Tag: la knight

Special referee added to WWE Wrestlepalooza match

Posted on by Josh Nason

LA Knight will make his presence felt at tonight’s WWE Wrestlepalooza as he has been announced as the special guest referee for The Usos vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed.

Adam Pearce revealed the news during the pre-show.

Knight and Jey Uso have been at odds for several weeks with Uso spearing Knight two weeks ago on Raw. After a shoving match to start Raw this past Monday, Knight teamed with Jimmy Uso against Breakker and Reed in the main event. Breaker and Reed picked up the win and Knight got a measure of revenge by hitting Jey with a BFT after the two exchanged a post-match handshake.

WWE Wrestlepalooza | Saturday, September 20 | 7 p.m. Eastern time:

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Drew McIntyre
  • CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
  • IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the vacant Women’s World Championship
  • Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed with LA Knight as special referee
  • John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE star officially switches to Raw brand

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Another WWE star has switched brands.

The company has officially made the move to put LA Knight on the Raw roster. His profile on WWE’s website now lists him as a part of the brand, where he’s made several appearances for the last few weeks.

Knight has been feuding with Raw’s Seth Rollins since Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he scored a win over the leader of The Vision after Rollins seemingly suffered a knee injury. He revealed at SummerSlam that it was all a ruse, however, attacking CM Punk with the Money in the Bank briefcase he won earlier in the summer and cashed in to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.

In the weeks following SummerSlam, Knight has made it clear he is looking to become World Champion and still wants some of Rollins. The two will join Punk and Jimmy Uso in a fatal four way match for the title at Clash in Paris on August 30. Despite both looking to go after Rollins, Punk and Knight have exchanged words and even blows against one another.

WWE Raw live results: Number one contender’s gauntlet

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: July 14, 2025
Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL 

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk won a gauntlet match to earn a world title match against Gunther at SummerSlam. Bron Breakker ran the full gauntlet—beating Penta, LA Knight and Jey Uso—for 42 minutes before ultimately losing to Punk. 

Roman Reigns returned following the main event to take out Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, and it appears he may have a date with Breakker at SummerSlam. It was clear they’ve decided to start pushing Breakker following Seth Rollins’ apparent injury. (There was no update on Rollins tonight.) 

A night after Evolution, women dominated Raw up until the gauntlet match. Naomi will defend her world title in a triple-threat match at SummerSlam against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. Lyra Valkyria beat Bayley in a 2-out-of-3 falls match and will face Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental title at SummerSlam. 

**********

Show Recap — 

A big video package highlighted Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution. Gunther, Jey Uso, CM Punk (wearing a Bret Hart hat), Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman arrived at the arena. 

Michael Cole and Corey Graves are tonight’s announcers. (Pat McAfee is at the Home Run Derby, which is on right now.)

Naomi segment

Naomi entered with her new Women’s World Championship belt. The crowd, of course, chanted, “You deserve it.” Naomi cut them off because she didn’t want to hear that now. They weren’t feeling the glow before, but they were feeling her now. They all thought she would cash in on Tiffany Stratton, but she warned them that nobody knew her next move, and that’s why she stood there as the champion. The crowd cheered. 

Naomi was done with the foolishness of SmackDown. She didn’t betray Bianca Belair—she outgrew her. She said Belair and Jade Cargill didn’t really want her to succeed. She was their flunky as long as it was convenient for them. She cut off some “What” chants and said she had the upper hand now, bitches. 

Cargill got a win at Evolution, but Naomi is the one who made history. Naomi was new on Raw again, but she advised the raggedy women in the back to proceed with caution. 

Rhea Ripley interrupted to a big reaction. Ripley informed Naomi that she wasn’t cautious. She was relentless and pissed. She had two goals at Evolution: to finally beat Iyo Sky and regain the title, but because of Naomi, she still had those goals. Now Naomi was on her list. 

Iyo Sky interrupted next, also to a good reaction. She told Ripley, with respect, to get in line because she planned on taking her title back. 

Naomi, making fun of Sky’s English, responded, “I don’t know what you just said,” and people laughed. Naomi called them entitled and told them to get to the back of the line. 

They began arguing until Adam Pearce interrupted. Pearce officially welcomed Naomi to Raw and told her she did deserve to be champion. Pearce understood why Ripley and Sky were pissed. He said their match was magic. 

SummerSlam was soon, and he wanted to blow the roof off MetLife Stadium. (There is no roof at that stadium.) He announced a triple-threat match for the title. All three women were content with this, and the fans cheered. 

********

Judgment Day met backstage. Dominik said he couldn’t relax with AJ Styles stalking him. Finn Bálor said he had nothing to worry about as long as he had his doctor’s note. 

Bálor put over Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez for their big win last night. Bálor suggested Dom accompany them to ringside for their match tonight, but Dom wasn’t sure about that. Bálor said Liv Morgan loved those titles, so they should do it for her. Everyone left, and Bálor was pleased. 

********

They posted some stat claiming that all three events this past weekend drew 277 million views across all social platforms. They could have said 500 million, and it would’ve been just as meaningful. 

******** 

Asuka and Kairi Sane entered ahead of a commercial break. Since moving to Netflix, they’ll often cut away during break to a backstage interview or something, but they didn’t do that here, so the two women just danced to their music for two straight minutes. 

Non-title match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (w/Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio) vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane 

Like last night, Asuka and Sane were all over Perez until Rodriguez came in to get the momentum on their side. Asuka made a hot tag after a break, but the crowd seemed more focused on telling Dom that he sucked. 

Dom tried to distract the referee, but it made no difference. Asuka posted Rodriguez and hit Perez with a missile dropkick, strikes, and a German suplex. 

Dom got on the apron again, so Asuka knocked him off with a back fist. Perez used the distraction to put her in a schoolboy for the pinfall win (Rodriguez used her boot to assist Perez). 

Match result: Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez defeated Asuka & Kairi Sane (10:24)

This was pretty much a nothing match. It felt like they just wanted to get the champs a cheap win with Dom’s help, and Asuka and Sane were on the wrong side of it. 

********

Jackie Redmond asked Heyman for an update on Seth Rollins. Heyman didn’t have that information, but reminded her that Rollins had until next June to cash in his MITB briefcase (which Heyman held). Heyman said it was Bron Breakker’s night to go through everyone in the gauntlet, punch his ticket at SummerSlam, and beat Gunther for the world title. 

********

Byron Saxton interviewed LA Knight during a break. Knight said he came out of SNME with a win. It was unfortunate Rollins was injured, and Knight wished him a speedy recovery. Knight wanted Rollins to recover because he wanted to hurt him. Rollins hurt himself before he had a chance. Knight wanted Rollins to return so he could hurt him the right way. Knight admitted he wasn’t 100%, but he planned on running the gauntlet with a world title shot on the line. 

They aired a clip of George Kittle laying out The Miz (Mike Mizanin, not Jacob Misiorowski) at a celebrity golf event over the weekend. 

********

Redmond interviewed Lyra Valkyria about her 2-out-of-3 falls match against Bayley tonight (with a title shot on the line). Valkyria didn’t like the question. She didn’t want to talk about Bayley. It was all about her and Becky Lynch. After she won tonight, Redmond could ask her about her title match against Lynch at SummerSlam. 

Bayley interrupted. Bayley told Valkyria she needed this more than she did and told her to stay out of her way. 

2-out-of-3 falls match: Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria got the better of an early exchange and dismissively patted Bayley on the head. Bayley slapped Valkyria in the face and rolled her up for the first pinfall, just 1 minute and 25 seconds into the match. It was good timing by Bayley because they went to break moments later. 

After the break, Valkyria went hard into the turnbuckle, and Bayley noticed she might be hurt. Bayley hesitated for a moment but began targeting her back. Bayley hit a back suplex onto the apron, followed by a spinning back suplex in the ring for two. Bayley tried a la magistral cradle, but Valkyria caught her in a rollup for a pinfall at 9:32. It’s tied at one. 

Bayley responded quickly with a running knee strike ahead of another break. Valkyria drove Bayley’s leg against the post and began working over her knee. Bayley fought back after the break after dropping Valkyria over the middle rope. Valkyria fought back and went for a diving leg drop, but Bayley caught her and hit a Bayley-to-belly for a nearfall. 

Valkyria suplexed Bayley out of the corner and hit a gutwrench sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. (Cole thought it was Valkyria’s finisher.) Valkyria followed later with a fisherman’s suplex on the apron. They traded cradles as Bayley sold her leg. 

They found their way to the outside, and Bayley gave Valkyria a sunset flip powerbomb into the steel steps. Bayley shoved her in the ring and hit a flying elbow drop onto Valkyria’s back for a nearfall. 

Bayley immediately applied a crossface. Valkyria crawled to the ropes, but Bayley pushed off. Valkyria used the momentum to get to her feet while hoisting Bayley on her shoulders, and she hit Nightwing for the pinfall win. 

— Lynch marched out to the ring and held her belt up high as she faced off with Valkyria. 

(Cole made some comment about Bayley’s losing streak continuing. She has now lost two in a row, but isn’t on some significant losing streak.) 

Match result: Lyra Valkyria defeated Bayley to earn a Women’s Intercontinental Championship match (19:57) 

This was a good match, and the crowd got into it more as it went. It felt like a big win for Valkyria. 

********

Redmond interviewed Stephanie Vaquer backstage. Vaquer said she came to WWE to be champion, and after Clash in Paris, she will be. Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice interrupted. Green thought she would represent them better in Paris than Vaquer. Vaquer dared her to take a shot. Green hid behind her cronies and said she was busy with Nikki Bella tonight. 

There was a pre-taped promo by Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Kross basically accused Sami Zayn of ducking him and didn’t think he was injured. Kross told Zayn to stay home until he was ready to tell the world that Kross told the truth. 

******** 

Nikki Bella vs. Chelsea Green (w/Piper Niven & Alba Fyre)

Bella was all over Green, so Green bailed outside and hid behind Niven and Fyre. When they returned to the ring, Bella went to the ropes, but Green kicked her leg out of her leg and hit a backstabber to take over. 

There were duelling chants, and this may have been the most definitive example of the men chanting for one wrestler (Green), and the women chanting for the other (Bella). 

Nikki came back with clotheslines and a springboard kick for two. Green followed with a neckbreaker for two. Green went for an Unprettier, but Nikki hit a “Bella Buster” (X-factor). Niven distracted the referee while Fyre tried to attack Bella, but Bella posted her. 

This led to the finish, which was a struggle. After a lengthy attempt, Bella eventually got Green on her shoulders and hit a “Rack Attack 2.0” (which didn’t look good at all) for the pinfall win. 

— Niven and Fyre attacked Bella after the match, but Vaquer ran out to make the save. She cleared the ring and posed with Bella. 

Match result: Nikki Bella defeated Chelsea Green (6:23) 

This was no good at all. 

********

(It should be noted that Raw started with a women’s talking segment and three consecutive women’s matches, the night after an all-women’s PPV.) 

Backstage, New Day were dressed in all-black, mourning their tag title loss. They had a gift for Pearce, presented by Grayon Waller. He offered Pearce a wig on a silver platter. Kofi Kingston figured this gift was enough to get a title rematch. Pearce said they don’t just “get” a rematch, but they would get a chance to earn one next week. He told them not to flip their wig and flipped the plate over. 

Pearce left upon seeing Judgment Day nearby. He didn’t buy Dom’s injury after seeing him get involved earlier. He said he spoke to WWE medical, who would reevaluate Dom next week. If cleared, he would defend the title against AJ Styles at SummerSlam. 

Styles was nearby, literally praying to God that Dom get cleared. Dom didn’t like this, so he pleaded with God, too. 

********

Gunther got in Penta’s face as he walked through the back. Gunther is up next. 

Saxton interviewed American Made backstage. He asked about El Grande Americano. They said it was clearly Ludwig Kaiser. Saxton asked about the earlier Chad Gable rumours, but Ivy Nile ignored him. Nile said everyone was on notice. 

********

Redmond asked Rusev what he planned on doing next after beating Sheamus. Rusev said people called him a God, but maybe he was a saint fending off Irish snakes. Now the world knew what he always knew, that he was better than Sheamus. 

Sheamus interrupted. He said he spoke to Pearce, who agreed that Rusev was a dirty, cheating bastard, so he issued a rematch. (This didn’t get much of a reaction.) Rusev said he was here to dominate gold, not gingers. He left. 

********

Gunther segment 

Gunther entered, and he was in a good mood after retiring Goldberg. Some fans chanted for Goldberg. Gunther said the fans weren’t very bright because Goldberg obviously wasn’t there. (The fans chanted, “You tapped out,” instead, and for some reason, they began censoring it, maybe thinking it was something else.) 

Gunther said he fulfilled every promise. He bullied, humiliated, blew up, and choked out Goldberg—and ended his myth. There was only one question to ask: “Who’s next?” 

He knew the answer would come soon. He would watch from a suite as five of the finest competitors would compete for his amusement—and to identify his SummerSlam challenger. He didn’t care who it was. Before he could finish his thought, Breakker and Heyman interrupted. 

Heyman shook Gunther’s hand. He began introducing himself as usual, but Gunther cut him off. Gunther simply wasn’t interested, so he began leaving the ring—until Breakker cut him off. Breakker faced off with Gunther as Heyman cut a promo. 

Heyman said Breakker would run the gauntlet and beat Gunther for the title. Heyman knew that was no easy task. He saw how Gunther beat Goldberg. But you haven’t been speared until you’ve been speared by Bron Breakker. 

Breakker was “the next big thing” and “the big dog.” This was his “yard,” and he was a Steiner. He would break through the glass ceiling and break Gunther’s ass at SummerSlam. There’s going to be a new World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam, and his name is Bron Breakker. 

Bron stepped aside, and Gunther left.

******** 

World Heavyweight Championship number one contender’s gauntlet match

– Bron Breakker vs. Penta 

Bron had control for a while (and through a break), and the crowd seemed to be getting restless until Penta made his comeback. Penta tried a springboard move, but Bron speared him out of the air for the pinfall win. That got a good reaction. (This went just under 10 minutes.) 

Penta has lost five matches in a row. His last singles win was against Chad Gable in May.

– Bron Breakker vs. LA Knight

Knight was in complete control early on, but they needed to go to another break, so Bron dropped him over the announce table to take over. A double clothesline spot led to a double-down, so the previously quiet crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” They did get into it from here. 

Knight fought back with jabs, a neckbreaker, DDT and a step-up flying elbow drop for two. Knight went for a BFT (Cole thought he was going for a neckbreaker), but Bron pushed him off. Bron tried a dropkick, but Knight hit a powerbomb. 

Knight tried the BFT again, but Bron raked his eyes and hit a lung blower. Bron followed with a spear for the pinfall win. (This also went about 10 minutes, and it was more entertaining than the previous match.) 

– Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso

Jey immediately wiped out Bron with a suicide dive. They were headed to break, so Jey had them play his music again, and he Yeeted while Bron sold outside the ring. 

Jey was in control after the break and hit a running hip attack for two. Bron came back later with a Frankensteiner for two. Jey responded with superkicks and a spear for a nearfall. 

Jey went to the top, but Bronson Reed yanked him off the top. Cole said there were no DQs in a gauntlet match. I have no idea why that would be. No DQs meant the match continued, so Bron followed with a spear for the pinfall win. (This only went about 7 minutes.) 

– Bron Breakker vs. CM Punk 

Knowing Bron was exhausted, Punk immediately attacked him with his jacket still on. Punk sent Bron out of the ring and removed his jacket during a break. Punk held control through a break, but Bron caught him off the ropes and hit an overhead suplex. Bron stood over Punk and mocked his “It’s clobbering time” catchphrase. 

After Bron hit a vertical suplex, it sounded like Punk told him to take it easy, but I could be wrong. (Bron’s been in the ring for 35 minutes at this point.) 

Bron tried a Frankensteiner, but Punk countered into a cradle for a nearfall. Punk made his usual comeback and fended off some potential Reed interference before hitting a flying elbow drop for two. 

Punk applied an Anaconda Vice, so Reed attacked Punk. Again, no DQs. (That feels like such a cheat.) Jey Uso ran back out (to his music) to take out Reed. 

Bron went for a spear, but Punk booted him and hit GTS for the pinfall win. 

CM Punk will face Gunther at SummerSlam for the title. 

(This went about 10 minutes. Bron wrestled the full gauntlet match for about 42 minutes.)

— Reed attacked Punk as he celebrated. Jey tried to make the save, but Bron speared him. Bron speared Punk, too. They stacked up Punk and Jey so Reed could go for a double Tsunami, but Roman Reigns entered to a monster pop. 

Reigns hoisted Reed on his shoulders and hit a big Samoan drop. He gave Bron a Superman punch, and he speared Reed. 

Reigns helped Jey to his feet. Punk put his hands up for Reigns to help him up, too, likely knowing Reigns would never actually do that. Punk got to his feet, and they gave each other a knowing look before Reigns turned his attention to the heels on the stage. 

The crowd loudly chanted “OTC” and sang Roman’s name. Reigns stared at the heels as Punk embraced Jey, and the show ended. 

Match result: CM Punk won a gauntlet match to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship (42:18)

**********

Official for SummerSlam so far: 

  • John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship 
  • Naomi (c) vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship 
  • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship 
  • Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship 
  • Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul 
  • Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship

Seth Rollins sustains injury on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story has been updated.

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins sustained a serious leg injury during his match with LA Knight on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.

As seen below, Rollins went for a second rope springboard moonsault on Knight who rolled out of the way. As Rollins landed, he immediately favored his right knee and had difficulty standing on it. He went to the corner and talked to both Paul Heyman and the referee. Nearly immediately afterward, Knight won the match after hitting the BFT.

The camera focused on Knight and on commentary, Michael Cole and Wade Barrett showed the footage again and wished Rollins the best. As seen on X, Rollins was helped out of the arena by several officials which wasn’t shown on camera.

Our Bryan Alvarez is reporting that changes had to be made as a result.

“The last 40 minutes of the show was changed on the fly, and there was something that was supposed to happen later that didn’t as a result of the injury,” he said. “In storyline, Seth has until next June to cash in, so conceivably even with surgery and a long-term recovery, he could return before then.”

The cash-in is a reference to his Money in the Bank anywhere, anytime World title shot. There was an initial thought that the injury might be a swerve for the Gunther/Goldberg main event.

Seth Rollins vs. LA Knight added to WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

LA Knight will get his shot at Seth Rollins soon.

It was announced on Monday that Knight will face Rollins in Atlanta on July 12 following an altercation the two had on Raw. For the past several weeks, Knight has been battling with Rollins and his crew ever since Rollins took him out in the final moments of the Money in the Bank ladder match.

During a segment involving Gunther, Seth Rollins arrived to tell Gunther he was looking at getting involved in both the WWE and World title situations. That brought out Punk, upset over Rollins costing him the WWE title match at Night of Champions. Rollins bailed to the outside but as he was exiting was met by LA Knight. The two brawled in the arena concourse before Rollins fled after throwing a drink at Knight.

Later backstage, Punk said he had receipts for all of Rollins’ group and confronted Knight, who told Punk that he had Rollins at SNME.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (Saturday, July 12):

  • World Championship: Gunther defends against Goldberg
  • Seth Rollins vs. LA Knight

LA Knight to face Aleister Black on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new match announcement has been made for tonight’s Money in the Bank go-home edition of WWE SmackDown.

Before LA Knight competes in Money in the Bank, he’ll be in action on SmackDown in a singles match against Aleister Black. It comes as a result of Black blaming Knight for taking his MITB spot. They were involved in the same qualifying match, where Knight pinned Shinsuke Nakamura to get the victory. Leading into the finish, Black laid out Nakamura with Black Mass but was then thrown out of the ring by Knight.

Knight, Solo Sikoa, Penta, Seth Rollins, Andrade, and El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) will be the participants in the men’s ladder match at Saturday’s Money in the Bank PLE.

Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield, California is hosting SmackDown tonight. Here’s everything that has been announced for the episode:

WWE SmackDown (Friday, June 6) —

  • Cody Rhodes & World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso confront Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena & Logan Paul
  • Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer & Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez, Giulia & Naomi
  • LA Knight vs. Aleister Black
  • Every Money in the Bank participant will appear

Giulia, LA Knight qualify for WWE Money in the Bank

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Two more wrestlers have qualified for the ladder matches set for WWE Money in the Bank.

Giulia became the fourth to qualify for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match with a victory on Friday’s SmackDown in a triple threat qualifier over Charlotte Flair and Zelina Vega. Giulia pinned Vega after a northern lights bomb to secure the win.

Later in the show, LA Knight won a triple threat qualifier over Aleister Black and Shinsuke Nakamura. After Black hit Nakamura with Black Mass, Knight jumped in and stole the pin on Nakamura to punch his ticket to Money in the Bank.

The final qualifying matches will take place on next Friday’s SmackDown, with one men’s and one women’s qualifier announced for the show. That would indicate one women’s qualifying bout will take place on Monday’s WWE Raw, plus three men’s qualifiers.

The updated Money in the Bank lineup:

WWE Money in the Bank, Saturday, June 7, 7 p.m. Eastern time —

  • Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Solo Sikoa vs. LA Knight vs. TBD vs. TBD vs. TBD vs. TBD
  • Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Alexa Bliss vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Giulia vs. TBD vs. TBD

WWE SmackDown live results: Fraxiom challenge for Tag Team titles

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Two weeks after Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) in a non-title match, the teams will meet again on SmackDown tonight with the WWE Tag Team title belts on the line.

Fraxiom defeated DIY last week before Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa attacked Frazer & Axiom in a post-match beatdown. Motor City Machine Guns made the save for the babyfaces.

Also tonight, two Money In The Bank qualifying matches will take place. On the women’s side, it will be Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega. The winner joins Roxanne Perez, Rhea Ripley, and Alexa Bliss, who have already qualified for the Saturday, June 7 PLE.

On the men’s side, we will see LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Aleister Black for a spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Whoever wins will join Solo Sikoa, who secured a spot in the men’s match last week.

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

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Savannah, Georgia, aired.

– The Street Profits, Fraxiom, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo and Drew McIntyre were shown walking in and around the building. As McIntyre walked, Damian Priest appeared out of nowhere and attacked McIntyre. Officials ultimately broke the two up.

The Tiffany Stratton/Alexa Bliss/Charlotte Flair segment

Tiffy started by asking Savannah, Georgia, what time it was. Stratton reflected on how she walked into Money In The Bank last year while this year, she stands as the WWE Women’s Champion. The Charlotte match was brought up. Last week’s Nia Jax match was brought up. Stratton said at MITB, someone will have the same opportunity she once had. As Stratton spoke, Alexa Bliss’s music hit and Bliss walked out.

Bliss said she didn’t think she and Stratton had formally met and then proceeded to list off her accomplishments in WWE. Bliss said she had her eye on Tiffy and weirdly added that she initially felt bad for Charlotte but then realized she shouldn’t feel bad for a queen (so I guess that interaction a couple weeks ago is already dead?). Bliss talked about how she doesn’t know Tiffy and she told Tiffy that if she thought her rise to the top was quick, Tiffy will have to take note of how fast her downfall will be. Charlotte Flair’s music then hit and out walked Flair.

Flair started talking with a microphone in hand while walking to the ring. The crowd booed the hell out of her. Charlotte said she might be the most humbled champion in the history of WWE. Charlotte congratulated Tiffy on beating her at Mania. Charlotte said she’s done everything there is to do in the business except win Money In The Bank. Charlotte said she will take her title back after she wins the MITB briefcase – as well as the spotlight. Charlotte said when she wants something, she doesn’t wait; she just takes it.

Tiffy questioned the hypocrisy of Charlotte because Charlotte had said cashing in the MITB briefcase was the easy way out. Tiffy called Bliss and Charlotte the standard while Tiffy is “the upgrade.” Tiffy worked in reminding everyone that it will be Tiffy Time and Tiffy’s music hit. Then, while Tiffy started her walk to the back, Giulia’s music hit and out she came, presumably for the first match. Giulia stopped and engaged in a stare down with Tiffy as they crossed paths.

Fairly basic stuff from everybody involved, but two things of note: One, Bliss felt really, really, really comfortable on the mic – more so than I remember her being even before she was off for a couple years. And two, as I mentioned earlier … so we’re just going to forget that Bliss/Charlotte thing from a couple weeks ago? That’s a bummer because that was intriguing. I don’t know what they had in mind, but they could have tried anything and it would have been more compelling than a lot of whatever’s been happening on Friday nights. Outside of those two things, this was fine enough, I suppose. If anything, it was a clever way to set up the first match while not having to put Giulia through having to cut a live promo in a language that isn’t her best language quite yet.

**********

Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega in a Money In The Bank qualifier match

Things were slow to start as Charlotte and Giulia teased locking up, but Vega kept getting in the way. Charlotte eventually threw Giulia into Vega and lifted Giulia briefly until Giulia stomped Charlotte’s head into the canvas. The two traded chops until they clotheslined each other at the same time. Vega reinserted herself into the mix and DDT’d both Charlotte and Giulia at the same time for two-counts. Vega and Giulia found themselves on the outside and Charlotte followed. Before long, Vega hit a moonsault on both Giulia and Charlotte on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Giulia and Charlotte were roughing each other up inside the ring. Giulia wound up on the apron and Charlotte kicked her to the floor. Vega came off the second rope and Charlotte caught her, but Giulia came off the top rope and took both women down for two-counts. The three traded blows until Giulia took Charlotte down and got a two-count out of it. Charlotte hit a cross-body off the top on both women. Vega came right back and worked a submission Vega, but Giulia hit a knee on Vega. Charlotte took out Giulia and got a two-count out of it. Charlotte stood tall and walked over both women to get to the top rope.

Charlotte landed a moonsault on both Giulia and Vega, but both Vega and Giulia kicked out at two. Giulia came right back and worked a Rings Of Saturn on Charlotte. Vega dropkicked her opponents and amped the crowd up before hitting a 619 on Giulia and Charlotte. Giulia then barely kicked out of a spear from Charlotte. Vega was on the outside and Charlotte went for a Figure Eight, but Vega broke up the move. Vega then landed a Code Red on Giulia, but Charlotte broke that pin attempt up. The crowd started dueling chants and the match reset.

Charlotte missed a spear on Vega, but booted Vega in the face. Charlotte worked a Figure Eight on Vega, but Giulia broke it up. Giulia followed up with a Northern Lights Bomb on Vega and that was good enough to earn her the win.

Match result: Giulia defeated Charlotte Flair and Zelina Vega to earn a spot in the women’s Money In The Bank ladder match (13:31).

A good MITB qualifying match. There seemed to be some timing issues with Giulia and Charlotte, but Vega came to fight and stood out in a good way. The crowds might not make a noise for her, her entrance, or anything she does in the ring, but damn if she doesn’t work her ass off each time she goes out there. Giulia going over was the right call as Vega is stuck in the mid-card, complete with mid-card title, and Charlotte would have felt stale, even if there is something to the fact that she’s never won a MITB briefcase. The women’s ladder match is shaping up to be pretty good/interesting/compelling/fun. As for tonight, it was a good strong first Big Win for Giulia on the main roster. It might take a little bit for her to adjust to the main roster style – just as she had her best-ever NXT match and looked like The Real Giulia, to boot! – but I’m pulling for her.

**********

– A #DIY vignette aired.

– Vega was shown walking backstage, selling pain from the match and Chelsea Green walked into the frame with the Hervice. Green called Vega a loser and Vega attacked Green. The Hervice intervened and Michin and B-Fab showed up. All the women brawled and Nick Aldis ran in to break things up. Michin yelled for a tag match between Michin/B-Fab and the Hervice. Aldis made the match for later.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Chris Sabin

The two locked up to begin the match. Sabin arm-dragged Ciampa and Ciampa sold arm pain. Sabin went to work on Ciampa’s arm. Ciampa came back and stomped a mud hole in Sabin, which woke up the crowd. Ciampa chopped the hell out of Sabin and stomped on Sabin’s face. Sabin fired up and took Ciampa out. The action spilled outside after Ciampa came back with a Willow’s Bell DDT. Ciampa ran Sabin into a corner and then pat himself on the back. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the show, both guys were down. Sabin tried to kick Ciampa, but Ciampa blocked it. Sabin brushed it off and landed a leaping kick on Ciampa for a two-count. Ciampa rolled outside to talk to Gargano and Sabin and Ciampa battled on the apron, exchanging chops. Ciampa ended all that as he dropped Sabin on his head on the apron. Ciampa set up for a Fairytale Ending, but Sabin countered into a dragon-screw leg-whip, which was followed by a Tornado DDT. Sabin got a two-count out of it.

Sabin went to the top and Gargano hopped on the apron to distract him. Alex Shelley confronted Gargano and Ciampa botted Shelley in the face. Sabin hit a cross-body on both Gargano and Ciampa on the outside. “This is awesome!” chants began. Sabin went to the top, but Ciampa cut him off. Sabin pushed Ciampa off and Ciampa sold a leg injury. The referee checked on Ciampa and Candice LeRae showed up to attack Sabin. Ciampa took advantage, rolled down his knee pad, hit Sabin with the knee and got the win.

Match result: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Chris Sabin (11:13).

I really like pairing LeRae with Ciampa and Gargano. It might have major NXT black-and-gold vibes, but those three work really well together and this keeps LeRae on TV without having to be Nia Jax’s sidekick. I’m excited to see what’s next for that trio. The match itself was pretty good. It never quite kicked into the next gear, but that’s more a function of the television format, including the commercial break that tends to stagnate matches that could be very good and force them to only be merely good. That said, Ciampa and Sabin are pros and this was a solid professional wrestling match.

**********

– Fraxiom were interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. They were fired up about being the best tag team in the world and said they could cement that if they beat the Profits later in the show.

– A video package on John Cena and R-Truth aired.

– Priest was about to make his entrance, but he and McIntyre instead brawled through the curtain and down to ringside. WWE officials broke them up and Priest grabbed a microphone. Priest screamed into the microphone said tonight, he will get his “pile of flesh.” Priest then broke through security and the two went back to brawling until they were broken up again.

– Solo Sikoa was shown talking with JC Mateo backstage. Jacob Fatu walked up and Fatu asked to speak in private. Sikoa said they could talk there because they are family. Fatu said he didn’t trust or like Mateo. Fatu said Mateo isn’t his blood or his family. Mateo stepped to Fatu and Sikoa stopped him. Sikoa said Mateo has to channel that energy for his match later. Sikoa said he never left like Roman has left and he wants everyone to come together as a family. Fatu told Sikoa to stop talking and hit his go-away line to end the segment.

– Charlotte was shown walking backstage and she ran across Alexa Bliss, who said it was important to have friends. Bliss was speaking with her doll Lilly and told Charlotte she’d see her at Money In The Bank, but then remembered Charlotte lost earlier and said, “Sorry.”

The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) vs. B-Fab & Michin

B-Fab and Niven started the match, but Fyre quickly tagged herself in. Niven knocked Michin off the apron and hit a Senton on B-Fab. Fyre kept kicking B-Fab in a corner as Green shouted things off camera. Niven tagged in and worked somewhat of a Million Dollar Dream on B-Fab. Niven sidewalk-slammed B-Fab. Eventually, B-Fab knee’d Piven in the face and got the hot tag to Michin, who fired up and dropkicked Fyre. Green hopped up on the apron to distract the referee, but Zelina Vega showed up and took Green out. Niven ran Vega off while inside the ring, Michin hit Eat Defeat on Fyre. B-Fab tagged in and landed her finisher on Fyre and that got her team the win.

Match result: Michin & B-Fab defeated The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) (3:45)

Quick and painless. I wonder if this leads to a six-woman tag for tomorrow night’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. Time will tell. B-Fab has improved so much and Michin feels like she’s really sinking her teeth into her character more than ever. The Hervice, meanwhile, are gold anytime they step through the curtain. That said, a sub-four-minute match was probably the right call.

**********

– The Profits were interviewed backstage. Dawkins said it’s a big night for Fraxiom and the Profits. Dawkins started shouted how tonight isn’t a friendly exhibition. Ford chimed in a mocked Fraxiom for being called the best tag team in the world. Ford said they would walk out the same way they walked in – as tag champs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo walked by the Profits on their way to the ring and the five people engaged in a quick stare down. Fatu and Mateo made their entrance, alongside Sikoa, for the next match.

– A Legado Del Fantasma vignette aired. They were sitting at a dining room table with glasses of wine. Escobar told Berto and Angel they are capable of achieving greatness together. Escobar said at Worlds Collide, they will come together as the best they have to offer. Escobar said they will stand victorious in front of their people. Escobar tried to make a toast, but Berto seemed despondent. Escobar told him to see the vision. Berto stood up, drank the wine, and left. Escobar told Angel to let Berto go because soon, Berto will understand.

– Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix were backstage hyping themselves up for the next match.

Jimmy Uso & Rey Fenix vs. Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo

Uso and Fatu technically began the match, but Mateo tagged himself in, which made Fatu angry. Mateo took Uso down quickly and stomped on him in a corner. Fatu then tagged himself in and that made Mateo angry. Fenix tagged in and kicked Fatu in the head. Mateo ran into a bunch of superkicks. With Mateo and Fatu on the outside, Fenix hit a corkscrew plancha on both guys. Fenix got incredible height out of it. A replay aired and the show went to a commercial break.

Back to action, Mateo had the advantage in the ring against Uso. Mateo even hit a standing moonsault on Uso. Fatu tagged in and landed a hip attack on Uso. The crowd ate it up. Fatu eventually hip-attacked again. Mateo tagged in and placed Uso on the top rope. Mateo teased a German Suplex, but Uso fought out and knocked Mateo off the top. Fenix then received a hot tag from Uso. Fatu tagged in as well and Fenix walked the ropes, taking everyone out, complete with a poisonrana on Fatu for a very good near fall.

Fenix stepped to Fatu and Fatu landed a pop-up Samoan Drop before going for a hip attack, which he missed. Mateo tagged in and went for a German Suplex, but Fenix landed on his feet. Uso tagged himself in and hit a cross-body on Mateo, but Fatu broke up a pin attempt. Fenix missile-dropkicked Fatu to the outside. Fenix tried to followed it up with a splash, but Fatu caught Fenix and threw him over the commentary desk. Inside the ring, Uso hit a spear on Mateo and went to the top, but Sikoa hopped up to distract Uso. Uso missed the splash as a result and Mateo executed Tour Of The Islands for the victory.

Match result: Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo defeated Jimmy Uso & Rey Fenix (12:26).

Do you know how hard it is to type “JC Mateo” after, for so long, you typed “Jeff Cobb?” The amount of times I had to correct myself here … anyway, enough of my whining. I like the friction between Mateo and Fatu, but something seems a little off about Mateo. As Jeff Cobb, he was never not a badass. And I’m not so sure this is on purpose, but pairing him with Fatu, who came in with a rocket strapped to his entire soul, hasn’t been the best idea? Maybe? Whatever it is, Mateo doesn’t look as powerful or engaged or even crisp as he would if he was just introduced as his badass self, minus the Bloodline (or at least the overpowering Fatu). I digress. The crowd was up for this and it might just have been Rey Fenix’s best showing on TV since arriving in WWE. It’s worth 12-and-a-half minutes of your time. And sure, it kind of seemed like a hodgepodge of wrestlers at times, but it worked and it worked well.

**********

– Byron Saxton was talking backstage and LA Knight walked into the frame. Knight said Sikoa has a first-class seat to watch Knight win the MITB briefcase in two weeks. Knight said the odds have always been against him, but in Los Angeles, it will be Knight standing tall. Knight said that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he is living, talking and breathing Money In The Bank. He then offered up his catchphrase to end the segment.

The R-Truth segment

The proceedings began with the “What’s up?!” bit. Truth said people asked him how he’d handle fighting his childhood hero, but Truth said they don’t get it because he’s not fighting his childhood hero and instead, the man who attacked him is a man Truth doesn’t recognize. Truth said he can’t figure out where things went wrong or how he could have prevented things. Truth said he realized a problem – power. Truth said Cena used to call him his friend or brother, but the more power and fame Cena got, the more disconnected he felt.

Truth said the phone calls stopped from Cena. Truth said he felt Cena was always annoyed with him because whatever Truth did was wrong. Truth said he blamed himself and he was worried he did something to upset Cena. Truth said he talked to other people and they felt the same way Truth did. Truth said Cena isolated himself with power. Truth called out Cena’s ego. Truth said Cena stopped having fun so now Cena gets mad when someone else wants to have fun. Truth said he doesn’t like who Cena has become and he doesn’t believe Cena is happy. Truth said Cena is the GOAT and the crowd booed. Truth said he wasn’t sure if he could bring Cena back, but he’ll try, and Cena will not take Truth’s joy away from him.

Truth said if he’s going to save wrestling, he has to save Cena. Truth said he won’t want to put his hands on Cena, but if he has to, he’ll beat the … everything … out of Cena. Truth said he misses his hero and he can’t deny that. As such, Truth said if Cena wins on Saturday night, “we riot.” Truth yelled “What’s up?!” and jumped, did a split, and that was it.

I don’t even know what to say about what’s become a farse of a retirement tour for Cena. A weak explanation for his turn due to The Rock disappearing. Cena mean-mugging and pouting any week he shows up. And now, while the guy has six months left, we’re going to waste a date on a completely silly match with R-Truth? This ain’t workin’, brothers. Truth did the best he could here. The lack of Cena on a weekly basis makes these things hard and it’s not like Truth is out here each week, cutting eight-minute promos on his own because they have him positioned as a person to cut eight-minute promos on his own each week. God bless him. This whole thing is too silly for my admittedly-basic-and-probably-bad taste.

**********

– A video recap of Raw’s main event aired.

– A Naomi/Jade Cargill/Nia Jax vignette aired. It turns out, this will be the women’s MITB qualifier match next week.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Aleister Black vs. LA Knight in a Money In The Bank qualifier match

Nakamura was quickly disposed to the outside as the match began. Black and Knight went at it as the crowd chanted “We want tables!” Knight hit his jumping neck-breaker on Black and stomped on him in a corner. Knight ran at Black, but Nakamura tripped Knight up and disposed of Knight to the outside. Nakamura and Black were left to go one-on-one inside the ring and the kicked each other twice at the same time. After a quick fury, Black took control with a knee and Nakamura rolled to the outside. Black went for a moonsault, but Knight popped up and super-plexed Black from the top to the canvas. Nakamura ran in and hit Knight with a jumping knee. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Black had the upper hand on Nakamura. Black landed a springboard moonsault, but Knight broke up a pin attempt. Knight lifted Black and the two attempted their finishers on each other, but each wrestler countered. Ultimately, Knight dropped Black and Nakamura dragged Knight to the outside, where he ran Knight into the ring steps. Black and Nakamura went head-to-head and traded strikes. Knight returned and threw Nakamura to the outside. From there, Black hit a knee on Knight and threw him to the outside. Black then twice went for high-risk moves on the outside and neither Knight or Nakamura caught him.

Anyway, Black rolled Knight back into the ring, but Knight DDT’d Black. Knight followed up with a leaping elbow, but Nakamura reinserted himself with a knee to Knight’s head. Nakamura covered Knight, but Knight grabbed the rope to break up a pin attempt. Nakamura went for a knee, but Black caught up. It didn’t matter because Nakamura rank Black into the ring post. Nakamura fired up, but instead ran into Black Mass. Knight reappeared, threw Black to the outside and pinned Nakamura for the win.

Match result: LA Knight defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Aleister Black to earn a spot in the men’s Money In The Bank ladder match (11:01).

I’m kind of surprised they didn’t go with Black here, but at some point, someone really ought to take full advantage of how over LA Knight is with these live crowds. Still, it is kind of funny to see how the only two men’s MITB ladder match participants, as it currently stands, is Solo Sikoa and LA Knight while the women have Roxanna Perez and Giulia. The former is a stale SmackDown third-hour match. The latter is an exciting NXT PLE main event. This match was fine, even though I feel for Black with how everyone sort of bailed on him each time he tried to something neat. Nakamura is not the Nakamura of old, LA Knight’s strong suit is most definitely not in-ring work and then … there’s Black, who is a very good professional wrestler. It worked in its own way, but this will not go down as the match of the night.

**********

– The Miz and Carmelo Hayes were shown talking backstage. Miz asked Melo how many times he had to take a Black Mass before Melo would listen to him. Miz told Melo he put Melo in a qualifier match for MITB next week. Miz put over how important MITB is. Miz said he wouldn’t be where he is if it wasn’t for the MITB contract. Miz said that’s how much he believes in Melo. Miz did the catchphrase to end the segment.

– A Jey Uso/Logan Paul vignette aired.

– The commentary team ran down the SNME card for Saturday night. Added to it will be Zelina Vega, who will face Chelsea Green for the Women’s United States Championship.

– Fatu, Mateo and Sikoa were walking backstage. Aldis walked up to them and said next week on SmackDown, the final triple threat qualifier for the men’s MITB match will take place. Aldis said Fatu will be in that match. Fatu said, “I love you, Solo,” and Sikoa said, “He hadn’t said that in, like, six months,” and it was very funny.

– A Bianca Belair vignette aired. She said the past six months have been some of the most challenging, frustrating times of her career. She lost friendships and her first match at Mania, etc. Belair said sometimes, she wants to give up, but she can’t let those things define her. Belair said she’ll get through it because she’s healing her finger and in her heart and “here’s to a new beginning.” Belair said the only consistent thing in life is change and her best is yet to come.

– Next week, Andrade, Melo and Fatu will face off in the MITB qualifier match. On the women’s side, Cargill, Naomi and Jax will compete for their ticket to MITB. John Cena will return as well. And, finally, Bianca Belair will be there. It is in Knoxville, Tennessee, after all.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Axiom and Dawkins began the match. Dawkins overpowered Axiom at first. Dawkins worked Axiom’s arm and Ford was animated on the apron. Axiom backed into his own corner and Frazer tagged in to work a head-lock on Dawkins. Dawkins ran the ropes and ultimately shot Frazer off and shoulder-blocked him to the mat. Ford tagged in and dropkicked Frazer for a two-count. Dawkins tagged back in and slowly worked on Frazer until Frazer hit an enziguri and tagged in Axiom. Things broke down and Frazer and Axiom hit a series of dives onto the Profits on the outside. The sequence ended with a top rope moonsault from Axiom onto the Profits. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the action and Dawkins was working a headlock on Axiom. Ford tagged in and drove his shoulder into Axiom, who was in a corner. Dawkins tagged back in and hit his spinning splash in said corner for a two-count. Axiom slapped Dawkins repeatedly and hit a DDT from the second rope. At about the nine-and-a-half minute mark, Frazer received the hot tag. Ford tagged in as well. Frazer ran the ropes and eventually landed a running shooting-star press on Ford. With Frazer on the apron, he first stumbled, but ultimately landed a springboard missile dropkick on Ford for a two-count. Dawkins tagged in and the Profits took back control with back-drop. The show then went to its final commercial break at about 11 minutes.

When the show returned, Ford was working over Axiom, who fired up and hit Ford with some chops and kicks. Axiom went for a rear-naked choke. Frazer ran in and worked a choke on Dawkins, who threw Frazer onto Axiom to break everything up. All four wrestlers were down in the ring as the match went to its home stretch. Frazer tagged in and hit a step-up enziguri on Ford. With Ford on the top, Frazer ran up to the top repeatedly to hit a super-plex. Axiom tagged in and kicked Ford as Frazer suplexed him and that was good enough for a two-count.

Frazer ran at Dawkins on the outside, but Dawkins cut him off with a right hand. Ford tagged in Dawkins and Dawkins put Axiom on his shoulders for the Blockbuster from the top. Frazer then broke up a pin attempt and all four wrestlers were down once again. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Dawkins went to the top, but Axiom cut him off and delivered a Spanish Fly from the top. Frazer tagged in as well and hit the Phoenix Splash, but Ford returned from the outside and broke up the pin attempt. #DIY ran down to the ring with LeRae and hopped on the apron. MCMG appeared, too, and brawled with #DIY.

Ford landed a splash on the teams outside the ring. Frazer missed a splash on Dawkins and Dawkins landed a spinebuster on Frazer. Ford tagged in and went to the top, but the lights went out. Inside the ring, the Wyatt Sicks stood as the lights came back on. The faction took out everyone in sight. Uncle Howdy gave the Mandible Claw to Frazer. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Howdy gave Gargano a Sister Abigail. The Sicks posed in the middle of the ring with what looked like a birthday cake (it was Bray’s birthday earlier this week). Howdy blew out the candle on the cake and the show ended.

Match result: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) fought The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) to a no-contest (21:17).

They had a good match while they had it, and though I’m usually down on cheap finishes to matches like this, the Wyatt Sicks return sure did pack a punch. I can’t be mad at it. I’m not exactly sure why they targeted the entire SmackDown tag-team roster, but perhaps that will be explained later. Either way, the return was pulled off really well. In the meantime, the guys who worked the actual main event put a good bout together despite the crowd feeling dead for most of it (be better, Savannah). I don’t know what this means moving forward for the tag division, but I like the uncertainty of it all. On to next week.

LA Knight: Age, Movies and TV Shows, Wife, Yeah, Height and more

Posted on by Jake Skudder

LA Knight, born Shaun Ricker, has become one of WWE’s most popular Superstars on the main roster, showing audiences his charisma, mic skills, and undeniable presence over the past couple of years. From his early days on the independent circuit to his current status on WWE’s SmackDown roster, Knight has carved out an interesting career for himself.

FieldDetails
Full NameShaun Edward Ricker
Ring NameLA Knight
NicknamesThe Megastar, The Self-High-Five, The Namer of Dummies
Date of BirthNovember 1, 1982
HometownHagerstown, Maryland, USA
Height6’1″ (185 cm)
Weight240 lbs (109 kg)
NationalityAmerican
Billed FromLos Angeles, California
TrainerCody Hawk
DebutFebruary 15, 2003

LA Knight Age

Born on November 1, 1982, in Hagerstown, Maryland, LA Knight is 42 years old as of May 2025. He began his wrestling career in 2003, steadily climbing the ranks through various promotions before making a significant impact in WWE.

LA Knight Movies and TV Shows

Beyond wrestling, LA Knight has shown his versatility through appearances in television and film. In 2013, he participated in the reality competition show The Hero, hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, where he competed in various challenges. He also made a cameo as bodybuilder Mario in a 2015 episode of the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Additionally, Knight has contributed to the WWE 2K video game series, providing motion capture for several characters.

Is LA Knight married? Who is his wife?

LA Knight is in a long-term relationship with fitness model Michelle Yavulla. The couple has been together since 2018, often sharing glimpses of their life on social media. Despite public speculation, Knight has clarified that they are not married.

LA Knight Height

LA Knight stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs approximately 240 pounds (109 kg).

Real Name

LA Knight’s real name is Shaun Edward Ricker. Throughout his career, he has performed under various ring names, including Eli Drake, Max Dupri, and Slate Randall.

Early Life & Background

Shaun Ricker was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and developed an early passion for professional wrestling. He began training under Cody Hawk and debuted in 2003. Ricker gained prominence on the independent circuit under the ring name Eli Drake, showcasing his charisma and mic skills. His journey took him through various promotions, including Impact Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), before signing with WWE.

Wrestling Career

Debut Information

TypeDate
Pro Wrestling DebutFebruary 15, 2003
WWE NXT DebutFebruary 14, 2021
WWE Main Roster2022

Championships & Achievements

Championship/TitleNumber of Reigns
WWE United States Championship2
Million Dollar Championship (WWE/NXT)1
Impact World Championship1
TNA King of the Mountain Championship1
Impact World Tag Team Championship1 (with Scott Steiner)
NWA World Tag Team Championship1 (with James Storm)

Promotions Worked With

PromotionYears Active
WWE (NXT and Main Roster)2021–present
Impact Wrestling (TNA)2015–2019
National Wrestling Alliance2019–2021
Championship Wrestling from Hollywood2010–2013
Various Independent Promotions2003–2010

Wrestling Style & Moves

CategoryMoves
Wrestling StyleCharismatic powerhouse with strong promo skills and brawling offense
Signature MovesLeaping Elbow Drop, Neckbreaker, Skylord Slam (Front Powerslam), DDT, Superplex
Finishing MovesBFT (Blunt Force Trauma), Gravy Train (Sit-out Powerslam)

Entrance Theme

Theme NameArtist
“Yeah!”WWE Music Group

Notable Rivalries

OpponentRivalry Highlights
Cameron GrimesFeud over the Million Dollar Championship in NXT
Bray WyattHigh-profile feud leading up to the 2023 Royal Rumble
The MizSeries of matches showcasing mic battles and in-ring competition
Roman ReignsContender for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

LA Knight: Stats at a Glance

AttributeData
Ring NameLA Knight
NicknamesThe Megastar, The Self-High-Five, The Namer of Dummies
Height6’1″ (185 cm)
Weight240 lbs (109 kg)
Finishing MovesBFT (Blunt Force Trauma), Gravy Train
Signature MovesLeaping Elbow Drop, Neckbreaker, Skylord Slam, DDT, Superplex
Theme Music“Yeah!” by WWE Music Group
Championships2× WWE United States Champion, 1× Million Dollar Champion, 1× Impact World Champion, 1× TNA King of the Mountain Champion, 1× Impact World Tag Team Champion, 1× NWA World Tag Team Champion
WWE Debut2021 (NXT), 2022 (Main Roster)
Promotions WorkedWWE, Impact Wrestling, NWA, Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, Various Independent Promotions

United States Championship match set for WWE WrestleMania 41

Posted on by Ethan Renner

LA Knight’s WWE WrestleMania 41 United States Championship challenger has been decided.

Jacob Fatu defeated Braun Strowman in a number one contender’s Last Man Standing match on Friday’s SmackDown to earn the number one contendership, with a title shot against Knight at WrestleMania 41 announced.

Fatu put Strowman through a table for the finish of the Last Man Standing bout on SmackDown to secure his championship shot at WrestleMania in Las Vegas set for Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20.

Earlier in Friday’s show, Knight scored a victory over Fatu’s Bloodline teammate Tama Tonga in singles competition in a tune-up bout ahead of WrestleMania.

The main event for each night of WrestleMania is set, with several other matches announced but the night on which they will take place not yet confirmed. The current WWE WrestleMania 41 lineup:

WWE WrestleMania 41 night one, Saturday, April 19 —

  • Main event: Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Seth Rollins

WWE WrestleMania 41 night two, Sunday, April 20 —

  • Main event: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against John Cena

WWE WrestleMania 41, Saturday, April 19 & Sunday, April 20 —

  • World Heavyweight Champion Gunther defends against Jey Uso
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Charlotte Flair
  • Women’s World Champion IYO SKY defends against Bianca Belair
  • WWE United States Champion LA Knight defends against Jacob Fatu
  • Naomi vs. Jade Cargill
  • AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez defend against TBD

WOL: Reviewing WWE SmackDown & ‘Queen of the Ring,’ AEW Revolution lookahead

Posted on by Jim Valley

Image: WWE

The road to WrestleMania heated up on Friday’s WWE SmackDown.

Naomi took out Jade for Bianca, Cody told Cena to come get some, Damien Priest attacked Drew, and a new U.S. Champion are just a few of the events from a very newsworthy show.

Let’s talk all about it on today’s Wrestling Observer Live.

‘Queen of the Ring’ — the new movie on wrestling legend Mildred Burke — is in theaters now. I will let you know if it’s worth seeing.

Plus, I talk about The Rock, Travis Scott, Cena, ratings and Sunday’s AEW Revolution.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

New United States Champion crowned on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ethan Renner

LA Knight is once again the WWE United States Champion.

Knight defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event of Friday’s SmackDown in Philadelphia to capture the US title for the second time.

Nakamura defeated Knight for the title at Survivor Series last November in Vancouver, and defended it just once on WWE programming in the interim in a DQ loss to Knight on a SmackDown in January.

It looked as though Friday’s main event might end the same way, with Nakamura taking out one referee with mist to the eyes, and bringing a steel chair into the ring. Instead, he was done in by his own actions, as Knight hit a BFT on the chair. A second referee then ran in to count the pinfall to end Nakamura’s third reign as WWE United States Champion.

Our full report from Friday’s SmackDown which also included promos from Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, plus a Tag Team title number one contender’s match, is available here.

New matches added to WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Some new match announcements have been made for tonight’s WWE SmackDown episode.

Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia is hosting the Elimination Chamber fallout edition of SmackDown tonight. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will appear live, addressing John Cena’s heel turn for the first time. A Philly street fight is also set for the show with Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defending against Michin.

WWE shared a video this afternoon with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announcing that tonight’s main event will be Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight for the men’s United States title. Aldis also added two other matches to the card: Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre.

The Nakamura-Knight title match was originally supposed to happen on SmackDown last week, but plans for the show had to be changed up and there was instead a mini-tournament that Knight won to become the definitive number one contender to Nakamura’s title.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, March 7) —

  • Cody Rhodes addresses John Cena’s heel turn
  • United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defends against LA Knight
  • Street fight: Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defends against Michin
  • Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa
  • Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre

LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura United States title match set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ian Carey

LA Knight has a chance to regain the WWE United States Championship.

WWE.com has announced that Knight will challenge Shinsuke Nakamura for the title on next week’s SmackDown.

“The United States Championship will be on the line when LA Knight challenges Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura defeated Knight to win the title at Survivor Series on Nov. 30 and has held it tightly since. The Megastar has been relentless in his quest to regain the title, recently defeating The Miz to become the No. 1 Contender and setting the stage for this incredible rematch. Will Knight regain the United States Championship, or will Nakamura continue his reign? Find out on Friday Night SmackDown at 8 ET/7 CT on USA,” reads a WWE.com preview for the match.

Nakamura won the championship by defeating Knight at Survivor Series in Vancouver on November 30. He then traveled to Japan, where he defeated Ulka Sasaki at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s New Year’s Day show at the Nippon Budokan. Nakamura and Knight faced off again on the January 10 episode of SmackDown, where Nakamura lost via disqualification.

On this week’s SmackDown, Nakamura attacked Knight during a tag team match where Knight and R-Truth faced The Miz and Carmelo Hayes.

Next week’s SmackDown will take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, one night before WWE Elimination Chamber at Rogers Centre. No other matches have been officially confirmed, but SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed United States Champion Chelsea Green that she will have an opponent on the show, though he did not reveal who it will be.

WWE SmackDown, Friday, February 28, 2025, advertised lineup:

  • WWE United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defends against LA Knight
  • WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green vs. TBA

WWE SmackDown live results: Three Elimination Chamber qualifiers

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Six days after winning their respective Royal Rumbles, Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair will appear on tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Memphis, Tennessee.

Uso eliminated John Cena to walk away victorious from the men’s Rumble last weekend while Flair upended Roxanne Perez to win a title shot at WrestleMania.

Both appeared on Monday’s Raw; Charlotte followed that up by popping up on Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Uso is expected to speak with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes tonight while Flair is set to confront WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton.

Three Elimination Chamber qualifying matches will also take place tonight. On the men’s side, Drew McIntyre — the newest addition to the SmackDown roster — faces LA Knight and Jimmy Uso in a triple threat.

The two women’s qualifiers for tonight are Bianca Belair vs. Piper Niven and Alexa Bliss vs. Candice LeRae. Bliss returned in the women’s Rumble and is now wrestling her first one-on-one match since 2023.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as imagery of Memphis aired. LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Jimmy Uso and Charlotte Flair were shown walking backstage (separately, of course). A video recapping the Royal Rumble then aired. Jey Uso was shown out in the concessions area and made his entrance through the crowd for the first segment.

The Jey Uso segment

Boy, I think Jey’s entrance might take up an entire third hour of this show one day. I enjoyed the exchange between Cody and Jey despite it feeling inevitable that Jey will not choose Cody. Adding Fatu into the mix was logical, but I’d hate to see Fatu get a title shot sometime between now and Mania, only to lose and move his way back down from the top of the card. I admit I’m biased towards him, but keeping him strong for as long as possible is probably best for everyone involved – and not just Fatu himself. Only time will tell how that plays out, but as for tonight … do we have a tag match main event on our hands with Cody taking a pin due to his Rumble injuries?

After Jey’s very prolonged entrance, the crowd chanted “One more time!” and they hit his music one more time so everyone could Yeet again. It was 11 minutes past the hour when Jey actually started talking. Jey said he had a hell of a week and he got a lot of love from his family and fans and everyone in between throughout the week. “You deserve it!” chants broke out. Jey said he was there to pick a champion to main event WrestleMania with. He went to say he wanted to stand face to face with the WWE Champion and welcomed Cody Rhodes to the ring.

Cody made his entrance and hugged Jey in the ring. Cody was kind of/sort of limping, selling pain from his ladder match last weekend. The crowd chanted Cody’s name and Cody asked Memphis and Jey Uso what they wanted to talk about … but not really because Cody said he thought he knew what they wanted to talk about. Jey reminded Cody that he has two choices to make (actually, it’s one, but … you get it).

Cody said his hip is out of alignment and he needs fluid drained from his elbow and doctors told him that this week. Cody noted that his heart is full, though, because Jey won the Royal Rumble. Cody said this is going to be Jey’s WrestleMania and he referenced how he and Jey have had some drinks together in the past. Cody mentioned how they could go party on Beale Street later. Cody got on with it and said he’s going to have to win at WrestleMania, so if Jey chooses Cody, they should have some fun tonight because it’ll be the last time they have fun. Jey and Cody shook hands, but out of nowhere, Jacob Fatu’s music hit. Fatu walked out with Tama Tonga.

Tonga shushed the crowd and mumble into the microphone. Fatu then began talking and said last year, Cody took his title from his family. As of now, Fatu said, his family needs that title back. Fatu said that took him to Jey Uso, “Mr. Yeet Man.” Fatu said if there was anybody to bring back to the title to the family, it sure as hell wouldn’t be Jey. Uso hit Tonga with a super-kick and Fatu hit Jey with a super-kick. Fatu then attacked Cody and all his injuries. Fatu went for a hip attack, but Jey cut Fatu off with a super-kick. Jey and Cody then clotheslined Fatu over the top to end the segment.

**********

– My aforementioned potential tag match main event prognostication was officially announced for later in the night.

Bianca Belair defeated Piper Niven to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [8:04]

The story of the match was predictable but effective in its simplistic way: Belair wanted to get Niven up for the KOD and couldn’t do it for eight minutes until … well … she could. And did. And won. I might be in the minority, but WWE needs to do something to freshen up Belair. We forget it at this point, but she was a damn good heel and we all think she had something to do with that attack on Jade Cargill, right? Maybe pull the trigger on whatever is going to happen with that sooner than later? Anymore, Belair feels like she’s spinning her wheels. But Belair is a star and stars shouldn’t spin their wheels. Bah. OK. Sorry. Rant over.

Belair went for a KOD early, but Niven countered. That didn’t stop Belair from having control early in the match. Eventually, Niven clotheslined Belair with assistance from Belair’s braid. Niven ran at Belair, but Belair moved and Niven stumbled to the outside. With Belair against the LED board, Niven hit a splash on her before landing a Senton. Niven posed as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Belair cross-bodied Niven from the top rope for a near-fall. Belair went for a KOD again, but Niven headbutted her way out of it. Niven followed up with a Boss Man Slam for a two-count. Niven went for a Senton, but Belair moved and Belair speared Niven. With Belair in a corner, Niven came at her with a Cannonball and connected with it. Niven went to the top, but Belair cut her off. Still, Niven slammed Belair again and followed up with a Vader Bomb for a two-count.

Niven ran at Belair, but Belair moved and Niven ran into a ring post. From there, Belair got Niven up for a KOD and this time finally hit it. The move was good enough to earn Belair the win.

**********

– Carmelo Hayes and Nick Aldis were shown talking backstage. Aldis said Hayes will face a Raw superstar later in the show. Someone knocked on the door and Tozawa walked in. Hayes smiled and said he’d love to wrestle Tozawa later.

The #DIY segment

Johnny Gargano led things off and told the crowd to give it up for he and Ciampa. The crowd, in turn, booed. Gargano said they are the best tag team in the world. Ciampa said the chances of Motor City Machine Guns ever holding their titles are officially dead. Ciampa said it’s a shame because they respect MCMG and 11 years ago, MCMG were their favorite tag team. Gargano and Ciampa told everyone to stand up and surprisingly, a lot of people in the crowd did. Ciampa asked for a moment of silence and Pretty Deadly’s music hit.

Elton Prince started talking in the entranceway and said it was important to remind #DIY of the help Pretty Deadly gave them in recent months. Nick Aldis walked out with a microphone and said #DIY is in no position to make demands. Aldis said Pretty Deadly will face #DIY and if Pretty Deadly wins, they will receive a title shot. Aldis booked the match for “right now” even though the show instantly went to a commercial break, so maybe “right now” was actually “in a couple minutes.” Also of note: #DIY were in street clothes.

**********

Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) to earn a tag team title shot [2:57 of TV time]

Not much to this, other than between the #DIY promo and the subsequent match, all I could think about was when, how or why MCMG were eventually going to show up. But they didn’t. So this was just kind of there. This tag division needs more than just a shot in the arm; it needs a full-on overhaul.

Turned out “right now” actually meant “right now” because the match was joined in progress. As such, Kit Wilson received a hot tag from Elton Prince. Wilson stomped on Ciampa and sidewalk-slammed Gargano. Prince tagged in and the Pretty Deadly duo hit a springboard Codebreaker on Gargano for a two-count. Eventually, Ciampa and Prince were the only ones left inside the ring and Ciampa landed a lot of strikes on Prince. Gargano pulled on Prince’s hair and Ciampa rolled Prince up, but Prince rolled through and rolled Ciampa up for the win.

**********

– The Miz was shown talking to Andrade backstage. Andrade said he learned how to beat him last week and walked away. Cody Rhodes walked in and Miz asked Cody if he could believe the new crop of talent, being disrespectful and all. Miz said he’d always have Cody’s back and Cody said he didn’t need Miz to have his back. Miz asked Cody if he’d still be Jey Uso’s friend if Jey chooses Cody. Miz said ht’d be a hell of a story and Cody looked concerned as the segment ended.

– Footage of John Cena’s appearance at the post-Rumble press conference aired.

The Drew McIntyre/Jimmy Uso/LA Knight promo

The best 15 minutes of the program so far. You had to know Knight would address the McIntyre rumors coming out of the Rumble because that’s the era of WWE we are in these days and, as expected, it was a lot of fun. Better yet was Drew’s smirk at the “gotta get my stuff in” line. Knight’s speaking range was really on display here because when he turned serious for about 20 seconds, going into the mental health stuff, he had that crowd in the palm of his hands. It was really good stuff – and a worthy sentiment. Jimmy didn’t feel out of place, either, as a talker here, even though we aren’t really used to seeing him swim in solo waters when it comes to top-of-card promos. Everything everyone said worked here and that’s not common.

Drew McIntyre made his entrance and stood in the ring with a microphone. McIntyre said he was officially back on Friday Night SmackDown. McIntyre noted how he went backstage and tore some things up after being eliminated and then drove home. McIntyre said he woke up the next day and asked himself why he was so angry all the time.

Drew said it was because he was the victim of a toxic workplace, which was Raw. McIntyre said he can see clearly now because Aldis called him and told him “Drew will be allowed to be Drew 100 percent” on SmackDown. McIntyre said he was there for Cody and what he has – the WWE Championship. McIntyre was interrupted by Jimmy Uso’s theme music. Jimmy walked out with a microphone.

Jimmy said every single week, McIntyre keeps living in the past. Jimmy said nobody ever stole anything from McIntyre and tonight, Jimmy was there to earn a spot in the Chamber. McIntyre said a couple weeks ago, he’d be angry about what he said, but he’s “cool now, Jey,” which was funny. McIntyre said Jimmy and Jey are similar in every way and perhaps Jimmy would be where Jey is if he just said “Yeet” first. Jimmy said tonight, he needs to punch his ticket to WrestleMania and he’s ready to kick Drew’s ass. Jimmy said, “I’m going to WrestleMania, Uce.”

LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked out with a microphone. Knight cut his own music and said he doesn’t have any love for Jimmy because he’s the reason he’s not the WWE Champion. Knight spoke into the camera about mental health and it’s OK to cry. Knight turned that into saying three promises in life: Death, taxes and Drew McIntyre crying like a damn baby. Knight used the phrase “Drew McIncryer.” Knight said he’s going to give Jimmy and Drew something to cry about – dashing their WrestleMania hopes. Knight said, “Oh wait. I forgot to get my stuff in,” and Drew rightly snickered. Knight stepped in the ring for their triple threat.

Drew McIntyre defeated Jimmy Uso and LA Knight to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [12:40 of TV time]

This exceeded my expectations, even if they weren’t all that high. Some of the near-falls towards the end had me wondering how this thing was going to turn out and the finish ended up being pretty clever. I wonder where this leaves both Knight and Uso going forward because one feels to be in a purgatory after recently losing a title (Knight), while the other feels like he’s supposed to be on his way up the card, but has no real program to sink his teeth into … yet. As for this match, all three guys showed up to work and the result was a very good WWE television match. This could have main evented the show and I wouldn’t have complained.

The match was joined in progress and all three were going after one another. McIntyre chopped Jimmy and went to work on him while Knight was down in a corner. Jimmy came back with a Samoan Drop, but Knight broke up a pin attempt. Jimmy hopped up and chopped Knight, but Knight came back with a pop-up slam. Knight ran into a headbutt from McIntyre. McIntyre threw Knight and went back to Jimmy and suplexed him. McIntyre whipped Jimmy into a corner and belly-to-belly’d Knight across the ring. McIntyre then smiled.

Jimmy came back and threw McIntyre to the outside, where Jimmy followed up with a dive. Knight joined the two outside and rammed McIntyre’s head onto the commentary desk. Knight did the same to Jimmy. Knight stood on top of the table and posed for the crowd. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from that break, McIntyre chopped Jimmy, who was perched on the top rope. Jimmy essentially crotched McIntyre, but Knight returned and cut Jimmy off while stomping on McIntyre.

Knight leapt to the top for a super-plex, but McInture pulled himself up and hit a German Suplex on Knight, who super-plexed Jimmy in a fun spot. Everyone was down and the crowd chanted “This is awesome!” Knight and McIntyre traded chops and Knight DDT’d McIntyre before going to the top and connecting with an elbow, but Jimmy broke up Knight’s pin attempt. Jimmy lifted Knight, but things ended up with Knight being Spinebuster’d via McIntyre for a near-fall that Knight barely kicked out of.

McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick, but Jimmy super-kicked McIntyre and clotheslined McIntyre over the top, to the outside. Jimmy super-kicked Knight and landed an Uso Splash on Knight from the top. The referee counted to two, but then McIntyre pulled the ref outside of the ring. McIntyre was laid out on the commentary table and Jimmy went for another splash on Knight, but Knight rolled Jimmy up for a two count. Knight set up for a BFT on Jimmy and McIntyre Claymore’d Knight for the win.

**********

– Damian Priest was interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage in a hallway. Braun Strowman walked into the frame and told Priest he has to qualify for the Chamber and next week, it sounds like it’ll be Strowman vs. Priest vs. Fatu in another Chamber qualifying match. Strowman said Priest will be in the ring with a wild animal and a monster next week. Priest said he wasn’t overlooking anyone.

– Video of what happened between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn on Raw aired. Owens cut a promo from his car and talked about how much he and Zayn have been through. Owens said the pain he suffered from his match at the Rumble might never go away and it’s all Zayn’s fault. Owens said Zayn watched as Cody tried to end Owens’s career and did nothing. Owens noted how Zayn rushed to the aid of Roman Reigns later that night while he did nothing for Owens earlier. Owens said Zayn is a horrible friend and a disgusting human being and he will never forgive him. Owens said he will make Zayn pay.

– Carmelo Hayes made his entrance with a microphone in hand. In the entranceway, Melo said Tozawa looks like “Cody Rhodes got left in the dryer too long.” Melo said when in Memphis, they call Melo Ja Morant. The only difference between he and Morant, he said, was that Melo would make the all-star team.

Carmelo Hayes defeated Akira Tozawa [7:32]

This was probably a bit overly competitive, considering how Tozawa has been designated as The Guy Who Loses All Of The Matches for quite a while now. And if we are trying to get Melo over as someone who shouldn’t take as many losses as he does, why are we going seven-and-a-half minutes again? Just a question. The opposite side of that? It’s nice to see Tozawa get some TV time and he held his own against one of WWE’s rising stars. That should mean something, right?

Tozawa jumpstarted the match and eventually hit a cross-body onto Melo, who was on the outside. About 30 seconds into the match, the show went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Melo was working on Tozawa’s arm. It wasn’t long before Tozawa fired up and hit a DDT for a two-count. Tozawa went to the top, but Melo moved and beat down Tozawa down. Tozawa tore his shirt off and went to the top, but Melo cut him off. Even so, Tozawa landed a Sunset Flip from the top for a near-fall. The two traded roll-up attempts until Melo hit a clothesline, a springboard DDT and a Nothing But Net for the win.

**********

– Tessitore said they reached out to Paul Heyman for an update on Roman Reigns’s condition after what happened at the Royal Rumble (Seth Rollins’s two-foot stomp), but weirdly enough, they couldn’t get a hold of the Wise Man. As such, Roman’s health status is up in the air.

– Jerry “The King” Lawler was shown in the crowd. Lawlor received a hero’s welcome, as one would expect in Memphis.

– R-Truth was shown with Tozawa backstage and left him once he saw Jey Uso. Truth called Jey “King Of The Ring” and said Tozawa “Yeeted on himself” before leaving. Cody walked up and asked Jey what he’s thinking about when it comes to WrestleMania. Jey said he’s undecided and walked away.

The Charlotte Flair segment

I sort of thought we’d get Jax vs. Stratton at Elimination Chamber, but hell, Valentine’s Day is just as well. Charlotte, man. I don’t know what to do with her and I don’t think the crowds know what to do with her. The heartfelt speech she gave on Monday didn’t go as planned and this felt like it wanted to land somewhere in between acknowledging the backlash she received on Monday and re-establishing her character, but it didn’t quite work. Or in other words … goodness, this felt rehearsed. I feel bad for her at this point. WWE can’t figure out how to book her in anything other than “I’m Charlotte Flair. Respect me because I am Charlotte Flair!” But it’s just not working anymore. Hopefully, they can heat her up by the time Mania comes around.

Charlotte soaked in some “Woooos!” before saying “Hi, Memphis,” to a mixed reaction. She asked the crowd if they loved her or hated her. The crowd cheered the love and booed the hate. Charlotte said when people boo, she sees money and it’s OK because she lives rent-free in fans’ lives. Charlotte said everyone is obsessed with “everything Charlotte Flair.” She said she knows everyone thinks she thinks she’s better than everyone. She asked if people thought she’d actually be gone for 14 months and not win the Rumble. Charlotte called the other women in the Rumble “unserious” and said there was no way she was going over the top rope.

Charlotte reminded everyone that she became the first two-time women’s Royal Rumble winner. She followed that up by talking about how she went to Raw and NXT earlier this week and tonight, she wanted to see if Tiffy … on cue, Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and out, Stratton walked. In the ring, the crowd chanted “Tiffy Time.” Stratton began by congratulating Charlotte and saying nobody is a bigger Charlotte fan than herself. Tiffy said she wasn’t sure if WWE could survive without Charlotte.

Stratton said she came along and ticket sales went up and WWE is hotter than it’s ever been. Charlotte paused and asked Stratton if she said something. Charlotte then said, “Sweetheart, you speak when I say you can speak.” Stratton came back and said she’s always been compared to Charlotte as a “Charlotte Flair wannabe.” Stratton asked Charlotte to pick her for her Mania match because then she’ll be The One And Only Tiffany Stratton. “Tiffy Time!” chants broke out again. Charlotte said she views Stratton as a child begging her to make her a star at WrestleMania. Charlotte said if Tiffy wants Charlotte to choose her, she’s going to have to beg. Nia Jax’s music then hit.

Jax walked out with Candace LeRae and said the “blondie back and forth was cute and all” because Jax is going to be champion by the time WrestleMania. Turns out, next week, it will be Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Champion. Jax said if Charlotte wants to be a champion at Mania, she’s going to have to go through Jax. Alexa Bliss’s music then hit and Bliss made her entrance. The women watched as Bliss got to the ring for the next match.

**********

Alexa Bliss defeated Candace LeRae to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [10:36]

Bliss is still getting her legs under her in terms of getting back in the ring, so any awkward spots here aren’t even worth noting. The win makes sense as she is one of the company’s biggest stars and the pop she received at the Rumble cemented that. As for tonight, this crowd hasn’t been kind to a lot of people, so I’ll reserve judgment on any continuous excitement for her return. LeRae was the right wrestler to put Bliss in the ring with as she gets back into the mix because LeRae did a very good job making Bliss look as seasoned as she could, considering the layoff. It should also be noted that some Wyatt Sicks distortion things happened for a second or three at one point in the match. Here’s hoping they have something solid in mind for Bliss and that faction.

Things were slow early. Bliss ultimately took control and teased a Sister Abigail, but LeRae turned it around and gained the upper hand. LeRae went to work on Bliss’s neck and back. Bliss eventually tripped LeRae into a turnbuckle and went to the top, but LeRae cut off Bliss. LeRae tried to set up a super-plex, but Bliss knocked LeRae off. LeRae went to the apron and Bliss followed. It was there where LeRae planted Bliss, face-first. LeRae posed a little and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and LeRae was working on Bliss’s back. LeRae ragdolled Bliss until Bliss showed anger and slapped LeRae a couple of times. LeRae rolled to the apron and LeRae landed a neck-breaker on Bliss before heading to the top. From there, she hit a missile dropkick for a two-count. LeRae rolled up Bliss and the two rolled around to no avail for a little. LeRae ran at Bliss and Bliss hit what Tessitore called the Abigail DDT, which looked pretty much how it sounded. That got Bliss the win.

**********

– Backstage, Chelsea Green was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Next week, Green will face Naomi in a Chamber qualifying match. B-Fab and Michin walked into the frame. Michin said Chelsea might not be champion soon. Zelina Vega then came through and said it might be time she gets a shot at Green’s title, too.

– A Street Profits vignette aired and footage from their interference at the Royal Rumble was shown. Dawkins said #DIY’s days are numbered. Dawkins was all types of fired up. Montez Ford said they didn’t like all these strangers coming in and people essentially just teaming up for the hell of it. Ford said they want the smoke. This was great.

– The Machine Guns were interviewed in the locker room and Alex Shelley challenged the Profits the step up. Los Garza walked into the frame and Berto said it’s time for new teams to step up. Shelley started firing back and Santos Escobar walked in. Escobar said the Street Profits started everything by attacking them for no reason. Escobar said next week, it will be Los Garza vs. MCMG.

– A Damian Priest vignette aired. A Braun Strowman vignette aired. A Facob Fatu vignette aired. This all combined for one big vignette chronicling next week’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match.

Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso defeated Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga [11:05]

I love the return of Sikoa. I had already been thinking of what to say about him not being around after saying nothing a week or two ago, but this was the best way to reintroduce him into the fold. Does this mean we get Cody vs. Sikoa at Elimination Chamber One Last Time? Maybe. In the meantime, this was a fine-enough main event. I still would have gone with the triple threat from a wrestling standpoint, but it makes sense that this would close the show now that we know Sikoa was on his way back. Cody did a very good job selling the effects of his ladder match at the Royal Rumble and Jey Uso continues to get over as Just A Fun Guy (not to be confused with Just Five Guys … wait, wrong promotion). Sikoa’s return leaves us with a nice hook for next week’s show.

Cody and Tonga started the match. Fifteen seconds later, Fatu tagged himself in to challenge Cody. Fatu immediately hit Cody a few times to establish control. The show then went to a commercial break. The show returned and Fatu still had the upper hand on Cody. Tonga tagged in and Cody instantly fought back. Tonga went for a splash in a corner, but Cody moved and ultimately got the hot tag to Jey Uso.

Jey came in and worked Tonga over, complete with a hip attack on Tonga in a corner for a two-count. Jey hit a pop-up neck-breaker/cutter and things briefly broke down with Fatu super-kicking Jey. Tonga was still the legal man and hit a sliding clothesline for a two-count. Fatu tagged in and knocked Cody off the apron. Fatu lifted Jey and tagged in Tonga, who laned a springboard splash on Jey. Before long, Tonga and Jey clotheslined each other to reset the match with about four minutes to go toward the top of the hour.

Cody received the hot tag and Fatu tagged in, too. Cody hit a Disaster Kick and a drop-down punch. Cody landed a Cody Cutter on Fatu for a one-count. Cody set up for a Cross-Rhodes, but Fatu worked out of it and tagged in Tonga, who planted Cody with a weird Flatliner for a two-count. Cody went to the top, but Fatu pushed Cody off the top and Tonga executed his jumping DDT for a two-count. Fatu super-kicked Cody and ran the ropes, but Jey cut Fatu off and super-kicked him on the outside. Inside the ring, Cody hit a Cross-Rhodes on Tonga for the win.

As Cody has his hand raised, Solo Sikoa ran in with a hoodie covering his face and gave Cody the Samoan Spike. Sikoa stood tall to end the show.