A new stipulation is set for Roman Reigns and Jey Uso’s Hell in a Cell match.
WWE announced tonight that Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Uso in the first-ever Hell in a Cell I Quit match later this month. It’s taking place at WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on Sunday, October 25.
Reigns retained his Universal Championship against Uso at Clash of Champions last month but wasn’t happy that Uso refused to acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief. On SmackDown last week, Reigns said he’d give Uso another shot at the title. Reigns told Uso that the match will have “the highest stakes that any match has ever had in WWE history.” Uso said that — whatever the stakes are — he accepts the challenge.
Reigns warned Uso on SmackDown tonight that — after Uso says I Quit — there will be consequences.
Reigns and Uso both remained on SmackDown in tonight’s WWE Draft.
Ahead of Hell in a Cell, Reigns will defend the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman on SmackDown’s season premiere episode next Friday.
Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a Hell in a Cell match is also set for this month’s Hell in a Cell PPV. Sasha Banks has also challenged SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley to a Hell in a Cell match for the title.
Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton’s next title match will take place inside of Hell in a Cell.
WWE announced tonight that McIntyre will defend his WWE Championship against Orton in a Hell in a Cell match at this month’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. The PPV is taking place on Sunday, October 25.
Tonight’s Raw opened with Orton cutting a promo backstage and addressing his attack on Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Big Show, and Christian from last week. Orton said McIntyre still has hell to pay. He challenged McIntyre to a Hell in a Cell match, telling McIntyre that he can cement his legacy if he survives one more WWE Championship match against Orton. McIntyre then attacked Orton and beat him down until officials broke things up.
McIntyre did an interview later on tonight’s Raw accepting Orton’s challenge.
McIntyre retained his WWE Championship against Orton at both SummerSlam and Clash of Champions. At SummerSlam, McIntyre pinned Orton with a backslide. McIntyre defeated Orton in an ambulance match at Clash of Champions. Michaels, Big Show, and Christian all got involved during the match, and McIntyre won after hitting a Claymore and a punt. Flair drove off in the ambulance after McIntyre closed the doors.
This is the second match to be confirmed for Hell in a Cell. Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Jey Uso in a Hell in a Cell match at the PPV. It’s been set up that Reigns vs. Uso will have “the highest stakes that any match has ever had in WWE history,” but the details of that haven’t been revealed.
After being set up on SmackDown last night, Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso is now official for Hell in a Cell.
It was confirmed on this week’s episode of Talking Smack that Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Uso in a Hell in a Cell match at this month’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. It was said on SmackDown that the match will have “the highest stakes that any match has ever had in WWE history,” but those stakes haven’t been revealed.
Reigns retained his Universal Championship against Uso in the main event of Clash of Champions this past Sunday. As Reigns was beating down Uso at the end of the match and demanding that Uso acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief, Jimmy Uso threw in the towel for his brother. Reigns had given Jey a low blow during the match when kicking out of a pinfall attempt.
A ceremony to officially crown Reigns as the Tribal Chief kicked off last night’s SmackDown. Reigns called Jey out to the ring and was still taking exception to not being acknowledged by him. Reigns pointed out that Jey was looking at his title during the segment and asked if he wanted another shot. Reigns told Jey there would be real consequences to their match this time. Jey said that — whatever the stakes are — he accepts the challenge.
Jey also defeated AJ Styles on SmackDown last night.
Reigns vs. Jey is the first match to be announced for Hell in a Cell. The PPV is taking place on Sunday, October 25.
Jey Uso is getting another shot at the Universal Championship — this time in a Hell in a Cell match.
WWE set up on SmackDown tonight that Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Uso in a Hell in a Cell match at this month’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Reigns said the match will have “the highest stakes that any match has ever had in WWE history,” but what those stakes are haven’t been revealed.
Uso said that — whatever the stakes are — he accepts the challenge. Uso then defeated AJ Styles on SmackDown tonight after Styles confronted him.
After Reigns retained his Universal title against Uso at Clash of Champions this past Sunday, Reigns and Paul Heyman opened tonight’s SmackDown. Heyman was hosting a ceremony to crown Reigns as the Tribal Chief, but Reigns said he doesn’t want Heyman to call him that. Reigns brought up that Uso refused to acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief. He then called Jey out to the ring.
Uso said Reigns showed his true colors at Clash of Champions. Reigns may have beaten his ass, but he didn’t break Uso’s spirit. Uso said the Universal title would be his if his brother Jimmy Uso didn’t throw in the towel.
Reigns said Clash of Champions was the worst night of his career. He was trying to do Uso a favor and put him in the main event. Reigns said all Uso had to do was acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief, but he instead disrespected Reigns, embarrassed him, and embarrassed their whole family. Reigns pointed out that Uso was looking at his title and asked if he wanted another shot. Reigns told Uso there would be real consequences to their match this time.
It was said on commentary that Reigns vs. Uso will take place inside of Hell in a Cell. The PPV is taking place on Sunday, October 25.
“The Hell in a Cell PPV that was scheduled for 11/1 has been moved up a week to 10/25, meaning the day after both Impact Bound for Glory and Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje in UFC,” Meltzer wrote.
WWE’s contract for their residency at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida runs through the end of October “unless mutually agreed upon in writing to either extend or shorten end date with at least two weeks’ notice.”
WWE previously didn’t have an October PPV on its schedule for this year. Prior to Hell in a Cell being moved up a week, Hell in a Cell and Survivor Series had both been set for November.
The next WWE PPV will be Clash of Champions on Sunday, September 27. That show was originally scheduled for September 20 but was moved back a week. Following SummerSlam and Payback, it will be WWE’s third PPV to take place at the Amway Center with the WWE ThunderDome.
The heavily promoted debut of Smackdown on FOX took place on 10/4 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, drawing the largest television audience for the product since the 25th anniversary of Raw.
The show, which sold out with 14,000 fans, was built around a Kofi Kingston vs Brock Lesnar WWE title match, but more around the one thing that always moves ratings, bringing back the big stars of the past.
This time they pushed a higher level than ever before, having Dwayne Johnson, Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, Undertaker, Bill Goldberg, Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, and many more advertised. That turned into an issue because Johnson was the only one who even had a real role in the show and Undertaker, Austin and Sting were never on the show, while the others were limited to being shown at ringside. John Cena, who was never advertised, was filming the new Fast and the Furious movie.
Chants of “bullsh*t,” “AEW,” and “restart the match” rang out at the Golden 1 Center as the Sacramento crowd responded to the finish of Hell in a Cell on Sunday night.
The fans rejected Seth Rollins and The Fiend’s Universal Championship Hell in a Cell match ending without a decisive finish.
The story of the end of the match was that — no matter what he did — Rollins couldn’t put The Fiend away. He hit curb stomps, used weapons, and hit a Pedigree but couldn’t get the win. Rollins put a ladder and a chair on top of The Fiend’s head and smashed a toolbox into them repeatedly.
Rollins put the toolbox with the ladder and chair and then got a sledgehammer. The referee warned him not to use it, but Rollins used it anyway. The referee called for the bell, with the match seemingly ending in a disqualification or no contest.
WWE.com called the finish “a match-stoppage ruling that led to Rollins retaining the title.”
The Fiend was about to be stretchered out after the match, but he recovered and put Rollins in the Mandible Claw. The post-match angle also saw The Fiend hit Sister Abigail on Rollins outside of the ring, another Sister Abigail on the exposed floor, and then put Rollins back in the Mandible Claw.
This was Bray Wyatt’s second televised match as The Fiend. WWE used a new presentation element for it, with there being dark red lighting for the match.
Last year’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view main event also ended without a decisive finish. Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman’s Hell in a Cell match was ruled a no contest after Brock Lesnar got involved.
Charlotte is once again a champion in WWE, while the Kabuki Warriors have claimed their first title as a tag team.
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) defeated Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross tonight at Hell in a Cell in a match announced just hours before the show started. Asuka gave Cross the green mist, then pinned her following a kick to the head. Bliss and Cross had held the titles for 62 days, winning them on the August 5 edition of Raw, defeating Peyton Royce and Billie Kay.
Meanwhile, Charlotte defeated Bayley to win the SmackDown Women’s championship, submitting her with the figure eight. This match was added to the show after SmackDown’s debut on FOX, where Charlotte pinned Bayley in a tag team match.
This is Charlotte’s fifth reign with the SmackDown Women’s championship. With her 4 Raw Women’s titles and her single NXT Women’s title, Charlotte is now a ten time champion.
A busy period for pro wrestling continues tonight as the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California hosts Hell in a Cell.
Two of tonight’s matches will take place inside of the Cell. The Fiend will challenge for Seth Rollins’ Universal Championship, while Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch puts her title on the line against Sasha Banks.
The SmackDown Women’s Championship will be on the line tonight as well, with Bayley defending her title against Charlotte Flair. Charlotte submitted Bayley with the Figure Eight during a tag team match on Friday’s SmackDown on FOX premiere.
Also, on SmackDown’s FOX debut, Roman Reigns defeated Erick Rowan in a lumberjack match. Reigns & Daniel Bryan will team against Rowan & Luke Harper in a tornado tag match tonight.
Plus, The Viking Raiders and a mystery partner face The O.C., Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross defend their Tag Team titles against Asuka & Kairi Sane, and Chad Gable takes on Baron Corbin. A pre-show match has also been announced, with Lacey Evans facing Natalya.
The pre-show begins at 6 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting an hour later.
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Hell In A Cell Kick-Off Show
The panel consisted of Jonathan Coachmen, Charley Caruso, Sam Roberts, and Booker T.
The panel ran down the card for tonight and interviewed various competitors including, Woman’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross, Charlotte Flair, and Erick Rowan.
Natalya defeated Lacey Evans
Natalya had the early advantage, but Evans took over with a kick to the gut. Natalya fought back, but Evans slowed the pace down with a side headlock. Evans rolled up Natalya for a near fall, but Natalya attempted the Sharpshooter.
Evans regained control and worked over the left knee. Back from the break, Evans was firmly in control and used a slingshot elbow for a near fall. Evans went back to working over the knee. She attempted the Sharpshooter, but Natalya slapped Evans in the face.
Evans went back to attacking the knee and attempted the Sharpshooter again. Natalya pushed Evans to the floor. Natalya briefly fought back, but Evans caught her with a clothesline. The finish came when Evans missed a moonsault, and Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter for the win.
After the match, Natalya knocked out Evans with a right hand.
They recapped the Friday Night SmackDown debut on FOX.
In the back, Sara Scriber interviewed Ali about his recent disappointments. Randy Orton interrupted and pointed out that he injured Ali months ago. Ali then challenged Orton to a match later, and Orton accepted.
They recapped the Braun Strowman and Tyson Fury angle from Friday and announced that Fury would appear on Raw tomorrow night.
Hell In A Cell
Raw Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch defeated Sasha Banks In a Hell in a Cell match
This was a really good match with a lot of innovative spots. As the Cell was lowering, Banks jumped Lynch, and they fought outside the cage. Banks rammed Lynch’s head into the cage.
Lynch then kicked the cage door into Banks’ face. The bell rang for the match, and the referee attempted to lock the cage. Lynch grabbed the chain lock and attacked Banks with it.
Lynch was firmly in control and locked the cage door. Banks briefly took over before Lynch threw her into the steps. Lynch went under the ring and pulled out a table and ladder. Banks attacked Lynch from behind with a chair and set the ladder up against the cage.
Lynch rocked Banks in the face with a chair. Banks fought back and scored several near falls. Lynch briefly took back over, but Banks kicked a chair in Lynch’s face. Lynch fought back and hit three sliding dropkicks, which sent Banks into the cage.
In an awesome spot, Banks hit the Meteora off the apron onto Lynch, which sent Lynch into the ladder set up at ringside. Banks put Lynch’s arm in a space in the cage door and slammed the door on her arm.
Banks continued to work on the left arm by trapping the arm in a chair. Banks sat Lynch on a chair and hit a Meteora off the second turnbuckle for a near fall. Banks then opened a chair and stuck it in the side of the cage.
Banks attempted to hit Lynch with another chair, but Lynch ducked and rolled up Banks for a near fall. Lynch hit a dropkick and sent Banks into the cage. She followed up with a suplex into the cage.
Lynch used a drop toehold into an open and upside-down chair. She followed up with a bulldog into the chair for a near fall. Lynch threw a chair at Banks, but Banks caught it. Lynch then hit a missile dropkick into the chair for a near fall. There was a loud “Becky” chant and a dual “Let’s Go Becky, Let’s Go Sasha” chant.
Banks regained control with a kendo stick. In another crazy spot, Banks stuck kendo sticks in the side of the cage, and Lynch placed an opened chair on top of the kendo sticks. Lynch then sat Banks on the chair. Lynch then rocked Banks with a running dropkick off the apron. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant.
Lynch set up a table in the ring, but Banks nailed a backstabber. Lynch attempted a powerbomb through the table, but Banks fought back. Banks then hit a Meteora off the top through the table for a close near fall.
Banks locked in the Bank Statement using the kendo stick. Lynch slipped out the back and beat down Banks with the kendo stick. Banks then sent Lynch into the chair she set up earlier. Banks tossed in a bunch of chairs into the ring.
Lynch fought back and gave Banks the suplex off the top onto the chairs and locked on the Dis-arm-her for the win.
After the match, Banks stood on the ramp, devastated she lost as she watched Lynch celebrate her win.
Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan defeated Erick Rowan & Luke Harper In A Tornado Tag Team match
This was a good match. All four guys brawled in the ring to start the match. Bryan nailed Rowan with a missile dropkick and rocked Harper with a suicide dive to the floor. Harper seemed to injure his knee.
In the ring, Reigns attempted the Superman punch, but Harper caught him with a superkick. The heels took over and isolated Reigns in the ring.
Bryan attempted to help, but the heels overpowered him and sent him back out. Harper sent Bryan into the barricade, and Rowan hit a running cross-body on Reigns. The heels then hit Reigns with the steps.
The heels isolated Bryan in the ring. Rowan rocked Bryan with a spinning kick for a near fall. The heels attempted the Doomsday Device, but Reigns cut off Harper. Bryan rolled up Rowan with a victory roll for a near fall.
Bryan applied the Lebell Lock, but Harper broke it up. The heels regained control and took back over. Bryan made a brief comeback, but Harper nailed the Michinoku Driver for a two count.
Bryan rocked Harper with kicks in the corner and attacked the injured knee. He rocked Harper with the Yes Kicks. Rowan dragged Bryan out of the ring, but Reigns nailed the drive-by. Harper then hit a suicide dive on Reigns.
Rowan and Harper then cleared off all three announce tables. They dropped Bryan face-first on the apron, and then Rowan slammed Harper onto Reigns. Rowan then broke off a piece of the barricade and hit Reigns with it and sent him into the crowd.
Harper and Rowan attempted a powerbomb through the announce table, but Bryan countered with a hurricanrana on Harper. Reigns then hit a spear on Rowan across the announce tables and into the third one.
In the ring, Bryan hit the running dropkicks in the corner on Harper. Bryan attempted a hurricanrana off the top, but Harper countered with a powerbomb for a close near fall. Harper hit a suplex on Bryan, but Bryan landed on his feet.
The finish came when Reigns hit the Superman punch on Harper and Bryan hit the running knee. Reigns then hit the spear on Harper for the win.
After the match, Bryan put out his hand, and when Reigns went to shake it, he pulled it away. Bryan then gestured for a hug instead. The fans broke into a massive “Yes” chant. They finally hugged to a huge pop.
In the back, Charley Caruso interviewed Universal Champion Seth Rollins. Rollins promised to defeat Bray Wyatt and will burn it down. He then noted that he hopes to.
Randy Orton defeated Ali
Ali climbed to the top, but Orton shoved him off to take over. Orton slowed the pace down and tossed Ali to the floor. Orton attempted the back suplex on the announce table, but Ali slipped out the back and landed on his feet.
Orton sent Ali into the ring post to regain control. He slowed the pace down with a rear chin lock.
Ali had a nasty bruise on his ribcage. Ali fought back and sent Orton to the floor with a dropkick. He followed up with a suicide dive, which sent Orton over the announce table.
Ali hit the rolling X-Factor for a near fall. Orton fought back and hit a power slam for a two count. Ali attempted the 450 splash, but Orton moved, and Ali landed on his feet.
Ali hit a tornado DDT but missed another 450 splash. Orton hit the draping DDT and attempted the RKO.
Ali countered the RKO by jumping up with his hands. Ali fought back, but Orton hit the RKO for the win.
They announced Natayla vs. Lacey Evans in a Last Woman Standing Match for tomorrow night on Raw.
The Kabuki Warriors defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross to win the WWE Woman’s Tag Team Championship
On commentary, Michael Cole pushed the draft and the idea that FOX and USA want their own separate brands with stars.
Kairi Sane knocked Bliss off the apron and isolated Cross in their corner. Asuka knocked Bliss off the apron and hit a sliding knee on Cross. Bliss and Cross took over and isolated Asuka. Cross caught Asuka in the ring apron skirt, and Bliss rocked her with a sliding dropkick.
The Warriors took over and isolated Bliss on their side of the ring. Asuka used an ankle lock and half-crab on Bliss. Bliss countered out of the ankle lock, and Cross got the hot tag. Cross hit a cross body on Sane for a near fall.
Sane attempted the Insane Elbow, but Cross got her feet up and hit a neck breaker for a near fall. Cross rocked Asuka with a clothesline. Bliss hit a cannonball off the apron onto Sane. Asuka then spat green mist into Cross’ eyes and hit a kick to the head to win the tag team titles.
They recapped the Braun Strowman and Tyson Fury angle. Fury appears on Raw tomorrow night.
Braun Strowman & The Viking Raiders defeated The O.C.
The faces had the early advantage after Erik gave Luke Gallows a suplex. The O.C. took over when Styles interfered from behind and isolated Erik on their side of the ring.
Strowman caught AJ Styles, but Gallows knocked him off the apron. Erik caught Styles with a huge backdrop. Strowman got the hot tag and ran wild. He ran around ringside, knocking down Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Styles.
Strowman missed a charge and went shoulder-first into the post. Styles locked in the Calf Crusher, but Erik made the save. Strowman attempted the power slam, but Anderson went after Strowman’s leg.
The O.C. beat down Strowman, and the referee called for the disqualification. The crowd loudly booed the lame finish.
After the match, The Viking Raiders hit double suicide dive onto Gallows and Anderson.
Styles attempted the Phenomenal Forearm on Strowman, but Strowman nailed him with a right hand.
They teased Tyson Fury and Strowman having a confrontation tomorrow night.
Styles did a great job selling the effects of Strowman’s right hand. He struggled to get to his feet even with Gallows and Anderson’s help.
Gallows and Anderson had to tell Styles that Strowman knocked him out. They also had to tell him it’s Sunday and he’s in Sacramento.
Styles got to the ramp and said he didn’t need help. He tried to hold up the United States title but fell backward.
In the back, The Street Profits talked about Raw tomorrow night and Tyson Fury. Suddenly, R-Truth and Carmella ran in. Tamina Snuka rolled up Carmella to win the 24/7 championship.
Chad Gable defeated King Corbin
Corbin mocked Gable before the match and made more short jokes. Corbin officially changed Gable’s name to Shorty Gable. He claimed that he put Rock in his place Friday night.
Gable charged at Corbin and took him to the ground. Gable applied the ankle lock, but Corbin fought back. Corbin slowed the pace down and used a chin lock. Gable fought out, but Corbin rocked him with a clothesline for a near fall.
Gable recovered and hit a rolling German suplex for a close near fall. Gable hit two rolling kicks in the corner, but Corbin countered the third into a powerbomb for a near fall.
Gable fought back and slammed the leg against the ring post. Corbin fought back and hit the Deep Six for a two count. Corbin attempted End of Days, but Gable slipped out. He followed up with a moonsault for a near fall. Gable went right into the ankle lock, but Corbin made the ropes.
Corbin recovered, and choke slammed Gable on the ring apron. Corbin tried to hit Gable with the scepter, but Gable ducked. The referee tried to take the scepter from Corbin, and Gable rolled him up for the win. Greg Hamilton announced “Shorty Gable” as the winner.
As they introduced the International commentators, R-Truth and Carmella chased 24/7 Champion Tamina.
Tamina pulled Funaki in front of her. Carmella rocked Tamina with a superkick, and Truth pinned her for the title.
Charlotte Flair defeated Bayley to win the SmackDown Woman’s Championship
Flair had the early advantage, but Bayley took over with a poke to the eye. Flair regained control, but Bayley dragged her to the floor. Bayley took over and attacked Flair’s leg. Bayley slammed Flair’s leg against the ring post. She attempted the figure four leg lock, but Flair countered.
Flair took over and worked over Bayley’s leg. Flair hit Natural Selection, but Bayley grabbed the bottom rope. Flair attempted a moonsault, but Bayley got her knees up. Flair rolled to the floor and hit a fallaway slam.
Flair attempted the figure four leg lock, but Bayley used an inside cradle for a near fall. Bayley tried to use the ropes for the illegal pin, but the referee caught her. Flair rocked Bayley with a boot and locked on the Figure Eight to win the SmackDown woman’s title.
After the match, Bayley freaked out and cried over losing the title.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Chad Gable. She called him Shorty, but he said it’s okay. He said today we finally saw that Gable is the bigger man. Corbin attacked Gable and beat him down.
Hell In A Cell: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defeated Universal Champion Seth Rollins by disqualification
The lights remained dark and red during the match. Rollins attacked Wyatt with a kendo stick that did not affect him. Wyatt took over and was firmly in control. He hit a splash against the cage on the floor.
Rollins fought back and rocked Wyatt with the steps. He brought in a table and then hit suicide dives on Wyatt. Rollins attempted another dive, but Wyatt caught him and hit Sister Abigail against the cage. The fans broke into a loud “Yowie Wowie” chant.
Rollins hit a huge frog splash on Wyatt, who was lying on a table. Rollins was shocked when Wyatt got right up. Rollins hit the Curb Stomp, but Wyatt got right back up. Rollins attempted another stomp, but Wyatt caught him with Sister Abigail for a near fall.
Wyatt went under the ring and pulled out a giant mallet. He rammed the mallet into Rollins’s gut and pushed him up against the cage. Rollins fought back and gave Wyatt the curb stomp on the mallet.
Rollins hit two jumping knees, but Wyatt didn’t go down. Rollins followed up with a series of curb stomps. The fans booed Rollins and cheered every time Wyatt got back to his feet. Rollins hit the pedigree, but Wyatt kicked out to a huge pop. Rollins continued to hit curb stomps, and the fans booed. Wyatt wasn’t moving. Rollins brought in a chair and hit Wyatt in the head for a two count.
Rollins placed a chair on Wyatt’s face and smashed the chair with a ladder for a near fall. Rollins then brought in a toolbox and put the ladder, a chair, tools and the toolbox on Wyatt’s face. Rollins brought in a sledgehammer and teased hitting Wyatt. The referee talked him out of it. Rollins teased listening but hit the pile with the hammer for the disqualification. The fans loudly booed and chanted “bullsh*t” at the lame finish.
Medical staff ran down to check on Wyatt and the cage raised up. The fans continued to boo and broke into an “AEW” chant.
Rollins tried to get Wyatt up, but Wyatt sat up and applied the mandible claw. Wyatt gave Rollins Sister Abigail on the floor. The fans broke into a loud “Restart the match” chant.
The fans broke into another “AEW” chant as Wyatt gave Rollins another Sister Abigail. Wyatt locked in the mandible claw and blood started spurting out of Rollins’ mouth. The fans loudly booed and were clearly unhappy as the pay-per-view ended.
Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt in a Hell in a Cell match. All of their matches have been short up to this point. I think for the gimmick that Wyatt has to win and it should be shorter than a usual main event, with more horror movie spots than pro wrestling spots. I don’t expect a classic match, but we’ll see. Wyatt is a -400 favorite to take the title.
Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw women’s title. This is only the second women’s Hell in a Cell match in history. It should be good. Banks is a -310 favorite to take the title which are pretty strong odds.
Daniel Bryan & Roman Reigns vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan. On paper, this match should be very good. Bryan & Reigns are -150 favorite. Harper’s role in this feels like the guy who is losing the fall. This has been changed to a tornado match
Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown women’s title. Flair is a -145 favorite to win the title. Since she lost last time and it’s in Northern California,where Bayley is from, the geographical logic says Bayley should win, but with WWE, they seem to view things the opposite. The last match these two had was nothing, so given so few matches are advertised an the main event should be short, this should be given time and they’ll be out to make up for the last one.
Viking Warriors & Mystery partner vs. A.J. Styles & Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson. Based on recent storylines, Cedric Alexander fits into this spot, as would Ricochet. But one would think if it’s a mystery, it would be someone more out of the box.
Chad Gable vs. King Corbin – They’ve had good matches in the past. Gable is one of the best in the company, even with a low tier gimmick. Gable is the -163 favorite.
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane – Bliss & Cross are the -138 favorites.
Natalya vs. Lacey Evans pre-show match – On Monday they pretty much told us the feud was over. So now it’s back. By usual WWE 50/50 booking, this week should be Natalya’s turn. But Heyman’s isn’t a 50/50 booker and the odds have Evans at -200.
NEW JAPAN AT TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Yuya Uemura vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Yota Tsuji
Togi Makabe & Toru Yano & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma & Yoshi-Hashi for Never trios titles
Kazuchika Okada & Kota Ibushi vs. Evil & Sanada
Raw is Monday in Bakersfield. Tyson Fury will be there.
F4W NEWSLETTER: Looking at SmackDown’s move to FOX Joseph Currier looks ahead to SmackDown’s FOX premiere and what the move will mean. Plus, Bryan Rose’s Japan notes and Vinny V’s TV reviews.
While much of the focus has been on the AEW vs. NXT Wednesday Night War, WWE main roster television materially changes this week with SmackDown’s FOX premiere.
The magnitude of WWE airing live on network television every week has been apparent since news of the FOX move broke, but it didn’t fully set in until FOX started promoting the show. WWE personalities have been featured on FOX’s most valuable sports properties, with them appearing on NFL, college football, and MLB coverage. The promotion WWE would get on FOX was said to be one of the selling points of the deal, and FOX has already been as great of a partner as WWE could have hoped for. The promotional opportunities that FOX affords have the potential to make a real difference for WWE. Not every appearance will go perfectly (FOX’s Mark Schlereth saying Rey Mysterio was “like Nacho Libre” was pretty lame), but wrestlers being positioned as on the same level as other professional sports stars in FOX’s portfolio is gigantic for WWE.
WWE is also officially being given its own studio show on FS1. Renee Young and Booker T will host WWE Backstage, which premieres at 11 p.m. Eastern time/8 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday, November 5. There will also be a preview show after game three of Major League Baseball’s American League Championship Series on October 15. Young and Booker T will “weigh in on the biggest stories in WWE, and are joined by a rotating cast of guests and personalities, including current and former WWE Superstars.” The show is a FOX production, and it was reported last week that CM Punk has tried out for it.
WWE and FOX have worked in unison to make SmackDown’s FOX premiere as big as it could possibly be. Brock Lesnar will have his first match on either Raw or SmackDown since 2004 as he challenges for Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will also make his first televised WWE appearance in over three years.
The Wednesday night war has started, and there’s no more detailed rundown than in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.
We’ve got every aspect of the business covered, including:
How every match on both shows did when it comes to viewers, head-to-head, and how different demos fared.
What things WWE tried that worked, what didn’t work, and what failed.
The money demo, baseball competition, analyze where NXT gained and lost and what it says about AEW and competition, who had the advantage when it came to replays, was it a TNT nostalgia wrestling rating, average age for WWE and AEW shows, what audiences AEW beats WWE shows in, what AEW’s success under 35 showed, comments from key people about the ratings, and we also look at Canada ratings, the UK deal and what time slot is actually the key one for AEW in the UK.
Also:
Different tricks both companies took, who did the best job of hype, what comes next week and the non-wrestling aspects of the show.
Match-by-match coverage for both shows with star ratings.
Turmoil in CMLL, the departure of Rush and Dragon Lee, how Lee found out, the future of Mistico, Rush talks his future, as does Dragon Lee, the changes in CMLL that led to this, and all kinds of new policies that changes the world’s oldest wrestling promotion.
C.M. Punk, noting his lawsuit with Colt Cabana being settled, his screen test for a new WWE show, the latest on if he will wrestle, while Cody talks his thoughts about Punk in AEW.
Cain Velasquez in pro wrestling. We look at the Forum card being postponed, WWE’s meeting with him, what angles on Raw this week related to him, update on who has signed the most key guys of late and why Velasquez’s situation is so unique.
Smackdown premier on FOX and ticket interest, Hell in a Cell, the next Saudi Arabia show, Steve Austin, Ric Flair’s title reigns, update on a WWE Hall of Famer who may get cleared, Fourth generation McMahon may become a wrestler, how much Cena affected business, Dana White exchanges words with Matt Riddle, Braun Strowman’s new deal, Upcoming Evolve bouts with WWE stars, WWE market value declines and why, most-watched shows on the WWE Network plus a look at all the WWE & NXT arena events of the past week with results, highlights and business notes.
Coverage of CMLL’s biggest show of the year, the anniversary card, with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.
Coverage of ROH Death Before Dishonor, with match-by-match coverage, business notes, star ratings PPV numbers and more on Matt Taven’s new landmark ROH deal.
Coverage on this past weekend’s UFC show in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The death of Rick Bogner, look at his days as Big Tytan in Japan, the story behind the fake Razor Ramon in WWF, why his career ended, who got him into WWF but some of the guys he started out with talk about him.
Coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week, in-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos for the WWE shows and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
The issues with FOX and Dish Network and Sling were settled as both sides agreed to a new contract. So FOX is back available everywhere and FS1 is back on Dish.
Two notes on the New Japan show tomorrow early morning at Korakuen Hall. The Togi Makabe & Toru Yano & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma & Yoshi-Hashi match is for the Never trios titles. There will also be a contract signing angle at the show for the Kazuchika Okada vs. Sanada IWGP title match next Monday at Sumo Hall in the King of Pro Wrestling main event.
Regarding Google searches for the weekend, even with college football in full swing, the No. 1 searched topic yesterday was UFC 243 with 1 million searches. So that indicates, if we were still doing PPV, that the show would have at least done decently. Gennady Golovkin was No. 14 with 100,000. On Friday, three WWE searches made the top 20. Cain Velasquez was No. 5 with 200,000. WWE Smackdown was No. 6 with 100,000. Tyson Fury was No. 18 with 50,000. Really surprising to me that Dwayne Johnson, who to me drew the rating, wasn’t in the top 20.
Kambi has released odds for TV ratings this week. So these are the over and under lines:
Raw 2.45 million viewers
NXT 825,000 viewers
AEW 1.30 million viewers
Smackdown 3.60 million viewers
WWE
They are advertising Brock Lesnar vs. Kofi Kingston for the 12/27 Smackdown tapings in Detroit. They also announced the Detroit Red Wings will have a WWE Night on 10/29 (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net).
Sasha Banks took seven stitches in her hip in the tag team match on Friday night.
AEW
Chris Jericho will be on Lights Out with David Spade on Tuesday night at 11:35 p.m. on Comedy Central.
MISCELLANEOUS
Pro Wrestling Revolver from Friday night in Des Moines before a sellout 250 fans: Jake Crist won over Daga, Ace Austin and Arik Cannon to keep the Impact X title, Manders b Darin Corbin to keep the Iowa title, Rich Swann & Jason Cade b Tyler Matrix & Logan James, Clayton Gainz b Manscout Jake Manning, Jimmy Jacobs, Dave Crist, Yellow Dog and Jessicka Havok to win the Scramble title, Brian Cage b JT Dunn to keep the Impact title, Lance Archer b Ace Romero, Caleb Konley & Zane Riley b Andy Dalton & Moonshine Mantell, Tessa Blanchard b Sami Callihan in a street fight, Killer Kross won three way over champion Larry D and Madman Fulton to win the Revolver title. Swann & Cade match was said to be the show stealer. Manning was the Scramble champion. Dunn bled badly. Archer vs. Romero was said to be like an Archer G-1 match. (thanks to Parker Klyn)
wXw from yesterday in Oberhausen, Germany as part of the tag team tournament: Jonathan Gresham b Lucky Kid, Avalanche b Alexander James to keep the Shotgun title, Prince Ahura & Maggot b David Starr & Norman Harass, Arrows of Hungary b Ivan Kiev & Pete Bouncer, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch b JD Drake & Anthony Henry, Flamita won over Ryan Taylor, Kyle Fletcher and The Rotation to get a shot at the Shotgun title, Jay Skillet & Absolute Andy b Anti-Fun Police, Timothy Thatcher b Bobby Gunns to win the wXw title (thanks to Marcus Werner and Shannon Walsh)
wXw Femmes Fatales from yesterday on Oberhausen, Germany: Session Moth Martina b Wesna, Leyla Hirsch b Sammii Jayne, Lana Austin b Baby Allison, LuFisto b Vicious Vivien, Leyla Hirsch b Session Moth Martina, LuFisto b Lana Austin, Amale b Faye Jackson to keep the wXw women’s title, LuFisto b Leyla Hirsch.
wXw Ambition tournament from today in Oberhausen,Germany: Daniel Makabe b James Runyan,. Dominic Garrini b Alexander Dean, Ryan Taylor & Russ Taylor b Kevin Lloyd, A-Kid b Scotty Davis, Daniel Makabe b Dominic Garrini, A-Kid b Russ Taylor, Timothy Thatcher b Oney Lorcan, A-Kid b Daniel Makabe to win tournament
I Believe in Wrestling from Friday night in Orlando: Jarrett Diaz b Jimmy Taylor, Jake Shadows & Owen Mitchell b Remi Danillo & Ricky Anderson, Chasyn Rance & Jerrelle Clark b Ali Hohammed & Faris Hakeem, Amber Nova & Gia Roman b Blake Banks & Christian Mills, Kwane Nas d JD Amazing, Andrew Merlin & Carlos Gabriel b Caius Wolfe & Chris Ramirez, Josh Dawkins b Djokovic Rabbit, Aaron Epic & Kaci Lennox won Orlando Intergender title over Jay Sky &Lexi Gomez, Mike Reed & Layne Rosari and Cisco Sucio & Kiah Dream.
Kris Wolf makes her first appearance since retirement on the 10/12 Pro Wrestling Eve show at the Resistance Gallery in London.
Glory Pro Wrestling from last night in Affton, MO: Mike Outlaw won six-way over Gregory Iron, Barackus, PB Smooth, Camaro Jackson and Reilly MaGuise, Hakim Zain b Seishi, Halal Beefckae b The Riegel Twins, Matt Kenway b Steve Manders, Kevin Lee Davidson & Danny Adams b Matt Knicks & Nick Brubaker in a street fight to win the title, Curt Stallion won three-way over Daga and Jake Lander, Tyler Colton b Josh Briggs, Tessa Blanchard won four-way over Laynie Luck, Elayna Black and Savanna Stone, A.J. Gray b Paco Gonzalez to keep Glory title (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN featuring Jimmy Valiant: Buck Sexton b Cole County Crusher, Corvus b Ace Jackson, Dodo Brown b Guy Lombardo with Jimmy Valiant as referee, Dynamite Dillen b Kevo, Shiloh Jonze b Randall Floyd, Drax O’Bren b Bubbie James, Cooter DDQ Scarecrow. Next show is 11/2 for the 16tht annual Fireman’s Cheer Fund Toy Drive and the company’s 21st anniversary show.
Louisville’s CBS outlet profiles former OVW regular Trailer Park Trash’s (real name Frank Smith) new career as a horse trainer. (thanks to Joel Zakem)
The Viking Raiders and a mystery partner vs. The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross defending against Asuka & Kairi Sane
Chad Gable vs. King Corbin
Lacey Evans vs. Natalya (pre-show)
It was also revealed that Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan vs. Erick Rowan & Luke Harper will now be a tornado tag match.
The Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California is hosting Hell in a Cell. Two title matches will take place inside of the Cell, with Seth Rollins defending his Universal Championship against The Fiend and Sasha Banks challenging for Becky Lynch’s Raw Women’s Championship.
Bayley will also defend her SmackDown Women’s title against Charlotte Flair tonight.
The title match had been all but confirmed for Hell in a Cell on tonight’s SmackDown, with Charlotte teaming with Becky Lynch and defeating Bayley & Sasha Banks. Charlotte submitted Bayley with the Figure Eight to win the match.
Bayley retained her SmackDown Women’s title against Charlotte when they faced off at Clash of Champions last month. The finish was Bayley pinning Charlotte after undoing the bottom turnbuckle pad and sending her face-first into it.
The Universal and Raw Women’s Championship matches will both take place inside of Hell in a Cell on Sunday. Seth Rollins will defend his Universal title against The Fiend, and Lynch will defend her Raw Women’s title against Banks.
Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan vs. Erick Rowan & Luke Harper is the only other match that’s been announced for Sunday’s PPV thus far. It’s taking place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
A tag team match has been added to Hell in a Cell next month.
Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns will team up to take on the team of Luke Harper and Erik Rowan. After Harper helped Rowan defeated Bryan on tonight’s SmackDown, Reigns came out to help Bryan from a two-on-one assault. After clearing house, Bryan asked if the crowd wanted to see him and Roman kick Harper and Rowan’s ass, which led to a “yes” chant.
The ongoing story centers around Erik Rowan, who was responsible for the series of incidents that took place during the summer to Roman Reigns, who narrowly avoided injury following a car crash and being trapped under stage equipment. Rowan and Reigns would have a match at Clash of Champions, where Rowan won after a returning Luke Harper took out Roman prior to the finish.
Hell in a Cell will take place on October 6 at the Golden One Center in Sacramento, California.
With an upcoming Universal title shot at Hell in a Cell, WWE seems poised to elevate Bray Wyatt’s Fiend character to the absolute top of the company.
Sunday’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view ended with an angle to kickstart The Fiend’s program against Seth Rollins. After Rollins retained the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman in the main event, The Fiend appeared and attacked Rollins as he was celebrating on the stage. The lights went out during the celebration, with The Fiend then hitting Sister Abigail on Rollins and putting him in the Mandible Claw.
The next night on Raw also included an angle with The Fiend. At the start of the show, it was confirmed that Rollins will defend his Universal title against The Fiend inside of Hell in a Cell at next month’s PPV. In the main event segment, The Fiend put Kane in the Mandible Claw after Kane made an appearance in Knoxville, Tennessee and saved Rollins from Robert Roode, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson.
Two expected matches have now been officially added to the card for Hell in a Cell.
On tonight’s Raw, WWE confirmed that Seth Rollins will defend his Universal Championship against The Fiend (Bray Wyatt) in a Hell in a Cell match at the pay-per-view.
Becky Lynch will also defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks inside of Hell in a Cell at the PPV. Following Banks vs. Charlotte Flair from 2016, this will be the second women’s Hell in a Cell match in WWE history.
Hell in a Cell is taking place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California on October 6. The venue first advertised last month that The Fiend would be challenging for the Universal title at the PPV.
The Fiend appeared at the end of Clash of Champions on Sunday and attacked Rollins in the show-closing angle. Lynch vs. Banks at Clash of Champions ended in a disqualification when Lynch went to hit Banks with a steel chair and accidentally struck the referee. Lynch and Banks brawled after the match, with Lynch putting Banks in the Dis-Arm-Her inside of a chair.
Tonight’s Raw ended with The Fiend attacking Kane and taunting Rollins. That came after Kane made an appearance on the show and saved Rollins from Robert Roode, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson.
Banks & Bayley defeated Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross in a non-title match on Raw tonight. There was an angle where Bliss suffered a storyline injury during the match and had to be taken to the back. Banks went to attack Cross with a chair after winning, but Lynch came out with her own chair.
When Lynch was outnumbered by Banks and Bayley, Charlotte’s music hit and Charlotte took out Bayley. Lynch then gave Banks a chair shot and sent her fleeing. Banks later issued a challenge to Lynch for Hell in a Cell, and Lynch responded by saying she wants to face Banks in a Hell in a Cell match.
