The New Day and Cesaro & Sheamus will be facing off in the finals of SmackDown’s tag team tournament next week.
Cesaro & Sheamus defeated The Usos tonight to advance to the finals, while The New Day defeated SAnitY in a tournament match on last week’s episode. The team that wins next week’s match will challenge for The Bludgeon Brothers’ SmackDown Tag Team titles at SummerSlam, which is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on August 19.
Though they appeared last week and had been in action at house shows and in dark matches, tonight was the first time Cesaro & Sheamus have wrestled on SmackDown since May.
AJ Styles responding to Samoa Joe is also advertised for next week’s SmackDown. Joe sent a “personal message” to Styles tonight, insulting Styles and saying Styles has put being WWE Champion ahead of his own family. Styles will defend his title against Joe at SummerSlam.
Tonight SmackDown features the return of Jeff Hardy. Two weeks ago, Randy Orton gave Hardy a vicious beatdown, which included brutally pulling on Hardy’s ear. The storyline is that Orton targeted Hardy because the fans put him on a pedestal, and he promised to end Hardy’s career.
Samoa Joe takes on WWE Champion AJ Styles at SummerSlam on August 19. Last week, Joe jumped Styles from behind and locked him in the Coquina Clutch. Joe then signed the SummerSlam contract to make their match official. Both are looking to build momentum as they head to WWE’s biggest event of the summer.
Zelina Vega makes her main roster in-ring debut tonight as she goes one-on-one with Lana. Vega and Lana had a physical altercation last week during Rusev’s match against Andrade “Cien” Almas. Vega and Lana continued to argue on Twitter before their match was announced.
The Usos will also take on The Bar in a tag team tournament match. The winners face The New Day in the finals to determine the next challengers for SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers. Plus, Daniel Bryan is looking for some payback after The Miz attacked him last week.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Renee Young was in the ring to start SmackDown and introduced Becky Lynch. Lynch discussed her upcoming match with SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella at SummerSlam. She noted she hasn’t been champion since 2016. She said she’s born to be a champion and she fought to be a champion. She said it would her honor to walk into the first ever all women’s pay-per-view Evolution as the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Carmella interrupted Lynch and came down to the ring. She admitted that Lynch beat her fair and square to earn her title shot. Carmella mentioned the importance of Evolution. She said she was always a step behind Lynch. She got emotional when she mentioned that in NXT she was told she would only be a manager and hype girl. She mentioned all of Lynch’s success and that the fans love her. Carmella became emotional again when she said the fans don’t think she deserves to be champion. She’s excited to get in the ring with someone she looks up to.
Carmella wished Lynch good luck in their match and extend her hand when James Ellsworth music hit. Lynch was distracted and Carmella jumped her from behind. Ellsworth never came out. Carmella brought in a chair when Charlotte’s music hit. Charlotte ran out for the save and Carmella ran off.
In the back, The Usos were getting ready to face The Bar in the upcoming match. They did The Rock’s catchphrase and promised to win the tournament.
Paige met with Carmella in her office. Carmella was angry that Charlotte ran out. Paige thinks Carmella should be ashamed of her actions. Carmella pointed out that she’s one thing that Paige can never be and that’s the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Paige ordered Carmella to face Charlotte later tonight. If Charlotte wins she will be added to the match at SummerSlam and it’ll become a triple threat.
The Bar defeated The Usos To Advance To The Finals Of The Tag team Tournament.
The New Day joined in on commentary and had their own announce table with pancakes. Several times in the match they cut away to focus on The New Day’s commentary.
The Bar had the early advantage and isolated Jey on their side of the ring. Sheamus missed a charge in the corner and Jimmy got the hot tag. Jimmy attempted a dive on Cesaro but Sheamus pushed him out of the way and took the hit. Jimmy hit a crossbody on Cesaro for a close near fall. Jimmy went back up to the top but Cesaro shoved him to the floor.
The Bar attempted a double superplex on Jimmy but Jey made the save. Cesaro attempted a springboard off the second rope but Jey nailed him with a superkick. Jey hit a splash for a very close near fall.
The Usos attempted the double splash off the top but Cesaro caught Jey with an uppercut. Jimmy went for the splash but Sheamus got the knees up and rolled him up for the win. The Bar faces The New Day in the finals of the tag team tournament next week.
Renee Young interviewed Charlotte in her locker room. She was only there to watch Becky Lynch’s back but now she’s got a chance for a title shot at SummerSlam.
Samoa Joe came down to the ring to address his match with WWE Champion AJ Styles at SummerSlam. Joe sat on a stool in the middle of the ring. He said what he did last week was a message and Styles should know about Joe’s favorite form of communication.
Joe admits he respects Styles, the house he built and that he made the WWE Championship the most prestigious title. He noted that Styles put being champion before friendship and his family. He said Styles is a failure as a father and not a good husband because being champion is more important to Styles.
Joe said all the fans will be cheering for Styles at SummerSlam but Styles’ family will be cheering for Joe. After he tears down the house that Styles built his family can have him back and Joe will be champion.
Jeff Hardy came down to the ring to confront Randy Orton. Hardy said the United States Championship is more than just a title and it connects him with the WWE Universe. He said nothing’s more important than beating Shinsuke Nakamura for the U.S. Championship but beating up Orton comes close. Hardy called out Orton.
Orton came down to the ring but didn’t enter. Nakamura jumped Hardy from behind and attempted the Kinshasa. Orton stepped in the way and had a stare down with Nakamura. Orton stepped aside and ordered Nakamura to hit the Kinshasa, which he did. Nakamura left and Orton teased hitting the RKO on Hardy but instead gave him the Garvin stomp.
Orton then hit the draping DDT in the ring. He went to the floor and gave Hardy the draping DDT from the apron to the floor. Orton ripped off Hardy’s shirt and chain. He poured water on Hardy’s face and wiped off the face paint.
Renee Young interviewed Becky Lynch as she exited her locker room. Lynch is happy Charlotte’s back but isn’t so happy about a potential triple threat match.
Zelina Vega (w/ Andrade “Cien” Almas) defeated Lana
Vega did a roll through and a pose. Lana responded with her own pose. They shoved each other and Lana tackled Vega to the ground. Vega took over and slowed the pace down. Vega hit the double knees in the corner for a near fall.
Vega attempted the Hammer Lock DDT but Lana back dropped out of it. Lana made a comeback and scored a two count. Almas tried to distract Lana but Aiden English ran out and went after Almas. This distracted Lana and Vega rolled her up for the win.
Aiden English found Lana in the back and apologized for interfering in the match. Lana told him to leave. Rusev tried to talk to English but he left. Lana understands Rusev needs to figure out what’s best for him but she needed him out there.
Daniel Bryan came out to address The Miz’s attack from last week. He mentioned that WWE announced the first all women’s pay-per-view Evolution last week. He talked about his wife Brie Bella and noted he’s proud of her. He said Evolution is a huge step forward.
He turned his attention to The Miz and the attack last week. Bryan pointed out that Miz is afraid to face him and tried to build a wall between them. Bryan called out The Miz but he appeared on the big screen instead. Miz said if Bryan wants a match he has to earn it. He claimed to be on set for Miz & Mrs.
Bryan said he came out for a fight but Miz is hiding. Bryan called Miz a coward. Miz mentioned that the last time he called him a coward was on Talking Smack. Bryan said this is about passion for him and about fame for Miz.
Bryan said the wrestler turned Hollywood star has been done before. Bryan said Miz is never going to be The Rock or John Cena. Bryan called Miz soft and challenged him to a match at SummerSlam.
Miz told Bryan to give up and let his contract expire. He said the Yes Movement is over and Team Hell No is over. Miz said the fans look at Bryan and see one thing. A series of babies crying appeared on the screen.
Charlotte Flair defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella In A Non-title match To Earn A Title Shot At SummerSlam
Backstage before the match, Carmella said she wants to face Becky Lynch in a singles match. She tried to cause problems between Lynch and Flair
Flair was in control early until she missed a plancha to the floor. Flair took back over and rocked Carmella with chops. Flair attempted a moonsault but Carmella got her feet up. Carmella threw Flair over the barricade to the timekeeper’s area but Flair beat the count.
Carmella gained control and slowed the pace down. Flair fought back and rocked Carmella with a big boot for a near fall. Flair caught Carmella with a moonsault off the barricade on the floor. Flair hit Natural Selection for a very close near fall. Carmella fought back and hit a superkick for another near fall.
Carmella attempted the figure four but Flair countered into the figure eight for the win. Flair is added to the SummerSlam match, which is now SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella defending against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.
Next Week: WWE Champion AJ Styles returns and addresses Samoa Joe’s comments. Plus, The New Day takes on The Bar in the finals of the tag team tournament to earn a match against the SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers.
There weren’t any surprises among the announcements. It will be The New Day, SAnitY, The Usos, and Cesaro & Sheamus vying to become the team that challenges for Harper & Rowan’s SmackDown tag titles at SummerSlam.
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson and Rusev & Aiden English are the most notable teams not in the tournament.
The tournament is set to take place on SmackDown over the next three weeks. Though they’ve been in action at house shows and in dark matches, this will be the first time Cesaro & Sheamus have wrestled on television since May 29. They moved from Raw to SmackDown in April’s roster shakeup.
SummerSlam will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on August 19. AJ Styles’ WWE Championship challenger for the pay-per-view is scheduled to be revealed on Tuesday’s SmackDown, and Becky Lynch will face Carmella in a non-title match on the episode. The angle is that Lynch will challenge for Carmella’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at the PPV if she wins.
– SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers defeated The Usos and New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) to retain their titles
The Bludgeon Brothers won with a double-team powerbomb. It was a fun match with a lot of comedy at the beginning. But after a couple of minutes, it appeared as if on of the Usos hurt his head, and his brother and someone else came out to check on him. The match continued until both Usos got back into it for some spots that led to the finish. It wasn’t clear if the injury was legitimate or not.
The crowd was really into The New Day and Usos and booed the heels.
– NXT Champion Aleister Black defeated Alexander Wolfe to retain his title
Black connected with the Black Mass to retain. There were some chants for him (including “Tommy End” ones) and NXT, but it seemed like most of the crowd didn’t know who he was. They liked Wolfe in his home country and chanted for him a bit.
After Wolfe lost, he cut a promo in German and said we have to look out because very soon SAnitY is going to take over SmackDown.
– Charlotte Flair, Naomi & Asuka defeated Lana, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
Asuka submitted Lana with the Asuka Lock. There wasn’t much to this. Lana got “Rusev Day” chants and Charlotte received a nice reaction.
– Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/ Zelina Vega) defeated Sin Cara
Almas picked up the win with his hammerlock DDT. It was nice to see Almas and Vega — and their act is so great — but they had the same problem Black did where the majority of the crowd didn’t seem to know them. The fans got into it after some lucha spots, with Almas gaining the upper hand after a distraction from Vega.
– Daniel Bryan & Tye Dillinger defeated Big Cass & The Miz
This got the biggest reactions of anything on the show, with Bryan pinning Cass with the running knee. Miz received a good reaction and the crowd booed Cass. Dillinger got a good response, but the crowd treated Bryan like a superstar.
They worked a decent match. Miz mocked Bryan, and Cass was still selling his leg from Bryan’s attack on SmackDown. The Miz mockingly did “Yes” and “10” chants, while Bryan and Dillinger did them to hype up the crowd. After the match, Bryan and Dillinger did each other’s chants to put the other over and play along with the audience.
– United States Champion Jeff Hardy defeated Rusev (w/ Aiden English) to retain his title
The Swanton Bomb won it for Hardy. English did the whole Rusev Day stuff at the beginning and everybody loved it until Hardy came out to a big reaction. There were still a couple “Rusev Day” chants from there, but the crowd appeared to like Hardy more.
They had a decent match, doing most of their signature moves. Rusev managed to get a ton of heat when putting on a Real Madrid soccer and mocking the fans. The FC Bayern Munich fans booed him like crazy, so it worked really well.
– Becky Lynch defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella by DQ
Carmella started off by informing the announcer that she wants everybody to know that she beat Charlotte Flair. Both wrestlers got good reactions, and Carmella spent most of her time running away from Lynch and screaming “I can wrestle” after hitting a move.
Following a scramble on the outside, the match ended with a disqualification. The people didn’t seem to care too much about the match. Carmella came back in the ring and took a suplex from Lynch, who took the title and held it up in the air.
– AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows defeated Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro & Sheamus
Styles pinned Sheamus following the Phenomenal Forearm. Cesaro and Sheamus entered wearing traditional lederhosen, which the crowd obviously loved. Nakamura also got a big reaction and carried himself so well. Gallows and Anderson got a good babyface reaction, but it was nothing in comparison to the one Styles got when he came out (which was only second to the response Bryan received).
They worked a nice tag match with mostly Gallows & Anderson or Cesaro & Sheamus in. When Styles or Nakamura tagged in, the crowd got really behind it and did dueling chants. There were also some chants for Cesaro, but he didn’t acknowledge them.
The highlights of the match were uppercuts from Cesaro and Anderson, as well as Styles’ usual stuff. Him hitting the Phenomenal Forearm and pinning Sheamus seemed to come a bit out of nowhere.
The Big Takeaway: Only two weeks before WrestleMania, not that newsworthy of a show. There was no Undertaker in the main event, where John Cena pinned Kane in a no-DQ match. Cena cut another promo on Undertaker to conclude the show. Brock Lesnar beat up Roman Reigns again in the opening segment. Main news item was Bayley and Sasha Banks brawled in the back after an exchange of hostilities.
Show Recap:
Lesnar and Paul Heyman came out to mainly cheers. Heyman showed highlights of Reigns getting beat up by Lesnar last week. Heyman said Reigns suspension has been lifted, which means for everyone who’s waiting for Reigns to come out, Heyman said Reigns isn’t here this evening. Heyman said Reigns was raised by WWE Hall of Famers, like his father Sika and his uncle Afa, and the rest of his family to be a badass, to wrestle and to win. But its was a shame they didn’t raise Reigns to be a man. Because a man would be in Cleveland tonight. Heyman said it was Reigns who claimed to be at Raw week in and week out, whether he was advertised or not. Heyman said Reigns was advertised tonight but he wasn’t here two weeks before WrestleMania. And for the record, if Lesnar was the one who was beaten up last week like Reigns was last week, Lesnar would come down that ramp like King Kong on his knuckle, propel himself into the ring, put the Universal Championship on the line and dare Reigns to take it from him.
Heyman said Reigns isn’t man enough to take another beating from Lesnar, which is why at WrestleMania Reigns isn’t man enough to take the Universal Title away from Lesnar. As Heyman was about to do his catchphrase, Reigns walked out through the crowd slowly. Reigns picked up a chair, but Lesnar clobbered Reigns with a clothesline at ringside. Reigns pushed Lesnar into the ringpost and slammed the chair to his back three times. Reigns jumped off the ring steps in an attempt to hit Lesnar with the Superman Punch, but Lesnar caught him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Lesnar picked up a set of ring steps and rammed Reigns in the head with them hard. Lesnar took the steps and whacked Reigns again, this time in the ring. Lesnar picked up the chair that Reigns hit him with, which was already dented, and slammed it over Reigns’ back repeatedly.
Just like last week, Lesnar started to leave but went back to the ring for more. Lesnar gave Reigns the F-5 on the ring steps, then climbed the steps and posed with the belt.
After a commercial, Reigns staggered up the ramp without any help.
Nia Jax defeated Mickie James (with Alexa Bliss) (7:05)
Mickie James pounded on Jax’s right knee, using a chop block after Bliss tried to interfere on the floor. Finish came when James went to the top rope, but Jax picker her off the top rope, pressed her and pinned her with a Samoan Drop.
Postmatch, Bliss came in the ring and forearmed Jax on the back. Jax looked stunned and chased Bliss from the ring. Jax screamed and Bliss and called her a bitch, which they tried and failed to bleep out.
There was a profile package with HHH and Stephanie McMahon building up their match with Rousey and Angle. HHH said Angle was an idiot and this was all hiis fault. HHH said this wasn’t judo or MMA, this was “their world.” HHH said people can look at them and everything they have and think it was just handed to them, that Stephanie has was she has because she’s Vince McMahon’s daughter. But it has nothing to do with that. Joe DeFranco, a strength and conditioning coach, was interviewed and said HHH and Stephanie train year around, commonly doing midnight workouts. We got HHH doing box jumps and tossing around a medicine ball. Stephane was training like Dana White getting ready to box Tito Ortiz for three rounds in 2006. Stephanie said Rousey looked vulnerable last week and she doesn’t have any clue what she’s in for. Stephanie said she’s ready to exploit Rousey’s arrogance.
They showed HHH beating Angle several times during Angle’s original WWE run from 1999-2005. Stephanie said Rousey doesn’t scare her because she’s a McMahon, which means she will work for her. Stephanie said they will humble Rousy just the way they’ve humbled every superstar in the WWE.
Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali defeated TJP and Drew Gulak (4:04)
Drake Maverick was on commentary. The storyline was Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali will face each other for the Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania and they were teaming tonight. Alexander hit a springboard clothesline on TJP, but Drew Gulak made the save. Ali completely overshot Gulak on a somersault tope. Finish was Alexander gave TJP a handspring kick, but Ali made the blind tag. Alexander gave TJP the Lumbar Check, but couldn’t get the pin because Ali had already tagged in. Ali pinned TJP with the 054. Alexander and Ali smiled at each other but was there some tension over Alexander not getting the pin.
The Miz, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas were out for MizTV. Miz got welcome home chants since they were in Cleveland, but he said “I live in L.A.” Before Miz got to Finn Balor and Seth Rollins, Miz acccused Axel and Dallas of failing him. Miz said the past two weeks, he has been left laying because they let him down. Dallas said they are doing the best they can. Miz said maybe should Bo-Lieve himself back to catering because Dallas would be nothing without him.
Rollins came out and said this was great to see the MizTourage hash out their problems. Miz said this was an issue he needed to sort out with Dallas and Axel. Rollins said the MizTourage was feeling unappreciated. He asked Miz when was the last time Miz thanked Dallas and Axel. Miz wondered if Rollins was kidding. Rollins said he wasn’t because if it wasn’t for the MizTourage, then the Miz wouldn’t be Intercontinental Champion. Rollins started a “MizTourage” chant. Miz said the MizTourage knows he is grateful for them, and they should be thankful for him because he elevated their careers. Miz said even without the MizTourage, he would still be the Intercontinental Champion, be a huge star. Dallas shot up and said Miz would be a phony A-lister who can’t fight. Rollins asked Dallas to repeat that. Miz asked Dallas to repeat that, too.
Before he could, Finn Balor came out and said it looks like Miz needs his help and he wanted to hear what Dallas said. Balor claimed that Dallas said the Miz was the biggest jerk he had ever met. Dallas said that’s not what he said, he said Miz was a phony A-lister who can’t fight. Miz looked stunned as the crowd chanted “yes.” Miz looked Dallas in the eye and muttered “say that again.” Dallas started to repeat himself but Miz slapped him. Dallas wanted a piece of Miz, but Axel held him back. Miz said he was trying to motivate Dallas because he was 34 days away from becoming the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, meaning he would be better than Randy Savage, better than Shawn Michaels, better than Mr. Perfect.
When Miz said that, Axel got mad. Crowd didn’t seem to pick up on the fact that Axel was Curt Henning’s son. Miz was remorseful and told Axel that one slipped. Miz tried to calm everyone down with breathing techniques and said MizTV was now canceled for tonight. Miz wanted to leave, but Dallas and Axel got in his face and wouldn’t leave. Rollins annd Balor laughed. Miz said no one wanted to see this. Crowd cheered and chanted some more. Miz backed up, right into Rollins and Balor. Then Axel and Dallas jumped Balor and Rollins, showing it was all a ruse that Miz had set up. Dallas and Axel tried to set up Balor for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows came out to save Balor. Dallas and Axel brawled to the back with MizTourage. Miz was left alone with Balor, who recovered and gave him a Sling Blade. Rollins tried to give Miz the Curb Stomp, but Miz got out of the ring and left the Intercontinental belt in the ring. Balor and Rollins looked at the belt, and Rollins took it while looking at Balor and held it over his head. Balor pushed Rollins out of the way as Miz tried to jump Rollins and decked Miz. Rollins clotheslined Miz out of the ring. Balor gave Rollins a forearm to the nose and picked up the Intercontinental belt.
Kane did an interview from the back telling Cena there are demons you should never call out, demons that should Rest In Peace. Kane said Cena wasn’t going to WrestleMania because tonight he was going straight to hell.
Charlie Caruso did an interview with Jamie Frost, the opponent for Asuka, who said that Asuka likes to say no one is ready for Asuka, but Asuka wasn’t ready for her.
Asuka defeated Jamie Frost (:30)
Frost slapped Asuka, who responded with a knockout roundhouse kick for the pin.
Michael Cole reviewed the Ultimate Deletion last week, something that he looked like he didn’t want to do. Corey Graves was more than happy to review what happened. Matt Hardy did a promo saying that Bray Wyatt has been deleted and he was entering the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania, the field of which now includes Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder and Baron Corbin.
Bayley was in the back when Sasha Banks approached her. Banks said she got Bayley’s text. Bayley started to walk off, and Banks asked if that was it? Bayley said she was entering the WrestleMania women’s battle royal and that was it. Banks wondered if they were going to talk about last week. Bayley said there was nothing to talk about because Banks knows what she did. Banks raised her voice and said she was sick of Bayley’s passive-aggressive nonsense. Bayley said she thought Banks liked Bayley being passive because that was the type of friendship they wanted to have. The one where Banks gets to do whatever she wants because Bayley gets to be right by her side going along with it. Bayley says Banks loves it that Bayley puts Banks first, that Banks loves that she allows Banks to walk around like Banks is the legit boss. Banks says she is the boss and she does for herself for her career and makes no apologizes for it. Maybe Bayley should do that so that everyone around here doesn’t think Bayley is a complete loser. Bayley said the truth is Banks can’t beat her. Banks said she’s a four-time Raw Women’s Champion. Bayley asked how long did Banks keep it. Bayley started to walk away but Banks grabbed her from behind and rammed her into a locker. They brawled with Bayley making a brief comeback and Banks ramming Bayley into a table. They were pulled apart by Banks broke free. Bayley kicked her back and they were finally separated.
Sheamus and Cesaro came out to face Braun Strowman. Sheamus wanted to know who Strowman’s partner was. Strowman said he would reveal his partner if Sheamus could beat him. Sheamus got mad and demanded to know who was Strowman’s partner. Strowman said maybe Sheamus would get to find out, but he guaranteed Sheamus would get these hands.
Jonathan Coachman compared not knowing who Strowman was teaming with to not knowing who LeBron James was going to team with. Graves called that a terrible analogy because James has a professional basketball team around him. After Strowman threw Sheamus around early, Sheamus made a comeback working on Strowman’s left arm. Strowman would ram his shoulder into the post after missing a charge. Sheamus missed a Brogue Kick and Strowman pinned Sheamus with the running powerslam.
Angle came out and introduced Rousey. Angle said WrestleMania was the most intimidating stage for anyone to compete in for the first time, but after watching Rousey train the last few weeks, he knows she’s ready. Angle brought up HHH and Stephanie’s interview from earlier and said they write the rules and make the rules. Angle said this wasn’t going to be easy.
Rousey, who had blood red under the bottom of her eyes, said it was fine that it wasn’t going to be easy because she wasn’t looking for easy. Rousey said she was there to earn everything that she gets. Rousey said Stephanie talks tough, but she’s trust-fund talk, she’s limousine tough and personal trainer tough. Rousey said Stephanie is going to get everything she deserves, which is her ripping Stephanie’s arm out of her socket.
Absolution walked out. Paige said the one thing that will absolutely destroy Rousey is not having friends. Paige said this is our show and this is her house. Paige said she understands Rousey grew up watching the WWE, but people will take advantage of Rousey and Paige offered to have Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville as her background. Rousey politely declined saying that Angle had her back. Paige said Rousey could become the fourth member of Absolution. Rousey thanked Paige for the offer but turned it down. Paige said she understands that Rousey made her choice, but it wasn’t a good one because Rousey made some enemies. Rose jumped toward Rousey, but Angle held her back. Then Deville grabbed Rousey by the shoulder, but after some hesitation Rousey decked her with a clothesline. Rousey backed Rose into a corner. Rose tried to kick Rousey, but Rousey caught her leg. Rose could be heard giving Rousey instructions as Rousey gave Rose a suplex into Deville, which was mistimed.
Angle raised Rousey’s arm, but then Rousey sensed Rose coming from behind and gave her a perfectly timed sword throw. Rousey held Rose in an armbar, threatening to break it like she was Pentagon Jr. In Lucha Underground, but Angle asked her to let Rose off free. Rousey agreed.
The Good Brothers defeated The MizTourage (5:03)
Anderson gave Axel the Boot of Doom, but Dallas made the save. Axel went for the Perfect Plex, but Anderson escaped with a flying neckbreaker off the top rope. Gallows pinned Axel after the Magic Killer.
Elias was back with a performance. Elias said in this kingdom of madness, there are those who walk and those who don’t walk yet, but in 13 days at WrestleMania he will give the greatest performance of his lifetime. Elias claimed he sold out Madison Square Garden last week, so coming to Cleveland is a huge disappointment. He was embarrassed to be here tonight, but he friend LeBron James told him the same thing when he returned to Cleveland. Elias claimed James would be leaving Cleveland soon, just like he would. Elias sang a song about how WrestleMania was on the horizon, but he’s stuck in this town. The only thing that would be more embarrassing is being a member of the Cleveland Browns. Rhyno and Heath Slater were the ones who interrupted him this time.
Elias pinned Rhyno (with Heath Slater) (2:24)
Elias blocked a Rhyno charge with a knee, followed with a clothesline and got the pin with Drift Away. Postmatch, Elias jumped Slater and gave him Draft Away, as well.
They’re having another Rollins/Balor match next week in Atlanta. Also next week, Angle & Rousey will have a faceoff with Stephanie & HHH.
John Cena defeated Kane in a No DQ match (14:01)
Cena came out holding a towel with Ellen DeGeneres with a quote reading “Be kind to one other.” About 60% of the crowd responded by chanting “Cena sucks.” Cena tried to lift Kane for the AA, but collapsed under Kane’s weight. They fought on the floor, where Kane threw Cena into the ring steps. That led to a big brawl around the arena floor where Cena rammed a barricade into Kane’s midsection near the commentator’s table. Kane responded by suplexing Cena onto the barricade, which was posted against the table. They returned to the ring, where Kane unloosened a turnbuckle. Then Cena sat up just like the Undertaker, triggering his comeback, which included a Blue Thunder Bomb where Cena failed to get Kane four feet off the ground. Cena threw Kane into the exposed turnbuckle, then made a throat-slashing gesture like the Undertaker before he actually hit a choke slam. Cena went under the ring for a table and set it up in the ring, but Kane sat up this time. Kane tried to lift Cena, but Cena reversed and attempted the AA through the table. But Kane pushed the table over and knocked Cena down. Kane put the table into the corner, where he threw Cena but got only two. Kane pulled out another table and teased a choke slam, but Cena got behind Kane and hit the AA through the table for the pin.
Postmatch, Cena waited for some sign of the Undertaker. There was no lightning, no bells of terror and no Undertaker. Cena said this was a match with no rules, anything can happen and anyone could be here. He screamed for the Undertaker. Crowd started chanting for Undertaker. Cena said Undertaker wasn’t deaf, he was just a coward. Night after night, city after city, the fans chant Undertaker’s name. Cena said you don’t get to be mysterious here, silence is not an answer, it’s either yes or no. Crowd chanted yes. Cena said he’s fine with no because he will go to WrestleMania as a fan, but he told the Undertaker to get his eyes out of the back of his head when the fans chant his name. Cena said do something, because now Undertaker only has one week left, one week that sums up his entire career. Cena said Undertaker can do something, or he can do nothing. And if Undertaker does nothing, Undertaker will let him down, let Kane down and let everyone down who ever believed in the Undertaker. Cena said he hopes for the sake of everything that is good inside this ring that he sees Undertaker next week. Cena just left thee ring and that was it.
As expected, Cesaro & Sheamus will defend their titles against Titus O’Neil & Apollo. The Titus Worldwide team defeated the champions in a non-title match on Raw this past Monday and then challenged them in a post-show video, but WWE didn’t officially announce the match until today.
O’Neil & Apollo have beaten Cesaro & Sheamus in three non-title matches this year, but Cesaro & Sheamus retained against them on the January 29th episode of Raw.
The pre-show will also feature Raw’s tag team division, with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson set to face Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas. Gallows & Anderson had been feuding with The Revival in recent weeks.
With Axel & Dallas helping him out, The Miz eliminated Finn Balor in Monday’s gauntlet match.
The card for Sunday now has six confirmed matches. Here’s the lineup for the show:
Braun Strowman vs. John Cena vs. Elias vs. Roman Reigns vs. The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor in an Elimination Chamber match (winner challenges for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship at WrestleMania)
Ronda Rousey signing her Raw contract
Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss defending against Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville in an Elimination Chamber match
Asuka vs. Nia Jax (Jax gets added to the Raw Women’s title match at WrestleMania if she wins)
Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt
Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defending against Titus O’Neil & Apollo
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas (pre-show)
There were tons of theatrics and the crowd was split between both wrestlers.
– Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated The Revival, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas
The crowd seemed to move more into a cheer the faces/boo the heels temperament. O’Neil got a huge chant and seemed super happy. This was a fun little match.
– Akira Tozawa defeated Tony Nese
This was probably the best match on the card. The fans loved to hate Nese but also loved his athleticism, and Tozawa had some great looking offense.
– Asuka, Sasha Banks & Mickie James defeated Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville (w/ Paige)
Asuka was the third most over person on this show behind Roman Reigns and Finn Balor. Banks wasn’t far behind in terms of reaction, and Bliss got a good one with mostly boos.
The action was better than most six-woman tags on Raw. The crowd popped pretty well for Asuka getting the submission.
– Goldust defeated Curt Hawkins
The crowd was still into this and it was fun despite being the weakest match on the show. Hawkins threw a tantrum at the end and demanded another match.
– Braun Strowman defeated Curt Hawkins
Strowman came out and squashed him.
– Finn Balor defeated Elias
This was better than most Elias matches I’ve seen. The crowd was split on him during his song routine but firmly behind Balor during the match.
– Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins defeated Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus by DQ
They had probably the second best match on the show. Everyone got at least a decent reaction from the crowd. Reigns’ was noticeably huge. And while it started as 50/50 cheers and boos, most of the crowd was cheering him by the end.
Reports submitted by readers Brandon Cain and Kevin Elliott
– Finn Balor & Karl Anderson (w/ Luke Gallows) defeated Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas
Balor & Anderson went over in a decent match. Anderson worked the hot tag, then Balor got the pin with the Coup de Grace.
– Hideo Itami defeated TJP
The crowd took a longtime to come around, but they were into the match by the end. Itami won with a modified GTS.
– Heath Slater & Rhyno defeated The Revival
The Revival spent most of the match cutting off the ring. The crowd chanted “ECW” for Rhyno, and Slater & Rhyno won with a small package.
– Sasha Banks & Mickie James defeated Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
The Absolution team had a pretty good showing, but Banks won it with the Banks Statement.
– Braun Strowman defeated Elias
Before the match, Elias did a promo/song about how cold (and it was a frigid night for a wrestling show) and terrible Saskatoon was. The crowd was really into Elias — he’s both charismatic and a heat seeker.
Strowman defeated him rather quickly, then gave him an extra running powerslam following the pin.
– Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss defeated Bayley and Nia Jax in a triple threat match to retain her title
The heels teamed up until Bliss eventually tried to betray Jax. Bliss stole the pin from Jax to retain.
– Matt Hardy defeated Bray Wyatt
Wyatt got down on his knees and offered to join the Woken Warriors, but Hardy didn’t fall for it and attacked him. Hardy got the victory with the Twist of Fate.
– Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins defeated Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus by DQ
The disqualification came when Cesaro intervened with a chair shot after Reigns and Rollins had Sheamus beat. The Bar kept their titles with the DQ.
The show ended with Reigns and Rollins giving out finishers to Cesaro and Sheamus to send the crowd home happy.
Two more matches have been announced for tonight’s episode of Raw in Des Moines, Iowa.
In a rematch from the Royal Rumble, Cesaro & Sheamus will defend their Raw Tag Team titles against Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan. There will also be a triple threat match between John Cena, Braun Strowman, and Elias. Those three qualified for the men’s Elimination Chamber last Monday, and the winner of the triple threat will be the last person to enter the Chamber during the match.
Cesaro & Sheamus won the titles from Rollins & Jordan at the Royal Rumble last month. Dave Meltzer reported that Jordan is dealing with a neck injury, and that was worked into the story of their title match at the Rumble as Rollins had to effectively face Cesaro & Sheamus on his own. Jordan also didn’t wrestle at any of this weekend’s house shows.
As was previously announced, Roman Reigns will face Bray Wyatt in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match on Raw tonight. The build to the women’s Elimination Chamber will continue as well.
UPDATE: Asuka vs. Bayley is also set for Raw tonight.
The Revival got the pin despite Slater’s foot being on the ropes. Following the match, Rhyno got on the mic and talked about how they could have won. Slater agreed and called out another team, but Braun Strowman entered.
Strowman hit both Slater and Rhyno with powerslams before leaving.
– Goldust defeated Curt Hawkins
– Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews
– Asuka & Bayley defeated Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax
Asuka got the win for her team by submitting Bliss. It seemed like Bayley may have been limping after the match.
– Cedric Alexander defeated Jack Gallagher
– There was a long segment where Elias performed, with him doing a great job working the crowd. Cesaro and Sheamus came out for his third song.
– Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins defeated Cesaro, Sheamus & Elias
Balor was very over and won with the Coup de Grace.
– The Revival defeated Heath Slater & Rhyno
The Revival got the pin on Slater while he had his foot on the ropes. Rhyno cut a promo about Slater toughening up, then Slater called out another team.
Braun Strowman came out instead. He got a massive pop, powerslammed both Slater and Rhyno, and signed autographs for fans in the front row.
– Cedric Alexander defeated Jack Gallagher
Alexander hit the Lumbar Check to win. The crowd wasn’t into this.
– Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews (w/ Dana Brooke)
Gallows and Anderson pinned O’Neil with the Magic Killer.
– Matt Hardy defeated Bray Wyatt
Hardy used the Twist of Fate for the finish. The crowd didn’t react to Hardy much at first but got more into him by the end of the match.
– Goldust defeated Curt Hawkins
They had a comedy match, with Goldust pinning Hawkins with a roll-up.
With less than three weeks before the pay-per-view, there are now six matches announced for the Royal Rumble.
Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan defending their Tag Team titles against Cesaro & Sheamus was officially added to the card during a backstage segment on Raw last night. Cesaro & Sheamus lobbied for their rematch and accused Kurt Angle of favoring Jordan, but Angle made the title match official for the PPV.
Rollins & Jordan started teaming together after Dean Ambrose was forced out of action due to a legitimate triceps injury. They won the titles from Cesaro & Sheamus on the Christmas Day episode of Raw.
Cesaro & Sheamus lost to Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews on Raw last night when O’Neil pinned Sheamus with a roll-up. Rollins, Jordan & Roman Reigns lost to Finn Balor, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson in the main event, with Rollins being pinned by Balor and Jordan accidentally messing things up for his team during the match.
The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia will host the Royal Rumble on January 28th. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:
Men’s Royal Rumble match
Women’s Royal Rumble match
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match
WWE Champion AJ Styles defending against Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in a handicap match
The finals of the United States Championship tournament
Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan defending against Cesaro & Sheamus
– Heath Slater, Rhyno, Apollo Crews & Goldust defeated Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Rhyno got the pin on Dallas after hitting a spinebuster. Goldust worked much of the match and was the most over person in it.
– Asuka defeated Alicia Fox
Asuka submitted her with an armbar.
– Matt Hardy defeated Bray Wyatt
Hardy was still using the Hardy Boys music and won with the Twist of Fate.
– Elias performed a song and got more heat than anyone else on the show. Braun Strowman interrupted him and hit a running powerslam. Kane came out and brawled with Strowman, then Strowman ended up putting him through a table with a running powerslam.
– Sasha Banks & Bayley defeated Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville and Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax in a triple threat match
Rose tapped out to the Banks Statement.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore defeated Cedric Alexander to retain his title
Amore retained with a thumb to the eye.
– Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns & Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan defeated Samoa Joe, Cesaro & Sheamus
Mickie James was the special guest referee. Banks submitted Fox with the Banks Statement.
– Jason Jordan defeated Elias
Elias sang a song before this started, which led to Jordan interrupting him. The crowd was pretty dead throughout the match, though they chanted “one more song” after and Elias obliged.
– Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose defeated Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus by DQ
Sheamus hit Ambrose with a chair for the disqualification. The Shield team were a bit more over.
WWE is hyping that Brock Lesnar’s next challenger will be decided on tonight’s episode of Raw.
A video that WWE put out this afternoon announced that Braun Strowman vs. Kane on Raw tonight is now a number one contender’s match, with the winner set to challenge Lesnar for the Universal Championship at next month’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Strowman and Kane have been feuding since TLC in October and have regularly faced each other at house shows since then.
The finish to Strowman vs. Kane at the house shows has been Kane getting disqualified minutes into the match, then Strowman fighting back and putting him through a table with a powerslam. Strowman previously lost to Lesnar in a Universal title match at No Mercy in September.
Dave Meltzer reported last month that WWE had changed their plans after Lesnar vs. Finn Balor was originally scheduled for the Royal Rumble, which will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 28th.
Lesnar has been advertised locally for next Monday’s Raw in Providence, Rhode Island, though WWE has yet to officially announce that he’ll be on the show.
After announcing last week that Roman Reigns would be facing Cesaro on Raw tonight, WWE has now also confirmed that Reigns’ Intercontinental Championship will be on the line in the match.
