Gunther is happy to see Ludwig Kaiser break out on his own in WWE.
We’ve seen more of Kaiser as a singles wrestler lately, though he’s out of action right now after suffering broken ribs during his match against Bron Breakker on the June 24 episode of Raw. A video package aired last week with Kaiser vowing to get revenge on Sheamus for interfering in the match.
In an interview with Gorilla Position, Gunther — Kaiser’s friend and Imperium stablemate — was asked how proud he is of Kaiser for taking advantage of these recent opportunities.
“Oh, very,” Gunther responded. “And to me it’s no surprise because I always saw that in him. I think what it took was that kind of like he saw that in himself a little bit. I think that was the biggest step for him. And now he has the chance to do his own thing and go out there and make a name for himself just on his own. And I’m very pleased to be able to witness that first-hand. I think he’s just getting started. The next years are going to be very exciting when it comes to the things he’s going to do.”
Though they aren’t always together on television, Gunther says Imperium still exists as a duo with him and Kaiser. They will be there for each other if the storyline calls for it.
“I mean, it’s a duo right now. But I think it’s important now that he does things on his own,” Gunther said. “We’ll always have that bond and always stick together when it’s necessary. That won’t change, but that also doesn’t mean we always have to be seen together every minute on television. I think everybody is aware that there’s a connection. And there’s no reason to assume that it’s not there anymore. But I’ve always been big about handling my matches myself without wanting or needing help. He’s going to do the same now, and I think that’s a very good experience to make and it’s a very good path to follow. If things get dangerous or difficult for me or for him, we always know we can rely on each other.”
Giovanni Vinci was a member of Imperium previously but got kicked out of the group when Kaiser turned against him earlier this year.
At SummerSlam next month, Gunther will challenge Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight Championship. He earned the title shot by winning WWE’s King of the Ring tournament.
Kaiser announced the injury on Monday’s WWE Raw in a video package. Kaiser was legitimately injured in a match against Bron Breakker on the June 24 Raw, with some reports indicating that it caused him to be pulled from the final men’s Money in the Bank qualifying match on this week’s show.
In the video, Kaiser attributed the injury to Sheamus interfering in the match, setting up a program between the two for when Kaiser returns from injury. Kaiser defeated Sheamus on the June 3 Raw in their last meeting.
Sheamus hit Kaiser with a Brogue Kick on the floor during the match with Breakker last week, causing a DQ. Kaiser was holding his ribs throughout the contest prior to the interference from Sheamus. The actual injury appeared to occur while taking a clothesline from Breakker over the announce table:
Ludwig Kaiser was injured in his match against Bron Breakker on WWE Raw.
The referee can be seen checking on Kaiser multiple times throughout the match on Monday, although it is not clear when he sustained the injury. Our own Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that he heard Kaiser was hurt but does not know to what extent.
“He was hurt but I don’t know how serious,” Meltzer said.
According to WrestleVotes, Kaiser was originally planned for the Money in the Bank qualifying match on next week’s show but has been replaced by Ilja Dragunov.
“Unfortunately I’m hearing Ludwig Kaiser suffered an injury tonight on RAW during his match with Bron Breakker,” WrestleVotes wrote. “Prior to the injury, Ludwig Kaiser was to compete in the MITB qualifier next week vs Sheamus & Drew McIntyre. As shown on RAW, Ilja Dragunov will now be in that spot.”
Kaiser vs. Bron Breakker went to a no-contest after interference from Sheamus. Kaiser defeated Sheamus on the June 3 show and then interfered in Sheamus’ match against Breakker on the June 17 Raw.
Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser has been added to the lineup for Monday’s show. A match featuring the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions has also been added.
The match between Breakker and Kaiser comes after Kaiser interfered in Breakker’s match against Sheamus last week. Breakker paid Kaiser back by spearing him outside the ring.
this Bron Breakker spear on Ludwig Kaiser was hands down one of the craziest spears in pro-wrestling history.
WWE Raw on Monday takes place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Last week, it was reported that WWE is closing in a deal to bring a future SummerSlam, WrestleMania, and Royal Rumble to the city at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Five matches are now confirmed for Raw this week including two Money in the Bank qualifying triple threat bouts.
WWE Raw (Monday, June 24) —
Men’s Money in the Bank qualifying match: Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed vs. Chad Gable
Women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match: Lyra Valkyria vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane
John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the latest major topics in the world of professional wrestling on this week’s Fight Game.
We kicked off the show with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week. Then, we went through our Top Five topics of the week which included discussions on the following:
WWE Clash at the Castle preview
Ricochet’s future
Bron Breakker vs. Trick Williams and who could be the bigger WWE star in five years
Update on what Mexican talent can work on the same shows as other Mexican talent, the recent changes and how they’ve gone down and the current political situation leading into Forbidden Door
Looking at WWE Clash at the Castle and NXT Battleground
Update on Forbidden Door, ticket demand and AEW’s top programs
Conor McGregor and UFC 303
Full report on UFC 302, business and match-by-match coverage
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s 10-point plan to strengthen New Japan Pro Wrestling. We look at where the company stands and its obstacles as Tanahashi hits the six-month mark as President
Death of El Signo and the heyday of Los Misionero de la Muerte
A look at episode one of Who Killed WCW?
The most detailed look at the ratings for all pro wrestling and MMA television shows over the past week including competition, key demos, segment-by-segment, analysis, standing and how it compares with one year ago.
New promotion gets weekly television on a top 20 station starting in one week, as well as being on the verge of a second deal
Celebration of 20 years of Mistico shows
Arena Mexico continues big crowds
Dream Gate title change
A look at the Dominion show this week
Update on next week’s show featuring talent from a number of major promotions including a rematch of one of this year’s best matches
More on the B Block finals and semifinals of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament
Gable Steveson tries the NFL and how this very much differs from other former top level wrestlers who have had NFL success
Missy Hyatt talks Vince McMahon and details her own experience with him
Wrestling book writers Hall of Fame
AEW star challenges for British title
Notes on MLW Battle Riot
GCW has a major weekend
Update on TNA office cuts and changes
Mike Santana talks about battling drinking issue
Notes on people whose contracts are expiring and updates
Chuck Taylor and his hopes of returning to the ring
More details on AEW doing a residency in Arlington, TX and the economics behind it
Kevin Kelly talks his AEW departure and issues with Ian Riccaboni
Story behind the Collision rating report
International TV ratings
Why certain wrestlers haven’t been on AEW TV of late
Another AEW star comes out publicly
More on the Cung Le antitrust lawsuit settlement
Just how much Saudi Arabia is paying for these big events
How UFC & WWE are doing record grosses
Mark Shapiro talks about how Dana White reacted to the merger and talks about White’s previous problems with Vince McMahon
How McMahon first saved UFC and then became a powerful enemy
Former WWE stars talk about how talent is paid now, why not getting booked is better for your paycheck and how easily it is to get around WWE drug testing
Updated King of the Ring and Double or Nothing PPV notes
Reports on WWE weekend house shows
This week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter back issue
In an interview with Sportskeeda, Ludwig Kaiser named Randy Orton as one of his dream opponents:
Somebody like Randy Orton definitely to me would be somebody that would be so special. To me, the absolute very, very best probably ever. Such a legend to me. Definitely always somebody I looked up to even when I was a teenager.
Mark Henry told Fightful that AJ Styles reached out to him after last week’s fake retirement angle on SmackDown. The segment paid tribute to Henry’s fake retirement from 2013. Henry said:
I loved it. I feel a sense of pride when I’m being honored, and WrestleMania, Bianca Belair did a Mark Henry spot and walked up the steps and pressed her opponent into the ring. Whenever people do stuff like that, Braun Strowman did it several times, I just feel a sense of accomplishment. You feel like a proud papa, and I got a text message from AJ Styles saying, ‘Man, I hope I made you proud.’ It made my eyes well up. So having an effect on people, it’s sometimes greater than you doing it yourself. I don’t know if I explained that properly. I felt in my heart enough to make me tear up, so that was pretty damn special.
During an interview with WAVE News in Kentucky, Cody Rhodes discussed how much he loves going from city to city as champion:
I think one of the things I really love is the fact that I am able to go city to city. Whereas the WWE Champion prior to myself, the man I defeated, Roman Reigns, the Tribal Chief, was not on every city. He wasn’t making it to every show. And I’ve had the opportunity to be able to bring it, and for a year, I felt like I was the champion without the belt. I was everywhere, promising them, ‘Hey, I’m gonna bring you the WWE Championship’. It feels good when you can fulfill your promise and go back to these places and bring this [title].
Stephanie Vaquer will defend her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against La Catalina at CMLL’s Fantasticamania Mexico show on Friday, June 21. Tony Khan announced that, if Vaquer loses the title, her match against Mercedes Mone at Forbidden Door will only be for the TBS Championship. Mone vs. Vaquer is currently scheduled to be title vs. title.
I said this to somebody not too long ago – if I die and I don’t get in another legitimate fight, I think I’m going to be a little bit sad.
I don’t want to go out and fight all the time or anything like that. But, like, if I die and don’t get in another fight, I think there is going to be a part of me that’s a little bit sad by that. So there’s just something innate in humanity that’s like – we like to wrestle. Wrestle for play or whatever it is. That’s part of who we are as humans.
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor responded to Danielson’s comments by challenging him to an MMA fight: “As another man willing to get in to a legitimate fight, I hereby challenge @bryandanielson to a mixed martial arts fight. Let’s have some fun!”
Tay Melo tweeted that she would love to wrestle Becky Lynch if Lynch ever came to AEW: “She is such an inspiration, got back after pregnancy and showed everyone you can be a mom & have a successful career.. and I would LOVE to wrestle her.”
PWInsider reports that the NWA is set to hold a live event in Queens, New York this fall. It will be the company’s first New York City show of the Billy Corgan era.
Trevor Lee will make his Black Label Pro debut at the promotion’s Old Habits Die Screaming show in Chicago on Friday, July 26. Jordan Oliver has called out Lee for a match at the event.
Raj Dhesi (former WWE star Jinder Mahal) is set to challenge Kevin Ku for the Black Label Pro Championship at Old Habits Die Screaming.
Yeah, my body said, ‘Man, f*ck your plan.’ My back said, ‘Listen, we going to your house, right?’ Yeah, I guess we’re going to go into the house. Like, my back gave out. It just never allowed me — and I can probably have a surgery. I keep putting it off, because I just want to keep moving around. But eventually I’m gonna have to just go get it fixed.
Inaugural WWE Speed Champion Ricochet retained his title against Tyler Bate in a match that aired last Friday. Today, WWE Speed was back with a new episode. Tommaso Ciampa defeated Ludwig Kaiser to advance in a four-man number one contender’s tournament. Ciampa will face either Andrade or Karl Anderson in the next round. The winner of that advances to challenge for Ricochet’s title.
Ciampa vs. Kaiser was taped in Saudi Arabia before SmackDown last week. Ciampa hit the Fairytale Ending and pinned Kaiser with six seconds left on the clock.
Last Friday’s SmackDown episode also included an appearance by Ciampa. DIY (Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) confronted The Street Profits and said they want the next shot at Grayson Waller & Austin Theory’s WWE Tag Team titles. If that means having to go through The Street Profits to get there, so be it.
Andrade vs. Anderson airs on WWE Speed next Wednesday (June 5). The episode will premiere on X/Twitter at noon Eastern time.
WWE Speed features bracket-style competition where matches have a three-minute time limit. That is expanded to five minutes for title matches.
After their loss to the New Day on Monday’s Raw, Ludwig Kaiser consoled Vinci as they recovered in the ring. Kaiser helped Vinci to the outside where suddenly he drove Vinci into the side of the ring, attacking him. Kaiser set up Vinci on the ring steps as officials came to ringside to try and break up the fight. At first, Kaiser complied, walking to the back. However, he did an about-face and bolted back to ringside, hitting a running dropkick to Vinci’s head over the steel steps.
Following the assault, Kaiser entered the gorilla position where he met with Gunther, who had left the two following their loss. Gunther seemed pleased by Kaiser’s actions.
Gunther, Kaiser, and Vinci have been associated with one another on the main roster since Vinci returned as part of Imperium at Clash at the Castle 2022. In recent months, Gunther at times had been displeased by Kaiser & Vinci’s losses.
On Monday, Gunther declared for the upcoming King of the Ring tournament, with the finals taking place in Saudi Arabia on May 25.
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada before Monday’s episode of Raw.
Natalya defeated Xia Li (4:38)
Natalya winning in Montreal makes all the sense in the world and she was over with the crowd here who appreciated her getting her hand raised.
It’s matches like these where you can really tell that there are new hands at the wheel. Not that long ago, they would have done some pathetic nod to the Montreal Screwjob to further water down its impact and have Natalya lose, embarrassingly. This was not the case here, though, thankfully.
What perhaps hasn’t changed, however, is how expendable talent can be to the company. Not three days after this show was taped, Li was let go and so this turned out to be her last match in her current run with WWE.
Like most Natalya matches, it was built around her hunting for the Sharpshooter. Li worked over her left leg, though, as though it would be a way to stop her from being able to lock in the submission finisher.
After a series of back-and-forth roll-up attempts, Natalya ducked Li’s Cyclone Kick attempt and then pounced to lock in the Sharpshooter for the win.
Ludwig Kaiser defeated Otis (5:57)
Ludwig Kaiser continued to impress in singles action, while Otis clocked up another loss, making it two defeats in as many weeks for him on Main Event.
The early going saw Kaiser try and fail to lift Otis but then was able to dodge a charge so that Otis posted himself. Kaiser then used a dropkick to send Otis to the outside and they went to the ad break.
Kaiser postured to the crowd a lot as if he had this one in the bag and so with cheap heat came the inevitable turnaround of fortunes as Otis nailed him with a power slam.
The live crowd enjoyed Otis’ shirt rip and his caterpillar which gained him a near fall when Kaiser got his foot on the bottom rope.
In the end, Kaiser raked Otis’ eyes which was enough to allow him to set up for his running kick finisher and get the win.
Not quite what you would expect here as it felt a little short and it seemed likely that Otis would get the win, but it’s now perhaps more interesting to see what they do with him after Chad Gable turned on Sami Zayn.
WWE real-life couple Tiffany Stratton and Ludwig Kaiser both attended the premiere of Bianca Belair and Montez Ford’s Love & WWE Hulu reality TV show just a day after making their respective debuts in the women’s and men’s Royal Rumble matches.
Stratton, the former NXT Women’s Champion, has been officially called up and added to the SmackDown roster as of Friday. She entered the Rumble at no. 29 and lasted just under seven minutes, eliminating Roxanne Perez.
“It was a crazy day as you can tell by my voice, It’s gone, but I was so nervous all day. When I went out there, all the nerves went away and I just did what I knew and it was amazing. It was everything that I could ask for,” she said.
In the men’s Rumble, Kaiser entered at number 12 and made history as the first-ever German to compete in that match.
“Obviously, (it was) a great experience, especially an event like the prestigious Royal Rumble. Looking back at the history of it, how many great legends have all participated throughout history…for myself yesterday, I actually got to write some history. I was the very first German ever in the Royal Rumble which is an amazing privilege and honor to me and 2024 has really started off great for me. We’re both determined to make this our year,” he said.
You can watch our brief interview above on YouTube.
A couple of new matches have been added to the card for Monday’s episode of Raw.
Kofi Kingston vs. Ludwig Kaiser and The Miz vs. JD McDonagh will both take place on Raw this Monday night (January 8). Raw general manager Adam Pearce posted a social media video today announcing the bouts.
🚨 🚨 🚨 @ScrapDaddyAP has two BIG match announcements for this Monday's #WWERaw… 👀
There was an angle on Raw last month where Imperium attacked Kingston while he was dressed up as Santa Claus. Jey Uso made the save for Kingston.
On Raw earlier this week, Kingston & Uso defeated Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci in a tag match. It ended in an unplanned stoppage after a spot where Kingston kicked Vinci in the face with a dropkick. Vinci tweeted that he was fine after the injury scare.
Kingston’s New Day tag team partner Xavier Woods has been banged up but is expected to be back on the road with WWE soon.
Miz & R-Truth defeated McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio in a tag match on Raw earlier this week.
Monday’s Raw is taking place from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. An appearance by CM Punk is part of the lineup for the episode:
CM Punk appears
Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defend against Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania before Monday’s episode of Raw.
One poor and one good match this week, but it was a show that had a variety of fresh faces and was all the better for it.
Veer & Sanga w/Jinder Mahal defeated Noam Dar & Oro Mensah w/ Lash Legend & Jakarta Jackson (6:02)
Despite there being a lot of people in and around the ring, that traffic didn’t translate into much of an exciting match. It was largely slow and methodical interspersed with sporadic moments of pace.
For a while there, Veer was a Main Event regular, but this was just his second Main Event appearance as part of Indus Sher. For Mensah, it was his Main Event debut, and he did well.
Jinder Mahal looks very comfortable in the elder statesman role because he’s a very experienced performer now who has worked at the top level and been in big title matches in the past.
Dar and Mensah tried their best to inject some action into the match, but it quickly became a series of slow double-team moves from Veer and Sanga, cutting the ring in half and using quick tags. Everything was made to look bigger than it was, with the camera kept low to make even an elbow drop look damaging.
Dar got a hot tag after Mensah had been destroyed for a while, but this was quickly thwarted as he and Mensah tried to get Veer off his feet. Veer reversed it into a double suplex in what was probably the highlight of the match.
In the end, Sanga held Dar up as if he was going to use a backbreaker while Veer came off the second rope with a leg drop and they got the win from there.
Ludwig Kaiser defeated Apollo Crews (7:11)
This was a much stronger match than the opener as Kaiser and Crews were great together. It was a genuine 50-50 bout with a real smoothness about how they worked.
While this match marked Kaiser’s Main Event debut, Apollo Crews has been here many, many times before. Yet, it was Crews’ first televised match since August, in a summer where he was a show regular.
They worked quickly together in the opening couple of minutes, but went to an early commercial break when Crews clotheslined Kaiser over the top rope to the floor.
When they came back, although there was a brief rest hold, it was all action as both men tried to get the win. Crews used a belly to back suplex to get some separation and as he was mid-air, Kaiser threw out out his hands in desperation. There’s a lot to like about Kaiser and his instincts are clearly very good.
After Crews hit his standing moonsault, he went up to the top rope. Kaiser had it scouted and nailed Crews with a kick to the head. At some point here Kaiser had bloodied his nose, but it made it look all the more cool when he hooked in his finisher and glared at the hard cam.
He held Crews a bit like you would for a Sister Abigail, but hooked his arm behind Crews’ neck so that he could transition into a DDT to get the win.
There was a lot to like and enjoy here but, sadly, I don’t think Kaiser is about to become a Main Event regular anytime soon.
With the road to WrestleMania nearing its destination, tonight’s SmackDown takes place from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Dominik Mysterio promises to confront the entire Mysterio family to provoke his father Rey into accepting his WrestleMania 39 challenge. Dominik has tried different approaches to goad his father into a fight, including mocking Rey’s upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction. However, Rey refuses to wrestle Dominik under any circumstance.
Rey Mysterio is also set for action when he takes on LA Knight tonight.
Ahead of challenging for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes goes one-on-one with Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser. Rhodes challenged Kaiser on The SmackDown LowDown after Kaiser claimed Gunther should have won the Royal Rumble.
Gunther will appear tonight for a contract signing. Gunther, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus will make their triple threat Intercontinental title match official for WrestleMania.
We’ll also get a KO Show segment with the reunited Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn tonight. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– A video package recapped last week’s Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens reuniting angle. On Raw, Owens, and Zayn challenged The Usos for a title shot.
*******
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes defeated Ludwig Kaiser (w/Giovanni Vinci) (16:27)
Rhodes beat Kaiser in a terrific opener. They built the match around Rhodes risking an injury before WrestleMania. They had a lot of time to tell a good story and work at a fast pace with a hot crowd.
The fans broke into a loud “Cody” chant at the bell. After a lock-up, Kaiser backed Rhodes into the corner. Rhodes recovered and picked up Kaiser into a delayed vertical suplex. He held him up for a while before dropping Kaiser face-first. That’s when Paul Heyman walked to ringside as they went to a break.
During the break, Rhodes hit a superplex. Kaiser recovered, targeting Rhodes’s leg. Rhodes fired up and beat Kaiser against the commentary table. Kaiser regained control, choking Rhodes on the middle rope. Vinci caught Rhodes with a cheap shot, allowing Kaiser to score a two-count.
Kaiser caught Rhodes with a sliding uppercut. Rhodes took back over with a disaster kick. Rhodes set up for the pedigree when Solo Sikoa walked out, distracting Rhodes. Kaiser took advantage with a chop block.
Rhodes and Kaiser collided in the middle of the ring. They struggled to their feet and traded shots. Rhodes got the better of Kaiser with a power slam for a near fall. Vinci threw in his jacket, distracting the referee, allowing Imperium to work together. The commentators completely missed the spot.
Rhodes went for the crossroads, but Kaiser countered with a roll-up for a near fall. Rhodes fought back with a Cody cutter and the crossroads for the win.
After the match, Heyman and Sikoa jumped on the apron. Heyman got into the ring, apologizing to Rhodes for Samantha Irvin’s announcement of his win. Heyman made the announcement again but praised Roman Reigns.
Heyman noted Rhodes as one bump in the road before taking on Reigns, Solo Sikoa. If he can somehow get passed Sikoa on Monday’s Raw, Rhodes takes on Reigns at WrestleMania. Heyman announced that Reigns would be on SmackDown next week to meet Rhodes face-to-face.
Rhodes was mad that Heyman interrupted the fans singing his song. He reminded Sikoa that he’s not ready for Cody. The fans broke into a loud “He’s not ready” chant. Rhodes promised that Reigns is going to learn that he’s not ready for Cody, either.
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Michael Cole announced John Cena vs. Austin Theory is the first match of WrestleMania weekend on Saturday, April 1st.
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The Match Flo of the Week recapped the Charlotte Flair-Rhea Ripley angle from last week.
Charlotte Flair Segment
Flair came to the ring to discuss her match with Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania next weekend. Flair mentions she’s a 14-time world champion. She didn’t build her career on fear, insecurities, or nepotism. She’s heard that line many times, but the business isn’t built on fear. It’s built on respect.
Flair admitted that she has insecurities. However, she doesn’t fear Ripley, but she respects her. She respected Nikki, Brie, Sasha, Bayley, Trish, Asuka, and Ronda, but she didn’t fear them.
The fans started chanting “What?” at Flair. It’s safe to say that Flair didn’t appreciate that chant. She was furious and noted this was important to her. Flair mentioned nepotism and her father. Flair will never apologize for continuing her family’s great legacy. It doesn’t matter if you like it or don’t, because you’ll learn to love it. She ended by saying diamonds are forever, and so is Charlotte Flair.
********
LA Knight defeated Rey Mysterio (11:01)
Knight beat Rey in a short, fun match. The real story was the hot angle after the match. Dominik pushed Rey over the edge when he yelled at his mother and sister at ringside. The fans gave the angle a giant reaction, especially when Rey finally hit Dominik. Rey accepted Dominik’s WrestleMania challenge, making the match official.
Rey Mysterio hugged his wife and daughter, Aalyah, at ringside during his entrance.
They showed the popular Las Vegas act Piff the Magic Dragon at ringside.
Knight got another good reaction. Mysterio used his speed early to avoid Knight. He caught Knight with a drop kick and ten punches in the corner. Knight tossed Mysterio in the air, slamming him down to gain control. He followed with a jumping neck breaker for a near fall.
The fans broke into a “Rey Mysterio” chant. That morphed into dueling “Rey Mysterio” and “LA Knight” chants. Mysterio recovered and hit Knight with a sliding dropkick. He then hit a baseball slide into a splash on the floor.
In the ring, Mysterio set up for a moonsault when Dominik Mysterio’s music hit. Dominik walked to ringside, distracting Rey. Knight took advantage and knocked Rey off the top rope as they went to a break. They repeated the exact same spot from the Cody-Kaiser match when Solo Sikoa distracted Rhodes earlier.
Knight was firmly in control as he rocked Rey with a boot to the face. Knight missed an elbow, allowing Rey to hit a springboard bulldog. He followed with a seated senton and a springboard crossbody for a near fall. Knight hit a running power slam but dropped Mysterio behind him. The fans broke into a loud “619” chant.
Rey hit a DDT and set up for the 619. Knight countered. Rey went for the 619 on the other side of the ring. Dominik tripped up Rey, allowing Knight to schoolboy him for the win.
After the match, Dominik got into the ring and demanded Rey accept his WrestleMania challenge. Rey refused again and left the ring. walking up the aisle. Dominik turned his attention to his mother and sister at ringside. He got in his mother’s face and blamed her for Rey being a deadbeat dad. Dominik added that his mother’s a deadbeat mother.
Aalyah heard enough and got in Dominik’s face. He called his sister stupid, angering his mother. Dominik got in his mother’s face again and shouted at her to shut up. Rey marched back to ringside and hit Dominik to a gigantic pop. Rey yelled at Dominik that he made him hit him. He didn’t want to hit him, but Dominik should never yell at his mother. The fans popped again. Rey finally accepted Dominik’s challenge to another massive pop. Awesome angle. The fans even broke into a “Yes” chant.
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Cole and Wade Barrett discussed Andy Kaufman’s Hall of Fame induction.
WrestleMania Showcase Qualifying Match: Natalya & Shotzi defeated Lacey Evans & Xia Li (3:37)
Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan watched the match from ringside.
Evans and Li isolated Shotzi on their side of the ring. Evans knocked Natalya off the apron. Of course, Shotzi made a comeback but had nobody to tag. The heels quickly regained control.
Shotzi made her own comeback against both heels. Evans accidentally hit the woman’s right on her own partner Li. Shotzi took Evans out with a suicide dive. Natalya and Shotzi hit the Hart Attack on Li. Natalya then locked the sharpshooter for the win. Natalya and Shotzi qualify for the women’s four-way at WrestleMania.
After the match, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler came to ringside. Baszler mocked both teams and offered to fight them right now. Rousey stopped Baszler and feels they did enough in Vegas. Vegas doesn’t deserve anything else from them. Baszler announced they’re in the four-way showcase match at WrestleMania 39.
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WrestleMania 39 Intercontinental Title Match Contract Signing
Drew McIntyre made his entrance before the break. Back from the break, Adam Pearce introduced the participants. Sheamus didn’t wait and entered with Ridge Holland and Butch. Sheamus discussed how McIntyre betrayed him and challenged Gunther for a title shot.
McIntyre noted they beat the hell out of each other last week. They should have gone to the bar after, but Sheamus is too sensitive. McIntyre noted he knows he can beat Gunther. He also knows that Sheamus can’t beat Gunther.
Before they could fight, Pearce convinced them to sign the contract. That’s when Gunther’s music hit. He marched to the ring and got in Pearce’s face. He wanted Pearce to justify making him defend his title against McIntyre and Sheamus. Gunther signed the contract. He promised to beat McIntyre, Sheamus, Holland, and even Butch. Butch was fired up the moment he came to ringside. He lost his cool and jumped over the table onto Gunther. Sheamus and Holland pulled Butch off, as Gunther yelled at Pearce.
Gunther beat Butch in an excellent hard-hitting TV match, although It as wasn’t good as their previous encounters.
The match started during the break. Gunther took Butch’s head off with a brutal kick. Gunther followed with a rough slam and a sickening chop. Butch tried fighting back, but Gunther hit a suplex. Butch rocked Gunther with forearm shots. Gunther absorbed the shots and destroyed Butch with a hard chop.
Butch went for an arm bar. Gunther reversed into a Boston crab, transitioning into the cross-face. Butch tried to attack Gunther’s fingers. Gunther responded with a chop. Butch fought back with an enziguri. Gunther recovered and destroyed Butch with another chop. He placed Butch on the corner and stepped on his head. Butch fell to ringside, hitting the stairs.
Back from the break, Gunther went for the ten beats of the bodhran, but Butch fought back. Gunther locked on a sleeper. Butch broke free with a kick to the back. The fans broke into a brief and faint “Bruiserweight” chant.
Butch missed a moonsault, landing on his feet. Gunther rocked Butch with a chop, sending him to the announce table. McIntyre, Sheamus, and Gunther faced off at ringside. Gunther avoided Butch, who collided with McIntyre.
A brawl broke out a ringside. McIntyre and Sheamus traded shots. Gunther took advantage of the distraction to hit the last symphony on Butch for the win.
After the match, Gunther and Sheamus faced off. McIntyre flew in and hit the claymore on Gunther. Cole wondered if the claymore was meant for Sheamus.
******
– In the back, The Street Profits discussed the four-way showcase match at WrestleMania. They made fun of Ricochet and Braun Strowman for being bald. Ricochet and Strowman approched. Both teams promised to win at WrestleMania.
*******
The KO Show with Sami Zayn
Another hot angle to end SmackDown featuring Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn heading into WrestleMania next week.
Kevin Owens entered first to a big pop. He then introduced his friend and brother, Sami Zayn. Zayn got a giant reaction with a loud “Sami” chant. Owens asked Zayn if he did the introduction the way he wanted. Owens claimed Zayn wanted his own entrance so he could get a separate pop.
Zayn didn’t want to talk about the backstage stuff. Instead, Zayn wants to talk about their friendship and knowing each other all these years. Zayn’s excited because they have the chance to beat The Usos at WrestleMania for the titles. Owens has a present for Zayn and pulled out this year’s “KO-Mania” t-shirt. Owens called Zayn the MVP of the WWE, noting he carried the company.
However, this year isn’t about “KO-Mania.” Owens revealed that “KO-Mania” is on the back of the shirt. Instead, the front of the t-shirt has “Wrestle-Zayn-ia.” The t-shirt overjoyed Zayn. Zayn wanted another hug. Owens claimed Zayn only gets one hug a year. Owens finally gave in when The Usos jumped Zayn and Owens. The Usos beat down Owens and Zayn to a ton of heat to end SmackDown.
******
Next Week: WrestleMania SmackDown features Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes meeting face-to-face. Also, Drew McIntyre & Sheamus take on Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci.
Plus, The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal returns with participants: Bobby Lashley, LA Knight, Xavier Woods, Baron Corbin, Karrion Kross, Bronson Reed, Johnny Gargano, Madcap Moss, Elias, Rick Boogs, Mustafa Ali, Dolph Ziggler, The Brawling Brutes, Dexter Lumis, Santos Escobar, Hit Row, Los Lotharios, Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Maximum Male Models, and Legado Del Fantasma.
Cody Rhodes is set for another singles match on the road to WrestleMania.
A match between Rhodes and Ludwig Kaiser will take place on SmackDown next Friday (March 24). The bout was set up when Imperium’s Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci interrupted an interview with Rhodes on The SmackDown LowDown.
Kaiser mockingly called Rhodes a “hero” for entering the Royal Rumble last and eliminating Gunther, who had been in the match for more than an hour. Kaiser said all Rhodes proved is that he’s pathetic. Kaiser called Gunther the future and said Rhodes is all hype.
Rhodes proposed that he and Kaiser face each other on SmackDown next Friday, and Kaiser accepted the challenge.
This will be the first time Rhodes and Kaiser have ever faced each other.
Rhodes is challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39. Gunther will defend his Intercontinental title against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a triple threat match at the event.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is hosting SmackDown next Friday. Here’s what’s been announced for the show:
At Saturday’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view, Giovanni Vinci rejoined Imperium and reunited with his stablemates Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser. Vinci had left the faction shortly before Gunther and Kaiser were called up to SmackDown this April.
Vinci and Kaiser brawled with Ridge Holland and Butch as Gunther’s Intercontinental title defense against Sheamus began. Officials broke up the brawl and Vinci, Kaiser, Holland, and Butch were sent to the back, leaving Gunther and Sheamus to go at it one-on-one with no one at ringside.
Despite rejoining Imperium, Vinci is still going by the name “Giovanni Vinci.” He previously went by his real name Fabian Aichner until being repackaged in NXT earlier this year.
Gunther retained the Intercontinental title against Sheamus at Clash at the Castle, pinning him after hitting a powerbomb and a lariat. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick near the finish, but his back gave out following all of the punishment he had taken in the hard-hitting match.
Vinci and Kaiser returned to ringside after the match to celebrate with Gunther. When they left, the crowd gave Sheamus a standing ovation.
