walked out and noted Flair’s just making a bunch of excuses. In the end, Bayley’s champion. That means that Bayley is better than her.
Flair pointed out that at SummerSlam, everyone was talking about her, not Bayley. Bayley devalued the belt, and now Flair has to clean it up. Flair challenged Bayley to a match at Clash of Champions and Bayley accepted. Bayley then hit Flair and knocked her out of her chair.
Backstage, Roman Reigns approached Buddy Murphy. Reigns wants to know if Murphy is lying to him or Daniel Bryan.
Murphy said he’s pretty sure he saw Rowan in the hallway. Reigns said if Murphy is lying, he’s going to come back for him.
Buddy Murphy defeated Daniel Bryan (w/Rowan)
Before the match, Bryan called Murphy a liar and promised to reveal the real culprit later. They’re also going to reveal that Murphy had something to do with it too.
This was another good match. Murphy rocked Bryan with a knee for a close near fall at the bell. Bryan fought back and hit Murphy with forearms. Bryan followed up with a kick to the back.
Murphy fired back with hard chops and whipped Bryan into the corner.
Bryan did a backflip out of the corner and landed on his feet. Murphy sent Bryan to the floor and hit a flip dive.
Back from the break, Murphy hit the Meteora for a very close two count. Murphy favored his arm. Bryan applied the Lebell Lock, but Murphy made it to the ropes. The fans broke into a loud “Let’s Go Buddy” chant.
Bryan rocked Murphy with kicks and yelled at him to stay down. Murphy kept getting back up. Murphy fought back, but Bryan trapped him in the tree of woe and hit a dropkick. Bryan followed up with a belly-to-back suplex off the top for a very close near fall.
Murphy hit a superkick in the corner and hit running sit-out powerbomb for a very close two count. Bryan and Murphy traded hard shots in the middle of the ring.
Bryan rocked Murphy with uppercuts. Murphy countered the running knee into a backslide for a two count.
Murphy hit a knee and a kamigoye for another near fall. Rowan jumped on the apron and distracted Murphy. Bryan rolled up Murphy for a near fall.
Murphy rocked Rowan with a superkick and knocked him off the apron. Murphy caught Bryan with a knee and hit Murphy’s Law for the win.
Kayla Braxton tried to interview Buddy Murphy in the back, but Daniel Bryan and Rowan attacked him. Rowan gave Murphy the Iron Claw on a box.
The Revival defeated Heavy Machinery
Before the match, The Revival challenged SmackDown Tag Team Champions New Day for Clash of Champions. The Revival was selling the injuries from Kofi Kingston’s attack earlier.
Tucker caught Wilder in a bear hug and worked over the injured ribs. Tucker tagged in Otis and tossed Wilder into his arms. Otis and Tucker gave Dash, and Dawson delayed standing vertical suplex.
Back from the break, Wilder hit a bulldog on Tucker for a two count. Dawson missed an elbow off the top. Otis got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit the caterpillar on Wilder and set up for the compacter. Dawson made the save and Wilder rolled up Tucker for the win.
Kayla Braxton approached Chad Gable and asked about being the underdog in the King of the Ring tournament. Gable talked about overcoming obstacles in the past. In the background, Shelton Benjamin placed a sign on Gable’s door.
Gable turned around and saw the sign that was placed high on the door. It read, “You must be this tall to enter the King of the Ring.” This got a big laugh from the fans.
Miz TV with Guest Sami Zayn
Miz introduced his guest Sami Zayn and noted he requested this interview time. Zayn pointed out he doesn’t care about Miz or the show but needed the interview time. Miz noted Zayn’s been on a losing streak.
Zayn was trapped in WWE’s greed. Zayn as always fought for causes and what’s right. He realized there are people on SmackDown that need his help.
Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura made his way down to the ring. Miz asked Nakamura why he’d associate with Zayn. Zayn pointed out that Nakamura’s Japanese and Miz asked the question in English.
Zayn called Nakamura an artist and poet. Zayn said they understand each other. Zayn is now going to speak for Nakamura. Miz tried to ask Nakamura a question, but he pointed at Zayn. Nakamura jumped Miz from behind and beat him down. Zayn pulled Nakamura off and backed him into the corner. Zayn pretended to check on Miz but held him up for Nakamura to hit the Kinshasa.
In the back, Daniel Bryan and Rowan entered the locker room. They approached the guy in the hood. Bryan was furious and noted he called Roman Reigns.
Kevin Owens entered Shane McMahon’s office. McMahon asked Owens to apologize for attacking a referee. McMahon’s considering lifting the fine, but if Owens touches another official, he’s fired. Owens stuck out his hand for a handshake, but McMahon’s not quite there yet.
Elias defeated Kevin Owens in a First Round King of the Ring match
Owens had the early advantage and sent Elias to the floor. Owens attempted a dive, but Elias walked off. Owens and Elias brawled on the floor. Elias sent Owens into the steps to briefly take over. Owens fought back and hit a cannonball in the corner.
Suddenly, Shane McMahon’s music hit and he walked down to ringside. Back from break, Elias was firmly in control with a chin lock. McMahon watched the match from ringside. During the break, Owens hit a frog splash off the apron to the floor.
Elias rocked Owens with a knee for a two count. He slowed the pace down with a chin lock on Owens. Owens fought back and attempted a pop-up powerbomb, but Elias avoided.
Elias hit a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Owens and Elias fought on the top turnbuckle. Owens shoved him off and attempted a Swanton bomb, but Elias got the knees up.
Owens sent Elias to the floor and hit a cannonball off the apron. Suddenly, McMahon jumped up and took off his shirt revealing a referee’s shirt.
McMahon entered the ring, and the original referee stepped out. Owens went for the stunner, but Elias pushed off. Owens almost ran into McMahon but stopped. Elias rolled up Owens and McMahon made a fast three count for the win.
In the back, Roman Reigns entered Daniel Bryan’s locker room. Bryan noted that he said Rowan didn’t do it and nobody believed him. He then revealed the real culprit and pulled off the hood, revealing a guy that looked identical to Rowan. Reigns looked at both Rowan and the “real culprit.”
