Dakota Kai revisited her WWE return at SummerSlam 2022 citing how Bayley pushed for her return as a part of an all-women’s faction. She also revealed two other names originally considered but ultimately were not a part of the group.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on the latest Insight Podcast episode, Kai discussed her WWE return, forming Damage CTRL with Bayley and IYO SKY. Bayley called and informed her about the pitch she made to Triple H about the women’s only faction. Kai was uncertain given how it was during her first release from the company.
“That whole thing came out of the blue. It was probably two days before SummerSlam, and Pam, Bayley, just texts me out of the blue. She’s like, ‘Hey, I just pitched this to Hunter.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ So she was talking about an all-women’s faction for years, like, since I was starting at NXT, she’d always been pitching this idea of, ‘I want an all-women’s faction. Think this would be so cool. I hope we get the chance.’”
Kai revealed that a year before that SummerSlam, Bayley was pushing for the same pitch including Raquel Rodriguez and Alba Fyre in the fold.
“And then the year before SummerSlam, we actually were at the Performance Center. It was me, IYO Bayley, and also Raquel and Alba Fyre, and we were taking photos together as a female unit to try and have Pam basically pitch to Hunter and be like, ‘Hey, this is what I want.’”
“Nothing really came from that. But then she texts me a few days before SummerSlam, ‘I pitched it again, I really want you to be a part of this.’ And even at that point, I’m not with the company. I’m like, ‘Yeah, right, dude. You really think this is gonna happen?’ And then next thing (it happened).”
In May last year, Kai was released from WWE ending her three-year run stint. She stepped away from wrestling for a while before making her in-ring return in December, using the ring name Charlie. Kai competed at Wrestle Queendom VIII taking on Kris Statlander for the Pro-Wrestling: EVE International Championship.
Dakota Kai Returning at summerslam in 2022 holds a special place in my heart because when she got released that year I was upset and I didn’t think I would ever see her in the WWE again but here we are today in 2024! 💜🐐 pic.twitter.com/fp8yQg37Sx
The Damage CTRL member posted on Instagram that she is currently dealing with an arm injury. In the post, a photo could be seen of her arm in a cast in what appears to be a hospital.
“I’ll get an arm of iron…” she wrote in the caption.
Sane last wrestled on the December 2 edition of Raw, teaming with IYO SKY in a losing effort against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. She was initially scheduled to compete in the Women’s Intercontinental title tournament, but was written out after being attacked by Pure Fusion Collective. SKY replaced her and made it to the semifinals before being eliminated. Dakota Kai has reached the finals and will meet Lyra Valkyria on the January 13 edition of Raw to determine the first champion.
This follows a string of injuries Damage CTRL have suffered in 2024. Asuka has been out of action for most of the year after suffering a knee injury. Kai recently returned to action after suffering a torn meniscus in August.
Ahead of Damage CTRL’s match against the Pure Fusion Collective on Monday, it was revealed that Dakota Kai had returned from her injury. The reunited trio defeated Zoey Stark, Shayna Baszler, and Sonya Deville in a six-woman tag team match.
Kai has been out of action for the last three months with a torn meniscus. Back in August, she was scheduled to face off against Deville on Raw but was attacked backstage by Pure Fusion, which wrote her off television.
Collection before the match could begin.
In the months since Kai’s injury, Damage CTRL has been working as a tag team. They challenged for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles at Crown Jewel earlier in the month, failing to win them. On the next episode of Raw, IYO SKY became the number one contender for the Women’s World Championship held by Liv Morgan.
Asuka is the lone Damage CTRL member still out of action after undergoing knee surgery earlier in the year. Recently, it was reported that she had signed a new long-term contract with WWE.
On WWE Raw, Michael Cole announced on commentary that the Damage CTRL member would be out eight to ten weeks with a torn meniscus, and is set to undergo surgery.
Kai was scheduled to face Sonya Deville on last week’s Raw, but was jumped before the match by Deville and new stable members Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. After the attack, Kai was clutching her knee. SKY replaced her in the match and ended up pinning Deville. In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer mentioned that the injury angle was to cover for a real injury.
On Monday’s show, SKY and Kairi Sane wrestled Baszler and Stark in a number one contender’s match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. The match ended without a clear winner after champions Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre interfered, laying out both teams. A triple threat tag team title match was then made for next week’s show.
Another Damage CTRL member, Asuka, is also out of action with a knee injury.
An eight-woman tag match is set to take place on the final SmackDown before Backlash.
Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill will team up against Tiffany Stratton & three members of Damage CTRL on tonight’s SmackDown in Lyon, France. The announcement of the match was made during this afternoon’s Backlash kickoff fan event.
At Backlash, Bayley is defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Naomi and Stratton in a triple threat match. That was made official after Stratton interrupted a title bout between Bayley and Naomi on SmackDown two weeks ago.
Belair & Cargill are challenging Damage CTRL’s Asuka & Kairi Sane for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles at Backlash. The premium live event streams live on Peacock starting at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday (May 4).
WWE has also announced that Paul Heyman will be Kevin Owens & Randy Orton’s guest for their RKO Show segment on SmackDown tonight. Owens & Orton vs. Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga is happening at Backlash.
Here’s the updated lineup for SmackDown:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles go face-to-face
Jade Cargill will make her WWE WrestleMania debut in a six-woman tag team match.
WWE announced following an angle at the close of Friday’s SmackDown that Cargill, Bianca Belair, & Naomi will face Damage CTRL’s Asuka, Kairi Sane, & Dakota Kai at WrestleMania 40 in a trios bout.
Belair defeating Kai in a singles match main evented Friday’s SmackDown, then Damage CTRL jumped Belair after the match. Naomi, then Cargill made the save, and the trios bout was officially announced on WWE’s digital channels by GM Nick Aldis:
Cargill made her first official appearance as a member of the SmackDown roster earlier in Friday’s episode, officially signing with the brand in an in-ring segment with Aldis.
After signing with WWE late last year, Cargill made her in-ring debut for the company in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match in January.
Here is the officially announced lineup for WrestleMania 40, which streams live on Peacock/WWE Network on Saturday, April 6 & Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. Eastern time:
WWE WrestleMania 40 —
Night one:
The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins
Night two:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre
Night to be announced:
WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Sami Zayn
Triple threat match: United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens
Six-pack ladder match: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) defend against DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa), The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods), The Miz & R-Truth, Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, and Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Damage CTRL’s Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai
Damage CTRL added more gold to its ranks on the night before the Royal Rumble.
New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned as The Kabuki Warriors defeated Kayden Carter & Katana Chance on last night’s SmackDown. This is Asuka & Kairi Sane’s second time holding the titles together. Their first reign took place in 2019 during Sane’s initial stint with WWE.
After taking out Chance with a slam onto the announce table, Sane and Asuka delivered an InSane Elbow/reverse DDT combination on Carter to win the titles. Damage CTRL then celebrated together on the ramp.
The victory completes part one of Damage CTRL’s mission this weekend. Bayley will now attempt to win the women’s Royal Rumble match tonight. Bayley has claimed that, if she wins the Rumble, she’ll challenge Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania and not her Damage CTRL stablemate WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY.
Carter & Chance had been Women’s Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from Chelsea Green & Piper Niven on the December 18 episode of Raw.
On the eve of the Royal Rumble, SmackDown takes place from Miami tonight.
A singles match between LA Knight and Solo Sikoa is part of the lineup for the episode. At the Royal Rumble, Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles are challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWEUniversal Championship in a fatal four-way match.
Santos Escobar will go head-to-head with Carlito tonight as well. Carlito was out of action recently due to an attack from Escobar.
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles against The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane). Chance & Carter retained their titles against Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn last week.
Also, in a rematch from two weeks ago, Austin Theory will step in the ring with Carmelo Hayes. There will also be a face-to-face confrontation between The Street Profits & Bobby Lashley and The Final Testament.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show. The Kabuki Warriors and Katana Chance & Kayden Carter were shown walking backstage. We then got a video recapping last week’s main event.
– Eladio Carrion made his entrance. With a microphone inside the ring, Carrion welcomed everyone into SmackDown. Carrion then introduced Randy Orton.
The Randy Orton segment
This was pretty basic, but essential to try and get some final heat on the four-way at the Rumble. Styles kicking Orton was mildly surprising, and it didn’t really pack a punch, but it was a nice way to get out of the segment. Knight showed good fire here – more than he has in a while on WWE TV – but while that stood out, there wasn’t much to say about any of this.
Orton said he bet nobody thought he was friends with Carrion. Orton said he was there to talk about the Bloodline. Orton said the Bloodline has been on a hell of a run and mentioned how Roman Reigns has been holding his title for almost 1,300 days. Orton said that’s unheard of and nobody can stop the Bloodline … except for him. Orton said the only number after Saturday night that will matter is “15,” because Orton will be a 15-time world champion after he beats Reigns. The crowd chanted “Randy!” Orton said he is going to win courtesy of the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment, “RKO.”
AJ Styles’ music then hit and Styles walked out. Styles asked Orton if he was looking past AJ Styles. AJ said he asked Nick Aldis if he could have a match with Solo Sikoa and instead, Aldis gave the match to LA Knight. Styles walked into the ring and told Orton that Orton should know better. Styles reminded Orton of their history together and Styles said Orton has a receipt coming. Styles said he will step over Orton, Reigns and Knight. On cue, Knight’s music hit and Knight came out.
Knight had a microphone and said “Let me talk to ya!” from the walkaway. Knight talked about how Styles has been “crying” ever since be came back to WWE. Knight noted how he didn’t really want to fight Sikoa later. Knight said Paul Heyman lobbied to have Knight wrestle tonight to soften him up for the Rumble. Knight said he’s not going to complain. Knight said he was going to walk over everyone at the Rumble to become the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion. Knight said “Yeah!” and threw the microphone down. Knight left the ring and Styles Pele Kicked Orton to end the segment.
**********
Santos Escobar defeated Carlito [9:50]
Is it me, or was Carlito moving a bit slower than anticipated there? Either way, these two worked fairly well together. The headline is Lopez’s call up to the main roster and I’m very curious to see how she does under the biggest spotlight WWE has to offer. She’s been a work in progress in the ring on NXT, though her mic work has improved significantly. Will she wrestle more on the main roster or will she be positioned as Legado Del Fantasma’s manager? It should be interesting to see how that faction evolves after the Rumble.
Carlito fired up to open the match and threw a series of punches and kicks. Carlito kept control with a fury of strikes until Escobar ran Carlito into the middle turnbuckle. Carlito went to the outside and was the recipient of a dive from Escobar as Humberto and Angel distracted Carlito. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from break, Carlito ran into an elbow and Escobar got a two-count out of it. Escobar then ripped Carlito’s shirt off of his upper body.
Escobar tore the tape off Carlito’s shoulder. Escobar hit a double knees in Carlito and followed that up with a Frankensteiner from the top rope for a two-count. Escobar worked an arm bar on Carlito. Escobar pulled Carlito down by his hair and stomped on Carlito. Escobar went back to the arm-bar, but Carlito fired up and took Escobar down with a dropkick. Carlito landed a neck-breaker and a spine-buster. Carlito followed that up with a knee and Humberto distracted the referee as Angel pulled Carlito to the outside. The LWO and Humberto and Angel brawled on the outside. Out of nowhere, Elektra Lopez attacked Zelina Vega, which distracted Carlito. Escobar then rolled Carlito up for the win.
**********
– Styles was shown walking backstage and he ran into Jimmy Uso. The rest of The OC walked up and asked Styles what that was about. Styles told them not to worry about it.
– Nick Aldis was shown backstage and Ava walked into the frame, asking Aldis for tips. In walked the Street Profits and Bobby Lashley, who drew a number for the Royal Rumble. Escobar walked in and drew a number for himself. Neither number was revealed.
– A video profiling Bayley aired.
– R-Truth was shown drawing a number for the Royal Rumble alongside Aldis and Ava. Truth called Aldis “Adam” and “Mr. Pearce.” Truth asked the GMs if he had to quarantine, so I suppose the guess is he drew 19.
The Kabuki Warriors (Kairi Sane & Asuka) defeated Katana Chance & Kayden Carter to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship [9:02]
Perhaps the most predictable outcome of the WWE weekend. Good for Chance and Carter at least getting a tiny run as champs on the main roster, but this outcome felt more probably than anything else on the card. The story of Damage CTRL having all the gold and then Bayley maybe winning the Royal Rumble seems as intriguing to me as anything else the company has going on in its women’s division. The match here was pretty good despite a couple iffy moments. Chance and Carter worked hard, but if those tag titles are going to get back to having a notable profile, they need to be on Asuka and Sane moving forward. Sane’s InSane elbow is one of prettiest moves in all of wrestling.
Carter and Asuka started the match, but it wasn’t long before Chance tagged in and the champs landed a couple double-team moves. With Asuka and Sane on the outside, Chance hit a plancha on both as the show went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Sane and Asuka hit a series of double-team moves on Chance to keep control. Asuka ran at Chance, but Chance pulled the second rope down and Asuka spilled out to the floor. Sane ran at Chance and Chance threw Sane to the outside, but Carter wasn’t on the apron for a tag. Eventually, Carter tagged in and hit a splash onto Sane and Asuka.
Carter hit a running boot to Asuka before landing a springboard leg-drop on Asuka for a two-count. Sane tagged in and the Warriors hit a double-team move on Carter for a near-fall. Sane landed a spinning back-fist on Carter and Sane went to the top. Sane went for her elbow, but Carter got her feet up and Sane landed on those feet. Asuka tagged in and Carter got in a modified Sister Abigail. Chance tagged in and the champs hit the Keg Stand, but Sane broke the pin attempt up.
Things broke down and Sane and Chance fought on the outside. Sane Slammed Chance onto the commentary table. Asuka kicked Carter in the head and tagged in Sane. Sane went to the top and this time landed the InSane Elbow for the win. After the match, the rest of Damage CTRL came out and celebrated with the new champs.
**********
– Paul Heyman was talking to Solo Sikoa backstage. Heyman asked Sikoa to “fix the problem” and to not be merciful in his match later. Jimmy Uso said Sikoa was scary and Heyman told Jimmy said Roman got to Tribal Chief level because he saw a moment and seized it. Heyman mentioned Seth Rollins and told Jimmy to seize the moment and enter the Royal Rumble, win it and challenge Seth Rollins at WrestleMania.
– Bianca Belair and Bayley were shown picking their numbers for the Royal Rumble match.
The Final Testament/Street Profits/Bobby Lashley segment
I don’t think we can debate Kross needed this reboot. I think it’s working. Kind of? Maybe? OK, so perhaps it’s too early to tell for sure, but I’m willing to keep an open mind as this Final Testament stuff unfolds. They need a strong start and they’re off to it, getting the best of Lashley and the Profits each week. This was no exception.
Bobby Lashley introduced the Profits and himself to the crowd. Lashley said the people of Miami came to see a fight and a fight is what they wanted to bring the Final Testament. The Final Testament’s music then hit and out they came. Scarlett walked into the ring and stared down Lashley, who called Kross a coward. Montez Ford said the Final Testament is scared. Paul Ellering had a microphone and spoke from the walkway. Ellering said there is no fear in Karrion Kross, who then began to speak and the crowd gave him the “What?” treatment. Kross told the crowd to “shut the hell up.”
The crowd booed heavily. Kross told Lashley that Lashley wasn’t in control anymore. Kross said Lashley wasn’t going to get his fight tonight. Lashley said Kross lied because they indeed are going to fight tonight. Scarlett jumped onto Lashley and Kross ran Lashley into the ring post. AOP beat the Profits down in the middle of the ring. The faction then attacked Lashley. Kross his the Kross Hammer and stood tall to end the segment.
**********
– Jimmy Uso showed up to Aldis’s office to draw his Rumble number. Jimmy seemed unhappy with his number.
– A video recapping the Kevin Owens/Logan Paul stuff from last week aired.
Austin Theory defeated Carmelo Hayes [6:59]
A seven-minute match with a commercial break in the middle of it. Did we really need to do this? I appreciated WWE’s position on stopping their first match out of caution, but that didn’t mean we had to do the whole thing again if it was just going to be this. The biggest story here was the appearance of Trick Williams on main roster TV and damn, that crowd let the world know he wasn’t going to disappoint. I know he’s over in NXT, but holy cow, turns out he’s over in all of WWE. There’s a lot of money in Hayes and Williams in the coming years. Here’s hoping WWE doesn’t drop the ball on them.
Hayes gained an early edge and Theory went to the outside. the match reset and Theory threw Hayes outside, where Grayson Waller hit Hayes. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Hayes fired up and hit a face-buster for a two-count. Hayes went to the second rope, but Waller distracted him and Theory pulled Hayes to the ground. Theory landed the Ataxia for a two-count. Theory lifted Hayes, but Hayes worked out of it. Waller got on the apron and Theory and Hayes traded roll-up attempts, but Theory grabbed the tights and ultimately got the win. After the match, Waller and Theory attacked Hayes, but Trick Williams’s music hit and Trick made the save. The crowd went nuts and yelled “Whoop that Trick.” Hayes appeared bothered that Williams was there.
**********
– Kayla Braxton interviewed Carrion backstage. Braxton asked him who he thought would walk out as champ and he said he thought Randy Orton would. The Bloodline walked into the frame and stared Carrion down.
LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [8:40]
Poor Solo Sikoa (and so much for that squash against John Cena). This was fine for what it was. The final minutes of the last three or four SmackDowns have all been far too similar for my liking, but that’s just me. Knight looked fired up, carrying that same energy he brought to the show’s opening segment, so that was a welcome surprise. The match was just kind of there, between the commercial break and the fomulaic nature of everything. Sikoa, meanwhile, has become the beacon of losses. Here’s hoping that changes after the Rumble this weekend, but seeing is believing.
Knight had control early and stepped on Sikoa’s hands before kicking Sikoa to the outside. Knight followed him and slammed Sikoa’s hand on all the tables on the outside. Knight ran Sikoa into a ring post and wrapped Sikoa’s hand around the post before slamming it against it multiple times. Knight rolled Sikoa back into the ring and went for a springboard splash, but Sikoa caught Knight with a punch. The show then went to its final commercial break of the night.
When the show returned, Sikoa landed a Samoan Drop for a two-count. Before long, Knight rallied and landed a bulldog from the second rope. Knight hit a bunch of punches and a running clothesline, complete with a side Russian Leg Sweep. Knight stomped on Sikoa. Knight punched Jimmy Uso off the apron and then DDT’d Sikoa. Knight clotheslined Sikoa over the top rope and the action spilled outside. Knight slammed Sikoa on the commentary table. Knight landed a running knee on Sikoa, but AJ Styles appeared out of nowhere and hit Knight with a flying elbow to give Knight the DQ win.
Styles ran Knight into the ring steps after the match. Jimmy Uso approached Styles with a chair and Jimmy put the chair down, suggesting Styles attack Knight with it. Styles picked up the chair and Sikoa yelled at Styles. Instead of attacking Knight, Styles attacked Jimmy and Solo with the chair. Randy Orton’s music then hit and Orton ran to the ring. Orton hit Styles and powerslammed Uso. Sikoa pulled Orton to the outside and Orton dropped Sikoa on the commentary table. Orton took his shirt off the and crowd cheered. Orton grabbed Uso and set him up for a draping DDT. Jimmy took it. Styles got back into the mix and Orton did the same to Styles. Orton RKO’d Styles and that was enough to end the show … until Knight showed up and gave Orton a BFT to truly end the show.
WarGames returns to the main roster for tonight’s WWE Survivor Series from Chicago (8 PM EST on Peacock/WWE Network).
The WarGames match itself has gone through many different eras with some being far better-reviewed than others. Only time will tell how this stage in WarGames history will compare with others, but last year felt like a good start.
You can break up the match’s history into the following five periods:
Crockett era
Early-90s WCW
Late-90s WCW
NXT
WWE main roster
Crockett-era WarGames matches are typically the best-reviewed with the first two on the 1987 Great American Bash tour both receiving five stars from Dave Meltzer. It continued to be hugely popular for JCP and then WCW in the early 90s, but things took a considerable dip in the Attitude Era.
By the time the Ultimate Warrior ran in during the 1998 edition, it was safe to say the event’s aura was not what it once was. I once heard reports another WarGames match was held in Vince Russo-era WCW, but I am either unable or unwilling to confirm.
The NXT era of WarGames that followed is tough to beat in terms of match quality. Meltzer never did give five stars for any of them, but several came close and very few were rated under four with the 2021 women’s edition arguably being the only one to disappoint.
The new era of WarGames on the WWE main roster started strong last year. That Survivor Series currently holds a 7.51 rating on Cagematch, making it the fourth highest-rated show (out of 37) in the event’s history.
The WarGames matches provide a new way for WWE to shape storylines heading into the Royal Rumble and ultimately WrestleMania season. It’s already going way better than the “brand supremacy” format we had for years, although that is not a high bar.
This year’s WarGames matches are all about shaky alliances and pending double crosses. Someone is turning on someone — it’s just not clear who those people are just yet.
Betting odds were obtained from Betonline on the week of the show.
Men’s WarGames match: Drew McIntyre and Judgment Day (JD McDonagh, Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & Damian Priest) vs. Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso & Randy Orton (-450 favorites)
One thing to keep an eye on here is Priest and the Money in the Bank briefcase. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Priest leave Saturday with the WWE World Heavyweight title belt. Rollins could be in a particularly vulnerable spot after the match, although Priest could be too badly beat up himself to cash in as well.
The drama in this year’s men’s WarGames match is kind of interesting. It all comes down to who is willing to forgive Uso for the Bloodline costing them matches against Roman Reigns with McIntyre being the only holdout.
In McIntyre’s mind, he’s right and the babyfaces are wrong. He thus feels justified joining up with a gang of similarly disenfranchised rapscallions in Judgment Day. It creates an interesting dynamic, but I’m not expecting him to remain with Judgment Day after Saturday. He could do something during the WarGames match to show he has no alliances with anyone which could factor into the finish, too.
In terms of match quality, this should be very good. It will be a special match for Rhodes, so expect him to try and make it memorable.
The babyfaces will likely win with McDonagh taking the fall for Judgment Day. What comes after that could be very interesting, however.
Prediction: Rhodes, Uso, Zayn, Rollins & Orton (with Priest possibly cashing in his MITB and defeating Rollins afterward)
This match has the closest odds of any on the card. It’s basically a pick ’em and there are several different ways it could end.
They have teased that the other members of Damage CTRL are gearing up to kick Bayley out of the group, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen. That feels like it could be a red herring or possibly even a red rooster.
One of the first things Paul “Triple H” Levesque did when he got the creative reins after Vince McMahon’s “retirement” last summer was to have Bayley form this group. She has talked openly about wanting to create the first real big female faction in WWE. I don’t know why either of them would decide to abandon the plan now. It seems more likely to me that the big turn in the match could come from the babyface side.
The alliances on the babyface team are possibly even shakier than with Damage CTRL. Flair strikes me as someone who could turn back heel at any time and it wouldn’t surprise me if she does it in WarGames, maybe setting up another feud with she and Lynch.
If I had to make a prediction, and for this article I do, I think the finish of this match involves Flair and Lynch not being on the same page somehow and it costing the babyfaces. Damage CTRL then leaves Chicago a more unified group moving forward.
Prediction: Damage CTRL
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther (-5000 favorite) defends against The Miz
Miz is not going to dethrone Gunther, but WWE has crafted an interesting little angle for the two.
The story that was set up in Gunther and Miz’s promo battle on Raw is that Gunther does not respect Miz as a wrestler. This lined up with his recent comments about Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, and other “showmen.”
The segment brought back memories of the Miz and Daniel Bryan having a similar debate on Talking Smack with Gunther taking Bryan’s role criticizing Miz for his soft style while Miz defends the WWE approach.
In a sense, it is Miz is representing WWE and “sports entertainment” against Gunther who is representing professional wrestling. Since the match is taking place in WWE, Miz is the babyface. To further the babyface/heel divide here, Gunther also commented on Miz being bullied in school for having WWE Superstars as his heroes. I suppose this would be in contrast to the professional wrestling fans at Miz’s school who must have been considered the cool kids.
WWE has attempted to turn Miz babyface only a small amount of times in his very lengthy career. Up until last Monday, none of them had gone very well at all. However, he did manage to get some sympathy from the crowd on Raw — something I don’t believe he’s ever received before in his 17-year WWE run.
Prediction: Gunther retains
WWE World Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley (-3000 favorite) defends against Zoey Stark
The betting world is not giving the challenger much of a chance in this one. She is listed as the second-largest underdog on the card after Miz and I can’t say I disagree.
Ripley is basically the most valuable player on Raw right now. She’s all over the show, taking part in Judgement Day’s business in addition to fending off challengers to her title. I don’t see her championship reign ending anytime soon.
Prediction: Ripley retains
Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar
This was made on Friday’s SmackDown when Carlito was “seriously injured” during a brawl on the show where Escobar jumped Carlito from behind. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis later pulled Carlito from the match and inserted Lee instead.
Whether it’s against Carlito or Lee, the purpose of this match is to establish Escobar as a top star and rival for Rey Mysterio. I’m expecting their feud to run through to WrestleMania, so it would be quite the choice to have Escobar lose here.
It’s now or never for Escobar. The 39-year-old has been with the company since 2019, having spent most of it in NXT. However, Levesque has confidence in the guy and is putting him in the most important, and likely lucrative, angle of his career. He seemingly checks all the boxes and this is his chance to get to the next level.
It’s Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley.
It finally happened, Santos Escobar turned on Rey Mysterio. Can you still get heat if everyone turns on Rey Mysterio? Not to be outdone, Asuka then turned on Bianca Belair and Charlotte and joined Damage CTRL. What does this mean for Survivor Series?
We also have Shingo Takagi channeling Stan Hansen at New Japan Lonestar Shootout, Rampage, Collision, and thoughts on being live at AEW Dynamite and Ring of Honor in Portland including Mark Briscoe, The Gunns and more. It’s another packed show, check it out!
Asuka ended SmackDown by aligning herself with Damage CTRL.
Friday’s show saw Asuka refuse to tag in towards the end of a match pitting her, Bianca Belair, and Charlotte Flair against Kairi Sane, Bayley, and IYO SKY. Asuka misted Belair and began attacking her and Charlotte Flair, with the rest of Damage CTRL joining in. Shotzi came out for the save but was also taken out. The show ended with the four, as well as Dakota Kai, raising each other’s hands.
Earlier in the show, Bayley addressed Kairi Sane with SKY, who came to the ring with Kai and Sane. Kai explained to Bayley that she and SKY brought in Sane to ease the workload for Bayley. Sane said that she forgave Bayley for attacking her back in 2020, taking her out of WWE in storyline. The three, along with Kai, ended up hugging.
At Crown Jewel last Saturday, SKY was wrestling Biana Belair when Sane interfered on her behalf, eventually allowing SKY to retain the WWE Women’s title. Bayley seemed surprised that Sane and IYO had joined forces.
On SmackDown tonight, WWE will provide some clarity about the future of Damage CTRL.
WWE has announced that Bayley will address Damage CTRL’s future on SmackDown tonight. The segment comes after Kairi Sane made her return to WWE at Crown Jewel. Sane helped IYO SKY retain the WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair.
Sane is back in WWE after last appearing for the company in 2020. In storyline, Bayley didn’t know Sane was going to be there at Crown Jewel.
“No one appeared more stunned by The Pirate Princess’ reemergence than Bayley, who, as Michael Cole reminded the WWE Universe last Saturday, was the very Superstar responsible for putting Sane out of WWE more than three years ago,” WWE wrote.
“What does the SKY-Sane reunion mean for Damage CTRL? Don’t miss Bayley’s response as she addresses the group’s future tonight on SmackDown, live at 8/7 C on FOX!”
Damage CTRL currently consists of Bayley, SKY, and Dakota Kai. Kai has been out of action since May due to a torn ACL.
Tonight’s Crown Jewel fallout edition of SmackDown is taking place from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the episode:
Dakota Kai is going to be on the shelf for an extended period of time.
Our own Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Kai suffered a torn ACL during the women’s tag title match on the May 12 edition of SmackDown. She is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow.
Liv Morgan sustained an injury to her shoulder in the same match. Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that she may require surgery as well.
Kai’s injury is said to have occurred when she was trying to protect an already-injured Morgan during the match.
“The word was that [Dakota Kai] was injured after Morgan suffered her shoulder injury and the knee injury came in a spot where she knew Morgan was hurt and was trying to protect her,” Meltzer wrote.
Recovery time from ACL surgery can range from six months to a year.
The members of Damage CTRL appeared to be starting an angle that could lead to the group breaking up. However, with Kai injured, it’s not clear how that storyline will move forward.
Bayley and IYO Sky are scheduled to team up to face Raquel Rodriguez and a partner of her choosing on this week’s SmackDown.
A six-woman tag team match featuring two WWE Hall of Famers has been added to the WrestleMania 39 lineup.
Wrestling for the first time since SummerSlam in August 2019, Hall of Famer Trish Stratus will team with the Women’s Tag Team Champions Becky Lynch and fellow Hall of Famer Lita against Damage CTRL’s Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY at WrestleMania 39.
The groundwork for the match was laid on last week’s Raw when Stratus helped Lynch and Lita win the Tag titles from Kai and SKY. On this week’s Raw, Stratus issued a challenge to Damage CTRL on her team’s behalf, and Bayley accepted for her side.
In her last match, Stratus faced Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2019 in Toronto. Stratus last wrestled on a WrestleMania in 2011, teaming with Snooki and John Morrison to defeat Dolph Ziggler, Michelle McCool, and Layla in a mixed tag match.
WrestleMania will be held on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Here is the updated lineup:
WWE WrestleMania, Saturday, April 1 & Sunday, April 2, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. TBD
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)
Date: February 27, 2023 Location: Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI
Show Recap —
Becky Lynch and Lita were shown arriving at the arena earlier tonight.
A video package recapped the Sami Zayn/Usos angle from Smackdown.
Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa entered for their match. Jimmy knew that people thought there were cracks in the Bloodline but it only looked that way from the outside. The Bloodline was a family and family fought all the time. The crowd chanted for Sami Zayn. Jimmy said that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn failed when going after them.
Jimmy moved on to Cody Rhodes and the crowd chanted for Cody. Jimmy asked the fans if they thought Rhodes would get one over on the Bloodline and the crowd cheered. Jimmy said hell no he wouldn’t.
The Street Profits interrupted. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins tossed a few insults at the Bloodline and mentioned that Jey Uso — not Jimmy — was given a 90 rating in the upcoming video game. (Jimmy got an 89.)
Jimmy warned them not to talk about Roman Reigns. Ford and Dawkins attacked them and cleared the ring ahead of a break.
Solo Sikoa & Tag Team Champion Jimmy Uso defeated The Street Profits (11:34)
(They showed a replay of Ford’s Spider-Man dive from Elimination Chamber.)
Sikoa took control ahead of a break and remained in control when they returned. Dawkins avoided a second running hip attack by hitting a running back elbow. Ford made the hot tag and hit Jimmy with strikes, a back suplex, and a standing moonsault for two. Ford followed later with an impressive flying crossbody for a nearfall.
Sikoa made a blind tag while Ford gave Jimmy a spinebuster. Dawkins tagged in but Sikoa shoved Ford off the top to the outside and superkicked Dawkins. Sikoa then dropped Dawkins with a Samoan Spike for the pinfall win.
— The Bloodline attacked the Street Profits after the match. Sikoa was going to kill Ford but Owens ran in wearing black jeans and a black hoodie (with no music) and superkicked Sikoa before dropping Jimmy with a stunner.
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MVP’s VIP Lounge with Brock Lesnar
The announcers were expecting MVP to enter but Brock Lesnar entered first without waiting for the host. Lesnar shook the hands of a few fans around ringside while politely saying, “how do you do?” Lesnar took a seat and awaited MVP.
MVP entered the stage and Lesnar nodded his head to his music. Lesnar invited MVP into the ring but he wanted to wait in the aisle. Lesnar said he had no issue with MVP and just wanted to do business. The crowd chanted “Suplex City” but MVP didn’t want them to encourage him. Lesnar assured MVP there wouldn’t be any suplexes tonight and the crowd booed.
MVP gladly entered the ring and Lesnar immediately reminded him that he called him a coward. Lesnar was just kidding, though, and he asked MVP to sell him and the fans on this fight against Omos.
MVP said everyone fell to Lesnar — except Bobby Lashley. Lesnar was mistaken to think he could handle a giant the way he handled everyone else. A giant could fight back and Lesnar wouldn’t be able to do anything to the giant Omos.
Lesnar acted impressed by the pitch and gave MVP a high five. Lesnar accepted the challenge. He wanted to shake on it and drink on it.
MVP wanted to toast with champagne but Lesnar didn’t have the same taste as him. Lesnar was a farmer, after all. Lesnar pulled out a flask and took a big swig. MVP still wanted to toast with the champagne but Lesnar talked him into drinking his White Lightning instead.
MVP took a sip but was grossed out and spat it out all over Lesnar’s face. Lesnar used MVP’s handkerchief to wipe his face and gave him an F5.
(The last time Lesnar was on Raw, his segment was also halfway through the first hour, so he’s probably long gone by the end of the hour.)
********
Cathy Kelley interviewed Lynch and Lita about their tag title match. Lita wanted to make history again, while Lynch said she wanted to check something off her bucket list. Lynch said Bayley could give involved if she wanted to but they’d take care of her too.
********
Rhodes gave his weight-lifting belt to a young fan and she hugged him.
Cody Rhodes defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (10:34)
They went to break a minute into the match after Rhodes hit a reverse superplex.
[SECOND HOUR]
Gable gained control during a break after Rhodes was distracted by Otis. Gable worked over Rhodes’ leg but Rhodes dodged a diving headbutt and followed with a powerslam and Disaster Kick for two.
The crowd chanted for Rhodes who applied a figure four but Gable got a rope break. Rhodes went for another move off the middle rope but Gable caught him mid-air and hit a German suplex for two. Gable followed with a cliffhanger DDT and moonsault for two.
They both got fired up and exchanged chops before Rhodes tossed Gable from the ring. Gable signalled for Otis but Otis was distracted off-screen so Rhodes hit Gable with a suicide dive.
Otis was still looking into the crowd for someone so Rhodes put his arm around him and spoke to him about whoever he was staring at. Otis went after him once he realized Rhodes wasn’t Gable but Rhodes sidestepped him and he tumbled into the crowd.
Back in the ring, Rhodes hit a Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes for the pinfall win.
— Rhodes grabbed a mic. He said they were 33 days from WrestleMania and he has yet to stand toe-to-toe with Roman Reigns.
Rhodes said, “I am ecstatic that Roman Reigns is on Smackdown this Friday — because I’ll be there too.”
********
Byron Saxton tried interviewing Baron Corbin but it was interrupted again because Saxton wanted to interview a nearby Kevin Owens instead. Owens said the Bloodline was suffering the consequences of their actions and they weren’t the only ones. Owens has been fighting them on his own for months and still didn’t want any help.
There was a Titanic movie parody with Bianca Belair and Montez Ford.
********
There was a Judgment Day backstage promo. Dominik warned Rey Mysterio that he was in ex-con Dom’s prison now, Rhea Ripley told Charlotte Flair that she would become the new Women’s Champion, while Finn Bálor warned Edge that this would only be over when he said so. Edge was playing checkers while Bálor was playing chess and there was only one more move. Bálor challenged him to a match at WrestleMania.
********
Maxxine Dupri and the Maximum Male Models approached Otis. Dupri said they would be delighted to watch him in action tonight if he had a match (Mace and Mansoor were far less enthused). Otis said he could make that happen and scampered off to find Adam Pearce.
********
Asuka defeated Carmella (8:45)
This is not the match I would have done with Asuka.
Corey Graves screamed about Carmella on commentary for a minute straight when the match started. He also reminded us that Carmella has twice beaten Asuka in the past (2018) while Asuka has never beaten her.
Carmella hit a superkick outside the ring which led to an early commercial break. Carmella held control through the break and Graves had Kevin Patrick repeatedly inform us of this fact.
Asuka eventually put Carmella in her submission finisher for the win.
— After the match, Asuka called out Bianca Belair who immediately entered to her music.
Belair thought Asuka should let everyone know that they were going to tear the house down at WrestleMania because if she said anything else, Belair would remind her why you can’t spell “WrestleMania” without “E.S.T.”
Before Asuka could respond, Carmella decked her from behind which knocked over both Asuka and Belair. Carmella left and Belair stared her down.
This was no good.
********
Candice LeRae defeated Piper Niven (2:33)
Nikki Cross watched the match at ringside.
Niven was fully in control and chucked Cross into the barricade as it seemed like Cross was about to go after her (for beating up LeRae). As Niven entered the ring, LeRae caught her in a schoolboy for the pinfall win.
The crowd was as quiet as a wrestling crowd can get.
********
Saxton interviewed Johnny Gargano who said he was proud of LeRae and her win. Judgment Day approached and Gargano made a dig about them going through a goth phase. Damian Priest wasn’t impressed with Gargano using the same old goth line. Bálor warned Gargano that he would get squished by Otis tonight, but if he didn’t, Bálor would finish the job next week.
********
Miz TV
Miz wanted to introduce us to the host of WrestleMania. They did a big drum roll to reveal the host would be… The Miz. He ran down some of the main event matches before being interrupted by Seth Rollins.
The crowd sang Rollins’ song so Miz told them to shut up. Rollins told him not to get his panties in a bunch. Miz was annoyed that Rollins kept stepping on his moment the past few weeks. Rollins said he stomped Miz a few weeks ago because he was being a jerk. He stomped him three times in their match because he was being a “b-hole.”
Miz said he wasn’t a b-hole, he was more of an “A” type of person which was meant to evoke an “asshole” chant but it didn’t really catch on. Rollins said he was out there because he has unsuccessfully been trying to get a hold of Logan Paul and he figured Miz could help. Rollins wanted Miz to call Paul but Miz said no.
Miz called Rollins a clown who didn’t have anything for WrestleMania so Rollins superkicked him. Rollins stole Miz’s phone while he was down and used Miz’s face to unlock it.
Rollins called Paul on video chat and asked him how his brother was doing (which did get a reaction). Rollins invited him to show up to Raw next week like a man. Paul accepted the invitation. Rollins said “bye-bye, bitch” before hanging up the phone. He danced, proud of his behaviour.
Rollins stomped Miz before leaving.
********
Kelley interviewed Damage CTRL about their title defence. Basically, Bayley wasn’t worried about it.
After they left, Austin Theory approached Kelley. He said it was appropriate that she was interviewing the Women’s Tag Team Champions but he was annoyed that people were talking more about John Cena and about not him and his recent success. Theory planned on meeting Cena face-to-face in Boston next week.
********
They replayed the Bray Wyatt segment from Smackdown. Rick Boogs was shown in the back taking notes during the match.
Bobby Lashley defeated Elias (1:32)
Lashley hit a flatliner, a spear and applied the Hurt Lock for the submission win.
— Lashley was not in a good mood. He said he owned Lesnar at Elimination Chamber and yet, he was now playing Wyatt’s kid games. Lashley didn’t plan on playing games and warned Wyatt to keep his name out of his mouth or else.
A video of Wyatt doing the muscle man dance appeared on the screen with clips of Lashley spliced in. It ended with Wyatt saying, “you should run.”
********
Chelsea Green berated Adam Pearce because she wound up in Ottawa, Illinois last week. She claimed not to know that there was even an Ottawa, Ontario but Pearce reminded her that the was Canadian.
Carmella approached Pearce to complain about something. He granted her a match against Belair next week before leaving his own office to take a phone call. Green and Carmella seemed to get along swimmingly after he left.
********
Johnny Gargano defeated Otis (w/Maxxine Dupri & Maximum Male Models) (2:52)
Gargano tried a dive but Otis caught him and dropped him on the announce table. Otis did a little flex in Dupri’s direction before getting back in the ring.
Mace grabbed Gargano so Dexter Lumis, who appeared suddenly, grabbed Mace and dragged him into the crowd.
Gargano used the distraction to hit Otis with a DDT on the apron followed by One Final Beat in the ring for the pinfall win. Gargano and Lumis gave Dupri a thumbs up from across the ring.
(They didn’t explicitly explain why Gable didn’t accompany Otis to the ring but Otis was shown standing outside the trainer’s room following Gable’s match earlier so presumably, he was being checked on.)
********
Kelley asked Paul Heyman about Rhodes’ announcement that he would be on Smackdown. Heyman loved it. He loved that Rhodes would confront Reigns. Kelley said that Rhodes never said he would confront Reigns, just that he would be there. Heyman knew better. He knew that Rhodes was going to invade Smackdown. Rhodes would confront Reigns — or he would be confronted by Reigns.
********
Raw next week in Boston:
John Cena returns
Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa
Seth Rollins/Logan Paul face to face
Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Bálor
Bianca Belair vs. Carmella (non-title)
********
Becky Lynch & Lita defeated Dakota Kai & IYO SKY to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships (13:22)
Trish Stratus returned to help Lita and Lynch win the tag titles.
Lita and Lynch worked as a team and were in full control through a break. Lynch dropped Kai and SKY with a DDT/reverse DDT combo before hitting Kai with Diamond Dust. SKY attacked Lynch as she tried putting Kai in a Disarmer and SKY followed with an Asai moonsault for two. Kai and SKY worked over Lynch until Kai and Lynch dropped each other with clotheslines.
Bayley slid a title belt into the ring to distract the referee so that she could yank Lita off the apron. Kai and SKY hit Lynch with a double back suplex but only got a two count.
Trish Stratus’ music hit and she sprinted out to go after Bayley. Stratus hugged Lita who got the hot tag. SKY kicked out of some move by Lita and went for a moonsault but Lita dodged it and hit Twist of Fate. Stratus blocked Bayley from interfering again while Lynch put Kai in the Disarmer.
Lita hit SKY with a moonsault for the pinfall win. Crowd popped for the win. Lita and Lynch are the new tag team champions. Fireworks went off as Lynch and Lita celebrated with Stratus.
