Bayley did end up wrestling on tonight’s Clash of Champions, but was met by her former tag team partner following the match.
WWE explained on tonight’s pre-show that Nikki Cross, Bayley’s original opponent, would be unable to compete on tonight. Bayley came out and after quickly opening and closing the door on a potential replacement, insisted her hand be raised as the winner.
Asuka, who earlier in the show defeated Zelina Vega to retain the Raw Women’s championship, came out and attacked Bayley, leading to a short SmackDown Women’s championship match. Asuka won the match by DQ after Bayley struck Asuka in the back with a chair.
Bayley went on to continue attacking Asuka after the bell when Sasha Banks, wearing a neckbrace, returned and attacked Bayley with a steel chair of her own. Bayley got the upper hand at one point, introducing a kendo stick. Banks fought back, but Bayley managed to escape before Banks could use a steel chair.
In addition to Cross, both Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax were out of tonight’s show. Their match against The Riott Squad did not go on as scheduled.
Sami Zayn is WWE’s new undisputed Intercontinental Champion.
In the opening match of tonight’s Clash of Champions main card, Sami Zayn defeated Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles in a triple threat ladder match to win the Intercontinental title. Zayn got the win after spots where he handcuffed both of his opponents.
Zayn handcuffed Hardy to a small ladder by using the piercing in Hardy’s earlobe. Soon after that, Zayn stopped Styles from climbing a ladder by handcuffing himself to Styles. Styles tried to climb the ladder despite being handcuffed to Zayn. Hardy got back into the ring while struggling to deal with the ladder that he was handcuffed to. Zayn then revealed that he had the key to the handcuffs in his mouth. He freed himself, handcuffed Styles to the ladder, and retrieved both Intercontinental title belts that were hanging above the ring.
Zayn was interviewed after the match and said he didn’t recapture anything — the title has been his all along and he’s still Intercontinental Champion.
Zayn returned to WWE television last month still claiming to be the rightful Intercontinental Champion. With Zayn having not appeared since retaining the title against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 36, the Intercontinental Championship was declared vacant in May. Styles became Intercontinental Champion by winning a tournament in June but lost the title to Hardy on the August 21 episode of SmackDown.
The winner of tonight’s ladder match had to retrieve both Hardy’s Intercontinental title belt and Zayn’s old title belt.
On the Clash of Champions pre-show, WWE announced how they’re handling the situation with two scheduled matches being off tonight’s card.
WWE announced on the pre-show that Nikki Cross, Shayna Baszler, and Nia Jax aren’t medically cleared to compete at Clash of Champions. Bayley was scheduled to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross at tonight’s pay-per-view. Baszler & Jax were supposed to defend their Women’s Tag Team titles against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan.
It was said that Bayley is in the building and will still appear at Clash of Champions. WWE.com wrote that Bayley will “address the SmackDown Women’s Championship situation tonight on WWE Clash of Champions with her opponent unable to compete.”
WWE also noted that the situation surrounding the Women’s Tag Team titles will be addressed on tomorrow night’s episode of Raw.
Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship defense against Zelina Vega was originally supposed to be tonight’s pre-show match, but that’s been moved to the main card. Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Lucha House Party for the SmackDown Tag Team titles is now taking place on the pre-show.
Nearly every main roster title in WWE will be on the line at Clash of Champions tonight.
The WWE Championship will be up for grabs as Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match. In the Universal Championship match, Roman Reigns will defend his title against his cousin Jey Uso.
Bayley was scheduled to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross, but that won’t be happening with Cross off tonight’s show. Whether or not Bayley will get a new opponent remains to be seen. Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax are off the show tonight as well. They were scheduled to defend their titles against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan.
The Intercontinental title will be on the line in a triple threat ladder match between Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, and Sami Zayn, Asuka will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Zelina Vega, and Apollo Crews will challenge Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship.
The Street Profits vs. Andrade & Angel Garza for the Raw Tag Team titles and Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Lucha House Party for the SmackDown Tag Team titles are tonight’s tag team title matches.
Tonight’s pre-show will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card then kicking off at 7 p.m. Eastern.
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Pre-Show
The pre-show started with Charly Caruso and the panel featuring Booker T, JBL, and Pete Rosenberg. Booker T briefly mentioned Retribution and T-Bar. He noted he has immunity tonight. Booker hopes that Retribution shows up.
Caruso announced that Nikki Cross, Nia Jax, and Shayna Baszler are not medically cleared.
Their matches are not taking place. They’ll address the tag-team title situation tomorrow night on Raw.
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley is in the arena and will address her title match later. The panel ran down the line-up for tonight and noted the pre-show match is Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura against Lucha House Party.
They showed a great video package recapping Roman Reigns and Jey Uso’s feud. Paul Heyman narrated the video, which featured Afa, Sika, and Rikishi.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in the champion’s lounge. They were all drinking champagne. Braxton wondered if they’re celebration is premature. Cesaro noted victory is guaranteed. He mentioned that Lince Dorado and Kalisto haven’t been getting along.
Braxton pointed out that Lucha House Party defeated them a few weeks ago. They kicked her out of the lounge.
The panel discussed Bobby Lashley against Apollo Crews. They recapped Crews’ appearance on Raw Talk. JBL mocked Crews for wanting to win the title for his family. Booker thinks Crews should join up with The Hurt Business.
They then interviewed MVP. Booker buried Cedric Alexander and mocked him for his size and being from the suburbs. MVP defended Alexander and sees something in him. JBL asked MVP where he sees The Hurt Business in six months to one year. That seems like an impossible question to answer. MVP said they want to win more gold.
Caruso angered MVP when she said Crews might win tonight. MVP said that was impossible. It’s like sending Mark Henry out to fight a hurricane. Rosenberg brought up Retribution and asked if they’re a distraction. MVP disagreed. Caruso’s questions annoyed him, so he walked off.
24/7 Champion R-Truth showed up in disguise. They asked if he’s concerned about someone coming after his title tonight. He noted they’d have to find him more first.
Alyse Ashton interviewed Angel Garza & Andrade backstage. She asked how they can get on the same page without Zelina Vega. Garza noted they don’t need baggage holding them down. They realize that Vega was the one causing all the problems between them.
They’re on the same page now and vowed the win the Raw Tag Team titles tonight.
They recapped the feud between Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy, A.J. Styles, and Sami Zayn.
Zayn showed up and was furious that they referred to Jeff Hardy as the champion and not him. He noted he went to the production meeting earlier today to make sure Caruso referred to him as the champion.
Zayn was upset that Booker disagreed with him that he should be champion. He’s going to blame Booker if he doesn’t win the title tonight and walked off.
The panel threw it to SmackDown commentators Michael Cole and Corey Graves at ringside for the pre-show match.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Lucha House Party (w/Gran Metalik) to retain the titles
This was a fine match that picked up toward the end. The heels dominated the match for the most part.
Cesaro was firmly in control early in the match. Dorado and Kalisto worked together to take over. Kalisto hit a splash off of Dorado’s shoulders for a near fall. Cesaro briefly regained control, but Dorado hit a missile dropkick.
Nakamura rocked Dorado with a kick to the head, which knocked him to the floor. The heels isolated Dorado on their side of the ring and cut him off from his corner. Cesaro slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Dorado briefly fought back and hit a sunset bomb for a near fall. Cesaro regained control right away with a kick to the head for a two count.
Nakamura missed a running knee in the corner. Dorado fought back and hit a flying crossbody. Cesaro got the tag and knocked Kalisto off the apron. The heels took back over and continued to beat down Dorado.
Dorado fought back, and Kalisto got the hot tag. He hit a springboard flying crossbody and a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Cesaro. Dorado attempted the handspring stunner, but Nakamura blocked the move. Dorado slipped out the back and hit a backstabber instead.
In a cool spot, Kalisto attempted a tornado DDT onto Cesaro on the floor. Cesaro stopped the momentum of the move, but Dorado hit a dive, which enabled Kalisto to hit the DDT. Kalisto hit three moonsaults off of each turnbuckle on Cesaro for a near fall.
Nakamura yanked Dorado off the apron and took him out with a suplex on the floor. The finish came when Cesaro gave Kalisto the giant swing into a knee from Nakamura for the win.
The panel recapped the Drew McIntrye and Randy Orton feud and previewed the Ambulance match later.
Main Show
John Cena narrated the opening video, which was well done.
Triple Threat Ladder Match: Sami Zayn defeated Jeff Hardy and A.J. Styles to win the Intercontinental Championship
This was a great ladder match, although there were a few dangerous and painful-looking spots. All three worked hard in a hard-hitting match.
There were many ladders all around the ringside area, the ramp, and the stage. They showed clips of each competitor in previous ladder matches.
Hardy had the early advantage after hitting a bulldog/clothesline combo on Styles and Zayn. He tried bringing in a ladder, but Styles dropkicked the ladder into Hardy. Zayn then hit a moonsault off the ropes onto Styles.
Zayn beat down both Hardy and Styles with a ladder. He attempted to set up the ladder, but Hardy cut him off. Hardy then backdropped Zayn onto a ladder leaning against the ropes. The ladder ended up standing upside down. Hardy jumped off the second turnbuckle, but Styles moved, and Hardy crashed through the ladder. That looked like a painful spot.
Styles tossed Zayn into a ladder in the corner, and Zayn bounced off. Styles brought in a second ladder and set it up. He started to climb, but Zayn pulled him down. Styles fought back and rocked Zayn with a Pele kick.
Styles and Hardy fought on the top of the ladder. Styles knocked Hardy off the top.
Hardy recovered and yanked Styles down. Zayn jumped back in the ring and tossed out Hardy. He tried climbing up the ladder, but Styles prevented him.
Zayn fought back and gave Styles the exploder suplex onto the ladder in the corner. Zayn climbed the ladder, but Hardy stopped him. All three competitors ended up brawling around ringside.
Hardy jumped off the steps and hit Styles against the barricade. Zayn recovered and hit the helluva kick on Hardy. He jumped back in the ring and started climbing up. Suddenly, Styles threw a small ladder at Zayn. Zayn fell hard on the mat and grabbed his hand.
Hardy and Styles both climbed up the ladder. They traded hard shots on the top of the ladder. The ladder tipped over, and Hardy and Styles crashed down hard. The ladder landed right in front of Zayn.
In an awesome spot, Zayn climbed up the ladder, but Hardy grabbed his legs. Styles attempted the Phenomenal forearm, but Hardy hit Styles with the ladder mid-move.
Zayn tried climbing again, but Hardy pulled him down and hit the twist of fate.
In a scary-looking spot, Hardy ended upside down on the ladder as Zayn tipped it over. It’s unclear what they were trying to do, but Hardy fell to the floor, still trapped in the ladder. This looked dangerous, brutal, and painful.
Zayn and Styles fought around ringside. Zayn set up the ladder as a bridge between the apron and announce table. Styles hit a moonsault into the reverse DDT on the floor off the announce table.
Styles placed Zayn on the ladder bridge. Hardy recovered and nailed Styles with a ladder. In another crazy spot, Hardy hit a huge Swanton Bomb off the top of the ladder onto Zayn.
Styles recovered and took over. He climbed up a ladder in the ring, but Hardy pushed the ladder over. They piped in a fake “this is awesome” chant, although this match is pretty awesome.
Zayn regained control and beat down Styles and Hardy. Zayn then went back to his jacket and pulled out two handcuffs.
Zayn handcuffed Hardy through the piercing of his ear to a ladder. He then tried to handcuff Styles to the ropes, but he fought back. Styles sent Zayn headfirst into the ladder.
The finish was clever. Styles gave Zayn a suplex, but Zayn handcuffed himself to Styles. Styles tried to climb by dragging up Zayn. Hardy jumped back in the ring with the ladder still handcuffed to his ear. Zayn had the key in his mouth. He slipped out and handcuffed Styles to the ladder. Zayn then climbed up the ladder and pulled both titles down to win the match.
After the match, Kalya Braxton asked Zayn how it felt to win the IC title back. Zayn noted he never lost the title in the first place.
Drew Gulak defeated R-Truth to win the 24/7 Championship
R-Truth wandered into the referee’s lounge. He tried running away from the referees. In the background, Drew Gulak was doing some lunges. He rolled up Truth to win the title.
Tom Philips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe are the Raw commentators tonight.
Raw Woman’s Champion Asuka defeated Zelina Vega to retain the title
This was a fine match. The worked a slow pace, but it picked up towards the end.
Asuka was firmly in control early in the match. She mocked Vega and took her down. Vega fought back and worked over the arm. Asuka quickly regained control with a side headlock.
Vega fought out and attempted an arm drag. Asuka blocked and attempted an armbar, but Vega made it to the ropes. Vega tried to attack Asuka’s arm, but she sent her to the apron. Asuka followed up with a hip attack sending Vega to the floor.
Vega sent Asuka shoulder-first into the steps to take over. Vega slowed the pace down and went back to the arm. Asuka went for the Asuka Lock, but Vega rolled through and went for an armbar.
Asuka escaped and went for the Asuka Lock, but Vega rolled through. Vega hit a hurricanrana and double knees in the corner for a near fall. She followed up with a backstabber and a kick to the face for another near fall.
In a great series of moves, Asuka attempted the Asuka lock, but Vega rolled through for a close near fall. Asuka kicked out and reapplied the Asuka Lock for the win.
After the match, Charly Caruso interviewed Asuka in the ring. She said Vega’s like a firecracker. Vega teased shaking Asuka’s hand but bowed instead. Asuka bowed back, but Vega attacked her. Asuka snapped and yelled at Vega.
United States Champion Bobby Lashley (w/MVP & Shelton Benjamin) defeated Apollo Crews (w/Ricochet) to retain the title
This was a fine match.
Lashley had the early advantage until Crews sent him to the floor. Crews followed up with a moonsault off the apron. He then hit a high crossbody on Lashley for a near fall.
Lashley recovered and hit a flatliner for a near fall. Crews tried fighting back, but Lashly backed him in the corner. MVP mocked Crews as Lashley continued to beat him down.
Crews fought back and sent Lashley into the ring post. Crews fired up and made a comeback. He hit Lashley with an elbow and crossbody off the apron to the floor.
Crews rocked Lashley with an enziguri, a press slam, and standing moonsault for a near fall. Lashley recovered and hit a superplex for a close two count. Lashley attempted the dominator, but Crews slipped out and hit a standing shooting star press. He followed up with a frog splash for a near fall.
Lashley recovered and slammed Crews down to the mat. He then applied the Hurt Lock for the win.
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defeated Angel Garza & Andrade
This was a good match, but there was some confusion at the finish. Garza might have got injured, so the referee went to the finish.
The Street Profits had the early advantage. The heels took over after Ford missed a standing dropkick. They isolated Ford on their side of the ring and cut him off from Dawkins. Andrade placed Ford on the apron, and Garza rocked him with a running knee for a near fall.
Garza slowed the pace down with a side headlock. Ford fought out with a back suplex. Dawkins got the hot tag and ran wild on the heels. He hit a spinning splash in the corner, but Andrade hit a dropkick to regain control. He missed the double knees in the corner.
Garza hit a massive Spanish Fly on Ford for a very close near fall. Ford attempted the tag, but Andrade pulled Dawkins off the apron. Andrade regained control and hit the double knees on Ford for a close near fall.
Dawkins got the hot tag again. They seemed to screw up the finish. Dawkins hit a powerbomb on Andrade and scored the win, but Andrade kicked out. The referee counted three anyway and called for the bell. There seemed to be some confusion.
Garza might have suffered an injury, which is why the match ended the way it did. After the match, Andrade and the medical staff were checking on Garza at ringside.
They announced the two-night WWE Draft beings October 9th on SmackDown and continues on Raw.
R-Truth defeated Drew Gulak to win the 24/7 Championship
Kayla Braxton interviewed Drew Gualk in the back. He dedicated his win the Akira Tozawa, who was eaten by a shark last Monday. Suddenly, R-Truth showed up and pinned Gualk to win the title back.
Bayley Promo
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley made her way to the ring. She mocked Nikki Cross for not being able to compete tonight. Bayley offered to give anyone a title shot but quickly declared herself the winner when nobody came out.
The Raw Woman’s Champion Asuka’s music and she made her way to the ring to accept the challenge.
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley vs. Asuka
This was short and not much of a match with a lame finish.
Asuka hit the hip attack for a near fall. She attempted the Asuka Lock, but Bayley made it to the ropes. Bayley recovered and hit the back suplex for a near fall. Asuka fought back and hit the codebreaker on Bayley.
Bayley missed a sliding dropkick, and Asuka rocked her with a kick. She followed up with a German suplex on the floor. Bayley grabbed a chair and hit Asuka for the DQ.
After the match, Sasha Banks showed up and hit Bayley with a chair. Banks was still wearing the neck brace. Bayley and Banks brawled around ringside.
Bayley brought in a chair and a kendo stick. Banks fought back and beat Bayley down with the kendo stick.
Bayley escaped and ran off.
Ambulance Match: WWE Champion Drew Mcintrye defeated Randy Orton to retain the title
This was a good ambulance match. Mcintyre and Orton worked had and told a good story. Plus, it featured a few cameos that tied in the last few weeks of the story.
They started off trading hard shots at the bell. McIntrye had the early advantage as he gave Orton hard chops. Orton attempted the RKO, but McIntyre avoided. He ended up on the apron. Orton kicked the middle rope as McIntyre tried to enter the ring.
Orton set up for the punt when a hand suddenly grabbed his leg. The camera pulled back to reveal The Big Show. He pulled Orton out of the ring and gave him a chokeslam through the announce table. Show left as the match continued.
McIntyre was firmly in control as he dropped Orton on the barricade. McIntyre continued to beat down Orton as he carried him towards the ambulance. He sent Orton face-first into the ambulance door. McIntryre pulled out crutches and a chair from the ambulance.
McIntyre attacked Orton with the chair. Orton fought back with a crutch and rammed the chair into McIntyre’s broken jaw. Both Mcintyre and Orton ended up in the back of the ambulance.
They fought out of the ambulance. Orton took over and slammed McIntyre into the side of the ambulance.
Orton opened the front door of the ambulance and tried to do something. McIntrye fought back with a brutal head butt. In a cool spot, Mcintyre attempted the Claymore kick, but Orton moved, and he kicked the door off the hinges. He ended up hurting his knee in the process.
Orton was briefly in control until McIntyre slammed him on the front of the ambulance. They fought into the backstage area.
Orton threw McIntrye into the wall to take over.
Suddenly, Christian showed up and attacked Orton in the back. He beat down Orton and left. McIntrye regained control and rocked Orton with hard chops. They fought back towards the ambulance.
They ended up fighting on the hood of the ambulance. Orton poked McIntyre in the eye and slammed him on the windshield.
McIntyre’s back was all cut up from crashing on the windshield.
They ended up on top of the roof. McIntrye was dangling over the edge of the ambulance.
Orton stomped on his hands, and McIntyre crashed to the floor.
Orton was standing on the top of the ambulance, staring down at Mcintyre. Suddenly, Shawn Michaels appeared on the top of the ambulance. He rocked Orton with a superkick and pushed him off to the floor.
McIntyre tried to put Orton in the back of the ambulance. Orton fought out and hit the RKO on the floor.
Orton shoved McIntyre into the back of the ambulance. He tried closing the second door, but McIntyre reached out his hand to stop the door. McIntyre then hit the Claymore kick on Orton. He put Orton in the back of the ambulance and had the match won.
Instead of closing the doors, McIntyre pulled out Orton and gave him the punk kick. He then slammed the doors for the win.
After the match, Ric Flair showed up as the driver of the ambulance and drove off with Orton in the back.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Jey Uso to retain the title
This was a good match with a slow build that picked up towards the end. Reigns dominated the first half of the match but couldn’t put Uso away.
They locked up in the middle of the ring, and Reigns backed Uso into the corner. They locked up again, and Reigns threw him across the ring. Uso had a brief advantage until Reigns rocked him with a hard clothesline for a near fall.
Referee Charles Robinson admonished Reigns when he wouldn’t break on the count of five. Heyman yelled at Robinson. Reigns told Heyman he better take care of the referee, or he’ll have to deal with him.
Reigns was firmly in control as he beat down Uso around ringside. He slammed Uso head-first on the announce table. Reigns slowed the pace down with a chin lock.
Uso fought back with a Samoan Drop for a close near fall. He set up for the Rikishi splash in the corner but Reigns countered with the Superman Punch. They fought around ringside.
Reigns continued to dominate the match. Reigns told Uso he should have just taken the payday. Reigns kept trash talking Uso. Uso nailed Reigns with a chop, but it did not affect Reigns.
Uso fought back and sent Reigns shoulder-first into the ring post. He sent Reigns to the floor and hit a suicide dive. Uso followed up with a high crossbody for a near fall.
Uso then rocked Reigns with a superkick for a very close near fall. Reigns avoided the splash and hit the rough Ryder for a near fall.
Reigns attempted the spear, but Uso rolled him up for a near fall. Uso then hit the superkick and splash for a very close two count. As Reigns kicked out, he gave Uso a low blow.
Reigns then hit the spear but didn’t go for the pin. Reigns demanded that Uso call him his Tribal Chief. Uso refused, so Reigns hit a second spear but still didn’t go for the pin. Reigns demanded Uso acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief. Uso refused again.
Heyman yelled to Reigns that he’s his Tribal Chief. Reigns wants Uso to acknowledge it. Reigns snapped and viciously beat down Uso. Robinson pulled Reigns off. Reigns got in Robinson’s face and told him not to mess with him. He warned Robinson that this is family business.
Reigns continued to beat down Uso with hard shots viciously. Uso refused to give up. Reigns resumed rocking Uso with hards shots.
Jimmy Uso ran out and told his brother he’s going to throw in the towel. Jey begged his brother, not the throw in the towel. Reigns dragged Jey back to the middle of the ring and continued the beat down.
Jimmy couldn’t handle it anymore and threw in the towel. Jimmy acknowledged that Reigns is the Tribal Chief. Heyman placed Jey’s lei around Reigns’ neck, and he posed with the title over the fallen Usos.
WWE announced on the Clash of Champions pre-show that Nikki Cross, Shayna Baszler, and Nia Jax aren’t medically cleared to compete at tonight’s PPV.
It was said that the status of the Women’s Tag Team title match will be addressed on tomorrow’s Raw. Bayley is in the building and will address the status of her match on tonight’s PPV.
**********
Two matches scheduled for tonight’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view won’t be taking place as originally planned.
Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Nikki Cross is off Clash of Champions. She was scheduled to challenge Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship tonight. Additionally, Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax are off tonight’s pay-per-view. John Pollock of Post Wrestling first reported that the WWE Women’s Tag Team title match between champions Jax & Baszler against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan would not be taking place.
Meltzer mentioned that it is possible that Bayley may defend the SmackDown Women’s title tonight against someone else, but with both Jax and Baszler off, there won’t be a Women’s Tag Team title match.
Cross did not appear on Friday’s SmackDown show. She defeated Tamina, Lacey Evans, and Alexa Bliss in a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender on the September 11 edition of SmackDown.
The Riott Squad had defeated The IIconics to become the next challengers for the Women’s Tag Team titles. Due to the stipulations of that match, Peyton Royce & Billie Kay had to break up as a tag team.
A look at the Road Warriors, the biggest drawing tag team in pro wrestling history, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We talk about the birth of the team, the background of Joe Laurinaitis, the early days of Hawk, Animal and Rick Rude in pro wrestling, the role of Ole Anderson and Eddy Sharkey in the story, why the Road Warriors did and didn’t work certain territories, why they rarely worked with Bruiser Brody, why they ended up in AWA, JCP, and how they wound up with WWE. We also look at their departure from WWE, Animal leaving wrestling, and their return.
Also in this issue:
COVID in WWE, AEW and CMLL, changes that were made, why AEW and WWE had a breakout in the same week, how AEW is changing its procedures, the belief of how this all started and much more.
G-1 Climax tournament, with an overview of the first shows, this week’s lineups, standings, poll results, star ratings and more covering all the first week shows.
Sports news that affects WWE’s next television deal as well as shakeups at NBCU that also do. We look at a new WWE marketing idea, Stephanie McMahon’s stock sale, why WWE stock fell, Undertaker talks the end of his documentary, changes at NXT UK, What NXT UK talent were told at meeting this week, NXT UK Heritage Cup tournament, former WWE star talked about returning, more on the Retribution storyline, who is doing the rules and the story behind the finish of the Raw match. We also have international ratings notes, WWE up for awards, new WWE marketing ventures, Roman Reigns talks changes in his presentation, Dwayne Johnson talks, why Kane is in the news again, WWE market value as well as a look at the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.
Saturday’s UFC show and more thoughts on Colby Covington and the line between playing bad guy wrestler and being offensive is.
WWE’s next two major shows with the cards and backgrounds.
Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate show from this past week.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Clash of Champions, G-1 in Kobe, and the rest of the news tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio. I also have a show with Garrett Gonzalez from Friday night talking the week’s news including the Road Warriors, the Wednesday ratings ebbs and flows, how the COVID outbreak happened and why in AEW and WWE at the same time, and more. We are also scheduled for some special Hall of Fame shows this coming weekend.
Dana White last night talked about making a match with Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal. Originally he was planning on Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz for a January PPV show.
Dana White said that Conor McGregor broke the”man code” by releasing private text messages. McGregor claimed that he did so because White lied about saying he didn’t want to fight, proving they were talking about fighting on a show in May but UFC didn’t want him to fight until they could get fans back. White also said that McGregor texted he was retired and had no idea regarding the talks of a McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao boxing match. McGregor said that White, in fact, was involved in those talks.
Clash of the Champions starts at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on the WWE Network. We are doing weekend polls for three shows, Clash of Champions, today’s New Japan show from Kobe and last night’s UFC 253, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match for each to [email protected] The odds tell you how badly they’ve done convincing people these matches are competitive. The odds are from BetOnline and this show has the most one-sided odds since the days when the results would sneak out and gambling patterns from insider bettors ruled. Here, these one-sided odds are because in most of the undercard matches, nobody takes the challengers seriously.
Asuka vs. Zelina Vega for the Raw women’s title – This will be on the preshow. Asuka is a -1500 favorite to win. Asuka is one of the best workers in the company regardless of gender, but Vega is very much unproven in long singles matches so this is a big one for her.
Bobby Lashley vs. Apollo Crews for the U.S.title. Lashley is a -950 favorite. Crews is really good. If they have time it should be fine but Crews has not been portrayed in booking like he has a chance of winning.
Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Lucha House Party for the Smackdown tag titles. There is a ton of talent in this match, but once again, the challengers have been portrayed as guys getting squashed. The build for this match even more than any other has been beyond mystifying. Perhaps it’s to set up a “fluke” win. Still the champs are favored at -500.
Street Profits vs. Andrade & Angel Garza for the Raw tag titles. Andrade & Garza are -140 to win the match. They’ve wrestled many times before. It should be good.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sami Zayn vs. A.J. Styles for the IC title in a ladder match. Hardy is the king of ladder matches and I’ve seen Zayn have incredible ones over the years as well, and Styles is as good as anyone in WWE. Hardy is -125 as the favorite, Zayn is +150 ad Styles is +300. This should be one of the best bouts on the how.
Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso for the Universal title. The build for this match on Friday’s Smackdown was really good and Reigns is right now the best portrayed character in the company. And I would think these two in a co-main singles match should have a great match. Jey is really talented and his never gotten a chance to show it in this type of environment. Reigns is a -3500 favorite and literally nobody thinks the title is changing here.
Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title in an ambulance match. Ambulance matches in WWE are known for fluke endings. The idea of putting the title on Orton with a fluke and protecting McIntyre seems viable. Keith Lee has been part of this angle since the start and always on the short end. Orton is a -140 favorite to take the title.
Today’s G-1 had incredible matches with Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kota Ibushi to the surprise of almost nobody. The Kobe show on paper looked to be the best of the tour going in.
Last night’s UFC show did 2.million searches making it the most-searched topic on the Internet in the U.S. last night, beating out the Los Angeles Lakers. Conor McGregor was No. 14 with 100,000. The Charlo Brothers PPV last night didn’t even crack the top 20 which is really bad news for that show. The only other combat sport item all week to crack the top 20 was on Wednesday with the death of Road Warrior Animal at 200,000. Clash of Champions today should be expected to do around 200,000 based on prior shows of this caliber.
Raw tomorrow night not only has competition of the biggest NFL game so far this season, but also the biggest Monday Night game scheduled this season, as well as Game six of the Stanley Cup finals.
Miles Johns vs. Kevin Natividad was reported by MMA Junkie as a new fight for 10/31.
AEW
Dark for Tuesday:
Chuck Taylor & Trent vs. M’Badu & BShop King
Tay Conti vs. Red Velvet
Billy & Austin Gunn vs. Cezar Bononi & Shawn Dean
Penelope Ford vs. Alex Gracia
Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy vs. Alan Angels & Preston Vance of the Dark Order 5 & 10
Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall vs. Alex Reynolds & John Silver
Nyla Rose vs. Rache Chanel
Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison vs. Luther & Serptentico
Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian vs. Ryzin & Ray Rosas
MISCELLANEOUS
Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus is the Champion Carnival final and takes place 10/5 at Korakuen Hall.
A correction from the Observer. The Best of the Super Juniors tournament and New Japan tag team tournament are expected on the same tour, but not the next tour. It is scheduled for the final tour of the year. (thanks to Super J Cast).
Kailey Farmer, Kamille Brickhouse in the NWA, had a big night last night. She won the NPC Daytona Beach Classic bodybuilding show, and then while on stage right after winning, her boyfriend, NWA wrestler Thom Latimer, asked her to marry him. She accepted. Latimer was once married to Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte Flair).
IWA’s Double Death Match show scheduled for today was canceled because at least five people scheduled on the show either tested positive for COVID or were quarantining themselves after being exposed to someone who had tested positive.
Warrior Wrestling from last night in Chicago Heights, IL: Moose b Suicide, Mike Bennett b Cheeseburger, Isaias Velazquez b Travis Ttian, Rhino b Best Man, Air Wolf won six-way scramble match, Zachary Wentz b Blake Christian, Joey Janela b Robert Anthony in a street fight, Kylie Rae b Madison Rayne to keep the women’s title, Trey Miguel won the Warrior title in a three-way over champion Brian Pillman Jr. and former champion Brian Cage. Main event, Janela vs Anthony and Wentz vs. Christian were said to be the highlights. Janela did a flip off the goal posts on Anthony and Frank the Clown. (thanks to Lance LeVine)
SHWA from last night in Perth, Western Australia: Callum Collins b Chris Target, Chadwick Jackson & Stella Nyx b Del Cano & Ryan Allen, Dave Marshall b The Horde, Dizzy Videl b Pegasus, Pocket Rockets b James Hartness & Casey Johns, Great George b Toro Blanco, Felix Young b Axxton.
Australian Wrestling Superstars on 10/31 in Sydney will be the first show since the pandemic in New South Wales with a paying audience (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
AAW runs Thursday night at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL. With only 50 fans allowed the shows sold out instantly. It is available for $12.99 on FITE TV with Mance Warner vs. Jake Crist for the AAW title, Besties in the World vs. Ace Austin & Mad Man Fulton for the AAW tag titles, Christi Jaynes vs. Hyan, Skye Blue vs. Elayna Black, plus Hakim Zane, Karam, Matt Justice, Stephen Wolf, Gringo Loco, Steve Manders, Travis Titan, Air Wolf, Angel Dorado, Ace Perry and more.
The LFA runs Friday night at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS. They will also run 10/16 and 10/30 at the same location. All three events air at 9 p.m. Eastern on UFC Fight Pass. Kevin Wirth (8-1) vs Askar Askar (10-1) and Andre Fialho (10-3) vs. Antonio dos Santos Jr (8-4) headline Friday’s show.
The Los Angeles Times ran a story about a Lucha Libre drive-in show at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA put on by Fight Club OC. The show was in the parking lot of the fairgrounds . Fans were encouraged to honk their horns when the action got exciting. They did 173 cars in attendance using locals like Piloto Suicida, who dates back 30 years. A lot of the fans were Fight Club OC regulars who usually attend boxing and MMA shows. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
Eddie Kingston’s Grindhouse results from Tampa, FL: Joseph Black b Davey Vega, Troy Hollywood b Ariel Dominguez, Sean Maluta b Kody Lane, Jeremy Wyatt b Thomas Shire, Jon Davis b Fred Yehi
A former pro wrestling arena which ran ECW events and many other shows is being sold (thanks to Norm Connors)
The card for Sunday’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view is now up to nine title matches.
Bobby Lashley will defend his United States Championship against former champion Apollo Crews at Clash of Champions. Lashley defeated Crews at Payback last month to win the United States title.
Lashley vs. Crews was announced for Clash of Champions during tonight’s Raw. Crews defeated Lashley’s Hurt Business stablemate Cedric Alexander in a singles match on tonight’s show. After Alexander got in Ricochet’s face on the outside, Alexander got back in the ring and was rolled up by Crews. The Hurt Business then attacked Crews and Ricochet after the match. Lashley put Crews in a full nelson and MVP warned Crews that he’s got more of this coming on Sunday.
Here’s the updated card for Clash of Champions:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
United States Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Apollo Crews
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defend against Andrade & Angel Garza
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Zelina Vega (pre-show)
The Raw Women’s Championship will be on the line on the Clash of Champions pre-show.
Zelina Vega defeated Mickie James in a number one contender’s match on Raw tonight and will challenge for Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship on Sunday’s Clash of Champions pre-show. Vega got the win in tonight’s match after hitting a backstabber on James.
On Raw last week, Asuka retained her title against James. The match had an awkward finish where the referee stopped the match after Asuka put James in the Asuka Lock. Vega came out to the ring after that match and confronted Asuka. Vega said she’s ready for a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship, slapped Asuka, and then left the ring before Asuka could retaliate.
After Andrade & Angel Garza argued last week, Vega told them she can’t do this anymore and walked out on them. She wasn’t with Andrade & Garza during their number one contender’s triple threat match against Seth Rollins & Murphy and Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo on Raw tonight. Andrade & Garza got the win and will challenge for The Street Profits’ Raw Tag Team titles at Clash of Champions.
Here’s the updated card for the show:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
United States Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Apollo Crews
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defend against Andrade & Angel Garza
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Zelina Vega (pre-show)
A Tag Team title match is the latest addition to the card for Clash of Champions.
Andrade & Angel Garza will challenge for The Street Profits’ Raw Tag Team titles at Sunday’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view. That was confirmed when Andrade & Garza defeated Seth Rollins & Murphy and Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo in a triple threat number one contender’s match on Raw tonight.
Andrade & Garza won tonight’s match after Rollins walked out on Murphy. Andrade hit a back elbow on Murphy and then Garza gave Murphy the Wing Clipper to get the win.
Zelina Vega wasn’t with Andrade & Garza on tonight’s Raw after seemingly splitting up with them last week. After weeks of dissension between Andrade & Garza, there was a backstage segment last Monday where Vega yelled at Garza for flirting with Lana. Garza blamed Andrade for losing their non-title match against The Street Profits the previous week. When Garza and Andrade argued, Vega told them she can’t do this anymore and walked out on them. Andrade & Garza then brawled but were back teaming together tonight.
Vega is facing Mickie James on Raw tonight. The winner will challenge for Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship at Clash of Champions.
Here’s the updated card for Sunday’s PPV:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defend against Andrade & Angel Garza
Date: September 21, 2020 Location: Amway Center in Orlando, FL
The Big Takeaway —
Retribution finally had a match. It ended in a DQ.
Show Recap —
Retribution invaded Raw as soon as it started. There were five members all wearing new (ugly) masks. Tom Phillips frantically mentioned that the five core members have been given contracts which means they can do whatever they want to whoever they want.
Mia Yim spoke first (her mask barely covered her mouth/jaw so it was clearly her). She said the contracts weren’t going to stop them. Another member, likely Dominik Dijakovic, called the WWE wrestlers whores for collecting their paychecks.
They were interrupted by the Hurt Business who marched to the ring while Retribution escaped to ringside. MVP and Bobby Lashley threatened them. Suddenly, way more masked men appeared and attacked. Two members, likely Dijakovic and Dio Maddin, gave Lashley a double chokeslam as they went to break.
After a break, everyone was gone.
Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler are on commentary. Lawler couldn’t believe that Retribution were given contracts.
Sarah Schrieber asked Rey Mysterio about Dominik getting his first chance at a title shot. Rey said he made his mark in WWE as a tag team and it was an honour that Dominik could follow in his footsteps.
A couple of other notes about the opening segment: Mercedes Martinez was one of the other Retribution members. Also, the cameras were shaking violently even when they were just standing in the ring doing a promo.
Triple Threat Tag Team Match: Andrade & Angel Garza defeated Seth Rollins & Murphy and Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo (5:24)
The Street Profits joined commentary. Zelina Vega was not with Andrade and Garza.
(Carrillo was last on Raw on August 10 when he lost to Rollins in three minutes. Two weeks before that, he lost to Murphy. More recently, he has consecutive losses to Mustafa Ali and Riddick Moss on Main Event.)
Dominik and Carrillo each hit dives early in the match and Rollins appeared to be impressed, as were the Street Profits. The Profits said they would love to face Dominik and Carrillo. Dominik gave Andrade a Code Red but Garza broke up the cover.
Murphy nailed Andrade with a knee strike but as he crawled to make a cover, Rollins left. Rollins said he had better things to do.
Andrade gave Murphy a back elbow and Garza followed with a Wing Clipper for the pinfall win. Andrade and Garza face the Street Profits. Again. (Dominik and Carrillo were knocked out of the ring earlier and just never covered.)
Between July 20 and September 7, some combination of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins fought some combination of Andrade and Angel Garza in 8 out of 9 shows.
Retribution cut a promo backstage. Dijakovic did the talking. He said Hurt Business could have been part of the solution but were instead part of the problem because they bowed to WWE and took their money. Retribution said they would make Hurt Business pay… with retribution. (They teased that there would be a match tonight.)
The KO Show
Kevin Owens said it was time to move on from Captain Hot Topic (Aleister Black). He couldn’t believe it, but his guest tonight was Shane McMahon. Shane came out and they played “Shane O’Mac” chants.
Owens and Shane acknowledged their past. Owens was going to leave it in the past because tonight he had Shane on to plug Raw Underground. Shane talked about Dabba-Kato, who beat up Owens two weeks ago. Shane invited Dabba-Kato to the ring.
Owens knew this was going to happen which is why he willingly had Shane on as a guest. Owens didn’t forget about what Dabba-Kato did to him. Owens said he and Dabba-Kato would fight one day. Owens slapped him in the face before introducing his other guest — Braun Strowman.
Strowman entered and faced off with Dabba-Kato but Shane got in between them. Shane said if they wanted to fight, it wouldn’t be on the KO Show, it would be on Underground.
As Shane spoke, Aleister Black showed up, yanked Owens down and pulled him crotch-first into the ring post three times. (Black wore a covering over his eye even though it appeared to be fine last week.)
Charly Caruso asked Drew McIntyre about Keith Lee. McIntyre understood it was all business and everyone wanted to be WWE champion or else they wouldn’t be there. He said they would laugh about it over drinks one day, and those drinks would be on him after he beats Lee tonight.
Retribution beat up Titus O’Neil and Humberto Carrillo backstage.
Retribution vs. Hurt Business was made official for tonight.
Keith Lee defeated WWE Champion Drew McIntyre via DQ in a non-title match (11:44)
Lee drove McIntyre over the top rope using a running body block. McIntyre followed soon later with a backdrop onto the announce table (which didn’t break) and they went to break.
[Second hour]
McIntyre briefly stopped Lee’s comeback but Lee clocked him with a forearm to the injured jaw. Lee hesitated before making the cover for two. McIntyre came back with a spinebuster for two, followed by a neckbreaker for two. Lee blocked a DDT and used a slam for two, then hit a clothesline for two.
Lee set up for a spirit bomb but McIntyre slipped out and hit a Claymore kick. Randy Orton attacked McIntyre from behind with a steel chair for the DQ. (Yet another match Lee was about to lose.)
Orton drove the edge of the chair into McIntyre’s jaw before punting Lee in the head. Loud booing played as Orton stood tall.
Orton remained in the ring after a break. The crowd booing was still playing. Orton shamed the fans for doubting that he would make it to Clash of Champions. He was the one constant in WWE in the past 20 years. He has never walked away from a title shot and wasn’t about to.
He acknowledged that Sunday’s title match wasn’t a normal one and walked over to the ambulance that was parked by the stage (as a prop). As he was being carried away in the ambulance a few weeks ago, Orton realized what everyone must have felt like after being taken out by him.
He said ambulances meant different things to different people but to him, it represented a 14th world title. He said McIntyre’s title reign would flatline thanks to an RKO.
Schreiber asked Asuka who was the biggest threat between Mickie James and Zelina Vega. Billie Kay interrupted and mocked her for willingly defending the title against just about anyone. She wondered if even Schreiber would get a shot.
Peyton Royce showed up and said she should get a shot. Asuka wondered if they were still friends. Kay and Royce said they still had each others’ backs. Asuka said no one would be ready for her at COC and Royce was not ready for her tonight.
Zelina Vega defeated Mickie James (4:12)
There was a pre-taped James promo where she said she did not give up last week and would not give up going after the Women’s title.
Vega applied an octopus hold but James got out of it by ramming her into the corner. James blocked a kick and they exchanged rollups. James hit a series of kicks and a flapjack followed by a Thesz press off the top for a nearfall.
Vega blocked a DDT, yanked James into the ropes and hit a back cracker for the pinfall win. Vega wins clean and faces Asuka for the title at COC.
The Hurt Business beat up the secondary members of Retribution backstage. MVP asked Lashley and Shelton Benjamin if they had things handled (because Cedric Alexander has a match next). Benjamin said yes.
There was a Bianca Belair video. It was just her outworking some guy in the gym.
There was a dumb segment with R-Truth running from a shark at the beach where maybe Akira Tozawa was eaten by the shark.
MVP and Alexander were in the ring. MVP said Retribution would be facing them in a six-man match and they would find out why they were called the Hurt Business. He called Hurt Business the executioners.
Alexander said he found out the hard way how dangerous they were. Alexander let Apollo Crews know that tonight wasn’t about Crews getting revenge, this was about Alexander getting his revenge. Alexander said he didn’t care about Crews or his kids, which was a random line.
Crews and Ricochet entered. Crews didn’t care why Alexander did what he did and tonight would be a preview of Sunday when he becomes a two-time US Champion.
Apollo Crews (w/Ricochet) defeated Cedric Alexander (w/MVP) (7:56)
Crews used a baseball slide and they went to break less than 30 seconds into the match. Alexander was in control after the break. He used a Michinoku Driver for two. Crews came back with an enziguri, flying crossbody, Stinger splash and Samoan drop for two.
Alexander responded with a suicide dive. Ricochet got in his face so he told Ricochet to back off. Alexander slipped back in the ring and Crews caught him in a rollup for the pinfall win.
The Hurt Business music distracted Crews so Alexander attacked him from behind. They laid out Crews and Ricochet. Lashley put down Crews with a full nelson before leaving.
[Third hour]
Raw Underground
Dolph Ziggler and Arturo Ruas had a back-and-forth fight that Ziggler won with a sleeper.
Shane wanted to talk to Strowman but Strowman didn’t want to talk to him. Shane handed the mic to Briana Brandy who happened to be nearby and she asked a question instead. This tricked Strowman into speaking I guess. He threatened to beat everyone up and send them home with a pocket full of teeth and told Shane he should get in the ring if he wanted some.
Seth Rollins / Mysterio family segment
Rollins spoke about everything the Mysterio family has put him through. He went to WWE.com and noticed something that’s been bothering him about them. He showed a picture on the big screen and noted the difference between Rey and Dominik (presumably their height).
Rollins had some people do an investigation and had the results of that investigation in an envelope. He invited the Mysterio family out to hear it for themselves. They entered the stage. Rey threatened to beat him up.
Rollins tried to calm him down and said he respected them for standing together and overcoming adversity. Rollins said they deserved the truth.
Rollins had the results of a DNA test. He knew this was done once before but technology has changed so much. He had the truth on whether or not Rey was Dominik’s father.
Rollins said Rey was not the father. He laughed. Rey said they’ve been down this road before. It didn’t work then and it won’t work now.
Rollins realized he may have made a mistake when he asked the question to his investigator. Perhaps it was Aalyah who was not Rey’s daughter.
He had more evidence. He showed a replay of Aalyah checking on Murphy’s wellbeing last week. Rollins asked her what the deal was.
Rey told Rollins not to speak to her. Rey said they already spoke about what happened last week. He raised her to be caring and compassionate. He also noted that she was only 19 years old and didn’t know about this business.
Aalyah seemed offended by that comment and stormed to the back. Angie followed. Rey and Dominik followed too. Dominik looked back angrily at Rollins before leaving. Rollins acted sorry.
(Aalyah storming off after that comment felt very forced. Last week’s angle was nice and subtle. This was not.)
Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defeated Natalya & Lana in a non-title match (1:00)
Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan joined commentary. They stressed being a stronger team than Jax and Baszler despite how dangerous each of them were individually.
Baszler tapped out Lana quickly with the Kirifuda Clutch.
The champs went after the challengers after the match. Ruby and Morgan fought Jax until Baszler backed them off.
Jax saw Lana nearby and gave her Samoan drop through the announce table again.
Caruso interivewed McIntyre who was icing his jaw in the trainer’s room. He said he was going to beat the piss out of Orton on Sunday and was ready to pick a fight tonight. He marched off. (Was he sitting there for the past hour?)
In the back, Aalyah told Rey that she can speak for herself. Rey was trying to protect her from Rollins. She said she only came to Raw to support Dominik and Rollins has hurt both of them. (She seemed to indicate that he was his fault.) She worried about what Rollins was capable of doing to her or her mom. She left.
Raw Underground
Riddick Moss knocked out Erik with a right hand.
Shane asked Brandy to ask Dabba-Kato a question. She seemed too intimidated by him to do so. Shane asked a question instead. He said Strowman would find out what he was capable of and told Shane to get out of his face. (Dabba-Kato came off well here.)
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Peyton Royce (w/Billie Kay) via DQ in a non-title match (2:22)
Royce got a few nearfalls. Asuka gave her a roundhouse kick and tried applying the Asuka Lock (I think) but Vega attacked for the DQ. Asuka tried to go after Vega but she bailed. A bad segment.
Murphy approached Aalyah in the back. She was startled upon seeing him. He sat down next to her and said the stuff with Rollins has gotten out of hand and apologized for anything he might have done to hurt her.
Raw Underground – Braun Strowman defeated Dabba-Kato
This went about 90 seconds. Strowman knocked down Dabba-Kato with a right hand, mounted him and hit a few strikes before the referee stopped it. I don’t know what I was expecting but this wasn’t much of a fight.
I suppose it should be noted that they’re now calling it “Shane McMahon’s Raw Underground” and “Raw Underground with Shane McMahon.”
6-man tag match: Hurt Business (w/MVP) defeated Retribution via DQ (6:21)
Each team entered before a break and the match started after the break, which means the chaotic Retribution kindly waited for the commercials. The women members of Retribution were not at ringside.
The male members of Retribution are named T-Bar (Dijakovic), Mace (Maddin) and Slapjack (Shane Thorne I guess). WWE is stylizing the names in all-caps, but I will not be doing that.
They added cheering when Hurt Business was on offense.
The match ended by disqualification when T-Bar (or Mace), who wasn’t the legal man, punched Lashley. Yup.
The secondary members of Retribution swarmed and attacked Hurt Business.
McIntyre’s music hit and he sprinted out with the Raw roster to join the brawl.
McIntyre was somehow the only man in the ring when Orton slipped in and gave him an RKO.
After being set up on SmackDown last night, a triple threat ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship is now official for Clash of Champions.
It was confirmed on this week’s episode of Talking Smack that Jeff Hardy will defend his Intercontinental title against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match at Clash of Champions. All three have been feuding over the title in recent weeks, with Styles and Zayn both claiming that they should be the rightful Intercontinental Champion instead of Hardy.
Hardy won the Intercontinental title from Styles last month after kicking Styles in the face with a knee brace on, hitting the Twist of Fate, and giving Styles a Swanton Bomb. Hardy had the knee brace on after an angle where he was attacked by Styles earlier in the night.
After being off WWE television since WrestleMania 36 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zayn returned to SmackDown three weeks ago claiming to still be the real Intercontinental Champion. He was champion when the title was declared vacant this May.
Zayn interrupted a title match between Hardy and Styles on SmackDown last week. On last night’s show, Styles defeated Zayn in a singles match with a roll-up. Zayn had tried to roll-up Styles before that, but the referee wouldn’t count the pin due to Zayn holding Styles’ tights. Zayn claimed that Styles was also holding his tights when he was pinned, but the referee didn’t see it.
Hardy then attacked both Styles and Zayn after last night’s match. He cut a promo saying he’s sick and tired of Styles calling him a cheat and Zayn calling him a fraud. He then challenged them to a triple threat ladder match for the Intercontinental title at Clash of Champions.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
A new title match has been made official for this month’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view.
On SmackDown tonight, WWE announced that SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro will defend their titles against two members of The Lucha House Party at Clash of Champions:
Lucha House Party has been trying to crash ‘The Champions Lounge’ for some time, but Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro have continued to crush their title dreams. Now Lucha House Party will hope to finally grasp the SmackDown Tag Team Titles that have evaded them.
The return of Kalisto has caused friction within Lucha House Party as all three members have tried to carve out their new roles. Gran Metalik & Kalisto delivered the biggest win in the ongoing back-and-forth by defeating the champions with an assist from The Street Profits. After Kalisto & Lince Dorado were ejected from ringside, Cesaro capitalized with an emphatic victory over Gran Metalik in the most recent chapter of the rivalry.
Can Lucha House Party stay on the same page and dial up the volume with a title breakthrough? Or will The King of Strong Style & The Swiss Cyborg fight off yet another challenge?
Don’t miss WWE Clash of Champions at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the award-winning WWE Network.
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defending his title against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match was also set up for Clash of Champions on SmackDown tonight, but that match has yet to be officially announced by WWE.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Here’s the updated card for the show:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
New Japan officially announced its G-1 lineups which will likely contain many if not most of the best matches of 2020.
What’s notable is that every show, except for the finals, will consist of six singles matches, which would be five tournament matches from one of th two blocks, and a singles opener involving a match up with Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji and Gabriel Kidd.
There will be no tag matches to build up the next card. The key is the shows will be shorter, but with the idea of not cutting back on match time in the tournament. All arenas will be sold to half capacity, so it is almost a lock that every show will sell out.
The A block championship will be determined on the 10/16 show at Sumo Hall in Tokyo and the B block title on 10/17 in the same arena. While the match order is set for the shows from the opener on 9/19 through 10/14, the match order on the 10/16 and 10/17 shows will be determined based on the standings.
Drew McIntyre’s next WWE Championship defense will be in an ambulance match.
It was announced on tonight’s Raw that McIntyre vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship at Clash of Champions will now be an ambulance match. The pay-per-view is taking place on Sunday, September 27.
The stipulation ties in with McIntyre and Orton each being taken out by ambulance as part of angles on Raw in recent weeks. On the August 24 episode of Raw, Orton laid out McIntyre with three RKOs throughout the show. McIntyre then returned the favor last week. McIntyre returned to television and gave Orton three Claymores during the episode.
Orton challenging for the WWE title at Clash of Champions was confirmed when he defeated Keith Lee and Seth Rollins in a triple threat number one contender’s match on Raw two weeks ago. Orton also challenged for McIntyre’s title at SummerSlam last month. McIntyre used a backslide to pin Orton in that match.
McIntyre proposed the ambulance match stipulation during a promo at the start of Raw tonight. McIntyre also faced Lee in a non-title match in the main event of the episode. The storyline was that if Lee won, he would have taken Orton’s place at Clash of Champions if Orton isn’t able to wrestle at the PPV after last week’s angle. The match between McIntyre and Lee ended in a no contest after being interrupted by RETRIBUTION. The Hurt Business then came out and brawled with RETRIBUTION. McIntyre and Lee both hit flip dives to the pile on the outside to close the show.
Here’s the updated card for Clash of Champions:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
A new title match has been made official for this month’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view.
WWE announced today that Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax will defend their titles against The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan) at Clash of Champions. The Riott Squad became the number one contenders to Baszler & Jax’s titles by defeating The IIconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) on Raw two weeks ago. That number one contender’s match also had a stipulation where the losing team had to split up.
On Raw last week, Baszler and Jax faced Riott & Morgan in separate two-on-one handicap matches. Morgan rolled up Baszler to get the win in the first match after Baszler was distracted by Jax mocking her offense and telling her she’s seen Baszler do better. Jax laughed after her partner lost. Riott & Morgan vs. Jax then ended in a no contest when the match was interrupted by a message from RETRIBUTION.
Baszler & Jax won the Women’s Tag Team titles by defeating Sasha Banks & Bayley at Payback. They also defeated Banks & Bayley in a rematch on SmackDown earlier this month.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against The Riott Squad
