It’s Saturday and that means it’s time for Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.
Jeff Cobb impressed in his WWE SmackDown in-ring debut as JC Mateo Friday, but the Greensboro crowd also thought most everything on the show was awesome even when some things weren’t.
On Monday, Becky Lynch turned heel BECAUSE OF THE FANS. Charlotte is upset BECAUSE OF THE FANS. John Cena turned heel BECAUSE OF THE FANS. The Rock is a heel BECAUSE OF THE FANS. Literally, FOUR top stars are mad BECAUSE OF THE FANS ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
Plus, Jim talks AEW Collision Beach Break from Chicago, NWA Crockett Cup from the 2300 Arena, Best of the Super Juniors, and more.
Charlotte Flair posted a tweet on Thursday seemingly responding to comments others have made about her personal life.
During Charlotte’s WrestleMania feud with Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte’s three divorces were brought up by Stratton as the two went off-script in an exchange that went off the rails. Jokes about Charlotte’s appearance and marital history were then made at WWE’s Roast of WrestleMania on Sunday night. The roast, which didn’t feature Charlotte, was not broadcast anywhere until an audio recording by a fan leaked online on Wednesday.
WWE and the Fontainebleau hotel in Las Vegas partnered together for The Roast of WrestleMania. Hosted by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, it included appearances by other comedians and special WWE guests. Nia Jax took aim at Charlotte during her set.
Nia really did bring up all of that about Charlotte at the Roast of WrestleMania event.
Charlotte’s marriage to fellow WWE wrestler Andrade ended in 2024, though news of their divorce was not made public until earlier this year. She opened up about the divorce in an interview on “Sherri” with Sherri Shepherd prior to WrestleMania.
After spending all of 2024 out of action following knee surgery, Charlotte returned to the ring in the 2025 women’s Royal Rumble match. She won the Rumble and earned a WWE Women’s Championship shot at WrestleMania 41, where Stratton defeated Charlotte to retain.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the whole Tiffany Stratton/Charlotte Flair disaster on SmackDown, Kevin Owens’ injury, a full recap of AEW Dynasty, New Japan big show notes, SmackDown, and tons more.
A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: What happened with Charlotte Flair & Tiffany Stratton on WWE SmackDown
After all she’s been through recently, Charlotte Flair feels like she’s in the middle of her biggest comeback yet.
Charlotte spent the entirety of 2024 out of action due to a tornACL, MCL, and meniscus. At the same time as she was recovering from knee surgery, Charlotte was going through a divorce from WWE star Andrade. She filed for divorce in June 2024, but the news was not made public until earlier this year.
During an appearance on “Sherri” with Sherri Shepherd, Charlotte opened up about the difficult year she had. She felt like she was failing in all aspects of her life. And with this being her third divorce, Charlotte was embarrassed by the comparisons she knew people would make to her father’s failed marriages.
“I felt like I was failing at my job, I felt like I was failing in my personal life. And the embarrassment of being divorced again and then being compared to my father. Hold on, let me gather myself,” the visibly emotional Charlotte said. “When I made the decision to file for divorce, the only thing that I kept thinking was like, I just didn’t want anyone to know. Like, ‘Oh my gosh, I have failed again.’ And then my knee and then I think, you know, as women — I think men, too — but it’s like, everyone’s probably thinking, ‘Well, she’s going to come back a year older. She’s going to come back less than. She’s coming back off this knee injury.’ And, unfortunately, the WWE audience hasn’t gotten to see the comeback of Charlotte Flair. This wasn’t a Charlotte Flair redemption story. But for me, it’s a redemption story for me, because everything that I have feared or been scared of or embarrassed of publicly. Because everyone has an opinion, even if they don’t know the facts.”
The process was difficult, but Charlotte feels like she has now found her worth. She returned to the ring this February and won the women’s Royal Rumble, earning a title shot against WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41.
“It’s ok not to be ok, that’s what I learned. It’s ok to take a moment, take a breather, to start over. And I was able to keep the divorce a secret until I came back, won the Royal Rumble, and then I was on Monday Night Raw,” Charlotte told Sherri. “And then, boom, everything hits the media. Everything that I had been scared of hit that day. And I was like, ‘The fight’s over. I have nothing to fight. This is me, this is who I am, I’m standing in my worth, and people can have their opinions.’ I think to the audience who watches wrestling, they don’t know what Charlotte has been through to get to where she is. But I know. So for Ashley, this is my biggest comeback yet.”
The title match between Stratton and Charlotte is fast approaching with WrestleMania being held at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20.
Charlotte Flair is looking forward to “creating more magic” at WWE Evolution if the return of the event comes to fruition.
Though not officially announced yet, the all-women’s PLE is expected to make its return this summer. The rumored date for the show is Saturday, July 5 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The inaugural Evolution event took place in 2018 with a Last Woman Standing match between Charlotte and Becky Lynch being one of the top bouts on the card. Charlotte told the Daily Mail that it’s one of her favorite matches of her career.
“One of my favorite matches is from the first Evolution. Becky Lynch, Last Woman Standing. One of my top three favorite matches,” Charlotte said. “There’s always rumors that it’s happening, so until it happens, I can’t say yet because we don’t know. Y’all are the ones with the scoop!”
Charlotte thinks bringing back Evolution is a great idea, but she believes the goal for the women’s division is still having more main events and storylines on all WWE shows.
“No, I mean, I think it’d be great if we have it,” she told the Daily Mail. “But I still think the goal is to have more main events and more storylines and so on. The magic that I created on the first one, if it comes to fruition, I look forward to creating more magic on Evolution 2.”
When Evolution happens, Charlotte could be defending championship gold. She won the 2025 women’s Royal Rumble match and is set to challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 41 later this month.
On a new WOL, it’s results and news from wrestling cards all over the world.
WWE SmackDown took place in front of a raucous crowd in Barcelona, Spain, that saw new Tag Team Champions crowned and a wild brawl between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte.
We saw the quarterfinals of the New Japan Cup with emotional matches between former tag team partners and Blue Thunder trying for the IWGP crown.
We also talk about the bloody ending to TNA Sacrifice in San Antonio, the finals of The 2025 Stardom Cinderella tournament, AEW Collision, and Defy set to crown a new champion.
Charlotte Flair is back — and she’s already secured a Women’s Championship shot at WrestleMania 41.
In her first match since December 2023, Charlotte won the women’s Royal Rumble on Saturday night. The final three left at the end of the match were Charlotte, NXT star Roxanne Perez, and Nia Jax. After Charlotte dumped Jax out of the ring, she followed up with a big boot on Perez to eliminate her and get the victory.
This was Charlotte’s first time competing since suffering a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus 13 months ago. Her return was advertised in advance with Charlotte being announced as one of the participants for the Rumble. She entered at number 27 and wore a brace on her left knee for the match.
With her victory, Charlotte is now the first woman to win the Royal Rumble twice. Her previous win happened in 2020.
WWE has not yet confirmed which champion Charlotte will be challenging at WrestleMania. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley of Raw and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton of SmackDown are the current title holders.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including full results from the NXT PPV on Saturday, Charlotte’s injury, more on the departure of Kevin Sullivan, ratings, pro-wrestling demographics, the Collision report and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: World Tag League update
3:34: WWE NXT Deadline report
35:43: Charlotte Flair injured
38:19: Injury rates in AEW and WWE
43:00: Fallout from Kevin Sullivan (production) being fired by AEW
It’s Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley, the last WOL of 2022.
We go out in style with SmackDown and the return of John Cena and Charlotte, an attack by Uncle Howdy and jealousy in The Bloodline. We’ll preview AEW’s swing through the northwest this week with Seattle on Wednesday and Portland, OR on Friday.
It’s New Year’s Rasslin Eve. Who’s the wrestler of the year? Match of the year? What was the trend in wrestling in 2022. What do those terms even mean? We’ll wrap up looking at the good things in wrestling this past year and look forward to 2023. Happy New Year, everyone!
SmackDown’s go-home show for Survivor Series takes place at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut tonight.
Last week, Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Xavier Woods ended in a disqualification after The Usos interfered. Reigns had promised to bend the knee if he lost to Woods. After the match, Reigns posed in the ring on one knee as The Usos placed Woods’ crown on his head.
Reigns takes on WWE Champion Big E in a non-title match at Survivor Series this Sunday.
Sasha Banks goes one-on-one with Shotzi tonight. Shotzi attacked Banks a couple of weeks ago and gave her a vicious beatdown to set up the match. Banks and Shotzi are both members of SmackDown’s Survivor Series women’s team.
It will be Banks, Shotzi, Shayna Baszler, Natalya & Toni Storm vs. Raw’s Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Zelina Vega on Sunday.
The final member of SmackDown’s men’s team will be determined by a fatal four-way match on tonight’s show. Ricochet, Cesaro, Sheamus, and Jinder Mahal will face off in the match. The winner will join Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Woods, and Baron Corbin on Team SmackDown. They’ll be facing Raw’s Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Austin Theory at Survivor Series.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped the Roman Reigns and King Xavier Woods match from last week. It highlighted Reigns posing on one knee while the Usos placed Woods’ crown on his head.
Roman Reigns And The Usos Segment
The Usos were already in the ring to start SmackDown. They set the ring up with a throne, scepter, and crown. Jimmy noted Roman Reigns is about to come to the ring, and they have a surprise for him.
First, they addressed their match against RK-Bro at the Survivor Series on Sunday. The Usos then gave Reigns a grand introduction, and he walked to the ring with Paul Heyman. The fans gave Reigns a mixed reaction.
Heyman took the mic and noted they worked on the surprise all week. He praised Reigns and called him the true king.
Heyman believes the fans agree that the title of King doesn’t belong to Xavier Woods, Brock Lesnar, or Big E. He promised that Reigns would smash Big E at the Survivor Series.
Reigns took the mic and asked who’s idea it was to set the ring up with a throne and crown. Heyman pointed at the Usos.
Reigns noted he took the crown last week but didn’t need it. Reigns demanded the fans acknowledge him, and he got a mixed reaction with lots of cheers.
Woods music hit, and he walked out onto the stage. Woods noted having the crown doesn’t make him the king. He told Reigns to meet him face to face without the Usos to prove that he’s a real man.
Woods claimed he didn’t care about the crown and the other stuff in the ring. Reigns didn’t believe him and had the Usos destroy the scepter and throne. Reigns mocked Woods and questioned him again. Reigns placed the crown on the ground and went to stomp it, but Woods ran into the ring.
The Usos jumped Woods and beat him down in the corner. Reigns got in Woods’s face and noted he’s the one and only king. Reigns also doesn’t need props. Reigns then stomped on the crown.
They recapped Jeff Hardy defeating Sami Zayn last week. Michael Cole noted there’s one spot left on Team SmackDown.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed King Woods. He promised to confront Reigns in the ring later tonight.
Fatal Four-Way Match Winner Added To Team SmackDown: Sheamus defeated Ricochet, Cesaro, and Jinder Mahal (w/Shanky) (10:59)
This was a good opener and a fun fatal four-way.
Sheamus backed Ricochet into the corner while Cesaro brawled with Mahal on the other side of the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro went face-to-face, but Mahal jumped Cesaro. The heels worked together against Cesaro. Sheamus dumped Cesaro out of the ring, and the heels isolated Ricochet.
Mahal set up Ricochet so Sheamus could beat him in the chest. Sheamus started hitting Ricochet, but Mahal rolled Sheamus up for a near fall. Sheamus recovered and beat Mahal in the chest instead. Cesaro jumped Sheamus and went for the giant swing, but Sheamus broke free.
Ricochet took out Sheamus with a springboard dropkick. He then sent Cesaro outside the ring and hit a huge dive onto all opponents on the floor.
Back from the break, Ricochet and Cesaro fought on the top rope. Sheamus and Mahal fought on the top rope on the other side. Time froze for a second as Sheamus gave Mahal a superplex. Ricochet then gave Cesaro a hurricanrana off the top rope.
Sheamus went for a power slam, but Ricochet countered with a DDT. He followed up with a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Mahal took out Ricochet, but Cesaro caught him in the giant swing. Cesareo transitioned into the Sharpshooter.
Ricochet took out Shanky at ringside and calmly stepped into the ring. He rocked Cesaro with kicks to break the hold. In an awesome spot, Ricochet hit the 630 splash on Mahal but walked into the Brogue kick from Sheamus.
Cesaro broke up the pin attempt, but Sheamus fought back. Sheamus leaped off the top rope, but Cesaro caught him with an uppercut. Ridge Holland ran down to ringside and tried to distract Cesaro.
Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick, but Cesaro avoided and rolled him up for a near fall. Holland interfered again, and Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Cesaro for the win. Sheamus joins Team SmackDown at the Survivor Series.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Jeff Hardy. Hardy praised Drew McIntrye and is excited to be his partner. He’s also certain that King Woods is going to get revenge on Roman Reigns. Hardy turned his attention to Happy Corbin.
Corbin and Madcap Moss approached and made a bad joke about Hardy. Adam Pearce walked up and was frustrated they weren’t taking this seriously. He announced Hardy vs. Moss for later tonight.
In the back, Megan Morant spoke with Sheamus and Ridge Holland. Sheamus mentioned Holland praising him the last few weeks. Holland praised Sheamus again and called him his idol. Holland noted if anyone has a problem with them, they can find them at the pub.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee discussed the Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch Survivor Series match. Cole claimed everyone in the media is talking about this feud.
They showed an excellent video package on the Flair and Lynch feud. It mentioned their friendship and becoming bitter rivals. It included the controversial segment where Flair didn’t hand over the belt to Lynch.
This was a bad match. They got no time, and the finish came out of nowhere. It seemed like a fast count from the referee, but that wasn’t clear at the time.
They recapped Aliyah pinning Natalya last week and Deville removing her from Team SmackDown.
Natalya backed Aliyah in the corner. Aliyah fought back and caught Natalya with a unique hurricanrana. The faces briefly ran wild on the heels. Baszler backed Naomi in their corner. Suddenly, Natalya pinned Naomi with a fast count from the referee.
In the back, Sami Zayn complained to Sonya Deville about the conspiracy against him. Deville pointed out that was Adam Pearce and not her. Deville noted Survivor Series is the 25th anniversary of The Rock’s debut. Deville announced a 25-man battle royal and put Zayn in the match. She claimed that Zayn would be on Rock’s level if he won.
The referee approached Deville and asked if she did a good job. Deville claimed not to know the referee and said she doesn’t associate with crooked referees.
Jeff Hardy (w/Drew McIntrye) defeated Madcap Moss (w/Happy Corbin) (1:28)
Hardy and Moss didn’t get any time either, and the finish came out of nowhere.
Before the match, Hardy noted the odds were against him, so he brought out McIntrye to be in his corner. McIntyre gave his sword to Pat McAfee to take care of during the match.
Moss jumped Hardy for the early advantage. Hardy fought back and hit the basement dropkick. He followed up with the twist of fate and climbed the top rope. Corbin interfered, but McIntrye attacked him and threw him over the announce table.
Hardy tried to recover, but Moss cut him off. Hardy then rolled up Moss with a small package for the win.
After the match, McIntrye gave Corbin the Claymore Kick, and Hardy hit the Swanton Bomb.
In the back, Kayla Braxton approached Paul Heyman. Heyman noted that Roman Reigns doesn’t need the Usos. He then accepted Woods’s challenge for later.
Nakamura and Angel had another quick match that didn’t get a chance to develop.
Angel rocked Nakamura with a dropkick at the bell. On commentary, Michael Cole noted Los Lotharios were upset that People magazine named Paul Rudd the Sexiest Man Alive, and they showed a photoshopped cover featuring Los Lotharios instead.
Nakamura sent Angel to the floor and caught him with a knee off the apron. Humberto grabbed Nakamura’s leg, but Boogs grabbed him and gave him a suplex on the floor. Nakamura then hit the Kinshasa on Angel for the win.
In the back, Shotzi and Sasha Banks got in each other’s face. Sonya Deville made them promise to shake hands after their match.
Sasha Banks defeated Shotzi (11:05)
Banks and Shotzi had a fine match that dragged at times. The fans were pretty dead by this point.
Banks and Shotzi pushed each other at the start of the match. Banks took over and hit the Three Amigos suplexes. The fans broke into a brief “Eddie” chant. Banks went for the frog splash, but Shotzi avoided the move.
They brawled at ringside. Shotzi trapped Banks’ arm in the steps and stomped on it several times. Shotzi had the brief advantage until Banks fought back and hit a Meteora off the apron.
Back from the break, Banks was firmly in control. Shotzi fought back and attacked the arm to take over. Banks recovered and sent Shotzi headfirst into the turnbuckle. She followed up with the double knees and the Meteora for a close near fall.
Shotzi attacked the arm again and hit the sliced bread for a near fall. Shotzi continued to target the arm and threw Banks into the ring post. She followed up with the ball pit, but Banks rolled to the floor.
Banks recovered and locked on the Bank Statement for the win. After the match, Banks and Shotzi shook hands, but Banks then hit the backstabber. Banks walked off and noted to Sonya Deville that she shook her hand.
In the back, Paul Heyman told Roman Reigns it’s time to head to the ring. Reigns told The Usos to stay in the back.
They promoted Xia Li’s upcoming debut with an awesome comic book-style video. It told the story of Li’s father being the family protector until his death. The landlord was harassing the family, so Li took up her father’s role and beat up the landlord. This was similar to the short animated segment from Kill Bill Vol.1.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Toni Storm about joining Team SmackDown. They recapped Storm challenging Charlotte Flair last week. Storm demanded a title shot and mocked Flair. Flair approached and promised to deal with Storm after she defeats Becky Lynch on Sunday.
Roman Reigns-King Xavier Woods Confrontation
This was a good closing segment featuring Big E’s surprise appearance.
King Woods came to the ring. Woods noted The Usos interfered last week because Reigns can’t beat Woods on his own. Woods called out Reigns to prove him wrong.
Reigns walked to the ring with Paul Heyman. They stopped in front of the ring, and Heyman looked to the back. He called for the Usos, and Reigns smiled. However, The Usos didn’t come out.
Suddenly, Jey and Jimmy went flying out of the entrance. Woods stood in the ring with his arms crossed and a huge smile across his face. Big E’s music hit to a big pop from the fans. Big E and Reigns ran at each other and brawled around ringside.
Woods and Big E hugged in the ring and beat down Reigns together. The Usos recovered and ran into the ring, but Big E hit the Big Ending on both. Woods followed up with a dive wiping the Usos out. Reigns jumped back in and hit the Superman Punch on Big E.
Reigns set up for the spear, but Big E caught him in the Big Ending. Reigns slipped out the back and ran off. Big E posed in the ring with the WWE Championship while Reigns held up the Universal title in the aisle to end SmackDown.
The amazing story on the life of Angelo Mosca, CFL legend, pro wrestling main eventer. His famous hit on Willie Fleming, feud with Joe Kapp, the 2001 old man fight all detailed. How Mosca got into pro wrestling, whatever happened to Angelo Jr., why he didn’t play in the NFL, and his biggest career matches. Mosca’s run in Toronto as the perennial Canadian champion
Previews of AEW Full Gear and WWE Survivor Series, business notes, ticket sales, secondary market, lineups and movie theater business
Lots more regarding who was let go by WWE
Ticket sales for major upcoming WWE & AEW shows, including notes on the head-to-head markets
More on Bryan Danielson’s decision to come to AEW
UFC in MSG, two title bouts, $10 million gate
NJPW Power Struggle coverage, as well as Best of Super Juniors and Tag League, plus match of the year candidate
Myths and facts regarding alcohol abuse treatments
Ratings with segment-by-segment notes, international TV ratings
Another major star leaves CMLL
AAA TripleMania Regia, Omega, Velasquez, Munoz Brothers, LA Park and Marvel comic superstars
Stardom’s next PPV show
Mach Hayato, Japanese prelim wrestler who inspired pro wrestling and MMA superstars
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Bret Hart and Steve Austin will be the guests on tomorrow’s The Bump.
The latest WWE trademarks have been filed for the names Scrap Metal (various spellings), Daphanie LaShaunn, Dallas Irvin, Derek Sanders, and Adrian Butler.
WWE 2K22 on Twitter: “Looking for more info on #WWE2K22? We’ve got a few things we can share. Check back here on 11/18.”
Stephanie McMahon made Adweek’s list of the 34 Most Powerful Women in Sports.
Charlotte spoke to BT Sports, saying that nothing has been handed to her during her run in WWE and will always be motivated to want more. “Yes, it obviously does rub people the wrong way [her confidence],” she said (h/t Post Wrestling). But if I was a man, would it rub people the wrong way? I mean no one ever looks at a man and goes, ‘Why does he want to be the world champion again? He’s been on top all these years.’ Is it because I’m a woman? Because I’ve done it all? Because we have a smaller division? Why? What? Charlotte’s difficult? It is because I stand up for what I believe in? That makes me difficult? But if I was a man I’d have big balls, right? No. I know how good I am, man or woman, I’m the best. No but really, it is because I’m a woman? That’s what — so I’m just supposed to come this far to come this far and be like, ‘Yup, all right. Take my spot. All these years of hard work, please, just take it.’ No. If you’re gonna take it, take it. But you’re gonna have to take it from me.”
Damian Priest spoke to Metro about the latest WWE releases. “That’s the unfortunate part of life,” he said. “Especially in a business where you’re living your dream – so it hurts, because we care about these people. We know they’re hurting, so we hurt. It’s unfortunate. It’s like that survivors guilt – you feel guilty, but at the same time… it’s an odd feeling. But then you come to the realisation – wait a minute, these are all incredible people! They’re gonna be fine! There’s that positive, and that’s always my sentiment. Well, now the world is yours. Go out and grab it!”
Jeff Hardy also spoke to Metro, expressing interest in doing a Bob Ross alter ego.
A GoFundMe has been launched for Chris Dickinson, who wrote on Twitter that he dislocated his leg out of his hip socket after a frog splash at NJPW Battle in the Valley this past weekend. He is expected to be out for 5-6 months.
Charlotte Flair made her return to WWE TV tonight on Raw, making it clear she was not happy about not being a part of WrestleMania 37.
Prior to tonight’s Raw Women’s title rematch between Rhea Ripley and Asuka, Charlotte made her way to the ring. She said she should have been at WrestleMania, saying it was not her fault that Asuka ignored her challenge or that Lacey Evans would wind up getting pregnant. She said that she would no longer be humble. She also said that she doesn’t steal opportunities from fan favorites because she is the opportunity, and she would no longer apologize for being as good as she is.
Charlotte later ran out during the Raw Women’s title match and attacked both women, ending the match. She then laid both women out, standing tall as her music played.
After Charlotte had challenged Asuka for the Raw Women’s title last month, she was sidelined due to testing positive for COVID-19. As a result, Ripley challenged Asuka to a match at WrestleMania. Asuka accepted, leading to the match this past Sunday where Ripley pinned Asuka to win the Raw Women’s Championship for the first time.
Rhea Ripley made an appearance on Raw tonight, challenging Charlotte Flair to a match at WrestleMania 36.
After saying she needed more time to think about her WrestleMania opponent last week, Charlotte appeared on Raw this week and started to talk about who she should challenge after winning this year’s Royal Rumble match. She mentioned that she is a ten time champion, and has also defeated both Raw Women’s champion Becky Lynch and SmackDown women’s champion Bayley in the past.
NXT champion Rhea Ripley then came out. She told Charlotte that there is one person she hasn’t beaten, and that is herself. She also mentioned that she is the one that has a win over Flair. Ripley then issued the challenge for WrestleMania.
Charlotte didn’t answer her, leaving the ring.
The two, representing NXT (Ripley) and Raw (Charlotte), faced off at Survivor Series in an elimination match that also featured a team from SmackDown. While Charlotte was eliminated by SmackDown’s Lacey Evans, NXT won the match with Candice LeRae, Io Shirai and Ripley surviving.
WWE’s revived version of Starrcade, essentially a glammed up house show, airs tonight on the WWE Network.
Three segments will be aired live. One will be a fatal four way tag team match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, with champions The Kabuki Warriors facing Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, Bayley & Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross.
Another match set is a last man standing bout between Bobby Lashley and Rusev. The two have been feuding for a number of weeks, with the catalyst being Lana dumping Rusev for Lashley. The two ended up having a huge brawl this past week on Raw, with Rusev sending Lashley through a platform off the Raw stage.
One non-wrestling segment is also set for the show, with Ric Flair being announced as a guest for the Kevin Owens Show.
Join us for live coverage starting at 7 p.m. EST.
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Kevin Owens came out for his show and quickly introduced Ric Flair.
Flair started to give a speech about Starrcade but the crowd chanted “we can’t hear you”. Owens traded him microphones. He brings up what Roman said on Thursday and says he we might not like each other, but we are family. He said he was lucky to be here, look at his daughter. He thanks Harley Race and mentions their match at the first Starrcade, as well as Dusty Rhodes, who came up with the idea. He also brought up Sting.
He said behind that curtain tonight there are 30 people who want to go out there and prove they are the best. Owens says that is because of Flair’s legacy. Owens told Flair he wants to hear a “woo”.
They counted three, but at three the OC (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) came out. They should be celebrating that Gallows & Anderson are the best tag team. Kevin Owens threw a bald joke at them. Anderson said that they should spend the next 55 minutes airing O.C. highlight clips. Owens said that instead maybe they should show footage of AJ Styles losing the United States title to Rey Mysterio on Raw this past Monday.
This brought out The Street Profits. Montez Ford said they should make some highlights here tonight in “Atlanta”. This all leads to a tag match.
The Street Profits defeated The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Profits get the early advantage on Anderson before he tags in to Gallows. Ford is distracted long enough on the apron by Anderson to eat a boot by Gallows that sends him to the floor. Anderson works on him back in the ring as he tags back in Gallows.
Ford made the hot tag to Dawkins who ran wild on both men before being taken down by a spinebuster from Anderson. Both Anderson & Gallows went for the magic killer on Dawkins, but Ford breaks it up. He took out Gallows on the outside, then was tagged in for a frog splash and got the win. Basic match, though the crowd was into it.
Ric Flair celebrated with The Street Profits after the match.
Sasha Banks met up with Bayley backstage. Bayley says let’s just do what we do then get the hell out of here. Sasha said they would be double champions.
The Kabuki Warriors defeated Bayley & Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch & Charlotte and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles
The match starts out with some tentative back and forth and many tags. Charlotte and Asuka exchange strikes, with Charlotte getting the better of things. She went for a figure four, but Asuka shoved her away, allowing Sasha Banks to tag herself in.
Alexa Bliss is tagged in as she and Nikki worked over Sasha Banks. Bayley is tagged in and isolates Nikki briefly. Nikki tags in Becky Lynch, who is cut off by Bayley and Sasha.
Becky manages to escape from Bayley, but instead of tagging in Charlotte instead tags in Bliss. Bayley tags in Kairi as she put Alexa in a half Boston crab. Bayley & Sasha are back in and isolate Bliss. Bliss escapes momentarily, but Asuka grabs Bliss by the leg.
Bliss strikes Asuka with a forearm before tagging in Lynch, who takes out both Kabuki Warriors, Bayley and Sasha. Asuka breaks up a pin attempt by Becky with a running knee. Nikki tags herself in and hits a double crossbody on both Kairi and Asuka.
Everyone started hitting big moves at this point. Sane hit the insane elbow on Lynch, but Charlotte took out both Kabuki Warriors with a double spear. Charlotte was posted in the corner. Asuka missed a kick as Nikki rolled her up for a flash pin, but Asuka countered with the Asuka lock, giving her the submission win. This was another perfectly fine match, but there was nothing particularly interesting about it.
Bobby Lashley won the last man standing match I guess
Lana says she has some good news and some bad news. The good news is that she’s excited for this holiday season because she has a hot boyfriend and he is the gift that keeps on giving. She said Rusev never appreciated her. Fans chanted “Rusev day”.
She said the bad news was that there would be no Last Man Standing match. She went to court in Georgia today and filed a restraining order. She said Rusev day was cancelled and they would gladly take the win by forfeit. The referee raised Lashley’s hand.
At that moment, Kevin Owens came out. He said he’s not ending the show like this. He said no one cares about their stupid relationship. He ran down the fact she doesn’t use her accent anymore. Lashley told him to get in the ring, and he obliged, leading to a match.
Bobby Lashley defeated Kevin Owens by DQ
Owens hit a few cannonballs in the corner and went for a stunner but Lashley rolled out of the way. Owens wiped out Lashley with a senton off the apron. Lashley got the heat after tripping Owens on the apron.
Owens eventually reversed a suplex attempt from Lashley, but Lashley remained in control. Owens fought back with tops, but was quickly taken down again. Lashley went for a superplex, but Owens fought him off, sent him to the floor and hit a senton. He followed with a bullfrog splash off the opposite corner for a nearfall.
Lashley blocked a stunner attempt with a neckbreaker but Owens reversed it into a stunner. Lana distracted the referee, which led to Owens being distracted and walking into a spinebuster. Lana introduced a steel chair but Rusev came through the chair and assaulted Lashley for the DQ. This was another good match until the finish.
Rusev brawled around the ring with Lashley after the match, then took him into the crowd. Lashley cut him off back in the ringside area and threw him into the steel steps. In the ring, Lashley beat him with a kendo stick until Lashley grabbed it from him and began pelting Lashley with strikes. Rusev attacked Lashley with a chair then drilled him with a machka kick while Lashley was holding a chair, sending him out of the ring.
The show ended with Rusev leaving through the crowd to avoid being arrested, I guess.
Charlotte is once again a champion in WWE, while the Kabuki Warriors have claimed their first title as a tag team.
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) defeated Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross tonight at Hell in a Cell in a match announced just hours before the show started. Asuka gave Cross the green mist, then pinned her following a kick to the head. Bliss and Cross had held the titles for 62 days, winning them on the August 5 edition of Raw, defeating Peyton Royce and Billie Kay.
Meanwhile, Charlotte defeated Bayley to win the SmackDown Women’s championship, submitting her with the figure eight. This match was added to the show after SmackDown’s debut on FOX, where Charlotte pinned Bayley in a tag team match.
This is Charlotte’s fifth reign with the SmackDown Women’s championship. With her 4 Raw Women’s titles and her single NXT Women’s title, Charlotte is now a ten time champion.
