Tag: jey uso

WWE part of new Fanatics Studios initiative, Usos culinary series in development

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is set to be an important part of a new initiative that Fanatics is launching.

It was announced today that Fanatics and production company OBB Media have linked up to launch Fanatics Studios, which will see Fanatics produce its own feature films and documentaries, unscripted and scripted original programming, live event specials, premium digital series, and more. WWE is listed among the partners — with a “multi-project commitment across unscripted and digital content.”

That includes the shows that are already part of the WWE & Fanatics podcast network: What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon, and the Raw Recap podcast with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant. Along with those projects, a new digital series is being created featuring The Usos.

Titled “YEE(A)T with The Usos,” the series will air on WWE’s YouTube channel and social platforms. Here is the description for the show:

YEE(A)T with The Usos: Fanatics Studios will debut an unscripted culinary series with WWE Superstars Jimmy and Jey Uso, who will take their tag team efforts on the road with a BBQ travel show featuring fellow WWE superstars and celebrity friends distributed across WWE’s social and YouTube channels.

Fanatics, one of the leading companies in the sports merchandise industry, has become one of WWE’s closest partners since taking over WWE Shop in 2022. The two sides are set to present their WWE World convention in Las Vegas again during WrestleMania 42 week this April.

ESPN, MLB, football legend Tom Brady, and the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee are among the other partners who have projects in development at Fanatics Studios.

CM Punk praises ‘phenomenal’ WWE star Jey Uso

Posted on by Joseph Currier

CM Punk views Jey Uso as the “number one, shining example” of why internet criticism often does not reflect reality.

During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, Punk praised Uso as a phenomenal wrestler and one of WWE’s best merchandise sellers. Uso might receive criticism from a portion of fans online, but Punk sees how much support he gets at live shows.

“I use Jey Uso as the number one, shining example. Jey Uso in every arena — I’m battling with John Cena and Jey Uso as who sells more T-shirts on any given night,” Punk said. “Everybody’s going crazy for his music. They’re Yeeting. They want him to run it back. This dude can go out on TV for 10 minutes and just Yeet.

“But then if you went on the internet, ‘Oh, he’s the worst wrestler alive.’ Is he? Or are you just extremely hyperbolic? Everything nowadays is, ‘This is the best thing ever.’ ‘This is the worst thing ever.’ ‘I don’t like this so you have to not like it too.’ And it’s really just like — like what you like. Champion that. I try to stay away from the negativity. Jey Uso is f*cking phenomenal. He is. 100 percent. We just live these lives that are so public that everybody wants to point fingers and, like, laugh if we slip on a banana peel or make a mistake.”

Uso’s popularity helped earn him both a Royal Rumble victory and World Heavyweight Championship reign in 2025. He and Punk were opponents this past November when Punk won the World title, which had been vacated by Seth Rollins.

Punk’s interview on Busted Open was to promote his role in the horror movie “Night Patrol.” With how much he’s loving his WWE run and being able to appear in acting roles, Punk feels like he’s living the dream.

“I’m in the fairytale,” he told Busted Open. “It’s why I wrestle so much now, is because I know someday that I’m not going to be able to. So I’m really just selfishly trying to enjoy this run. And it’s the same thing with movies. I get to play in a world that I grew up watching [and] idolizing these people.”

WWE star Jey Uso sends message to fans: Please don’t ‘poke me or touch me’ in public

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On his Instagram stories, WWE star Jey Uso made a couple of posts regarding interactions he’s had with fans recently.

Uso sent out a message on Sunday night asking fans who see him in public not to poke or touch him. He said it’s something that has been happening to him repeatedly.

“IF U SEE ME in public shi Please don’t walk up and poke me Or touch me,” Uso wrote. “How many strangers poke yall ass in a day?? Bout 38 for me…”

Inappropriate fan behavior is something that WWE stars like AJ Lee, CM Punk, and Rhea Ripley have also addressed in recent months. In November, Lee met a fan at the Big Event Entertainment & Sports Expo who later created an AI video to make it seem like he and Lee were kissing each other. Lee called the video “inappropriate” and “harassment” — and the fan has been banned from attending any of the Big Event’s shows or conventions in the future.

Uso welcomes positive interactions with fans, though, with him sending out a post earlier on Sunday showing appreciation for a woman who asked him how he’s doing personally.

“I love my fans right…. But to the lady who asked me about ‘me’ today.. Appreciate you,” Uso wrote. “U know who you are.. YEET”

Uso’s team was on the losing side of the men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series this past weekend. He remains in contention to win WWE’s Last Time is Now Tournament to determine John Cena’s final opponent. Uso vs. LA Knight and Gunther vs. Solo Sikoa are the two semifinal matchups.

Semifinals set for WWE The Last Time Is Now tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The semifinals in The Last Time Is Now tournament are set.

LA Knight and Jey Uso advanced on SmackDown, now setting up a semifinal match that will take place between the two this Monday on Raw. Uso was the first to advance on Friday, pinning Rusev following a splash.

The second bout was shrouded in mystery as Sheamus had to be pulled due to injury. Backstage on Friday, The Miz begged Nick Aldis to be put in the match and by a stroke of luck, his name was pulled out of the tumbler. Despite the break, Miz wasn’t able to defeat Knight, who scored the victory with the BFT.

On the other side of the bracket, Gunther is set to take on Solo Sikoa after Gunther defeated Carmelo Hayes and Sikoa defeated Penta following a referee stoppage. Sikoa also emerged victorious on Friday after emerging as the sole survivor in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match.

The winner of the tournament will face John Cena in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.

WWE SmackDown live results: The Last Time is Now tournament continues

Posted on by Marc Quill

The Last Time is Now tournament continues tonight on WWE SmackDown from MVP Arena in Albany, New York.

The show will feature two first-round matchups, including one between two former World Champions Jey Uso and The Miz. The other pits LA Knight against a yet-to-be-revealed mystery opponent.

The winners will progress further in the bracketless tournament that will determine John Cena’s last-ever opponent for next month’s December 13 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event.

After a confrontation, new WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill will take on B-Fab in a non-title bout.

Sami Zayn will also be on the show as he has a message for Solo Sikoa after last week — when he attempted to get at Sikoa and the MFTs but was unable to. In storyline, Zayn was not medically cleared in storyline. We’ll see if tonight’s message has something to do with a Zayn return.

Plus, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY are in the house as the WarGames build continues.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

– We opened SmackDown on a recap of what happened last week with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, along with the Kabuki Warriors and the new alliance of Nia Jax and Lash Legend. The chaos involving these groups led to WarGames being declared by IYO SKY and the returning Rhea Ripley.

Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY kick off SmackDown

The dynamic tandem made their way to the ring to the loud ovation from the fans in Albany. Once the two got into the ring, Rhea Ripley addressed how things have devolved into chaos since she was gone due to her broken nose. Ripley mentioned that the Kabuki Warriors think they’re untouchable because they’re the Women’s Tag Team Champions, and that Lash Legend & Nia Jax similarly though they were untouchable because of their added numbers. Ripley said that the numbers game meant that Jax & Legend were also making a lot of enemies, as SKY mentioned that there’d be nowhere to hide in WarGames. Ripley then introduced their two partners for the Match Beyond in two weeks: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss.

Bliss started that if Jax & Legend wanted to get dirty, that was fine by her. If the Kabuki Warriors wanted a fight, they’re on, too. Flair interrupted by saying that she couldn’t pretend to do this anymore, as she told Ripley that she couldn’t trust her as she was a “snake”. It’s something that she couldn’t look past even with a common enemy. Flair called Bliss her friend, but she couldn’t go through with this WarGames match, as she walked out.

Interesting start, which is definitely meant to give the babyface team at Survivor Series a bit of adversity heading into next week.

**********

– Michael Cole and Corey Graves teed up the action ahead for tonight, including WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill vs. B-Fab, plus LA Knight vs. a mystery opponent in the Last Time is Now tournament.

The Last Time is Now Tournament First-Round Match: Jey Uso vs. The Miz

Miz and Uso locked horns to start us off before the latter struck with a clubbing blow to the back of his foe. Uso answered back with strikes to the face, but found himself down on the mat with a knee driven to the gut by Miz. In the corner, Miz went for his signature clothesline, but Uso countered that into a backslide pin for a two-count.

Uso escaped an early Skull-Crushing Finale attempt as he then clotheslined Miz to the outside. He then took off with a suicide dive, wich was the cue for a break in the action.

As we returned from commercial, Miz had the advantage as he dropped Uso face first on his knees from the corner, followed by a spike DDT that wasn’t enough to pick up the win. Miz then kicked repeatedly at Uso’s chest, but failed to hit the last kick as the former World Champion turned that into a neckbreaker for a near-fall. As Miz scurried into the corner, he avoided a running hip strike from Uso. He then decided to do a spoof of John Cena’s shoulder charges, Protoplex and the Five-Knuckle Shuffle.

Uso recovered and superkicked Miz, as he then tried to lift him up on his shoulders. Miz wriggled free and delivered the Skull-Crushing Finale. One, two…. NO! Miz lifted Uso up on the top turnbuckle as he tried for an avalanche Skull-Crushing Finale. Uso escaped and hit some sort of drop from the top instead. This led into the Spear, and the Uso Splash for the three and the victory.

Jey Uso def. The Miz via pinfall to advance in The Last Time is Now Tournament

A decent match, though I was surprised this went down cleanly without any sort of WarGames-adjacent shenanigans. It was certainly better than Uso’s last singles match at Saturday Night’s Main Event a few weeks back.

**********

– As Nick Aldis was meeting with Ilja Dragunov, they were interrupted by an incensed Tommasso Ciampa, who stood with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Ciampa was upset at being snubbed by Dragunov once again. The U.S. Champion explained that he only gives opportunities to those who are honorable and deserve a shot at the title, and he’s found one such individual. Mr. Aldis left this scene and was met by Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed of The Vision, who wanted to chat wit him.

– We got a video of John Cena talking about how he became a wrestler. This was a tease for an interview with Cena conducted by Tom Rinaldi that will be released soon.

– Back with Nick Aldis, who requested for security to come to his office. Paul Heyman mentioned that he had an agreement regarding WarGames, stating that he was free to pick anyone across all brands. Aldis reiterated that as he asked Heyman and Reed to leave. Cody Rhodes showed up and explained that he showed up because his friends were held to the fire by The Vision and that he’d be willing to put himself through the fire next. This led to a major match being made tonight: Cody Rhodes vs. Bronson Reed for the WWE Championship.

U.S. Title Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Axiom

We started hot right away as Dragunov and Axiom were engaged in a chain wrestling duel. The U.S. Champion missed on a chop as Axiom rolled underneath, which seemed to impress Dragunov a fair bit. Axiom followed with a headlock takeover, but was felled by a running shoulder block from Dragunov afterwards. Dragunov went for a back elbow, but Axiom dodged it and hit a dropkick that sent him out of the ring.

As Axiom tried to go to the top rope, Dragunov intercepted him and left him sat on the top rope. After a brief skirmish, Dragunov headbutted Axiom down to the mat, as he then followed that with a senton for the near-fall. We then went to a picture-in-picture break at this point.

SmackDown returned to full-screen action as Dragunov connected with a German suplex. Axiom escaped and caught his championship foe with a release Northern Lights suplex. As both men got themselves back up, Axiom blasted Dragunov in the face with a strike, as he then leapt from the top rope with a shotgun missile dropkick for the two-count. Axiom took shots at the chest of Dragunov, who responded with a hard boot to the face.

Dragunov’s attempt at a Constantine Special was reversed into an armbar by Axiom. The U.S. Champion used his strength to break free of the hold with a deadlift powerbomb. Axiom got ahead of an attempted H-Bomb and turned that into an incredible leaping springboard DDT for the close near-fall. With Dragunov stunned in the corner, Axiom lifted him up the top rope and was looking for an avalanche Spanish Fly. Dragunov tried to fight back, but could not prevent the Spanish Fly from the top.

Axiom had Dragunov locked for the Golden Ratio, but he was intercepted by a fierce Torpedo Moscow. An H-Bomb from the U.S. Champion put an end to this Open Challenge and brought victory for Ilja Dragunov.

After the match, Dragunov showed respect for Axiom’s effort in this one as he shook the challenger’s hand.

Ilja Dragunov def. Axiom via pinfall to retain the United States Championship

Another solid U.S. Title Open Challenge match. Dragunov has been just on a tear since his return with fantastic matches one after the other, and this week’s match was no exception. Axiom was a perfect challenger for Dragunov and looked great even in defeat.

**********

– During the commercial break, we saw Tommasso Ciampa brutally attacking Axiom before Nathan Frazer chased him off.

Sami Zayn addresses The M.F.T.s

The former U.S. Champion was out as he made his way to the ring and began by greeting the Albany crowd.

Zayn said that since he came to SmackDown, there were some extremely high highs and extremely low lows. He talked about how he beat Solo Sikoa for the U.S. Title and that he did some incredible things, like facing John Cena in his last-ever SmackDown ever. Zayn mentioned that the last four weeks have been incredibly rough on him as he wasn’t medically cleared yet. He was forced to watch Sikoa and the M.F.T.s attack his friends and people that he respected. And now, that will end tonight, as Zayn challenged Sikoa to face him right now.

On cue, Sikoa walked to the ring, surrounded by his motley crew. Sikoa talked about how he knew the real Sami Zayn: someone who was a pathetic, a liar, and selfish. He claimed that Zayn didn’t care about the people in the back or the people in Albany. That was in contrast to Sikoa, who said that he cared about his “family” and their loyalty to him. Sikoa told Zayn that he knew nothing about loyalty or love of his family. Sikoa threatned to do harm Zayn as he was “still wounded”. He motioned for the M.F.T.s to approach Zayn in the ring.

Sikoa stopped them from going on the attack as he wanted Zayn to be 100% and medically cleared, because he was coming for him. Zayn answered that he was medically cleared and that if Sikoa wanted to do something about it, he’d do something about it right now. Zayn then burst Sikoa’s balloon by stating that he wasn’t here alone. Just then, Shinsuke Nakamura, the Motor City Machine Guns, and Rey Fenix evened the odds as they helped Zayn clear the ring of the M.F.T.s.

Bless Zayn for trying to generate interest into this feud, but it’s still kind of doing nothing for me even with that. This Bloodline retread just is not clicking for me at all, I’m sorry to say.

**********

– Cody Rhodes was approached by Jey Uso, who wished him luck for his Undisputed WWE Title match later on tonight. Jimmy Uso then showed up and told both Rhodes and brother Jey that he spoke with CM Punk, who officially put Jimmy on their WarGames team for Survivor Series.

– Backstage, Nick Aldis declared that in two weeks we’d see the M.F.T.s take on the team of Sami Zayn, the Motor City Machine Guns, Rey Fenix, and Shinsuke Nakamura in a 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series match. The Wyatt Sicks’ VHS glitches were shown as Solo Sikoa and Mr. Aldis left.

The Last Time is Now Tournament First-Round Match: LA Knight vs. Zack Ryder

Ryder was revealed as Knight’s mystery opponent moments before this match got underway. He got a great reaction from the crowd.

As the bell rang, Ryder went for an early school boy roll-up pin, but that was clearly not enough this early into the match. Knight countered a Rough Ryder attempt, but was sent out of the ring, which was the cue to take us into the commercial break.

We resumed the match from the break with Knight getting sent hard into the corner by Ryder. This was met in kind with a nice back body drop from Knight shortly after. Knight avoided a clothesline from Ryder, as he then unleahsed a flurry of punches, followed by the neckbreaker for the near-fall. Knight continued on the offensive, but a reversal on a scoop slam led to Ryder picking up some momentum. As Knight was left down and out in the corner, this left him open to Ryder’s Broski Boot for a close near-fall.

Knight countered an attempt at an Unprettier from Ryder into a reverse DDT. The elbow from the top was avoided by Ryder, who turned that into the Rough Ryder on his foe. One, two… Knight was able to kick out at two. Knight’s BFT was countered into a roll-up pin, by Ryder, as he headed up to the top rope. Ryder’s attempt at a standing legdrop was turned into a powerbomb by Knight, who then soundly finished off Ryder with the BFT for the three.

LA Knight def. Zack Ryder via pinfall to advance in The Last Time is Now Tournament

Zack Ryder was a nice surprise, and it was at least nice to see LA Knight back in the winning column here for this match.

**********

– As Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, and Alexa Bliss were discussing what to do with Charlotte Flair walking ou on them, they were ambushed by the Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend. The Jamie Noble-led vanguard of security officials got them to back off after the ambush.

Jade Cargill vs. B-Fab

B-Fab escaped an early chokeslam attempt by Cargill, as she then hit her with a dropkick and repeated elbows in the corner. B-Fab’s attempt at a pump kick was met by a fierce elbow to the face from Cargill, who followed that up with a fallaway slam. Cargill managed to connect with the chokeslam on B-Fab. This was followed by the powerbomb on her foe. Not satisfied with just one powerbomb, Cargill then dropped her with one more powerbomb, then the Jaded for the dominant victory.

After the match, Michin ran in to check up on B-Fab, which caught Cargill’s attention. The WWE Women’s Champion shoved her down afterwards.

Jade Cargill def. B-Fab via pinfall

Just kind of there in terms of being a match, and with how barebones the SmackDown’s women’s division is, that’s not a good sign. Not saying that B-Fab should be having competitive matches with the WWE Women’s World Champion, but sub-three minute matches are not the way to do it.

**********

– Nick Aldis revealed two more The Last Time is Now tournament matchups: Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed and Penta vs. Finn Balor, with these match set for next week’s SmackDown.

Next Week on SmackDown:

  • The Last Time is Now Tournament: Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed
  • The Last Time is Now Tournament: Penta vs. Finn Balor
  • Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommasso Ciampa)

– We got remarks from Aleister Black, with Damian Priest once again being the subject of discussion for him. Black said that they forced Priest to break his code, and now he had greater things in mind, namely those who hold championships on SmackDown.

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Bronson Reed (w/ Paul Heyman)

The main event started off fast and furious as Rhodes went on the attack against Reed. A running thump from the Aussie put an end to that flurry as he maintained the assault on ringside with another running thump.

Our main event returned from the break as Rhodes nailed Reed with the Disaster Kick. This fired up the Undisputed WWE Champion as he attempted to blast Reed with the Dusty elbow strikes. Reed countered that into Jagged Edge, but he missed on the Tsunami. This left Reed open for a Cody Cutter for the close near-fall. As Reed scurried outside to the ring, Rhodes went for a suicide dive, but Reed intercepted him with an elbow.

Outside the ring, Reed had Rhodes in sight for an avalanche run, but he was met at the pass by the Undisputed WWE Champion. Things broke down once Bron Breakker and Logan Paul ran in to attack Rhodes as this match ended in a DQ.

The Usos ran in for the save as they cleared the ring of Paul and Breakker. Jimmy and Jey dropped Paul with a 1D, as they then grabbed a table from underneath the ring. Drew McIntyre showed up, despite being suspended. Nick Aldis confronted Paul Heyman about this outside the ring, as the heels got the upper hand in the ring. The Levesque & Fitting credits saw us off once more with The Vision standing united in the ring.

Cody Rhodes def. Bronson Reed via DQ to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship

**********

An okay ending to an otherwise better-than-average SmackDown once again carried hard by the U.S. Open Challenge. WarGames is at least setting up quite nicely, and presumably Roman Reigns will fill out the babyface team in the coming weeks. Perhaps, even John Cena.

Other than that, when I say that this show was decent, it is, of course, in comparison to the previous weeks of rather milquetoast episodes. The M.F.T.s storyline continues to just be kind of there, but I am enjoying everything surrounding the U.S. Title and the Ciampa/Dragunov feud that’s been building in the background of it. At the end of the day, a decent show is certainly better than a forgettably bad one.

WWE Shop lists top merch sellers of 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Shop has put out a list naming the company’s top merchandise sellers of 2025.

The 10-person list is ranked in alphabetical order and does not disclose how each competitor ranked inside of the top 10. It includes seven male wrestlers and three female wrestlers:

  • Alexa Bliss
  • AJ Lee
  • CM Punk
  • Cody Rhodes
  • Jacob Fatu
  • Jey Uso
  • John Cena
  • Penta
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Roman Reigns

AJ Lee ranks on the list despite only having returned to WWE in September. She was also a highly ranked merchandise seller during her first run with the company, which ended with her retiring from the ring in 2015. She made her long-awaited return by teaming with her husband Punk to defeat Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins at WWE Wrestlepalooza.

In a graphic posted by WWE on social media promoting the top-sellers list, Cena, Reigns, Rhodes, Punk, and Ripley were the five wrestlers featured. Cena — who has been on his retirement tour all year with city-specific merchandise released for some of the stops — is front and center.

WWE Shop is run by sports merchandise company Fanatics. WWE and Fanatics have been partners since 2022, and the relationship has expanded into several different areas including podcasts and online casino games.

Jey Uso reacts following WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Jey Uso was visibly frustrated following WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.

In the final match of the November 1st edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, CM Punk defeated Uso to crown himself the new World Heavyweight Champion. However, while Punk celebrated his win backstage, Uso was left behind in a sour mood. Post-show fan footage soon emerged, capturing the 40-year-old visibly irate at the match’s result.

The now-viral video showed Uso sitting at ringside, reflecting on his loss and aggressively removing his kneepads. While his anger could be open to interpretation, he later uploaded a cryptic Instagram story that read, “Yall win” accompanied by a middle-finger emoji.

The former World Champion has been displaying heel tendencies for some months now and tonight’s failure could act as the final nail in the coffin. Jey Uso had also recently opened up about going back to his Bloodline ways.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event results

Tonight’s edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event began with Cody Rhodes’ title defense over Drew McIntyre and concluded with Punk’s World title win. The show also featured Jade Cargill’s championship victory and Dominik Mysterio’s positive run.

  • Cody Rhodes defeats Drew McIntyre – WWE Championship
  • Jade Cargill defeats Tiffany Stratton – WWE Women’s Championship
  • Dominik Mysterio defeats Rusev & Penta – Intercontinental Championship
  • CM Punk defeats Jey Uso – WWE World Heavyweight Championship

CM Punk wins World Heavyweight title at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new World Heavyweight Champion has been crowned.

CM Punk won his seventh world title on Saturday, defeating Jey Uso to win the title for a second time. The finish of the back-and-forth bouth had Punk hitting two GTS on Uso, covering him for the win. The final moments of the show saw Punk celebrate with his newly-won title as pyro went off.

After the show ended, Punk posted a picture of himself with new WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and NXT Champion Ricky Starks. Notably, they all worked together during Punk’s brief time in AEW.

“Look at us,” the caption reads.

WWE’s socials also posted footage of Rhodes putting the title around Punk’s waist.

Punk won a number one contendership match to earn a title match against Seth Rollins that was set to take place on Saturday. However, following Crown Jewel, The Vision shockingly turned against Rollins, writing him off television to deal with a shoulder injury suffered at the PLE. A battle royal was held the following week to determine Punk’s opponent for SNME that was won by Uso.

Previously winning the title at SummerSlam after a hard-fought match against Gunther, Punk’s first title reign ended in minutes after Rollins cashed in and pinned Punk to win the title.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event live results: CM Punk vs. Jey Uso

Posted on by Jeff Moss

The vacant WWE World Heavyweight title will find a home with either CM Punk or Jey Uso on tonight’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event from Salt Lake City, Utah.

The title was vacated by Seth Rollins after an injury suffered at last month’s Crown Jewel. Punk was originally set to challenge Rollins while Uso earned the shot by winning a battle royal on Raw.

Punk held the title for a matter of minutes at August’s SummerSlam before Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase and defeated him. Uso is looking for his second title run and first since June of this year.

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will defend his title against Drew McIntyre in a match where Rhodes can lose the title by DQ or countout.

WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton will defend against the recently turned heel Jade Cargill who is in search of her first WWE singles title.

In a three-way, WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio will defend against past challengers Penta and Rusev.

Tonight’s show airs exclusively on Peacock domestically and on Netflix outside the United States.

**********

You can bet there were a lot of people in WWE hoping the Blue Jays won the World Series last night so that Saturday Night’s Main Event didn’t have to go up against the Baseball Birds. Fortunately, we live in 2025, so double screens it is and let’s get into Saturday Night’s Main Event!

After everyone arrived to work safely (with Penta stopping for a coffee) and Micheal Cole running down the card, the show began with a video package recap that ran down the card.

Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes [c] vs. Drew McIntyre

McIntyre got cranky a few weeks ago and put Rhodes’ head through the announce table with a Claymore. After Rhodes shooed away the little cartoon birds that were circling his head, he and McIntyre went to war at Wrestlepalooza. Rhodes won that bout, but via a controversial call by the official. McIntyre then beat Jacob Fatu to again become No. 1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Title. This time though, McIntyre had a plan, which he put into action on Smackdown and got Rhodes to agree that the title could change hands on a DQ or Count out.

Lillian Garcia read us the tale of the tape, with McIntyre insisting she call him the “Real American Dream” and we were off. Rhodes charged off the bell, but McIntyre dodged it and hit a back elbow. Rhodes sent McIntyre into the corner and the two started trading chops.

McIntyre went for a suplex, but Rhodes reversed it with one of his own and McIntyre rolled out of the ring, trying to lure Rhodes into a count out. Rhodes didn’t bite though and McIntyre got back in at 9. The two locked up and McIntyre tried to throw Rhodes into the official to cause a DQ. Rhodes pulled up though and remained qualified.

McIntyre kept trying to goad Rhodes into getting DQ’ed, but it wasn’t working. Instead he went for a kick in the gut and laid Rhodes out on the ropes. McIntyre then bit Rhodes’ forehead without the Ref seeing. Rhodes fired up and started throwing jabs and kicks at McIntyre. He got too agressive with stomps in the corner and almost shoved the ref when he broke it up.

McIntyre came back and threw Rhodes into the ringpost. On the outside, he tossed Rhodes over the barricade to try and get the count out. Rhodes made it back into the ring at 8 though. McIntyre started throwing punches and hit a belly-to-belly throw across the ring.

McIntyre put Rhodes in an upper octopus huld, but Rhodes fought out of it and went off the ropes to be struck by McIntyre for a two count. The two started trading forearms and McIntyre hit a high back body drop for another two count.

McIntyre took a moment to mug for the crowd before climbing the turnbuckles. Rhodes met him there though and they threw hands on the top rope. Rhodes got McIntyre up and landed a mean looking superplex.

After some punching, Rhodes landed a powerslam on McIntyre and started powering up. He hit a Disaster Kick and then a Cody Cutter for a two count. Rhodes hit a Bionic Elbow and charged, but McIntyre caught him with a spinebuster and sit out powerbomb.

McIntyre rolled out of the ring and grabbed the title belt. Cody ripped it out of his hands and tossed it to the ref. That opened him up for a Claymore kick, but McIntyre could only get a two count. Rhodes rolled out of the ring and McIntyre set him up in front of the announce table. Rhodes caught him with a fist in the gut and put them both back in the ring.

McIntrye then knocked Rhodes off the ring apron and through the announce table looking for a countout, but Rhodes made it back at 9.5. McIntyre set himself up for another Claymore, but Rhodes ducked it. McIntyre tried a future shock, but Rhodes dodged and went up the turnbuckles. Before he could do anything though, his knee buckled and he fell to the mat clutching it.

Rhodes tried again and hit a supercutter, but McIntyre kicked out at two. Rhodes set up CrossRhodes, but McIntyre kicked him in the face and sent him into the corner, squashing the official in the process. McIntyre hit a Glasgow Kiss, but the ref was still out. Using that to his advantage, McIntyre grabbed the belt again.

McIntyre went to hit Rhodes with it, but Rhodes ducked and the two collided with crossbodies in the center of the ring. The ref continued to nap.

McIntyre went for the belt again, but Rhodes managed to DDT him on the belt and then throw it out of the ring. The ref then began to stir in time to see Rhodes hit a CrossRhodes and get the pin to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Match Result: Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre

Decent match from these two to kick things off. There were more than a couple moments where I thought that McIntyre had it in the bag, but Rhodes pulled it off nicely. I give it 7 Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s out of 6.

WWE Women’s Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton [c] vs Jade Cargill

In January, Stratton cashed in the Money in the Bank contract on Nia Jax to put the title on her shoulder. She’s sucessfully defended it against Jax, Charlotte Flair and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. Stratton also beat Cargill at Summerslam. However, that wasn’t enough for Cargill who stepped in to save Stratton from an attack by Giulia and Kiana James, only to turn on the champion and lay a beating on her. It was a subtle move, but she seemed to to be communicating that she wanted another title shot. Because wrestling, she got it and here we are.

Before the match, Smackdown GM Nick Aldis checked on Stratton to make sure she was 100% for the match. She said she was. Hey, that’s great. Extremely relevant actor and comedian Pauly Shore was shown in the audience, as was Post Malone. Expect to see him vs Jelly Roll at Summerslam next year.

Right off the bell, Stratton jumped Cargill. Cargill easily reversed it though and began sweeping legs and throwing stomps. She grabbed Stratton and flattened her with a huge chokeslam. Gargill then hit a pumphandle flip slam for a two count.

Cargill threw Stratton across the ring and into the corner. She charged, but Stratton moved. Stratton went up top, but Cargill knocked her into a tree of woe, wrenching the knee of Stratton. Cargill pulled Stratton out of the ring and dropped her headfirst onto the ring apon (the prettiest part of the ring!).

Cargill laid Stratton out on the stairs, but Stratton caught her and tripped her face first into the steps. Stratton threw Cargill into the ring and went up top again, but Cargill met her there. Statton threw Cargill off and hit a swanton, but only got a two count.

Clutching her bandaged knee, Stratton got up, but Cargill clotheslined her back down and hit a blue thunder bomb for the customary two count. Cargill landed a fallaway slam and then another, keeping the pace in her favour. She hit another, but Stratton kicked out at two.

Cargill hit a sit out powerbomb for another two count, then a pair of Power Bomb Classic’s. Cargill hit a Jaded and then sat on Stratton for the 1-2-3 to become the new WWE Women’s Champion!

Match Result: Jade Cargill defeated Tiffany Stratton

Good for Cargill! She’s got money written all over her and it’s time she ascended to that upper echelon. She was aggressive and powerful through the whole match. Stratton did a good job making a fight out of it and the Cargill era is here. 16 Addison Barger’s out of 10

During the break, it was announced that the next Saturday Night’s Main Event (and the preceding Smackdown) will come from my hometown of Montreal, Quebec! If I start the GoFundMe now, I might be able to afford tickets!

Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match: Dominik Mysterio [c] vs Penta vs Rusev

Can we all just agree that Mysterio is the best thing going in WWE right now? Ok, good. What we didn’t know at the time was when Dom was up on that pole 20 years ago, he got a great view of what Rey Mysterio and his real father Eddie Guerrero were doing in the ring. He’s channelled that into multiple titles including the AAA Mega Championship and the WWE Intercontinental Title.

On Raw, Rusev and Penta had their Intercontinental Title No. 1 Contenders match interrupted by the arrival of their Starbucks order as El Grande Americano, Rayo Americano and Bravo Americano attacked them. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce threw up his hands and said “all right, everybody into the pool!” and made this Triple Threat Match.

As the bell rang, Rusev and Penta attacked Mysterio, taking turns stomping and punching him. Mysterio rolled out and Rusev dropkicked Penta. Rusev went for the cover, but Mysterio returned and broke up the count. Rusev put Penta out and turned his attention to Mysterio, suplexing him repeatedly.

Rusev picked up Mysterio like a small child and threw him across the ring like a small child. Mysterio rolled out of the ring, Rusev followed and Mysterio put his head into the ring post. Penta dove through the ropes and took out Rusev. Then Mysterio did the same and took out Penta.

Back in the ring, Penta and Mysterto battled in the corner with Penta delivering his drop headstand kick for a pin attempt. Rusev pulled Penta out of the ring and threw a lariat before tossing him into the barricade. He threw Penta into the barricade again and Mysterio dove at Rusev through the ropes. Rusev caught him and slammed his head onto the newly-repaired announce desk.

Rusev took a moment to connect with the Intercontinental Title Belt, saying “I’m coming for you” before entering the ring and kicking Mysterio in the back. Rusev went for a lariat, but Mysterio tripped him and went for a 619. Rusev caught him though and slapped on the Accolade. Panta broke that up with a superkick to Rusev.

Penta hit a backbreaker for a two count and then threw some kicks at Rusev as he tried to stand up. Penta went for a springboard, but Rusev caught him and slammed him for a two count of his own. Rusev set up Penta on the top turnbuckle, but Penta fought out of it. Rusev pulled Penta off the ropes, seemingly hurting his knee.

Mysterio brought a chair into the ring and pulling a page from his real father, threw it at Rusev and pretended he hit him. The ref did nothing, since there is not DQ in tha triple threat. Pentat took out Mysterio with a Mexican Destroyer then hit a tornado DDT on DDT on Rusev.

Penta went for a Destroyer on Rusev, but he caught him and hit an Alabama Slam. Penta hit a big sit out driver, but Rusev kicked out at two. Penta went up top again and leapt off, but Rusev caught him with a kick to the gut. He put the accolade on. and the bell rang!

Everyone seemed very confused, with Rusev thinking he won, but the camera caught Mysterio with a hammer in his hand. He hit the bell to cause a distraction. That made Rusev very very mad and he ragdolled Mysterio around the outside of the ring.

Mysterio shoved Rusev into the steel steps and then climbed back into the ring with the bell hammer. Penta stopped him though, grabbed the hammer and went to hit Mysterio. Mysterio ducked and Penta took out Rusev with the hammer. Mysterio took out Penta and then hit a frog splash on Rusev to get the pin and retain the Intercontinental Title.

Match Result: Dominik Mysterio defeated Penta and Rusev

Very fun match! It did not drag anywhere like a lot of Triple Threats can. Penta and Rusev would have both been great IC Champs, but Mysterio continues to steal the show. From the Eddie chair spot to the ringing of the bell, he’s pure entertainment. 27 George Springers out of 10.

Next, a promo aired for December’s Saturday Night’s Main Event aired, speculating on who John Cena’s final opponent will be. It was announced that starting one week from Monday (November 10th), at RAW in Boston, a 16-man “The Last Time Is Now” tournament will begin, with the winner facing Cena in his final bout. What was intriguing, was it mentioned the possibility of the tournament including someone (or someones)”who doesn’t even work here.”

PS – how do you not call it “The Last Tournament Is Now”

WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: CM Punk vs Jey Uso

A few RAW’s back, Punk beat Jey Uso and LA Knight to receive the right to face Seth Rollins for his World Heavyweight Title. Unfortunately, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed decided they had enough of Rollins’ giant should pads and turned on him, delivering a beating so bad that Rollins was put out of action with a totally real maybe for sure kinda legit injury (you never know with Seth. We’ve been fooled before).

Anyway, RAW General Manager and plaid sport coat enthusiast Adam Pierce stripped Rollins of the title and the next week, Uso earned his way back into the hunt by winning a Battle Royal. So that brings us to tonight where Uso looks to regainthe title and Punk wants to get a taste of his first gold since returning to WWE almost two years ago.

Lillian Garcia did her thing and the crowd was clearly behind Punk, even though there was a lot of Yeeters out there. The bell rang and we were off. Punk a Uso circled each other, both looking for an opening. Uso blinked first and the two tied up.

Punk ran Uso into the corner and backed off, leading to another tie up, which the ref broke up in the corner. Uso gave Punk a little shove and Punk tried to quickly hit a GTS, but Uso wriggled out of it. They tied up again, this time with Punk working Uso’s arm with a wristlock.

Punk went for a cover, but only a two. He put a headlock on Uso and transitioned to working the arm again. He came off the ropes, but Uso intercepted with a crossbody. Uso stomped Punk, keeping him off his feet. Uso wrestled Punk to the mat, but couldn’t get a count.

Uso seemed confused with the crowd started chanting “CM Punk” and it opened him up for Punk to try to get another GTS. He didn’t and Uso rolled out of the ring.

After a moment, Uso climbed back in through the ropes and tied up again. Punk started throwing forearms and dopped a few elbows for good measure. Punk hit a neckbreaker, but couldn’t get a cover. Uso seemed dazed as Punk started throwing chops. Punk charged and Uso caught him in a Samoan Drop that was so hard, it took Uso’s shirt off.

Uso went for a spear, but Punk caught him and hit another neckbreaker. The pace of the match was slow and controlled by Punk, who put a crossface on Uso in the middle of the ring. Uso fought out of it and thew hands. Punk sent him off the ropes, but Uso grabbed them and Pink drop-kicked the air.

Punk grabbed Uso and connected with a GTS, but Uso fell out of the ring with the momentum. Instead of just going and getting him, Punk decided to stay shocked for a few minutes. He jumped out and grabbed a water bottle, dumped it on Uso to wake him up, and then thew him back in the ring. Weird.

Punk hit a suplex on a limp and dazed Uso, but could only get a two. Punk put Uso on the top turnbuckle and tried for a superplex. Uso blocked it though and headbutted Punk back to the mat. Uso went for a stomp, but Punk moved out of the way. Not missing a beat, Uso threw a bunch of right hands, knocking Punk down in the corner.

He thew a hip at Punk and went for a spear, but Punk caught him with a GTS attempt. Uso got out of it and hit the spear and then an Uso Splash, but Punk kicked out at two. Uso went back up top, but Punk met him with a fist. Punk landed a superplex, but took a bunch of damage to do it.

The two traded blows in the center of the ring. Punk came out on top, throwing Uso into the ropes and hitting him with a clothesline and then a dropkick. Punk threw a high knee into a bulldog and called for the GTS.

He got Uso on his shoulders, but Uso got out of it and superkicked Punk out of the ring. He followed that with a suicide dive and the ref started counting. Uso got back in first and the Punk followed to reset the count. Punk then rolled out on the other side to catch his breath.

Uso climbed out and charged, hitting a spear and driving Punk through the barricades. Uso dragged Punk back into the ring and hit another Uso splash, but Punk got the knees up. He hoisted Uso up and hit a GTS, but Uso kicked out at 2.5!

Punk set up Uso for a piledriver, but Uso countered and hit a GTS on Punk! Then Punk got up and hit Uso with a spear! Punk got to his feet first and hit another GTS on Uso, who collapsed onto Punk’s shoulders. Uso was playing possum though and locked in a sleeper hold in the center of the ring!

Punk rolled it over into an anaconda vise but Uso grabbed the ropes, breaking the hold. Punk dragged him back to the center of the ring and Uso hit a pair of superkicks. he went for a spear, but Punk caught him for a pair of GTS’s. With that, Punk pinned Uso to get the victory and become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion!

Match Result: CM Punk defeated Jey Uso

Fun show! Not quite PLE-level, but definitely better than the average TV show. Lots happened, the matches had stakes and there was no sure fire winners, with each victory being well earned. 50 Trey Yesavage’s out of 25. Also, apologies again to Goldberg, we just ran out of time.

WOL: Are Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens the same character?

Posted on by Jim Valley

Image: WWE

It’s the Saturday edition of Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Drew McIntyre stood tall over Cody Rhodes to end their SNME contract signing on Friday’s WWE SmackDown.

The story for tonight is “Drew is in Cody’s head.” Didn’t Kevin Owens play mind games with Cody, too?

KO and Drew are very similar characters: heels who tell the truth and seemingly challenge for the WWE Title at least once a year. Are Drew and Owens pretty much the same character?

Plus, Jim talks the NJPW Super Junior Tag League, CMLL, AEW Collision, WWE Universe vs. The Sickos, Mike Rotunda and more.

Check it out.

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Fight Game: CM Punk or Jey Uso? | WWE SNME preview

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling this week.

After doing our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down segment, we each brought topics that we wanted to discuss to the table:

  • The weird booking behind Jamie Hayter and Queen Aminata losing their first round match in the AEW Women’s Tag Team title tournament
  • Thoughts on Kendal Grey and whether or not WWE should rush her to the main roster
  • Whether Triple H is too front and center with WWE marketing
  • Saturday Night’s Main Event preview

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF – Exclusive Subscriber only Podcasts

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Jey Uso on WWE heel turn allegations: Going back to ‘old Bloodline ways’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Jey Uso has finally opened up on his heel turn teases.

For the past few months, the former World Champion has been displaying heel tendencies. Portraying a much more aggressive character on television, Uso has finally opened up on the teases.

During his appearance on Raw Recap, the 40-year-old addressed the speculation and discussed going back to his ‘old Bloodline ways’. While Uso claimed he did not undergo a heel turn, he also said, “Nothing really changed on me Uce. I still have fun, I still throw a party every Monday. I still like the kids, I still yeet with them. But when the bell rings I’ve got to switch modes now, if I’m trying to get to the top, I’ve got big hitters in front of me. Guys like CM Punk, guys like GUNTHER, guys like Seth Rollins.”

He further said, “I got a heavy list in front of me and I just can’t play no more I’m tired of people saying I’m just an entrance, I ain’t got the skills to hold it down up top. I just switch modes, I might be going back to the old ways, Bloodline ways but that kind of mentality got the job done.”

He has also been recently involved in tense segments with his brother, Jimmy Uso. Last week’s episode of Raw also planted more seeds for the heel turn as, Jey Uso willingly eliminated both Jimmy Uso and LA Knight to secure his match against CM Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event for the World title.

Jey Uso talks Jimmy Uso’s WWE future

In the same Raw Recap episode, Jey Uso also opened up about his brother Jimmy Uso’s upcoming WWE run and potential World title shot.

Man, I’m never going to say no to Jimmy. Like, I’m never going to deny my brother of being one of the greatest tag teams of all time. I would love to run it back, being a ‘Super Team’ as you call it, Uce. But man, I think we’ve got unfinished business in this singles game right here. I think we still have a lot to prove. I want to see Big Jim get his title shot. I know it’s lurking around there, you know, whether it is RAW or SmackDown, my brother is going to get one. I’m happy for him to just be on that route too, man.”

Punk and Uso will collide for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship on the November 1st edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake, Utah.

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk & Jey Uso face-to-face

Posted on by Joseph Collins

With their title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event approaching, CM Punk and Jey Uso will meet on WWE Raw tonight for a face-to-face confrontation.

A new World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned this Saturday when Punk and Uso face off at SNME. The championship — which Punk had already earned a shot at — was vacated by Seth Rollins due to a shoulder injury. Uso claimed the spot opposite Punk at SNME by winning a battle royal last week.

The next challenger for Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio will be determined tonight in a matchup between Penta and Rusev. The past few weeks have seen Penta and Rusev interfere in each other’s title bouts looking to get their hands on Dominik.

WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella is set for action tonight, taking on Roxanne Perez after recently saving Stephanie Vaquer from a Judgment Day attack.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

Live in front of a sell-out crowd in Anaheim, California. 

CM Punk & Jey Uso Face to Face.

The vacant World Championship belt was on a podium in the ring. Can I make the bold suggestion that while the crowd really digs the entrance, it’s kind of death for the viewer at home with nothing happening. As I typed that, Jey “ran it back” so between the recaps to start the show and Jey’s entrance, nothing really happened for almost ten minutes. Jey finally welcomed us to “Mon-Jey Night Raw.” Jey complained about having “everybody in my ear:” Jimmy, Roman, his mama, your mama. But he’s only listening to himself now and focused on winning the World Title. 

Cue “Cult of Personality” and CM Punk came out to talk.  Punk and Uso circled the ring with the World Championship belt between them. Punk asked the fans if they wanted him to run his music back, and it actually started to, but was cut off after only a few bars. “Sorry for stealing your stuff… four letters, one word, PUNK.” Punk’s happy that Jey is finally listening to himself. It’s no secret Punk and Jey are friends (I literally did not know that) and that makes it harder for Punk to face Jey. 

When Punk mentioned Jey tossing Jimmy out of the battle royal, the crowd boos and Punk admonished them for booing since that was well within the rules. Punk asked Uso how far he’s willing to go to be champion, because Punk needs to be champion “like he needs air in his lungs.” How far is Uso willing to go, Punk asks, when Punk has knocked Uso’s grill out of his mouth and he’s “in a situation [he] can’t Yeet [his] way out of?” 

“Screw you, Punk!” Punk is trying to turn things around to make Uso the bad guy, but Uso will show Punk who the best in the world is on Saturday Night. Uso left, and Punk looked longingly at the championship belt.

— In the back, Dominik Mysterio complained about Adam Pearce setting up a contender’s match for his Intercontinental title. Dom wanted some help, but Finn Balor and JD McDonough were going to try and get their tag team titles back. Roxanne Perez wanted to help, but Raquel Rodriguez wanted her to focus on Nikki Bella. Dom walked off talking on his phone, alluding to getting help from someone else. 

— O’Shea Jackson and members of the LA Galaxy were shown in the Anaheim crowd.

Penta v. Rusev in a #1 Contender’s Match for the Intercontinental Championship 

Winner gets a title match with Dominik at Saturday Night’s Main event. I feel like the chances of a disputed finishes leading to a three-way are quite high. Penta knocked Rusev to the floor and hit a tope con hilo. Back in the ring, Penta hit a springboard tornado DDT for a near fall. Rusev dropped to the floor to regroup, and caught Penta with a right hand when he followed him out. 

Back in the ring, Rusev squashed Penta in the corner with an avalanche. Penta came back with a back stabber for another near fall. A sliding dropkick sent Rusev to the floor. Penta followed again, but this time Rusev flap-jacked him into the post. 

After a commercial, Rusev went after Penta’s mask. Penta jumped into a bearhug, but fought his way out of it. Penta dodged a charge in the corner and caught him with the “corner handstand kick” for a third near fall. Penta kicked at Rusev who was out on his knees. The crowd was solidly behind Penta. 

Penta dove into a superkick from Rusev for a near fall. Rusev went for the Accolade, but Penta  countered with the Penta Diver for a near fall. The crowd screamed “ref you suck!” As Rusev and Penta fought, Rayo and Bravo Americano, along with El Grande Americano, ran in and attacked both Rusev and Penta. The match ended in a no-contest. After the match, Rusev dumped Rayo and Bravo. Penta went after El Grande, but he got away. 

Match Result: Rusev and Penta ends in a no-contest (10:01). 

— Jackie Redmond interviewed LA Knight in the back, and he wants whoever wins the world title belt on Saturday. 

— Bron Breakker still doesn’t understand why he and Bronson Reed didn’t just go destroy everyone in the battle royal, since that’s the clearest path to the world title. Paul Heyman’s answer was that 20 is less than one. If Bron takes out the one guy who is in the way of getting the next title shot, Bron’s path to the world title is clear. And so tonight, it’s LA Knight and Bron Breakker, YEAH. 

— A video package on a decade of Asuka in WWE. Highlights of Asuka tearing through NXT and WWE, highlighting her undefeated streak, Royal Rumble win, Money in the Bank win, Elimination Chamber win and other wins were shown. 

— JD McDonough and Finn Balor went to Adam Pearce looking for their tag team title rematch. Instead, JD got a match with Sheamus. Pearce also had some news for Dominik Mysterio, but that’s a plot thread to be resolved later. 

Nikki Bella v. Roxanne Perez (w/ Raquel Rodriguez)

Perez mock-worshipped Bella, which earned her a slap. Perez then got caught with a shot that might have legit stunned her for a bit. Perez dropped to the floor after a face buster and Bella tossed her about the ringside area. 

Back in the ring, Rodriguez snapped Bella’s neck against the ring rope while Perez distracted the ref. Bella gave Perez nothing during the opening few minutes. 

After a break, Perez hit a running uppercut on Bella while she was against the ropes. Perez hit a double jump moonsault off the middle rope for a near fall. Perez cranked away at Bella’s neck with a neck vice. Perez went after the back of Bella’s neck with forearms, then did push-ups to taunt the former Diva’s champion. 

Bella double-legged Perez and caught her with a running boot. Bella drove Perez’s face into the mat, which Perez sold liked crazy. After both women struggled back to the their feet, Bella hit a series of clotheslines and a dropkick. Bella hit a version of the Disaster Kick for a near fall. 

Bella went for the Rack Attack 2.0, but Perez countered with a sleeper. Bella escaped, but Perez tripped her up into the ropes. Bella hit a spinebuster for a near fall. Rodriguez jumped up on the apron, so Bella knocked her down. Perez caught Bella with a cradle for two, Bella caught Perez with a cradle for two. Bella went for charge in the corner, but Perez ducked and Bella hit the middle buckle, jarring her neck. Perez hit the Pop Rocks out of the corner for the victory.

After the match, Rodriguez hit Bella, and Stephanie Vaquer ran in to make the save. Vaquer and Rodriguez had a bit of a stare down. Bella tried to interject herself into the stare down, but it didn’t really work. I think the message was supposed to be Nikki and Steph standing up to Rodriguez, but it came off more like Nikki seeking attention, literally sticking herself in where she didn’t belong.

Match Result: Roxanne Perez defeated Nikki Bella (11:16)

— In the back, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria psyched each other up for their title match. But the Kabuki Warriors think they’re the ones that deserve a title shot. 

— Jimmy Uso yelled at Jey Uso for following the rules of the battle royal last week. Jimmy also suggested that Jey was afraid to find out what would happen if they went one-on-one again. The crowd will be bored again like at WrestleMania 41?

Bron Breakker (w/ Bronson Reed & Paul Heyman)  v. LA Knight

Knight held up a fan’s sign: “We Want LA Knight not Jey.” Wade Barrett laid out the stakes for the match: “whoever loses will not be in line for a title shot.” 

After giving Knight a little bit of offense, Bron ran through Knight with a clothesline. Bron legitimately looked like a blur while he ran the ropes. Knight came back with a crossbody, but Breakker buried a knee in his midsection. Knight caught Bron with some left handed jabs and stomped him in the corner. Knight caught Bron with a running knee and Breakker dropped down to the floor to regroup. 

Knight hit Bron with a dropkick to the floor heading into a break. During the break, Reed distracted Knight which allowed Bron to press-slam Knight onto the table. 

Bron was back in control after the break, hitting an avalanche knee in the corner and suplexing Knight over the ropes to the floor. Bron ran halfway around the ring and hit Knight on the floor with a flying tackle. 

Back in the ring, Knight fought his way out of a chinlock and hit a flying clothesline of his own. Knight caught Breakker with a jumping neckbreaker, pop-up powerslam and a jumping elbow. Knight went for the BFT, but Breakker escaped and hit Knight with a knee. Breakker went for the top-rope Frankensteiner, but Knight slipped off the buckles and sent Breakker tumbling down to the mat in an ugly way. 

Knight set up Breakker for a superplex. Bron pushed him down, so Knight ran up the ropes and superplexed Bron off the top rope for a near fall! Knight went for the BFT again, but Breakker escaped. Bronson Reed distracted Knight, giving Bron the opening for the spear. But Knight ducked and Bron went to the floor. Knight went after Reed on the floor, then sent Breakker headfirst into the commentator’s table. 

Back in the ring, Breakker tried for a gorilla press, but Knight escaped and hit a reverse DDT. Knight went up top for an elbow, but Breakker kipped up as Knight jumped. Knight rolled through, jumped up and ran into a spear from Breakker, who got the pinfall. Honestly it felt like Bron gave Knight too much. 

Math Result: Bron Breakker pinned LA Knight (13:32) 

— Backstage, Adam Pearce found Dominik Mysterio talking to the Americano Familia. Pearce made Dom v. Rusev v. Penta for the Intercontinental title at Saturday Night’s Main Event. 

— Jey confronted Jimmy about him winning about the battle royal, and they seemingly made amends.

JD McDonough (w/ Finn Balor) v. Sheamus  

Sheamus brutalized McDonough in the opening. Sheamus backdropped JD so high I think his ears popped. McDonough clipped Sheamus’ leg and got a brief advantage, but JD turned his back on Sheamus and got clotheslined to the floor. On the floor, Sheamus and Balor had a staredown. Back in the ring, McDonough hit a slingshot spinning splash but barely got a one count. Sheamus set up McDonough for the forearms against the ropes, but Finn pulled JD to the floor. So Sheamus hit both Finn and JD with a clothesline off the apron to the floor. 

After a commercial, McDonough was in control with a chinlock. Sheamus got to his feet and managed to send both him and JD to the floor. McDonough caught Sheamus with an Asai Moonsault on the floor. Back in the ring, McDonough hit a 450 splash for a near fall. 

McDonough tried kicking and slapping Sheamus, which only fired Sheamus back up. Sheamus floored JD with a pair of clotheslines and the Irish Curse backbreaker. McDonough escaped the Ten Beats again and caught Sheamus with a cradle for two. Sheamus finally gut JD tied up in the ropes and mauled him with multiple forearms. 

Sheamus went for the Brougue Kick, but McDonough caught him with knee. Sheamus gave McDonough a crucifix powerbomb, but Finn put McDonough’s foot on the ropes to break the count. Sheamus dropped to the floor and gave Finn the big boot.  McDonough dove through the ropes for the save, but Sheamus cut him off. 

Back in the ring, Sheamus went to the top, but Balor hit Sheamus with his shillelagh, and Sheamus fell on the turnbuckles. McDonough then took Sheamus down to the mat with a Spanish Fly off the top rope, and got the pinfall! Wade Barrett sold this as the biggest singles win of McDonough’s career.

Match Result: JD McDonough pinned Sheamus (13:39)

— Adam Pearce offered Maxine Dupri a third match with Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Dupri isn’t ready for the match yet. “So it’s official, eventually.” 

— Jackie Redmond interviewed the Women’s Tag Team Champions, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Bliss said if you want a title shot, all you have to do is ask.  Flair and Bliss are two successful title defenses away from having the most defenses in history! The Kabuki Warriors interrupted to say they’re the only ones who deserve to be tag team champions. Charlotte replied she would be honored to defend the titles against them. 

— AJ Styles and Dragon Lee were asking Adam Pearce for worthy opponents for their tag team titles. Finn Balor and JD McDonough interrupted looking for their title rematch, and Dragon Lee agreed to the title match for next week. 

Next week on Raw (so far): 

  • Nikki Bella & Stephanie Vaquer v. Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez 
  • AJ Styles & Dragon Lee v. JD McDonough & Finn Balor for the WWE World Tag Team Championship

Lyra Valkyria & Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

This is the fifth defense for Flair and Bliss. Bliss and Bayley started out. Charlotte got a blind tag and caught Bayley with a clothesline. Bliss got the tag again and took Bayley down with a head scissors. Lyra and Charlotte tagged in. They exchanged arm-ringers and creative escapes from arm-ringers. The crowd did the fireflies thing with their phones. Valkyria sent Flair to the floor and followed her out with a dropkick through the ropes. 

After a commercial, Valkyria was tying up Bliss with a submission hold, then transitioned into the seatbelt cradle for a near fall. Bayley got the tag and Bayley held Bliss up in a fireman’s carry so Lyra could hit a running blockbuster. Bliss came back with a double DDT on both Bayley and Lyra.

Flair got the hot tag and came off the top with a crossbody. Flair chopped away at Bayley and Valkyria. Flair hit a cartwheel clothesline. Flair dumped both Lyra and Bayley with fallaway slams, then hit them both with a moonsault. Charlotte went for the cover on Lyra, but she got a shoulder up at two. 

Charlotte sent Bayley to the floor with a big boot, and Valkyria caught her with a leg lariat. Bayley fired up demanding a tag, got it, and ran in to give Charlotte a knee. Bayley hit an elbow off the middle ropes on Charlotte, dropkicked Bliss, and hit Charlotte with the belly to belly suplex for a near fall. 

Charlotte caught Bayley with a boot, and Bliss got the blind tag. Lyra got the tag, and (not realizing who was legal) ran right into the Sister Abigail DDT from Bliss for two, but Bayley made the save. Bayley and Charlotte fought on the floor. Bliss came off the top with a crossbody on Lyra, but she caught her and turned it into the Night Wing for another near fall with Charlotte making the save. 

Charlotte and Bayley got tagged in, and Bayley hit a Thez Press. Bayley and Charlotte brawled until Charlotte floored Bayley with a boot. Charlotte locked in the Figure Eight. Lyra kept Bayley from tapping out, and Bliss came off the top with a Twisted Bliss. Charlotte and Bliss gave each other a nod, then hit twin Natural Selections on their opponents. Charlotte then pinned Bayley to retain the titles. This was a fantastic TV match.

Match Result: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss beat Bayley & Lyra Valkyria to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles when Flair pinned Bayley (14:13)

After the match, the Kabuki Warriors ran in and attacked the tag champs. Asuka held Flair open for an Insane Elbow. The Warriors went after Lyra as well, but Bayley stood them down. The Kabuki Warriors backed away while Bayley tended to Lyra and the tag champs sold on the floor to end the show.

Wrestling Weekly: AEW shifting into Full Gear, Jey Uso’s championship desperation

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: WWE

On a new edition of Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa look at how AEW followed up another incredible PPV with last Saturday’s WrestleDream, their thoughts on the Women’s Tag Team title tournament, and Jon Moxley’s fear of submission holds.

In WWE, is Jey Uso willing to stop at nothing for another chance at the World Heavyweight title? Could Becky Lynch be headed toward a match with a referee?

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

October 27, 2025 Observer Newsletter: AEW WrestleDream review & ratings, WWE World Heavyweight title picture

Posted on by F4W Staff

Image: AEW

It’s Friday and that means a new edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer leads off with a full recap of everything AEW WrestleDream including his ratings for each and every match.

He also looks at Seth Rollins being stripped of the WWE World Heavyweight title and what’s next for the championship.

Dave also provides his obituary for Mo of Men on a Mission who passed away last week.

All that, plus news from the entire wrestling & MMA/UFC world await.

Click here to read (because reading is your friend)