Tag: dakota kai

WWE NXT live results: The fallout from Stand & Deliver

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The Carmelo Hayes era of NXT officially kicks off tonight.

A new NXT Champion was crowned as Hayes defeated Bron Breakker in the main event of Stand & Deliver over WrestleMania weekend. We’ll get Hayes’ first appearance as NXT Champion tonight.

Though interference by Trick Williams helped Hayes win the match, Breakker still showed respect for Hayes after his title win. Tonight’s NXT should provide some clarity over what’s next for Breakker.

NXT also has a new Women’s Champion after Indi Hartwell won the title in a ladder match at Stand & Deliver. Plus, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn defeated Fallon Henley & Kiama James to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles.

NXT North American Champion Wes Lee and Tag Team Champions Gallus both retained their titles on Saturday. Gallus won after getting help from the returning Joe Coffey.

Announced for tonight is the NXT TV in-ring debut of Dragon Lee, who is taking on Nathan Frazer. Dijak vs. Odyssey Jones and Pretty Deadly vs. Tony D’Angelo & Stacks have been made official as well.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show opens with new NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell first appearance on NXT since winning the title this past Saturday. Ring announcer Alicia Taylor introduces her as the new champ, and the live studio audience chants “You deserve it” for her.

Notably, the first 30 minutes of the show is “commercial free” tonight. 

Hartwell gets in the ring to address the audience. This eventually leads to Zoey Stark interrupting her, but Hartwell first gives a heartfelt speech about finally winning the title. She goes on to say the first person that deserves a shot about her title is former champion Roxanne Perez. 

Stark interrupts Hartwell, and Stark insults Hartwell by saying she is not on the same level as past NXT women’s champs. Stark claims we now have a champ that is easily beatable, and Stark challenges Hartwell to a title match tonight. Hartwell agrees to the title bout. That will not be the only title match on the card.

In an angle shot for social media, Axiom respectfully challenges NXT North American Champion Wes Lee to a match, and that looks official for tonight’s card. 

Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeated Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo 

Prince pinned D’Angelo, after some trickery and an exposed turnbuckle. This tag team match was set up with an angle from Saturday at Stand & Deliver, where Tony D cut a promo on Pretty Deadly when they, acting as host of the show, asked a question “The Don” took exception to.

There is a spot late in the match where Prince is dragged to the center of the ring. He grabs the ring skirt and pulls it into the ring. That would come into play moments later when Pretty Deadly did a switcheroo, after Prince bonks heads with D’Angelo. Prince’s face is covered by the skirting, and Wilson switches places with him. 

One is a blond, and the other a brunette, but they wore matching gear. With their faces and hair hidden, they look similar. Wilson begs off, pleading that he is not the legal man, which he was not indeed. D’Angelo is distracted with Wilson, allowing Prince to send D’Angelo into an exposed turnbuckle. Prince then rolls up D’Angelo for a tainted three count.

Jacy Jayne in a video package cuts a pre-taped promo on Gigi Dolan. Jayne threatens to break Dolan. 

Dijak defeated Odyssey Jones

Jones pinned Dijak with a moonsault press. This hoss fight was set up last week in a battle royal. Dijak won clean as a whistle.

Dijak at one point gives Jones a Spicolli Driver for a near fall. Jones kicked out, but he would not kick out after Dijak immediately follows up with a moonsault press. 

Dragon Lee is the focus of a hype video ahead of his match that is up next.

NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes is shown arriving to the building alongside Trick Williams.

NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus in an interview with McKenzie Mitchell brag about themselves. The returning Joe Coffey vows to wins a singles title to go along with the tag belts the other two hold.

Dragon Lee defeated Nathan Frazier

Lee pinned Frazier in a great television match. This was Lee’s in-ring debut on NXT TV, after he first debuted in a NXT ring at Stand & Deliver.

The start of the match is interrupted by the return of Noam Dar, who is toting his NXT UK Heritage Cup. Dar comes to ringside and cuts a promo where he also brags on himself. Dar says he will decide who to defend his Heritage Cup against as he sees fit. Dar then watches the match from ringside.

Frazier was a great opponent for Dragon Lee to showcase his style to the NXT audience. They worked well together, and they eventually quickened the pace just before stalemate that led into a commercial break.

The match continues during a split-screen break. They slow down, but not for long. Dragon Lee during the break takes a bump off the turnbuckle where he tumbles to the outside. Please save that for the full screen.

They build to some high spots off the top, and Lee soon fires up with a flurry of offense. They go back to the top rope, where Lee jumps off for a draping double foot stomp. 

Frazier cuts of Dragon Lee for a near fall. Frazier misses a Phoenix Splash, but he rolls through. They trade strikes and kicks. Lee gets a near fall on a wickedly cool spot where he reverses a running Spanish Fly, and Lee turns it into a sit-out powerbomb. Lee measures and delivers a running knee strike, and Lee covers Frazier for the pinfall.

A segment is set up for next week in a skit that aired tonight. Duke Hudson will be awarded a MVP trophy in a ceremony next Tuesday on NXT. 

The new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre, are the focus of a vignette where they practice witchcraft, or something like that. They dare and curse any team trying to take the titles from them.

North American Champ Wes Lee does a backstage interview with McKenzie Mitchell. Lee puts over his opponents from this past Saturday, but Lee says he was most impressed with Axiom. 

NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell defeated Zoey Stark to retain her title

The match goes through a commercial break. Stark is in control as the show returns from the break. Hartwell fight back, and Hartwell leaps off the top rope to deliver a flying elbow drop. 

Trade strikes and Stark goes for a springboard. Hartwell counters into a spinebuster for a near fall. Starks cuts off Hartwell, and Starks executes her finisher on Hartwell. However, Hartwell takes the bump by falling through the ropes to the outside.

Stark has to leave the ring and roll Hartwell back into the ring. Stark goes for a cover, but Hartwell counters with a crucifix and a three count. The champ retains her title.

Tiffany Stratton comes out on stage after the match, and Stratton gestures towards Hartwell. Stratton want a title shot. 

As Hartwell is having a staredown with Stratton, Hartwell is blindsided by a sneak attack. Cora Jace jumps Hartwell from behind, and Jade parades around holding the title belt overhead. Jade also has words with Stratton on her way out.

Kiana Jame is yelling at Brooks Jensen in the locker room. She was angry Jensen did not help her cheat in the tag title match last Saturday In walks Fallon Henley and Josh Briggs. Henley wants to know what is going on. Henley asks James if she is really mad at Jensen for not cheating when James herself is cheating on Jensen. James admits to “dating around” and seeing other people. 

James claims her and Jensen were never an “exclusive” couple. James says things changed when they shared their first kiss, but James claims that changed on Saturday when her and Henley lost the tag titles. James storms off, and Jensen is heartbroken. Jensen then yells at Henley and Briggs, ordering them to stay out of his relationships. Briggs makes a remark at the end of the skit alluding to a women’s tag team match next week.

A tribute graphic is shown honoring the memory of Butch Miller.

Ivy Nile defeated Tatum Paxley

Nile submitted Paxley in a grudge match between former teammates. The Creed Brothers celebrate with Nile after the match.

This match was set up in an angle several weeks ago when Paxley turned on Nile during a tag match. The former tag partners now meet here in a grudge match. They have a competitive match, but it is rather short. Nile eventually applies a Dragon Sleeper, and Paxley tapped out.

Ilja Dragunov is doing a backstage interview when he is interrupted by Von Wagner. Mr. Stone rushes in, and he is upset with Wagner. Stone says he will get Wagner booked in a match against Dragunov, but if Wagner loses, Stone is done as his manager.

NXT North American Champion Wes Lee vs. Axiom to retain his title

Lee pinned Axiom in a really good match. They wrestled through a commercial break. Good action during the bout where they fly around, but they also use some submission holds and such. Great counters. These two work well together.

As they go home, Axiom missed the Golden Ratio. Lee then follows up by landing the Cardiac Kick, and Lee covers Axiom for a pinfall to retain the title

They embrace after the match in a show of good sportsmanship. Lee then leaves the ring. Axiom is alone in the ring when a cryptic promo from Scrypts plays over the loud speakers. When Scrypts tries a sneak attack, he is thwarted by Axiom. Scyrpts springboards into the ring out of nowhere, but Axiom seems knocks him out of the air with a dropkick.  

In a locker room interview with McKenzie Mitchell, Nathan Frazier believes he can turns things around despite his loss earlier tonight. Frazier has a “moment of enlightenment” where he says “when your perspective changes, your reality changes,” and he is sure that is what happened to him tonight. Very profound, whatever it means.

Hyped as “coming soon” to NXT is Tank Ledger, Dani Palmer and Oba Femi.

Announced for next Tuesday on NXT:

  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre defend their titles against former champs Kiana James & Fallon Henley
  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Von Wagner in match where Mr. Stone walks away if Wagner loses 
  • Cora Jade explains her action 
  • MVP (no, not that MVP) trophy presentation for Duke Hudson

Bron Breakker cheap shots Carmelo Hayes

NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes is headed to the ring, alongside Trick Williams, to celebrate the new title reign. This looks to be the segment that closes the show.

Williams cuts a promo first where introduces the new champ. Great back-and-forth between Hayes and Williams. Hayes says he is the NXT champ, “and I am him,” which is his new catchphrase. Williams proclaims “this is the him era.”

Hayes spoof a famous lyric to a rap song, before Hayes goes on to put over Bron Breakker as one of Hayes’ greatest and toughest opponents. Hayes says he truly respects Breakker, and Hayes calls him out to the ring to address him in person.

Breakker comes out to join Hayes and Williams in the ring. Hayes thanks Breakker on behalf of everyone at NXT. Breakker says the title holds a great legacy, and it was his duty to pass the torch when the next guy in line wins the title.

Breakker congratulates Hayes, and Breakker goes to leave. Hayes pulls him back into the ring and they embrace with a hug. Breakker raises Hayes hand, and in a something a seasoned viewer could see coming a mile away, Breakker cheap shots Hayes with a lariat. Breakker guzzles Williams, and Breakker picks him up for a military press into a powerslam. Breakker then spears Hayes, and Breakker lets out a primal scream. 

Breakker saunters out of the ring, leaving Hayes down on the mat. The audience chants “one more time” as the show fades to black, which was hilarious given that was seemingly a heel turn. Or was it? After that cliffhanger, we will find out next week.

Damage CTRL regain Women’s Tag Team titles at WWE Crown Jewel

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Just five days after winning the titles, Alexa Bliss & Asuka’s Women’s Tag Team Championship reign has come to an end.

Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) regained the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles by defeating Bliss & Asuka at Saturday’s Crown Jewel pay-per-view. Damage CTRL were able to get the victory after interference by Nikki Cross.

Bliss was about to hit Twisted Bliss on Kai near the end of the match, but Cross attacked Bliss and laid her out with a swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker. The referee was distracted by Asuka and SKY fighting in the ring and didn’t see Cross interfere. Kai then pinned Bliss to get the victory.

Bliss & Asuka had defeated Kai & SKY in the main event of Raw this past Monday to win the Women’s Tag Team titles.

This is Kai & SKY’s second reign as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Nikki Cross reemerged on Raw last month, ditching her “Almost A Superhero” character for a return to her more chaotic and unhinged persona.

Women’s Tag Team title rematch set for WWE Crown Jewel

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A WWE Women’s Tag Team title rematch will take place at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.

WWE has announced that Alexa Bliss & Asuka will make their first Women’s Tag Team title defense as they face Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) at Crown Jewel. Bliss & Asuka dethroned Kai & SKY as Women’s Tag Team Champions on last night’s episode of Raw.

After being laid out by Damage CTRL four weeks ago, Bliss & Asuka made their return to WWE television by saving Bianca Belair from a Damage CTRL beatdown on last night’s Raw. That led to Bliss & Asuka facing off with Kai & SKY in the main event.

Damage CTRL’s Bayley is challenging Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship in a Last Woman Standing match at Crown Jewel.

Belair and Bayley were at ringside for the Women’s Tag Team title match on last night’s Raw. Bayley ended up giving Belair a Bayley-to-Belly off the barricade and through a pair of tables.

The Crown Jewel main card streams live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time this Saturday (November 5). Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Logan Paul
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley
  • Last Woman Standing match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Bayley
  • Steel cage match: Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross
  • Braun Strowman vs. Omos
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Ridge Holland & Butch
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Asuka defend against Dakota Kai & IYO SKY
  • The OC (AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) vs. The Judgement Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio)
  • Bray Wyatt will appear

Dakota Kai says WWE told her she’d be in the 2021 Draft

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dakota Kai says WWE told her she would be part of the 2021 WWE Draft. 

Kai began working dark matches and Main Event tapings on the main roster beginning in August 2021, typically working with or against Aliyah or Xia Li. On an episode of Out of Character released on Wednesday, Kai says WWE told her she would be part of the 2021 Draft that October but it never came to be.  

“That’s when I was like, ‘ok, maybe something is going to happen here.’ Yeah, I just ended up doing like about six or seven [Dark matches], it was a lot, and they were back to back to back,” she said.  

“I was told I was going to be in the Draft. It’s funny now that I look back at it, it’s all good, we can laugh at this. But I was sitting at home during the draft and I got told that it was going to happen and I’m like, ‘okay cool.'”

“Then I didn’t hear anything. I was like, ‘oh, maybe they changed their minds, I don’t know,’ and then I kind of just went and continued to do NXT.”

“It’s just very weird to be told something and then it didn’t happen,” she continued. “But I never got a reason why.”

Kai was asked about her release from the company in April and what she did before making her return at SummerSlam months later.

“I was at a point where I think when it happened, I kind of used that time to sort of reset myself because I was at a point in NXT where I wasn’t sure what was going on, it was a very confusing time. So during those few months away, I didn’t pursue or take indie bookings or anything like that just cause I’ve been doing this a lot longer than people realize. I’ve been working since 2007 and then I was with the company from 2017. So, it was just a nice time to be grateful for everything that happened.” 

“I focused on streaming and something that was very much more relaxing and something that I love. It all worked out great and I came back to the company refreshed and with a nice outlook on everything that had happened.”  

Three matches announced for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Three matches have been announced for the October 11 WWE NXT episode. 

In a tune-up match prior to Halloween Havoc, NXT Champion Bron Breakker will face “Big Body Javy” Javier Bernal in a non-title match next week. The match was set up on this week’s episode, where Bernal interrupted a Breakker interview backstage. Breakker is set to defend the NXT title against Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh in a triple threat match at Halloween Havoc on October 22.

The best-of-three series between Nathan Frazer and Axiom will conclude on next week’s show. Each has one victory in the series. The winner will also qualify for the North American Championship ladder match at Halloween Havoc.

In another bout for next week, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo will face Wes Lee in singles competition. 

Next week’s card: 

  • Bron Breakker vs. Javier Bernal
  • Best-of-three series finale, Halloween Havoc North American Championship qualifying match: Nathan Frazer vs. Axiom
  • Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs. Wes Lee

Damage CTRL crowned new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY and Dakota Kai are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. 

Damage CTRL defeated Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah on Monday’s Raw to win the titles after Kai pinned Aliyah with a Kai-Ropractor.  

Monday’s match was a rematch of the tournament finals from two weeks ago where Rodriguez and Aliyah won the vacant titles by defeating SKY and Kai. Kai was pinned in the match but was not the legal competitor, setting up the rematch. 

Kai had twice previously won the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship with Rodriguez as her partner, and SKY had also captured the NXT Tag titles with Zoey Stark on one occasion, but this is the first main roster title win for both competitors. SKY is also a one-time NXT Women’s Champion. 

Kai and SKY returned to the company at SummerSlam in July, making their main roster debuts alongside Bayley as the three formed the Damage CTRL group. Kai had been released in April of this year, while SKY was believed to still be under contract, but considering not renewing her deal if she were earmarked to remain in NXT.

WWE Raw live results: Women’s Tag Team title tournament finals

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: August 29, 2022
Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA 

Show Recap —

AJ Styles entered as the announcers previewed tonight’s show and Dolph Ziggler entered as they played a replay of the Edge/Beth Phoenix/Judgment Day stuff from last week. They really focused heavily on Rhea Ripley during Judgment Day’s entrance and said she might be the most dangerous member of the group.

Finn Bálor & Damian Priest (w/Rhea Ripley) defeated AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler (8:34)

Styles hit Priest with a diving forearm outside the ring which led to break a minute into the match. Bálor was in control over Ziggler following the break. (They’ve been better lately at showing you what happened during the break but they didn’t do that here.) It seemed like Bálor wanted to try a Styles Clash but Ziggler countered into a fameasser.

There was a weird spot where Priest ducked a forearm and Styles held up so that he wouldn’t hit Bálor (who was on the apron) by accident. Priest shoved Styles who bumped into Bálor anyway and tried a rollup but only got two. Styles followed later with a Calf Crusher but Bálor helped Priest get to the rope.

Ziggler had Priest pinned with a rollup but the ref was distracted by Styles for no reason in particular. Ziggler fended off Bálor with a superkick but Priest dropped him with a South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall win.

— After the match, Edge was shown arriving at the arena in a Mercedes SUV. 

********

Judgment Day paced around the ring after a break. Ripley invited Edge to the ring so she could take what was left of his manhood. Bálor thought it was ridiculous that Rey Mysterio and Edge got their own documentaries but he didn’t. Priest said they weren’t in Toronto where he had Pheonix — the pants wearer of the family — to save him.

Edge entered to a big reaction. Edge informed Priest that both he and Beth wore the pants in their family. He said it was 2022 and told Priest to stop being a caveman or he’ll be single for the rest of his life. The crowd laughed when Edge told them that looked angry and emo, mad that they couldn’t get tickets to My Chemical Romance.

Edge said Judgment Day haven’t learned their lesson because he did not come alone. Dominik and Rey Mysterio attacked them from behind with kendo sticks. A brawl broke out which left Dominik alone in the ring with Ripley.

The crowd encouraged Dominik to attack Ripley. Not only did he not hit her, she calmed him down and convinced him to hand over the stick. Edge and Rey popped back in the ring but Bálor and Priest pulled Ripley away.

******** 

Kevin Patrick asked Miz and Ciampa about what happened with Dexter Lumis last week. Miz didn’t want to talk about Lumis because he doesn’t even work here. Patrick brought up Lumis being arrested on NXT but Miz blew him off. 

********

Six-woman tag team match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Asuka & Alexa Bliss defeated Kayla Sparks, Dani Mo & Katie Arquette (3:19)

Belair gave Sparks a KOD before Asuka tapped out Dani Mo.

(Kayla Sparks, Dani Mo and Katie Arquette didn’t get an official graphic with their names. The announcers seemed to refer to Sparks as “Kay Sparks” and Arquette as “Katie Arq”.)

Belair, Asuka and Bliss cut a promo on Bayley’s crew after the match. 

********

Adam Pearce told Miz that Lumis was released from police custody because Miz won’t press charges or speak to the authorities. Miz still refused to talk about and told Pearce he wasn’t happy about having to face Bobby Lashley tonight.

********

Kurt Angle segment 

Angle entered to a big reaction and “you suck” chants during his entrance. He said he was glad to be home before he plugged Clash at the Castle.

Chad Gable and Otis interrupted. Commercial break.

Gable called Angle a personal hero of his. Angle’s story motivated him when he went to the Olympics. Angle reminded him that he won his gold medal with a broken freakin’ neck.

Gable said Alpha Academy was looking for a new member but there wasn’t a shred of talent in Pittsburgh. The crowd booed. Gable said, “There’s an Olympic hero in this ring, not to mention Kurt Angle, so show some respect.” (Angle couldn’t help but laugh.)

Gable offered Angle a membership into Alpha Academy for one night only. Otis gave him an Alpha Academy jacket. Angle tossed it away and turned them down.

Gable couldn’t believe it. Angle said, “it’s true, it’s damn true” but Gable shooshed him. Angle told Gable to shoosh. They yelled “shoosh” at each other.

Gable was pissed and told Otis to go after him. The Street Profits ran out (wearing black and yellow).

Montez Ford challenged them to a match. Gable accepted under one condition: when his team wins, Angle must join Alpha Academy so Gable can coach him to the next level. Angle and the Street Profits accepted.

[SECOND HOUR]

Announced for Clash at the Castle: Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Bálor and Damian Priest.

The Street Profits defeated Alpha Academy (16:04)

This was a really good match where everyone had moments to shine.

They went to break after Gable gave Ford an overhead suplex off the top. Angelo Dawkins made a comeback after the break and gave Gable a Silencer for two. Gable gave him a German suplex and reversed a Ford high cross into a pin for two. Gable followed that with a Northern Lights suplex for two.

Otis slammed Ford before Gable followed with a diving headbutt but Dawkins broke up the cover. Dawkins and Otis took each other out with double clotheslines.

Gable dropped his shoulder straps and applied the ankle lock as he stared at Angle (who was watching from ringside). Ford fought out and applied the ankle lock himself. Ford grapevined the leg and the crowd thought we’d get a finish but Otis broke it up.

Otis confronted Angle so Dawkins wiped him out with an impressive pounce sending him over the announce table.

Dawkins launched Gable into a Ford suplex and Ford finished him off with a frog splash for the pinfall win.

— After the match, Dawkins and Ford gave Angle a red solo cup. Angle took a sip but immediately spat it out. Angle grabbed three bottles of milk for them to drink instead. Angle handed out bottles to the crowd too. 

********

Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers were shown at ringside.

********

Jimmy Smith acknowledged that they had advertised a face-to-face segment between Riddle and Seth Rollins but because of everything that has happened, that wasn’t possible so they’d be interviewed in separate rooms.

They aired “fan footage” of Riddle and Rollins getting into a fight earlier today on top of a parking garage. It was broken up by officials and referees who I guess were parking their cars at the same time.

Riddle/Seth Rollins sit-down interview

Corey Graves hosted the interview and asked them what happened earlier today. Rollins claimed that Riddle was creeping his bus but Riddle denied that and they talked over each other before Graves got them to stop.

Riddle said Rollins was worried that he would embarrass him just like Roman Reigns did and just like Cody Rhodes did. Rollins said nobody liked him and when he ended Riddle on Saturday it would be for everyone. Rollins was happy to put Riddle on the shelf next to Rhodes.

Riddle said he would prove there was only one man in Rollins’ marriage, “and that’s Becky, bro.”

******** 

After a break, they showed more footage of Riddle and Rollins (after they thought the interview was over). Rollins said Riddle didn’t have a wife because she divorced his bitch-ass. Riddle demanded to know where Rollins was and Riddle repeatedly said he would “f*ck” him up.

********

They congratulated Bad Bunny on winning an MTV VMA. 

Non-title match: United States Champion Bobby Lashley defeated The Miz (w/Ciampa) (10:49)

Lashley was firmly in control until a Ciampa distraction allowed Miz to take control. Lashley came back with suplexes and a chokeslam but Ciampa pulled Miz out of the ring before Lashley could go for a spear. Miz distracted the referee as Ciampa attacked Lashley. Miz hit a low DDT for a nearfall.

Miz set up for Skull Crushing Finale but let go upon seeing Dexter Lumis in the crowd (standing about 25 rows up).

Lashley put Miz in the Hurt Lock for the submission win.

— Miz tried to explain to Ciampa that he saw Lumis but Ciampa didn’t believe him.

(Smith mentioned that Lashley was defending his title but I’m pretty sure this was non-title.)

******** 

There was a funny segment with Edge and Angle backstage. They played off the segment from years ago where Edge showed Angle pictures of their past with insulting messages written on the back. After Edge left, Angle showed the Mysterios one of the pictures only to realize what was written on the back.

[THIRD HOUR]

There was a video on Connor “The Crusher” Michalek and Connor’s Cure.

This Friday on Smackdown: Roman Reigns celebrates two years as champion.

The Usos and Sami Zayn segment

Jimmy and Jey Uso boasted about Reigns’ title reign. Zayn announced that Reigns has named him the master of ceremonies for Friday’s celebration. Jey shot him a look so Zayn went on to boast about the Usos being the best team in WWE.

Kevin Owens interrupted. Owens informed them that their boss Roman still owed him one.

Jey asked Zayn if Owens was his boy. Owens was amused when Jey threatened to “get” Owens if Zayn didn’t do it first.

Zayn told Owens that Reigns didn’t owe him, or anyone, anything. Owens said Zayn was making himself look stupid by hanging out with the Bloodline and letting them treat him the way they do. Owens called Zayn one of the best in-ring performers of all time (the crowd cheered) but now he was their clown. Owens called it sad.

Zayn took it a moment before telling Owens that he didn’t know what he was talking about. He said Jimmy liked him and they did their special handshake. Jey didn’t reciprocate but Zayn said they were working on it. Most importantly, Zayn said that Roman liked him.

Jey mentioned what they did to Drew McIntyre and warned Owens to leave. Owens didn’t care about what they did to McIntyre but he did care what Jey did to him, costing him a chance to end Reigns’ title reign 18 months ago. He said they were celebrating two years of Jey having his head shoved up his cousin’s ass.

Zayn warned Owens that he was inviting Jey to kick his ass. Owens said this is where they get a referee to the ring so they could fight. A ref ran down and they went to break.

********

Kevin Owens defeated Tag Team Champion Jey Uso (w/Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn) (12:26)

Owens was about to give Jey an apron powerbomb but Jimmy distracted him and Jey hit a superkick before hitting a Samoan drop onto the steel steps. After a break, a battle on the top led to Owens hitting a fisherman’s buster. Owens followed later with a Swanton for two.

Jey blocked a stunner before Owens blocked a superkick and hit one of his own. Jey slipped out a pop-up powerbomb, hit a superkick and a diving splash for two. Owens handed out superkicks to both Jey and Jimmy before giving Jey a frog splash for two.

Owens again set up for an apron powerbomb but turned his attention to Zayn. Jey used the distraction to hit a suicide dive.

Jey demanded Zayn grab a chair as Jimmy distracted the ref. Jey held down Owens so that Zayn could hit him but Zayn wouldn’t do it.

As Jimmy admonished Zayn, Owens gave Jey a stunner for the pinfall win.

********* 

Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY did a promo about tonight’s match and the match on Saturday. Basically, they planned on getting to the top and staying there.

Miz was shown frantically leaving the arena (a good 40 minutes after his match ended). As Miz drove off in his SUV, Lumis could be seen sitting in the back. 

********

Johnny Gargano/Theory segment

This started as an interview with Gargano. He said that “Johnny Wrestling” wasn’t just a nickname — wrestling meant everything to him. The interviewer asked if Theory ruined his return but Gargano said no, he was actually happy to see him.

Gargano spoke about Theory’s talent, which is why he was with him in NXT. Theory had every genetic gift that he didn’t have so didn’t have to start at the bottom. Gargano said he didn’t hear from Theory for nine months, not even after his baby was born.

Theory showed up and asked why Gargano didn’t call him when he was the US title. Theory said Gargano was jealous and he expected more from him. Theory pointed at his MITB briefcase and said it was lonely at the top. He warned Gargano that he was swimming with the sharks now.

********

The announcers ran down the Clash of the Castle card. There was also a video package highlighting the two teams fighting for the Women’s tag team titles.

Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah defeated Dakota Kai & IYO SKY (w/Bayley) (11:17)

Kai and SKY drove Aliyah into the steel steps and Kai hit Rodriguez with a PK which led to break. Kai and SKY used a combination of strikes on Rodriguez to remain in control. Rodriguez launched SKY into Kai but couldn’t tag out because Aliyah was down from being knocked into the steps again.

Rodriguez made a comeback anyway and gave SKY an elbow drop for two. SKY responded with a Code Red for two. Rodriguez turned SKY inside out with a clothesline but SKY got an assist from Bayley as Kai distracted the referee. Kai hit a running boot and SKY followed with the moonsault but Rodriguez kicked out.

Belair, Bliss and Asuka marched out to chase away Bayley.

As SKY and Kai were distracted, Aliyah tagged herself in and hid. SKY and Kai double-teamed Rodriguez but Aliyah slipped in the ring and rolled up Kai to score the pinfall win.

Belair, Asuka and Bliss congratulated Rodriguez and Aliyah who posed with their new belts as fireworks went off.

(This was an odd way to end the tournament and crown new champions. Aliyah was absent for most of the match and they didn’t exactly come across like the better team.) 

Finals set for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The finals for the Women’s Tag Team title tournament has been set.

Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah will face Dakota Kai and IYO SKY on this coming Monday’s Raw to determine the new Women’s Tag Team Champions. Rodriguez & Aliyah defeated Sonya Deville & Natalya to advance, with Rodriguez pinning Deville with the Tejana bomb.

Earlier in the show, Deville and Natalya won a four-way last chance match to advance to the semifinals. Although they were eliminated in the first round of the tournament by Toxic Attraction, the last chance match was made after Gigi Dolin suffered a concussion, taking the team out of the tournament.

The winners of the match on Raw will win the vacated championships. Sasha Banks and Naomi, the former champions, were stripped of the titles and suspended indefinitely by WWE back in May after walking out of an episode of Raw.

Here is what has been announced for Raw:

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team titles: IYO SKY & Dakota Kai vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah
  • Seth Rollins & Riddle face-to-face
  • WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle appears

IYO SKY & Dakota Kai advance to finals of WWE Women’s Tag Team title tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

IYO SKY and Dakota Kai have advanced to the finals of the WWE Women’s Tag Team title tournament.

On Monday’s Raw, they defeated Alexa Bliss and Asuka to advance. The finish had Asuka putting Kai in the Asuka lock. However, Asuka was unaware that SKY had tagged in. The confusion allowed SKY to roll up Asuka and pin her to advance in the finals.

With the win, SKY and Kai will next face the winner of the match between Aliyah & Raquel Gonzalez and the winner of a “second chance fatal four-way match” that will take place on SmackDown this coming Friday. Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin of NXT’s Toxic Attraction had originally advanced to the semifinals, but the team was pulled from the tournament after WWE announced Dolin had suffered injuries during the match that took place on Friday.

Tonight’s Raw opened with Trish Stratus coming to the ring. Bayley, SKY, and Kai came out and confronted Stratus, asking why she was there. This brought out Bianca Belair, Asuka, and Bliss to even the odds against Bayley’s stable, leading to the tag match.

WWE files trademark for ‘Damage CTRL’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new WWE trademark filing may have revealed the name of Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY’s faction.

On August 16, WWE applied to trademark the term “Damage CTRL.” The full trademark filing is available below:

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment

Bayley, Kai & SKY have been using the word “Control” in association with their group since it debuted at SummerSlam last month. Kai also captioned a social media post on Friday night with “Taking Over. Damage Control.”

Bayley, Kai & SKY’s faction was formed after Paul “Triple H” Levesque took charge of WWE creative. On WWE After the Bell, Bayley explained her vision for the group.

“This is something that I’ve wanted for a while — I would say a couple of years. And actually something that I’ve talked to [Triple H] about before. Just wanting something different for the division and using girls that I think were either underutilized or that didn’t get that opportunity or didn’t get that spotlight. And just a way to evolve myself [in] many different variations of this faction or group that I wanted,” Bayley said.

“But as I got injured and got to spend more time really thinking about it, I knew that I wanted literally girls who haven’t had the opportunity for Raw or SmackDown or that haven’t been given the opportunity to feel what WrestleMania is like. Because that’s the ultimate goal of everybody. I just felt like if I looked for girls that haven’t had that yet, just the hunger is gonna be that much stronger. It’s just gonna be fresher for the fans and fresher for the locker room where they’ll get excited to work with different people. So once I thought of it like that and thought let me look at NXT, it was so easy. I knew who I wanted and I knew who could benefit from it. I knew who I can benefit from. And I knew who would give to the locker room, really.”

Bayley returned at SummerSlam after having been out of action for more than a year due to a torn ACL. Kai was brought back to WWE after having been released from NXT this April, while SKY’s contract had been set to expire soon prior to her main roster call-up.

Kai & SKY are currently taking part in WWE’s Women’s Tag Team title tournament. They’re facing Alexa Bliss & Asuka in a semifinal match on this Monday’s episode of Raw.

Dakota Kai & IYO SKY advance in WWE Women’s  Tag Team title tournament

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Dakota Kai and IYO SKY are the first team to advance to the second round of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. 

Kai and SKY defeated Tamina and Dana Brooke on Monday’s Raw episode to advance to the second round. 

The eight-team tournament bracket was also revealed on Raw, and Kai and SKY now await the winners of Alexa Bliss & Asuka vs. Nikki ASH and Doudrop. 

Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah vs. Xia Li & Shotzi, plus Natalya & Sonya Deville vs. NXT’s Zoey Stark & Nikkita Lyons are the other first round matches. 

Kai and SKY re-debuted with WWE at SummerSlam on July 30 as part of a new faction led by the returning Bayley. The trio will take on Bliss, Asuka, and Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair in a trios match at the Clash at the Castle event on September 3. 

After then-champions Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of a Raw episode on May 16, the Women’s Tag Team titles were officially vacated on the May 20 episode of SmackDown.

Six-woman tag team match added to WWE Clash at the Castle

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A six-woman tag team match has been added to Clash at the Castle.

Bianca Belair issued the challenge on behalf of Asuka and Alexa Bliss. Bayley accepted for her, ISO SKY, and Dakota Kai, agreeing to a match for September 3 in Cardiff, Wales.

Bayley made her return to WWE following knee surgery at SummerSlam last month, introducing Dakota Kai and IYO SKY to the main roster. The following Monday on Raw, Bayley, SKY, and Kai made their intentions known by attacking Asuka and Bliss during their match against one another. Later, a match between SKY and Belair ended after Bliss and Asuka attacked Bayley and Kai in the ring.

Here is the current lineup for Clash at the Castle:

  • Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
  • Bianca Belair, Asuka, and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY

Dakota Kai says WWE SummerSlam return happened ‘last minute’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dakota Kai says her “whirlwind” return to WWE came together at the “last minute.” 

After having been released from the company in April, Kai appeared alongside Bayley and IYO SKY at SummerSlam on Saturday. She commented on the experience during Wednesday’s edition of WWE The Bump.    

“You thought you’d seen the last of me, huh?” Kai said after being introduced. 

“Honestly, it still feels like a whirlwind to me with everything that happened. It all happened so last minute too so to be talking with you guys right now is insane to me.”  

She described her experience at SummerSlam as similar to “an out-of-body experience” due to how quickly things came together. 

“I had a very short window where I knew this was actually going to be a thing that would happen. So, I think I was still trying to accept that reality when I was walking down the ramp.” 

Kai continued to say that she and Bayley have spoken for years about working together in such a way. 

“Bayley and I, we’ve kind of been talking about something like this for a long time. It hasn’t been something that was just spurred overnight. This has been something we’ve wanted for, like, years at this point. So, the fact that it’s actually happened and to be under her guidance is insane.”

“Io and I, we’ve known each other a long time [since] I first went to Japan,” Kai would say of IYO SKY. “She is literally one of the best in the world. So, to be alongside these two women is just a dream.”

Shortly after Kai was released from WWE, Bayley posted a supportive message to her and said she is “jealous of whoever” gets to wrestle Kai in the future.  

Kai was asked what Bayley’s message meant to her. 

“When she first sent that message out, obviously, that was a very emotional time,” Kai responded. “But the fact that she did that and she also sent me a bunch of chocolates and flowers.”

“Looking back on that tweet now, it’s kind of crazy how everything she said even back then at a time where we were unsure about everything, it’s a lot, it’s overwhelming.”

WWE Raw video highlights: Fallout from SummerSlam

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE’s new era continued with the first Raw since SummerSlam taking place last night.

After making their returns at SummerSlam, Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY wreaked havoc last night, targeting Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka. A match between Belair and SKY ended in a no contest as Belair, Bliss, and Asuka brawled with Bayley, Kai, and SKY.

A push for Ciampa began as he became the number one contender to the United States title. He defeated Dolph Ziggler and Chad Gable in a triple threat match before going on to defeat AJ Styles later in the night.

In last night’s main event, The Usos retained their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles against Rey & Dominik Mysterio. The Judgment Day attacked The Mysterios after the match until Edge made the save. But Edge accidentally speared Dominik when Rhea Ripley pushed him in the way as Edge was trying to take out Finn Balor.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch video package

Becky Lynch addresses her shoulder injury

Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY attack Becky Lynch backstage

A look at the history of the United States title

AJ Styles vs. Mustafa Ali vs. The Miz

Sarah Schreiber attempts to interview Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY

Video package recaps Seth Rollins and Riddle’s SummerSlam brawl

Seth Rollins gets interrupted by The Street Profits

Montez Ford vs. Seth Rollins

Video package recaps Edge’s return at SummerSlam

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar video package

Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY attack Alexa Bliss and Asuka

Dolph Ziggler vs. Ciampa vs. Chad Gable

Edge vows to end The Judgment Day

Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka brawl with Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY

United States title number one contender’s match: AJ Styles vs. Ciampa

The Usos vs. The Mysterios for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles

Edge accidentally spears Dominik Mysterio

Raw fallout: All Ciampa needed was an opportunity

Raw fallout: Booker T looks ahead to next week’s United States title match

Raw Talk: Bianca Belair, Seth Rollins, The Street Profits interviews

Bayley, Dakota Kai, Io Shirai return at WWE SummerSlam

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With Paul “Triple H” Levesque now in charge of creative, the WWE women’s division has been bolstered.

Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Io Shirai (now going by the name IYO SKY) all made their returns at SummerSlam on Saturday night. They took part in an angle where they confronted Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair.

Belair retained her title against Becky Lynch in the opening match of SummerSlam. The returning Bayley then made her way out but stopped at ringside. She was joined by Kai and then Shirai before entering the ring. Bayley, Kai, and Shirai went face-to-face with Belair, but Lynch then stood side-by-side with Belair. That led to Bayley, Kai, and Shirai backing off.

Before Bayley, Kai, and Shirai appeared, Lynch showed respect to Belair by shaking her hand after their match ended.

This was Bayley’s first appearance on WWE television since suffering a torn ACL in July 2021. The injury happened right before WWE returned to touring in front of live crowds.

Kai was released by WWE this April as part of a round of NXT roster cuts. She had taken part in main roster dark matches prior to her release but was never called up to the main roster while Vince McMahon was in charge.

Tonight was also Shirai’s call-up to the main roster. She had been out of action since April due to an injury. Dave Meltzer reported earlier this month that Shirai’s WWE contract was set to expire soon and she hadn’t signed a new deal at that point. Meltzer added that “those who know [Shirai] from Japan said she went to WWE with the goal of making the main roster and believe she would stay with a main roster deal.”

Levesque tweeted “…and we’re just getting started” after Bayley, Kai, and Shirai appeared at SummerSlam.