I have a great DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show for you this week starting off with a fun entry into the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament where you, the listener, voted between Sting and Kurt Angle.
Then, we go back to 1931 at Madison Square Garden where Dick Shikat upset the order of things by shooting on people.
The show rounds out with a look at December 1984 in Southeastern Championship Wrestling where a small crew are doing memorable things. Lord Humongous is in town, Arn Anderson is on his way out, Jerry Stubbs is Mr. Olympia again, and Pat & Randy Rose are the top tag team.
Travel issues prevented World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest from making his scheduled appearance at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.
Priest was supposed to defend his title against Jey Uso in a dark match after WWE SmackDown went off the air. But, despite trying his best to be there, Priest was unable to get to New York City for the show. His flight was delayed due to plane issues. Just before 7 p.m. Eastern time, Priest sent out a tweet apologizing to fans and informing them that his plane had still not taken off.
“Unfortunately the honor of main eventing The Garden is not possible tonight,” Priest wrote. “Still haven’t taken off. Stuck on a plane in a runway. Very disappointed and apologies to my people. This one hurts. Enjoy the show! #SmackDown I’m sure will be awesome.”
The dark match main event was instead a street fight where Uso defeated Finn Balor. There was also a dark match where The Miz & R-Truth defeated Pretty Deadly.
As World Heavyweight Champion, Priest is one of the top stars on the Raw roster. He’s putting the title on the line against Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank on July 6. The winner will then defend against Gunther at SummerSlam.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown is going to be a memorable moment for Logan Paul.
Paul will make his Madison Square Garden debut when he competes on tonight’s SmackDown from New York City. He’s facing off against LA Knight and Santos Escobar in a triple threat Money in the Bank qualifying match.
On social media, Paul posted a photo from Madison Square Garden and wrote that wrestling at the World’s Most Famous Arena is a dream come true.
“I posted this five years ago, Madison Square Garden, in 2019. I said I will fight right there soon,” Paul said. “Five years later your boy is wrestling front and center at Madison Square Garden tonight.”
Prior to tonight, Paul has only ever wrestled on SmackDown once, winning an Elimination Chamber qualifying match this February. All of his other matches have taken place at WWE PPVs/PLEs. If Paul qualifies for Money in the Bank, it will be his second straight year competing in the men’s ladder match.
This week pro wrestling historian Karl Stern takes a look at more wrestling history from Madison Square Garden in New York with more on Jim Londos as the world champion, the remaining bracket for the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament (GKT) is discussed, a 1980’s wrestling magazine article on The Road Warriors in Japan, and the life and death of Rex King from the Southern Rockers/Well Dunn tag team.
All this and more wrestling history from DragonKingKarl.
After nearly 10 years, CM Punk returned to WWE in-ring action at MSG.
WWE held their annual post-Christmas house show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday. In a match that took place fourth from the top, Punk defeated Dominik Mysterio with the GTS which, according to Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso, went around 13 minutes.
After the match Punk cut a brief promo saying that while there was a small part of himself thinking this was about him, his return is actually about all of the fans.
“This isn’t me finishing my story,” Punk said at the end of the promo. “This is me getting started.”
This was Punk’s first match back in WWE since re-signing with the company during Survivor Series weekend. Punk is also advertised to face Mysterio at a house show at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on December 30.
Here are the full results from Tuesday’s house show courtesy of Sports Illustrated:
Becky Lynch defeated Zoey Stark. Lynch pinned Stark around the eight minute mark following the manhandle slam.
Kofi Kingston defeated Ludwig Kaiser. Kingston won with the Trouble in Paradise.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter defeated Chelsea Green and Piper Niven to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles
Omos defeated R-Truth in less than a minute. MVP said he would pay R-Truth money if he could knock Omos off his feet. He failed.
Rhea Ripley defeated Shayna Baszler and Ivy Nile in a three-way match to retain the Women’s World Championship. Ripley pinned Baszler to retain the title.
Finn Balor and Damian Priest defeated Sami Zayn and Jey Uso to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.
CM Punk defeated Dominik Mysterio. Punk won with the GTS.
Ricochet defeated Bronson Reed. Ricochet won in just over three minutes.
Cody Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a bull rope match
Seth Rollins defeated Drew McIntyre in a no DQ, no count-out match to retain the World Heavyweight title. After the match, Rollins dedicated his win to the memory of Brodie Lee and Bray Wyatt.
Job Listing: Onlamp php/mysql developer. Experience with vbulletin and drupal/WordPress a plus. Email [email protected] with subject PHP DEVELOPER with resume.
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Monday News Update
Bryan and I did a special show today covering the major announcements today regarding Paul Levesque running creative and the Vince McMahon issues, and how that changes a lot of dynamics of the wrestling world. We will be back with another show.
The Wall Street Journal reported that The Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors have launched inquiries into payments made by Vince McMahon to settle allegations of sexual misconduct.
Raw is tonight at a sold out Madison Square Garden. There are 13,300+ tickets out as of this morning. Earlier today the get in price for the show was $139. Keep in mind there was no great secondary market demand at all a few days ago. With all the news of the day, most feel this will do a huge rating. Smackdown did 2,256,000 viewers and an 0.62 in 18-49. When you have these “scandal” days where the ratings go up, the increase is heavily in the 18-49 age group so that would be expected. The Friday 18-49 number was Smackdown’s best since January pre-Rumble when a lot more people are watching television. There isn’t a lot advertised, just the Rey Mysterio 20th anniversary show with Rey & Dominik vs. Damian Priest & Finn Balor, Logan Paul doing his Impaulsive TV interview segment and Roman Reigns and Ronda Rousey have both been advertised locally with Reigns pushed hard for television.
We’re looking for reports from WWE’s house show in Utica, NY, last night, as well as both NXT weekend shows in Melbourne, FL and Cocoa, FL with results, highlights, finishes and any other major happenings to [email protected] We’re also looking for dark match notes or anything off the air from MSG tonight.
We’re also doing our weekend poll on the ROH PPV show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
I’ve got a number of media appearances scheduled over the next few days. I’ll be doing the Sports Illustrated Jimmy Traina podcast this week as well as WPIX morning news in New York tomorrow. I did CNN on Saturday.
Miz & Mrs. will have its final two episodes of the season airing on USA at 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. It most likely gets the benefit of a big lead-in.
The XFL, headed by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia., sent out a press release announcing the season opens February 18, 2023, with teams ni Arlington, TX (Bob Stoops coaching), Houston (Wade Phillips coaching), Orlando (Terrell Buckley coaching), Las Vegas (Rod Woodson coaching),San Antonio (Hines Ward coaching), Seattle (Jim Haslett coaching), St. Louis (Anthony Becht coaching) and Washington DC (Reggie Barlow coaching). Season tickets are being put on sale today.
The G1 Climax continues tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. from Korakuen Hall with Great-O-Khan vs. Chase Owens (B bock), KENTA vs. Evil ((C block), Tom Lawlor’s G-1 debut against Lance Archer (A block) and David Finlay vs. Juice Robinson (D block).
Aussie Open became the first New Japan Strong tag team champions yesterday beating Yuya Uemura & Christopher Daniels in the finals of the tournament in Charlotte, NC at the Grady Cole Center. It was said to be a great match (thanks to John Edwards)
Other Notes
Kaito Ishida announced today that he was leaving Dragon Gate. He had been frustrated over the booking change.
The Gathering III on 8/4 to 8/7 at the Hilton University Place in Charlotte, NC has announced a giant lineup of people including Jacques Rougeau, Kim Duk, Mike Enos, Wayne Bloom, Paul Roma, Shane Douglas, Francine, Tito Santana, Haku, Ricky Morton, Paul Ellering, Nikita Koloff, Marc Mero, Jerry Jarrett, Sandman, Jeff Jarrett, The Mulky Brothers, The Berzerker, Bill Apter, Tonga Kid, Masked Superstar, Krusher Khrushcev, Gunner, Stan Hansen, Bill Dundee, Lodi, Brooklyn Brawler, Robert Fuller, Ted DiBiase, Ken Patera, Tugboat, George South, Magnum TA, Torrie Wilson, PCO, Jim Valiant, Kevin Sullivan, Kimberly, Bret Hat, 2 Cold Scorpio, The Fulton Brothers, Baby Doll, Sam Houston, Tommy Young, Jimmy & Ronnie Garvin, Scott Norton Baron Von Raschke, Warlord, Barbarian, Teddy Long, Tony Garea, Robert Gibson, Rachael Ellering, and Nick Aldis.
Garden State Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Newark,NJ: Alan Angels b Kevin Blackwood (first round of GSPW title tournament), Heather Monroe & Bailyan Akki b Dark Sheik & Jai Vidal, Titus Alexander b Calvin Tankman (tournament first round) Jordan Oliver &Charlie Tiger & Griffin McCoy b Marcus Mathers & Reid Walker & Austin Luke, Tayak Valkyrie b Trish Adora to retain the AAA Reina de Reinas title, Bryan Keith b Effy (first round tournament match)),Robert Martyr b Davey Richards (first round tournament match), Miyu Yamashita won three-way over Janal Kai and Billie Starkz, Konosuke Takeshita d Josh Alexander.
Defy Wrestling comes to Tacoma, Wa on Friday with Christopher Daniels va. Adam Brooks for the Interim Defy title, Ortiz of AEW vs Cody Chhuhn, Bollywood Boyz vs. Midnight Heat in a Mumbai street fight plus Levi Cooper (Tucker from WWE), vs. Guillermo Rosas, Su Yung vs. Rebel Kel, and Ethan HD vs. No Way Jose. Only standing room tickets are available.
Rooted in Wrestling from Saturday night in Alameda, CA: Karisma b Scarlett Rose, Dash Riprock b Boyce LeGrande, Dom Cirrus b Levi Shapiro, Anna Diaz b Brittany Wonder to win the women’s title, Shane Kody b Super Diablo, Daga won three-way over Mecha Wolf and Rey Genesis, Gangrel b Jeckles, Tasha Steelz b MJ Jenkins, Carlito b Juicy Finau,Moose b Cody Hall, Jacob Fatu & Sionne Finau & Journey Fatu b JTG & DD Fresh & Alpha Zo. Tonga Kid hit JG with a chair after the match (thanks to Mike Lano)
Roman Reigns has been added to WWE’s return to Madison Square Garden this summer.
Madison Square Garden in New York City announced today that Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Reigns will be appearing when Raw takes place at Madison Square Garden on Monday, July 25. Reigns originally wasn’t advertised for the event.
Reigns has also been added to the Friday, July 22 episode of SmackDown at TD Garden in Boston.
As part of a new contract he’s signed with WWE, Reigns will be working a reduced schedule going forward. Dave Meltzer spoke about Reigns’ new schedule on an episode of Wrestling Observer Radio last week:
Basically, Roman Reigns is not gonna be on every pay-per-view. He’s off the Chicago show [Hell in a Cell], [which is] the next pay-per-view on June 5. He will be doing pay-per-views this summer. Even though he was removed from all the advertising after June 24 I believe it is — yeah, June 24 in Austin. He’s been removed from all advertising from house shows, TVs, everything except for the two stadium shows [Money in the Bank and SummerSlam], but he will do TVs to build up those shows. So it’s not like he’s not gonna be on TV, but he’s not gonna be doing a lot of dates. And from what I understand, the shows he will be on, eventually — probably sooner than later — they’ll start advertising him. So the dates will be known, it’s not like it’s gonna be like they’re gonna put him on TV without advertising him. But that’s the basic situation.
On this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, we travel back in time to the pioneer era of wrestling — 1877 — to see the first actual non-tournament pro wrestling cards at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
At this point, MSG was still known as Gilmore’s Garden but these shows were drawing sizable crowds for the day. James Owens, Charles Murphy, William Miller and Prof. Thiebaud Bauer all competed there. There was even a championship belt at stake.
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Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Garrett and I did our weekend show already today and talked about a number of different topics including how the audience for WWE and AEW has changed over the past year, Brodie Lee, the Brodie Lee tribute TV show, Hook, Cody Rhodes and answering questions.
As things stand right now, it is most likely Garrett and I will be doing tomorrow night’s show covering Raw and Bryan and I will be back on Wednesday.
Today is the one-year anniversary of the death of Jon Huber aka Brodie Lee. With the benefit of hindsight, the Jon Huber tribute show that AEW put on, for what it was supposed to be, was among the best television wrestling shows in history.
Big E wrote this for today about Jon Huber: “One year ago today, Jon Huber, one of my best friends on earth, passed away. I still have a dozen things I want to text him every day. I still remember the way he would type out laughter in text (“ha ha ha.”). I still have the play-by-play of his son’s amateur wrestling performance in my phone, as Jon anxiously & proudly watched on. The dream of driving fifteen minutes to his Tampa house for Sunday dinners when we retired still lingers. There will still never be anyone to fill his shoes. As painfully tragic as this has all been, there’s so much good to reflect on. I’m so grateful that so many people have made a commitment to keeping Jon’s memory alive. I’m so glad he so enriched the lives of so many people in and out of this profession. Brodie (he was always “Brodie” to me), the laughs we shared far surpassed the tears I’ve shed over you. I hope we all continue to honor you in the way you deserve. I still miss you and will always love you, my friend.”
WWE returns to the road with shows tonight in Madison Square Garden and the Amalie Arena in Tampa. Due to issues with a number of COVID positives, there will be key people missing on both shows. PW Insider reported that WWE sent Natalya, who is on the Smackdown side, to the Raw show in MSG and that they are trying to bring in Edge for a house show appearance due to those missing the show. Natalya on social media confirmed being on the way to the show.
We are looking for reports on both of today’s shows as well as all the shows this week including tomorrow’s Raw in Detroit and the Smackdown brand house show in Orlando. We’re looking for results, finishes and other highlights to [email protected]
Tonight’s MSG show may be the lowest attended show in the building in decades. There were less than 5,800 tickets out as of Thursday and because of business relationships, there would be more of those comped than any other arena they would run a house show in. This is with a show advertised around the first time there had ever been two cage matches on a cad in the building. Tommaso Ciampa vs. Pete Dunne for the NXT title will be on all the Raw brand house shows this week starting with MSG tonight.
Planned for Raw, and everything is subject to change due to and Omicron strain of COVID spreading, is A.J. Styles vs. Omos, Damien Priest vs. Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. title, Finn Balor vs. Austin Theory, Randy Orton vs. Otis and Miz and Maryse renew their wedding vows. If Montez Ford is cleared they will do the finals of the tag team tournament from a few weeks ago with the Mysterios vs. Street Profits, also depending on if Vince McMahon changes his mind.
Becky Lynch is appearing on the TMZ Merry Effin’ Christmas special tonight on FOX.
SB Kento appeared to have injured his knee at today’s Dragon Gate show. Kento & Hyo won the Open the Twin Gate titles at today’s show at the Fukuoka International Center Arena from Naruki Doi & Takashi Yoshida. Kai beat Yamato in 27:16 to win the Open the Dream Gate title in the main event.
For Wednesday’s Stardom PPV from Sumo Hall in Tokyo with the Utami Hayashishita vs; Syuri no time limit rematch, it will be on PPV. We should have more details on this tomorrow but there will be English broadcasting from Stewart Fulton and Waka Tsukiyama (who will likely join in match three since she’s working on the card).
On the DDT show at Yoyogi Gym, Konosuke Takeshita retained the KO-D title over Yuji Okabayashi and Harashima & Naomi Yoshimura beat Yuji Hino & The Bodyguard. Was told the Takeshita vs. Okabayashi match was great.
42-year-old Takanori Gomi, who last fought at 172 but fought most of his career at 155, faces Tenshin Naskuawa, who usually fights at 124 pounds and is a 23-year-old kickboxing star as the featured match of the traditional Rizin New Year’s Eve show at the Saitama Super Arena. It will be a two round exhibition fight under boxing rules. Nasukawa, who fought Floyd Mayweather under boxing rules at the New Year’s Eve show on December 31, 2018, has said he will be leaving kickboxing for boxing.
WWE
A stock analyst article on WWE. Not much to it, basically just that the stock has underperformed over the last six months. The big rally was when rumors flew that there may be a sale.
UFC
Kai Kara France vs. Askar Askarov is earmarked for the 3/26 show.
Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev has been added to the 3/19 show. Valev replaces Umar Nurmagomedov. Share comes into the fight with a 15-0 record.
OTHER NOTES
A list of names scheduled for WrestleCon in Dallas in conjunction with WrestleMania include Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt), Mickie James, Scarlett Bordeaux, Atsushi Onita, Killer Kross, Sam Houston, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Tommy Rich, Ted DiBiase Jr., Honky Tonk Man, Chelsea Green, Brutus Beefcake, Maria Kanellis-Bennett, Swoggle, Brian Myers, Matt Cardona and Velvet Sky.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC announced a 3/11 fight in Miami with Kevin Lee vs. Diego Sanchez.
The 1/12 Invicta show will not be airing on AXS, even though Anthem Sports & Entertainment owns the promotion. It will instead air on YouTube and the MMA Junkie website. The main event has Alesha Zappitella vs. Jessica Delboni.
Petey Williams was originally scheduled for the Insane Wrestling Revolution holiday show on Wednesday in Monroe, MI but has bee pulled due to WWE commitments as he is now working for the promotion as a producer. Chris Sabin will be replacing him in a match with Trey Miguel to crown the group’s first U.S. champion. Other matches on the show include Madman Fulton vs. Dread King Logan, Rhino vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Game Changers, Sam Beale vs. Kenny Urban and Swoggle & Konnor are in action. (thanks to Paul Meade)
A correction from the Observer is that the Atsushi Onita vs. Bully Ray match on 3/26 at the 2300 Arena will not be an explosive death match. There will be a stipulation added but they won’t be doing an explosive match because it’s not safe indoors and they don’t want to risk bad explosions.
LFA has announced shows on 2/4 in Hammond,IN at the Horseshoe Casino, 2/11 in Phoenix at the Arizona Federal Theater on UFC Fight Pass, as well as 2/25 in Niagara Falls, NY at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.
A new NXT Championship match has been added to tonight’s WWE house show event in Madison Square Garden.
It was announced on Madison Square Garden’s Twitter that Tommaso Ciampa will defend the NXT Championship against Pete Dunne.
“JUST ANNOUNCED: @NXTCiampa defends his #WWENXT Championship against @PeteDunneYxB TONIGHT at #WWEMSG!,” they wrote.
Already scheduled for tonight’s show are two cage matches. Becky Lynch will defend the Raw Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair, while Big E will defend the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens in a triple threat match.
Ciampa in recent weeks has been feuding with Bron Breakker, rekindling their initial feud over the NXT Championship. The two will meet again in another title match at New Year’s Evil, a special edition of NXT that will take place on January 4. Pete Dunne, meanwhile, was laid out at the end of last Tuesday’s NXT, where Tony D’Angelo assaulted Dunne after Dunne defeated him.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
The Octagon returns to The World’s Most Famous Arena for the first time in two years, bringing a stacked card with two title fights, both of which are rematches between heated rivals in their respective divisions.
UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman defends against long-time rival Colby Covington in the main event. It is a rematch of their fight that took place at UFC 245 in December 2019, which saw Usman finish Covington in the fifth round of a fantastic fight. Usman has since defended the title three times, with a pair of wins over Jorge Masvidal and one over Gilbert Burns, while Covington has fought just once, a win over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, which came over a year ago in September 2020.
In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas defends against former champion Zhang Weili in another rematch. Namajunas scored a first-round knockout of Weili to win the title at UFC 261 in April, becoming a two-time champion. Weili has her chance to regain the title in this one, while also avenging her first loss in nearly eight years.
Also on the main card is an exciting and pivotal lightweight bout as Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler do battle in a fight that could determine the next title challenger at lightweight. The other two main card bouts see featherweights Shane Burgos and Billy Quarantillo do battle, and it opens with former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar taking on Marlon Vera.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT
> CJ Vergara (9-2-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ode Osbourne (9-4, 1-2 UFC) Flyweights* (Vergara missed weight by 1.4 pounds)
Vergara is making his UFC debut and missed weight. Osbourne lands the jab. Osbourne with a left hand. They trade in close range. Osbourne with a flying knee that just barely misses. They trade leg kicks. They trade punches after Vergara lands a left hook. Osbourne lands a left hand. Osbourne with some body kicks. Osbourne lands a left hand as Vergara lands a check right hook. Vergara lands a left hand. Osbourne lands a quick combo then a body kick. Osbourne shoots for a takedown and grabs a single leg. He lets go. They trade late. Vergara with a high kick that gets blocked. 10-9 Osbourne.
Osbourne lands a combo to start the second. Both are looking for openings. Osbourne with a left hook followed by a straight right hand. Osbourne with a left hand. Vergara throwing but not landing much. Vergara with a leg kick. Osbourne with a body kick. They trade in close range and Vergara gets the better of it with a left hook at the end. They trade in close and Osbourne gets a brief takedown but Vergara explodes up. Vergara bleeding a little as he lands a leg kick. They trade and Vergara lands a left hand. They trade and Osbourne gets Vergara down late and has the back at the end. 10-9 Osbourne, 20-18 Osbourne.
They’re trading to start the third and both land kicks. Vergara lands a right hand and Osbourne lands a right hand. Vergara coming forward and lands some knees to the body. Vergara lands a body kick and falls after getting hit from an Osbourne left hand but gets right up. Vergara pressing forward. They trade and clinch and Vergara lands a knee to the body. Osbourne with a left hook and a right hand. Vergara with a knee to the body. They scramble to the mat and Vergara is in the guard of Osbourne. Vergara with some body shots and then lands an elbow from the top. Vergara with some big elbows. Vergara with more ground strikes as he finishes the fight strong. 10-9 Vergara, 29-28 Osbourne.
Official Result- Ode Osbourne def. CJ Vergara by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Melsik Baghdasaryan (6-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Bruno Souza (10-1, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights* (Souza missed weight by 2.4 pounds)
Souza is making his UFC debut and missed weight. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza with a body kick. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Baghdasaryan lands a right hand. Souza with a high kick. Baghdasaryan lands a left hand. Souza with a body kick. Souza with a leg kick. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza shoots for a takedown but Baghdasaryan defending. Baghdasaryan with a knee to the body before they break. Baghdasaryan with a spin kick. They trade punches and Baghdasaryan with a body kick. 10-9 Baghdasaryan.
Souza with a right hand to the body. Baghdasaryan throws a high kick. They scramble for a moment. Baghdasaryan trying to land kicks and Souza is circling away from them. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza with a body kick as Baghdasaryan lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Baghdasaryan lands a left hand. Souza with a body kick and Baghdasaryan lands a nice left hand. Baghdasaryan lands a big uppercut and Souza is retreating away. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. 10-9 Baghdasaryan, 20-18 Baghdasaryan.
Baghdasaryan lands a left hand. Souza with a combo and lands a body kick. Souza with a leg kick. Souza with a right hand. Baghdasaryan lands a knee to the body. Baghdasaryan with the jab. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza with a knee to the body. Souza with a body kick. They have a wild exchange and Baghdasaryan with a knee to the body. Baghdasaryan lands a couple of kicks. Baghdasaryan with a body kick. They trade punches. They trade late. 10-9 Souza, 29-28 Baghdasaryan.
Official Result- Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Dustin Jacoby (15-5-1, 3-2-1 UFC) vs. John Allan (13-6 1 NC, 0-1 1 NC UFC) Light Heavyweights
Jacoby took this fight on Monday. Jacoby with a leg kick. Jacoby with a leg kick and Allan with another leg kick. Jacoby with a right hand. Allan with a leg kick. Jacoby with a leg kick. Jacoby with another leg kick. Allan with the jab. Allan with a leg kick. Jacoby with an eye poke. They get back to action and Jacoby lands a combo. Jacoby with a combo as Allan misses. Jacoby with another flurry. Jacoby with a body kick as Allan lands a leg kick. Jacoby with a head kick. He lands a leg kick. Allan with a combo. They trade late. 10-9 Jacoby.
Allan with a high kick. Jacoby landing the jab. Allan with a leg kick and lands a left hand. They continue to stand and trade and Jacoby landing the better punches. Allan throws and Jacoby backs up but Allan still landed a left hand. Allan with a combo. Jacoby landing the jab. Jacoby keeps pressing forward and they trade leg kicks. Jacoby with a combo and Allan lands a counter left hand. They both land and Jacoby with an uppercut. Allan with a left hook to the body and we have another eye poke. Jacoby with a leg kick after they get back to action. 10-9 Jacoby, 20-18 Jacoby.
Allan with a leg kick. Allan lands a right hand. Jacoby with a body kick. Allan with a leg kick. Jacoby with a low kick then a body kick. They trade punches. Allan lands a right hand. They both land punches. Jacoby with a high kick. Jacoby with the jab. Allan with a combo. Allan with a combo and a knee. Jacoby with a head kick. Jacoby with the jab and then a right hand. Allan with a left hand. Jacoby with a right hand and a high kick. Jacoby lands late. 10-9 Jacoby, 30-27 Jacoby.
Official Result- Dustin Jacoby def. John Allan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Gian Villante (17-13, 7-10 UFC) vs. Chris Barnett (21-7, 0-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Villante announced this would be his retirement fight. They trade kicks to start off. Villante with a body kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Villante with a head kick but Barnett blocks it. Barnett with a leg kick. Barnett with a body kick. Villante with another body kick. Barnett with two leg kicks. Villante with a left hook. Barnett with a left hand. Villante with a leg kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Villante with a kick and Barnett counters with an uppercut. Barnett with a flurry. Barnett with a couple of leg kicks. They clinch and Villante with some knees. 10-9 Barnett.
Villante with a body kick. Barnett with a heavy leg kick. Barnett with a left hand. Villante with a leg kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Villante with a high kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Barnett lands a spinning wheel kick to the head and Villante goes down. Barnett with some big punches and he finishes it. What a finish by Barnett.
Official Result- Chris Barnett def. Gian Villante by TKO (wheel kick & punches) at 2:23 of Round 2
> Ian Garry (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jordan Williams (9-5 1 NC, 0-2 UFC) Welterweights
Williams with a leg kick. Garry with a leg kick and Williams lands a combo. They trade punches. Garry with a high kick. They trade punches and Williams got the better of it. They trade punches. Williams slips on a punch but grabs a single leg and they tie up against the fence. Garry with some knees. Garry with some more knees and lands a few to the head. Garry with a right hand as they break. Garry with a high kick. Williams lands a right hand. Garry lands a right hand that hurts Williams bad and then a couple of other punches knock Williams out cold. What a finish and debut for Garry.
Official Result- Ian Garry def. Jordan Williams by knockout (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1
Shahbazyan with a leg kick. Shahbazyan with another hard leg kick. Imavov with a combo and Shahbazyan lands some left hands. Imavov with a right hand as Shahbazyan lands a leg kick. Shahbazyan with a combo and a leg kick. Shahbazyan lands a left hand and then another leg kick. Imavov with a right hand. They clinch and Shahbazyan pushes it against the fence. Shahbazyan working for the takedown and Imavov lands an elbow. Shahbazyan gets the takedown but Imavov has the guillotine locked in but Shahbazyan escapes and is in the guard of Imavov. Shahbazyan with some shots from the top. They scramble up. The clinch against the fence and Imavov with a knee. Imavov lands a right hand after they break. Imavov with a high kick. Imavov with an elbow as they’re clinched. Close round. 10-9 Shahbazyan.
Shahbazyan with a leg kick as they both miss punches. Shahbazyan with a combo and just misses an uppercut. Imavov with a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Shahbazyan looking for a takedown and Imavov looking for a standing guillotine. Shahbazyan is able to escape and looking for the takedown. Imavov has the guillotine locked in as they go to the mat. Shahbazyan is able to fight it off and Imavov has it locked in again as they stand but Shahbazyan escapes again. Shahbazyan now goes for a guillotine but Imavov gets off to side control. Imavov now in the guard of Shahbazyan. Imavov with a big elbow and Shahbazyan is cut open. Imavov lands another big elbow. They scramble but Imavov remains in side control and has the crucifix position and is landing punches. Imavov with some big elbows. More big elbows and it is stopped. What a finish by Imavov.
Official Result- Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO (elbows) at 4:42 of Round 2
> Phil Hawes (11-2, 3-0 UFC) vs. Chris Curtis (26-8, 0-0 UFC) Middleweights
Hawes with a right hand. Hawes with a body kick then a right hand. Hawes with a body kick and then another. He lands a right hand and then another front kick to the body. Hawes with a combo and Curtis is covering up. Hawes with some big body kicks. Hawes with a hard right hand. Hawes with an elbow then a body kick. Hawes with another right hand. Hawes with the jab. Hawes with another right hand then a knee to the body and another right hand. Hawes with more front kicks to the body. Hawes with a leg kick. They trade body kicks. Curtis lands a left hand and Hawes is rocked. Hawes then stumbles to the mat and the fight is stopped. What a finish and comeback from Curtis.
Official Result- Chris Curtis def. Phil Hawes by knockout (punches) at 4:27 of Round 1
> Al Iaquinta (14-6-1, 9-5 UFC) vs. Bobby Green (27-12-1, 8-7-1 UFC) Lightweights
Green with a leg kick. Iaquinta lands a punch and leg kick. Green with a right hand. Green with a right hook as Iaquinta was throwing. Green lands another right hand. Iaquinta with a right hand. Green drops Iaquinta with a jab followed by a right hand and is on top landing. Green with big punches and it is stopped. What a finish by Green.
Official Result- Bobby Green def. Al Iaquinta by TKO (punches) at 2:25 of Round 1
> Alex Pereira (3-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Andreas Michailidis (13-4, 1-1 UFC) Middleweights
Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira with another leg kick. Michailidis lands a leg kick. Michailidis shoots for a takedown and Pereira defends against the fence. Michailidis is able to get it down. They get to their feet and Michailidis still has the body lock. Michailidis trying to take the back and lands some right hands. Michailidis wearing himself on Pereira. Pereira with a knee to the body. They are broken up by Dan Miragliotta. Michailidis clinches right back up and grabs the fence. Pereira with some knees to the body. Michailidis is grabbing the fence again and eating knees from Pereira. 10-9 Michailidis.
Pereira with a flying knee drops Michailidis and some punches end it. What a finish. That is why he got signed.
Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis by TKO (flying knee) at :14 of Round 2
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> Justin Gaethje (#2, 22-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Michael Chandler (#5, 22-6, 1-1 UFC) Lightweights
They are swinging right away. They trade right hands. Chandler with a leg kick. Gaethje lands the jab. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with a leg kick. They trade right hands. They are swinging away and both tag each other. Chandler with a leg kick. Chandler with a leg kick and Gaethje with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with a left hook. Chandler with some big right hands. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a left hand. Chandler with a big knee. Chandler teeing off and they are trading against the fence and both hurt each other. Gaethje with a right hand. Gaethje lands an uppercut. Gaethje with a left hand. Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with an uppercut. They trade uppercuts to the body in the clinch. Chandler tries a takedown but to no avail. Gaethje with a leg kick. They trade punches. Gaethje with a leg kick. What an insane round. 10-9 Chandler.
Gaethje with a right hand and then a leg kick. Chandler with a right hand. They trade in close range. Chandler lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick and then an uppercut. Gaethje with a left hand and then drops him with an uppercut and is teeing off on the mat. Chandler tries a takedown to recover. Gaethje landing some punches from the sprawl position. Chandler is bleeding. They get up. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with the jab. Chandler lands an uppercut. Gaethje with a left hook. Gaethje with an uppercut. Chandler lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with an uppercut. Gaethje with another hard right hand. Chandler lands to the body. Chandler lands a right hand and there was an eye poke and we have a timeout. They get back and the round ends. 10-8 Gaethje, 19-18 Gaethje.
Gaethje with an inside leg kick. Gaethje with a hard leg kick. Gaethje with a right hand. Chandler lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with some body shots. Chandler with more hard body shots. Gaethje with a leg kick then a combo. Chandler gets a big takedown but Gaethje gets out of it and grabs the back and they stand. They break. Gaethje with the jab. Gaethje with a leg kick. They start getting wild. Chandler with a right hand and then Gaethje stuns Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a combo and then lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Nothing much happens in the last thirty seconds. Insane fight. 10-9 Gaethje, 29-27 Gaethje.
Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Shane Burgos (#14, 13-3, 6-3 UFC) vs. Billy Quarantillo (16-3, 4-1 UFC) Featherweights
They trade leg kicks. Quarantillo lands some uppercuts in a brief clinch. Quarantillo with another uppercut. Burgos with a right hand. Burgos gets the body lock and Quarantillo is landing to the body. They’re tied up against the fence. Burgos with some foot stomps. They break. Quarantillo with a left hook as Burgos lands a right hand. Quarantillo with the jab. Burgos with a leg kick. They trade right hands. Quarantillo landing the jab. Burgos is pushing forward and lands a leg kick. They trade hard right hands. Quarantillo goes for a takedown as Burgos lands some hammerfists to defend. They break away. Burgos lands a right hand that drops Quarantillo to his knees. Burgos then lands some to the body and works the jab. Burgos with a leg kick. Quarantillo with the jab. Quarantillo goes for a late takedown. Great round. 10-9 Burgos.
They trade hard punches to start the second. Quarantillo misses a spinning back fist but lands a left hand. Burgos lands a right hand. They trade jabs. Burgos lands an inside elbow. They trade hard right hands. Quarantillo with the jab as Burgos lands the inside leg kick. More leg kicks from Burgos as Quarantillo goes for the takedown. Quarantillo has the single leg and is working for it but Burgos defends. They trade to the body before breaking the clinch. They tie back up but break. Quarantillo with a right hand. Burgos with the jab. Burgos lands a right hand. Quarantillo with a right hand. Burgos lands the jab and an elbow and they trade. Quarantillo with the jab as Burgos lands the leg kick. Burgos lands some punches that hurt Quarantillo and he’s starting to tee off. Quarantillo can barely stand and Burgos with a late flurry as Quarantillo survives. 10-9 Burgos, 20-18 Burgos.
They trade to start the third and Quarantillo gets poked in the eye and we have a timeout. Burgos lands a leg kick and Quarantillo throwing punches but not landing. Burgos with a right hand and then a leg kick. Burgos with a hard leg kick and Quarantillo’s legs have given out. Quarantillo going for the takedown but Burgos is defending and landing. Burgos scrambles away. Quarantillo throwing punches as Burgos still lands the leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Burgos lands to the body. They break and Burgos with an elbow. They both swing and land elbows. They trade punches. Quarantillo with a left hand. Quarantillo shoots for a takedown but Burgos defends against the fence. They break and Burgos with a combo. They trade in the clinch. Both land knees and they push it up against the fence. 10-9 Burgos, 30-27 Burgos.
Official Result- Shane Burgos def. Billy Quarantillo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Frankie Edgar (#8, 24-9-1, 18-9-1 UFC) vs. Marlon Vera (#13, 17-7-1, 11-6 UFC) Bantamweights
Edgar lands a right hand. Edgar with a leg kick. Edgar goes for a takedown but Vera defends. Vera with a leg kick. Edgar lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Edgar gets the takedown and Vera is looking for the guillotine. Edgar gets out and is on top and in the half-guard. Edgar continuing to land from the top. Edgar with punches and elbows as he stays in the full guard of Vera. Edgar lands to the body. Vera with some upkicks. Both landing on the ground at the end of the first. 10-9 Edgar.
Both are throwing to start the second and landing. Edgar gets a takedown. Vera with some elbows from the bottom. Edgar in the guard as both look for position. Edgar with some punches from the top. Vera throwing elbows from the bottom. Vera scrambles to his feet. Vera with some left hands. Edgar with a combo. Vera with a body kick. Edgar with a combo and Vera lands a knee. Vera with a knee and Edgar stumbles. Edgar with a leg kick. Edgar with a right hand. Vera with a front kick to the body. Vera with an elbow and Edgar is stumbling. Edgar with a combo. 10-9 Vera, 19-19.
Edgar with a combo. Neither really landing. Vera with a body kick. Vera landing body kicks as Edgar is circling away. Edgar with a combo. They trade in close range. Edgar with a combo. Vera with a left hand and a body kick. Edgar with a takedown and has the back of Vera as they stand. They break and Edgar with a right hand. Vera with a front kick to the jaw and Edgar goes down and it is stopped. Edgar wasn’t happy with it but he was out and the stoppage was justified. What a finish by Vera.
Official Result- Marlon Vera def. Frankie Edgar by knockout (front kick) at 3:50 of Round 3
> Rose Namajunas (C, 10-4, 8-3 UFC) vs. Zhang Weili (#1, 21-2, 5-1 UFC) UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
Weili with a leg kick. Weili with another leg kick. She lands another. Namajunas with some leg kicks as she lands a combo. Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas with a right hand and Weili lands a leg kick. Weili gets a takedown. She gets in the half-guard and lands to the body. Weili lands some right hands as she postures up. They scramble up. Weili with a body kick on the break. Weili lands a head kick as Namajunas lands a leg kick. Weili with a leg kick. Namajunas with a right hand and Weili goes down briefly from a slip. 10-9 Weili.
Namajunas with the jab. Weili with the leg kick as Namajunas is looking for an opening. Namajunas with a leg kick and a combo. Weili with a right hand. Both looking for openings still. Weili lands a left hand that stumbles Namajunas. They trade kicks and Weili catches the leg and gets a takedown. Namajunas with an upkick. Weili gets into her guard. They get to their feet and Namajunas gets a takedown. Namajunas with a big right hand from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Weili, 20-18 Weili.
Both looking for openings early in the third. Both throwing but neither able to land. Weili with a body kick. They trade and Namajunas lands a leg kick and Weili slips to the mat, and Namajunas lands a massive right hand as Weili gets up. They clinch against the fence. Namajunas with some shoulder strikes. They break and Weili with a leg kick. Namajunas with a combo. Weili with a leg kick and lands a hard left hook. Weili gets a takedown. She gets the back of Namajunas. They scramble and Weili gets the mount late. 10-9 Weili, 30-27 Weili.
Weili with a combo as both land leg kicks. Namajunas with a right hand. They go to the mat for a moment but Namajunas kicked her way up and they trade punches. They go back down and Weili has the back and is looking for the choke. Namajunas scrambles out and onto the top and is in the half-guard. Namajunas gets back into the guard. Namajunas stands and tries to pass but gets back into Weili’s guard. Namajunas trying for the ground-and-pound but Weili defending well off her back. Namajunas ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas, 39-37 Weili.
Weili with some leg kicks. They trade right hands. Namajunas throws a right hand and turns it into a takedown. Namajunas looking to improve but Weili keeps her in the guard. Namajunas with some punches from the top. Namajunas postures up trying to improve as she’s staying busy and lands some shots. Namajunas with some right hands from the top. Namajunas with a nice right hand as she stands. Namajunas lands a nice left hand as she gets back into the guard. Close fight overall, scores will be interesting. 10-9 Namajunas, 48-47 Weili.
Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
Usman with the jab. Usman with another jab. Covington with a leg kick. Covington goes for a takedown but Usman rolls over and grabs the neck and they get up and break. Covington with a body kick. They trade punches. Usman lands a right hand and Covington with a left hand. Usman gets a takedown and has the back for a moment and lands a right hand as they scramble up. Usman with a right hand and Covington is cut under his right eye. They trade in close range. Close round. 10-9 Usman.
Usman lands a left hook. Covington with a leg kick after he misses all of his punches. They clinch for a moment and Covington with a knee and Usman lands a right hand after they break. Usman lands an uppercut. Covington with a leg kick. Usman with a body kick. Usman with a left hook. Covington tries a takedown but Usman has the shoulders. Covington working for the takedown against the fence. Usman with shoulder strikes. They break. Usman with a front kick and then a leg kick. Usman with a right hand. Usman drops Covington with a left hand. Covington gets up and Usman drops him again and Covington goes for a takedown. Usman lands some punches from the top and huge shots to the body late. 10-9 Usman, 20-18 Usman.
Usman hunting Covington down in the third. Covington lands a combo. Usman with a right hand and then lands the jab. Covington throws a kick that Usman blocks. Covington tries a takedown but Usman easily defends and lands some body shots. They get up and Usman lands a left hand. Usman with a combo. Usman with a body kick. They trade in close range. Usman with a straight right hand. Usman with a left hook to the body. Covington lands some good punches. Covington gets a takedown and has the back late. 10-9 Usman, 30-27 Usman.
Usman lands a right hand. Covington lands but then follows up sloppily. Covington lands a nice jab. Usman with a body kick. They trade jabs. Covington lands a hard punch and Usman counters with a right hand. Usman lands a hard right hand right after Covington lands. Usman with a body shot. Usman with a left hand and follows it with a right. Covington with a body kick and lands some good follow-up shots. Covington lands a left hand. Covington tries a takedown. They trade on the break. Usman with a hard right hand late. 10-9 Covington, 39-37 Usman.
Covington with a body kick. Usman with a right to the body. Usman lands a left jab. Usman with a right hand. They both land in close range. Covington lands and shoots for a takedown but Usman defends. They get up. Usman with the jab. Usman with a high kick. Usman with a right to the body and just misses a left hand. Covington just misses a head kick as Usman was slipping. They’re clinched against the fence. Usman with a body shot as they break. Usman with the jab. Usman with a right hand. We have a timeout for an eye poke by Usman. They get back to action and Covington with a body kick. Usman with a heavy kick. Close fight. 10-9 Covington, 48-47 Usman.
Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship
WWE made its return to Madison Square Garden for last night’s episode of SmackDown.
The show was the first WWE event to take place at Madison Square Garden since the COVID-19 pandemic started. It was also held on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Brock Lesnar appeared for the first time since making his return at SummerSlam. Lesnar confronted Universal Champion Roman Reigns and challenged him to a title match. Lesnar also attempted to cause a rift between Reigns and Paul Heyman, asking why Heyman didn’t tell Reigns that Lesnar was at SummerSlam.
Lesnar went to give Heyman an F-5 when Heyman wouldn’t respond to his challenge for a Universal title match. Reigns saved Heyman by hitting a Superman punch on Lesnar, but Lesnar then put Reigns in position for an F-5. The Usos made the save before being laid out by Lesnar.
The Usos put their SmackDown Tag Team titles on the line against The Street Profits in last night’s main event. As The Street Profits were about to get the win, Reigns interfered to cause a disqualification.
Reigns then cut a promo responding to Lesnar’s challenge. Reigns said he’ll smash Lesnar as soon as he’s done smashing Finn Balor. Balor’s Demon character then made its return, with Balor going face-to-face with Reigns, The Usos, and Heyman to close the show.
Last night’s SmackDown also featured Edge and Seth Rollins facing off in a SummerSlam rematch, a contract signing for Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship match at Extreme Rules, and an appearance by NBA star Trae Young.
WWE returns to the “World’s Most Famous Arena” as tonight’s SmackDown takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Brock Lesnar will return to SmackDown on the show. It will be Lesnar’s first appearance since returning at SummerSlam after Roman Reigns defeated John Cena. Last week, Lesnar called Paul Heyman to let Reigns know he would be in New York to confront the champion.
Last week, Reigns defeated Finn Balor to retain the Universal title in the main event. After the match, the lights briefly turned red, and a heartbeat played, potentially teasing the return of Balor’s Demon character. Reigns defends against Balor in a rematch at Extreme Rules on Sunday, September 26.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair will meet for their Extreme Rules contract signing. Last week, Belair challenged Lynch to another match that night, but Lynch turned her down again. Later in the show, Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce announced Lynch vs. Belair for the pay-per-view.
Edge also goes one-on-one with Seth Rollins tonight, and The Usos put their SmackDown Tag Team titles on the line against The Street Profits.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They aired an emotional video package looking back at the 9/11 attacks. It included Vince McMahon’s speech from the SmackDown the day after. They opened up with a shot of the fans chanting “U.S.A.”
Pat McAfee’s back tonight on commentary with Michael Cole.
Roman Reigns-Brock Lesnar Segment
This was a great opening segment. Everyone was good in their roles, and the fans enjoyed the segment.
The fans gave Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and The Usos a huge reaction as they made their entrance. After they entered, the fans erupted in boos with a faint “Roman” chant.
Reigns pointed out that WWE runs New York City and the Bloodline runs the WWE. Therefore, Reigns runs New York City and Madison Square Garden. The fans booed loudly. Reigns demanded the fans acknowledge him. At first, the fans gave a mixed reaction but were loud. The fans then broke into a loud “Roman” chant.
Suddenly, Brock Lesnar’s music hit and got a massive pop. Lesnar jumped in the ring and went face-to-face with Reigns. The fans went crazy for the face-off between Lesnar and Reigns. The Usos stepped in the way.
Heyman grabbed the mic and told Lesnar they could go after any belt other than the Universal title. Lesnar grabbed the mic and asked Heyman why he didn’t tell Reigns he would be at SummerSlam. The fans reacted big. Heyman pleaded with Reigns, but he walked away to another big reaction from the fans.
Reigns and The Usos walked off, leaving Lesnar and Heyman in the ring. Heyman then did his old introduction for Lesnar to another big pop. Lesnar then told Heyman to accept his challenge for a title shot at Reigns. The fans broke into a loud “Suplex City” chant.
Heyman refused, so Lesnar picked him up for the F-5. Reigns ran back in and rocked Lesnar with a superman punch. He went for a second, but Lesnar caught him in the F-5. The Usos ran in and hit Lesnar with two superkicks, but he didn’t go down. He recovered and took out the Usos with a double clothesline. Reigns escaped and ran up the ramp.
In the back, Kayla Braxton tried to interview Reigns and The Usos, but they walked off. Heyman claimed he didn’t know that Lesnar was going to be at SummerSlam. He promised that Reigns would answer Lesnar when he’s ready.
King Nakamura, Rick Boogs, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio & Big E defeated Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Otis & Apollo Crews (w/Trae Young, Commander Azeez & Chad Gable) (7:23)
This was a fun ten-man tag team match. Before the match, Sami Zayn introduced Atlanta Hawks Trae Young to thunderous boos. Young being in the heels corner added incredible heat to the match.
The heels had the early advantage when Otis knocked Nakamura off the apron to the floor. He followed up with a splash in the corner. The heels isolated Nakamura on their side of the ring.
Back from the break, Nakamura rocked Zayn with a kick to the head. Rey got the hot tag and hit code red for a near fall. Everyone jumped in and started hitting a big move. Roode caught Big E with a spine buster. Rey then set up for the 619 on Roode, but Zayn tripped him. Young then interfered and choked Mysterio on the bottom rope. The fans erupted in boos when Young interfered.
The referee caught Young and sent him to the back. The fans exploded in cheers when the referee kicked out Young. Rey and Dominik then hit the double 619 on Zayn, and Big E hit the Big Ending for the win.
After the match, Kayla Braxton interviewed Big E in the ring. He held up the Money in the Bank briefcase and said tonight might be the last time they see him. He said it doesn’t matter if it’s Reigns or Bobby Lashley. He noted he could show up at Raw on Monday.
They aired a second 9/11 video with a quote from President George W. Bush. The WWE then recognized three organizations in the community.
Bianca Belair-Becky Lynch Contract Signing
This was a good segment. Lynch was a total heel and received mostly boos.
Bianca Belair came to the ring for the contract signing. Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce were in the ring, but there was no sign of Becky Lynch. Belair noted she’s excited to be in Madison Square Garden. The fans broke into a loud “EST” chant. Belair mentioned losing to Lynch in 26 seconds but promised to win the SmackDown Women’s title from Lynch at Extreme Rules.
Becky Lynch interrupted and came out wearing a flashy red fur coat and sunglasses. The fans gave Lynch a mixed reaction and broke into a faint “EST” chant. Lynch wondered what would happen if she didn’t sign the contract. Belair demanded Lynch sign the contract, and the fans broke into a “Sign it” chant. Lynch was enraged and noted the fans were chanting for her when she was away.
Lynch noted she left her baby girl at home, but the fans favor a flash in the pan over her. The fans broke into another “EST” chant. Lynch finally signed the contract and threw it at Belair. She walked off, holding the belt up to loud boos.
In the back, Shotzi and Tegan Nox approached Paul Heyman on their tank and offered him a ride. Kayla Braxton interviewed Heyman again. He noted that Reigns would watch The Uso’s retain the titles later and deal with Lesnar after.
Big E showed up and held the briefcase in Heyman’s face.
They announced WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Randy Orton this coming Monday on Raw.
Seth Rollins defeated Edge (24:29)
Rollins and Edge had a good match that got a lot of time. After the match, they did a big injury angle with Edge and had him leave the arena in an ambulance.
The fans gave Edge a huge reaction when he entered.
The fans broke into a loud “Edge” chant at the start of the match. Edge went after Rollins’ arm, but Rollins escaped. Edge got a side headlock, but Rollins escaped again and hit a dropkick to the leg. Michael Cole noted that Rollins is attacking Edge’s leg and not the neck.
Edge dropped Rollins on the middle turnbuckle and sent him shoulder-first into the ring post. Rollins dragged Edge out of the ring and threw him into the barricade. Edge fought back and went for a spear off the apron, but Rollins connected with a knee. The fans broke into a brief “Let’s Go Edge” chant.
Rollins sent Edge back to the floor and hit a suicide dive.
Back from the break, Rollins hit a springboard knee for a near fall. He slowed the pace down and worked over Edge’s arm. Edge tried to fight back, but Rollins attacked the leg.
Rollins followed up with a terrible-looking Glam Slam. Rollins decided to try the move again and hit a much better-looking Glam Slam for a near fall. Edge went for the DDT, but Rollins escaped. Rollins went for the Pedigree, but Edge escaped. Edge then hit the Pedigree for a close near fall. The fans broke into a loud “You Still Got It” chant. Edge followed up hit a cross body off the top to the floor.
Back from the break, Edge hit a full nelson slam for a two-count. Edge climbed to the top rope, but Rollins tried to cut him off. Edge fought back and knocked Rollins down.
Rollins went for the cross face, but Edge reversed. Rollins made it to the ropes to break the hold.
Edge went for the spear, but Rollins reversed into a neck breaker. Rollins attempted the stomp, but Edge hit a sit-out powerbomb for a close near fall. Edge went for a superplex, but Rollins slipped out and hit a buckle bomb.
Rollins went for the stomp again, but Edge hit the spear for a very close near fall.
Edge went for the cross face, but Rollins backed the referee into the corner. He then caught Edge with a low blow behind the referee’s back. Rollins followed up with a series of superkicks. The fans erupted in loud boos. Rollins yelled at Edge and hit the stomp for the win.
After the match, Edge didn’t move, and EMTs ran out to check on him. Back from the break, the EMTs loaded Edge in the back of the ambulance.
Rey Mysterio, Sonya Deville, and Adam Pearce checked on Edge as well. Edge mentioned Beth Phoneix as they put him in the ambulance. Rollins watched the ambulance leave the arena and was in a daze. He didn’t know how he should feel. Rollins admitted he might not feel anything at all.
In the back, Roman Reigns gave The Usos a pep talk for their upcoming match. The Usos promised to retain the titles and make the family proud. Reigns then noted he saved Heyman and wanted to know why he didn’t tell him that Brock would be at SummerSlam. Heyman didn’t have an answer.
They aired a third 9/11 video package featuring a quote from President Barack Obama.
The Street Profits defeated SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos via DQ (15:21)
The Usos and Street Profits were having a really good match until the weak finish. The fans were into the match but hated the ending. The post-match angle featured Finn Balor’s Demon confronting Roman Reigns.
Montez Ford hit a dropkick on Jimmy at the bell for a near fall. Ford knocked Jey off the apron, but Jimmy took advantage and hit a suicide dive.
Back from the break, The Street Profits were firmly in control. The Usos briefly isolated Angelo Dawkins and cut him off from his corner. Dawkins fought back and sent The Usos to the floor. Ford then hit a huge dive and wiped out the Usos.
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman made their way to the ring to thunderous boos.
Back from the break, Jey went for a Samoan Drop, but Dawkins countered with a twisting neck breaker. Ford hit a flying crossbody on Jimmy for a near fall. Ford rocked Jey with a superkick and lost his shoe in the process. Ford tossed the shoe in the air and hit a blockbuster on Jimmy for a near fall. The fans broke into a brief “One Shoe” chant.
Ford hit the blockbuster on Jimmy off of Dawkins’ shoulder for a very close near fall. Dawkins avoided Jey, but Jimmy caught him with a superkick. Ford took Jey out of the ring, and Dawkins rolled up Jimmy.
Jey caught Dawkins with another superkick. Jimmy followed up with a superkick, and Jey hit the splash for a very close two-count. The Street Profits fought back, and Ford hit the frog splash. The Street Profits had the match won when Reigns jumped in the ring for the disqualification. He locked on the guillotine on Ford.
Reigns grabbed the mic and accepted Brock Lesnar’s challenge. Reigns promised to smash Lesnar after he smashes Finn Balor.
Suddenly, the lights went out, and Finn Balor interrupted as The Demon to a huge pop. Balor jumped in the ring and went face-to-face with Reigns to end a fun SmackDown.
WWE’s return to Madison Square Garden has gotten a significant addition.
WWE announced today that John Cena will be appearing at the Friday, September 10 episode of SmackDown at Madison Square Garden. This is the first post-SummerSlam appearance that Cena has been announced for.
The Madison Square Garden SmackDown episode is being advertised as a “Supershow” that will feature the top stars of both SmackDown and Raw.
Cena returned to WWE programming at Money in the Bank, appearing for the first time since his Firefly Fun House match against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 36. Cena then made appearances on last Monday’s Raw, last Friday’s SmackDown, and at WWE’s house shows in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Louisville, Kentucky over the weekend.
Cena returned to the ring in a dark match after last Friday’s SmackDown, teaming with Rey & Dominik Mysterio to defeat Roman Reigns & The Usos. That match also took place at WWE’s Pittsburgh and Louisville house shows.
Cena is expected to challenge for Reigns’ Universal Championship at SummerSlam. The pay-per-view is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, August 21.
The SmackDown episode at Madison Square Garden will be WWE’s first show at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Here’s the updated list of appearances that Cena has been announced for:
Monday, July 26: Raw — T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, July 30: SmackDown — Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saturday, July 31: Supershow house show — Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sunday, August 1: Supershow house show — Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan
Friday, August 6: SmackDown — Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
Saturday, August 7: Supershow house show — Hertz Arena in Fort Myers, Florida
Monday, August 9: Raw — Amway Center in Orlando, Florida
Friday, August 13: SmackDown — BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Saturday, August 14: Supershow house show — Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
Sunday, August 15: Supershow house show — Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina
Friday, August 20: SmackDown — Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Saturday, August 21: SummerSlam — Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday, September 10: SmackDown — Madison Square Garden in New York City
WWE is returning to Madison Square Garden for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
PWInsider reported on Thursday that the Friday, September 10 episode of SmackDown will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It will be the first WWE event at Madison Square Garden since a December 2019 house show.
WWE had been set to hold a house show at Madison Square Garden in March 2020, but the pandemic prevented that from happening. Madison Square Garden returned to full capacity with a Foo Fighters concert taking place there this past Sunday.
In September 2019, Raw and SmackDown came to Madison Square Garden for what were the first episodes of WWE television at the venue since 2009.
WWE is returning to touring starting with the Friday, July 16 episode of SmackDown at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. WWE has announced their schedule of tour dates through the Monday, September 6 edition of Raw at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida.
