Extreme rules stipulation set for Reigns-Balor Universal title match

A stipulation is set for Roman Reigns and “The Demon” Finn Balor’s Universal Championship match at Extreme Rules.

On tonight’s Raw, it was revealed that Reigns vs. Balor at Sunday’s pay-per-view will be an extreme rules match. The PPV is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

SmackDown’s Reigns was in action twice on Raw tonight. Reigns & SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated The New Day (WWE Champion Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) in the opening match of the show. Bobby Lashley’s involvement in the six-man tag set up a triple threat match where Reigns defeated Lashley and Big E in the main event.

After Lashley attacked Big E with a steel chair during the triple threat match, Reigns hit a spear on Lashley and pinned him to get the win.

Reigns defeated Balor to retain the Universal Championship on SmackDown earlier this month. But a pre-match attack by The Usos, along with Reigns using a low blow to get the win, led to a rematch being announced for Extreme Rules. Balor’s Demon character made its return as he confronted Reigns on SmackDown two weeks ago.

Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar will take place at WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 21. If Reigns is still champion, the Universal title will be on the line in that match.

Here’s the updated card for Extreme Rules:

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against “The Demon” Finn Balor in an extreme rules match
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
  • United States Champion Damian Priest defends against Sheamus and Jeff Hardy in a triple threat match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Alexa Bliss
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against The Street Profits
  • Liv Morgan vs. Carmella

Jeff Hardy added to United States title match at WWE Extreme Rules

The United States Championship match at Extreme Rules is now a triple threat.

United States Champion Damian Priest will defend his title against Sheamus and Jeff Hardy in a triple threat match at Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view. Hardy got added to the match by defeating Sheamus on Raw tonight.

Hardy hit the Twist of Fate and went for a Swanton Bomb during tonight’s match, but Sheamus got his knees up. But when Sheamus went for White Noise, Hardy slipped out and pinned Sheamus to get the win.

Priest was on commentary for Sheamus vs. Hardy.  Following the match, a brawl between Priest and Sheamus was broken up by officials. The brawl began when Sheamus got in Priest’s face and shoved him.

Priest won the United States title from Sheamus at SummerSlam last month. On Raw last week, Priest retained the title against Hardy after Hardy answered his open challenge.

Sheamus became the number one contender to Priest’s title by defeating Drew McIntyre on Raw two weeks ago.

Extreme Rules is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against “The Demon” Finn Balor in an extreme rules match
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
  • United States Champion Damian Priest defends against Sheamus and Jeff Hardy in a triple threat match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Alexa Bliss
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against The Street Profits
  • Liv Morgan vs. Carmella

SmackDown Tag Team title match added to WWE Extreme Rules

A SmackDown Tag Team title match is the latest addition to the card for Extreme Rules.

WWE has announced that The Usos will defend their SmackDown Tag Team titles against The Street Profits at Extreme Rules on Sunday, September 26. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

A Tag Team title match between The Usos and The Street Profits headlined last week’s episode of SmackDown. The Street Profits were on the verge of getting the win after Montez Ford hit a frog splash on Jimmy Uso, but Roman Reigns interfered to cause a disqualification.

Reigns put Ford in a guillotine after last week’s title match. The show ended with Finn Balor’s “Demon” character making its return as Balor came out to the ring and had a staredown with Reigns. Balor is challenging for Reigns’ Universal Championship at Extreme Rules.

A non-title match between The Usos and The Street Profits on SmackDown two weeks ago also ended with The Street Profits winning by DQ. After Ford hit a frog splash on Jimmy near the end of that match, Jey Uso broke up the pin, attacked Ford, and wouldn’t leave the ring. The Street Profits got the better of a brawl with The Usos after the match.

Here’s the updated card for Extreme Rules:

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against “The Demon” Finn Balor
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
  • United States Champion Damian Priest defends against Sheamus
  • Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Alexa Bliss
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against The Street Profits

Universal title match set for WWE Extreme Rules

Finn Balor is getting another shot at Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship.

Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Balor at WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view on Sunday, September 26. The announcement comes after Reigns retained the title against Balor on SmackDown last week.

Before that Reigns vs. Balor title match on SmackDown, there was an angle where The Usos attacked Balor with the steel steps. Balor chose to continue with the match despite the attack. Balor looked to be on the verge of winning after hitting the Coup de Grace, but Reigns hit a low blow to kick out. The finish of the match was Balor passing out in a guillotine.

WWE appeared to tease the return of Balor’s Demon character when the lights briefly turned red and a heartbeat played after the Reigns vs. Balor match.

WWE is also building to an eventual Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar match. After confronting Reigns at SummerSlam last month, Lesnar will appear on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown at Madison Square Garden.

Reigns has been Universal Champion for more than a year. He defeated “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman in a triple threat match to win the title at Payback in August 2020.

Extreme Rules is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Finn Balor
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Randy Orton
  • United States Champion Damian Priest defends against Sheamus
  • Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Alexa Bliss

Charlotte vs. Bliss Women’s title match set for WWE Extreme Rules

A Raw Women’s Championship match has been added to the card for Extreme Rules.

WWE has announced that Charlotte Flair will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss at Extreme Rules on Sunday, September 26. Bliss set her sights on the title following Charlotte’s match against Nia Jax on Raw tonight.

After defeating Charlotte in a non-title match last week, Jax got a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship on tonight’s show. While Jax was distracted by Shayna Baszler, Charlotte hit Natural Selection from the top rope to get the win.

Bliss and her doll Lilly appeared on the video screen after the match. Bliss invited Charlotte to join them on her playground, but Charlotte said she wasn’t interested in Bliss’ mind games. Bliss then said she would bring the playground to Charlotte instead.

The lights went out, and Bliss and Lilly were behind Charlotte when they went back on. When Charlotte asked what Bliss wanted, Bliss pointed at the Raw Women’s Championship. Charlotte agreed to give Bliss a title match, but she said this isn’t Bliss’ playground — it’s hers.

Charlotte won the Raw Women’s Championship in a triple threat match against Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley at SummerSlam last month.

Extreme Rules is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Here’s the updated lineup for the pay-per-view.

  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Randy Orton
  • United States Champion Damian Priest defends against Sheamus
  • Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Alexa Bliss

United States title match added to WWE Extreme Rules

Former United States Champion Sheamus is getting a shot to reclaim the title.

Sheamus will challenge for Damian Priest’s United States Championship at Extreme Rules on Sunday, September 26. Sheamus became the number one contender to Priest’s title by defeating Drew McIntyre on Raw tonight.

McIntyre went to hit a Claymore on Sheamus near the conclusion of the number one contender’s match, but Sheamus reversed it into a roll-up. Sheamus held on to McIntyre’s tights for extra leverage as he pinned him to get the win.

During the number one contender’s match, McIntyre took off the protective mask that Sheamus has been wearing since breaking his nose this May. McIntyre hit Sheamus with the mask after the match and then laid him out with a Claymore.

Priest defeated Sheamus at SummerSlam last month to win the United States title. On Raw last week, Priest retained the title against McIntyre and Sheamus in a triple threat match.

Extreme Rules is being held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:

  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Randy Orton
  • United States Champion Damian Priest defends against Sheamus

Randy Orton to challenge for WWE title at Extreme Rules

Randy Orton will be the next challenger for Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship.

On tonight’s episode of Raw, it was announced that Lashley will defend his WWE Championship against Orton at Extreme Rules. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, September 26.

RK-Bro (Orton & Riddle) retained their Raw Tag Team titles against Lashley & MVP last Monday. Lashley laid out Riddle with a spear after the match and then went to put him in the Hurt Lock, but Orton dropped Lashley with an RKO.

Lashley and MVP interrupted a promo by Orton and Riddle on Raw tonight. After Lashley challenged him to a match, Orton accepted — if Lashley would put the WWE Championship on the line. MVP said the match will be happening at Extreme Rules.

Lashley also said that he was going to go to Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville and get them to add Lashley & MVP to tonight’s number one contender’s Tag Team Turmoil match. Lashley said he’ll become a double champion when he and MVP take Orton & Riddle’s Raw Tag Team titles.

Lashley has been WWE Champion since winning the title from The Miz this March. Lashley retained the title against Goldberg at SummerSlam last month.

This is the second match that’s been made official for Extreme Rules. Becky Lynch will also defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair at the PPV.

SmackDown Women’s title match official for WWE Extreme Rules

WWE has set a date for Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship rematch.

Lynch will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Belair at Extreme Rules on Sunday, September 26. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Lynch made her return at SummerSlam, defeating Belair in under 30 seconds to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Belair defending the title against Sasha Banks was originally scheduled for SummerSlam, but it was announced at the PPV that Banks wouldn’t be able to compete.

Belair became the number one contender to Lynch’s title by defeating Liv Morgan, Carmella, and Zelina Vega in a four-way elimination match on SmackDown last week.

Lynch refused to give Belair a title shot on SmackDown last Friday. After Lynch again declined to give Belair a title match on tonight’s show, WWE authority figures Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce informed Lynch that she’ll be defending the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Belair at Extreme Rules.

There will be a contract signing for Lynch and Belair’s title match at Extreme Rules on next Friday’s SmackDown at Madison Square Garden.

Lynch vs. Belair is the first match that’s been announced for Extreme Rules.

July 27, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Extreme Rules review, Good Brothers podcast, more

There may have never been as poorly received a PPV show that featured such a high quality of in-ring performances that WWE’s Horror Show at Extreme Rules on 7/19 in Orlando.

On paper, the matches looked good. The show was booked to stay under three hours, which was a good length and removed the “too long” aspect that has plagued many WWE shows.

But people leave based on the last impression, and the Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman swamp match was poorly received. Really it was awful. There were also two great matches in a row with terrible finishes, with Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins in the Eye for an Eye match and Asuka vs. Sasha Banks.

The Eye for an Eye match was the one with the most curiosity. It also had a lot of interest, as Google searches for Mysterio after losing topped 200,000, an amazing total for anything on a B show, and the same number that an entire WWE PPV show usually does, so this show doubled normal interest. Of course, doubling interest sounds good, but this is actually a great lesson.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

WWE issues new storyline update on Rey Mysterio

Update —

WWE has posted new storyline update on Rey Mysterio’s status after Seth Rollins defeated him in their Eye for an Eye match at last night’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view: “WWE Digital has learned that Rey Mysterio remains at a local medical facility and is responding well to treatment.”

**********

Following his loss to Seth Rollins in their Eye for an Eye match at Extreme Rules, WWE issued a storyline update on Rey Mysterio’s status:

After the sickening conclusion of the Eye for an Eye Match, Charly Caruso provided an update on the condition of Rey Mysterio. Mysterio was rushed to a local medical facility to be treated for a potential globe luxation. Medical experts were optimistic that if the optic nerve is not severed and there is not too much strain on the blood vessels and nerves that connect the eye to the rest of the head, there’s a chance Mysterio can maintain his vision.

Stay with WWE social and digital platforms for the latest updates on Mysterio’s condition.

The finish of the Eye for an Eye match was Rollins driving Mysterio’s right eye into the corner of the steel steps. A fake eyeball could be seen coming out of Mysterio’s eye socket and Rollins was shown throwing up when he saw the damage that was done.

Rollins first attacked Mysterio’s eye during an angle in May. The Eye for an Eye match stipulation for Extreme Rules was announced by Mysterio after he teamed with Kevin Owens to defeat Rollins & Murphy in a tag team match on Raw two weeks ago.

Dave Meltzer reported earlier this month that Mysterio is currently working for WWE without a contract.

SmackDown Tag Team titles change hands at WWE Extreme Rules

New SmackDown Tag Team Champions were crowned in the opening match of tonight’s Extreme Rules main card.

Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defeated The New Day in a tables match at Extreme Rules to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles. This is the first time Nakamura has been a Tag Team Champion in WWE.

Two tables were set up on top of each other outside of the ring and Kofi Kingston attempted to put Cesaro through them by going for a hurricanrana off the top rope. But Cesaro blocked Kingston’s hurricanrana attempt and Nakamura then assisted Cesaro in giving Kingston a powerbomb off the top rope through both tables to get the win.

In storyline, Nakamura & Cesaro got to choose whether it would be a tables match or a steel cage match after Cesaro defeated Big E on SmackDown this past Friday. The tables stipulation tied in with Nakamura & Cesaro putting Kingston & Big E through a table on SmackDown the previous week after a title match between the two teams broke down and ended in a no contest.

The New Day had been SmackDown Tag Team Champions since Big E won the titles by defeating The Miz and Jey Uso in a triple threat match this April.

WWE Extreme Rules live results: Title matches, Eye for an Eye, more

Preview by Josh Nason

Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules carries the tagline “The Horror Show” with two of the scheduled matches following suit.

The most talked about pairing is Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio in an Eye for an Eye match where “a winner can only determined by extracting the opponent’s eye.” Putting logistics aside, Rollins attacked Mysterio’s eye on a May edition of Raw. Mysterio returned to team with Kevin Owens against Rollins & Murphy, getting to choose the stipulation for the singles match when his team won.

Also on the show is Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt Swamp Fight match that will be the company’s latest entrant in the cinematic style they have been experimenting with since WrestleMania’s Boneyard Match.

The show will also feature five title matches, headlined by WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler in a match where Ziggler will pick the stipulation. Asuka will defend her Raw Women’s title against Sasha Banks, Bayley will defend her SmackDown title against Nikki Cross, SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day will face Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in a tables match, and US Champion Apollo Crews will face MVP.

Owens vs. Murphy is also set for tonight’s pre-show. The pre-show starts at 6 p.m. Eastern time and the main card begins an hour later.

**********

Pre-Show

Scott Standford and Pete Rosenberg opened up the kickoff show. They discussed the Eye for an Eye match and Swamp Fight. Rosenberg and Standford then ran down the card for tonight. 

They talked about the Wyatt Swamp Fight again and showed a video package. 

Renee Young, Booker T, and JBL joined the show and gave their thoughts on the Swamp Fight as well. Booker mentioned that Braun Strowman destroyed John Morrison in less than two minutes on SmackDown. Booker, JBL, and Rosenberg all picked Bray Wyatt as the winner. 

Kayla Braxton interviewed The New Day in the back. Kingston noted they had to get in the mind of the table to win the match. Big E stated they have to be one with the table.

The New Day went to a master of the tables match for guidance in the match. 

New Day introduced D-Von Dudley. Dudley noted the secret to a table’s match is to put the opponent through the table. New Day and Dudley danced to end the segment. 

In the studio, Rosenberg and Standford discussed Bayley and Sasha Banks. Rosenberg said Bayley and Banks are a combination of Trish Stratus, Lita, Steve Austin, The Rock, Randy Savage, and Shawn Michales. 

In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed M.V.P. and Bobby Lashley. MVP bragged about his United States Championship belt.

Braxton asked about the real champion Apollo Crews. MVP promised to win the title tonight. He pointed out that he wanted to help Crews and mentor him. 

Back in the studio, Standford called the Eye for an Eye match gruesome and showed a video package. 

Back to Renee Young, Booker T, and JBL. They gave their thoughts on the Eye for an Eye match. Young pushed that it’s going to be a violent and brutal match. JBL talked about working for Otto Wantz, and his partner stuck his thumb in his opponent’s eye and tried to pull it out. Young was disgusted to hear that story. 

Kevin Owens defeated Buddy Murphy 

Owens and Murphy had a good match, especially for the pre-show.

Murphy charged at Owens at the bell, but Owens avoided. Owens attempted a stunner, but Murphy slipped out. Murphy took over, but Owens quickly recovered and tried a second stunner. Murphy avoided and rocked Owens with a jumping knee for a near fall. 

Owens briefly fought back, but Murphy locked on a sleeper. Owens broke free, but Murphy recovered. Murphy jumped off the middle turnbuckle, but Owens hit a DDT. Owens attempted the senton, but Murphy got his knees up.

Owens hit a cannonball in the corner for a very close near fall. They fought on the top turnbuckle, but Murphy pushed Owens off and hit the Meteora for a near fall. Owens attempted the pop-up powerbomb, but Muprhy escaped. Murphy hit two vicious knees and a brainbuster for another close near fall. 

They fought on the top turnbuckle again, but Owens knocked Murphy down with a headbutt. Murphy recovered and nailed Owens with a kick to the head while he was still on the top. Owens shoved Murphy back to the mat. In an awesome spot, Owens jumped up from the second turnbuckle into a moonsault for a close near fall.

Murphy recovered and climbed to the top. Owens avoided Murphy. Owens hit a superkick and followed up with the stunner for the win. 

Renee Young, Booker T, and JBL discussed Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Sasha Banks. JBL compared Bayley and Banks to Shawn Michales, and Triple H. Booker and JBL picked Asuka to win. 

They also talked about Randy Orton taking on The Big Show tomorrow night on Raw. 

Stanford and Roseberg previewed the Drew McIntyre versus Dolph Ziggler match. Standford read a statement Ziggler made in an interview that Ziggler needed to get the lawyer’s approval for the stipulation of the match.

Main Show:

Tables Match: Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated The New Day to win the SmackDown Tag Team Titles

This was a good tables match, but it dragged at times. They teased a bunch of tables spots throughout the match. 

The heels had the early advantage, but New Day fought back and isolated Cesaro. Big E caught Cesaro with a huge belly-to-belly suplex. New Day tried bringing in a table, but the heels cut them off. 

The New Day recovered, and Kingston hit a running dropkick on Nakamura. The New Day set up a table at ringside and attempted the Doomsday Device on Cesaro. Nakamura jumped Kingston from behind and pulled him back into the ring. Kingston took a nasty bump and landed on the back of his head. 

The heels fought back and attempted a double suplex on Kingston through a table. Big E made the save and tried to powerbomb Nakamura through the table, but he escaped. Cesaro attempted to press slam Kingson from the apron, but Kingston slipped out. 

Big E gave Cesaro the spear through the ropes and off the apron to the floor. New Day placed Cesaro on the table at ringside. Big E launched Kingston over the top rope to the floor, but the heels hit Kingston with a table. 

Cesaro and Nakamura attempted to double suplex Big E through a table, but Big E reversed and suplexed Cesaro into the ring. Kingston hit a trust fall onto Nakamura, but barley hit Nakamura and landed on the floor hard. 

The New Day placed a table on top of another table at ringside. They teased a superplex through both tables, but Cesaro escaped. Cesaro gave Big E the big swing into a basement dropkick from Nakamura. 

Kingston recovered and ran wild on the heels. The finish was insane and scary looking. Kingston attempted to give Cesaro a hurricanrana off the top turnbuckle through both tables, but Cesaro held on.

Nakamura helped Cesaro lift Kingston, and he gave Kingston a powerbomb through both tables to win the titles. 

In the back, Alexa Bliss, Kairi Sane, and Asuka encouraged Nikki Cross for her match against Bayley. Sane told Cross that even if she loses, they’ll still be her friends. 

SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley (w/Sasha Banks) defeated Nikki Cross (w/Alexa Bliss) to retain the title

This was a good match. Cross hit a neck breaker early in the match for a close near fall. Cross followed up with a tornado DDT off the apron at ringside.

Cross then hit a flying crossbody for a near fall. Cross followed up with a second cross body for another near fall. 

Cross hit a flying cross body off the apron onto Bayley at ringside. Bayley recovered and tossed Cross into the glass at ringside. 

Bayley took over and slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Bayley dragged Cross to ringside and tied her up in the ring apron skirt. Bayley beat down Cross, but Cross crawled under the ring to the other side. Bayley attempted a sliding dropkick, but Cross caught her in the ring apron skirt and beat her down. 

Cross locked on the cross face, but Bayley recovered and hit the Bayley to Belly for a near fall. Bayley followed up with a superplex for another near fall.

Bayley started yelling at Michael Cole, and Cross rolled her up for a near fall. Bayley attempted a sliding dropkick, but Cross caught her and sent her into the ring post. Cross followed up with a reverse DDT. 

Cross fired up and scored another near fall. Cross hit a back suplex for a two count. She climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Bayley cut her off and scored a near fall. 

Bayley missed a charge in the corner and collided with the middle turnbuckle. Cross hit the neck breaker off the apron on the floor. 

Cross was firmly in control. Banks passed Bayley her Boss brass knux and distracted the referee and Bliss.

Bayley nailed Cross with the Boss brass knux for the win. 

The Firefly Funhouse 

Bray Wyatt welcomed everyone to the show. They played spooky Halloween music.

Wyatt promised something terrifying to happen later tonight. He noted on SmackDown there was something even more frightening. The cut to two weeks ago and the Karaoke Showdown. Wyatt was furious at Ramblin Rabbit for playing that clip.

MVP And Bobby Lashley Promo

Tom Philips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe revealed that United States Champion Apollo Crews didn’t pass his medical earlier. They aired footage of Bobby Lashley injuring Crews with the full nelson. 

MVP and Bobby Lashley made their way to the ring. MVP informed Lashley that he couldn’t use the full nelson to injure his opponents. MVP laughed and announced himself as the new U.S. Champion. He jumped out of the ring and put the belt on. 

Eye for an Eye Match: Seth Rollins defeated Rey Mysterio

Rollins and Mysterio worked hard, but having no pinfalls cut the momentum of the match off. It was odd seeing them going after each other’s eyes constantly. The finish was a bit like a bad horror movie. 

Rollins entered the ring and revealed that he brought pliers. Mysterio’s music played, but he jumped Rollins from behind. 

Mysterio had the early advantage, but Rollins hit the sling blade to recover. Rollins tried to pull out Mysterio’s eye, but Mysterio fought back. Mysterio grabbed the pliers and went after Rollins’s eye.

Mysterio pulled out a table and toolbox from under the ring. Mysterio then brought in a bar, but Rollins fought back with a kendo stick.  

In an awesome spot, Mysterio tried to give Rollins a head scissors off the apron, but Rollins reversed into a falcon arrow on the apron. Rollins went after Mysterio’s eye and tried to pull it out. Rollins tried to take out Mysterio’s eye with the steps. 

Rollins tried to jam the kendo stick into Mysterio’s eye, but he fought out. Rollins tossed Mysterio under the bottom rope to the floor, and Mysterio crashed onto the table. 

Rollins tried to jam a chair leg into Mysterio’s eye. Rollins tried sticking a pen and another tool in Mysterio’s eye. Rollins charged at Mysterio, but he went eye first into the announce table. 

Rollins recovered and tied up Mysterio with rope. He tried to pull out the eye again, but Mysterio escaped. Rollins stuck a kendo stick in the ring post and tired to slam Mysterio into it. 

Mysterio avoided and made a comeback. He hit a seated senton, tilt-a-whirl head scissors, and a frog splash. 

Mysterio went for the eye again, but Rollins fought out. At ringside, Rollins got Mysterio in the electric char, but Mysterio rocked him with the kendo stick. Mysterio reversed and sent Rollins into the barricade. 

Mysterio broke the kendo stick and jammed it into Rollins’s left eye.

Rollins covered his eye and crawled to the middle rope. Mysterio then hit the 619. Rollins recovered and tried to jam Mysterio’s eye against the ring steps but he fought back. Mysterio took off the bandage covering his eye and showed the damage from before.

Mysterio fought back and rammed Rollins’s eye into the steps. Rollins used a low blow and a superkick against the barricade. Rollins then hit curb stomp on the floor. Rollins jammed the injured eye into the steps again. 

Rollins set up for a move as Mysterio was against the steps. Suddenly, Mysterio started screaming. They did a quick shot, and Mysterio’s eye had popped out but he was covering up his face. He screamed in pain as they took him to the back with his eye slightly out. 

Rollins noticed the eye and was disgusted. Rollins actually threw up at ringside after seeing Mysterio’s eye. Rollins vomit was more graphic then Mysterio’s popped out eyeball. They tried making this graphic, but there was no way to show Mysterio with his eye fully out. Of course, this was the definition of blood and guts. 

The commentators acted as if it was the end of Mysterio’s career. 

In the back, Kalya Braxton interviewed Bayley. She pretended to be upset about Mysterio but mocked him instead. Bayley introduced Sasha Banks and promised she’s going to win the title. 

Sasha Banks (w/Bayley) defeated Asuka (w/Kairi Sane) to “win” the Raw Women’s title 

Asuka and Banks had a very good hard-hitting match. The ending didn’t make much sense, and it seemed odd that nobody came out to clear up the confusion. 

Asuka had the early advantage, but Banks locked on the cross face to take over. Banks was briefly in control until Asuka locked on an armbar. Banks made it to the ropes to break the hold. 

Banks grabbed Asuka’s arm and ran up the turnbuckle, but Asuka rocked her with a knee. She attempted the Asuka Lock, but Banks broke free. Banks slowed the pace down and worked over the arm. Banks twisted and bent Asuka’s fingers. 

There seemed to be some miscommunication, but they recovered, and Banks went back to Asuka’s arms. Banks then hit the double knees in the corner for a near fall. Banks was frustrated that she couldn’t beat Asuka. 

Banks continued to work over Asuka’s arms to prevent her from applying the Asuka Lock. Asuka fought back and rocked Banks with a spinning back fist. Asuka charged at Banks, but Banks sent Asuka headfirst into the middle turnbuckle. 

Asuka recovered and hit a codebreaker off the second turnbuckle. Banks avoided the hip attack and kicked Asuka to the back of the head. Banks attempted a German suplex off the apron, but Asuka held on. Asuka attempted a German suplex off the apron, but Banks avoided. Banks then gave Asuka a powerbomb into the barricade and glass. 

Banks scored a near fall with a frog splash and went right into the Bank Statement. Asuka made it to the ropes to break the hold. Asuka hit a high angle German suplex to regain control. 

Asuka used a German suplex and hip attack for a close near fall. Asuka missed a dropkick, and Banks hit a running knee for a near fall. Banks climbed to the top, but Asuka cut her off. 

Banks knocked Asuka off and attempted a moonsault. Asuka cut her off again and gave Banks a German suplex off the top, which looked scary. Banks landed on her feet. Banks attempted a move off the ropes, but she slipped and seemed to injure her knee. 

Bayley tried to interfere, but Sane pulled her off the apron. Asuka and Banks traded pin attempts, but Asuka applied the Asuka lock. Bayley distracted the referee and tried to interfere. Asuka rocked Bayley with a kick to head. Banks then tried to use the belt, but the referee stopped her. 

Asuka then spit the mist at Banks but instead hit the referee. Asuka got the Asuka Lock but Bayley hit her with the belt. Bayley then put the referee’s shirt on, and Banks pinned Asuka. 

There was some confusion, but Bayley rang the bell, and Banks music played. Banks left with the Raw Women’s title and acted as if she won the title. 

On commentary, Byron Saxton stressed that Banks didn’t win the title from Asuka because Bayley’s not an official referee. 

Kayla Braxton gave an update on Rey Mysterio. He went to a local medical facility. She said that as long as a nerve isn’t severed Mysterio might keep his eyesight. 

Extreme Rules Match For Dolph Ziggler Only. McIntyre Can Lose The Title On DQ or Count-Out: WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defeated Dolph Ziggler to retain the title

This wasn’t a bad match but the rules made it confusing and cut off the momentum. 

McIntyre had to follow the rules of a normal match while Ziggler had no rules. The story of the match was Ziggler could break the rules, but McIntrye couldn’t. Ziggler tried to use weapons early, but McIntrye prevented him each time. Ziggler and McIntyre fought outside, but McIntrye had to break the count. 

Ziggler set up a table at ringside, but McIntrye cut him off. McIntyre teased giving Ziggler a suplex through the table but supelxed him on the floor instead. McIntrye followed up with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall.

Ziggler used a low blow to regain control and attacked McIntrye with several chair shots.

Ziggler hit McIntyre to the back, and he went throat first on to an upright chair. Ziggler then rocked McIntyre with a chair shot to the shoulder for a two count. 

Ziggler jumped at McIntyre off the apron at ringside, but he caught Ziggler and gave him a belly to belly over the announce table. Ziggler recovered and gave McIntyre a famouser off the announce table. 

Ziggler locked on a sleeper hold, and McIntrye made it to the ropes. However, he couldn’t break the hold because of the rules, which is confusing. McIntrye fought back and sent Ziggler into the barricade at ringside. 

McIntyre went for the Claymore, but Ziggler used a chair and Zig-Zag for a near fall. Ziggler then gave McIntrye an elbow drop on the table. Ziggler almost won the match by count-out, but McIntyre broke the count. 

McIntrye fired back with the Glasgow Kiss, but Ziggler hit a famouser, Zig-Zag, and a uranage on a chair for a near fall. Ziggler became frustrated and cleared the ring. 

Ziggler set up for the superkick, but McIntryre did a kip-up and hit the Claymore kick for the win.

Swamp Fight: Bray Wyatt defeated Braun Strowman

There were parts of this that were good, but at times it dragged. They attempted to make it a scene from a horror movie opposed to an action scene like the Boneyard match. There was a bit too much talking in this that slowed it down. 

Wyatt was sitting in his rocking chair in the middle of the road. Strowman pulled up in a car and approached Wyatt. Strowman noted he’s home. Wyatt laughed and disappeared. 

The screen went black.

Strowman destroyed the rocking chair and entered the creepy jungle. Suddenly, two masked men attacked Strowman, but he fought them off. They cut to the Firefly Funhouse, and Wyatt was cheering him on.

Suddenly, somebody hit Strowman with a shovel. He turned around and was shocked to see the person standing in front of him was another Braun Strowman. He took off the black sheep mask and attacked the first Strowman.  

The screen went black.

Strowman awoke chained up in a shed. Suddenly, The Wyatt Family theme played, and Bray Wyatt entered the swamp. Wyatt welcomed Strowman back, and Strowman shouted that he hates Wyatt.

Wyatt mocked Strowman and noted he couldn’t hurt him because he’s already dead. Wyatt said he’s proud of Strowman’s success, but it’s borrowed. Wyatt tried to explain to Strowman that he’s not his enemy. 

Wyatt was great here, but this went a bit long. Wyatt noted that together they could be gods that rule over society. Wyatt asked Strowman if he knows where he’s been. Wyatt said that for Strowman to become the monster, he knows he has to destroy the monster he became. Wyatt asked if Strowman wants to see something horrifying. 

A woman came in with a snake. Wyatt asked Strowman if he remembers the serpent, which was from a story Strowman told a few weeks ago. The woman attacked Strowman with the snake, and he screamed.

The screen went black.

Strowman awoke in front of a camp fire. He fought off a random guy and set him on fire.

Suddenly, Strowman could hear a woman’s voice. He saw her standing in the distance. She took off her hood to reveal Alexa Bliss. Bliss said she knows he always wanted to be with her. Flashes of Strowman and Bliss together appeared on the screen. 

Strowman approached Bliss. Suddenly, Wyatt attacked Strowman. Strowman recovered and choke-slammed Wyatt into a boat. The boat left with Wyatt’s body. Strowman walked off, but the boat came back, and Wyatt’s body was gone. 

Wyatt attacked Strowman from behind with a paddle and tried to drown Strowman. Seconds later, Strowman jumped out of the water, gasping for air. He climbed onto the dock and could hear children’s laughter. 

Wyatt attacked Strowman with the paddle and viciously beat him down. Strowman got back to his feet and knocked Wyatt into the swamp. Wyatt didn’t re-emerge from the swamp, so Strowman assumed he won and it was over.

The WWE logo and copyright appeared at the bottom of the screen to signal the end of the show. 

Suddenly, Wyatt came out of the water like Michael Myers and locked on the mandible claw. He dragged Strowman into the swamp. 

The water turned red.

Suddenly, The Fiend jumped out of the swamp and laughed maniacally to end the pay-per-view. 

Kevin Owens vs. Murphy set for WWE Extreme Rules pre-show

WWE has made one final addition to the card for tonight’s Extreme Rules event.

WWE announced this afternoon that Kevin Owens vs. Murphy is set for tonight’s Extreme Rules pre-show. Owens and Murphy have both been involved in the feud between Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins.

Owens teamed with Mysterio against Murphy & Rollins on Raw two weeks ago. In storyline, Mysterio got to pick the stipulation for his match against Rollins at Extreme Rules as a result of his team winning. Mysterio and Rollins are facing off in an Eye for an Eye match on tonight’s pay-per-view.

Owens defeated Rollins on Raw last week after Rollins was distracted by Mysterio, Dominik, and Aleister Black.

The pre-show for Extreme Rules begins at 6 p.m. Eastern time tonight, with the main card starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defending against Dolph Ziggler (Ziggler will pick the stipulation for the match)
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Sasha Banks
  • Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt Swamp Fight
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Nikki Cross
  • Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins in an Eye for an Eye match
  • United States Champion Apollo Crews defending against MVP
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro in a tables match
  • Kevin Owens vs. Murphy (pre-show)

Daily Update: Extreme Rules, Lance Storm, Bobby Fulton

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp(Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS(s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

WON NEWSLETTER: July 20, 2020 Observer Newsletter: NJPW Dominion and the return of fans, more

The first pro wrestling shows in four months with major crowds took place this past week as New Japan Pro Wrestling ran two major events at Osaka Jo Hall. Our lead story talks about the rules in place for the show, the Weekend of Evil, how the crowd was told to behave and how different it was than a U.S. or Mexico crowd, as well as a look at New Japan booking, the next major shows along with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results for both shows.

The new issue also covers:

UFC 251, the story behind all the changes to the show, match-by-match coverage, where the main event winners go next and all the business notes on the show, including what you were told and what wasn’t the case.

Reopening of Bellator and questions regarding its leading revenue stream.

Details on the WWE mask policy, the fines, the role of Kevin Owens in this and more.

Wednesday night ratings, looking at AEW, NXT, UFC and even how NASCAR figured in, where the viewers were gained and lost, as well as what every segment on the show did and some of the most staggering news imaginable when it comes to this past week’s NXT show.

WWE Extreme Rules and Impact’s Slammiversary shows coming up.

WWE and Peacock Network dealings, notes on SummerSlam this year, what numbers to look for at WWE Investors call, what factors play into the WWE Network numbers, Paul Levesque talks WWE handling of COVID, Edge talks his triceps injury, Why an angle on Raw nearly didn’t happen when one of the participants turned it down, update on Charlotte Flair, Canadian & U.K. ratings, how WWE relates to sports ratings, Matt Hardy talks Jeff Hardy angle, as well as the most watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network, WWE market value and next week’s top TV bouts.

A feature on the Wednesday night UFC show.

FITE TV bringing a Japanese wrestling doubleheader to the U.S. this coming week with Tokyo Joshi Pro and DDT.  

Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I have one show up from last night covering Impact Slammiversary, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows, UFC from last night and other subjects, and we’ll be talking Extreme Rules on our show tonight. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]

Bobby Fulton is back hospitalized. His son, Dillon Hines, wrote, “I’m sadly informing you today that my father has been admitted to the hospital. He’s in poor condition. Please send positive thoughts and prayers for him. Thanks!” Les Thatcher posted that Fulton’s cancer has returned.  I hope that’s not the case. Fulton had been told by his doctors he had beaten cancer just a few weeks ago.

Lance Storm posted that he is no longer with WWE. He had been furloughed from his job as a producer since the company had cut back on producers with no live events and he lived in Canada. “For what it’s worth, I’m now officially unemployed. First time since I left SMW in Nov. 1994.”

Extreme Rules is tonight starting at 6 p.m. Eastern with the pregame show at 7 p.m. for the main show:

  • Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt non-title – This is a taped swamp match.  There is no reason a taped match shouldn’t be good, but the Wyatt vs, Randy Orton match that was similar to this was pretty bad a few years ago.  It seems like this is a set up for Strowman vs. The Fiend at SummerSlam based on Strowman’s interview Friday night.  At last word on 5Dimes Strowman was a -160 favorite.
  • Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE title. I don’t sense a great deal of interest in this, but it should be a great match. The main issue is that nobody believes Ziggler can win. McIntyre at last word was a -1750 favorite.
  • Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio in an eye for an eye match. Basically, if Mysterio signs his contract, he should win.  If he doesn’t, he probably should lose. These two can have an incredible match and maybe they will, but the stipulation, it ends when somebody pulls the others’ eye out is plain stupd.  Rollins is a -360 favorite, I don’t have any word Mysterio has or hasn’t signed past he hadn’t as of a week ago, and if he had, given this match, they would likely try and keep a secret until the match is over.
  • Asuka vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw women’s title.  It feels like this match has the most actual interest as on paper it should be great and the two haven’t wrestled each other very often.  Asuka is a -420 favorite.
  • Bayley vs. Nikki Cross for the Smackdown women’s title.  Bayley has pinned Cross in tag two weeks in a row and is a -600 favorite to retain. Unless Cross is turning heel or winning the title, the television results make no sense. Match should be decent or better.  
  • New Day vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro for the Smackdown tag titles in a tables match – Again, on paper this should be a really good match and may be that. But the tables stipulation weakens the match. New Day is -325 to retain.
  • Apollo Crews vs. MVP for the U.S. title – The likely possibilities are Crews retaining or MVP winning with Cedric Alexander turning and joining his table. Crews is a -280 favorite to retain.

It’s been pretty much a dead week for combat sports as far as mainstream goes after UFC 251 last Saturday. The only two things that trended for real on Google this past week were the Wednesday night UFC show, being No. 3 for the day with 200,000 searches, even though it actually was the lowest rated UFC primetime show ever, and last night’s show was also No. 3 day for the day, but at 100,000. One would expect Extreme Rules to do about 200,000 today.

One of the few mainstream stories regarding sexual allegations against pro wrestling is a Philadelphia Inquirer piece on CHIKARA being shut down that talked to several involved. (thanks to Bill King, Mike Kuzmuk, Tom Wersderfer and many others)

Joey Ryan took to Twitter to attempt to defend himself over nearly 20 different allegations.

WWE

MISCELLANEOUS

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Daily Pro Wrestling History (07/19):

CONTACT INFORMATION

SmackDown Tag Team title tables match set for WWE Extreme Rules

A Tag Team title match is the latest addition to the lineup for Extreme Rules.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day will defend their titles against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro in a tables match at Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view. In storyline, Cesaro & Nakamura got to choose whether it would be a tables match or a steel cage match after Cesaro defeated Big E on SmackDown tonight.

The finish of Cesaro vs. Big E was Cesaro hitting the Neutralizer after interference by Nakamura.

Nakamura & Cesaro challenged for The New Day’s titles in the main event of SmackDown last week, but the match ended in a disqualification after it broke down. Nakamura and Cesaro were in the ring at the same time fighting with Kofi Kingston, and Big E joined in to help his partner. The teams kept brawling after the match and Nakamura & Cesaro put Kingston & Big E through a table.

Kingston made the save when Cesaro & Nakamura tried to put Big E through a table after tonight’s match. The New Day then went to put Cesaro through a table, but Nakamura pulled him away.

Here’s the updated card for Extreme Rules:

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defending against Dolph Ziggler (Ziggler will pick the stipulation for the match)
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Sasha Banks
  • Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt swamp fight
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Nikki Cross
  • Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins in an eye for an eye match
  • United States Champion Apollo Crews defending against MVP
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro in a tables match