Nikki Cross is getting another shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
In a rematch from Extreme Rules, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley will defend her title against Cross on SmackDown next Friday. Cross getting the title shot was set up by her defeating her tag team partner Alexa Bliss on SmackDown tonight.
Cross had her ribs taped up on SmackDown after Bayley used Sasha Banks’ Boss ring to punch Cross and get the win in their match at Extreme Rules. Cross missed a splash off the top rope near the end of tonight’s match and the referee checked on her. Cross then used an inside cradle to pin Bliss.
Bayley and Sasha Banks opened SmackDown tonight before being interrupted by Cross and Bliss. Cross wanted a rematch against Bayley, and Bayley said she’d give the winner of Cross vs. Bliss a title shot next week if they faced each other tonight. The story was that Bayley was trying to turn Cross and Bliss against each other.
There was a segment where Cross and Bliss spoke to each other after their match tonight. Bliss said that Cross got one over on her. She congratulated Cross on her win and told her it’s time to focus on next week’s match against Bayley.
Two tag team matches have been announced for next week’s episode of SmackDown.
Both of the matches involve tag team champions, though only one is a title match. WWE announced tonight that SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) will defend their titles against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro on SmackDown next Friday. In non-title action, Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks will face Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss on the episode.
Nakamura defeated Kingston in a singles match on tonight’s SmackDown. Nakamura and Cesaro tried to put Kingston through a table after, but Big E made the save for his partner.
Bayley and Banks held a tribute for themselves on tonight’s show until it was interrupted by Cross and Bliss. Bliss slapped Bayley during the segment, leading to Banks challenging Bliss to face Bayley in a singles match.
That match ended in a disqualification when Cross attacked Bayley. When Cross was cheering for Bliss during the match, Bayley told her to shut up and tried to kick her. Cross attempted to get into the ring, and Banks interfered while the referee was distracted. Cross then took out Banks on the outside. Bayley yelled at Cross, then Cross attacked her and caused the DQ.
WWE has also announced that Braun Strowman’s Universal Championship defense against Bray Wyatt from Money in the Bank will be re-aired on next Friday’s SmackDown. Strowman is facing Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt Swamp Fight at Extreme Rules on Sunday, July 19. Bayley is defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Cross at that pay-per-view, while Banks is challenging Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley now has her challenger for Extreme Rules.
Nikki Cross defeated Lacey Evans, Dana Brooke, and Alexa Bliss in a fatal four-way match on tonight’s SmackDown and will challenge Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules. The pay-per-view is taking place on Sunday, July 19.
Evans hit the Woman’s Right on Brooke near the end of the number one contender’s match, but Cross then rolled up Evans to get the win.
Bayley and Sasha Banks were on commentary for the match. Banks will also be involved in a Women’s title match at Extreme Rules. She’s challenging Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship.
Bayley & Banks are the current Women’s Tag Team Champions. They won the titles from Cross & Bliss on SmackDown earlier this month.
“WWE Extreme Rules: The Horror Show” is the full name for Extreme Rules. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defending his title against Dolph Ziggler has also been announced for the PPV, along with Universal Champion Braun Strowman facing Bray Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt Swamp Fight.
Bayley & Sasha Banks’ first title defense as new Women’s Tag Team Champions will take place at Backlash.
WWE announced today that Bayley & Banks will defend their Women’s Tag Team titles against Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross and The IIconics in a triple threat match at the pay-per-view. It’s taking place on Sunday (June 14).
The announcement comes in advance of Bayley & Banks appearing on tonight’s episode of Raw. In the main event of SmackDown this past Friday, they won the titles from Bliss & Cross.
This is Bayley & Banks’ second reign with the Women’s Tag Team titles. They were the inaugural champions after the titles were introduced in 2019 but lost them to The IIconics at WrestleMania 35.
Bayley is also the current SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Bliss & Cross have been feuding with The IIconics since prior to losing the Women’s Tag Team titles to Bayley & Banks.
Here’s the updated card for Backlash:
Edge vs. Randy Orton
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defending against Bobby Lashley
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Nia Jax
Universal Champion Braun Strowman defending against The Miz & John Morrison in a handicap match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks defending against Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross and The IIconics in a triple threat match
New Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned on this week’s episode of SmackDown.
In last night’s main event, Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross to win the Women’s Tag Team titles. Banks countered a pinning attempt by Cross into a crucifix to get the win.
There was some dissension between Bayley and Banks teased during the match. At one point, Bayley tagged herself in while Banks was hitting a backstabber on Cross. Bayley then broke up the Banks Statement while Banks had Cross in the move, had Banks leave the ring, and put Cross in the Banks Statement herself.
This is Bayley & Banks’ second reign with the Women’s Tag Team titles. They were the first champions after the titles were introduced in 2019.
Bayley is also the current SmackDown Women’s Champion.
The build to Backlash continues as SmackDown takes place from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida tonight.
Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross will defend their titles against Bayley & Sasha Banks. The match was made after Banks defeated Bliss in a singles match last week.
Jeff Hardy will explain his side of the story of last week’s hit-and-run angle. Last Friday’s show opened with the revelation that Elias had been hit by a car outside of the Performance Center. Hardy was taken into custody but returned at the end of the show and attacked Sheamus. WWE announced that Hardy “was released from custody by the Orlando police after successfully passing the required sobriety tests, therefore absolving Hardy of the charges of public intoxication, driving under the influence, and the hit-and-run on Elias.”
Hardy and Elias were taken out of WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament as part of the hit-and-run angle. Daniel Bryan wanted to face a new opponent, but AJ Styles wanted to advance automatically. Bryan ended up facing Sheamus in last week’s main event and got the win after Sheamus was distracted by Hardy.
Ahead of next week’s IC title tournament finals, Bryan and Styles will take part in a face-to-face segment tonight.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman is defending his title against The Miz & John Morrison in a handicap match at Backlash. WWE.com is teasing that Miz & Morrison have a surprise for Strowman tonight.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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In the back, Jeff Hardy spoke with a bunch of guys.
They recapped the hit and run angle involving Jeff Hardy and Elias last week.
Jeff Hardy made his way down to the ring. Michael Cole gave on update on Elias’s injuries.
Hardy thanked WWE and FOX for giving him the time to speak. He discussed the hit and run incident and Elias’ injuries.
Hardy gave his version of events. He noted he arrived at the WWE Performance Center, and suddenly something hit him in the back of his head. The next thing Hardy knew, he was being handcuffed and smelt like alcohol.
Hardy questioned himself and felt he let his wife and daughters down again.
Hardy noted he passed every sobriety test at the police station last week. A witness showed up and revealed they saw a person with red hair and beard run out of the car. Hardy pointed out that Sheamus fits that description.
Sheamus came out. He said Hardy’s in denial and can’t accept responsibility for his actions. Sheamus demanded Hardy be a man and admit what he did. Sheamus said Hardy’s not a man. He’s just a junkie.
Sheamus said Hardy doesn’t have to worry about letting down his wife and daughters because they’re used to it.
Hardy attacked Sheamus, and they brawled on the stage.
Sheamus took over and beat down Hardy.
He threw Hardy into the barricade and around ringside. This was a fine opening segment.
In the back, Otis and Mandy Rose passed by a chair with King Corbin’s crown. Otis took the crown. Rose was very impressed, and they walked off.
Corbin walked up and noticed his crown was gone. He was furious when he found out that Otis took it.
Otis (w/Mandy Rose) defeated King Corbin
There wasn’t much to this match. Otis and Corbin worked a slow pace, and it dragged with the finish coming out of nowhere. Otis had the early advantage and clotheslined Corbin to the floor. They brawled around ringside. Corbin took over after pushing Otis into the apron. Otis avoided Corbin’s around the ring post clothesline, but Corbin hit a spinebuster for a near fall.
Corbin backed Otis in the corner and rocked him with body shots. Corbin jumped on Otis’ back, but Otis backed him into the corner. Corbin hit a series of kicks, but Otis absorbed all the shots.
Otis made a fiery come back and hit a splash in the corner. Otis teased the caterpillar, but Corbin rolled out of the ring.
Corbin hit Otis with a chair for the disqualification. Otis absorbed the chair shots and made another comeback. Otis then hit the caterpillar on Corbin.
The Miz and John Morrison were sitting in a white van with spying equipment. They watched Universal Champion Braun Strowman arrive.
Back from the break, The Miz & John Morrison talked about annoying co-workers. They noted that some people might say what they’re about to do next is senseless and idiotic. They promised to make Strowman’s life a living hell until Backlash.
Miz and Morrison watched as Strowman put water in his bottle. Suddenly, his protein shake exploded and went everywhere. Miz and Morrison laughed and mocked Strowman. This is an interesting way to build the Universal Championship match.
Kayla Braxton tried to interview Shorty G, but Mojo Rawley interrupted. He mocked Shorty G and made a bunch of short jokes. Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura showed up. The three heels beat down Shorty G until The New Day made the save.
Lacey Evans made her way down to the ring, but Sonya Deville jumped her before she made it to the ring.
Lacey Evans defeated Sonya Deville
They had a basic match that dragged at times, but they worked hard. Deville is great in her role. Evans took over and hit a slingshot elbow for a near fall. Deville rocked Evans with a shot to the stomach. Evans fought back, but Deville caught Evans with a big boot.
Deville slowed the pace down and stood on Evans’ hair. Evans recovered and nailed Deville with a series of knees. Evans then tried rolling up Deville but she fell into the referee. The referee went down and grabbed his leg. He couldn’t get up and yelled to the back for help. Evans and Deville just stood around.
A bunch of referees ran out and told Deville and Evans to wait. They abruptly cut to commercial.
Back from the break, Deville was firmly in control. The match continued with a new referee. During the break, Deville attacked Evans as officials took the original referee out of the ring.
Deville pulled Evans to the apron and dropped her on the back of her head. Evans fought back and hit a series of knees. Evans followed up with a moonsault for a close near fall. Deville dropped Evans on the top rope and hit a running knee for a near fall.
Mandy Rose appeared on the big screen. She mocked Deville and called her a failure.
Deville freaked out and called her barbie doll. Suddenly, Evans rocked Deville with the woman’s right for the win.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves announced Shorty G & The New Day versus Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura & Mojo Rawley later tonight.
The showed a Matt Riddle video package.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Universal Champion Braun Strowman in the back.
The Miz & Morrison were watching from the van. They pressed a button, and green slim fell on Braxton but was meant for Strowman. Strowman knew it was Miz and Morrison and apologized. Braxton was furious and walked off. Miz and Morrison were upset at first but laughed that they got Braxton.
Renee Young was in the ring with the Intercontinental Championship title. She introduced her guests Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles. Styles knows that Bryan’s going to call him a coward because he took the bye to the finals. Bryan noted Styles shows traits of being a coward.
Styles pointed out he did the smart thing by taking the bye, but Bryan is stupid for taking on Sheamus last week. Bryan noted they have two very different world views. Bryan’s vision of being the I.C. champion is defending the title every week against upcoming stars and veterans.
Styles noted he doesn’t give handouts. He mocked Drew Gulak and said, that’s another handout. Bryan and Styles were good in this segment. It was a simple segment as they both want to win the I.C. title but have different views on what type of champion to be.
Styles decided to give Gulak an opportunity and challenged Gulak to a match. Gulak came out and tackled Styles.
Drew Gulak (w/Daniel Bryan) defeated AJ Styles
This was a good hard-hitting, and fast-paced match with a surprise ending.
Styles had the early advantage and backed Gulak in the corner. Gulak recovered and avoided a leapfrog. He attacked Styles’s shoulder, but Styles made it to the ropes to break the hold.
Styles rocked Gulak with elbows and chops in the corner. Styles hit a unique backbreaker for a close near fall. Gulak fired back, but Styles decapitated him with a hard clothesline.
Styles slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Gulak fired back with hard shots in the corner.
Gulak hit a shotgun dropkick and release suplex. He followed up with a Michinoku Driver for a very close near fall.
Styles poked Gulak in the eye to regain control. He followed up with an inverted DDT. Styles taunted Bryan and set up for the Styles clash. Gulak reversed and rolled up Styles for the surprise win.
In the parking lot, The Miz & John Morrison approached Braun Strowman’s car. They destroyed the windshield with a golf club and baseball bat. They laughed and can’t wait to see Strowman’s reaction. Miz and Morrison returned to the white van.
Shorty G & The New Day defeated Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura & Mojo Rawley
This was a good six-man tag team match that featured a lot of fast-paced action. Shorty G charged at Cesaro, but he caught him. Shorty G rolled through and scored a near fall. Cesaro rocked Big E with an uppercut, and Rawley hit a running cross-body for a near fall.
Shorty G hit an assisted moonsault on Nakamura, and Big E followed up with a big splash. Kingston then hit a frog splash off the second turnbuckle for a near fall.
Kingston hit a dive to the floor, wiping out Cesaro and Nakamura but injured his knee. Rawley then charged at Kingston and rocked him with a vicious shoulder tackle.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control and isolated Kingston on their side of the ring. Shorty G got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit a flying crossbody on Rawley and gave Cesaro a massive belly to belly suplex.
Shorty G followed up with a huge moonsault on Rawley for a close near fall. Shorty G applied the ankle lock on Rawley but Nakamura hit a running knee to break the hold.
Rawley hit the hyperdrive on Shorty G for a near fall. Big E made the blind tag and hit the Big Ending on Rawley for the win. Shorty G prevented Cesaro and Nakamura from interfering.
In the parking lot, Braun Strowman discovered his destroyed car and freaked out. The security guard told Strowman that Miz and Morrison are hiding in the white van. Miz and Morrison were mocking Strowman from inside the van.
Strowman tried getting in the van. He couldn’t get in, so he flipped it over instead. He laughed and walked off.
All of these segments came across like a cartoon. It did very little to build anticipation for the Universal Championship match at Backlash.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves announced Jeff Hardy versus Sheamus at Backlash.
Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross to win the Women’s Tag Team Championship
This was a good main event that continues to build tension between Banks and Bayley.
Cross jumped Bayley to start the match. The faces had the early advantage and isolated Bayley in their corner.
Bayley fought back and backed Bliss in the corner. The heels took over and kept Bliss on their side of the ring.
Bliss rolled up Bayley for a near fall. The faces regained control, and Cross hit a running bulldog on Bayley. Cross followed up with a flying crossbody off the apron. Banks distracted Cross, and Bayley knocked her out of the ring. Banks followed up with the Meteora off the apron on Cross.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control. They isolated Cross on their side of the ring. Banks hit running double knees in the corner for a near fall.
Banks slowed the pace down with a front face lock. Cross fought back, and Bliss got the hot tag. Bliss ran wild and scored a near fall.
Bliss attempted Twisted Bliss, but Banks tripped her up. Bayley hit the Bayley-to-Belly off the top, and Banks hit a running knee for a near fall.
Bliss fought back and sent Banks face-first into the turnbuckle.
Cross gave Bayley a tornado DDT on the floor. Bliss then hit a sunset bomb on Banks for a close near fall.
Banks tried to make a tag, but Bayley was on the floor. Banks hit the Bank Statement, but Bayley made the blind tag and made Banks leave the ring. Banks wasn’t happy.
Banks tagged back in and locked the Bank Statement on Cross. Bliss tried to make the save, but Bayley cut her off. Cross tried to roll up Banks, but Banks countered into the crucifix to win the Women’s tag team championships.
Banks and Bayley were over the moon and celebrated their win.
Next Week: Daniel Bryan takes on AJ Styles in the finals of the Intercontinental Championship tournament.
A “warning”, as well as a Women’s Tag Team title match, has been announced for next week’s SmackDown.
Announcers tonight said that The Miz and John Morrison are set to issue a ‘warning’ to Braun Strowman on next week’s show. The two are scheduled to face Strowman in a handicap match for the Universal title at Backlash on June 14.
Additionally, a Women’s Tag Team title match was announced for next week as well. Champions Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss will defend their championships against Sasha Banks and SmackDown Women’s champion Bayley.
The champions invited SmackDown Tag Team champions The New Day and Women’s champion Bayley to a Moment of Bliss segment. The discussion led to Sasha Banks saying that she and Bayley put the Women’s Tag Team titles on the map and would prove that they were the best team.
This led to a match between Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss. Banks defeated Bliss after Bayley interfered, pushing Cross into Bliss, which allowed Banks to get the win with a sunset flip roll-up.
Two sets of tag team champions are set to take part in a segment together on tonight’s SmackDown.
In an email promoting the show, WWE announced that a “Tag Team Champion Summit” edition of A Moment of Bliss with The New Day as the guests will air on tonight’s SmackDown. The New Day are the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, while Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross hold the Women’s Tag Team titles.
Bliss & Cross are currently feuding with The IIconics. The New Day retained their titles against The Lucha House Party, The Forgotten Sons, and The Miz & John Morrison in a fatal four-way match at Money in the Bank earlier this month.
Deville & Dolph Ziggler defeated Mandy Rose & Otis on SmackDown last Friday.
Both semifinal matches in WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament will also air on SmackDown tonight. They are Daniel Bryan vs. Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles vs. Elias.
The virtual roundtable is available to watch below starting at 10 a.m. Eastern time:
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WWE is set to air its first-ever virtual roundtable on YouTube this week.
It was announced today that WWE’s virtual roundtable series will kick off with an episode featuring the company’s Scottish champions. It will premiere on YouTube at 10 a.m. Eastern time this Thursday (April 30).
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, Women’s Tag Team Champion Nikki Cross, NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray, and NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) are taking part in the roundtable. They will “discuss what it means to represent Scotland in both WWE and NXT UK, their personal and often entwined journeys to championship glory and what their concurrent reigns could mean for the future of Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole.”
The virtual roundtable will be hosted by NXT UK’s Andy Shepherd.
McIntyre became WWE Champion by defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36. He’ll defend his title against Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank on Sunday, May 10.
Cross & Alexa Bliss also regained the Women’s Tag Team titles by defeating Asuka & Kairi Sane at WrestleMania 36.
Kay Lee Ray has been NXT UK Women’s Champion since winning the title from Toni Storm at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff in August 2019. Gallus won the NXT UK Tag Team titles from Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster at a set of NXT UK tapings in October.
WWE has made a couple of announcements for the first post-WrestleMania 36 episode of SmackDown.
After defeating Goldberg at WrestleMania, Braun Strowman will make his first appearance as Universal Champion on Friday’s SmackDown. Strowman was the replacement for Roman Reigns in the Universal title match at WrestleMania after Reigns pulled out of the show.
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross became the new Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating Asuka & Kairi Sane at WrestleMania. On Friday’s SmackDown, Bliss & Cross will defend their titles against Asuka & Sane in a WrestleMania rematch.
This is Strowman’s first World title reign. Bliss & Cross are now two-time Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Asuka was also in action on Raw this Monday. She defeated Liv Morgan on the show.
WWE is resuming tapings at the Performance Center this Friday. The closed set tapings will run for a week and will include three episodes each of Raw and SmackDown. Dave Meltzer also noted that it’s believed several episodes of NXT will be filmed at Full Sail University.
New Women’s Tag Team champions were crowned tonight at WrestleMania.
Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss won the Women’s Tag Team championship for a second time, defeating the Kabuki Warriors. After a back and forth match, Bliss pinned Kairi Sane with the Twisted Bliss to pick up the win and the titles for her team.
The two teams have been feuding off and on since October. In recent weeks, Asuka had been feuding with Bliss and Cross while Kairi Sane was off television.
The Kabuki Warriors had held the titles for 181 days, defeating Bliss and Cross at Hell in a Cell back on October 6.
WrestleMania is set to take place over the course of two nights. Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Bayzler for the Raw Women’s championship will take place tonight. Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair for the NXT Women’s championship, as well as a fatal five way match for the SmackDown Women’s championship, will be held on tomorrow’s card.
WWE has confirmed the Women’s Tag Team Championship match for WrestleMania 36.
Asuka & Kairi Sane defending their Women’s Tag Team titles against Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross will air on WrestleMania. The match was officially announced prior to Asuka defeating NXT’s Kayden Carter on tonight’s Raw.
On SmackDown last Friday, Bliss defeated Asuka in a singles match. Bliss & Cross had been calling out Asuka & Sane for a Women’s Tag Team title shot, which led to Asuka appearing on the March 13 episode of SmackDown and attacking Bliss.
Asuka & Sane defending their titles against Bliss & Cross and Beth Phoenix & Natalya in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 36 had been the plan at one point.
Asuka & Sane are the fourth team to hold the Women’s Tag Team titles since they were introduced. They won the titles from Bliss & Cross at Hell in a Cell in October 2019.
WrestleMania 36 was taped last week and will air on the WWE Network on Saturday (April 4) and Sunday (April 5).
A triple threat tag match is set for the first SmackDown of 2020.
WWE has announced SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke for tonight’s SmackDown. This is the first match announced for the show.
After Banks taunted Evans’ daughter the week before, Evans appeared on A Moment of Bliss with Bliss and Cross last Friday. Evans and Brooke then teamed together against Bayley & Banks. Evans hit Bayley with the Woman’s Right after Banks ducked out of the way. Banks sent Evans shoulder-first into the ring post, then got the win by submitting Brooke with the Banks Statement.
Tonight’s SmackDown is taking place at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. WWE will follow up on Daniel Bryan defeating The Miz and Baron Corbin in last week’s number one contender’s triple threat match. Bryan will challenge “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 26.
WWE’s revived version of Starrcade, essentially a glammed up house show, airs tonight on the WWE Network.
Three segments will be aired live. One will be a fatal four way tag team match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, with champions The Kabuki Warriors facing Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, Bayley & Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross.
Another match set is a last man standing bout between Bobby Lashley and Rusev. The two have been feuding for a number of weeks, with the catalyst being Lana dumping Rusev for Lashley. The two ended up having a huge brawl this past week on Raw, with Rusev sending Lashley through a platform off the Raw stage.
One non-wrestling segment is also set for the show, with Ric Flair being announced as a guest for the Kevin Owens Show.
Join us for live coverage starting at 7 p.m. EST.
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Kevin Owens came out for his show and quickly introduced Ric Flair.
Flair started to give a speech about Starrcade but the crowd chanted “we can’t hear you”. Owens traded him microphones. He brings up what Roman said on Thursday and says he we might not like each other, but we are family. He said he was lucky to be here, look at his daughter. He thanks Harley Race and mentions their match at the first Starrcade, as well as Dusty Rhodes, who came up with the idea. He also brought up Sting.
He said behind that curtain tonight there are 30 people who want to go out there and prove they are the best. Owens says that is because of Flair’s legacy. Owens told Flair he wants to hear a “woo”.
They counted three, but at three the OC (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) came out. They should be celebrating that Gallows & Anderson are the best tag team. Kevin Owens threw a bald joke at them. Anderson said that they should spend the next 55 minutes airing O.C. highlight clips. Owens said that instead maybe they should show footage of AJ Styles losing the United States title to Rey Mysterio on Raw this past Monday.
This brought out The Street Profits. Montez Ford said they should make some highlights here tonight in “Atlanta”. This all leads to a tag match.
The Street Profits defeated The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Profits get the early advantage on Anderson before he tags in to Gallows. Ford is distracted long enough on the apron by Anderson to eat a boot by Gallows that sends him to the floor. Anderson works on him back in the ring as he tags back in Gallows.
Ford made the hot tag to Dawkins who ran wild on both men before being taken down by a spinebuster from Anderson. Both Anderson & Gallows went for the magic killer on Dawkins, but Ford breaks it up. He took out Gallows on the outside, then was tagged in for a frog splash and got the win. Basic match, though the crowd was into it.
Ric Flair celebrated with The Street Profits after the match.
Sasha Banks met up with Bayley backstage. Bayley says let’s just do what we do then get the hell out of here. Sasha said they would be double champions.
The Kabuki Warriors defeated Bayley & Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch & Charlotte and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles
The match starts out with some tentative back and forth and many tags. Charlotte and Asuka exchange strikes, with Charlotte getting the better of things. She went for a figure four, but Asuka shoved her away, allowing Sasha Banks to tag herself in.
Alexa Bliss is tagged in as she and Nikki worked over Sasha Banks. Bayley is tagged in and isolates Nikki briefly. Nikki tags in Becky Lynch, who is cut off by Bayley and Sasha.
Becky manages to escape from Bayley, but instead of tagging in Charlotte instead tags in Bliss. Bayley tags in Kairi as she put Alexa in a half Boston crab. Bayley & Sasha are back in and isolate Bliss. Bliss escapes momentarily, but Asuka grabs Bliss by the leg.
Bliss strikes Asuka with a forearm before tagging in Lynch, who takes out both Kabuki Warriors, Bayley and Sasha. Asuka breaks up a pin attempt by Becky with a running knee. Nikki tags herself in and hits a double crossbody on both Kairi and Asuka.
Everyone started hitting big moves at this point. Sane hit the insane elbow on Lynch, but Charlotte took out both Kabuki Warriors with a double spear. Charlotte was posted in the corner. Asuka missed a kick as Nikki rolled her up for a flash pin, but Asuka countered with the Asuka lock, giving her the submission win. This was another perfectly fine match, but there was nothing particularly interesting about it.
Bobby Lashley won the last man standing match I guess
Lana says she has some good news and some bad news. The good news is that she’s excited for this holiday season because she has a hot boyfriend and he is the gift that keeps on giving. She said Rusev never appreciated her. Fans chanted “Rusev day”.
She said the bad news was that there would be no Last Man Standing match. She went to court in Georgia today and filed a restraining order. She said Rusev day was cancelled and they would gladly take the win by forfeit. The referee raised Lashley’s hand.
At that moment, Kevin Owens came out. He said he’s not ending the show like this. He said no one cares about their stupid relationship. He ran down the fact she doesn’t use her accent anymore. Lashley told him to get in the ring, and he obliged, leading to a match.
Bobby Lashley defeated Kevin Owens by DQ
Owens hit a few cannonballs in the corner and went for a stunner but Lashley rolled out of the way. Owens wiped out Lashley with a senton off the apron. Lashley got the heat after tripping Owens on the apron.
Owens eventually reversed a suplex attempt from Lashley, but Lashley remained in control. Owens fought back with tops, but was quickly taken down again. Lashley went for a superplex, but Owens fought him off, sent him to the floor and hit a senton. He followed with a bullfrog splash off the opposite corner for a nearfall.
Lashley blocked a stunner attempt with a neckbreaker but Owens reversed it into a stunner. Lana distracted the referee, which led to Owens being distracted and walking into a spinebuster. Lana introduced a steel chair but Rusev came through the chair and assaulted Lashley for the DQ. This was another good match until the finish.
Rusev brawled around the ring with Lashley after the match, then took him into the crowd. Lashley cut him off back in the ringside area and threw him into the steel steps. In the ring, Lashley beat him with a kendo stick until Lashley grabbed it from him and began pelting Lashley with strikes. Rusev attacked Lashley with a chair then drilled him with a machka kick while Lashley was holding a chair, sending him out of the ring.
The show ended with Rusev leaving through the crowd to avoid being arrested, I guess.
Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane will defend their titles in a fatal four-way match against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks & Bayley, and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross. Rusev and Bobby Lashley’s rivalry will also continue with them facing off in a last man standing match.
Starrcade is taking place at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia on Sunday (December 1). One hour of the show will stream live on the WWE Network starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Bliss is returning to the ring after being out of action since Hell in a Cell. WWE noted earlier this month that it was a minor injury Bliss was dealing with and that she would be returning soon.
Though not officially announced, the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota is advertising that Asuka & Sane will defend their titles against Lynch & Charlotte in a tables, ladders, and chairs match at next month’s TLC pay-per-view. Rusev vs. Lashley is also being advertised for that show.
This is the third straight year that WWE has held a Starrcade event. The name was first resurrected for a house show in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2017. Starrcade took place in Cincinnati, Ohio last year, with a one-hour WWE Network special from it airing a day after the show.
