AEW & ROH head Tony Khan has made his thoughts publicly known about Jinder Mahal receiving a WWE World Heavyweight title match against Seth Rollins on next week’s Raw.
Khan took to X Tuesday to air some frustrations about what he called a “double standard” for the reaction, or lack thereof, to Mahal getting a title opportunity despite no wins in a year while a recent Hook callout of AEW World Champion Samoa Joe received “online outrage.”
A double standard:@730hook 28-1 career record, on winning streak calls out the Champ, a logical challenge sparks online outrage
Jinder has literally lost every single match he's in for the past year, immediately gets title shot, where is the rage#AEWDynamite TOMORROW on TBS
Khan didn’t provide specific instances of said outrage to the Hook callout.
In a now-deleted tweet, Mahal responded to Khan, asking “Who tf is Hook?”
Khan first started getting attention Tuesday for calling out USA Network who took a perceived subtle dig at Khan’s public affinity for Cagematch for replying “What was the cagematch rating?” to a tweet about Rollins and Mahal having a history in NXT.
Khan called the tweet “a moral victory for USA” and one more win than Mahal got in the last year, adding “You really put AEW in our place getting Jinder Mahal in a big match on your tv show. Do it more often”.
A moral victory for USA is one win more than their World Title challenger Jinder Mahal has in the past 364 days… because it's been literally a full year since he won a match. You really put AEW in our place getting Jinder Mahal in a big match on your tv show. Do it more often https://t.co/0kpuUsvkm1
Khan’s comments got reaction from several in the industry including former WCW head Eric Bischoff who had a falling out with Khan despite appearing on AEW TV before.
After Bischoff shared a clown emoji with the tweet, Khan then replied with the following:
Mahal and Rollins got into a brawl on Monday’s Raw that led to the match being made. The 37-year-old has wrestled sparingly over the last year, last scoring a win over Julius Creed on the 2023 edition of NXT New Year’s Evil.
Since then, he has wrestled just five times with the last coming in a trios bout at September’s Superstar Spectacle in India. He made his return to Raw just over a week ago in a promo segment that led to The Rock returning to the show.
It’s a Tuesday podcast party! Get all your WWE NXT updates here on Speak Now Pro Wrestling with Denise Salcedo! Find out what happened on the February 21st edition of NXT on this podcast episode.
Jinder Mahal has a chance to become NXT Champion tonight.
The former WWE Champion will be looking to claim gold as he challenges Bron Breakker on tonight’s episode of NXT. The match was made official after a confrontation between the two last week.
Mahal pointed out that there’s a small pocket of NXT fans who once loved Breakker but are now changing their tune on him. After calling Breakker tired and weak, Mahal challenged him to an NXT Championship match.
The NXT Tag Team Champions are set for non-title action tonight. Gallus will take on Malik Blade & Edris Enofe. Blade & Enofe are attempting to prove that they’re worthy of a title shot.
Four other matches have also been confirmed for the show. Ilja Dragunov faces off with Trick Williams, Jacy Jayne takes on Indi Hartwell, Chase U battle The Dyad, and Alba Fyre faces Ivy Nile.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opens with the entrance of Trick Williams. He looks to be getting pushed as a singles wrestler apart from Carmelo Hayes. While the Hayes and Williams characters remain on good terms, Williams is getting some spotlight of his own.
Williams raps and cuts a promo on his way to the ring. He says he is here to prove he can do more than talk. He can back up anything he says, and Williams vows to beat Ilja Dragunov “into an oblivion.”
Ilja Dragunov defeated Trick Williams
Dragunov pinned Williams after Torpedo Moscow. At times this was bowling shoe ugly, but this is developmental.
They wrestled through a commercial break, which was probably unnecessary. Dragunov worked hard to carry things. Not pretty at times, but they got through it. Bless their hearts. This went too long.
JD McDonagh joined Vic Joseph and Booker T at the announce desk for guest commentary. McDonagh is currently in a program with Dragunov, and they glare at each other after the match.
Fallon Henley is in the locker room is trying to call Brooks Jensen. He is currently mad at Henley about the angle from last week, where Henley falsely accused Kaina James of being cheating on Jensen. Brooks urges Henley to make amends, but Henley says Jensen will not return her numerous phone calls. Henley leaves to find James, so she can apologize in person.
Earlier today, Meiko Satomura is leading a training class at the Performance Center. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez enthusiastically asks to join the class. Students kept dropping out of the seminar as the grueling tasks grew more difficult. Perez was the last left standing with Satomura. Just when Perez thinks it is over, Satomura says that is just a warmup. To be continued…
Tyler Bate in street clothes heads to the ring for a monologue. This was dragging more than the opener when The Schism interrupts Bate. Joe Gacy leads The Dyad and Ava (who has “Raine” as a last name). They surround the ring, and Bate is trapped. He cannot escape a rambling Gacy promo, where Ava also chimes in atimes.
Gacy and Ava are saying Bate is alone when Chase U hits the ring. Andre Chase and Duke Hudson have a match with The Dyad that is up next after a commercial break.
The Dyad (Jagger Reid & Rip Fowler with Joe Gacy & Ava) defeated Chase U (Andre Chase & Duke Hudson with Thea Hail)
Fowler pinned Hudson, after Hudson is double-teamed when Chase leaves the ring to save Hail from Ava. Tension within Chase U after the match.
The match is joined in progress as the show returns from commercial break. The Dyad work over Chase, building anticipation for a hot tag to Hudson. He finally tag in, and Hudson runs wild like an ’80s babyface. He even does a flip, flop and fly.
Wacky tandem offense by Chase U gets them a near fall. Hudson is blindsided on the floor, and the show cuts to another commercial break. They build to a second hot tag as the show returns from the break. Chase cleans house this time. The Dyad try to double team, but Chase holds his own against the odds.
Chase moonsaults to the floor off the middle turnbuckle on Fowler. Chase immediately climbs the turnbuckle again for a high cross on Reid. Fowler jumps back into the ring to breakup the subsequent pinning attempt.
Slugfest turns into a Garvin Stomp. Ava at ringside begins to stalk Thea Hail. She was recently kidnapped by Ava and Schism. Chase leaves the ring to check on Hail, and Chase backs Ava away. Hail looks scared. Meanwhile, Hudson is left alone in the ring against The Dyad.
Hudson does not see a bling tag by The Dyad, and they deliver a stereo codebreaker to Hudson. Fowler covers Hudson for a pinfall. Chase tries to make a save, but to no avail. Chase U loses against The Dyad.
Hudson screams at Chase after the match. Hudson yells that Chase should let Hail “grow up.” Hudson storms out as Hail is in tears saying it is all her fault.
A locker room skit sets up a match tonight between Von Wagner and Tony D’Angelo. Mr. Stone tries to talk Wagner out of the match, but D’Angelo and Stacks bait Wagner into accepting the challenge. Stone chides Wagner for being talked into the match, and Wagner yells at Stone.
Another great personality profile highlights Sol Ruca. This was even better than the one from last week. She is a great babyface character. Tonight’s video package focuses on her skateboarding, and she is no Johnny Ace. She can skate, and she looks like a star.
Jacy Jayne defeated Indi Hartwell via disqualification
Hartwell is disqualified when Gigi Dolan runs in to attack Jayne. Not the best way to showcase Jayne in her new role as a top heel on the show. Why not have her beat someone decisively, and then have Dolan run in? They did not do that. Instead there is this average match, and a DQ finish.
Just before Dolan runs in, Jayne tries getting over a signature spot. With Hartwell seated in a corner, Jayne kisses her forehead before booting her in the face. This is apparently “The Kiss of Death” as it was called on commentary. Jayne is signaling for a second Kiss of Death when Dolan ran down for the sneak attack.
The referee DQ’s Hartwell for the blatant interference. Dolan brawls on the floor with Jayne, and Dolan chases Jayne off stage.
The training session continues with Meiko Satomura and Roxanne Perez. Satormura pushes Perez to her limits. Satomura ends the session by saying she will see Perez in two weeks for their title match.
Satomura is the topic of conversation when Zoey Stark is interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell. Stark is clearly jealous of Satomura getting a title shot ahead of her. Stark threatens to show Satomura who is “the real final boss” if they ever meet in the ring. Later in the show, Stark against Satomura is made official for next Tuesday on NXT.
NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus (Joe Coffey & Wolfgang) defeated Endris Enofe & Malik Blade in a non-title match
Wolfgang pinned Blade to handedly win the match.
Enfoe and Blade got some moments to shine, including with Enofe doing a Perry Saturn flying elbow drop. Gallus being the bruisers they are, they ultimately prevailed with power moves.
Two dudes enter the scene after the match carrying a cake. If you know the history of cakes in pro wrestling, you can tell where of this story is heading. The dudes say they are here on behalf of Pretty Deadly to wish Gallus a happy anniversary.
Pretty Deadly was trolling Gallus, as the anniversary was for when Pretty Deadly beat Gallus in a match a couple years ago. Gallus jumps the dudes and they smash their faces into the cake.
The cake was a red herring, as Pretty Deadly run in swinging folding chairs. They attack Gallus, and Pretty Deadly pepper them with chair shots to the back. Pretty Deadly smash Gallus into the ring steps several times. Kit Wilson assists Elton Prince in giving Woflgang a powerbomb on the steps. Pretty Deadly leaves Gallus laid out.
Dabba-Kato cuts a promo on Apollo Crews.
The announcers are plugging Stand & Deliver for WrestleMania weekend when Stevie Turner hacks into the show to cut a promo on Lyra Valkyria.
Tony D’Angleo (with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo) defeated Von Wagner (with Mr. Stone)
Wagner is pinned clean by D’Angelo. Mr. Stone is very displeased with the result, especially after having cautioned Wagner earlier tonight about taking the match.
Plodding match, which seems to be reoccuring theme on this episode of NXT. D’Angelo does a side suplex into a uranage for his finisher, and then D’Angelo pins Wagner clean as a sheet.
Kelly Kincaid does a post-match interview with D’Angelo and Stacks. D’Angelo challenges Dijak to a “jailhouse street fight” at NXT Roadblock. D’Angelo gives Dijak a week to answer the challenge.
McKenzie Mitchell in a backstage interview asks Nikkia Lyons to shed some light on who attacked Lyons. They are interrupted by Tiffany Stratton, who is annoying as part of ger gimmick, so she annoyed viewers.
Despite Isla Dawn planting seeds of dissension, Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley appear to be on the same page, but Paxley’s body language may say otherwise in a backstage skit.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams are in the trainer’s room when Tyler Bate interrupts them. Bate means well. Nonetheless, this seems to set up a match between Hayes and Bate. This was an odd skit.
Alba Fyre (with Isla Dawn) defeated Ivy Nile (with Tatum Paxley)
Fyre pinned Nile to win the match. Furthering the seeds the dissension, the story of the finish is Paxley inadvertently costs Nile the match.
Nile counters a Gory Bomb, with a sunset bomb for a two count. Nile then applies a Dragon Sleeper. Dawn causes a distraction by jumping onto the apron. Paxley then jumps on the apron seemingly trying to help. Nile collides with Paxley, and Nile bonks her head. Fyre then executes a Gory Bomb, and Fyre covers Nile for a three count.
Fallon Henley comes to Kaina James office to apologize. There is some banter between them, but they shake hands and agree to be partners. That is probably a good thing since they already are the reigning NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.
A music video hypes NXT Champion Bron Breakker ahead of his title defense in tonight’s main event.
NXT North American Champion Wes Lee announces he is putting his title on the line in another open challenge next Tuesday on NXT.
Besides the open challenge, also announced for next week is Meiko Satomura against Zoey Stark. Carmelo Hayes vs. Tyler Bate is also official for next week.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker defeated Jinder Mahal to retain his title
Breakker pinned Mahal clean in a competitive match.
Indus Sher (Veer and Sanga) are in Mahal corner for the early portion of the match. Upon a double down in the ring, Veer and Sanga get on the ring apron. They seem ready to interfere when The Creed Brothers run down to pull Indus Sher off the apron. Brutus and Julius Creed brawl at ringside with Veer and Sanga as the show cuts to its final commercial break.
During the break, Indus Sher and the Creeds brawl their way off the soundstage. The match continues in the ring, and the fight soon spills outside. Mahal smashes Breakker into the ring steps. The spot might have gotten more heat if the live studio audience hadn’t already seen a much more dramatic and violent version of that spot earlier in the show.
Breakker fights back to rally. Breakker fires back and delivers some suplexes. Spinebuster by Breakker and he signals for a spear. Breakker also pulls down the straps on his singlet. Mahal powders and rolls outside. Breakker is baited into following Mahal, and Mahal catches Breakker with one of the oldest tricks in the heel playbook.
Breakker eats a knee and takes a vertical suplex, but he kicks out at two. Mahal taunts Breakker and starts slapping Breakker in the face. This awakens the monster within. Breakker goes on to do a Super Frankensteiner. Delayed reaction, but Mahal takes a bump anyway. Mahal kicks out after also taking a release vertical suplex.
As they go home, Breakker climbs the ropes. He leaps off the middle rope, and Mahal boots Breakker with a high kick. Mahal goes for his finisher, but Breakker counters The Khallas. Breakker then nails a spear, and Breakker covers Mahal for the deciding pinfall.
Carmelo Hayes appears on a perch overlooking the ring, and he locks eyes with Breakker for a staredown. This seems to indicate Breakker’s next challenger.
Grayson Waller has a challenge for Shawn Michaels at NXT Roadblock
Spoofing the Tubi commercial from the Super Bowl, the television screen suddenly looks like its loading WWE section of the Peacock app. “Stand & Deliver” is selected, and Grayson Waller is revealed as the person working the remote. He has taken over the production truck. Waller has a message for Shawn Michaels.
While HBK is “Mr. WrestleMania,” Waller proclaims he is “Mr. Stand & Deliver” and the new “Showstopper.” Waller says Stand & Deliver is going to be his show. Waller goes on to say no one will hold him back.
Waller dares Michaels to be his guest on a special edition of The Grayson Waller Effect at NXT Roadblock.
Happy Valentine’s Day! On this edition of Speak Now Pro Wrestling I will be chatting all things WWE NXT from the February 14, 2023 edition of the show! We have soooo much to discuss including Bron Breakker’s run as NXT Champion, Toxic Attraction’s breakup, and more!
Bron Breakker will defend the NXT Championship against Jinder Mahal after a segment between the two took place on Tuesday’s NXT. Mahal confronted Breakker, saying that he wanted a title match, pointing out that there were people in the crowd who were not fans of his. Breakker accepted the challenge, saying people can say whatever they want.
Jacy Jayne will face off against Indi Hartwell. After Jayne cut a promo explaining why she had turned on Gigi Dolin last week, Hartwell was interviewed. She said that Jayne thinking that she should be at the front of the line in the NXT women’s division is wrong, challenging her to a match.
Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams will meet after the two had an altercation on Tuesday’s show. As Dragunov was interviewed backstage about his confrontation with JD McDonagh last week, Williams was in the ring running down Dragunov. This brought Dragunov to the ring. However, a distraction by McDonagh allowed Williams to jump Dragunov from behind.
Here is the rundown so far for next week’s NXT:
NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Jinder Mahal
A former WWE Champion returned to NXT at Tuesday’s New Year’s Evil, one of multiple stars returning from hiatus.
Jinder Mahal returned to NXT on Tuesday’s episode, attacking The Creed Brothers and aligning with Sanga. Mahal, who held the WWE title for nearly six months in 2017, stated that Sanga and Veer Mahaan fight with respect, but that he does not in justifying his sneak attack on The Creeds.
Later in Tuesday’s show, Mahal faced Julius Creed in a singles match in a winning effort.
Mahal last appeared on WWE television in November, losing a SmackDown World Cup match to Braun Strowman in under two minutes.
Tiffany Stratton also made her NXT return on Tuesday’s episode. Weeks of vignettes hyping a countdown to the new year culminated with Stratton’s comeback. Stratton cut a promo in her first NXT appearance since losing a lights out match to Wendy Choo in August.
Elsewhere on Tuesday’s show, Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) returned from a storyline suspension issued in September following a Pub Rules match against Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen.
Gallus attacked Briggs and Jensen backstage, then defeated Pretty Deadly in a tag team gauntlet bout at New Year’s Evil and appear to be positioned as the next challengers for The New Day’s NXT Tag Team titles.
Two briefcases will be up for grabs as Money in the Bank takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas tonight.
In the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Omos, Sami Zayn, Riddle, and Madcap Moss will be vying for the title shot contract. Moss won a four-way match on SmackDown last night to become the final confirmed participant.
Lacey Evans, Raquel Rodriguez, Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Shotzi, Asuka, and Becky Lynch are the women’s ladder match participants.
Four titles will also be on the line tonight. Ronda Rousey defends the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Natalya, Bianca Belair defends her Raw Women’s Championship against Carmella, The Usos put their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles on the line against The Street Profits, and Bobby Lashley challenges Theory for the United States title.
Tonight’s PPV streams live on Peacock/WWE Network at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a pre-show starting at 7 p.m. Eastern.
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Pre-show
The pre-show panel included Kayla Braxton, Kevin Patrick, Booker T, JBL, and Peter Rosenberg. They aired a Money in the Bank ladder match video package looking at the past winners and classic cash-in moments. It also explained the rules.
The panel discussed the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. They then discussed the Raw Women’s Championship match and mentioned Rhea Ripley’s sidelined with an injury.
Next, they recapped The Usos vs. The Street Profits feud. They discussed Braxton mentioning Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins having problems last night. The Street Profits showed up. Ford got on the table and cut a promo.
They aired a Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar SummerSlam video package. They showed Cody Rhodes’s interview from Monday’s Raw. Next, they recapped the Bobby Lashley vs. Theory feud.
They showed a Ronda Rousey vs. Natalya video package. They recapped Logan Paul signing with WWE. In an interview, Paul noted he didn’t sign his contract to be Miz’s partner. He then promised to beat Miz at SummerSlam. They recapped Riddle qualifying for the ladder match and aired a Riddle training video.
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Main Show
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Liv Morgan defeated Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Raquel Rodriguez, Lacey Evans, Shotzi, and Becky Lynch (16:33)
This was a great ladder match. Everyone worked hard and did a lot of risky spots with the ladder. The fans popped huge for Morgan’s win. They were also solidly behind Shotzi, Asuka, and Lynch as well. Evans got a few boos.
Everyone fought over the ladders as Lynch and Asuka went one-on-one in the ring. Asuka tried setting up a ladder, but Lynch cut her off. The fans broke into a loud “Becky” chant.
Asuka dropped Lynch and Morgan onto a ladder. Rodriguez cleared the ring and tried picking up the ladder with Morgan and Lynch. Morgan and Lynch worked together and set up for a double suplex. Rodriguez reversed and suplexed them both onto a ladder.
Rodriguez ended up wedged between the ladder and corner. Shotzi tried running up the ladder but slipped. Bliss took out everyone with a somersault splash.
Bliss set up a ladder, but Rodriguez cut her off. Bliss fought back and sent her into the ladder. Bliss trapped Rodriguez between the ladder and corner again. Asuka then dropped Shotzi on the ladder. Asuka and Evans climbed the ladder, but Lynch tipped it over.
Evans took out Asuka and climbed up again. The fans started booing as Evans climbed up. Shotzi pulled her off, and the fans popped. Evans knocked down Shotzi and was alone at the top. The fans erupted in boos again.
Rodriguez came between Evans and the ladder. Morgan then climbed up to a huge pop. Morgan gave Evans a sunset bomb going over Rodriguez.
Bliss tried to climb up, but Shotzi got her in the electric chair. Shotzi tried driving Bliss into the ladder while on her shoulders. They both fell over and crashed hard onto the ladder. The fans broke into a “Shotzi” chant.
Shotzi missed a senton in a scary-looking spot and hit the back of her head on a ladder. Asuka then took out Lynch with a kick. Rodriguez and Asuka fought around ringside. Rodriguez set up a ladder bridge between the apron and announce desk. They fought on the table and teased a powerbomb spot.
Asuka ended up on the ladder bridge. Lynch jumped off a ladder onto Asuka, but the ladder didn’t break. The fans broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant.
In the ring, they set up three ladders. Evans and Bliss fought on one ladder, with Shotzi and Rodriguez on the other. Lynch pushed over both ladders and started climbing up.
Morgan jumped back in and cut off Lynch. She climbed up a second ladder, but Lynch pushed it over. Morgan got her foot on the top rope and pushed the ladder back up. She knocked down Lynch and pulled down the briefcase to a massive pop.
As Morgan celebrated her win, Lynch flipped out at ringside.
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They aired the Cody Rhodes interview from Monday’s Raw.
They showed a Theory vs. Bobby Lashley video package.
Bobby Lashley defeated Theory to win the United States title (11:01)
Lashley and Theory had a good match. It dragged in the middle but the fans were into it and popped big for Lashley’s win.
The fans broke into a loud “Bobby” chant at the bell. Theory ran at Lashley, but he slammed him down. He set up for a spear, but Theory rolled out of the ring. Lashley tried to drive Theory into the ring post. Theory blocked it and drove Lashley into the ring post instead.
The fans broke into a loud “Theory Sucks” chant. Theory jumped off the apron. Lashley tried catching him, but they fell. Lashley recovered and drove Theory into the ring post. Lashley went for the spear again, but Theory dropped down.
Theory took over after dropping Lashley on the corner. He followed up with a running clothesline. Theory hit a left hand for a one-count.
Theory slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Lashley escaped and went for the hurt lock. Theory slipped out, but Lashley took over. Lashley ran wild and set up for a suplex. Theory slipped out and rolled out of the ring.
Theory went for a rolling dropkick, but Lashley got him in a press slam for a near fall. Theory regained control and hit a spear. He went for the A-town down, but Lashley escaped. He locked on the hurt lock for the win to a huge pop.
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In the back, Sara Schreiber interviewed Liv Morgan. She noted she has a year to cash in the briefcase. Morgan doesn’t want to mess it up and feels WrestleMania is a good time to cash in. For now, she just wants to celebrate.
They showed a Miz video package.
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They aired a Bianca Belair vs. Carmella video package.
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Carmella to retain the title (7:12)
Belair and Carmella had a fine match.
Carmella had the brief advantage. Belair avoided Carmella with a backflip off the middle rope. Carmella fought back and went for a tilt-a-whirl head scissors, but Belair blocked it. She reversed into two backbreakers.
Carmella took over and hit the bronco buster for a near fall. Belair went for a slam, but Carmella slipped out. She pulled Belair down by her hair. The fans booed Carmella and broke into an “EST” chant.
Belair recovered and hit a delayed vertical suplex to a big pop. She followed up with ten punches in the corner. Belair missed a tackle and went shoulder-first into the ring post. Carmella hit a superkick for a near fall. The finish came when Carmella slapped Belair in the face. Belair snapped and hit the KOD for the win.
After the match, Carmella jumped Belair and beat her down. Belair struggled to get to her feet. The fans erupted in boos as Carmella walked off.
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They aired a SummerSlam commercial. They aired clips of Logan Paul training and recapped his signing. The fans booed Paul. The Miz responds to Paul this Monday on Raw.
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Earlier today, Alexa Bliss entered her locker room and found a bunch of clothes. Apparently, Lilly used the WWE credit card to make all these purchases. The fans booed the credit card and the segment.
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Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated The Street Profits to retain the titles (22:59)
The Usos and Street Profits had an awesome match. On the replay, they noticed that Ford’s shoulder wasn’t down for the three-count.
The Usos cut a promo before the match promising to retain the titles. Pat McAfee joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Cole mentioned the rumors of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins having problems.
The fans broke into a loud “We want the smoke” chant. Jimmy shot Dawkins into the ropes and went for a monkey flip. Dawkins avoided with a cartwheel. He then hit a spinebuster on Jimmy. Ford went for the frog splash, but Jimmy rolled out of the ring.
Ford led the fans in a “suck it” chant. The fans then broke into a loud “McAfee’ chant. The Usos gave Dawkins a suplex into the ring post to take over.
Jimmy mocked Ford and went for the Rikishi splash. Dawkins jumped to his feet and rocked Jimmy with a right hand. Ford tagged in and caught Jimmy with a kick to the head. He jumped off the top rope, but Jimmy rocked him with a superkick for a two-count.
The Usos slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Jey then knocked Dawkins off the apron with a superkick. The fans broke into a “Uso” chant.
Dawkins finally got the hot tag and hit a huge dive to the floor. He followed up with a flying elbow on Jimmy. Dawkins hit a splash and a twisting double under hook DDT for a two-count.
Dawkins tossed Jimmy in the air, and Ford caught him in a back suplex for a near fall. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant. The Street Profits hit a blockbuster doomsday for a very close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish.
Ford jumped over The Usos, but they caught him with double superkicks for a close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish. They broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant.
Ford dumped the Usos to the floor. He then jumped to his feet, ran across the ring, and leaped over the corner onto the Usos at ringside. The fans went wild for the spot.
Dawkins hit the spinebuster on Jey, and Ford hit the frog splash, but Jimmy broke up the pin. The fans popped big for the near fall. The fans broke into a “fight forever” chant.
Both teams faced off in the middle of the ring, and the fans applauded. The Usos got rid of Dawkins and rocked Ford with double superkicks again. They then hit the 1 D for the win.
After the match, they showed a replay, and Graves noticed Ford’s shoulder was up. They showed the replay again, and Jimmy clearly picked up Ford’s shoulder on the count.
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They showed a Kevin Owens video package.
Next, they showed a series of shots featuring candles and a dark sky. Michael Cole didn’t know what it meant.
They recapped the Ronda Rousey vs. Natalya feud.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Natalya to retain (12:33)
Rousey and Natalya had a good match. It started slow but picked up towards the end. The story of the match was Rousey injured her knee. The big story was after the match when Liv Morgan cashed in the briefcase and won the title.
Rousey got a good reaction during the introductions. They started with chain wrestling and traded submissions. Natalya got the ankle lock, but Rousey reversed. Natalya rolled through and stomped on Rousey’s neck.
Natalya took over and hit a discus clothesline for a near fall. She slowed the pace down with a sleeper. Natalya locked on an abdominal stretch, but Rousey countered. Natalya reversed again but Rousey countered into an arm bar.
Natalya escaped and went for the arm bar. Rousey broke free and locked on the sharpshooter to a big pop. Natalya made it to the bottom rope to break the hold.
Rousey went for the arm bar. Natalya recovered and sent Rousey to the floor. Rousey hurt her knee on the landing. Natalya targeted the knee and locked on the sharpshooter on the apron. Rousey countered and sent Natalya into the ring post.
Rousey went for the arm bar, but Natalya reversed into the Sharpshooter. Rousey broke free and caught Natalya in an arm bar for the win.
Liv Morgan defeated Ronda Rousey to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship (:31)
The fans popped big for Morgan cashing in and winning the title.
As Rousey tried to get to her feet, Liv Morgan’s music hit to a big pop. Morgan ran out and cashed in her MITB briefcase. The fans went crazy for Morgan running out.
The bell rang, and Rousey got her in the ankle lock. Morgan kicked the bad leg and rolled up Rousey to win the title. The fans reacted huge to Morgan winning the title.
After the match, Rousey handed over the title and hugged Morgan. She walked off and waved at the fans. The fans broke into a loud “You deserve it” chant for Morgan.
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They showed a Drew McIntyre video package.
They showed a Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar SummerSlam video package. Cole pushed that the MITB winner could cash in after the SummerSlam main event.
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Theory defeated Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Riddle, Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Madcap Moss, Omos, and Riddle (25:30)
This was an awesome ladder match. They all worked hard, told a good story, and did a lot of risky ladder spots. Adding Theory at the last second gave away the finish.
All seven guys faced off in the ring. Suddenly, Adam Pearce walked out and added Theory to the match. Cole and McAfee pointed out that Theory didn’t have to qualify. The fans booed Theory and didn’t want to see him win.
Omos had the early advantage as he dominated everyone. He knocked down Moss and Riddle with a ladder. In the ring, Riddle tried going for a guillotine, but Omos broke free. McIntyre then rocked Omos with the claymore kick.
Theory tried sneaking up the ladder, but McIntyre and Sheamus stopped him. Rollins went for a pedigree on a ladder, but Riddle backdropped him instead. Zayn tried climbing up the ladder, but Moss cut him off.
Omos slowly climbed up the ladder, but Moss and McIntyre cut him off. They sent him to the floor. Sheamus and Riddle attacked Omos with ladders at ringside. Everyone worked together and buried Omos under a pile of ladders.
Rollins, Zayn, and Sheamus climbed up two ladders in the ring. Theory knocked them down. He was alone at the top, and the fans booed. Moss pulled him down and hit a fallaway slam.
Zayn ended up on the top rope as Moss set up a ladder on the bottom rope. Zayn jumped over Moss and tried to climb up another ladder. Moss caught Zayn and gave him a painful-looking powerbomb on the ladder.
Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick, but Riddle moved. He then hit the draping DDT using the ladder. Riddle ran wild and hit the floating bro off the very top of the ladder. That was an awesome spot.
Omos recovered and beat down everyone. Sheamus caught Omos with the Brogue kick. Zayn followed up with the helluva kick. Riddle locked on the triangle, and Moss threw Omos out.
McIntyre rocked Omos with the Glasgow kiss, and Rollins hit a stomp. Sheamus, McIntrye, Zayn, Moss, and Rollins worked together and powerbombed Omos through the announce desk.
McIntyre trapped Sheamus under the ladder and started climbing. Butch ran out and jumped on McIntyre’s back. Sheamus then rocked McIntyre with a knee to the face. Sheamus tried climbing up with McIntyre trapped under the ladder. McIntrye pushed Sheamus off and hit the claymore on Butch.
Sheamus and McIntyre fought at the top of the ladder. Zayn pushed over the ladder, and they landed on a second ladder on the corner. Zayn climbed up, but Moss pushed him off.
Rollins pushed over the ladder, and Moss took a nasty fall. Riddle set up a second ladder. Rollins knocked off Riddle and grabbed at the briefcase. Riddle climbed back up and gave Rollins an RKO off the ladder to a massive pop.
Riddle slowly climbed up and had his hands on the briefcase. Theory climbed up and pushed off Riddle. He then pulled down the briefcase to win the ladder match to loud boos.
Theory celebrated his win to end Money in the Bank. McAfee predicted Theory would cash in at SummerSlam.
Drew McIntyre will get another shot at Sami Zayn next week.
The two will meet following what went down tonight on SmackDown. Additionally, Ricochet will defend the Intercontinental title against Jinder Mahal.
Zayn, still upset over what happened this past weekend at WrestleMania, told official Adam Pearce that he was going to fight the next person that walked out of the men’s locker room. That person happened to be McIntyre. The two had a match, but as McIntyre went to finish with the Claymore kick, Zayn bolted and headed into the crowd, giving McIntyre the win by count out.
During tonight’s SmackDown, Mahal complained to Pearce that he wasn’t getting opportunities and wanted to face Ricochet for the Intercontinental title. Before he would answer, Ronda Rousey walked in, upset that Charlotte had rejected her challenge to a match at WrestleMania Backlash. Mahal said he wasn’t done, but soon backed away.
Additionally, Lacey Evans will continue her story. She returned on tonight’s SmackDown and told her story about growing up in a abusive household and how her mother had to take Evans and her siblings from their father. She said after her experiences growing up, being part of the Marines, and being a mother, no one is better than her.
SmackDown next week takes place at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts and will include the following:
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
Ricochet vs. Jinder Mahal for the Intercontinental title
A fatal four-way match will decide the final member of SmackDown’s men’s team for Survivor Series.
Ricochet, Cesaro, Sheamus, and Jinder Mahal will face off in a fatal four-way match on SmackDown tonight, with the winner getting the final spot on Team SmackDown. Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Xavier Woods, and Baron Corbin are already part of the team.
Team SmackDown will face Raw’s Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Austin Theory at this Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Sami Zayn was originally announced as a member of Team SmackDown, but he lost his spot on SmackDown last week. Hardy and Zayn had a match on last week’s show where the loser would be removed from Survivor Series.
Tonight will be Sheamus’ return to WWE television for the first time since undergoing surgery for a broken nose in September.
Ridge Holland, who was called up from NXT in the WWE Draft last month, has recently been doing interviews on SmackDown talking about how Sheamus is his idol. Cesaro tried to warn Holland about Sheamus last week, but Holland said he and Sheamus would be a far more effective team than Cesaro & Sheamus ever were.
The XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut is hosting tonight’s SmackDown. Sasha Banks vs. Shotzi is also set for the show. Banks and Shotzi will both be on SmackDown’s women’s team at Survivor Series.
Plus, WWE has announced that Universal Champion Roman Reigns will appear on tonight’s SmackDown ahead of his non-title champion vs. champion match against Big E at Survivor Series:
There is only room for one ruler on Friday nights, and ‘The Head of the Table’ Roman Reigns will claim his place atop the throne of SmackDown tonight.
Last week, the Universal Champion met King Woods in singles combat to stake claim to his Island of Relevancy.
Just when it looked like King Woods could pull off an upset, The Usos appeared out of nowhere to overwhelm him. The Bloodline ripped the crown from King Woods’ head as a triumphant Reigns was crowned by his cousins.
What will SmackDown’s new King have in store for the blue brand? Tune in tonight at 8/7 on FOX to find out!
The semifinals of this year’s King of the Ring tournament are now set.
Xavier Woods and Jinder Mahal won their respective King of the Ring first-round matches on Raw tonight and will face each other in the semifinals of the tournament next Monday. The winner of Woods vs. Mahal will face either Finn Balor or Sami Zayn in the finals of King of the Ring.
Balor and Zayn’s semifinal match is taking place on SmackDown this Friday.
Woods defeated Ricochet on Raw tonight, while Mahal defeated Kofi Kingston. It would have been a New Day vs. New Day matchup in the semifinals if Kingston won his first-round match.
Woods has said that winning King of the Ring is a lifelong goal of his. For years, he’s lobbied for the return of King of the Ring and to be included in the tournament.
This is WWE’s first King of the Ring tournament since 2019. Baron Corbin defeated Chad Gable in the 2019 finals.
The finals of the King of the Ring and Queen’s Crown tournaments are both being held at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 21.
A grudge match has been added to the card for SummerSlam.
WWE has announced that Drew McIntyre will face Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam on Saturday, August 21. The pay-per-view is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
McIntyre and Mahal were formerly stablemates in 3MB. They’ve been feuding with each other for several weeks. At last month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Mahal, Veer, and Shanky attacked McIntyre and dragged him away during the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
“The Modern Day Maharaja has set his sights on his old teammate ever since his return to Raw,” WWE.com wrote. “Mahal and his towering associates Veer & Shanky derailed McIntyre’s attempt to climb the ladder at WWE Money in the Bank. The Scottish Warrior responded by destroying his opponent’s prized motorcycle and turned to his trusted sword when the odds have been stacked against him.”
Here’s the updated card for SummerSlam:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against John Cena
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Goldberg
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sasha Banks
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. defends against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Rey & Dominik Mysterio
United States Champion Sheamus defends against Damian Priest
Jinder Mahal appeared on Raw tonight with a new group that debuted last week on Main Event.
Mahal defeated Jeff Hardy in his first match on Raw in nearly a year, pinning Jeff Hardy clean with the Khallas. Mahal introduced two new associates, Veer (Rinku Singh, formerly one half of Indus Sher) and Shanky (Dilsher Shanky) prior to the match. The group previously made their debut as an act last week on Main Event, where Mahal also defeated Hardy.
Jinder Mahal’s career has been wrought with knee injuries since 2019. After returning from knee surgery in 2020, he underwent a second knee surgery almost immediately after, keeping him out of action for the rest of the year. He made his return at Superstar Spectacle in January, teaming with The Bollywood Boyz in a losing effort against Drew McIntyre and Indus Sher.
Veer has been in the WWE since 2018. He appeared on NXT TV with Saurav Gurjar and together they were known as Indus Sher, with Malcolm Bivens as their manager. Shanky has been with WWE since last year, with his most high-profile match being a eight-man tag match at Superstar Spectacle, where he and his team emerged victorious.
Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Carlito, Jinder Mahal, and Christian are backstage at tonight’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Carlito is scheduled to be in the men’s Royal Rumble match. Mahal is a possibility. Carlito originally was contacted earlier this year about attending the Legends Night edition of Monday Night Raw, but did not appear. He was with the company from 2003 through 2010, winning the United States, Intercontinental, and WWE & World Tag Team titles.
Mahal most recently made his return to in-ring action at the Superstar Spectacle, which aired on January 22. He has had several knee injuries that has largely kept him out of action since 2019. He made a brief return on the Raw brand last April, but again was taken out of action following another knee surgery.
Dave Meltzer reports that Christian may be backstage at tonight’s show because of Edge, who will compete in the men’s Royal Rumble. It was announced on last night’s episode of WWE Backstage that Randy Orton and Edge have drawn number one and number two in the Royal Rumble match respectively.
WWE’s Superstar Spectacle tapings saw the current WWE Champion and a former WWE Champion return to action.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal returned to the ring at the tapings for WWE’s Superstar Spectacle India special on Friday. The special is airing on the WWE Network at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday (January 26). It’s also airing on Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 3, and Sony MAX in India.
McIntyre teamed with Indus Sher (Rinku & Saurav) against Mahal & The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil & Samir Singh) at the tapings. McIntyre and Mahal were formerly stablemates in 3MB.
McIntyre hasn’t been able to appear in person on Raw the past two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. McIntyre appeared via video on Raw both weeks and stated that he isn’t experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. McIntyre also accepted Goldberg’s challenge for a WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble. McIntyre and Goldberg are returning to Raw this coming Monday for the final build to their title match at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 31.
Jinder Mahal is back out of action after undergoing another surgery.
On his Instagram account today, Mahal announced that he underwent surgery to fix some knee issues. “Unfortunately I had to go under the knife again to fix some knee issues,” Mahal wrote. “The journey has hit a speed bump, but I will be back stronger than ever.”
Mahal didn’t reveal what the injury is or how long he’ll be out of action. The location for his instagram post was Birmingham, Alabama, which is where the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center is located.
Mahal underwent knee surgery in June 2019 to repair a ruptured patellar tendon. He returned to action on the April 27 episode of Raw, quickly defeating Akira Tozawa.
A promo by Mahal aired on the May 11 episode of Raw. Mahal said he’s elated that his old friend Drew McIntyre is WWE Champion. Mahal said he deserves to be loved, celebrated, and respected by the fans like McIntyre is. Mahal mentioned that he’s made mistakes in the past, but he’s on a new path and will redeem himself. Mahal declared that his journey back to the top will be a hero’s journey.
Mahal also had two matches on Main Event after returning, defeating Denzel Dejournette and Tozawa.
