In his hometown on Saturday, WWE star LA Knight was presented with the key to the city.
A ceremony honoring Knight (real name Shaun Ricker) took place at University Plaza in Hagerstown, Maryland on Saturday afternoon. The Hagerstown Herald-Mail reports that hundreds of people attended the ceremony.
Knight gave a speech to the crowd, recounting the times he struggled in life and urging everyone to follow their dreams.
“I expected 10 people to show up,” Knight joked. “And all of you, Hagerstown, you showed up and you showed out. And I can’t say anything more than – thank you. This is a crazy, crazy honor. Thank you to the mayor. Thank you to the city councilman for putting this one together.”
Knight said receiving the key to the city is a full-circle moment for him. Knight told the crowd he loves them and thanked Hagerstown for being his home.
The ceremony happened while Knight is home in Hagerstown for the holidays. Full video of the ceremony can be seen below:
The 41-year-old Knight has become one of WWE’s top stars over the last year. At Crown Jewel in November, he unsuccessfully challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Knight is set to compete in a number one contender’s match at SmackDown New Year’s Revolution on Friday, January 5. It will be Knight vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles to determine Reigns’ challenger for the Royal Rumble.
On the final new SmackDown episode of 2023, WWE revealed how Roman Reigns’ next challenger will be decided.
Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles are facing off in a triple threat match at SmackDown New Year’s Revolution on Friday, January 5. The winner will challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble.
The number one contender’s match was booked by Nick Aldis, who said he believes all three have a legitimate case for challenging Reigns.
After Aldis made the announcement, Reigns ordered Paul Heyman to bring Aldis to him. Reigns was mad that Aldis didn’t run the idea past him first. Reigns said everything needs to go through him. Aldis informed Reigns that he isn’t a middle manager like Adam Pearce. The buck stops with Aldis now that he’s the general manager of SmackDown.
Reigns was also upset that Aldis made Styles vs. Solo Sikoa as last night’s main event without informing him. The bout ended in a disqualification when Reigns interfered and attacked Styles. As Reigns and Sikoa were beating Styles down, Orton ran out and fought with The Bloodline. The Bloodline regained the advantage when Jimmy Uso got involved, but Knight then evened the odds and helped send Reigns, Sikoa, and Jimmy packing.
Styles had said that he didn’t want Orton or Knight getting involved in his match against Sikoa. The show went off the air with Styles, Orton, and Knight brawling with each other. Reigns told Sikoa and Jimmy to stay out of it and let Styles, Orton, and Knight fight amongst themselves.
The City of Hagerstown, Maryland announced via social media on Wednesday that Knight will be given a key to the city at a special presentation on Saturday, December 23.
LA Knight to Receive Key to the City
The City of Hagerstown will present one of its own, and currently one of the most popular Superstars in World Wrestling Entertainment, with the key to the city on Saturday, December 23 at noon at University Plaza.
Now known around the globe as “LA Knight”, Shaun Ricker was born in Hagerstown on November 1, 1982 and graduated from North Hagerstown High School in 2000.
The public is invited to attend this recognition ceremony on Saturday as he returns to his hometown to receive this unique and well-deserved honor. “Yeah!”
Knight was born and went to school in Hagerstown. He moved to Cincinnati to begin his wrestling career after high school and currently resides in Orlando, Florida.
2023 has been a career year for Knight after having been saddled with a nearly disastrous gimmick the year prior. He made his WWE main roster debut on the January 22, 2022, WWE Raw episode as part of the Maximum Male Models. His act with Mace and Mansoor was voted “Worst Gimmick” in the 2022 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.
AJ Styles made his return to SmackDown last night — and he turned heel in the process.
Appearing for the first time in three months, Styles showed up near the conclusion of last night’s SmackDown episode. He initially helped Randy Orton and LA Knight fight off The Bloodline. But after The Bloodline retreated, Styles turned against Knight and dropped him with a lariat.
Styles exited the ring after taking out Knight, leaving Orton confused over what was going on.
Orton defeated Jimmy Uso in last night’s main event. Though Orton had told Knight to stay out of his way earlier in the show, Knight helped Orton combat Solo Sikoa’s interference. Roman Reigns, Jimmy, and Sikoa then attacked Orton and Knight until Styles appeared.
The last time we saw Styles, he was taken out in a Bloodline attack on the September 22 edition of SmackDown. Before that beatdown, Styles was supposed to team with John Cena against Sikoa & Jimmy at Fastlane. Knight ended up taking Styles’ place in the match. Knight went on to unsuccessfully challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel.
Last night was Reigns’ first WWE appearance since Crown Jewel. During a confrontation on the episode, Orton challenged Reigns to an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble. WWE has yet to make that title bout official.
Hulk Hogan is a huge fan of the work LA Knight is doing in WWE.
While taking part in a charity stream for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Hogan was asked who he would have liked to headline WrestleMania against if he could face someone from today’s landscape. Hogan named Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, and Knight as people who he’d like to face.
Hogan explained why he thinks Knight has had such a quick rise in WWE over the last year:
He’s a rising superstar and I love the guy to death, man. I love watching him on TV too.
LA Knight has a lot of old school in him, you know? He goes in there and he grinds and he stays on it. But his cadence is what attracted me. It’s like, ‘Let me tell you something, brother.’ He’ll say, ‘Let me talk to ya.’ Same thing. ‘Let me tell you something, brother.’ ‘Let me talk to ya.’ It’s the same cadence. It’s the same vibe. And he’s got it down, man. He learned quick. He’s a quick study. And man, the application, the practical application, the way he nails things, his placement in the ring, his timing is impeccable. And he’s a heck of an athlete. Good looking kid, man. Built like a Greek god. So, it’s all coming his way and he’s very consistent. I haven’t met him but he seems like a really, really, really good person.
The 41-year-old Knight has been feuding with The Bloodline in recent months. At Crown Jewel this November, Reigns defeated Knight to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Interference from The Bloodline helped Reigns win the match.
Knight & Orton teamed together to defeat Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa in the main event of SmackDown last Friday.
Randy Orton and LA Knight are set to team up for the first time ever.
WWE has announced that Orton & Knight will face The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa in a tag team match on this Friday’s SmackDown. It’s a special episode of the show branded as Tribute to the Troops 2023.
Orton and Knight have a common enemy in The Bloodline. Last Friday, Knight came to Orton’s defense following an attack by Uso and Sikoa. After Knight and Sikoa brawled to the back, Orton laid out Uso with an RKO.
There was an angle last week where SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis and Raw general manager Adam Pearce both wanted to sign Orton to their brand. Orton ultimately decided to sign an exclusive SmackDown contract.
Orton recently returned to the ring at Survivor Series. He had been out of action since May 2022 due to a career-threatening back injury. Orton underwent double fusion back surgery last year.
Orton was feuding with The Bloodline before the back injury forced him out of action. In storyline, Orton blames The Bloodline for causing his injury.
It appears that Orton will be a future challenger for Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. After signing his SmackDown contract last week, Orton delivered a message to Reigns.
“Hey Paul [Heyman], you can call Roman Reigns,” Orton said. “And you can tell him: Daddy’s back.”
Friday’s SmackDown is taking place from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the show:
CM Punk returns to SmackDown
Randy Orton & LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa
Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
United States Championship number one contender’s tournament first-round match: Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
United States Championship number one contender’s tournament first-round match: Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar
Roman Reigns’ next title defense isn’t currently planned to be a rematch against LA Knight.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Reigns vs. Knight isn’t scheduled to take place at the Royal Rumble. Meltzer noted that there are people who believe Knight should be in that spot, but Paul “Triple H” Levesque has another plan as of now.
Meltzer wrote:
We were told that as of this time Reigns vs. Knight is not the title match at Rumble. That is Reigns’ next match. There are those who feel it should be Knight in that spot but we were told Levesque has another plan right now.
Reigns retained his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship by defeating Knight at Crown Jewel earlier this month. Interference by The Bloodline cost Knight the match.
Knight defeated Jimmy Uso on last week’s SmackDown. After the match, there was an angle where Cody Rhodes saved Knight from a beatdown by Uso and Solo Sikoa.
Neither Reigns nor Knight has a match scheduled for this Saturday’s Survivor Series premium live event.
The Royal Rumble is taking place from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
After costing LA Knight a chance to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel, Jimmy Uso goes one-on-one against Knight on tonight’s SmackDown from Evansville, Indiana.
At the November 4 premium live event in Saudi Arabia, Knight appeared to have a victory against Roman Reigns in his grasp until Uso placed Reigns’ leg on the bottom rope to break up a pin attempt. As a result, Knight called out Uso last week before Knight defeated Grayson Waller. A match between Uso and Knight was made for tonight.
Also slated for the program, Solo Sikoa makes his return to WWE TV. Sikoa was last seen at Crown Jewel, where he defeated John Cena in convincing fashion. Paul Heyman will be appearing alongside Sikoa tonight.
The build to Survivor Series continues with Damage CTRL appearing. We’ll see if the women’s WarGames match is made official.
Plus, there will be a number one contender’s match with Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits vs. The Brawling Brutes. The winning team will be next in line for a shot at Damian Priest & Finn Balor’s Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.
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– A video package recpping last week’s Damage CTRL’s developments aired to begin the show. Kevin Patrick, who was joined by Michael Cole and Road Dogg on commentary, then welcomed everyone in and the group’s music hit. Out walked the five women.
The Damage CTRL segment
This was a pretty good way to set the table for the “new and improved” version of Damage CTRL. I enjoyed how they played into the notion that Bayley might be the odd woman out, only to turn that around and officially induct Asuka into the group. I can’t be alone in thinking this will lead to Bayley’s ouster … but I also recall being convinced they were going to pull the trigger on an IYO SKY/Bayley separation all the way back at SummerSlam, so what do I know? Very little, is the answer. Anyway, the babyfaces showed good fire again, but they’re going to to continue to be outnumbered until they find their fourth for the proposed War Games match. My money still lands on Jade Cargill, even if that’s based solely on a gut feeling. That said, remember: What do I know?
The group soaked in a bunch of boos to begin things. Bayley said they were just there to have a good time and she welcomed everyone in to SmackDown. Bayley called the crowd dumb-dumbs. Bayley called last week’s developments one of the top five moments in WWE history. Bayley said they are playing chess while the other “idiots” are playing Candy Land. Bayley said nobody was ready for Asuka and laughed. The rest of the group didn’t really laugh.
Asuka then spoke in Japanese to Kairi Sane and IYO SKY and SKY and Sane laughed. Dakota Kai chimed in and said it wasn’t the new and improve Damage CTRL because there was someone in the ring who wasn’t in the new Damage CTRL. The audience reacted accordingly, thinking Kai meant Bayley, but Kai said it was actually Asuka who wasn’t in the group yet. Bayley got on one knee and asked Asuka to be in the group. Bayley presented Asuka with a Damage CTRL shirt and the faction celebrated. Kai mentioned how the women will be in War Games and Shotzi’s music hit.
Shotzi appeared out of nowhere while her tank rolled out in the entrance way. Before long, Charlotte and Bianca Belair ran to the ring and provided Shotzi with backup. The heels, however, got the best of the babyfaces and threw Charlotte, Shotzi and Belair outside the ring. Damage CTRL stood tall and taunted the babyfaces to end the segment.
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– Charlotte, Belair and Shotzi were shown talking backstage. Shotzi apologized for being compulsive, but said she really wanted to “kick their butts.” Belair turned to Charlotte and said she thinks she knows someone who could help them. Nick Aldis walked into the frame and said he’ll have to know who the fourth woman will be for the War Games match by the end of the night.
The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) & The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland & Butch) to become No. 1 contenders for the WWE Universal Tag Team Championship [10:58]
The tag team title match will take place on next week’s SmackDown instead of Survivor Series. This was one of the better matches on SmackDown in the last, say, six months or so, and it far exceeded my expectations. They had me on that near-fall that Prince went for after the blind tag near the end. These six guys worked well together and the result was somewhat of a surprise, considering how high WWE seems to be on Pretty Deadly. The after-match stuff is intriguing its own way, but definitely welcome, if nothing else. The Brutes have been spinning their wheels for quite a while now and are almost always inserted into matches to take a loss. Both guys deserve better than that and this could be the first step toward whatever that “better” is. The only question: If they split, what happens when Sheamus returns?
Butch, Dawkins and Prince started the match. Road Dogg mentioned Billy Gunn way more than I thought he would all within the first 20 seconds of the match. Dawkins stomped on Butch and threw Prince into a corner, only to work a series of punches. Ford tagged in and the Profits had control early. Ford hit a strong clothesline to take Butch down. Wilson tagged in the Pretty Deadly hit Butch and Ford at the same time. Butch tagged in Holland and hit a shoulder block on Ford before suplexing Wilson. Holland swung Wilson by his neck before hitting a DDT.
Holland clotheslined Wilson other the top rope and Holland and Butch set up for 10 Beats, but the Profits broke that up. As a result, Holland and Butch hit 10 Beats on the Profits. Pretty Deadly followed that up by attacked the Brutes, running Holland into the ring steps. Pretty Deadly stood tall as the show went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Holland suplexed Ford and Prince at the same time on each arm. Butch and Dawkins tagged in and Butch cleaned house. Butch hit a moonsault onto Wilson on the outside before landing a Tornado DDT on Prince.
Back in the ring, Butch stood tall over Dawkins and then hit a moonsault from the second rope onto every opponent on the outside. Back insdie the ring, Butch worked an arm-bar on Dawkins. Dawkins fired up and slammed Butch onto Prince, who only recently returned to the ring. At the nine-minute mark, Holland, Wilson and Ford all tagged in. Wilson had the upper hand and went to the top, but Holland cut him off and ultimately landed a super-plex, even though Prince made a blind tag. Prince tried to pin Holland after Ford hit a splash, but Butch broke it up.
Bobby Lashley was shown watching the match backstage and B-Fab walked into the frame to talk to Lashley. Butch fired up and went after everybody until he was disposed of to the outside. Holland clotheslined both Profits and both members of Pretty Deadly. Butch went to kick Prince, but Prince moved and Butch kicked Holland. The Profits then hit The Revelation on Holland on got the pin to win the match. Lashley walked out and celebrated with the Profits. After the match, Holland was mad at Butch, pushed Butch away and left the ring alone. Butch looked confused.
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– Bianca Belair was shown talking to Michin backstage before the show went to commercial.
– Back from that commercial break, Damage CTRL was shown beating the hell out of Michin backstage, so there goes that. From there, Kevin Patrick threw to a video recapping the dysfunction in the LWO.
– A video featuring Nick Aldis and Dragon Lee aired and Aldis told Lee that Lee would face Axiom from NXT on the show. A video chronicling and introducing Axiom aired after Lee made his entrance.
Dragon Lee defeated Axiom [9:30]
Holy hell. I tuned into SmackDown and a Dynamite broke out. What in the name of Penta El Zero Miedo was that?! More please? Like … please? Here I was talking about how that tag team match exceeded expectations – I didn’t even know this match was happening coming into the night. And, can you believe it: WWE gave them nine-and-a-half minutes to boot! Wow, this was great. Even better than the Lee/Alexander matches we’ve been seeing on SmackDown the last few weeks. Leave Axiom on the main roster. Why not? He’s not doing much in NXT. Let these two run it back again, add a few more wrestlers like this, and let them cook in the way all those cruiserweights made names for themselves in Nitro 25/30 years ago. It’s great when something is fantastic, but it’s even better when it’s unexpected and fantastic. I loved this.
The two shook hands before getting into it. The action was quick to start with a lot of reversals and failed pin attempts. Things settled down when Lee worked a side head-lock. Lee landed a wild dropkick, which took Axiom outside, where Lee followed it up with a splash. Back in the ring, Lee hit a missile dropkick as Axiom was on the mat in a corner. After that, the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Axiom had the upper hand, dropkicking Lee to the outside. Axiom went to the top and hit a high moonsault on Lee before rolling Lee back into the ring. Axiom went to the top rope, but Lee moved and Lee kicked Axiom in the head. Lee went to the top, but Axiom cut him off. The two fought on the top tope. Lee then landed a double stomp onto Axiom, who was draped from the top. Lee chopped Axiom repeatedly. Axiom came back with chops of his own and then landed a fantastic dropkick. Axiom hit a fallaway suplex and a running knee, but Lee came back with a brain-buster.
Lee tried to fire up the crowd and the crowd kind of responded. Lee lifted Axiom for a power-bomb, but Axiom somehow turned it into a Destroyer for a hell of a near-fall. At the eight-minute mark, Lee kicked Axiom in the head and went to the top, but Axiom cut Lee off with a kick. With the two on the top rope, Axiom landed a Spanish Fly from the top for another hell of a near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Lee dropped Axiom on his head, but got only a near-fall out of it. Lee responded with a running knee and Operation Dragon for the win.
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The Santos Escoar segment
This was very good (and no, I can’t recall a time when I said, “This was very good” this much while reviewing SmackDown). Plus … that’s more like it with Escobar. He’s just a better heel than he is a babyface and he proved it here. Some of those lines were stiff – you really want Rey Mysterio’s leg to be amputated, dude?! – but it worked and the way he showed no remorse for a crying Zelina Vega and his old running mates from NXT was very well done. Plus, you must be doing something right if you’re going out for first time on the main roster as a heel and you can’t get a word in because you’re getting Dominik Mysterio-level boos. The Santos Escobar heel turn is off to a great start.
Escobar was out by himself in a white suit and said he had something to say, but the crowd booed him before chanting “You suck!” It was like Dom Mysterio was out there. Escobar told everyone to never meet their heroes. The crowd then gave Escobar the “What?” treatment. Escobar noted how Rey Mysterio was his hero as the rest of the LWO was watching from backstage. Escobar said Rey made him feel at home, but after last week, Escobar said he realized Dominik was right. Escobar said he deserved to be the United States Champion, but instead Rey did it. Escobar said he wanted to rebuild the LWO, but Rey took it over and brought in Carlito. Escobar then spoke in Spanish to Carlito.
Escobar said they were supposed to be like family and said Rey sided with an outsider like Carlito instead of Escobar. Escobar said all the pain Rey is suffering is like the suffering Escobar felt when Rey betrayed him. Escobar said everyone thought he’d go out there to apologize, and Escobar said he would apologize – for not doing more damage to Rey. Escobar said he hoped the surgery didn’t go well for Rey and he hopes Rey gets an infection and he hopes they have to amputate Rey’s leg. As Escobar was talking, Zelina Vega walked out to no music and confronted Escobar. Vega slapped the hell out of Escobar and Escobar grinned.
Vega then walked to the back crying as Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde walked out. Escobar said he made Wilde and Del Toro and the two walked to the ring. Escobar stuck his fist out, but the two yelled at Escobar, who then told Del Toro and Wilde to leave because they are dead weight. Escobar then attacked them from behind as they tried to leave the ring. Escobar said he made them and he can destroy them. As he was setting up a move, Carlito’s music hit and Carlito walked/ran to the ring to clear Escobar from it. Escobar left through the crowd.
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Grayson Waller defeated Cameron Grimes [2:42]
Well, there goes the streak of good TV. But it was fun while it lasted. WWE really seems to know they want Cameron Grimes, but WWE really does not seem to know what they want to do with Cameron Grimes. It’s a shame because he’s talented, but the main roster hasn’t been kind to him. As for Waller and Theory … I’m not ready to fold up shop on them yet, but I’m not not close to doing that. The act can be entertaining, but that doesn’t mean it always is. If anything, I hope this leads to a program between the two with Theory turning babyface. But we’ll see.
Austin Theory sat in on commentary and Grimes had control early. Grimes landed a nice dropkick, but Waller hit a rolling flatliner before hitting a bunch of strikes. Waller worked a chin-lock after hitting some Blackpool Combat Club elbows. Grimes fired up, though, and landed a series of strikes, complete with a low dropkick. Grimes slammed Waller for a two-count. Waller rolled to the outside and Grimes went for a running kick, but Waller grabbed Theory and Theory got in the way of it. Back in the ring, Waller hit his finisher for the win.
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– Backstage, Bianca Belair was talking to Zelina Vega right before the show went to commercial break.
– The show returned from commercial break, but wouldn’t you know it, the first scene was Damage CTRL standing tall over a beaten-up Zelina Vega.
The Solo Sikoa segment
Man, Heyman laid it on so thick with his John Cena stuff that he actually had me believing Cena might actually show up one more time tonight. Great stuff, there. He’s right when he says Cena’s first match back would have to be against Sikoa … but who knows when and who knows if that will ever happen. In the meantime, using Cena’s credibility to get Sikoa over in a strong way after beating Cena at Crown Jewel is a great piece of business. Cena doesn’t have to be there to make sure that win means something and that’s exactly what Heyman did. Knight’s confrontation was a good rebuttal, and it does make me wonder: Even if Cody does finish the story at WrestleMania, perhaps Knight can be the one who takes down – or at least has a big role in taking down – the Bloodline.
Paul Heyman was in the ring and said there was going to be an acknowledgment of Sikoa. Jimmy Uso was also in the ring. Heyman fired up and introduced John Cena … but finished it by saying Cena wasn’t there. Heyman said Cena will never appear in a WWE ring ever again and it’s all thanks to Sikoa. Heyman called out a kid in the front row crying – which has been a running thing all night from anyone who’s had a microphone. Heyman said Cena has admiration for all the fans, but he doesn’t have the heart to say goodbye to the WWE Universe. Because of that, Heyman said he gets to say goodbye to Cena. Heyman went on about how on behalf of the Bloodline, “John Cena, goodbye.”
Heyman teased a cue for Cena to come out, but Cena never came out. Heyman reiterated that the fans will never experience the John Cena thing again because of Solo Sikoa. Heyman said if Cena ever comes back, Sikoa is going to have to be his opponent. Heyman went to Jimmy and said it would have been the greatest promo of Cena’s career, but Cena won’t be able to say goodbye because Sikoa spiked Cena in the throat. Heyman said no one can see Cena because Cena isn’t there, but Heyman was then cut off by LA Knight’s music.
Knight said that the only reason Roman Reigns is still champion today is “because of the Bloodline, yeah!” Knight said everyone “knows that’s a problem, yeah!” Knight said if there’s a problem, Knight is a problem-solver, “yeah!” Knight said the Bloodline will cease to exist because Knight will make that happen. Knight said everyone will fall until it’s just Knight and Roman. Knight said the first stop on that path is Jimmy Uso. Knight called Heyman “MC Boss Hog,” and it was funny. Knight rapped a little and Jimmy laughed. Knight did his catchphrase and walked into the ring.
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– Kevin Patrick announced that Carlito will face Santos Escobar at Survivor Series next week.
– Shotzi, Belair and Charlotte were shown backstage talking. Charlotte walked away, saying she was going to make a call.
LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso [9:20]
LA Knight’s matches are almost as formulaic as Roman Reigns’s matches, but what works is what works. Jimmy seems to be the odd man out in the Bloodline equation, not just in storyline, but also in real life, because that guy never actually wins matches. The Cody appearance actually had me go “Oh,” out loud in a very unexcited, but unexpected way. The brand split is dumb anyway because nobody gives a heck about it, but Cody running out here can only suggest he’s officially on his way to another showdown with Roman Reigns. Time will tell.
Heyman got a phone call as the match started and Heyman, along with Sikoa, walked away from ringside, leaving Jimmy alone to fight Knight, who took control early into the match. As Knight stomped on Uso, the crowd chanted “Yeah!” Jimmy rolled to the outside, but Knight followed him and rolled Jimmy back into the ring. Knight landed his slingshot shoulder-block in the ring for a two-count. Jimmy came back and hit a Samoan Drop to slow things down. Jimmy chopped Knight, but Knight back-body-dropped Jimmy over the top. Knight landed a sliding kick and hit Jimmy’s head off the announce table a few times. Knight threw Jimmy over the announce table and posed on top of the table to send the show to a commercial break.
Back from that commercial break, Uso had control, hitting an enziguri for a two-count. Uso took his time and went for a hip attack, but Knight moved and landed a series of strikes to fire up. Knight then hit a DDT to even things out. Knight hit a clothesline before planting Jimmy a couple of times, the latter of which was a bit clunky. Jimmy went to the top, but Knight cut him off and ultimately set up for the running super-plex spot, but Jimmy push him away. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Knight hit the BFT for the win.
After the match, Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa came out. Jimmy hit Knight and Sikoa landed the Samoan Spike on Knight. Sikoa dismantled the commentary table and Jimmy dragged Knight to said table. As they were working over Knight, Cody’s music hit and Cody rushed the ring to beat everyone up. The crowd provided loud “Cody!” chants. Cody and Knight stood tall in the ring to end the segment.
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– Backstage, Belair asked Charlotte what was going on and Charlotte said, “I called her, but I don’t know if she’ll make it on time.” From there, the final commercial break commenced.
– After the show returned, backstage, Nick Aldis confronted Cody and told him to leave, so Cody did. Next week, the show will be on FS1 and will feature Kevin Owens on The Grayson Waller Effect as well as the aforementioned tag team title match.
The women’s War Games match segment
Ok, so I tried to manifest Jade, but it just wasn’t happening. The reports all along said Becky was the woman who’d jump in, but … damn, when does Jade show up?! Either way, the crowd very much enjoyed Lynch’s appearance and this sets up WWE’s best established star power for the women’s War Games match. Still … where’s Jade?!
Bianca Belair made her entrance. Shotzi followed suit. Charlotte’s music hit and Charlotte made her entrance, too. Charlotte said they could talk about the damage Damage CTRL has done, but they were running out of time and they officially accepted their War Games challenge. Charlotte said if they’re going into war … well, Charlotte was interrupted by Damage CTRL’s music. Bayley walked out and said the faction took down everyone backstage. Bayley called Charlotte and idiot and a loser. As the teams faced off, Becky Lynch ran through the crowd and became the fourth member of the team. The teams then brawled to get the show off the air.
It’s Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley.
It finally happened, Santos Escobar turned on Rey Mysterio. Can you still get heat if everyone turns on Rey Mysterio? Not to be outdone, Asuka then turned on Bianca Belair and Charlotte and joined Damage CTRL. What does this mean for Survivor Series?
We also have Shingo Takagi channeling Stan Hansen at New Japan Lonestar Shootout, Rampage, Collision, and thoughts on being live at AEW Dynamite and Ring of Honor in Portland including Mark Briscoe, The Gunns and more. It’s another packed show, check it out!
LA Knight will take on Jimmy Uso on the Friday, November 17 WWE SmackDown episode.
After losing his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at last week’s Crown Jewel event in part due to interference from Uso, Knight cut a promo on this week’s SmackDown show saying that he would be champion if not for Uso and said that he is not done with The Bloodline. Uso later accepted a match with Knight for next week during a backstage promo segment.
On Friday’s show, Knight scored a victory over Grayson Waller in singles competition.
The return of Solo Sikoa is also set for next week’s SmackDown.
Sikoa defeated John Cena in dominant fashion at Crown Jewel, and his victory was heavily played up in video packages on this week’s SmackDown. It was also pushed that Cena’s career may be over by commentators.
SmackDown’s fallout from Crown Jewel takes place tonight from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Amid uncertainty within the faction, Bayley will address the future of Damage CTRL. Kairi Sane made her return to WWE at Saturday’s Crown Jewel event, helping IYO SKY retain the WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair.
Sane last appeared on WWE TV during a July 2020 edition of Raw when she was attacked by Bayley backstage. From there, Sane left the company, only to return last weekend.
Also set for SmackDown is a match between LA Knight and Grayson Waller. Knight is coming off a loss to Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. Waller and Knight traded social media barbs this week, which led to the match being made.
After weeks of their respective factions feuding, Bobby Lashley is set to face off against Carlito. Lashley said on last week’s SmackDown that he was looking to beat the cool out of Carlito, who only recently returned to WWE.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone in to kick off the show. Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens made his entrance, complete with a tie around his neck because he’s on commentary duty tonight (Corey Graves is off because of the recent birth of his child). Rey Mysterio’s music hit and the entire LWO made their way to the ring.
The LWO segment
I’m all for the Santos Escobar heel turn to finally commence, and this was the next step toward that. For my money, he’s a better heel than a babyface and for everything he’s been through with both Mysterio and the LWO along the way, his turn should pack more of a punch than some of the random turns WWE enjoys doing.
Mysterio welcomed everyone to Friday Night SmackDown. Mysterio recalled his match against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel. Mysterio said Paul stole his U.S. title. Mysterio said he believes Paul wouldn’t have beat him if it wasn’t for the brass knuckles Paul used to win the match. Mysterio said he will do whatever he can to get a rematch with Paul. Oddly, Carlito’s music hit and Carlito made his way to the ring (I thought he was in the LWO, too?).
Carlio snatched the microphone out of Mysterio’s hand and asked Rey if they aren’t going to talk about Crown Jewel. Carlito said Mysterio shouldn’t blame Paul and instead, Rey should blame the person who left the brass knuckles on the ring canvas, Santos Escobar. Carlito and Escobar yelled at each other as a result of this. Escobar said he was out of there, threw a fit and left through the crowd. Bobby Lashley’s music then hit and Lashley made his entrance for the first match.
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Bobby Lashley defeated Carlito [9:27]
The match wasn’t much and featured a whole lot of no offense from Carlito. Even the moves he was given … well, they weren’t much. Lashley winning made a little bit of sense, though I do worry that Carlito made his WWE comeback only to occasionally lose upper mid-card guys. Maybe a feel-good return win would have been fun? Anyway, the post-match angle was what this was all about and it was fairly interesting. Escobar didn’t do the menacing, devilish turn; instead, he was pushed first and perhaps he took his rebuttal a bit too far. But even as he left ringside, he wasn’t a glaring, cocky bad guy. He has a point or two. Families fight sometimes and this may have just been a family fight (though if that’s the case … damn, Rey, you need to stop fighting with family on WWE programming, but I digress). I was hoping for more fire from Escobar once this moment happened, but I’m also willing to see where this goes as a whole before casting entire judgment.
The two locked up to begin things. Carlito dropkicked Lashley, but Lashley came right back with a clothesline. B-Fab was shown watching the match backstage. Lashley landed a series of shoulder-blocks and a neck-breaker. Lashley kept the upper hand with a series of strikes and a boot to Carlito’s neck. Lashley went for the Hurt Lock early, but Carlito blocked it and hit a cross-body. Lashley no-sold some clotheslines and went for a vertical suplex, but Carlito blocked it and landed one of his own. Carlito then clotheslined Lashley over the top rope. Lashley blocked an attempt from Carlito to slam him into the ring steps and Lashley instead rammed Carlito onto them. Lashley then ran Carlito into a ring post and the show went to a commercial break.
When the show returned from break, Lashley had Carlito perched on the top rope. Carlito fought his way out of it and landed a shoulder-block off the top rope. Ashante Thee Adonis was shown approaching B-Fab backstage and B-Fab and Ashante walked out of the frame to talk. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Lashley and Carlito were on the outside of the ring. Carlito rolled Lashley back into the ring, but Montez Ford grabbed Carlito’s leg. As a result, the Street Profits and Wilde and Toro of the LWO brawled. Escobar reappeared out of nowhere and fought the Profits. Amid the chaos, Lashley speared Carlito for the win.
After the match, the Profits and Lashley beat up Carlito. Escobar hopped onto the apron, but Escobar watched the beatdown instead of helping Carlito. Mysterio’s music hit and Mysterio ran down to the ring with a chair in hand to clear the ring. Mysterio scolded Escobar for not helping on the post-match attack. Mysterio and Escobar jawed at each other and Mysterio pushed Escobar, yelling that the LWO is all family. Escobar looked like he was going to leave the ring, but instead turned around and attacked Mysterio. Escobar rolled Carlito out of the ring and Mysterio slapped Escobar, forcing Escobar to the ground. Mysterio approached Escobar to help him up, but Escobar ran Rey into a ring post. Escobar dropkicked the ring steps because Rey’s leg between the steps and the post. Escobar yelled at Mysterio, saying he loved Rey. Zelina Vega ran down to the ring and pulled Escobar off Mysterio. Escobar walked to the back blaming Rey to end the segment.
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– Escobar was seen leaving the arena and Escobar was stopped by Cathy Kelley, who asked why Escobar did what he did. Escobar said, “Rey had it coming.” The show returned to the commentary table and Owens said even though he’s turned on a bunch of people during his career, he would never turn on Rey Mysterio. From there, we got a video recap of the IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair match from Crown Jewel.
The Damage CTRL segment
I … I … I don’t know about this one. For Sane to just blindly forgive Bayley for that attack three years ago without much development or thought feels like lazy booking/writing. Maybe this will lead to Bayley being on her own, but for now, it feels unimaginative. Besides: Seeing Sane visually leading SKY and Kai in the entrance way packed more of a punch than the Bayley/SKY/Kai team does these days. I have hopes this will turn around sooner than later, but only time will tell. All four women are super talented. This, though? I don’t know if that’s the right way to go, if only because I can’t fully believe in a lot of it right away because it feels so simple. I hope WWE proves this short-team response from me wrong.
Bayley referenced the video package and said she has had a plan and vision for SKY and Dakota Kai. Bayley said everything she wanted to come true, came true. That included the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Ms. Money In The Bank, and the WWE Women’s Championship. The crowd gave her the “What?!” treatment and Bayley called the crowd idiots. Bayley tried to play into the “What?!” stuff, but it didn’t quite work and Bayley asked SKY to come to the ring to talk like adults.
Kai and SKY appeared with Kairi Sane in the middle of them. The three got into the ring and grabbed microphones, with the exception of Sane. Bayley asked what Sane was doing out there. SKY interrupted Bayley and said SKY had a plan, too. SKY thanked Sane for helping her retain the title. Bayley said she wanted the best for SKY and Kai and then Bayley threw to a video of the attack Bayley laid on Sane in 2020, which ostensibly forced Sane out of WWE in storyline. Bayley said she was concerned that Sane was around. Kai interrupted Bayley and said they brought Sane in to make Damage CTRL stronger. Kai said they wanted to take some of the weight off Bayley.
Kai said Damage CTRL is stronger than ever and it should be a celebration. Sane had a microphone and said she respected Bayley as the leader of Damage CTRL. Sane said she forgave Bayley for the attack three years ago. Sane, SKY and Kai went for a hug and Bayley acted like she wasn’t into it as the four hugged. Bianca Belair’s music hit, then, and Belair spoke to the trio from the entrance way. Belair said she doesn’t forgive Damage CTRL. Belair said tonight, she’s going to “have to whoop all three of y’all.” Charlotte Flair’s music hit and Charlotte walked out to stand with Belair. Belair said someone else was upset that Sane joined damage CTRL. Asuka’s music then hit and out came Asuka, who spoke in Japanese. Asuka then said that nobody is ready for Asuka in English. Turns out, a six-woman tag team match will now happen later in the show.
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– A Dragon Lee vignette aired.
Dragon Lee defeated Cedric Alexander [5:49 of TV time]
I’m convinced they only ran this back because Alexander is the only person on WWE’s main roster who can take Dragon Lee’s finisher in a natural, pretty way, but that’s enough cynicism from me (for now). For nearly six minutes, this was a lot of fun, and I tend to get a kick out of “This is awesome!” chants for matches like this in WWE anymore because it makes me think … “Hey, they could book more of this type of stuff if they want to,” but they never seem to do that. If Dragon Lee vs. Cedric Alexander becomes the go-to match for both guys on SmackDown every other week for the next six months, I won’t complain. Let’s just see the entire match next time, guys. Please?
The match was joined in progress from commercial and Alexander hit a dropkick before landing a tope suicida on Lee, who was on the outside. Back in the ring, Alexander hit a tornado DDT for a two-count. Alexander chopped Lee. Alexander landed a running elbow and a dropkick to a sitting Lee for a two-count. Lee came back a bit and Alexander was on the outside. Lee landed a dive onto Alexander and rolled Alexander back into the ring, where Lee hit a sit-out power-bomb for a two-count.
Lee ran and Alexander and Alexander launched Lee halfway across the ring and into the turnbuckles. Alexander followed that up with an elbow and the two traded strikes. Alexander kicked Lee in the head to end that, but Lee came back with a German Suplex and a kick to the head of his own. There was a weird Spanish Fly-type move that Lee took the worse of and Alexander got a nice near-fall out of it. The crowd chanted “This is awesome!” Lee kicked Alexander in the head again and dropped his knee pad to run at Alexander, but Alexander caught him with a Michinoku Driver. Alexander went for a Lumbar Check, but Lee countered and Kneed Alexander. Lee then hit his finisher for the win.
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– Kevin Patrick said Rey Mysterio is being treated at a “local medical facility,” and from there, a video package chronicling the Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio match from Crown Jewel aired.
The LA Knight/Grayson Waller segment
Two of WWE’s best talkers doing their best talking. The belief, it seems, was that Knight could lose to Reigns and get his heat right back as long as they gave him a microphone for 10 minutes on the following SmackDown, and that’s exactly what happened. Waller was good foil for him, too, and while the ensuing match might not be a mat-classic, it will at least serve the purpose of keeping Knight in the spotlight. Presumably, at least. Let’s see how it goes.
LA Knight came to the ring and stood there, soaking in cheers from the crowd. Knight then gave them the “Let me talk to ya” catchphrase. Knight said Crown Jewel didn’t go exactly as he hoped for. Knight said he could say he was sorry for not living up to the expectations. The crowd chanted “That’s OK!” Knight said he did what he said he was going to do – he took Roman Reigns within an inch of his championship and he had Reigns for the 1-2-3, if not for Jimmy Uso. Knight told Reigns to give Jimmy a raise and a promotion because if Jimmy wasn’t there, the world would be looking at a new champion right now. Knight said he wasn’t going to the back of the line because he’s not done with the Bloodline and the Bloodline isn’t done with him. Knight said he will own the WWE championship and he went on a little more until Grayson Waller’s music hit and Waller walked out.
Waller said Knight was embarrassing himself. Waller said Knight was blaming everyone but himself. Waller said Knight needed honesty. Waller said the truth is that Knight is maybe just not the guy. Waller said he knows someone who is the guy. Knight called Waller “Kangaroo Jackass.” Waller asked Knight if Knight really thought he belonged in the ring with Roman Reigns. Knight responded with a question of his own: Does The Grayson Waller Effect sound like an STD? The crowd yelled “Yeah!” Knight called Waller a creep and said Waller shouldn’t be allowed within 50 yards of a high school. Knight mocked Waller for his social media stuff. Knight told Waller that Waller was dealing with an angry Knight and Knight hit Waller with his microphone. Knight spilled Owens’s water onto Waller near the commentary table and did his catchphrase with the crowd.
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LA Knight defeated Grayson Waller [11:22]
Man, you can tell that the WWE decision-makers really do believe in Grayson Waller. Waller got so much shine here, it was almost refreshing to see (because you knew there was no way Knight was losing this coming off the Crown Jewel defeat). Good on Knight, too, for being so generous. In all, this was a fine-enough television match. Nothing special. Nothing egregious. You forget how green Waller should be at this point in his career because Waller keeps looking like he belongs. Good on him for it.
Knight had control early and worked Waller’s shoulder. Waller retreated to the outside and Knight went after him. Knight slammed Waller onto the apron and rolled Waller back into the ring. Knight hit his slingshot shoulder-block for a one-count. Knight landed a swinging neck-breaker for another one-count. Waller hit a discus elbow and then took control with a series of strikes. Ultimately, Knight back-body-dropped Waller over the top to the outside. Knight slammed Waller’s head off the commentary table repeatedly. Waller came back by running Knight into the commentary table as well as the ringside steps. Waller then landed a sliding clothesline and the show went to a commercial break.
When the show returned, Waller still had control inside the ring, working a chin-lock. Waller ran Knight into the ring post and worked a single-leg crab over the top turnbuckle. Waller then worked a single-leg crab in the middle of the ring. Waller went to the second rope and hit an elbow for a two-count. Waller went back to the well, but Knight moved and Waller hit the canvas. Waller went for a rolling cutter, but Knight countered into a back suplex. With the two back on their feet, Knight landed a series of punches and, before long, a leaping clothesline, a Russian Leg Sweep and a DDT for a two-count. Waller jumped at Knight, but Knight caught Waller for a bodyslam. Knight then hit his elbow and the BFT for the win.
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– After a couple video packages, it was revealed that Solo Sikoa will be back on SmackDown next week.
– Austin Theory and Grayson Waller walked down to ringside to confront Kevin Owens. Theory pushed Owens. Waller dumped a bottle of water onto Owens. Owens chased Waller and Theory up the entrance way. Owens went for a Stunner on Theory, but instead gave a Stunner to Waller. I suppose this means Owens will now be suspended, via Nick Aldis’s stipulation for Owens working commentary.
– Jimmy Uso was shown backstage and said if LA Knight wants him next week, he can have him. Jimmy then got on the phone to the Tribal Chief. There wasn’t much that came from it. Either way, next week will feature LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso. Also next week, Solo Sikoa will return.
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Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY & Kairi Sane) wrestled Charlotte, Asuka & Bianca Belair to a no-contest [8:16]
The match was irrelevant, so let’s get into what matters. I don’t know, man. I’m kinda into it. It’s like the NWO before it started to suck. Five of the best women WWE has to offer should run all over everyone else, and I’m here for it (as long as they … well … do it better than latter-day NWO). This was here only to set up Damage CTRL as a Real Deal group and it worked. Conventional wisdom this suggests a women’s War Games match in some way, though I do wonder who the other babyfaces will be (Jade Cargill is one, but who might be the other?). All told, this was very much a worthy main event segment and I’m intrigued to see how things go from here. Good stuff, really. All the way around. Good stuff.
Belair and Bayley started the match and Belair landed her springboard moonsault early on. Belair hit a splash on Bayley and SKY on the outside. Charlotte then hit a big boot on Sane and Asuka, Charlotte and Belair posed as the show went to its final commercial break of the night. Whent he show returned, Charlotte landed a fallaway slam on SKY, who got up and tagged in Sane. Belair then tagged in and hit a shoulder-block to take Sane down. Belair unloaded on Sane and hit a vertical suplex. Belair tried to Suplex Sane over the top rope, but Sane blocked it and pretty much all of Damage CTRL either distracted the referee or attacked Belair so they could get the upper hand.
Sane went to the top and hit a flying punch for a two-count on Belair. SKY tagged in and then Bayley tagged in and worked over Belair. Bayley ran at Belair, but Belair disposed of Bayley and went for a hot tag, but Sane pulled Charlotte off the apron. Bayley rushed back into the ring and hammered away at Belair. Belair eventually hit a spine-buster on Bayley to get the hot tag to Asuka, but … wouldn’t you know it, Asuka pulled away and misted Belair. Asuka then kicked Belair in the head and hugged Sane. SKY, Asuka and Sane hugged and Bayley hugged them, too. Charlotte tried to fight back, but the bell rang, signaling a no contest. Shotzi ran down to the ring, but Damage CTRL got the best of her, too. Sane landed the Insane Elbow on Belair and the heels, complete with Asuka as a member of the faction, stood tall to end the show.
Following his loss at Crown Jewel, LA Knight will be back in action on SmackDown this Friday night.
WWE has announced that Knight vs. Grayson Waller will take place on Friday’s episode of SmackDown. The match was set up by an interaction between Knight and Waller on social media.
In a tweet, Waller mocked Knight for losing to Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. Waller said that, if Knight wants to stay relevant, he can become Waller & Austin Theory’s new manager.
“Seems @RealLAKnight is in desperate need of the Grayson Waller Rub after Roman ran through him at Crown Jewel,” Waller wrote. “Luckily A-Town Down Under is a very handsome team, so maybe he can go back to managing some real stars to keep relevant.”
Knight then posted a video responding to Waller. Knight said he talked to SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis and had a match made against Waller for Friday’s show.
The multi-year undisputed WWE Universal title reign of Roman Reigns will continue after he defeated LA Knight in the main event of Saturday’s Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.
The bout featured plenty of interference, first by Paul Heyman early on and then by Solo Sikoa who distracted the referee as Jimmy Uso appeared and took Reigns out of the ring to help him avoid danger. Knight eventually took out Uso, but got nailed with a Superman punch and spear for a nearfall.
Uso interfered again by putting Reigns’ foot on the ropes after a Knight BFT and pin attempt. Knight again had to turn his attention to Uso and put him through a table. Reigns took advantage by spearing Knight through a barricade and then a spear back on the inside of the ring for the pin and win in just over 20 minutes.
This was Knight’s first shot at any WWE World title after previous shots at the U.S. belt. He has yet to hold any WWE gold.
For Reigns, it’s the latest conquest in a title reign that has lasted over 1160 days. He’s the longest Universal titleholder in company history, and has the longest reign of any WWE titleholder since 1988.
WWE returns to Saudi Arabia on Saturday where both of WWE’s World titles are on the line.
Roman Reigns will wrestle for the first time since SummerSlam, taking on LA Knight. Since making his return to SmackDown following a hiatus, Knight has made it clear he wants to be the one that ends Reigns’ historic reign with the championship.
Seth Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight title against Drew McIntyre. Rhea Ripley has attempted to get involved with both Rollins and McIntyre, saying Judgment Day could help either one of them walk out as champion. Both have rebuffed Ripley, but Rollins doesn’t trust McIntyre based on his recent actions.
Other title matches will see Ripley defend her Women’s World Championship in a five-way against Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Raquel Rodriguez. Logan Paul will make his WWE return, challenging Rey Mysterio for the United States title. IYO SKY will defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair.
John Cena will also be in action, taking on Solo Sikoa while Cody Rhodes will face Damian Priest. The kickoff pre-show match will have Sami Zayn take on JD McDonagh.
Join us for live coverage starting at noon ET.
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Kickoff pre-show: Sami Zayn defeated JD McDonagh
Simple, effective WWE match. They weren’t given a ton of time for it to be really good or anything, but it was clear this was designed for Zayn to get a nice win.
After some back and forth early, Zayn went for a monkey flip into the ropes. McDonagh didn’t go all the way and landed on the ropes awkwardly. Zayn teased the blue thunder bomb but McDonagh bailed to the apron, where he was able to cut off Zayn.
McDonagh developed a very nasty looking bruise on his abdomen as he was cut off the corner by Zayn. McDonagh came back with a jawbreaker and went for a superplex. Zayn fought him off, but McDonagh connected with a dropkick as Zayn was coming off the ropes, scoring a nearfall. Zayn came back with a big lariat. McDonagh made a brief comeback but Zayn connected with an exploder into the turnbuckle then hit the blue thunder bomb for the win.
Seth Rollins defeated Drew McIntyre to retain the World Heavyweight title
This was an excellent opener, a real classic WWE style main event with some great nearfalls.
McIntyre started off with momentum, taking down Rollins. The two traded chops until McIntyre hit a suplex. Rollins hit a running knee coming off the apron then went for a suicide dive, but McIntyre caught him in midair and connected with a belly to belly suplex.
McIntyre continued to chop Rollins in the ring until Rollins started firing back with some of his own. McIntyre hit a kick for a nearfall. Rollins ended up being on the ropes, cutting off McIntyre, landed back on his feet and connected with a kick to the head. Rollins connected with a knee and launched off with a rolling senton and a lionsault for a nearfall.
Rollins connected with the falcon arrow and went for a superplex, but as Rollins rolled through McIntyre countered with a suplex of his own for a nearfall. McIntyre then with the future shock DDT for a nearfall. Rollins started a comeback, hitting a suicide dive. McIntyre responded by ramming Rollins back first into the steel steps, with announcers putting over his bad back. McIntyre then gave Rollins a side slam into the apron.
Rollins countered McIntyre and hit the pedigree for another nearfall. He went for the stomp, but McIntyre escaped and hit another belly to belly. McIntyre called for the claymore but Rollins countered with a superkick and the stomp, but McIntyre still kicked out. Rollins went for the phoenix splash but McIntyre hit the claymore for a good nearfall. Rollins then came back, hitting another pedigree and the stomp for the win.
After the match, Damian Priest came to the ring and told the referee he wanted to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase. However, a hooded person came out of the crowd and attacked Priest, revealing themselves to be Sami Zayn. The segment ended with Zayn leaving with the briefcase.
A dejected Drew McIntyre was seen sulking backstage following his loss. Rhea Ripley smirked at him as she walked away.
Rhea Ripley defeated Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, Zoey Stark, and Shayna Baszler to retain the Women’s World Championship
Good, but these type of matches all feel pretty patterned at this point, with everyone needing to do one tower of doom spot, everyone going for their finishers toward the end, and so on. Still, this was a good match.
Pinfalls were attempted early. Jax dragged Rodriguez out of the ring. Baszler, with the help of Rodriguez, took out Jax with a suplex. Ripley and Jax went at it, but Jax overpowered her and hit a legdrop for a nearfall.
Baszler got in double heel hooks in Ripley and and Rodriguez and attempted to choke out Jax, but Stark broke it up and scored a nearfall on Baszler. Stark went to the top rope but Ripley cut her off. It soon turned into the superplex of doom spot you see in almost every WWE multi-person match you’ll ever see.
Ripley and Rodriguez covered and were knocked off the apron by Stark, who did a springboard dive to the floor and connected with a missile drop kick on Ripley. She went for the Z360, but Jax broke it up. He laid out Baszler and went for the Banzai drop but Rodriguez caught her and hit the Tejana bomb for a nearfall. Ripley went for the riptide, but Baszler came in with the kirifuda clutch.
Ripley was going for the riptide on Stark off the top rope, but then saw Rodriguez cover Baszler. Ripley planted Stark on top of Rodriguez then covered Baszler for the win.
Solo Sikoa defeated John Cena
This got pretty repetitive toward the end where Cena either went for his finish or Solo went for his finish over and over again. Gotta say though, if you’re going to put someone over strong, this is the way to do it.
Cena and Solo started off with some brawling. Solo gained control with some headbutts. After a few minutes in control, Sikoka went for the spike, but Cena countered with an AA attempt. Sikoa quickly cut him off and hit a running hip attack into the corner.
Sikoa went for the spike again but this time Cena countered into the STFU. Sikoa escaped and regained control, hitting another hip attack in the corner. Cena eventually started to make his signature comeback, hitting the five knuckle shuffle. Sikoa dodged the AA and hit a Samoan drop for a nearfall. Cena came back with a crossbody for another nearfall.
Sikoa went for the spike again but Cena cut him off and hit a chokeslam. Another AA attempt, but Sioka this time hit the spinning Solo. Another spike attempt, this time Cena countered with the STFU again. Solo made it to the ropes and finally hit Cena with the spike, then another, then a third, and a fourth. Solo grabbed Cena on the floor then repeatedly gave him the spike before finally pinning him.
Cena eventually recovered in the ring and got a standing ovation from the crowd as he walked to the back.
The Miz came out for an unannounced edition of Miz TV. He introduced his guest, Ibrahim Al Hajjaj, who Miz said had the highest grossing movie in Saudi Arabia. Micheal Cole called him one of the greatest actors in the Middle East. Hmm.
Grayson Waller quickly interrupted and started to put down Miz and put over the Grayson Waller Experience. Hajjaj said he was here to be on the hottest show on WWE TV, Miz TV. Waller told Hajjaj to get out of his ring. Waller attacked Hajjaj and kicked him out of the ring. Miz attacked Waller. On the apron, Hajjaj connected with a kick and Miz laid out Waller with the skull crushing finale. Hajjaj then hit the people’s elbow. A segment purely for the SA audience.
Logan Paul defeated Rey Mysterio to win the WWE United States title
This took a while to get good, but it did get good eventually until the finish, which was pretty weak. You can at least give the “entourage member” a name. Paul did some good spots during the match at least.
After some back and forth early, Paul took down Mysterio and held him on the ground. Paul connected with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Mysterio dodged a charge in the corner and hit a suicide dive to the floor. Back in the ring, Paul managed to connect with the buckshot lariat for a nearfall.
Paul missed a right hand and walked into a Mysterio crossface. Paul made it to the ropes. Mysterio went for a moonsault but Paul barely managed to catch Mysterio before slamming him. Paul then hit a very cool-looking fallaway slam moonsault for a nearfall.
Mysterio gained the advantage and tried for a 619, but Paul grabbed him. Paul lifted Mysterio on his shoulders but Mysterio counters and hits a sunset flip bomb, then followed with a code red. Suddenly, someone from Logan Paul’s entourage (who was not named) gave Paul some brass knux. Paul got posted by Mysterio as Paul’s entourage member attempted to give Paul the knux back. However, Santos Escobar emerged. Cole referred to the entourage member as “that jerk Jason” as he was chased away by Escobar.
Escobar, however, had left the knux on the apron, allowing Paul to grab them again. As Mysterio was going for the 619, Paul blasted him with the knuckles and pinned him.
IYO SKY defeated Bianca Belair to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
This was good until Bayley came in. Was pretty much a House of Torture match after that where every other spot was a distraction. I feel like I’ve seen this rerun before where Bayley and SKY tease not being on the same page. But it looks like there’s something to the tease this time with Kairi Sane making her WWE return.
Belair started off hot, attacking SKY around the ring and hitting a vertical suplex for a nearfall. SKY cut her off and began working on Belair’s knee, which had been injured in storyline. Belair hit a series of suplexes but SKY cut her off. After putting Belair in a leglock, SKY went for a senton but Belair dodged.
Belair hit multiple bodyslams and hit a knee to the gut. SKY regained control briefly but Belair cut her off with a suplex. Bayley then emerged on the apron as Belair missed a dive and SKY got a nearfall. SKY seemed surprised that Bayley was at ringside. SKY used Belair’s own hair to attack her then hit a big moonsault to the floor. Belair managed to cut off SKY with a glam slam but Bayley kept repeatedly getting involved. At one point, SKY accidently took out Bayley.
The finish had Belair being in control when suddenly Kairi Sane made her WWE return, attacking Belair. The referee teased counting out Belair, but she made it back in after 9 only to be laid out by a moonsault by SKY for the win.
After the match, SKY and Sane repeatedly attacked Belair. Bayley, who was still recovering at ringside, was surprised by Sane’s arrival.
Cody Rhodes defeated Damian Priest
This was fine. Crowd was super into it but for the third match in a row there was tons of interference towards the end and by this point on the show, it started to get exhausting.
Rhodes started off hot, but Priest managed to cut him off at ringside. Rhodes floated over Priest but landed on his injured ankle, allowing Priest to get the advantage. Rhodes came back with the disaster kick. They made their way to the announce table, where Priest managed to lay out Rhodes with the reckoning. Back in the ring, Rhodes fired back with the crossrhodes.
Oh my word, for the upteenth time in a row someone has come out to distract people. This time it’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. Balor distracted the referee as JD laid out Rhodes long enough for Priest to hit the South of Heaven chokeslam. Dominik Mysterio came out with a chair. Jey Uso then came out and supericked Mysterio. Rhodes made a comeback, and hit a Cody cutter from the top rope for a nearfall. Rhodes then hit three crossrhodes for the win.
Roman Reigns defeated LA Knight to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal title
This ended up being pretty good, but again there was lots of interference at the end. You expect that in most Roman Reigns matches, though. They pushed hard that LA Knight belonged on Reigns’ level and he was booked strongly despite losing.
Knight started off strong with punches but Reigns immediately cut him down. Knight came back with a shoulder block on the apron and slammed Roman down. As Roman consulted with Heyman, Knight hit a baseball slide to the floor and took down Roman with a clothesline off the apron. Reigns regained control and slowly began his offense, whipping Knight into the turnbuckle hard.
Roman laid down and applied a hold as he started to cut his monologue. Reigns spent a whole lot of the early part of the match doing a move then reacting to the crowd. Knight cut him off and hit a top rope bulldog, but Roman regained control and went for the Superman punch. Knight blocked the first attempt, but was laid out with a second attempt for a nearfall.
Reigns attempted a spear, but Knight leapfrogged over him and went for a superplex. Reigns knocked Knight off, but Knight leaped back on the turnbuckle and connected for a nearfall.
In the fourth interference spot in a row, Solo Sikoa distracted officials as Jimmy Uso dragged Reigns out of the ring. Knight attacked Jimmy but Reigns hit a Superman punch on the outside then hit Knight with a spear for a nearfall.
Reigns applied the guillotine to Knight, but night escaped, cut off Reigns and hit the BFT. Jimmy emerged again and put Reigns’ foot on the rope before the referee counted to three. Knight attacked Jimmy and eventually put him through a table. Reigns speared Knight on the outside through the barricade, took him back into the ring, then speared Knight again to retain his title.
Final Thoughts:This was a pretty good show, with Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre being the standout match. There was just way too many interference spots for my liking.
Maybe it’s because I focus more on posting news than doing reports like this but man did this show open my eyes on the amount of distraction finishes WWE does. AEW has been just as guilty recently too. That isn’t a great trend and can become a real crutch, as evidenced by this show.
