Previously: Bobby Lashley & KM defeated Moose & Eddie Edwards.
Tonight: Impact World Champion Eli Drake defends against Johnny Impact and Alberto El Patron in a triple threat match. After Impact, OVE battles LAX in the ultra-violent Barbed Wire Massacre III on Twitch.
Show Recap —
X Division Champion Taiji Ishimori defeated Dezmond Xavier to retain his title
Ishimori had the early advantage and frustrated Xavier, but Xavier gained control and slowed the pace down. He hit an awesome flip dive over the top rope and guardrail onto Ishimori in the crowd.
Xavier hit the Final Flash for a very close near fall. Xavier countered the double knees into a standing corkscrew moonsault for a two count. Ishimori caught Xavier and hit the double knees, followed by a 450 splash to retain the title.
Flashback Moment of the Week: Aron Rex defeated Eddie Edwards in the Grand Championship final at Bound for Glory 2016
The judges awarded the first round to Edwards, then Rex won the second round. Rex had the advantage early in round three but Edwards made a comeback. They traded shots as the round came to an end. Rex won the third round by decision to win the championship.
Kongo Kong (w/ Jimmy Jacobs) defeated Chandler Park (w/ Joseph Park)
Park had a brief flurry of offense until Kong took over and won the match easily. After the match, Kong splashed Park from the top turnbuckle while Joseph Park could only watch.
Impact World Champion Eli Drake vs. Johnny Impact vs. Alberto El Patron ended in a no contest (from BCW in Detroit, Michigan)
El Patron and Drake briefly worked together to take Impact out before turning against each other. Impact brought in a chair and destroyed both opponents. On three separate occasions, whenever one of the guys had the match won, the third guy pulled the referee out of the ring. The ref got upset and challenged all three to fight — and they nailed him with simultaneous superkicks.
Drake scored a close near fall but was upset it wasn’t three. He gave the second referee the Gravy Train. The locker room eventually all ran out and a huge brawl broke out.
Rosemary defeated KC Spinelli
Rosemary was in control early but couldn’t put Spinelli away. She teased spitting the mist and Spinelli covered up, which allowed Rosemary to hit the Red Wedding for the win.
After the match, Rosemary promised to defeat either Allie or Laurel Van Ness for the title. Hania made her Impact debut by jumping Rosemary and viciously beating her down.
LAX (Ortiz, Santana & Homicide) defeated OVE (Sami Callihan, Jake & Dave Crist) in Barbed Wire Massacre III
The ropes were taken down and replaced with barbwire. Santana hit a dive over the barbwire onto OVE on the floor. Both Callihan and Homicide pulled out forks and had a brief struggle. Jake became entangled in the barbwire and Homicide jammed the fork in Jake’s ear.
Jake and Callihan destroyed Homicide with violent chair shots. Homicide poured alcohol on Dave, but Callihan drank it and spit it in Homicide’s eyes. Callihan picked up Homicide for a suplex but instead dropped him on the barbwire. LAX wrapped Jake up in barbwire and Ortiz gave him a running Death Valley Driver into a barbwire board. Jake speared Ortiz through a table at ringside.
Callihan got a near fall with a tombstone piledriver on a barbwire chair. Konnan took Callihan out of the match with a barbwire baseball bat, then Dave and Santana fought on the top of a ladder. Santana drove a bunch of wooden skewers into Dave’s head. Santana then executed a superplex off the top of the ladder through a table for the win.
Next Week: Impact presents a loaded card for Genesis. The lineup features:
Impact World Champion Eli Drake defending against Johnny Impact and Alberto El Patron in a triple threat steel cage match
Grand Champion Ethan Carter III defending against Matt Sydal
Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness defending against Allie
The Big News: The Authors of Pain will challenge Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly for the NXT Tag Team Championship at TakeOver: Philadelphia.
The Medium News: Ember Moon will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler at TakeOver.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Just three days before his main event championship match, Johnny Gargano puts his title shot on the line against Velveteen Dream next week.
**********
Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli defeated Heavy Machinery
One of Otis Dozovic’s New Year’s Resolutions was to marry Mandy Rose. I wonder if Rose is aware of this. This match was set up about a month ago when Sabbatelli parked his Maserati in a spot that was not helpful for Heavy Machinery. Thankfully we have well thought out, intelligent angles.
Sabbatelli used both a dropkick and a running crossbody to Dozovic. Unfortunately for him, neither of those worked, especially the crossbody, as Dozovic caught him and dropped him. Tucker Knight tagged in and used a spinning front face lock, but he allowed Sabbatelli to tag out to his fresh partner. Moss only fared slightly better as Heavy Machinery took back over. They paid tribute to The Bushwhackers and Scotty 2 Hotty, including Dozovic doing the Worm.
Everything was going well for Heavy Machinery until Moss used a schoolboy with his feet on the ropes to pin Knight. This was a seven-minute match where they got 30 seconds of offense, but that last three seconds was all that was important.
**********
The Undisputed Era cut a promo about their respective matches at TakeOver: Philadelphia. Basically, they have made every TakeOver about them and this will be no different.
**********
A video package aired, showing what happened last week with Adam Cole and Aleister Black. While building up their extreme rules match, they showed a bunch of famous ECW clips, including Taz and Bam Bam Bigelow going through the entrance ramp and New Jack diving off the balcony.
**********
Roderick Strong defeated Fabian Aichner
Aichner is the guy who was in the Cruiserweight Classic but has gained 30 pounds of muscle since.
Aichner can still move, which is impressive when you’re 230-240 pounds of muscle. He did, however, almost drop Strong on top of his head with a powerslam. Aichner slapped on an abdominal stretch, which always disappoints me when no one does the Mike Rotunda grabbing of the ropes.
Aichner went for a springboard clothesline, but Strong caught him, dropped him with a uranage into a backbreaker, and picked up the submission win with the Strong Hold.
After the match, Strong said last week Lars Sullivan talked about how he has gone through everyone, well Sullivan is a force that Strong wants to destroy.
**********
We had a TM-61 video package. They have been out for a year thanks to injury and now are coming back. They were traced back to being in wrestling school together, becoming closer friends, and ultimately making it to WWE together. They showed footage of them training with Harley Race and trying out at the Performance Center.
Next week is part two.
**********
Lacey Evans defeated Aliyah
There have been a half dozen times the last two years where I’ve asked “Whatever happened to Aliyah?” and the very next week she’s on television. Triple H must be reading my mind and booking the show based off it. I don’t believe Evans has been on TV since being in the Mae Young Classic. Her parents named their daughters Stacy, Tracy, Lacey, and Macey (Lacey’s real name).
The story of Aliyah is a weird one. Seemingly every match she ever wrestles she performs very well (well, very acceptably) for 80 percent of the match, but that other 20 percent is so atrocious you wonder how she’s ever allowed on TV. They tried to get around that by having Evans take the majority of the match, however Aliyah had to do something, so we got her falling on her behind instead of her feet and strikes that missed by three feet that Evans had to sell.
Evans literally won with a punch to the face. Not sure if she meant to, but she appeared to really connect with it.
After the match, Evans asked how could Mr. Regal allow the lowest forms of trash in the NXT women’s division. It’s time for a proper, sophisticated lady to clean house. She’s going to start with classless psychos like Nikki Cross, Ember Moon, or the pathetic Kairi Sane.
Before she could continue, Shayna Baszler walked out and glared her down, which caused Evans to leave. It’s okay because Baszler got in the ring and put Aliyah in a rear naked choke. The referee could not break it. Moon waited for her music to start, but she eventually made the save.
Moon dared Baszler to bully her right here, right now. Baszler said she didn’t have her gear on, but would do it for Moon’s title.
Moon told her to name the place and name the date, telling her not to forget to bring her gear because Moon is going to kick her ass. Baszler yelled back to bring the title to Philadelphia for TakeOver.
**********
After a commercial break, Regal acquiesced to Moon’s request and made Moon vs. Baszler for the title at TakeOver.
In walked Zelina Vega, who said everyone knows Johnny Gargano has zero chance of winning at TakeOver. She said Velveteen Dream deserves it more and Gargano should put his title shot on the line in their upcoming match.
Regal said no and Vega said Gargano is a loser and a sham.
**********
Speaking of people who haven’t been on the show in forever, No Way Jose is coming back. He’ll be on next week’s episode.
**********
Gargano came to the ring for a promo. He said he just saw Vega talking to Regal. He knows what everyone is saying behind his back. Everyone doubts his ability to beat Andrade “Cien” Almas. He shouted that he is done being doubted. He is not a broken man or a loser. This is not a fluke, but this is his time and opportunity — and no one will stop him.
He agreed to put his title shot on the line against Velveteen Dream next week. For the first time in a long time, he knows who he is. He is Johnny Wrestling and he is the next NXT Champion.
**********
Last week, Undisputed Era destroyed SAnitY before they had to defend the Tag Team Championship against them. In theory this should lead to another SAnitY title match, but instead they aren’t in the TakeOver title picture.
**********
The Authors of Pain defeated The Street Profits in a number one contender’s match
Despite flirting with a babyface turn, Akam and Rezar were definitely the heels in this match, as the fans at Center Stage loved the Street Profits. We did get dueling chants, with the AOP’s fans louder and lasting longer.
The Authors got the heat on Montez Ford. Ford, who is not a small man, looked tiny in the arms of Rezar, but he was able to make the hot tag to Angelo Dawkins. Dawkins ran wild on his own and it was looking like it could be the end, but Rezar took Dawkins’ head off with a clothesline. We got a Super Collider and a Last Chapter to Ford and that was that.
Ten days from now, Akam and Rezar will try to become the second two-time NXT Tag Team Champions when they challenge Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
So, that does it for this week. Thank you all for reading and until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Mixed Match Challenge tournament kicked off as the series debuted on Facebook Watch.
In the first tournament match, Sasha Banks & Finn Balor teamed up to defeat Shinsuke Nakamura & Natalya on a show from Laredo, Texas. Banks & Balor in the next round face the winners of Asuka & The Miz vs. Carmella & Big E.
Mixed Match Challenge will run for 12 weeks and each episode is scheduled to be 20 minutes long. Raw and SmackDown teams will be matched up in the first round, and a second chance fan vote can save one team by allowing them to re-enter in the semifinals.
The winning team will earn $100,000 for the charity that they’re representing, and each team’s charity will receive $10,000. Banks & Balor are supporting the Special Olympics and Natalya & Nakamura are supporting the Make-a-Wish foundation.
Renee Young and Byron Saxton welcomed viewers to the show as the hosts at ringside. They also closed the show with a wrap-around segement previewing next week.
The commentary team was a three-person booth that included Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Beth Phoenix.
Several promos from social media preceded the match on a show that featured some different production elements than other WWE programming. Along with differing graphics and a faster pace, a constant element on the show was the integration with social media.
More so than they already do on other shows, viewers were encouraged to interact on social media while watching. Likewise, many of the promos used during the show were shot using camera phones and posted on social media platforms.
The build-up to the show also featured wacky candid skits in lead-up to the debut episode. In one Facebook skit, Nattie for luck gave Shinsuke one of her father’s ring jackets. As it turned out, Nattie probably need the luck more since she would eventually tap out in the match.
A lot of Finn and Sasha’s skits leading up to their match featured them doing the too sweet hand gesture as they boasted with confidence.
Finn Balor & Sasha Banks defeated Shinsuke Nakamura & Natalya
Sasha and Nattie started the match but quickly tagged out to let Shinsuke and Finn grapple. They wrestled to a stalemate before tagging out.
The match turned into a fight as Nattie and Sasha picked up the intensity with more of a heel/babyface dynamic than their partners.
Overwhelmed, Nattie took a powder to talk strategy with Shinsuke. Sasha went for a dive through the ropes to the floor, but Shinsuke caught her. He then gently placed sat her on the apron. Shinsuke did his signature hand gesture before he ducked when Sasha jumped off the apron with plancha on Nattie.
Back in the ring, Nattie gained an advantage to start working over Sasha.
Meanwhile, Sami Zayn and Becky Lynch watched on from backstage while also interacting in a “chatroom” on social media.
Balor ran wild after a hot tag for a near fall on Nakamura.
Shinsuke himself soon fired up, but got caught slipping by Finn. Balor went his finisher, but Nattie made the save by tripping him up on the top rope.
Sasha dived into the ring to make the save as Shinsuke had Finn covered. A melee began.
Shinsuke went for his finisher, but Finn posted him.
Finn and Sasha did the too sweet hand gesture before stereo dropkicks.
For the finish, Sasha hit a backstabber and transitioned into a submission. Sasha proceeded to submit Nattie with the Banks Statement.
Promos from next week’s opponents closed the show.
On week two of the Mixed Match Challenge, Carmella & Big E meet Miz & Asuka in another first round matchup.
Date: January 16, 2018 Location: Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, TX
The Big Takeaway —
Not only did both US title semifinal matches take place, but the finals did as well. Bobby Roode challenged Jinder Mahal to the match after they each won tonight, and Daniel Bryan made it official. Roode won the title clean in the main event. (Shane McMahon was there as well and there were no issues with the two this week.)
Also, Jey Uso appeared despite his arrest on Sunday.
If you missed it, this was the worst Smackdown show in quite a while.
Show Recap —
The New Day came out to start the show. Tom Phillips announced that the finals of the US Title tournament would happen next week. I was amazed to see a WWE show might actually start with a wrestling match, but New Day made sure to cut a promo first.
They had a podium set up in the ring draped in the American flag and pancakes sitting on top. They mocked Jinder Mahal and reminded the crowd how much he hates them. Woods said he would become United States champion. This was one of the weakest New Day segments in a while.
US Title Tournament Semi-Finals Match: Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Brothers) defeated Xavier Woods (w/Big E & Kofi Kingston) (18:01)
This match actually went through two commercial breaks. Mahal had the heat from the very beginning. The Singhs got a little too close to the action at one point, so Big E whipped pancakes at them like frisbees.
The crowd chanted “we want pancakes” as Mahal and Woods botched a spot by the ropes. Mahal went to give Woods a back body drop to the outside but he just sorta fell on the top rope instead.
After the second break, Woods headbutted Mahal off the ropes and hit a missile dropkick, then followed with clotheslines and a forearm. Woods then hit an enziguri and shining wizard for two. The Singhs got on the apron so Big E and Kingston chased them up the ramp.
Woods hit a back suplex but Mahal dodged his springboard elbow drop attempt. Mahal then slid Woods into the bottom rope like Enzo Amore to knock him out and followed with the Khallas for the win. This sucked.
Baron Corbin cut a promo backstage where he held the camera himself, kind of like the old Shield promos. He said the Royal Rumble would have no distractions or Smackdown politics and anyone who got in his way would be eliminated. Corbin said it was his time to main event WrestleMania. This was fine.
They announced Goldberg would be inducted into the Hall of Fame by showing us how many news outlets wrote articles about it.
Renee Young interviewed AJ Styles. Styles said his match at the Rumble was a 3-on-1 handicap match because he counted Kevin Owens as two people. He said the “yep” movement made them sound like muppets and gave them the nickname “Kami” (Cammie). Styles said the idea of those two being champion made him sick, but he would overcome another obstacle and reminded us this was his house.
They aired a video of the Smackdown woman cutting quick promos about the Rumble match in selfie videos. And here’s what they said: Carmella said the Rumble would be fabulous, Natalya said it would take cat-like reflexes to win, Tamina said she would make everyone believe they could fly by throwing them over the ropes, Lana said she would crush the competition, Naomi said everyone would feel the glow, Ruby Riott said nobody could stop her, Sarah Logan said she doesn’t run from anything, Liv Morgan said she would live (liv) forever, and Becky Lynch said she would be the last woman standing. This was no good.
US Title Tournament Semi-Finals Match: Bobby Roode defeated Mojo Rawley (13:15)
Like the earlier match, the heel took the heat almost right away. After 10 minutes, Roode made a comeback after Rawley ran shoulder-first into the post. Rawley cut him off briefly, but Roode nailed a spinebuster and Glorious DDT for the win. A nothing match.
The Singhs attacked Roode after the match and scampered off. Samir might’ve twisted his ankle leaving the ring because Sunil had to help him up the ramp. Mahal told Roode he would win the title next week. Roode grabbed a mic and said they should do the match tonight. The crowd chanted for Roode.
Mahal said no, because they would do it when he decides (even though the match has already been announced, which he just acknowledged a moment ago). Daniel Bryan showed up and announced that the match would happen tonight and the crowd chanted Yes. (Should be noted that Roode is selling a rib injury.)
Like Corbin and the women did earlier tonight, Randy Orton cut a selfie promo about the Rumble. Orton said he likes being surrounded by chaos which makes the Rumble his match and he would win it for the third time.
6-Woman Tag Match: Riott Squad defeated Women’s champion Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch & Naomi (8:09)
The babyfaces had control before a break, but not after. The Riott Squad worked over Lynch until she made a hot tag to Naomi, who ran wild on Morgan. Charlotte speared Logan to get her out of the ring, but the referee was distracted by something which allowed Riott to hit a Naomi with a kick on the apron, and Morgan followed with a jawbreaker for the win.
Dasha Fuentes interviewed The Usos. Both of them. They wondered how Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin even became a team. They said it must’ve been Tag Team Tinder because Gable has been on the rebound since Jason Jordan left.
Jimmy and Jey claimed Gable and Benjamin couldn’t even tell them apart, when Gable and Benjamin suddenly attacked them from behind. Gable said they knew exactly who the Usos were–former tag team champions. After Gable and Benjamin left, officials ran in to check on the Usos, who got to their feet on their own. After they stood up, they just stood there seething.
They should’ve had the Usos stay down after the beating. There’s no reason why they couldn’t have just chased after Gable and Benjamin other than they exited the frame already.
They aired a long video package for the WWE title match at the Rumble.
Shinsuke Nakamura cut a selfie promo of his own. “Thirty men. One destiny. One winner. Me. Let’s Rumble.”
Shane McMahon came out. Phillips said the Singh brothers were banned from ringside for the US title match, but Shane and Bryan would be out there.
They aired a clip from the Fashion Files where Aiden English (with Rusev) challenged Breezango to a match next week on Rusev Day. Tyler Breeze appeared to be doing his Renee Young impression. Fandango accepted the match on behalf of the Ascension, who were minding their own business in the locker room reading Gluten Free magazine.
Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal to become United States Champion (15:44)
Both guys are wearing blue trunks and knee pads, with black boots and wrist tape (and neither guy wears elbow pads). Roode is really selling his ribs. Mahal worked him over by driving him into the side of the ring and dropping him rib-first on the barricade. Then they went to commercial 3 minutes into this important title match.
After the break, Mahal worked over Roode’s ribs for an hour. Roode eventually hit a blockbuster but Mahal slipped out of a Glorious DDT and they took each other out with clotheslines. Mahal countered another DDT attempt and went for the Khallas, but Roode countered that into the Glorious DDT for the win.
McMahon and Bryan stood and applauded as Roode celebrated. After a replay, they presented him with the title and he posed to end the show.
Final Thoughts —
This was a really bad show. There were two Jinder Mahal matches totalling 33 minutes and 45 seconds. None of the main event acts were featured on the show, outside of one lame promo from AJ Styles and quick backstage promos from Orton and Nakamura (who, to be fair, was busy with the Mixed Match Challenge). The women were presented as one-note characters with nothing interesting to say.
The only positive, I guess, is that Roode won the title. I don’t like Mahal, but even if you’re okay with him as a mid-card champion, it’s too early to give him another title reign after we just endured one. One negative to that reign was it cut off Nakamura’s momentum, and they ran the risk of doing that with Roode (whatever momentum he does have).
The Big Takeaway: The first half of the show was a storyline where Kurt Angle fired Braun Strowman for destroying Brock Lesnar and Kane last week, claiming that Strowman created an unsafe working environment. This led to a series of backstage angles where Strowman destroyed various security guards, Curt Hawkins, Angle’s TV and random furniture in his office, then going into the TV production truck. Strowman then turned a tractor-trailer over on its side, went back to the arena and went after Michael Cole.
Instead of criminal or assault charges being filed, Angle responded by calling Stephanie McMahon, who rehired Strowman and returned him to his spot in the Royal Rumble three-way against Lesnar and Kane for the Universal Championship. Strowman responded by throwing Cole off the stage into a group of bodyguards. Cole landed about as safely as one could land.
Among the new names lined up for the 25th anniversary of Raw next week: Chris Jericho, Eric Bischoff, Kelly Kelly,, Jacqueline Moore, Terri Runnels, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool and Maria Kanellis.
Show Recap:
Strowman started the show to a babyface reaction. Strowman said he wanted to tell everyone a short story with a happy ending. A beast and a machine and a monster at the Royal Rumble and the last one standing is the monster among men, and he became the new Universal Champion.
Kurt Angle walked out with a group of security guards. Angle said he had a story too, but it doesn’t have a happy ending. Angle said Strowman put lives in danger last week and cost the company thousands of dollars in damage. Angle said Strowman creates an unsafe working environment and he is in charge of every WWE superstar. Strowman said as far as he was concerned, he did his job last week. Angle said you settle things in the ring in the WWE. Strowman said he does what he wants, when he wants. If he wants through the door and kicks it to hell, that’s what he’ll do.
Angle said he was lucky Kane and Lesnar were well enough to compete at the Royal Rumble, but Strowman wasn’t going to compete. Angle told Strowman he was fired. Fans were furious at Angle and chanted “you suck” at him. Strowman walked to the back with the guards surrounding him. Strowman was backstage. One of the guards told him he had to leave. Strowman stopped walking and turned to one of the guards and dared that guard to make him leave.
They aired a Classic Raw moment from 2011 where Hugh Jackman hosted the show. They showed him sucker punching Dolph Ziggler.
Strowman continued walking the lengthy backstage area. He got to the exit, when a security guard told him he had to leave. Strowman threw that guard into the wall, then beat up the other four guards, including tossing one acros a table and threw a table and another over a barricade. As bodies were scattered around him, Strowman screamed that he wasn’t leaving until everybody gets these hands.
Apollo Crews and Titus O’Neil (with Dana Brooke) defeated Sheamus & Cesaro (10:49)
Titus O’Neil kicked out of a schoolboy cradle by Sheamus after Cesaro gave him an uppercut. Cesaro tagged in and attempted the Gotch Neutralizer, but O’Neil backdropped Cesaro over and tagged Apollo Crews. They set up Crews for the White Noise, but Jason Jordan walked out. That distracted Sheamus, allowing Crews to escape and pin Sheamus with a schoolboy cradle. Rollins came out and wondered why Jordan did that. Rollins, once again, looked annoyed at Jordan, who just smiled.
Backstage, Strowman kicked down the door of Angle’s office. When Angle wasn’t inside, Strowman destroyed the office, including a TV and leaving chairs in pieces.
Among the latest named announced for Raw 25th anniversary is Jacqueline, Terri Runnels, Kelly Kelly, Maria (isn’t she still on the roster?), and Trish Stratus.
Sensuke Nakamura and Natalia face Finn Balor & Sasha Banks tomorow on the premere of the Mixed Match Challenge.
Strowman barged into catering, sending peopl running for cover and overturned tables, took Curt Hawkins and chokeslammed him through a table. He walked up to some guy, standing deathly still, just holding a chocolate cake. Strowman stopped his rage and grabbed a piece before leaving.
Enzo Amore and Tony Nese came out. Amore was limping on his bad right ankle. Corey Graves mentioned he was sad that Enzo wasn’t in catering. Enzo said he was doing better than Hawkins and Strowman was a monster amongst men, but so was he. Amore said he may go to the ring stitched up and taped up like Frankenstein, but he was walking out of the ring Cruiserweight Champion. Amore said he may be Frankenstein, but Cedric Alexander was Dracula because he sucks.
Alexander came out to Goldust. Goldust said if Enzo was a film he would go straight to DVD. Goldust said Alexander was a box office smash and when Alexander defeats Enzo at the Royal Rumble, there will be only one word to describe him…champion. Alexander did the old “SAWFT” chant to almost no reaction.
Strowman continued to wreak havoc backstage, taking a dumpster and rolling it into a curtain, ignoring referee’s pleas to stop.
Cedric Alexander (with Goldust) defeated Tony Nese (with Enzo Amore) (5:46)
Nese did a gorilla press into a gutbuster. He tied Alexander to the tree of woe and did crunches for his abs while kicking Alexander in the midsection. Enzo mouthed off and Goldust got his face at ringside. Goldust tried to dance like him. Alexander hit Queen Anne’s Revenge, followed by a flying clothesline off the top rope for a two count. Alexander went for the Lumbar Check, but Nese escaped with a back elbow, then flipped over for a cradle for two. Nese tried a pumphandle slam, but Alexander escaped and hit the Lumbar Check for the pin.
Angle walked back into his dressing room to survey the damage left behind by Strowman. He told a referee that he had no choice but to call the police and possibly a SWAT team. Another referee ran up and said Strowman was headed to the TV truck. Angle exclaimed they had $12 million worth of equipment in there.
Strowman found the TV truck. No sign of Kevin Dunn. Braun just screamed at people, threw a coat and a few papers. He screamed at everyone to get out. Strowman left the truck in a huff and the people who ran off returned to their seats thinking everything was OK. Then Strowman showed up behind the wheel of a big rig, where he tried to lift it and turn it over onto the production truck. Angle showed up and ordered him away. Strowman momentarly left after Angle told Strowman that he had called the cops. Angle got a call on his cell phone, and by the time he looked up, Strowman was back and his lifted the tractor trailer up and tipped it over. They switched between about ten camera angles in rapid fire fashion as Strowman pulled off this stunt.
Strowman, not even breathing hard, continued his rampage backstage and walked back to the arena. Strowman walked over to the commentator’s table, grabbed Michael Cole by his belt and threatened to carry him backstage. Angle came back out with security and said Stephanie McMahon had called and said Strowman wasn’t fired anymore. Not only that, but Strowman was back in the champioship match at the Royal Rumble. Strowman looked at peace for a moment, then looked back at Cole. He grabbed Cole and threw him off the ramp and onto about eight guards. The crowd sounded disappointed that Cole wasn’t choke slammed as Strowman raised his arms in celebration.
Chris Jericho and Eric Bischoff are now advertised for next week’s 25th Anniversary show.
When they returned to break, Graves and Booker T were back on commentary. There was an empty seat between them, but fortuantely Tom Phillips was backstage and handled the play-by-play for the rest of the night.
Asuka defeated Nia Jax via referee’s stoppage (10:41)
Asuka used the Octopus, but Jax flipped her onto her feet. Booker called the Octopus “the spider move.” Jax caught a backbreaker and a clothesline. Jax walked away, but Asuka recovered to put her in a triangle armbar. Jax picked Asuka up and gave her the buckle bomb. Asuka escaped a lengthy bearhug, escaped a sit-down splash, and gave Jax a running kick. Asuka hit three spinning backhands. Jax kicked out of a schoolgirl cradle for a two count. Jax gave Asuka a powerbomb. Jax went for the neck hanging tree slam, but Asuka grabbed a heel hook on Jax’s left leg, but Jax got to the ropes. Jax threw Asuka out of the ring and threw Asuka’s back into the apron. Jax started to climb back in the ring, but Asuka kicked Jax’s left knee. Jax sold her leg huge and couldn’t stand up. The referee simply stopped the match because Jax was unable to continue. Crowd was clearly behind Jax in the match.
They aired the annual Martin Luther King Jr. video, showing him shaking hands with John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Muhammad Ali and Jesse Jackson. They finished with Robert Kennedy’s announcement of King’s assassination edited with a ten-bell salute.
Bliss gave Jax an ice pack and said she thought Jax would destroy Asuka. Enzo showed up to check on Jax. Bliss tried to tell Enzo to back off, sayin she had this. Enzo told Bliss he had this too. Jax told Bliss that Enzo had this and Bliss walked off. Enzo told her he was sorry she got hurt.
The Revival defeated two jobbers who were never named (1:39)
Dash Wilder pinned someone after the Shatter Machine.
Charly Caruso interviewed Scott Dawson afterwards. Dawson said what everyone just witnessed was tag team excellence, something that people hadn’t witnessed in a long time. Dawson said they were focused on mastering holds and winning matches. Caruso asked them who they were excited to meet next week at the 25th anniversary show, perhaps the New Age Outlaws, Steve Austin (biggest pop) or Shawn Michaels. Wilder said crotch chops and drinking beer wasn’t who they are, that they weren’t sports entertainers, they were professional wrestlers. Dawson said they weren’t a creation of the WWE boardroom, then pointed backstage and said “they” didn’t want us to succeed because they were wrestlers.
The next legendary Raw moment was the “Yes” movement takeover in 2014.
Elias was in the ring for another song. Elias sent out his best to Cole and sang a song about how he hopes John Cena comes his way. He said he has retribution for what Cena did to him on Christmas Day. He vowed to eliminate Cena and 29 more. Elias said he will prevail at the Royal Rumble, unlike the Spurs who are destined to fail. That got heat. Elias sang an introduction for the Miz and the MizTourage.
Miz said last week, he returned to Raw after a six-week absence and the fans welcomed him back with a “welcome back” chant and that felt awesome. Miz said the spark that was missing from Monday Night Raw wasn’t Cena, it wasn’t Brock Lesnar, it was him. Miz said it felt awesome to have Angle grant him an Intercontinental Championship rematch against Reigns and to lay out Reigns and Rollins last week. Unforgettable moments are what he’s all about, which is why the USA Network asked him and Maryse to deliver their own unscripted series “Miz and Mrs.” Miz said the Intercontinental Championship will be his next week in Brooklyn, which will feel awesome.
Roman Reigns defeated Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas (with the Miz) in a handicap match (8:12)
Reigns came out to cheers. Reigns threatened to suplex Bo Dallas out of the ring, but Curtis Axel pushed his partner down. Dallas delivered a DDT. Reigns made his comeback with several rights, but Axel tagged in.Reigns threw Dallas into Axel. Miz pulled Dallas out of the ring. Reigns went to give Miz a Superman punch off the ring steps, but Miz pushed Dallas into the path of the punch. Reigns chased Miz into the ring and got Miz’s coat. Axel tried to pin Reigns with a schoolboy cradle, but Reigns kicked out and pinned Axel with a spear.
Add the Boogeyman to the list of people returning next week.
Sonya DeVille (with Paige and Mandy Rose) defeated Sasha Banks (with Bayley and Mickie James) (2:24)
Tom Phillips mentioned that because of a neck situation, Paige will not compete at the women’s Royal Rumble. The word retirement was never spoken. Sonya DeVille got the pin out of nowhere when Banks jumped off the second rope, but DeVille kicked her in the chest.
Rollins and Jordan met backstage. Rollins told Jordan about stepping outside of himself and speaking on his behalf. Jordan said he knew that Rollins was upset about last week with Balor. Rollins told Jordan that he wasn’t upset with what Jordan did tonight, he was upset with how Jordan did it.
Matt Hardy defeated Heath Slater (with Rhyno) (3:37)
Matt Hardy did a spot where he got Heath Slater in the corner and just smiled at him. Hardy leaned in and Slater leaned back so far in fear that he fell out of the ring. Rhyno gave Slater a pep talk, leading to a brief amount of Slater offense. Hardy gave Slater the side effect for a two count, a neckbreaker and the Twist of Fate for the three count.
Tom Phillips gave ESPN credit for the announcement that Goldberg wll be the first inductee in the Class of 2018 WWE Hall of Fame. They showed Goldberg’s first win in the streak against Hugh Morris and the legendary match vs. Hulk Hogan from July 1998.
Balor did an inset promo about the last time he faced Rollins, when he won the Universal Championship, which he called the greatest moment of his career. He admitted that accidents happen, referring to the shoulder injury he suffered in the match. Tonight, with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows in his corner, things will be “too sweet.” Balor is now smiling during his ring entrance and interviews like he’s an Irish Bob Backlund.
Seth Rollins (with Jordan) defeated Finn Balor (with Anderson & Gallows) (15:21)
Rollins sold his left knee after he hit a blockbuster. He followed with a tope, which only made his knee worse. Balor made his comeback with a series of forearms and a double stomp. Balor hit the Final Cut for a two count. Rollins blocked an attempt by Balor for the sling blade, then Rollins hit his own sling blade for a near fall. Rollins hit two running clotheslines, but Balor blocked a third with the sling blade. Balor ran into a Rollins’ superkick for two in a good spot. Some fans started chanting “too sweet.” Rollins went for the Rainmaker knee, but Balor gave him a forearm. Rollins came back with an enzuigiri. Rollins went to the top rope but Balor got out of the way of the Phoenix splash and hit the Woo dropkick. Balor went for the Coup de Grace, but Rollins climbed the top rope for a superplex, then hit a rolling Falcoln Arrow for a great near fall. Rollins went back to the top rope, but Balor got the knees up and rolled Rollins up. There was mass confusion at this point. The referee counted three, then immediately corrected himself and said it was only two. They showed a replay and the referee clearly botched the count.
Sheamus and Cesaro came out to brawl with Jordan after what happened earlier. Anderson & Gallows started fighting with Sheamus and Cesaro. Balor gave everyone a tope outside the ring. Balor got back to the top rope and attempted the Coup de Grace, but missed. Balor bounced off the ropes, but Jordan tripped him, which Rollins didn’t see. Rollins brought back the old curb stomp finish to a huge pop and the pin.
Postmatch was weird. Balor stayed in the ring with Gallows and Anderson selling the curb stomp forever, long after Rollins’ music had stopped playing. They stayed on the scene for so long, I thought Balor was going heel on Gallows and Anderson, but they finally ended the show without that.
The Big Takeaway: Alicia Fox defeated Dana Brooke only a week after Brooke’s win over Mickie James. Akira Tozawa & Mustafa Ali then beat Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari in under four minutes to close out the show.
**********
Alicia Fox defeated Dana Brooke (w/ Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews) (5:39)
Only a week after defeating Mickie James, Dana Brooke lost on Main Event to Alicia Fox. Fox’s position is hardly high right now and the decision for Brooke to lose momentum after such a big win is puzzling to say the least.
The match was as you would expect, with Fox — by far the more experienced competitor — selling for Brooke. Brooke was playing a cocky heel throughout, taking the support of Apollo Crews and Titus O’Neil (who is now sporting a Chris Jericho-esque scarf to complement his suit). At one stage, Brooke no-sold a shoulder barge from Fox and dropped down to the mat to show off her one-handed push-ups.
Fox took much of the second half of the match before Brooke kicked out of a Northern Lights suplex. Brooke got the heat with clotheslines and running forearms, but Fox got the win when she blocked a charge and nailed Brooke with the Watch Yo Face in the middle of the ring.
Akira Tozawa & Mustafa Ali defeated Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari (3:51)
Once again, the cruiserweights were given too little time to make much of an impression, but, that said, this was fun while it lasted. Gulak and Tozawa were the stars here, going back and forth and outdoing each other at every turn.
The Zo Train bullied their way into contention and built to a false finish when Daivari blind tagged himself in with Ali prone by the corner of the ring. Daivari hit the Persian Lion Splash, but Tozawa came in to make the save.
The last minute was really strong here: Tozawa did a suicide dive on Daivari outside while Gulak and Ali exchanged pin attempts in the ring. Ali came off the second rope to hit Gulak with a rolling DDT and left him position to hit his finisher. Ali then landed the 054, beautifully, for the win to leave The Zo Train winless in their last four outings.
Previously: Dan Lambert defeated James Storm in a career match and retired Storm from Impact Wrestling in the process.
Tonight: Moose & Eddie Edwards face Bobby Lashley & KM in the main event.
Show Recap —
– Dan Lambert and Bobby Lashley came down to the ring. Lambert bragged about ending James Storm’s career last week and introduced the newest member of American Top Team, KM. Lambert pointed out that KM helped get rid of Storm while Lashley didn’t.
KM mentioned that he attacked Moose last week, which brought Moose to the ring. A brawl broke out and the heels beat down Moose until Eddie Edwards ran out for the save. Moose and Edwards cornered Lambert but he escaped.
– Ethan Carter III came down and called Matt Sydal a choke artist. He buried the Canadian crowd and asked if they wanted to see him get beat up, then issued an open challenge that Petey Williams accepted.
Grand Champion Ethan Carter III defeated Petey Williams by DQ
The match was contested under traditional rules. Williams was on fire early before EC3 took over. Williams then made a fiery comeback and scored several near falls. He missed a plancha and injured his ankle, which distracted EC3.
Matt Sydal ran out from the crowd and jumped EC3 for the disqualification.
– In the back, Allie gave an intense promo after being attacked by Laurel Van Ness last week.
– Backstage, Matt Sydal challenged EC3 to defend the Grand Championship in a traditional 60-minute time limit match with no judges and no rounds.
Flashback Moment of the Week: James Storm defeated Kurt Angle to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Angle beat down Storm with kicks and punches in the corner. He was firmly in control when Storm suddenly hit the Last Call superkick to win the championship. Storm celebrated with Bobby Roode, Frankie Kazarian, and AJ Styles.
Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness defeated KC Spinelli in a non-title match
Spinelli was briefly in control before Van Ness quickly gained the advantage. Spinelli made a comeback and scored a close near fall, but Van Ness used a curb stomp and an Unprettier to retain the title.
After the match, Allie ran out and attacked Van Ness but Van Ness ran off.
– Impact World Champion Eli Drake and Chris Adonis came down to the ring. Drake bragged about beating Alberto El Patron last week in New Jersey and still being champion. He promised to go to Detroit next week and defend the title.
Alberto El Patron interrupted the champion and said he’ll be in Detroit next week too. Patron demanded a title shot, then Johnny Impact came out. Impact promised to see them in Detroit. A brawl broke out between all four guys and Impact wiped out everyone with a dive to the floor.
– In the back, Dan Lambert gave KM full credit for getting rid of Storm. Bobby Lashley didn’t seem happy about this.
– Backstage, Chandler Park celebrated his victory last week. Joseph Park was worried when Jimmy Jacobs approached. Jacobs buried Abyss and said he shouldn’t come back. Chandler got in Jacobs’ face and Kongo Kong scared him off.
– Sami Callihan and OVE trashed the LAX Clubhouse and tore down their flags.
– Later, LAX arrived at the clubhouse to find it destroyed and their money stolen. Konnan challenged OVE to a barbwire match.
Sonjay Dutt, Garza Jr. & Dezmond Xavier defeated Trevor Lee, Caleb Konley & Hakim Zane
The faces were in control early in the match, but the heels managed to isolate Dutt. Garza Jr. got the hot tag and basically competed with one arm. Xavier got the tag and hit the Final Flash on Zane for the win.
X Division Champion Taiji Ishimori and Xavier had a staredown. They meet for the championship next week.
Bobby Lashley & KM (w/ Dan Lambert & John Hartnett) defeated Moose & Eddie Edwards
Hartnett got beat up again before the match. The faces ran wild early, though the heels quickly took over. They isolated Edwards on their side of the ring. The faces made a brief comeback until Lashley yanked Edwards off the apron to regain control.
Moose got the hot tag and ran wild on KM. He scored a close near fall with the Go to Hell. Edwards made the blind tag and took out KM with a suicide dive. Lambert distracted Edwards and KM hit a powerbomb into a lungblower for the win.
Next Week: Impact World Champion Eli Drake defends against Alberto El Patron and Johnny Impact in Detroit. Plus, for the first time on television, LAX battle OVE in Barbed Wire Massacre III.
The Big News: After Adam Cole laid out Aleister Black, William Regal booked them in an extreme rules match at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
The Medium News: Before that, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly retained the NXT Tag Team titles by defeating their replacement opponents, Roderick Strong & Aleister Black.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Shayna Baszler stomped the elbow and forearm of Dakota Kai to win her NXT debut.
**********
The Undisputed Era started the show with a pre-taped promo welcoming us to 2018. Kyle O’Reilly said they will take out SAnitY tonight, while Adam Cole said that he will take out anyone who stands in the way of him becoming the NXT Champion.
**********
WCW Saturday Night has broken out as we have invaded Center Stage in Atlanta for the next few weeks!
**********
Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai via referee stoppage
We saw video of Baszler bullying people at the Performance Center last week. One of the women trainees was being taught how to do a rear naked choke, so Baszler volunteered to put it on her but didn’t let go after she tapped. Kai found this appalling and made the challenge for this match.
The crowd, which popped for Kai, didn’t think she stood a chance, chanting “Shayna’s gonna kill you.” Baszler used a double wrist lock and wrenched the hand and fingers of Kai. She stomped Kai’s forearm and elbow, which caused the referee to stop the match.
After the match, Baszler slapped the rear naked choke on Kai, which the referee could not break up. Finally, Ember Moon ran in and Baszler let go. Moon challenged Baszler, but she laughed and walked away.
**********
Akam and Rezar cut their own promo, only partly in English, saying they are going to beat both SAnitY and Undisputed Era. Paul Ellering finished by saying they will win the Tag Team titles.
**********
Christy St. Cloud attempted to interview Baszler, but they were interrupted by Mr. William Regal. Regal said that he sees through whatever games she is playing. Baszler just walked away, completely disrespecting the GM.
**********
Kassius Ohno defeated Raul Mendoza
Mendoza looked good here, but Ohno may not have been the best opponent to showcase his offense as he went over slowly a few times for his smaller, quicker foe. Ohno used a reverse Gory Special, but Mendoza sat up and used a victory roll for a two count.
Ohno ended up picking up the win with a high tension elbow strike.
**********
Zelina Vega told the press that Andrade “Cien” Almas would defeat Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. Vega said Gargano is not a fighter, but an opportunist. Three people beat the crap out of each other and Gargano picked up a win over the right guy at the right time.
**********
St. Cloud interviewed Gargano about his upcoming title match. Gargano said a lot of people didn’t think he had a chance. Before he could continue, he was interrupted by Velveteen Dream. Dream demanded Gargano thank him, since Dream’s injury let Gargano into the tournament. Dream said Gargano doesn’t deserve his spot — Dream does — and told him to remember that.
**********
Lars Sullivan destroyed Lio Rush
Rush’s best offense was a good defense, and that defense was running away and not getting hit. That was a great idea for about 30 seconds. 31 seconds into the match, Sullivan caught him and it was over. Sullivan took his head off with a clothesline and then pinned him with the Freak Accident.
Sullivan cut a post-match promo saying all his opponents have fallen by his hands. He met a force he’s never faced before two weeks ago, but now he wants to destroy this force. He finished by saying he’s talking about Killian Dain. That should be a heck of a match.
Sullivan sent a message to Dain by giving Rush a Freak Accident from the middle rope.
**********
We were magically whisked away to the backstage area and were shown that Undisputed Era had laid out all three members of SAnitY.
**********
Next week: The Authors of Pain face The Street Profits.
**********
Undisputed Era came out, theoretically for the main event, as Fish & O’Reilly were scheduled to defend against SAnitY, but the trio seemed to have put a stop to that.
They mockingly searched the crowd for SAnitY, asking if maybe they forgot. Cole began bragging that they “kicked the chaos” out of SAnitY when Nikki Cross exploded from backstage. They needed two referees to drag her away.
Regal finally came out to confront the Tag Team Champions. He said they will be defending the belts tonight, which brought out Roderick Strong and Aleister Black! They stormed the ring and we had a fight.
Black and Strong cleared the ring and the referee rang the bell, so it was on.
**********
NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly defeated Roderick Strong & Aleister Black to retain their titles
Black and Strong ran wild on both men for several minutes until Fish dropkicked Black on the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring, to take the advantage. Undisputed Era chopped down Black and worked on his leg.
Mauro Ranallo mentioned that when Fish and O’Reilly debuted Black defeated them both in singles matches. Strong finally got the hot tag and made his foes wish they were wrestling SAnitY instead. Black recovered long enough to boot Fish into the ring steps.
Cole ran in from out of nowhere to punch Black, so Black stalked Cole into the stands. With Black far away from the ring, O’Reilly and Fish laid out Strong with Total Elimination, picking up the win.
Black ran back to the ring and went on the attack, but Cole wasn’t far behind. The tag champs held Black as Cole delivered elbow strike after elbow strike, and Black was then the victim of Total Elimination. O’Reilly put a chair in the ring and Cole gave Black an AA onto the chair.
Undisputed Era celebrated up the ramp until Regal came out and informed Cole that his match with Aleister Black at TakeOver: Philadelphia would be an extreme rules match.
That does it for the first NXT of 2018. What will happen next week? Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Date: January 9, 2018 Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL
The Big Takeaway —
There weren’t any big advancements in the main storyline. Shane McMahon put Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a 3-on-2 handicap match against AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. Shane also restarted the match twice after Owens and Zayn tried to get counted out and disqualified. It ended with Orton pinning Zayn. Daniel Bryan seemed pleased with the main event announcement and wasn’t too bothered by Shane calling him unstable and irrational. Bryan accused Shane of the same thing.
Bryan made another announcement that Shane didn’t like, putting the Usos in a 2-out-of-3 falls match against Gable & Benjamin for the tag titles at the Rumble.
Also, Becky Lynch submitted Ruby Riott, Mojo Rawley advanced in the US title tournament, and Breezango defeated Rusev & Aiden English.
Show Recap —
After a recap of last week’s main event angle, Renee Young started the show by introducing AJ Styles. Tom Phillips explained that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn would have to tag in and out in their Rumble handicap match. Byron Saxton whined about Daniel Bryan’s decision.
Young asked if Styles thought the announcement was fair. Styles said he takes pride in stepping foot in the ring, but didn’t realize Bryan would take his words seriously last week. Styles said there was a chance he could lose the title but there was also a chance he would beat the crap out of both guys.
As the crowd chanted for Styles, Young said that he didn’t really answer the question and again asked if it was fair. Styles said no. He was willing to fight them both separately for the title, even on the same night, and actually called it poor booking. Young asked if he thought Bryan was playing favourites. The crowd chanted Yes, but Styles didn’t want to pretend he knew.
Styles didn’t know whose side Bryan or Shane McMahon were on, but did know he would defend his title against two men. Owens and Zayn interrupted. Owens insincerely asked that we give Styles a hand, so the crowd chanted for him as Owens tried to continue his promo.
Owens claimed Styles was trying to backtrack on what he said last week. He said it would be a miracle for Styles to win but heaven doesn’t hand out miracles to people like him. Owens said he and Zayn would be the first-ever co-WWE champions. Both guys said Yep repeatedly. The crowd was split chanting No and Yep.
Shane McMahon came out. He agreed with Styles that the match was unfair. He was puzzled by Bryan’s decision and giving the two “yep clowns” another chance at the title. He would allow the match to go on as planned–for now.
Shane wanted to see a handicap match tonight and put Owens and Zayn in a 2-on-3 match against Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. Styles was happy about this.
They cut to Gorilla where Bryan awaited Shane. He acknowledged Shane calling his decision puzzling but then gave him credit for making tonight’s main event. They shook hands.
Becky Lynch (w/Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair & Naomi) defeated Ruby Riott (w/Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan) (8:08)
One of the facts shown for Lynch was that she was the captain of team Smackdown at Survivor Series. It didn’t mention how quickly she was eliminated. Lynch cut a pre-taped promo where announced herself as an entrant for the Rumble–the final member of the Smackdown women’s roster to do so–and would be the final woman standing.
Lynch was all over Ruby for the 40 seconds they spent wrestling before commercial. Ruby was in control after the break. Lynch came back with forearms, an uppercut, spinning kick and suplexes. Ruby ducked a kick and hit a couple of her own. Lynch then countered a Riott Kick attempt into the Disarmer and Ruby tapped out.
It seemed like the Riott Squad wanted to interfere, but they were backed off by Charlotte and Naomi.
They aired a video from the website where Sami Zayn in disguise surprised Becky Lynch outside the arena to announce that they were teaming up in the Mixed Match Challenge. They were both very happy. (You should also watch the video with Jimmy Uso and Naomi if you haven’t.)
The Bludgeon Brothers defeated The Ascension (0:36)
Earlier tonight, Breezango let Ascension know they would not be at ringside because they have a match against Rusev Day.
Konnor and Viktor jumped Harper as soon as the bell ring but Harper cut off Viktor with the best damn big boot ever. Harper and Rowan won quickly with an assisted sit-out powerbomb (on Viktor). Konnor cautiously entered the ring to check on Viktor but he was attacked and they gave him the double crucifix bomb.
U.S. Championship Tournament First Round Match: Mojo Rawley defeated Zack Ryder (3:31)
Bobby Roode entered before a break to watch the match from ringside. Ryder did not get an entrance. His trunks say “ZackDown Live.” Rawley won with a running punch in the corner. No heat for the match. Roode and Rawley faced off in the ring afterwards, but Rawley left the ring. They played Roode’s music and he posed.
Jinder Mahal cut a promo backstage saying he was WWE champion for 185 days (which doesn’t appear to be the correct number) and the only person who believed in him was himself. He had a new goal for 2018 and that was to be US champion. He called New Day a fad but the Maharaja was forever.
They aired a video of Natalya finding out Shinsuke Nakamura would be her partner in the Mixed Match Challenge. She was happy it was him and not Rusev or Sami Zayn.
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin promo
Gable wore a white t-shirt that read #FreeTheTagTitles. He asked the fans if they knew what it took to make sacrifices and be a success. Benjamin said just because the University of Alabama won a national championship, it doesn’t make any of the fans winners, because they just sat on their coaches and stuffed their faces.
Benjamin said Georgia was robbed due to a poor referee call, just like they were robbed last week. Gable said they freed the titles from the Uso Pentitatiry as the crowd chanted “Roll Tide.” They concluded that the second referee was jealous of them because he doesn’t know what it takes to be a winner. Gable said they didn’t lose to the Usos, they lost to instant replay.
Gable called out “generic referee #2” but they got Daniel Bryan instead. The crowd cheered Bryan. Bryan said he knew what it was like to work hard and get something taken away. He didn’t care if they bashed their opponents, but they shouldn’t knock the referee. He said the referee’s decision was final.
Benjamin said he was right–and the referee announced them as the winner. Bryan said they didn’t win and the referee thought he was doing the right thing when he changed the decision. Gable accused Bryan of taking things out on them. Gable wondered if they had to beat the Usos twice in one night. Bryan had another eureka moment like last week, which the crowd picked up on right away, and he announced a 2-out-of-3 falls match for the titles at the Rumble.
There were some minor negatives, but I thought this was a really good segment. Gable was good and Bryan is great at playing a babyface who maybe or maybe not turning heel.
Backstage, Styles caught up to Orton and asked if his plan was to RKO everything in sight tonight. Orton said yes. Styles was satisfied and was about to leave, but Orton let him know he was planning on winning the Rumble and winning the title at WrestleMania. Nakamura entered, said, “not so fast,” flicked the title on Styles’ shoulder, added, “good talk,” and left.
Breezango defeated Rusev & Aiden English (5:16)
Before the match, English sang a song to announce they would win the Rusev Rumble match on Rusev Day. Breezango picked up the upset win after Fandango pinned Rusev with a schoolboy. Yes, the same way Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews beat Cesaro and Sheamus on Raw. (The match was almost the same length, too.)
Backstage, Shane let Bryan know they were not on the same page and called his decision-making impetuous and irrational. Shane wondered if he was okay. Bryan asked what he meant, and Shane said Bryan might have a lot going on in his life but is coming off as unstable.
Bryan figured he could say the same about Shane, especially considering his genes. Bryan said Shane has made irrational decisions in the past and is likely to do so again. Bryan was calm and cool as he said this. Shane said they would have to agree to disagree and left.
There was a new commercial for the Raw 25th anniversary show, this time advertising The Godfather, Brother Love, Boogeyman, Teddy Long, Ted Dibiase, John Laurinaitis and Sgt. Slaughter. That’s quite a list.
3-on-2 Handicap Match: WWE Champion AJ Styles, Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
The babyfaces had full control so Owens and Zayn decided to leave, but Shane came out to make the match no-countout. They restarted the match and the faces jumped the heels. Of course, after a break, the heels were in control. The crowd chanted for Styles as Zayn held him in a headlock. Owens then applied a headlock and the crowd continued to chant for Styles.
Styles came back with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker and made the hot tag to Orton, who hit clotheslines and a powerslam to Zayn. As Orton ran wild, Owens jumped in and hit him with a chair for the DQ. Owens then gave chair shots to Styles and Nakamura.
Shane came out again and made it no disqualification. Styles attacked Owens with a chair and followed him up the ramp and to the back. This left Zayn alone with Orton and Nakamura. They tossed him into the post and Orton nailed him with the steel steps.
Orton cleared the announce table (barely) and gave Zayn a backdrop. Orton tossed him back in the ring and Nakamura nailed a Kinshasa. Orton finished him off with an RKO for the win. (Overall, the match went about 13:47 but it was restarted twice.) Orton and Nakamura posed as they quickly went off the air.
The Big Takeaway: The Miz returned and will face Roman Reigns for the Intercontinental Championship on the 25th Anniversary of Raw in two weeks. The show pushed the Balor Club, who defeated Roman Reigns, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins. They continued to paint Jordan as the overenthused geek that make Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins roll their eyes.
Samoa Joe entered himself into the Royal Rumble. Nia Jax is in the women’s Royal Rumble, and will face Asuka next week on Raw from San Antonio. The two were supposed to wrestle tonight, but Jax jumped Asuka during her ring entrance. Samoa Joe also teased a match with John Cena down the line. It was a weak reacting crowd in Memphis and the building appeared heavily tarped off.
Show Recap:
Reigns walked out to largely boos. Reigns said after his attacks, all his hype and all the talk, you would think that Joe would be ready for him. But Joe wasn’t, which was why Regins is still champion. Reigns said he was fighting for a purpose because he was fighting for Dean Ambrose. Reigns told everyone in the back if you mess with one of the members of the Shield, you mess with all of them.
Jason Jordan came down to total boos. Jordan said when he watched Reigns’ match with Joe, he got goose bumps because it was the first time in his life he was part of something meaningful. Jordan acted like he was a member of the Shield. He thanked Reigns and wanted to bump fists. Reigns looked at him like he was crazy. Seth Rollins came out with a smirk on his face and said Jordan has a lot to learn. Rollins said they have to work on Jordan’s timing because he was stepping on Reigns’ moment. Jordan said this was everyone’s moment because each of them had their problems with Joe and Reigns took care of it. Jordan said “We run this show. We’re all champions.” Jordan said we aren’t the Shield, but we might be the most dominant three man group in the WWE.
Finn Balor, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows showed up laughing over what Jordan said. Balor said he knew Jordan was excited, but did he really think he was part of the most dominant group in the WWE. Balor said he’s been running with Gallows and Anderson for ten years, long before Jordan knew Kurt Angle was his father. Anderson said they’ve been running with Balor for a long time and there was even a special on the WWE Network about it. Gallows said when Balor came to Raw, they knew he wanted to shine alone and he became the first Universal Champion. Anderson said eventually they knew the three of them would come together and take the place over. Balor said that day was last Monday on Raw and Balor said 2018 would be the year of Balor Club. Jordan scoffed and said he was proud to be a part of the Champions Club. Rollins and Reigns just winced.
Balor said he saw the Big Dog, the Architecht, and he saw…Gallows bellowed “Nerd.” Jordan pushed Gallows and the two had to be pulled apart. Reigns looked upset with Jordan.Angle came out and ordered a six-man tag main event with the Balor Club vs. Jordan, Reigns and Rollins for later tonight.
Sasha Banks and Bayley defeated Mandy Rose and Sandy DeVille via tapout (10:54)
Mickie James accompanied Sasha Banks and Bayley. Paige joined her Absolution mates. James will be in the women’s Royal Rumble, along with Banks and Bayley. Sonya DeVille told Banks “Put your hair up and square up” as she delivered body punches. Mandy Rose and DeVille pulled off the typical heel tricks to keep Banks from making the hot tag. Ultimately, Bayley got in the ring without a tag and took out DeVille to the floor. Banks made Rose tap to the Bank Statement.
There was a 25 Years of Raw retro highlight with the unforgettable Mankind visiting Vince McMahon skit in the hospital from October 1998, followed by Steve Austin’s attack. Corey Graves mentioned Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley being on the 25th anniversary show, along with Ron Simmons and JBL.
Goldust visited Alexander in the locker room. Goldust dressed like Mick from the Rocky series and told him he wanted to eat lightning and crap thunder against Alexander tonight. Goldust attributed that line from Rocky, but it was actually from Rocky 2. Alexander said he had dreamed about being a WWE Superstar all his life and a night like this all of his life. Goldust said the biggest thing standing in his way for the cruiserweight championship wasn’t Enzo, it was Cedric. Goldust gave him a pep talk.
They built up the Mixed Match Challenge by showing a Facebook video from earlier in the day showing how Goldust put on his makeup. It was revealed that Alicia Fox would be Goldust’s partner. Fox acted like a total babyface and was jubilent about teaming with him.
Matt Hardy came out to his new “Woken” introduction. He walked out to total silence. Hardy did an inset promo where he vowed to delete 29 other superstars in the “Rumble of Royalty” and become champion of the multiverse.
Matt Hardy defeated Curt Hawkins (1:55)
Curt Hawkins acted like he was scared of this version of Hardy. Hardy won a total squash with the side effect and twist of fate.
Immediately, Bray Wyatt’s vignette popped up on the screen. Wyatt showed up in the ring for a staredown with Hardy, who laughed like a wild man. Wyatt laughed back at him and the two just stood there laughing at each other for about a minute before they cut away. The whole Hardy Woken character feels like it peaked ten months ago.
Elias was in the ring for a song. He’s trying to get over his catchphrase that WWE stands for “Walk With Elias.” Elias started to sing about Elvis Presley’s birthday and Graceland was only six miles away. He wondered why he should even care about Elvis and introduced the Miz, who came out with Dallas and Axel. Graves claimed Tommy Wiseau asked the Miz to star in a remake of “The Room.” Miz got a “welcome back” chant as he started an episode of MizTV. Miz said the Marine 6 has wrapped, his latest USO tour was over and he is back. Miz introduced his guests, Dallas and Axel.
Miz said the two men turned their careers around in 2017 and are living embodiments of a New Year’s Resolution done right. Axel said 2017 was the best year of his life and said it was like every day Miztmas. Dallas tried to get a “Thank you, Miz” chant started to some success. Dallas presented Miz with a framed photo of the Miz. Dallas said it was going to be tough going to sleep tonight without that tonight. Axel took off his jacket, then gave it to Miz and said he got Miz a brand new sportscoat. Dallas, trying to outdo Axel, took off his watch and gave it to Miz. Axel and Dallas got ticked off at each other trying to kiss up to their boss before Miz ordered them to calm down.
Miz said 2017 was a great year because he held the Intercontinental Championship for 200 days, he was Rolling Stone’s Superstar of the Year, he elevated Raw and SmackDown. but he hasn’t forgotten about the Shield jumping him in November, leaving him laying after the triple power bomb through a table. Miz said that was an indignity and he allowed Reigns to borrow the Intercontinental Championship because while he was gone, he wanted the Intercontinental Championship defended week after week after week. He said clearly, the man makes the championship and Daddy’s home. He said in 2018, his daughter would be born and when people think of the Intercontinental Championship, they would think of him, just like the Ultimate Warrior and Shawn Michaels. Miz said he hoped Reigns enjoyed his time with the Intercontinental Championship, because he was coming back for his championship and he could believe that.
Anderson, Balor and Gallows talked backstage. Anderson and Gallows alluded to drinking stories from Japan. Balor said the situation was different but the tactics would remain the same. He wanted to show that 2018 was the year of Balor Club and they gave each other the Cliq hand gesture.
They showed a preview of Graves interviewing Amore on a new Network show called “Straight to the Source,’ where Graves brought up Amore being kicked off a bus in Europe and Amore calling Graves a horrible announcer while walking out of the discussion.
Amore came out and said the doctors told him he couldn’t wrestle last week because of the flu. So he rang in the New Year sipping chicken noodle soup given to him from Nia Jax. Enzo said he couldn’t believe that Alexander teamed with Goldust because it’s the closest Alexander is getting to gold in 2018 and he’s going to start 2018 the same way he ended 2017, as the Cruiserweight champion.
Cedric Alexander defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore by countout, but Amore retained the championship (8:47)
Jax watched the match from the back. Amore dumped Alexander off the top rope to the floor. Amore went for the DDG (jumping DDT off the second rope), but Alexander met him with a dropkick to start his comeback. Alexander did a handspring kick for a two count. Alexander attempted the Lumbar Check, but Amore escaped to the ropes, only to meet a kick to the face and it bloodied up Amore legit. Alexander hit a springboard clothesline. Amore rolled to the floor while Alexander hit a somersault tope. Amore sold his left ankle while a trainer came over to wipe off Amore’s face. It led to Amore getting counted out and the fans booed the finish. Alexander didn’t sell being disappointed over not winning the championship.
The Undertaker, DX, Jim Ross, Ric Flair, Jerry Lawler. HHH. Michaels and Austin are now being advertised for the 25th anniversary Raw show in two weeks.
In the back, the doctors checked out Amore. They informed him that he would need an MRI. Jax came to the trainer’s table to check on Amore and told him she was worried. Amore said he was fine. After Jax left, Amore grabbed h is ankle and screamed in pain and frustration.
Angle was on the phone with someone who, according to Angle, had not been in the ring in years but would be great for the Women’s Royal Rumble. Sheamus and Cesaro walked up demanding a rematch against Jordan and Rollins for the Raw Tag Team Championship. Angle said they would get their rematch at the Royal Rumble. Sheamus said that was great news and they were dressed to compete. Angle said he would find them opponents tonight. Then Miz came up and asked Angle if he had any idea who he was talking to. Miz claimed USA Network executives were on pins and needles about his new unscripted series which would star on the USA Network and star him and his wife. Miz said he knew how to run a show and wondered if Angle knew how to run a show and asked for a rematch against Reigns at the 25th Anniversary of Raw. Angle said that wasn’t a bad idea, then asked Miz not to touch him.
Earlier today, Miz learned his partner in the Mixed Match Challenge. Asuka walked out of a limo and told him “we will win.” Miz screamed about how he was going to win the Mixed Match Challenge.
Asuka was in the back. Bliss walked up. Bliss said Asuka may have beat her last week, but she got lucky and to enjoy it while it lasts. Bliss said when her friend Jax heard what Asuka called Jax, she wouldn’t want to be Asuka.
Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews defeated Sheamus and Cesaro (5:19)
Michael Cole said Titus O’Neil was trying to recruit Jax for Titus Worldwide in the Mixed Match Challenge. Sheamus did the low bridge spot with Apollo Crews, who took a bad bump to the outside and favored his left knee. Eerie to see that in consecutive matches. Booker T all but gave away the result saying he didn’t think O’Neil and Crews would win. Sheamus went to Brogue Kick Crews, who jumped off the apron for a moonsault onto Cesaro. Sheamus got his leg caught in the ropes, and O’Neil pinned him with a schoolboy cradle. O’Neil, Crews and Dana Brooke went wild pinning the former tag team champions while Cesaro and Sheamus were in shock over losing.
Lesnar and Paul Heyman came out to easily the best reception of the night, and even that wasn’t overwhelming. Heyman said there’s a code, a credo in the industry and it’s called old school. It’s something that he and Lesnar have a lot of respect for, but it’s never blinded them that this is a progressive industry. There are new ways to market the product to the core audience and the fans worldwide. But tonight, Heyman says they’ve gotten away from something old school that takes away from Lesnar. The old school way of promoting a Universal title match was to find a challenger, one man to step up and face Lesnar. One man who thought he was a better fighter or a better wrestler who could tap Lesnar out or pin Lesnar. Heyman said they’ve gotten away from that because the Universal title isn’t marketed over who can beat Lesnar, it’s how can they get the title off of Lesnar. Last week, Heyman said Lesnar took Kane’s best shot and laughed in Kane’s face. Heyman said Lesnar walk into the Royal Rumble with only one cliffhanger in mind: will Lesnar pin Kane, will Lesnar pin Braun Strowman or will he stack them on top of each other and pin them both. Heyman said he hasn’t seen anyone that can put down Lesnar.
Lesnar and Heyman left and walked up the ramp.,where Kane jumped Lesnar from behind. They fought to the backstage area, where Strowman jumped in and threw Lesnar into a stack of road cases. Strowman threw a case onto Lesnar, who fell through a table. It look like something the size of an guitar amp landed on Lesnar. Then Strowman laid out Kane by throwing him into a case. Strowman grabbed a grappling hook, threw it to the top of a truss and used his strength to send it crashing down on top of Lesnar and Kane. Lesnar was motionless and two trainers attended to him and Heyman watched on in horror. Lesnar did a stretcher job while Kane struggled to his feet. As he was loaded into an ambulance, Lesnar said he didn’t want to go to the hospital and ordered Heyman into the vehicle.
Samoa Joe defeated Rhyno via tapout (2:44)
A match meant to rehab Joe and continue the gimmick of Rhyno trying to toughen up Heath Slater. Joe hit an STO for a two count. Rhyno briefly had Joe up on his shoulders, but Joe got behind Rhyno, clamped on the Coquina Clutch for the tapout.
Charly Caruso did an interview bringing up Joe’s loss to Reigns last week. Joe said last week wasn’t a loss. He said Reigns little win was a peric victory, a victory that comes with such a great cost, it might as well have been a loss. Joe said he’s beaten years off of Reigns’ career every time he’s been in the ring with him, the cracks in Reigns foundation are showing and when the time is right, Joe will be there. Joe entered himself into the Royal Rumble. Caruso brought up several names that Joe will face, including John Cena. Caruso said as he looks back at his career, Cena is a man he will never forget and Cena will be the first person he eliminates in the Royal Rumble
Bliss stopped Jax backstage and asked about Enzo. Jax said he was fine, not that Bliss cares. Bliss said she does care, she was smart, beautiful and talented. Jax then entered herself in the women’s Royal Rumble. Bliss said she would favor Jax to win. Bliss said Asuka said something about Jax. About beating around the bush, Jax demanded to know what Asuka said about her. Bliss whispered what Asuka supposedly said in Jax’s ear. Jax couldn’t believe it, then asked if Bliss speaks Japanese. Bliss said no. Jax knew Bliss was lying because Asuka doesn’t speak English.
Asuka made her ring entrance, but Jax got Asuka on her shoulders and gave her the electric chair. She gave Asuka a somersault senton and left. There was a brief “Nia” chant. There was no match. The two will meet next weeok on Raw.
The vote for Bayley’s partner in the Mixed Match Challenge has come down to Elias, Jordan or Joe.
As Balor made his ring entrance, pictures were shown of Balor, Anderson and Gallows as the Bullet Club in Japan to get the new group over. They were careful not to show anything from New Japan Pro Wrestling and instead aired photos from various dojos, arenas and bars. Graves mentioned Anderson and Gallows holding both the IWGP and WWE tag team championships.
Finn Balor, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows defeated Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan (15:26)
Early on, Reigns gave Anderson and Gallows the Drive-By simultaneously while Rollins hit Balor with a pescado. After that spot, Jordan celebrated with his teammates like he had done something big. Reigns and Rollins looked at him like he was an idiot. Reigns got the first hot tag and teased a Superman punch, hit Gallows and Anderson with standard punches on the apron, but Balor came up with the sling blade for the heat, which consumed most of the bout. Rollins got the hot tag and gave Balor a tope, his own sling blade to Anderson, a vertical suplex into a Falcon Arrow to Anderson for a two count. Anderson gave Rollins an Anderson Spinebuster for a two count. Rollins went to tag Jordan, but Gallows knocked Jordan off the apron. Rollins gave Gallows an enzuigiri. Balor attempted a sling blade on Rollins, who reversed it into a back suplex. Just as Rollins was about to make the hot tag to Reigns, Jordan ran after Gallows. That distracted the refereee, who didn’t see Rollins tag Reigns. Meanwhile, Anderson and Gallows gave Rollins the Magic Killer. Reigns and Jordan started arguing. Reigns speared Gallows outside the ring and also laid out Anderson. Jordan went to help Rollins up in the corner, but just as he left the ring, Balor hit Rollins with the Woo Dropkick and pinned Rollins with the Coup de Grace.
Postmatch, Reigns and Jordan continued to argue. Then Miz, Dallas and Axel ran out of the crowd to jump Reigns, Rollins and Jordan. The beatdown cntinued with Miz giving Reigns the Skull Crushing Finale. The Miztourage and Miz started to leave, but a few members of the crowd chanted “one more time.” Miz mocked Reigns with his bark that he does before the spear, then Miz, Dallas and Axel gave Reigns the Triple Power Bomb.
The Big Takeaway: Accompanied by Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews, Dana Brooke stole a win against Mickie James. In a strong performance, Akira Tozawa got his win back from Tony Nese in a rematch of their 205 Live bout from the previous week.
**********
Dana Brooke (w/ Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews) defeated Mickie James (4:37)
Brooke has been at the side of Titus Worldwide for the last few weeks here on Main Event, so it was interesting to see her take to the ring instead this week with both O’Neil and Crews at her side. James, who hasn’t appeared on Main Event since July, took the fall having last scored a singles win in October.
The match really wasn’t particularly good until the second half. Brooke dominated the first part of the bout with chinlocks and rest holds, but James eventually took over with a more impressive and interesting move set. James locked in a tarantula at one point and looked to be in line for a win when Brooke had to roll outside for a breather, only to be berated by O’Neil and Crews.
The finish saw Brooke block a roll-up attempt that allowed Brooke to flip over James and apply a weak-looking bridging pin to essentially steal the win. Vic Joseph and Nigel McGuinness played up the coup on commentary and had kept putting James over as a former six-time champion.
Titus Worldwide made off like bandits, even doing a lap of honor around the ring, while James was left to look on.
Akira Tozawa defeated Tony Nese (5:49)
On 205 Live the previous week, Nese picked up the win over Tozawa after some fierce back and forth, eventually finishing Tozawa with a running knee. The rematch on Main Event saw them face off on a show that Tozawa is yet to lose on.
Once again these two were excellent together. The whole match was a back and forth where you felt that either man could come out on top. They built to a point where both had dominated moments and equaled each other and both went for a big boot and both landed it. They looked glassy-eyed — but it was Tozawa who got up first.
Nese tried a roll-up and a pumphandle slam but Tozawa was quick enough to escape them. Eventually, Tozawa was able to strike Nese with a windmill kick to leave him prone by the corner. Tozawa hit the Drop Zone for the win in what was a really strong bout. It would be good to see these two get more time together on WWE television.
Surprise entrants were Delirious, Cheeseburger, and Masahito Kakihara.
Chase Owens eliminated surprise entrant Delirious by pinfall. BUSHI was tossed out over the top. Leo Tonga was pinned by Nagata and Nakanishi. Nagata pinned Nakanishi, who then helped Owens and Kitamura pin Nagata. Owens hit a package piledriver on Kitamura for an elimination.
Taka Michinoku and Kanemaru were joined by Suzuki-gun stablemate El Desperado, and they triple-teamed Owens, throwing him over the top. Jushin Liger was in next, and Suzuki-gun continued their quest to unmask him. Tiger Mask jogged down for the save, and he and Desperado worked together, eventually unmasking each other, but they hid their faces. Mr. Juicy Gino Gambino was next in, and in the mask chaos, every other wrestler was eliminated.
Henare was in next, followed by YOSHI-HASHI and David Finlay. Henare and Finlay pinned Mr. Juicy after a cutter. Henare got tossed out, and Finlay rolled up YOSHI-HASHI for an elimination. Yujiro Takahashi and PIETER entered which was quite the entrance. Takahashi eliminated Finlay and danced and posed with PIETER until Cheeseburger rudely interrupted. Satoshi Kojima entered, and he and Yujiro did some clunky spots. Hiroyoshi Tenzan was in next, and Kakihara was the final entrant. Cheeseburger and Kakihara tossed Kojima and Tenzan over the top, leaving them as the final two.
Kakihara pinned Cheeseburger, and cut a promo after announcing that he has beaten cancer, and thanking fans for donating to a foundation raising money for Yoshihiro Takayama. This was a below average battle royal, but that doesn’t matter. The guy survived cancer and is trying to raise money for his injured friend. Happiness was the goal here, so mission accomplished.
The Young Bucks defeated Roppongi 3K to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Matt and Yoh applied sharpshooters on their counterparts in the first major spot of the match. Sho and Yoh hit stereo dives on the Bucks, and Yoh sold his back. Matt hit two power bombs on the apron on the injured back, and the Bucks superkicked and powerbombed Rocky Romero on the ramp. Yoh briefly fired up and sent Matt out over the top, and Matt started selling his back. Nick tagged in and worked over Yoh. While Nick took the ref, Matt tried to power bomb Yoh on the ramp, but Yoh countered. Nick went for a dive on Yoh, but missed and hit Matt.
Sho got a hot tag and hit a double German suplex on the Bucks. A superkick party broke out, leading to Matt and Yoh being the legal men, working each other’s backs. The Bucks hit a buckle bomb and a senton for a nearfall. Yoh survived a sharpshooter for a near-submission. Sho tried to bounce back from a superkick, but his back gave out. The Bucks hit a Meltzer Driver and Nick locked in the sharpshooter for the tapout. This was a very good opener, and a totally different style of match than a casual fan might expect from the Bucks.
Beretta, Tomohiro Ishii, and Toru Yano defeated Bullet Club, Suzuki-gun, Elgin & War Machine in a Gauntlet Match to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship
Elgin and War Machine started against the Suzuki-gun team of Iizuka, Taichi, and Sabre. Elgin ran wild, then Iizuka got the best of Hanson. Sabre and Rowe tagged in and the pace quickened significantly. Hanson missed a top rope moonsault. War Machine recovered and went for Fallout, but Iizuka ran wild with the iron glove, and Sabre choked out Rowe for the first fall. The team of Elgin and War Machine were eliminated.
Suzuki-gun jumped the Chaos team of Toru Yano, Beretta, and Tomohiro Ishii as they came down the ramp, but it was for naught. Yano hit a low blow on Taichi and rolled him up, eliminating Suzuki-gun.
The Taguchi Japan team of Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe, and Juice Robinson entered next. They ran wild on Yano with the highlight being a series of one million clotheslines on Yano in the corner. Taguchi began channeling Shinsuke Nakamura, but in his fervor, he got rolled up by Yano for the elimination.
The Bullet Club team was last in. Ishii ran wild on them and hit a suplex on Bad Luck Fale. The Tokyo Dome exploded for a vertical suplex of all moves. Tonga and Loa went to work on Beretta. Beretta went for a moonsault but ate a Gun Stun in mid-air. Tama Tonga went for a second Gun Stun, but Beretta turned it into a dudebuster for the pin. That was a good finish, but there wasn’t much to the first half of the match.
Kota Ibushi defeated Cody
The first major spot of the match saw Ibushi miss a dive on Cody and crash into Brandi. Ibushi picked her up to help her to the back, but Cody punched him in the face, and Ibushi dropped her. Brandi and Cody cackled at this together. Brandi passed Cody a chair, then diverted the ref’s attention while Cody hit Ibushi with it. Cody missed a fourth chair shot, and Ibushi recovered and hit the Golden Triangle. They traded counters on the apron, before Cody hit Cross Rhodes from the apron to the floor.
After teasing a countout from the Cross Rhodes, Cody hit a tope rope rana. He went for Cross Rhodes in the ring, but Ibushi reversed and launched Cody headfirst into the middle of the turnbuckle pad. Ibushi hit a Last Ride for a nearfall. Cody hit a lariat for a near fall. Cody missed a Disaster Kick, and Ibushi hit him with Kamigoye, setting up the Phoenix Splash for the pin. This was good, but didn’t come close to the show-stealer that it could have been if given more time.
EVIL and SANADA defeated Killer Elite Squad to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship
Killer Elite hit the Killer Bomb on EVIL for a nearfall in the opening seconds, but SANADA made the save. EVIL sold the move as though he was in fact dead. Killer Elite threw SANADA over the top to the outside and started attacking Young Boys. Archer chokeslammed EVIL from the apron onto a pack of boys on the floor.
The story of the first ten minutes of the match was that SANADA and EVIL refused to quit. Archer and Smith hit them with everything and they got no offense at all, but they would not stay down. Archer hit a superplex on EVIL which was a sight to behold. SANADA got a hot tag and did some flying, but Smith cut him off. SANADA kicked out of a Killer Bomb. EVIL cleared out Archer, and SANADA and EVIL hit a Magic Killer for a nearfall. SANADA hit a moonsault immediately after for the victory and another title change in an okay match.
Hirooki Goto beat Minoru Suzuki in a Hair & No Seconds Deathmatch to win the NEVER Openweight Championship
Suzuki brutalized Goto with hard slaps to the face and they teased a doctor stoppage after a hangman’s choke. Despite selling the slaps, Goto fired back with chops to the chest. Suzuki locked on a guillotine, but Goto was able to get out and nailed an Ushigoroshi. Seconds tried to interfere in this no seconds match as YOSHI-HASHI chased Taichi as he tried to run in.
Suzuki locked on a choke and the ref did the old arm check on Goto, but before the ref could stop it, Suzuki went for the Gotch. Goto powered out. More slaps and Goto was bleeding from the mouth. Goto put Suzuki up top and hit a super-Ushigoroshi for a nearfall. Goto hit Suzuki with forearm strikes, and hit the GTR for the pin.
The post-match was great. Suzuki-gun tried to hustle Minoru out of the ring, but he insisted on doing the honorable thing. He took his own chair and sat in the middle of the ring and shaved his own head.
Will Ospreay defeated Marty Scurll, KUSHIDA, and Hiromu Takahashi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
This was an excellent, state-of-the-art match. Ospreay is other-worldly. KUSHIDA did a senton from the top to the floor. Ospreay hit a moonsault off a light tower. Ospreay went for the Oscutter but Scurll caught him in the chicken wing. KUSHIDA broke that up. Takahashi hit a belly-to-belly on KUSHIDA. Scurll hit a neckbreaker on Ospreay for a nearfall, and an Oscutter for another. Scurll went under the ring and pulled out a bag of tape, and tied Takahashi to the barricade, then hit him with the finger break spot.
Scurll teased a double finger break spot on KUSHIDA and Ospreay, but KUSHIDA countered with a finger break on Scurll. KUSHIDA hit a flying armbar on Ospreay, transitioned to a gogoplata, then back to the armbar. Ospreay powerbombed his way out and sold his arm. Scurll threw powder in KUSHIDA’s eyes. KUSHIDA countered with Back to the Future. Ospreay broke up the pin. Takahashi broke free and hit sunset bombs on KUSHIDA and Scurll.
Takahashi got a nearfall on Ospreay. Ospreay and Scurll teamed up to try to take out Takahashi, but he countered. KUSHIDA hit a sunset bomb and Ospreay hit a shooting star to the floor on all three guys. Ospreay hit a 450 on Takahashi for a nearfall. Ospreay missed an Oscutter and Takahashi hit Time Bomb, but Scurll pulled the ref out of the ring and used an umbrella to take out KUSHIDA and Takahashi. Ospreay finally hit Scurll with an Oscutter for the pin and another title change. Best thing on the show to this point.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Switchblade Jay White to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Tanahashi got some offense in the early-going, but missed a plancha and White went to work on his bad right knee. Tanahashi recovered long enough to hit a summersault senton, then hit a pair of dragon screws, working over White’s left knee. Tanahashi hit a High Fly Flow to the floor, but missed a sling blade inside. White hit a deadlift German, and then the pace slowed. It appeared as though they mave have had some miscommunication over a spot, as White went to the top, then climbed back down as Tanahashi rolled to the opposite corner.
White hit two suplexes and a DVD for a nearfall. White missed a missle dropkick and Tanahashi hit another dragon screw. White hit a dragon suplex, but Tanahashi countered with a pair of sling blades. Tanahashi hit High Fly flow and went for another, but missed, and sold his knee. White slapped on a choke, then hit a Kiwi Crusher for a nearfall. Tanahashi hit a bridging dragon suplex for a nearfall. White got up as Tanahashi went up top, but Tanahashi slapped him down, and hit two High Fly Flows for the win.
This was good, but felt like it was just short of a star-making performance for White, and it was Tanahashi’s aura that carried the match.
Kenny Omega defeated Chris Jericho to retain the IWGP United States Championship
They traded punches and chops. Jericho got the Walls, but Omega escaped and sent Jericho outside. Omega sent Jericho outside and over the barricade, but missed a dive and crashed through the English announcers table. Jericho put some Young Boys in the Walls. They continued brawling through the broadcast area, and Omega hit a double foot stomp off a light tower onto a table and Jericho. Jericho teased a powerbomb through a table, but dropped Omega on the floor instead. Jericho was clearly having the time of his life, flipping off everyone, taking a photographer’s camera, just
Back inside, Jericho hit a spinning back elbow for a nearfall. They were completely working Jericho’s style and pace. Jericho hit a Lionsault for a nearfall, and a huge pop. Omega hit his Terminator dive, and Jericho begn selling his ribs. Back inside they teased finishers, before Jericho locked on the Walls again. Omega reached the ropes, then under the ring, and pulled out cold spray. He hit Jericho in the eyes with the spray, but Jericho countered by sending him into a chair set up in the corner, repeatedly. Omega bled.
Omega fired back with three dragon suplexes, but Jericho countered with a bunch of chair shots. Jericho teased coming off the top with a chair, but Omega sent him outside and through the Chekov’s gun table that had been set up earlier. Omega hit two V-Triggers and a underhook piledriver for a nearfall. He hit another V-Trigger and went for the One-winged Angel, but Jericho rolled through and applied the Walls. He tranisitioned to the old school Liontamer. Omega tased passing out, then tapping out, but reached the ropes. Jericho went for a Codebreaker, but Omega countered with two V-Triggers and a One-winged Angel. Jericho reached the ropes on an incredible nearfall.
Omega went up top but Jericho crotched him. Jericho teased a tope rope rana, but Omega escaped, dropping Jericho face-first on the turnbuckle. Jericho hit a Codebreaker for another nearfall. Jericho placed a chair on Omega and wen for another Lionsault, but Omega popped up, nailed him witht he chair, then hit a One-winged Angel onto the chair for the pin.
Jericho the character has been top-flight in recent years, but what was the last really good Jericho match you’ve seen? For me, it was this one. This might have been Jericho’s last true classic.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Tetsuya Naito to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Naito took his time disrobing from his awesome suit. Okada worked in bell bottoms. Tokyo Dome-caliber wardrobe choices by both competitors. Okada did not take kindly to an elbow to the head, and sent Naito to the floor with a sweet dropkick, in the first big spot of the match. Outside, Naito hit Okada with a neckbreaker over the barricade. Back inside, Naito continued working on the neck with elbows, dropkicks to the back, and neckbreakers. Okada countered by going after Naito’s neck, and hit a draping DDT from the barricade to the floor.
Inside, Okada hit a flapjack and an inverted DDT. Okada hit an elbow drop and teased the Rainmaker, but Naito escaped. Okada locked on the Cobra Clutch, and his facial expressions were top-notch here. Naito reached the ropes, forcing Okada to regroup. Naito hit a reverse rana from the top, but missed with his old Stardust Press corkscrew off the top. Judging crowd reactions from television can be a tricky thing, but it appeared to me that they really got the crowd going with that one.
Okada landed a running dropkick, but Naito popped up and hit a flying forearm. Okada took a huge bump off a missed missile dropkick from the top. Okada hit a German, and a Rainmaker, but Naito kicked out. Naito escaped from a Tombstone, and seemingly out of gas, missed an enziguri. Okada went for the piledriver again, but Naito hit him with Destino. Naito was too exhausted to go for a cover. Okada sold Naito’s finish, while Naito sold exhaustion.
They traded finishers in an intense, crazy closing sequence. I am not doing this justice. Okada retained after one last Rainmaker. This picked up significantly after a very slow start, and the climax of this bout was the best thing on the show.
This felt like Naito’s time, but with the way the show was constructed, full of title changes, you could sense this result coming.
Date: January 2, 2018 Location: Amway Center in Orlando, FL
The Big Takeaway —
Sami Zayn beat AJ Styles in a non-title match, thanks to plenty of distractions. Styles was pissed and wanted a handicap match against Zayn and Owens. This led to Daniel Bryan announcing that Styles would defend his title in a handicap match at the Royal Rumble (not a triple threat).
Becky Lynch returned to help Charlotte and Naomi attack the Riott Squad. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin appeared to have won the tag team titles, but the match was restarted after the officials realized the legal men were not involved in the pinfall. The Usos retained the titles after the restart.
Show Recap —
After a recap of last week’s angle, they plugged AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn, and The Usos vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin for the tag titles.
AJ Styles came out to start the show. Styles wished everyone a happy new year and welcomed everyone to his house. The crowd chanted for him. Styles knows there are wrestlers on both brands with new year’s resolutions of winning the Rumble, but his resolution was to keep the title right through WrestleMania.
Styles’ second resolution was to beat Zayn tonight. He wanted to know if Daniel Bryan would allow Kevin Owens to be at ringside, and that brought out Bryan. Before he could say anything, Shane McMahon entered.
Shane began to speak but stopped when the crowd chanted his name. He started again but again was stopped, this time by a chant for Bryan. Shane apologized to Styles for his interference leading to his defeat. Styles gave him a fist bump and seemed fine with this apology.
Shane acknowledged his issues with Owens and Zayn, but also accused Bryan of having a kinship with them. Shane asked if Bryan was turning the Yes Movement into the Yep Movement. This led to a mixture of No/Yep/Yes chants. Bryan was about to answer, but Shane kept going. Shane figured Bryan would allow Owens at ringside, so Shane was planning on being there too.
Bryan said he had other thoughts but was going to allow Owens at ringside if Shane planned on being there. The people booed, which seemed to surprise Bryan. Bryan then said he would be at ringside too and led a Yes chant.
Xavier Woods vs. Aiden English will take place tonight in the US Title tournament.
WWE congratulated themselves on Smackdown being the number one show on social media last week.
Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
During his pose in their entrance, Shelton Benjamin slipped slightly on the top rope but regained his balance. He laughed off the potentially embarrassing moment. The Usos cut a pre-match promo saying they were about to become 3-time tag team of the year and referred to Jimmy as the iron man of WWE (stat courtesy of Someone on Twitter).
Saxton said the Usos made a resolution to get in better shape and that Jimmy has lost 40 pounds. Gable and Benjamin got a nearfall right away after a top rope suplex from Benjamin and a moonsault by Gable, but the pin was broken up. They went to commercial 34-seconds into the match.
The Usos made a comeback after a break hitting dives to each of their opponents. Benjamin abruptly cut them off, tossed one Uso into the barricade and kneed the other one in the head. Benjamin and Gable then hit their powerbomb/clothesline combo for the quick win (5:33). Gable and Benjamin were announced as the new champs as the Usos complained to the referee.
As Benjamin and Gable celebrated up the ramp, another referee ran down to try to sort things out. They claimed that neither man was legal. The referee acknowledged his mistake and restarted the match.
The Usos retained their titles. The match was restarted after a break despite protests from Gable and Benjamin. The Usos nailed superkicks to Benjamin and finished him off with a splash for the win. (The second match went 1:24.)
Backstage, Renee asked Zayn and Owens if Shane and Bryan being at ringside would affect tonight’s match. Owens said there would be nothing different about tonight’s outcome–he beat Styles last week, and Zayn will do the same.
Zayn said Bryan isn’t showing favouritism, he’s just being a good GM. Zayn said this was still the Sami and Kevin Show, but before he said that, he slipped and almost called it the “seven” show, combining their two names. Owens picked up on this said it was weird that he said “seven” instead of “Sami.” Owens said Zayn would destroy the house that AJ Styles built.
Breezango vs. Bludgeon Brothers
The match never happened. Harper and Rowan attacked Tyler Breeze and Fandango before the match could start (as replays were being shown, in fact). Ascension ran out to confront Harper and Rowan, but they were easily taken out.
Big E and Kofi Kingston had a new year’s gift for Xavier Woods. They were pancakes in the shape of “2018” and a candle for him to make a wish. Woods thanked them and said when he becomes US champ, they all become US champ.
Before he could blow out his candle, Aiden English and Rusev showed up. English said he wanted every day to be Rusev Day and that would become a reality when he wins the US Title. Rusev mocked New Day for acting like children and he blew out Woods’ candle.
They aired a quick pre-taped promo by Mojo Rawley who said he would send Zack Ryder back to the past where he belongs.
US Championship Tournament First Round Match: Xavier Woods (w/Big E & Kofi Kingston) defeated Aiden English (w/Rusev)
English was going to sing a song before the match, but Rusev stopped him because he had a song for English:
Mark your calendars, save your dates
This is your new champion of the United States
He’s so tall, he’ll make Woods pay
For Aiden English brings the victory to the Rusev Day
The crowd cheered and English hugged Rusev. The crowd also chanted “we want pancakes” during the match.
Woods won with a springboard elbow drop. He’ll face Jinder Mahal next. Mahal was shown watching the match with the Singh brothers. As they showed replays of the finish, Corey Graves started cracking up because Kingston chucked a pancake in Saxton’s face.
Dasha Fuentes interviewed Natalya, Carmella, Lana and Tamina. Natalya reminded us that they were the Welcoming Committee before there was ever a Riott Squad. They ran down the Riott Squad and Carmella said their party was over. This was lame. Also, the four women stood shoulder-to-shoulder-to-shoulder-to-shoulder which looked real dumb.
Karl Malone was shown at ringside. He did DDP’s diamond cutter pose.
There was a graphic for the women’s Royal Rumble and the participants shown were Ruby Riott, Carmella, Naomi, Asuka, Natalya, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Paige, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana and Tamina.
Sarah Logan got the pinfall win on Tamina after hitting a Hail Mary (kneedrop to the back of the head).
Afterwards, Ruby told the Orlando crowd that magic wasn’t real. She said they pretend to be happy but they’re all miserable. She called the Riott Squad a dose of reality and said their destruction was real. Ruby announced that Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan were both entering the Rumble. Ruby has good delivery and did her best with the material.
Charlotte Flair interrupted. Charlotte wanted to give them a dose of reality and said actions have consequences. Naomi came out, but that wasn’t all, as Becky Lynch returned to a good reaction. They ran down and attacked the Riott Squad. Charlotte took out Logan with a big boot and Naomi took out Morgan with a Disaster kick. Lynch then gave Exploders to both Ruby and Morgan.
They announced John Cena as an entrant in the Royal Rumble.
Baron Corbin’s big face showed up on screen and he said he can’t wait to win the Rumble and main event WrestleMania. That seems unlikely.
Non-title: Sami Zayn (w/Kevin Owens) defeated WWE Champion AJ Styles (13:44)
Styles was in control when Zayn countered a Styles Clash into a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Styles then countered a Helluva Kick into a Calf Crusher but Zayn managed to get a rope break.
They traded forearms until Styles nailed a Pele kick. After Zayn ducked a Phenomenal forearm, Styles pushed Zayn towards the referee who fell outside the ring. Styles applied a roll-up while Owens tried to distract the ref. The ref jumped back in to count the fall, but Zayn kicked out at two.
Shane freaked out and shoved Owens to the ground. He demanded the referee toss Owens from ringside, so he did. Bryan got on the mic and told Shane that if Owens was tossed from ringside, then Shane should leave too. This drew a big reaction from the crowd.
Owens jumped on the apron before leaving, so Styles knocked him down. The distraction allowed Zayn to hit a Helluva kick for the win.
A pissed off AJ Styles grabbed the mic, looked at Bryan and told them to stop bickering like children. Styles didn’t know whose side Bryan was on but didn’t care. He said we should just make everyone happy and give him a handicap match with Zayn and Owens.
Bryan thought this was a great idea and announced that Styles would defend his WWE title in a handicap match against Owens and Zayn at the Royal Rumble. The crowd didn’t seem to know how to react. Shane looked perplexed as Bryan led a Yes chant from the announce table.
The Big Takeaway: Only real news was Roman Reigns successfully defending the Intercontinental Championship in a great match against Roman Reigns. Asuka defeated Alexa Bliss in a nontitle match to set up Asuka getting a title shot, presumably soon.
Show Recap:
At the top of the show, they announced Alexa Bliss would face Asuka in a nontitle match tonight. Bliss was made over this and hunted down Angle backstage demanding that he reconsider this match. Angle said he wanted to start 2018 with a WrestleMania caliber match. Bliss said that Asuka attacker her last week, unprovoked, and said Asuka is already in the women’s Royal Rumble. If Asuka wins the Rumble, then she will face Bliss at WrestleMania, which Bliss said should be enough. Angle said if Bliss was upset with Asuka, she can take them out on Asuka later tonight and it’s not like this is a title match…yet. Angle’s music began playing so Angle went to the ring.
Angle announced the women’s Royal Rumble would be 30 women and, just like the men, it would be over-the-top rope elimination rules. Sheamus and Cesaro came out upset over Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan getting a title shot at the Raw Tag Team Championships last week even though they had never teamed together. Cesaro said what Angle did after Rollins and Jordan won last week was too much. They showed footage of Angle hugging Jordan after winning his first championship. Sheamus accused Angle of favortism because his son didn’t deserve a chance at the tag team championships. Cesaro said they wanted a rematch tonight. Angle said they would get the rematch when he says so. Jordan walked out to boos. Jordan said if he didn’t deserve an opportunity at the tag team titles, then why was he wearing this (tag team belt). Jordan said if Cesaro kept running his refurbished mouth, he would get another trip to the dentist. Jordan and Cesaro got ready for a tag team match and Rollins came out. Rollins told Jordan that Jordan accepted a match against Cesaro with Sheamus in Cesaro’s corner, so he was outnumbered. Rollins said Jordan was self-absorbed, which forced him to protect his half of the tag team titles. Crowd started chanting “Daddy’s boy” at Jordan. Rollins said he was only there to watch Jordan lose.
Jason Jordan defeated Cesaro (13:16)
Jordan won with a hoist neckbreaker. Cesaro worked over Jordan’s left knee the entire match and put on a half crab. Jordan made the ropes. Sheamus was set to interfere and punch Jordan, but Rollins jumped Sheamus. This distracted Cesaro, leading to the finish. Match was mainly Cesaro using submission holds. Booker T talked about how wrong it was that a tag team in their first match won the tag team titles and claimed it was the first time it had ever happened in wrestling history. How many times has it been done to build up a WrestleMania program in the last 20 years?
Reigns did an interview with Renee Young. He said Joe had jumped him, beaten him and bullied him. He said tonight he will stay within the rules to fight Joe—probably.
Sasha Banks did a promo saying the first women’s Royal Rumble would be Boss time.
Bray Wyatt defeated Apollo Crews (10:21)
Bray Wyatt won with Sister Abigail. Titus O’Neil and Dana Brooke joined Apollo Crews at ringside. Just before the finish, Brooke jumped on the apron as Wyatt teased the finish. Wyatt gave her an evil stare, which scared Brooke enough she practically fainted and crashed into O’Neil at ringside. Crews hit an enzuigiri and teased the twisting power bomb, but Wyatt hit his finish.
Postmatch, Matt Hardy did a promo saying last week he turned Wyatt’s fireflies into his Woken Warriors. Hardy said he would diminish the powers of Sister Abigail and delete her forever.
Bliss found Nia Jax backstage. Bliss wanted Jax to join her at ringside for her match with Asuka. Jax said she had to leav because Enzo was sick in the hospital with the flu. She said Enzo wouldn’t be able to defend the cruiserweight championship tonight. Bliss couldn’t believe that Jax would choose Enzo over her and told Jax it was either Enzo or her. Jax said her chicken soup is getting cold and walked out the door. Bliss wondered if everyone has lost their minds.
Asuka defeated Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss via tapout in a nontitle match (14:43)
Asuka won with a roundhouse kick followed by the cross armbreaker for the tapout. Match didn’t have much heat. Bliss stalled a lot early because she acted like she didn’t want any part of Asuka. Bliiss got the heat with several submission holds, including a guillotine. Asuka made her comeback after Bliss slapped her. Michael Cole teased Asuka getting a title shot next at Bliss.
Young, looking apprehensive about talking to Joe subtly acknowledging that she’s married to Dean Ambrose, interviewed Joe. Joe did a strong promo saying because of him, he’s made Ambrose a stay at-home dad living off his wife’s paycheck. They flashed to Young when he said that and she wasn’t happy. Joe said by the end of tonight, he would show Reigns that it may be Reigns’ yard, but he’s living in Joe’s world.
Bayley did a promo about how she was going to win the Royal Rumble.
Braun Strowman defeated Rhyno (2:30)
This might as well have been 911 in the ECW Arena in 1995. Heath Slater started leading chants for Rhyno, and a sizeable amount of fans followed along. Braun Strowman dares Slater to get in the ring, so he basically became a handicap match. Strowman defeated Rhyno with a running powerslam. Then he gave Slater a powerslam. Fans chanted “one more time.” So Strowman gave Rhyno another power slam. Then Slater another one. Then he delievered one each to both men again, following with the fans’ wishes.
Backstage, Rollins approached Reigns. Rollins said he didn’t want Reigns to lose the Intercontinental Championship tonight just because Joe make Reigns lose his cool. Reigns said no one does what Joe did to their brother, Ambrose. Then Jordan walked in like a total geek and said if anyone tried to interfere against Reigns tonight, on behalf of he and his tag team partner Rollins, they would put a stop to it. Jordan left and Ambrose and Reigns had the weirdest look on their faces.
Strowman bumped into Kane backstage. Kane said he just wanted to talk to Strowman about Lesnar. Kane said they were the alpha monsters (note that term) of the WWE and together they can tame the beast. All it takes is being on the same page. Strowman said he didn’t care about Kane or his plan, when he takes down Lesnar he’s going to do it on his own terms. Kane just snickered and walked away.
Angle was on his cell phone when Finn Balor approached him. Balor said he was the first Universal Champion and he was never granted a rematch. Balor said he officially has entered the Royal Rumble. Angle said he thought Balor came to talk to him about something else. Balor revealed that he had arranged a match between the Miztourage and Elias vs. Balor and two partners of his choosing. Balor revealed his partners as Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. Balor said he had faced these men as his opponents before and had competed against them before, and it’s better to have them on his side.
Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns defeated Samoa Joe to retain the Intercontinental Championship (24:50)
A high bar has already been set for the best Raw match of 2018 because this was excellent. There’s an intensity that Joe brings which makes his matches feel like they’re on another level than any other heel on the roster. Reigns won after a spear. Joe got the Coquina Clutch, but Reigns got an arm drag to escape, leading to the spear. Earlier, Reigns hit the drive-by outside the ring, then picked up the ring steps. Joe dared Reigns to use them, knowing he would get disqualified and it would cost Reigns the championship. Instead, Reigns put the steps down. Joe cheap shotted Reigns, but Regins hit the Superman punch. Reigns hit another Superman punch, but Joe kicked out at two. Joe went for an uranage, but Reigns got Joe’s back, leading to Joe pushing Reigns into the referee. For a moment, the referee teased he was going to disqualify Reigns, but ruled it wasn’t intentional. Joe hit a uranage for a long two. The fans were going crazy by this point. This match went two commercial breaks and included Joe getting the elbow suicidia and an stiff elbow smach where Regins’ head bounced off the canvas. Great work by both men.
Postmatch, Angle watched Reigns’ celebration when Paul Heyman walked in. Heyman told Angle he knew there was a conspiracy by Strowman and Kane to gang up on Lesnar. If that conspiracy costs Lesnar the Universal Championship, Lesnar will be proactive and not reactive in his vegenace because 2018 will be known as the Year of the Beast.
Paige, Sonay DeVille and Mandy Rose did a promo saying no one has made an impact in the women’s evolution in WWE like they have and one of them was going to win the Royal Rumble.
Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari were in the ring. Gulak again announced that Enzo was out with the flu and read a note supposedly written by Amore from the hospital, complete with his opening catchphrase. Cedric Alexander came out and said since Enzo didn’t show up, he still wanted to face competition tonight and challenged either Daivari or Gulak. Daivari said they would only compete against Alexander in a tag team match and challenged him to find a partner. Of all people, Goldust came out. Goldust told Daiviar and Gulak he has friends in low places, but no one as low as those two.
Goldust and Cedric Alexander defeated Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari (3:26)
Alexander pinned Gulak after the Lumbar Check. Goldust and Gulak blew a bulldog spot bad. Fans chanted “you still got it” at Goldust after he hit a twisting crossbody on both heels.
Elias was in the ring for another performance. He said after his match with John Cena last week, WWE stands for “Walk With Elias.” He was joined by Curtis Axel (on jingle bells) and Bo Dallas (with a golden cowbell) for a performance of “Auld Lang Syne.” Dallas mentioned that the Miz would return next week. Axel and Dallas were totally off key in their singing and Elias ordered them to tone it down.
Finn Balor, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson defeated Elias, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel (3:27)
Balor pinned Dallas after Gallows and Anderson gave Dallas the Magic Killer and Balor finished him off with the Coup de Grace. Gallows and Anderson wrestled as total babyfaces, so maybe they’ve done one of those turns without turning.
Lesnar and Heyman came out for the main event segment to ‘Suplex City” chants. Heyman said it would appear to him that the WWE’s New Year Resolution is to continue to stack the deck against Lesnar. Heyman said what other way is there to explain Lesnar defending against more than one man. Heyman said it used to be a champion defending his championship against a challenger. But at the Royal Rumble, it would be the beast defending against the Monster and the Machine. Heyman brought up the possibility that if Kane and Strowman beat the other, they win the Universal Championship. Heyman said Lesnar will successfully defend the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble. Heyman said it doesn’t matter how you stack the deck against Lesnar, you can line up all 30 wrestlers in the Royal Rumble and Lesnar would eat through every one of them as well. Heyman said Lesnar fears no challenge, he fears no challenger, he fears no challengers, he doesn’t believe in monster and he doesn’t believe in devil. Heyman said he’s had a one-on-one with the man down below, and his favorite is Lesnar.
Lesnar and Heyman started to leave when Kane came down. Kane grabbed Lesnar by the throat and choke slammed Lesnar. But after selling it for a moment, Lesnar sat up just like Kane and started laughing. Lesnar clotheslined Kane over the top rope. Then Axel, Goldust, O’Neil, Crews, Anderson, Gallows and a host of others pulled Kane to the back.
Tonight: Impact continues to look back at the best matches and moments of 2017.
Show Recap —
GFW Women’s Champion Sienna defeated Knockouts Champion Rosemary to unify the titles (Slammiversary XV)
Rosemary was in control early until Sienna took over after a German suplex. Rosemary made a comeback and tried to spit the mist, but Sienna blocked it with her hand. She rubbed it in Rosemary’s eyes and won the match with a guillotine submission.
Jeremy Borash & Joseph Park defeated Scott Steiner & Josh Mathews (Slammiversary XV)
Steiner and Mathews chased the faces backstage in a golf cart, then Borash backdropped Mathews into a pool and followed up with a senton. James Mitchell approached Park with Abyss’ mask.
The heels worked over Borash in the ring before Abyss made the save. He gave Mathews the Black Hole Slam in the thumbtacks and Borash hit a frog splash for the win.
Eli Drake won the Global Championship in Gauntlet for the Gold
This match was a result of Alberto El Patron being stripped of the Global Championship. Eli Drake, Moose, Bobby Lashley, Eddie Edwards, and Johnny Impact were the final five.
It came down to Edwards and Drake, who were also the first two entrants. Drake countered a crossbody block into the Gravy Train to win the championship.
After the match, American Top Team attacked the referees and Dan Lambert shoved Scott D’Amore to the ground.
Trevor Lee defeated Sonjay Dutt in a falls count anywhere match to win the X Division Championship
They brawled through the crowd to the backstage area, with Caleb Konley jumping Dutt there. Dutt made a brief comeback but got crotched on a guardrail. The finish came when Lee rolled up Dutt.
Impact World Tag Team Champions OVE defeated LAX in a 5150 Street Fight to retain their titles (Bound for Glory)
Santana climbed up a structure and dove off onto Dave Crist. LAX gave Jake Crist a powerbomb/blockbuster combo on a bunch of chairs, but Dave broke up the pin. LAX set up for their finish on Jake, but Sami Callahan made the save and gave Ortiz a piledriver off the apron through a table.
– A recap showcased the career of Gail Kim and her final match at Bound for Glory where she won the Knockouts Championship. She came down to ringside to vacate the title and officially retire.
Allie then came down to the ring to share the moment with her. Kim thanked the women she worked with, Impact Wrestling, and the fans.
Impact Global Champion Eli Drake defeated Johnny Impact to retain his title (Bound for Glory)
Drake was in control of the match as they brawled around ringside. He sent Impact into the barricade, but Impact instead slid under it. Drake regained control of the match and worked over Impact, but Impact was able to make a comeback and score several close near falls.
Impact had the match won when Alberto El Patron interfered. Impact accidentally wiped out the referee. Patron attacked both Drake and Impact, but he placed Drake on top of Impact for the win.
Next Week: Global Champion Eli Drake defends against Alberto El Patron on the first Impact of 2018. Plus, Dan Lambert battles James Storm in a career vs. career match.
