During a Royal Rumble week interview with Denise Salcedo, Doudrop opened up about a recent health scare that kept her away from the ring.
Doudrop, who has been out of action since September, noted earlier this month that an illness was why she had been absent from WWE television. Doudrop wrote that she had been “very sick” but was healing.
Doudrop told Salcedo that the health scare happened after she had a “real bad” case of COVID-19. The symptoms caused concern about her heart, but every single test she underwent came back clean. Doudrop stated that her heart is in excellent condition.
“I’ve had some time off to deal with a little bit of a health scare that I had, but luckily that’s all it was, it was just a scare,” Doudrop said. “Everything was always great. So, I got COVID real bad and the symptoms I was having — [they were] concerned about my heart. God bless them, they took the best care of me, they got every test for my heart that they could muster, and every single one of them came back clean as a whistle.”
“And much to some people’s annoyance, my heart is in excellent condition,” Doudrop joked.
Salcedo asked Doudrop if she’ll be making her return in Saturday’s women’s Royal Rumble match.
“I’ll be around,” Doudrop answered coyly. “In what capacity, I’m not going to tell. But I’ll be around.”
Doudrop has explained why she’s been off WWE television in recent weeks.
In response to a fan on Twitter asking why she’s disappeared from TV, Doudrop wrote on Tuesday: “I was very sick, but I am healing.” Doudrop also clarified that visa issues aren’t why she hasn’t been on TV. Doudrop noted that her visa was updated last April.
Dave Meltzer mentioned on Monday night’s Wrestling Observer Radio that visa issues are why some United Kingdom talent haven’t appear on WWE or NXT TV as of late.
Doudrop told Inside the Ropes last August that needing to renew her visa contributed to her not being on WrestleMania 38:
It was disappointing, I’m not gonna lie. But at the same time, I completely understood why. Not a lot of people know this, but I actually had to leave the US straight after WrestleMania to go and renew my visa in the UK. Because of a lot of different conflicts going on in the world and right now, it was going to be — they were unsure how long that process might take and I could have been in the UK for a month for as long as they knew. I couldn’t really have anything on the show because they didn’t know when I’d be back. Being there was great and everything. Just being able to sit there and watch it and take it all in. Got to meet so many cool people like The Undertaker and Steve Austin and get some advice from people and things like that and that was awesome.
Doudrop is a member of the WWE Raw roster. She hasn’t wrestled since teaming with Nikki Cross against Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne on the September 6 episode of NXT. Doudrop & Cross were also in action at NXT Worlds Collide last September, losing to NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter.
Three matches have been added to next week’s Raw in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Chad Gable will face Braun Strowman, while Johnny Gargano is set to take on Otis. Candace LeRae, who made her return to WWE TV on Raw Monday, will face Dakota Kai on next week’s program as well.
After Alpha Academy failed to defeat Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano on Raw, they were confronted backstage by an upset Austin Theory. Gable said that if it wasn’t for Braun Strowman, they would have easily won, hurling insults at Strowman. Theory’s phone than rang. When Gable answered, it was Strowman, who said he would be coming to Raw next week in Gable’s hometown.
Following the phone call, Theory told Otis that he would face Gargano next week, and wanted to make sure that he would put an end to Gargano. Otis was excited about his match, while Gable was not.
LeRae made her return to WWE on Monday, defeating Nikki A.S.H in a match. Later, she met Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka backstage and wished Belair luck against Bayley at Extreme Rules. Bayley and Damage Control overheard and the groups exchanged words, with LeRae eventually challenging Kai.
A solid episode of NXT 2.0 took place this week that featured an awesome match between Roxanne Perez and Meiko Satomura, Toxic Attraction in action, JD McDonagh attacking Tyler Bate, Bate and Breakker teaming, and much more!
If you want to stay up to date with the happenings of NXT 2.0, tune into Speak Now Pro Wrestling with Denise Salcedo!
Three new matches have been confirmed for tonight’s episode of NXT.
WWE has added the following matches to the card for tonight’s NXT: Meiko Satomura vs. Roxanne Perez, Ricochet vs. Trick Williams, and Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. vs. Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne).
Satomura, Ricochet, and Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. are all coming off losses at NXT Worlds Collide.
Satomura was NXT UK Women’s Champion heading into Worlds Collide, but she lost her title in a triple threat match without being pinned. Mandy Rose pinned Blair Davenport to unify the NXT Women’s Championship with the NXT UK Women’s Championship.
WWE notes that “Satomura’s skills and reputation drew the attention of Roxanne Perez, who sought out the former champion to request a one-on-one showdown in the spirit of competition.”
Ricochet vs. Williams and Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. vs. Toxic Attraction were both set up by interference that took place in their matches at Worlds Collide. Williams interfered to help Carmelo Hayes retain the NXT North American Championship against Ricochet. Toxic Attraction interfered to cost Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. their chance at winning Katana Chance & Kayden Carter’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s show:
First match in best-of-three series: Nathan Frazer vs. Axiom
Doudrop defeated Dana Brooke at the Main Event tapings held before Raw on Monday night. It is the first championship she has won in WWE. Doudrop becomes the 55th person to win the title and her victory over Brooke was the 166th time the title has changed hands.
Brooke is second behind R-Truth in most categories relating to the title. She has held the belt five times for a combined total of 196 days. R-Truth has held the title 52 times for a combined total of 415 days.
The other match taped for Main Event this week saw the Judgment Day team of Damian Priest and Finn Balor defeat the Mysterios (Rey & Dominik Mysterio).
Main Event airs on Thursday evenings on Hulu in the United States. This week’s episode was filmed from the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Main Event tapings from June 20:
Doudrop defeated Dana Brooke to win the WWE 24/7 Championship
Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damian Priest) defeated The Mysterios (Rey & Dominik Mysterio)
A second Elimination Chamber match has been added to this month’s pay-per-view.
WWE has announced that Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Doudrop, and Nikki A.S.H. will compete in an Elimination Chamber match at the Saturday, February 19 Elimination Chamber PPV. There’s also a silhouetted sixth participant included on the graphic for the match whose identity has yet to be revealed.
The winner of the Chamber match will challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 38 this April. Becky Lynch currently holds the title and is defending it against Lita at the Elimination Chamber.
Morgan and Doudrop have both unsuccessfully challenged for Lynch’s title in recent weeks. Doudrop got her title shot at the Royal Rumble by defeating Morgan and Belair in a number one contender’s match. During that triple threat match, Lynch interfered to prevent Belair from winning.
This year’s Elimination Chamber PPV is taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Elimination Chamber match: WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Austin Theory, Riddle, and AJ Styles
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Goldberg
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Lita
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) defend against The Viking Raiders (Ivar & Erik)
Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss
Elimination Chamber match: Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Doudrop vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. ? (winner will challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania)
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, before Monday’s Raw.
Veer Mahaan defeated Akira Tozawa (4:02)
This was a lackluster squash that went longer than it needed to.
Mahaan’s promised debut on Raw is now getting a bit ridiculous. Vignettes started airing back in November 2021 and here we are, four months later, no further along.
Mahaan and Tozawa worked a labored match, complete with a nerve hold halfway through, in which Mahaan no-sold most of Tozawa’s offense.
Mahaan used his Million Dollar Arm move and again, not as his finisher. They referenced the fact that he was a former baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates – something that they haven’t been doing in his last few outings.
Tozawa was finished off by Mahaan’s still unnamed spinning neckbreaker and we still wait to see if or when he ever makes his main roster debut. Based on this outing, be prepared to be thoroughly underwhelmed when he does.
Liv Morgan defeated Doudrop (7:19)
This was perfectly fine as Doudrop took the loss on her first appearance on Main Event.
A similar thing happened to Keith Lee last year when he went from having an episode of WWE 24 air on the WWE Network to making his debut on Main Event in the same week. Doudrop was working with Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble last weekend and now winds up here, taking a fall, which is probably an unsettling feeling for all involved.
They worked well with Morgan playing the plucky babyface and Doudrop the overpowering force to be reckoned with.
Doudrop exploded out of the blocks which gave the match a good opening feel, but things slowed down after the commercial as they went into a rest hold.
Morgan and Doudrop both had the chance to shine with some nice moves, including a top rope springboard dropkick from Morgan.
In the end, it was a nice finish as Morgan seized upon an opportunity when she got her knees up to block a Vader Bomb in the corner. She saw her chance and sprinted across the ring to nail Doudrop with Oblivion to snatch the win.
Final Thoughts:
On the one hand, it was good to see the women’s roster represented here, especially since they put on a superior performance. On the other, you have to wonder what the future holds for Doudrop after that burial.
Royal Rumble challengers are set to face off against each other on tonight’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins will take place on Raw tonight. Lashley is challenging for Brock Lesnar’s WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, while Rollins is challenging for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship.
The Royal Rumble is being held at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis on Saturday, January 29. The pay-per-view will also feature Becky Lynch defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Doudrop. Tonight, Lynch & Doudrop will team together against Bianca Belair & Liv Morgan.
Doudrop became the number one contender to Lynch’s title by defeating Belair and Morgan in a triple threat match in the main event of Raw last week. Leading into the finish of the match, Lynch interfered and prevented Belair from winning. Doudrop then hit a Banzai Drop on Morgan and pinned her to get the victory.
Lynch acted like she was going to shake Doudrop’s hand after the number one contender’s match, but she slapped Doudrop in the face instead. Lynch then went to hit the Manhandle Slam, but Doudrop powered out of it.
The BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma is hosting tonight’s Raw. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins
Becky Lynch & Doudrop vs. Bianca Belair & Liv Morgan
Bobby Lashley responds to Brock Lesnar after last week’s face-to-face
Becky Lynch reacts to Doudrop being her next challenger
Can RK-Bro bounce back after losing the Raw Tag Team titles to Alpha Academy?
It will be Lynch vs. Doudrop for the Raw Women’s Championship at the Royal Rumble on Saturday, January 29. Doudrop became the number one contender to Lynch’s title by defeating Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair in a triple threat match in the main event of tonight’s Raw.
The number one contender’s match included interference by Lynch. As Belair was about to get the victory after hitting the KOD on Morgan, Lynch broke up the pin. Doudrop then gave Morgan a Banzai Drop to win the match as Belair was focused on Lynch.
Lynch acted like she was going to give Doudrop a handshake after the match, but she slapped Doudrop in the face instead. Lynch then went to hit the Manhandle Slam, but Doudrop powered out and pushed Lynch out of the ring.
Lynch was on commentary for the number one contender’s match. Before it started, she cut a promo giving backhanded compliments to Belair and Morgan. Lynch gave Doudrop respect for being a fellow Celt who takes what she wants. Lynch said the three of them were fighting for the right to one day be able to tell their grandchildren that they lost to Big Time Becky Lynch.
On last week’s Raw, Doudrop went to Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville and demanded to be in the Raw Women’s Championship picture. She complained about the same women always getting opportunities.
The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis will be the host of this year’s Royal Rumble. The updated card for the pay-per-view is listed below:
Men’s Royal Rumble match
Women’s Royal Rumble match
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defends against Bobby Lashley
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Seth Rollins
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Doudrop
Mixed tag match: Edge & Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz & Maryse
Date: January 10, 2022 Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
The Big Takeaway —
Doudrop beat Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair to earn a title shot against Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble. Belair had the match won before that but Lynch broke up the cover.
Chad Gable and Otis beat Randy Orton and Riddle to win the Raw tag team titles, Nikki ASH turned on Rhea Ripley, and Seth Rollins beat Big E clean.
Show Recap —
Brock Lesnar entered with Paul Heyman to a big reaction.
Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin approached Lashley in the back as he watched a monitor. Alexander was excited for Lashley but Lashley reminded him that they were no longer part of the Hurt Business and told them to hit the bricks.
Lesnar was excited to be back in Philadelphia but before he could say any more, Lashley and MVP interrupted. Lashley called them both super-athletes and said it was an honour to share the ring with Lesnar.
Lashley also stated that Lesnar has been running from him for 20 years. Lesnar said he’s been busy over the years winning championships in this ring and other rings. He didn’t even know who Lashley was until they met at Day 1. Lesnar said it wasn’t his fault that Lashley didn’t climb the ladder enough to reach him at the top.
Lesnar was doing some comedy here and Lashley mocked him for it. Lesnar wanted to tell a knock-knock joke and Heyman couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The setup was “Bobby who?” and Lesnar’s punchline was, “Exactly.” The crowd laughed. Lesnar called Lashley a Brock Lesnar-wanna and walked off.
Benjamin and Alexander attacked Lashley from behind but Lashley laid them both out.
********
Randy Orton approached Riddle in the back. Orton blamed Riddle for the loss last week because he never tagged him in. Orton used a marker to write “tag in Randy” on Riddle’s hands. Riddle asked Orton if they could go out for Philly cheesesteaks after they win and asked if he was a Pat’s guy or a Geno’s guy. Orton said Geno’s.
They showed a Chad Gable tweet where he posted pictures of himself and Otis training their necks to prevent being victims of an RKO.
Alpha Academy defeated Randy Orton & Riddle to win the Raw Tag Team Championships (9:13)
They went to break two minutes into the match after Riddle wiped out Gable with a dive. Gable took control during the break using a dragon screw off the ropes.
Riddle knocked down Otis with a floating bro and made the hot tag to Orton who nailed Gable with clotheslines and a power slam. Orton knocked Otis off the apron before giving Gable a superplex. Riddle tried taking out Otis on the outside but Otis knocked him down.
Orton tried fighting off both opponents but Otis caught him with a World’s Strongest Slam for the pinfall win (Riddle couldn’t get back in the ring on time). Gable and Otis are the new champions. The crowd was red-hot for Orton and seemed surprised by the result. I liked it.
********
Damian Priest declared for the Royal Rumble match. Priest also met with the Street Profits in the back. They were all on the same page and they were ready to give a beating to Apollo Crews, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.
Bianca Belair cut a promo on Becky Lynch, warning her that her time on top was coming to an end.
There was a replay of Johnny Knoxville tossing Sami Zayn over the top rope on Smackdown to qualify for the Rumble match.
********
Six-man tag team match: Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode & Apollo Crews (w/Commander Azeez) defeated United States Champion Damian Priest & The Street Profits (9:13)
This also went to break two minutes in with the babyfaces on top and like the previous match, the heels were in control following the break (but they didn’t show how it happened this time).
Montez Ford tagged in Angelo Dawkins who handed out suplexes to Ziggler and Roode. Dawkins gave Roode a bulldog and Silencer but Crews broke up the cover. Priest went after Crews but became distracted by Azeez. Ford wiped out Crews and Azeez with a dive as Dawkins gave Roode a spinebuster in the ring.
However, Ziggler was the legal man and he gave Dawkins a Zig-Zag for the pinfall win.
That’s two straight surprise wins by the heels. This match was completely flat and this was not the result I’d have gone with.
[Second Hour]
Seth Rollins promo
Rollins said he was excited for the Royal Rumble, not because of Lesnar vs. Lashley or because of the Rumble matches, but because he would become Universal Champion. Rollins said he didn’t get the match because of a Penguin-looking advocate, he got it because he’s Seth freakin’ Rollins. He planned on beating Roman Reigns yet again.
Big E interrupted. He claimed to be as excited as Rollins and as excited as Gritty after a (rare) Philadelphia Flyers victory. Rollins didn’t know what Gritty was. Big E said he put $10 on Rollins and announced that he was entering the Rumble match. He had one goal: to beat Rollins at WrestleMania for the world championship.
Rollins laughed and claimed Big E had no chance. Big E offered to test that theory tonight. Rollins hesitated but Big E goaded him into it. A referee entered the ring and the match started abruptly.
Seth Rollins defeated Big E (17:55)
Big E splashed Rollins on the apron and they went to break 80 seconds into the match. Big E smashed Rollins’ face off the announce table as they returned from break. Jimmy Smith said he was covered in “Seth freakin’ Rollins’ sweat.”
Rollins slipped out of a Big Ending attempt and chop-blocked Big E before hitting a flying knee strike for two. Big E came back with an STO, a clothesline, and a spear through the ropes to the outside.
Despite what we just saw, Rollins was back in control following a break. Big E came back with three consecutive overhead suplexes and a splash but Rollins responded with a rolling forearm. They traded counters until Rollins hit an enziguri for two, followed by a superkick for two, and a frog splash for two.
Rollins went for a curb stomp but Big E countered into a powerbomb for two. Big E applied a stretch muffler but Rollins got a rope break. Big E tried a spear through the ropes again but Rollins got his knee up. They traded counters again until Rollins hit consecutive forearm strikes and a curb stomp for the clean pinfall win.
Good match. Another heel win, however. And that’s after Big E issued a challenge that Rollins didn’t really even want to accept.
*********
There was a video announcing 19 entrants for the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Nikki A.S.H./Rhea Ripley segment
Sarah Schreiber interviewed Nikki ASH and Rhea Ripley in the ring because they had an announcement to make. Nikki issued a challenge to Queen Zelina and Carmella for the tag team titles. Ripley told Nikki (off the mic) that this wasn’t what they agreed to discuss. Ripley thought they were out there to talk about the Rumble.
Schreiber asked them about the rumours surrounding their team. Ripley didn’t want to talk about this in the ring but Nikki did. Nikki grabbed a mic and told Ripley that they’d be able to get the titles again. Ripley thought it would be best if they went their separate ways. Nikki thought they brought out the best in each other.
Nikki knew that Ripley blamed her for their loss. Nikki also made a comment about one of them feeling like they were the better wrestler. Ripley said she never claimed to be better than her. Nikki clarified that she was better than Ripley.
Ripley had enough and was about to leave but offered a handshake before they went their separate ways. Ripley still believed in Nikki and hoped they could still be friends. Nikki asked if she was being sincere so Ripley hugged her.
Nikki turned her back which seemed like a setup for Ripley to attack her. However, Ripley offered a fist bump and Nikki decked her. Nikki hammered away on Ripley before leaving the ring. As she posed on the ramp, Nikki said, “Almost Super Heroes don’t need any friends.”
********
In the back, Reggie gave Dana Brooke a cheesesteak. This led to a 24/7 segment where various things happened and Tamina (who is celebrating her birthday today) wound up covered in cheesesteaks.
Reggie ran into Omos so Omos was about to kill him but Brooke talked him out of it. Omos issued a warning to Reggie.
********
Doudrop cut a backstage promo stating her case for the title. She said 2022 would be the year we finally get Dou-dropped.
********
Omos defeated Nick Sanders (1:36)
Omos won quickly with a tree slam. They piped in booing for the result.
********
Edge entered for the Cutting Edge.
[Third Hour]
The Cutting Edge with guest Beth Phoenix
Edge spoke glowingly of Beth Phoenix before introducing her. Edge reminded the fans of how much ass she kicked in her career.
He said she would’ve been in the Broad Street Bullies if they were in the 1970s and said they’ve collected championships the way the Flyers collected Stanley Cups (they only have two). Edge said they’ve won 35 titles as a couple, more than any other couple in WWE — and they were the only couple in the Hall of Fame. (Edge has 31 title wins, Phoenix has 4.)
Edge had a video package played for Phoenix. The crowd cheered the video. Phoenix wondered if he was just trying to butter her up for later and the crowd popped for that remark. Phoenix was sick of Maryse and Miz and was looking forward to shutting their mouths for good.
Miz and Maryse interrupted. Miz sided with Ben Simmons to get heat here in Philly before repeating material from last week’s promo. Miz heard that Edge had a video ready for Phoenix so he also had one played for Maryse. The crowd booed.
Miz said they were all lucky to be in Maryse’s presence. Edge put over Maryse’s career and work ethic but said Phoenix could deadlift a Buick. He’d be as worried as they were if he had to fight her. Phoenix thought it was funny that Maryse was suddenly quiet.
Phoenix planned on having the crowd chanting “au revoir” when she was done with Maryse and she’d be happy to knock out Miz’s teeth as well. The Miz boldly put over Maryse as a look of worry washed over her face. Maryse scampered to the back as Miz continued to ramble. The crowd laughed at Miz who finally realized Maryse left.
********
Kevin Patrick interviewed Austin Theory about his upcoming match against AJ Styles. Theory said Mr. McMahon warned him about how good Styles was but Theory was ready to prove to McMahon why he should continue to invest in him. Patrick asked if McMahon gave him any other advice and Theory said yes: “Don’t screw this up.”
AJ Styles defeated Austin Theory via DQ (7:00)
Styles outsmarted Theory early on but Theory dropkicked him off the apron which led to break 90 seconds into the match. They wrestled for a bit after the break but the match ended in a disqualification after Grayson Waller attacked Styles as he set up for a Phenomenal forearm. Theory took a selfie over Styles before leaving.
Styles attacked Waller but he bailed before Styles could do any worse.
In the back, Waller told Patrick that he was simply giving Styles a preview of their match tomorrow on NXT. (Waller was looking over his shoulder to make sure Styles didn’t come after him.)
********
Liv Morgan cut a promo saying she wouldn’t come close to winning the title at the Rumble — she would finally win it.
********
Alexa Bliss segment
There was a pre-taped segment with Bliss (dressed in her evil overalls and evil makeup) meeting with a psychiatrist. His office had a Newton’s Cradle and Bliss stopped its movement just by looking at it. After the psychiatrist showed her a clip from her past, Bliss flipped out and destroyed his office. Bliss chucked something at him as he ran away. She shrieked.
********
Becky Lynch promo
They piped in some booing as the live crowd chanted “Becky.” She gave backhanded compliments to Morgan and Belair before putting over Doudrop. She said tonight’s winner would have the pleasure of telling their grandkids that they lost to Big Time Becks.
Lynch joined commentary for the match.
Triple threat match: Doudrop defeated Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair (14:41)
They had a fun match and Doudrop picked up the win to earn a title shot against Lynch.
Morgan and Belair shined early on until Doudrop nailed them both with a running crossbody. Doudrop gave Belair a Michinoku driver before slamming Morgan on top of her. Morgan avoided a cannonball and tried repeated double foot stomps but it had no effect and Doudrop chucked her out of the ring.
After a break, Belair avoided a charge by Doudrop and went to the top but Morgan actually flipped over Doudrop to bring Belair down with a hurricanrana. Doudrop kicked Morgan into the buckle and Belair speared Doudrop.
Morgan put Belair in Rings of Saturn and held the move for a while until Belair got to her feet with Morgan on her shoulders. However, Morgan countered into a Codebreaker before giving one to Doudrop as well.
Doudrop powerbombed Morgan and covered her but Belair broke it up with a 450 splash. Lynch couldn’t help but be impressed. Belair gave Doudrop a spinebuster before giving Morgan a Glam Slam on top of her.
Belair hit a moonsault on both women before giving Morgan the KOD but Lynch broke up the cover. (This wasn’t a DQ because it’s a triple threat.) Belair chased after Lynch but Lynch wound up tossing her over the announce table.
In the ring, Doudrop gave Morgan a Banzai Drop for the pinfall win.
After the match, Lynch offered Doudrop a handshake before smacking her. Lynch tried to give her a Man-handle Slam but that didn’t work. Doudrop shoved Lynch from the ring and the show ended as the two women exchanged words.
The finals of WWE’s inaugural Queen’s Crown tournament are now set.
At Crown Jewel this Thursday, Zelina Vega and Doudrop will face off in the finals of the Queen’s Crown tournament. Doudrop advanced to the finals by defeating Shayna Baszler on Raw tonight. Vega booked her spot in the finals by defeating Carmella on last week’s SmackDown.
Doudrop defeated Baszler by reversing into a pinning attempt as Baszler had her locked in the Kirifuda Clutch.
The finals of WWE’s Queen’s Crown and King of the Ring tournaments are both taking place at Crown Jewel. Finn Balor vs. Xavier Woods is the final match in King of the Ring.
Crown Jewel will begin at noon Eastern time on Thursday. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Brock Lesnar
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks in a triple threat match
WWE Champion Big E defends against Drew McIntyre
No holds barred match: Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley
Hell in a Cell match: Edge vs. Seth Rollins
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
Mansoor vs. Mustafa Ali
King of the Ring tournament finals: Finn Balor vs. Xavier Woods
Queen’s Crown tournament finals: Zelina Vega vs. Doudrop
Zelina Vega, Carmella, Shayna Baszler, and Doudrop are the final four wrestlers in WWE’s Queen’s Crown tournament.
Baszler and Doudrop advanced to the Queen’s Crown semifinals with first-round wins on Raw tonight. Baszler defeated Dana Brooke, while Doudrop defeated Natalya. Baszler and Doudrop’s semifinal match will take place on Raw next Monday.
Vega will face Carmella in their Queen’s Crown semifinal match on this Friday’s SmackDown. Vega defeated Toni Storm and Carmella defeated Liv Morgan in first-round matches last week.
On Raw last week, Baszler and Doudrop had a confrontation when Doudrop saved Brooke from an attack by Baszler. Baszler gave Doudrop a cheap shot when she turned away, but Doudrop wasn’t intimidated by Baszler.
This is the inaugural edition of the Queen’s Crown tournament. The finals are being held at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 21.
The finals of this year’s King of the Ring tournament will also take place at Crown Jewel. Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn and Xavier Woods vs. Jinder Mahal are the King of the Ring semifinal matches.
Natalya has provided an update on the leg injury she suffered during a match on Raw this past Monday.
In a tweet, Natalya mentioned that she would be undergoing surgery.
“Today my surgeon told me that I’m an anomaly,” she wrote. ”It’s been an intense week to say the least. All I asked was to be put back in the fight and FAST. Surgery will fix me, defending our championships will drive me. #UNBREAKABLE”
WWE additionally tweeted that more information on Natalya’s injury would come this Monday on Raw.
During Monday’s match, Natalya and her tag team partner Tamina, who carry the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, faced Eva Marie and Doudrop in a contender’s match. As Doudrop wrestled Natalya, she rolled over Natalya at one point, causing injury to Natalya’s leg. Tamina was tagged in and finished the match quickly as Natalya was checked on by WWE medical staff.
Natalya and Tamina have held the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles since the May 14, 2021 edition of SmackDown, defeating Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
It had been announced that Marie would be facing Naomi on Raw this week, but Marie instead came out with Niven and Niven took her place in the match. Niven quickly defeated Naomi but was never identified by name. The announcers reacted like they didn’t know who she was. The ring announcer also didn’t know what to announce her as after her win.
Marie instead announced herself as the winner, taking credit for Niven’s win. Niven excitedly hugged Marie, but Marie didn’t seem too enthused by that.
Several weeks of videos hyping Marie’s return had aired leading into Marie’s arrival. Marie spoke about wanting to be a role model and inspire others.
Niven (real name Kimberly Benson) made her WWE debut as a participant in the inaugural Mae Young Classic in 2017. She signed with WWE in 2019 and joined NXT UK. Niven also formerly used the in-ring name Viper outside of WWE.
