Pre-WWE Raw updates: Amore, Paige, non-title Bliss vs. Asuka match

By Dave Meltzer and Joseph Currier

There is a photo going around of Enzo Amore in the hospital in Miami, which would put his status for tonight’s Cruiserweight title defense against Cedric Alexander in question. We don’t have official word yet from WWE on this but he was ill and not injured. The fact it’s a Miami hospital would indicate he had already flown in for Raw tonight in Miami when taken to the hospital since he lives in California. He had worked the Northeast house shows last week but was not in Toronto Saturday night.

Paige is also in Miami. She isn’t medically cleared although that doesn’t mean she won’t be on the show in some form.

A non-title match between Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and Asuka has been announced for tonight. Asuka interrupted Bliss during a promo last week and announced that she’d be entering the women’s Royal Rumble. The segment ended with her kicking Bliss in the head.

Cruiserweight title match, Lesnar return set for WWE Raw next week

A Cruiserweight Championship match and an appearance by Brock Lesnar have been announced for the first Raw of 2018.

After Cedric Alexander defeated Drew Gulak in a number one contender’s match on the December 18th episode of Raw, Alexander will get his shot at Enzo Amore’s Cruiserweight title next week. WWE built to that match tonight, with Alexander teaming with Mustafa Ali & Akira Tozawa against Amore, Gulak & Ariya Daivari in a Christmas-themed Miracle on 34th Street Fight. Alexander hit the Lumbar Check on Daivari to get the pin.

It was also officially announced that Lesnar would be returning next Monday after not appearing on the Christmas Day edition of Raw. He’ll continue building to his triple threat Universal Championship defense against Braun Strowman and Kane at the Royal Rumble.

Next week’s Raw will take place in Miami on New Year’s Day. Including that show, there are four episodes remaining before Philadelphia hosts the Royal Rumble on January 28th.

WWE 205 Live results: Kalisto’s Birthday Bash

Kalisto was shown backstage hyping up his birthday, with him saying that he’ll beat Drew Gulak tonight. Gulak and Enzo Amore were backstage next to Kalisto’s cake, and Amore told Gulak to beat Kalisto and roll in dough.

Amore apparently bought the cake for Kalisto and snuck a taste before slapping Gulak’s hand for doing the same. Amore’s faction is now called the Zo Train, and Mustafa Ali will face Zo Train member Ariya Daivari later in the night.

Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick walked down to face Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann. Gallagher cut an intense promo on them for being ignorant. Swann hyped up Alexander as being from Charlotte and got a nice reaction.

Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann defeated Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher in a tornado tag match

This was a tornado tag match, so it ended up being pretty chaotic. Nigel McGuinness had a great line about the Alexander School of Chiropracty handing out free Lumbar Checks tonight. Alexander and Kendrick brawled near the announce table, then Gallagher dropkicked Alexander over the table.

Swann kicked out at two in the ring and Gallagher landed a sick kick to the head. They destroyed Swann in the corner after sending Alexander back out to the announce table. The heels used dual submissions on the faces — with Kendrick locking on the Captain’s Hook on Alexander while Gallagher had a Fujiwara armbar on Swann.

Swann prevented a tap from Alexander, so the heels locked on a Fujiwara armbar/Captain’s Hook combo on him before Alexander made a save. Kendrick had Alexander pinned in the corner and a Gallagher dropkick set up a Sliced Bread for two.

Swann kicked away at Gallagher before hitting a double famouser on the heels for two. Swann and Kendrick fought up top, where the heels sent him off with a double hip toss for a near fall. Alexander got the tag and hit a big spinning elbow but ate a dropkick to the leg.

Gallagher went for the corner dropkick, but Swann connected with a spin kick and then a suicide DDT. The neutralizer kick and Lumbar Check hit on Kendrick and the faces won it.

Mustafa Ali defeated Ariya Daivari

Daivari came down and put over Amore, saying there’s no value in Kalisto being champion — but Amore being champ ensures more cash and fame. Ali cut an unfunny promo about Daivari having his head too far up Amore’s butt and talked about wanting to make 205 Live better — which made the crowd turn on him.

Ali flipped around a bit to start things off and a blind crossbody got two for him. He went for a springboard, but Daivari shoved him off and to the floor. Daivari kicked away mid-ring to continue to ground Ali. Ali landed a series of forearms but ate a bulldog for two.

Daivari flew off the second rope for a flying elbow but missed. Ali then hit a pair of axe handles and flips, but Daivari put him down with a falling inverted DDT before hitting a frog splash for two. Daivari went for a fireman’s carry slam but ended up eating elbows. Ali went up for the inverted 450 and hit it to win.

Kalisto stretched before his match and birthday party, with Akira Tozawa wishing him luck. 

Amore entered for the birthday party. The crowd chanted “Enzo Amore” and he told them thanks, he already knows his name. Amore said he’s spent a great deal of money on this party to truly celebrate Kalisto. Amore mentioned that they got him a great gift — a beating from Gulak, who asked “How are you doing?” before Amore told him to never do that again.

Amore said the cake is quality — it’ll be good until Thanksgiving if you freeze it at the right temperature and Kalisto can eat it as he lives in misery after he loses at Survivor Series.

Kalisto defeated Drew Gulak

Gulak controlled the wrist to start. Kalisto turned the tables on him quickly, but Gulak chopped away on the ropes. Gulak teased tossing Kalisto into the cake, but Kalisto fought it off. Gulak beat him up for a while, so the crowd sang “Happy Birthday.”

Gulak locked on a Romero Special and went for a dive off the bottom rope. Kalisto turned that into a basement rana for two. Amore gave Kalisto a cheap shot and Gulak sang “Happy Birthday” angrily before the Salida Del Sol hit and Kalisto got a quick win.

Amore destroyed Kalisto after the match until he fought back and got a “we want cake” chant. He went to throw Amore into the cake, but Gulak made the save.

McGuinness and Vic Joseph talked about Sunday’s pay-per-view and the two-hour pre-show. Backstage, Amore was upset and Kalisto rammed his face into the cake. They delivered the heel being smashed into the cake — but didn’t do it in front of the fans. Well, that was a bit underwhelming.

WWE announces matches for SmackDown, Survivor Series

Two matches are set for next week’s episode of SmackDown and a Cruiserweight title match has been confirmed for Survivor Series.

WWE announced on last night’s SmackDown that Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable would be challenging for The Usos’ Tag Team titles and Rusev would be facing AJ Styles in a Survivor Series qualifying match next Tuesday.

Benjamin & Gable became number one contenders when they defeated Breezango, The Hype Bros, and The Ascension in a fatal four-way match last month. The winner of Rusev vs. Styles will become the final member of SmackDown’s men’s division Survivor Series team, joining Shane McMahon, Randy Orton, Bobby Roode & Shinsuke Nakamura.

Whichever team holds the SmackDown tag titles will face Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose in a non-title match at Survivor Series on November 19th.

On 205 Live last night, it was also announced that Enzo Amore would be defending his Cruiserweight Championship against Kalisto at the pay-per-view. That will be Survivor Series’ only title match since all of Raw’s champions are facing SmackDown’s champions in non-title bouts at the show.

WWE 205 Live results: Enzo Amore defends against Kalisto

The show started off with a recap of Enzo Amore beating Kalisto for the Cruiserweight Championship at TLC by using a thumb to the eye and then hitting Eat Defeat.

Rich Swann came down for a tag team match with Cedric Alexander, but their win from TLC was showcased before their opponents entered. Alexander and Swann were in matching black and green gear, which was a great touch. Noam Dar and Tony Nese provided the competition for them tonight. 

Rich Swann & Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese & Noam Dar

Nese posed, but Alexander grabbed him and flipped around to get an edge. A big dropkick sent Nese down so Alexander could pose to mock him. Alexander tagged Swann in, leading to a suplex/rolling thunder double team getting two for the babyface duo. Dar ate a dropkick, but Nese was still legal and bowled Swann over.

Dar came in legally and snapmared Swann into the ropes before attacking the knee, then Nese came in to attack with a tree of woe. Nese did the ab crunch kicks before Dar tagged in and did them poorly, so Nese told him how to do them properly and came back in.

Swann hit the knockout kick, but Dar pulled Swann off the cover and tagged himself in. Alexander got a hot tag and ran wild with a big elbow and the handspring enzuigiri kick hit for a near fall.

Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher came down and briefly distracted Alexander, giving Dar the chance to get a front choke. Swann superkicked him to make a save and dove to take out Nese on the floor. The Lumbar Check hit on Dar and ended it — so Swann and Alexander have now won two straight matches.

Kendrick and Gallagher said they aren’t here to hurt them — they are impressed by Alexander and his cruelty. He has a lot of potential — but can’t live up to it if he’s carrying Rich Swann on his back. Gallagher said that he was fighting for approval too, but the people don’t matter and neither does Swann. Wolves shouldn’t concern themselves with the sheep, because as cruel men, they can rise above them.

Gallagher said that he’ll give Alexander a week, because if he doesn’t make the right choice, Swann is next and will be victimized next week.

Drew Gulak walked backstage before coming out for a match

Gulak was out and said he believes in a better 205 Live and he is upset over his PowerPoint presentation being taken away at TLC. Gulak noted that due to the fans chanting Akira Tozawa’s “Ha!” at home tonight, he is canceling all of the matches. So to fill time, he will show all of the slides of his PowerPoint presentation!

Gulak only got through slide one before Gran Metalik interrupted. How very rude of him! Gulak told him to stay on the ground, but I bet Metalik will violate that rule too.

Drew Gulak defeated Gran Metalik

Metalik grounded him with a headscissors before Gulak escaped and got locked in an arm wringer. Gulak applied a headlock alongside an “Austin Aries” chant. Metalik hit a rana and, as a form of a flip, Gulak was angered greatly. A springboard missile dropkick then hit for Metalik, and Gulak went outside and ate a ropewalk moonsault.

Gulak grounded him with a kneeling chinbar before turning it into a hammerlock. Metalik superkicked Gulak and hit an inverted slingblade to send him down. Metalik hit the ropewalk splash. They went back and forth on cradles for two before a super rana hit and got a near fall for Metalik.

Gulak avoided the Metalik Driver and locked on the body-trapping dragon sleeper to win it. Gulak went to take the knee out from Metalik, but Tozawa returned and sent Gulak packing.

Kalisto cut a promo and said he’ll win tonight. Ariya Daivari entered and did Amore’s promo since he still can’t talk. Amore opted to do wacky dances, which he’s good at, before wrestling — which he isn’t quite as good at. Daivari did the best promo work of his career playing the role of Amore.

Nigel McGuinness talked about Kalisto’s young life and how his parents came to America as immigrants and lived in the attic of a friend’s house in a neighborhood full of violence. Wow, he actually made it very easy to care about a babyface and it only took 30 seconds.

Kalisto defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore by DQ

Kalisto started things off quickly and sent Amore outside. Amore tried to escape after being thrown in, but Kalisto stomped on his fingers. Kalisto went for corner mount punches, but Amore sent him outside. This got a pair of high-numbered counts, but Kalisto made it back in both times before Amore kicked him down.

Amore teased a superplex off the top to the floor but opted to send him down ribs-first on the top turnbuckle. Amore went for Eat Defeat on the apron, but Kalisto turned it into the windmill driver on the apron! Well, that was pretty crazy. This got a nine count on the floor and resulted in a “lucha” chant.

Amore went for the DDG until Kalisto hit a high kick. Amore ate a tornado DDT, but he then kicked the referee into the ropes to crotch Kalisto for a DQ. Kalisto charged after him and beat him down, but Amore got the mic and said he’s still Cruiserweight Champion — how you doin’?

Cruiserweight title rematch announced for WWE 205 Live

Just a couple of days after losing the Cruiserweight Championship, Kalisto will get his rematch on tonight’s episode of 205 Live.

That was announced during Raw last night, with Kalisto saying that he was invoking his rematch clause against Enzo Amore. To further set up the match, Kalisto pinned Amore in a 10-man tag on Raw after hitting the Salida del Sol.

Amore regained the Cruiserweight title by defeating Kalisto with help from a thumb to the eye at TLC on Sunday. Kalisto had won the championship from Amore in a lumberjack match on Raw just two weeks ago, which was a decision that was made when plans were changed due to Neville wanting to leave the company.

Before 205 Live, tonight’s SmackDown will feature the continuation of the angle where the SmackDown roster invaded Raw last night. Shane McMahon addressing how Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have acted over the last couple of weeks, AJ Styles vs. Sunil Singh, Baron Corbin vs. Sin Cara, and The Usos & The New Day vs. Rusev, Aiden English, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable in an eight-man tag match are also advertised for the show.

WWE Regina, SK, live results: Enzo references Neville’s situation

Reports submitted by readers Brandon Cain and Mike Doucette

– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto defeated Enzo Amore to retain his title

Amore worked hard to get heat by trashing the city, but it didn’t really work. He also said that he took out Big Cass and made Neville quit. Kalisto ended up retaining with the Salida Del Sol.

– Goldust & Darren Young defeated Curtis Axel & Curt Hawkins

Young sold for most of the match until Goldust got the hot tag and picked up the win.

– Elias defeated R-Truth

Before the match, Elias covered “Wonderwall” by Oasis while insulting the city and R-Truth. The crowd was really into R-Truth, but Elias won with the Drift Away.

– Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose defeated Cesaro & Sheamus and Heath Slater & Rhyno to retain their titles

Rollins and Ambrose were ridiculously over and retained with a flurry of finishers on Cesaro.

– Sasha Banks & Dana Brooke defeated Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss & Alicia Fox

Emma was the special guest referee for this match and her favoring the heels was pretty funny. The crowd was most invested when Banks and Bliss were in the ring together, but the finish came when Banks submitted Fox with the Banks Statement.

– Intercontinental Champion The Miz defeated Jason Jordan to retain his title

Half of this match was a debate over two signs: one that said Miz sucks and one that said he’s awesome. Miz and Jordan ripped up each sign. Miz was really over here and retained with the Skull Crushing Finale after some shenanigans.

– Roman Reigns defeated Braun Strowman in a last man standing match

The crowd ended up being super pro-Reigns. He won with a spear through a table.

WWE 205 Live results: Kalisto & Ali vs. Amore & Daivari

We started things off with a recap of Monday night’s confrontation with Enzo Amore and Kurt Angle, along with Amore’s match with Kalisto and eventual title loss. Vic Joseph and Nigel McGuinness then introduced the show and hyped up the TJP vs. Rich Swann two-out-of-three falls match.

Renee Young was mid-ring and introduced Kalisto. He said he’s the first luchador to hold the Cruiserweight title and he’ll do it in Eddie Guerrero’s honor. That brought Amore and Ariya Daivari out, and Amore told Kalisto he isn’t here to crash his party. Amore called himself the godfather of the division and said the loserweights are his sons — and disappointing ones at that.

Amore said that Kalisto is a bit like Eddie Guerrero — he had to lie, cheat, and steal to get the title. Amore said that he put the title around high-end brands like Versace because he’s got tons of money, but there won’t be any money in the division with Kalisto on top. Daivari jumped Kalisto and a brawl erupted before Mustafa Ali came down to make the save. I smell a tag match, playa.

Rich Swann came down to the ring to face TJP. Swann told TJP that he gave him this match — but it will end their friendship.

Rich Swann defeated TJP in a two-out-of-three falls match

Swann dove onto TJP to start things off quickly. TJP recovered and tossed him into a barricade. TJP threw Swann into the ring and went for the kneebar — but Swann turned it into a cradle to score the first fall. It was then announced that Kalisto & Ali would face Amore & Daivari in the main event.

TJP landed a slick dropkick as the second fall began before taunting a bit and locking on a chinlock. He transitioned it into a straightjacket choke and locked on a cloverleaf, but Swann escaped. Swann went for a Tiger Driver, but TJP turned it into a DDT and cradled him for two. Swann was able to hit the Tiger Driver for a two count of his own.

Swann went for a standing frog splash, but TJP turned it into a cradle for two. TJP sent him outside with an awkward landing before dropkicking the knee. A big spin kick hit for Swann, with it getting a close near fall. TJP locked on the kneebar, but Swann escaped. Swann hit a rolling thunder and landed a Phoenix Splash to end it with a clean sweep. Well, that was surprising. 

Amore cut a promo on Ali before Drew Gulak came in and asked them to pay attention to his PowerPoint presentations. Gulak said he can’t stand to see Kalisto as champion — he dresses like a goof! Gulak may not agree with Amore’s bombastic personality, but he too is woke! Amore asked what on earth just occurred, and the correct answer is “greatness” courtesy of Drew Gulak. Gulak said he’ll show what he means against Tozawa.

Tozawa entered to face Gulak, but Gulak jumped him before the match. Gulak tossed him into the tron and used his “no chants” board as a weapon by ramming it into Tozawa’s throat.

McGuinness called the attack nasty, leading to Joseph transitioning into talking about the previous attack of Cedric Alexander by Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher. Alexander was interviewed about his divide and conquer tactics from last week, with him saying that he has an edge and knows who he is. He then rattled off about a thousand unrelated statements to end this.

Kalisto and Ali came out for the main event first, then Amore skipped down and told Kalisto to find a good surgeon because they’re going to destroy his nose. Amore did his “S-A-W-F-T” bit as McGuinness said that he hopes he’ll learn to spell “soft” properly.

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto & Mustafa Ali defeated Enzo Amore & Ariya Daivari

Ali slugged away at Amore, but Daivari knocked him off the apron with a boot. Amore punted Ali’s ribs and tagged in Daivari to run his knee into the gut before a reverse bear hug. McGuinness then sang a song from Aladdin and Amore ate a big kick.

The faces sent Amore and Daivari outside for a double dive to gain a big edge, then Daivari ate the Salida Del Sol to end it. Amore dragged Daivari out before Kalisto did his “lucha” chant.

They’ve gone all-in with Amore as a heel here, with him insulting Daivari after and also yelling at the ref throughout the match. Amore still feels like the true top act, while Kalisto feels like a bigger star than he did before — but he doesn’t have the tools to even carry this version of the cruiserweight division. Comparing him to Eddie Guerrero regularly, and even mentioning Rey Mysterio while he’s out there, won’t help him in the slightest.

WWE Raw video highlights: Neville ends Enzo Amore’s celebration

After winning the Cruiserweight Championship at No Mercy, Enzo Amore turned heel on last night’s episode of Raw.

Amore closed the show with a celebration. He bragged about himself and insulted the entire cruiserweight division until Neville finally put an end to things by attacking him, with the cruiserweights and Braun Strowman laying out Amore after the show was over.

Amore had gotten Kurt Angle to agree to a “no-contact clause,” which would mean that Neville is unable to challenge him for the title in the future.

Elsewhere on the show, WWE teased a Shield reunion as The Miz and The Miztourage began a feud with Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman destroyed Curt Hawkins and faced Dean Ambrose, and Mickie James confronted Alexa Bliss to start a program between the two.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Roman Reigns appears on Miz TV

Jason Jordan & Matt Hardy vs. Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas

Apollo Crews vs. Elias

Braun Strowman destroys Curt Hawkins

Dean Ambrose vs. Braun Strowman

Seth Rollins wants a match against Braun Strowman next week

Mickie James confronts Alexa Bliss

Asuka will make her main roster debut at TLC

Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus

Goldust lays out Finn Balor

Roman Reigns vs. The Miz

Finn Balor vs. Goldust

Sasha Banks & Bayley vs. Nia Jax & Emma

Neville ruins Enzo Amore’s title win celebration

Raw fallout: Braun Strowman and the cruiserweight division attack Enzo Amore

Raw fallout: Jason Jordan wants to be an honorary Hardy Boy

Raw fallout: Titus O’Neil has a warning for Elias

Raw fallout: The Miz and The Miztourage already sent their message to Roman Reigns

Enzo Amore arrives on WWE 205 Live

Enzo Amore is the latest addition to the 205 Live roster, making his new home clear right in front of WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville on tonight’s episode.

Neville had just defeated Akira Tozawa in a SummerSlam rematch, submitting him with the Rings of Saturn to retain his title after Tozawa missed a senton. Neville was in the middle of a promo when Amore’s music hit to a big reaction.

Amore came out and said his lines, then finished off his promo by saying that 205 Live just became the realest show in the room. Neville walked away in response. Amore said there was one word to describe Neville: “S-A-W-F-T.”

Amore had just defeated Big Cass last night on Raw, winning after Cass legitimately injured himself after landing awkwardly on his leg and could no longer continue the match. The two spent most of the summer feuding with one another, with Amore mostly either being laid out or pinned by Cass.

Enzo Amore vs. Big Cass set for WWE Great Balls of Fire

Big Cass betraying Enzo Amore will officially lead to a match between the two at Great Balls of Fire.

It was announced that Cass would be facing Amore at the pay-per-view prior to Raw going on the air tonight. Amore then opened the show with a promo, calling his former tag team partner a “seven-foot catchphrase.” Cass got a chance to respond in a backstage interview until Amore jumped him and they were pulled apart.

Two weeks ago, Cass was revealed as the person responsible for multiple backstage attacks on Amore. There was also a segment last week where Amore wanted to forgive Cass after Cass had apologized to him, but it was all a ruse as Cass then attacked him again.

WWE will round out the card for Great Balls of Fire on Raw later tonight before the PPV takes place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Sunday. The current lineup is:

  • Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Samoa Joe
  • Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in an ambulance match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss defending against Sasha Banks
  • Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt
  • WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defending against Akira Tozawa
  • Enzo Amore vs. Big Cass

Tag team turmoil match set for Raw in London

The next challengers for The Hardys’ tag titles will be decided as Raw makes its way to London on Monday night.

Kurt Angle announced a number one contender’s tag team turmoil match for the show during a backstage segment with the Golden Truth last week, though no other participants were revealed at the time.

WWE.com has since posted that Cesaro & Sheamus, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, Enzo Amore & Big Cass, and Heath Slater & Rhyno will join Goldust & R-Truth in vying for a shot at the Raw Tag Team Championship.

The program between The Hardys and Cesaro & Sheamus continued after their match at Payback, with the champions being laid out in an attack after the match. Cesaro & Sheamus also fled the ring as The Hardys looked to get revenge last week.

WWE hasn’t yet revealed when the winning team will get their shot at the titles, though Raw’s next pay-per-view is Extreme Rules on June 4th in Baltimore, Maryland.

Both Raw and SmackDown will be taped at the O2 Arena in London shortly before they air this week as WWE continues its European tour.

Tag match, Miz TV with Finn Balor set for WWE Payback pre-show

Though Dean Ambrose and The Miz have feuded since coming to Raw in the Superstar Shakeup, it doesn’t seem like there will be an Intercontinental Championship match at Payback.

Instead, there will be a Miz TV segment on the Payback pre-show with Finn Balor as the guest. There will also be a tag team match on the pre-show as Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson take on Enzo Amore & Big Cass. Both of those were announced on last night’s episode of Raw.

Payback takes place this Sunday and is WWE’s first pay-per-view after the Superstar Shakeup. Though it’s a Raw PPV, two of SmackDown’s champions will be on the show as the rosters are still in flux. Kevin Owens will defend the United States Championship against Chris Jericho, and Randy Orton will face Bray Wyatt in a “House of Horrors” match. WWE.com doesn’t indicate that Orton’s title is on the line in that match.

The updated card for Payback is: 

  • Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
  • Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe
  • Raw Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Alexa Bliss
  • Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt in a House of Horrors match
  • United States Champion Kevin Owens defending against Chris Jericho
  • WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defending against Austin Aries
  • Raw Tag Team Champions The Hardys defending against Cesaro & Sheamus
  • Miz TV with Finn Balor (kickoff show)
  • Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass (kickoff show)

Ladder stipulation set for WWE WrestleMania 33 tag title match

After the stipulation was set up last night, WWE officially announced today that Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Cesaro & Sheamus at WrestleMania 33 would now be a triple threat ladder match for the Raw Tag Team Championship.

Gallows & Anderson attacked Cesaro & Sheamus with a ladder in a segment on the go-home episode of Raw. A three-way ladder brawl later broke out as the storyline continued, with Sheamus requiring 15 stitches after a mishap left him with a gruesome cut over his eye.

This will be the third straight year with a ladder match on the WrestleMania card. The Intercontinental title was defended in ladder matches the last two years.

Last night’s Raw also saw more entrants announced for the 2017 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. The current list of participants is:

  • Sami Zayn
  • Braun Strowman
  • Goldust
  • R-Truth
  • Curtis Axel
  • Primo
  • Epico
  • Bo Dallas
  • Jinder Mahal
  • Apollo Crews
  • Mojo Rawley
  • Big Show
  • Curt Hawkins

Enzo & Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens booked for WWE SummerSlam

Another match looks set for SummerSlam as the team of Kevin Owens and fellow Canadian Chris Jericho accepted a challenge to face Enzo Amore and Big Cass at WWE’s biggest event of the summer.

Amore and Cass opened the show with a promo targeted at Jericho after he interrupted Amore’s romantic advances towards WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks last week.

Jericho then seemed to challenge Cass to a match, but he clarified that he only wanted to take on Amore when Cass accepted. Jericho defeated Amore via disqualification after Cass hit him with the big foot.

Cass then challenged Owens and Jericho to face him and Amore at their home turf in Brooklyn, and the Canadian duo accepted.

The match joins an already packed SummerSlam show. The updated card is:

  • Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
  • Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship
  • WWE Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler in a championship match
  • John Cena vs. AJ Styles
  • WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte in a championship match
  • Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Apollo Crews in a championship match
  • WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) vs. The Club (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) in a championship match
  • Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens