Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin brought their loser eats dog food stipulation to television last night.
After the stipulation had been used for Reigns vs. Corbin house show matches, it was added to Reigns & The Usos’ six-man tag match against Corbin, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode on last night’s SmackDown. Corbin lost the match for his team and then was humiliated after.
An Intercontinental title change also took place, with Braun Strowman defeating Shinsuke Nakamura to win his first singles title. Naomi returned to SmackDown and set her sights on Bayley’s championship, and The Miz & John Morrison became the number one contenders to The New Day’s Tag Team titles.
SmackDown takes place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas tonight and features the final build to the Royal Rumble.
A six-man tag match is set for tonight, with Roman Reigns & The Usos teaming up against King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode. The six-man tag comes in advance of Reigns, and Corbin facing off in a falls count anywhere match on Sunday night. In addition to that, both will be entrants in the men’s Rumble.
The falls count anywhere stipulation was announced by Reigns after he defeated Roode in their tables match last Friday.
Universal Champion Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan will take part in a contract signing tonight. The Fiend defends against Bryan at the Royal Rumble in a strap match. The stipulation was set up by a challenge that Bryan issued on SmackDown last week.
Kane and Bryan tried to set a trap for The Fiend, but The Fiend escaped back through the ring when Bryan attacked him. Bryan then challenged The Fiend to the strap match, saying the stipulation was his idea for how to beat someone who disappears every time they’re in trouble.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Roman Reigns & The Usos defeated King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
This was a good match and a fun way to kick off the night. Jimmy Uso and Roode had a quick exchange. Jimmy charged, but Roode gave him a backdrop over the rope. Jimmy tried landing on the apron, but he slipped off. Ziggler then grabbed Jimmy by the hair and sent the back of his head into the ring steps.
Reigns, Jey, and medical personal checked on Jimmy. Jimmy was taken out of the match and to the back.
Back from the break, Reigns and Jey are going on with the match despite the disadvantage. Jey caught Corbin with a back elbow and climbed to the top. He missed a cross body, and Corbin hit deep six for a close near fall.
The heels took over and isolated Jey on their side of the ring. Jey fought back and hit an enziguri on Roode. Jey was about to make a tag when Corbin yanked Reigns off the apron and threw him over the barricade into the front row.
Back from the break, Reigns isn’t on the apron, so Jey is on his own against the three heels. Jey sent Corbin shoulder-first into the ring post. Reigns got the hot tag, and Corbin tagged out.
Reigns ran wild on Ziggler and hit a running boot. Reigns set up for the superman punch, but Roode caused a distraction. Corbin grabbed Reigns by the hair, and Ziggler hit a superkick for a close near fall.
Reigns is on his own against the three heels as Jey is off the apron. The heels regained control and beat down Reigns.
Roode attempted the Glorious DDT, but Reigns rolled through for a two count. Reigns then hit a huge powerbomb.
Jey Uso got back up on the apron. Reigns attempted the tag, but Ziggler yanked Jey off the apron. The heels isolated Reigns in their corner.
Ziggler attempted a superkick, but Reigns hit the superman punch.
Jimmy Uso limped down to the ring and got the hot tag. Jimmy ran wild and threw Corbin over the announce table.
Jimmy followed up with a crossbody on Roode, but Corbin broke up the pinfall attempt.
Reigns hit the superman punch on Corbin. They fought around ringside and over the barricade.
Reigns and Corbin fought through the crowd and to the back.
Jey hit a crossbody off the announce table onto Ziggler on the floor. In the ring, Roode and Jimmy fought on the top turnbuckle. Jimmy pushed off Roode and hits the splash for the win.
They recapped the Lacey Evans pinning SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley last week.
Michael Cole Interviews Lacey Evans
Cole interviewed Evans on the stage. Cole wondered why Evans questioned Sasha Banks and Bayley’s leadership.
Cole asked about Evans’s upbringing, and she became emotional. She talked about her father’s addiction and battle, which he lost. She began crying, and she talked about never giving up. The fans cheered and gave her a great reaction.
Evans talked about her military career and promised to be a better leader than Banks and Bayley.
They showed footage of Banks taunting Evans daughter. She told the story of her daughter crying backstage. Evans noted she put Banks on the shelf and is going to do the same to Bayley.
Suddenly, Bayley jumped Evans from behind. Referees ran out to stop Bayley from attacking Evans.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Carmella and Dana Brooke. She asked them how they’re feeling about the Rumble this Sunday.
Carmella’s confident that she’s going to win and ran down her accomplishments. Brooke mocked Carmella and noted the Rumble is every woman for herself. She knows she’s the underdog but promises to win.
Suddenly, Bayley and Evans fought in the background. Brooke and Carmella stepped in to break it up along with the referees.
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Fire & Desire
They recapped Otis catching Mandy Rose, which led to Sonya Deville losing. Before the match, they showed footage of Rose and Deville making up.
Before the match could start, Bayley and Lacey Evans ran down to the ring. A brawl broke out between all the women, and the referee called for the bell.
Before the match, Elias sang the song “Texas Dream.” He then introduced his tag team partner Strowman, to help him sing. Strowman made his way down to the ring.
Elias and Strowman were about to sing when the heels interrupted.
Elias and Cesaro went back and forth. Elias walked the top rope and hit a Meteora. Back from the break, the heels isolated Elias on their side of the ring. Cesaro knocked Strowman off the apron.
Nakamura set up for the Kinshasa, but Elias countered with a knee. Strowman got the hot tag and ran wild. He missed a charge in the corner, and Nakamura hit a knee off the second turnbuckle.
Zayn distracted the referee, and Nakamura tried bringing in a chair. Elias cut him off and took him out. The finish came when Strowman hit a running power slam on Cesaro, and Elias hit an elbow off the top for the win.
In the back, Big E put a ton of grease on himself. Kofi Kingston didn’t understand what Big E’s doing. He explained that it’s going to be tough to throw him out at the Rumble. Kingston promised to defeat John Morrison tonight, and they’re both excited for the Rumble on Sunday. They’re going to win it for the injured Xavier Woods.
Kayla Braxton interviewed King Corbin backstage. He promised to defeat Roman Reigns at The Royal Rumble and said that Reigns wouldn’t make it to the Rumble match.
They showed a video package looking back at the history of the Royal Rumble match and various records.
In the back, Sheamus talked about his return and his feud with Shorty G. He promised to defeat Shorty G at the Royal Rumble and finished what he started.
John Morrison (w/The Miz) defeated Kofi Kingston (w/Big E)
Before the match, The Miz scolded the fans for booing Morrison last week after being gone for eight years. Miz then announced that they’re both entering the Rumble this year.
Morrison gave Kingston a monkey flip, but Kingston landed on his feet. Kingston returned the favor, and Morrison landed face first.
Morrison fought back but missed a twisting plancha to the floor. Kingston followed up with a dive of his own.
Back from the break, Kingston caught Morrison with a sunset flip, but Morrison rolled through and rocked Kingston with a knee.
Kingston fought back and caught Morrison with a dropkick. He followed up with the Boom Drop and set up for the trouble in paradise. Morrison rocked Kingston with a kick out of nowhere.
Morrison poked Kingston in the eyes behind the referees back and hit the Spanish fly for a close near fall. Kingston recovered and hit the SOS for a two count.
Morrison attempted a pin with his feet on the second rope. Big E knocked the feet off, and Miz attacked Big E.
Big E chased Miz around ringside, and he jumped up on the apron. Kingston rocked Miz with the trouble in paradise. Morrison blindsided Kingston and hit Starship Pain for the win.
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt-Daniel Bryan Strap Match Contract Signing
Michael Cole stood in the ring with a table and the contract. Cole explained the rules of a strap match and introduced the participants, Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt.
Firefly Funhouse Interrupted on the big screen. Wyatt struggled to fax the contract to Bryan and wondered why Bryan would want to strap himself to Him.
Bryan pulled out the strap and demanded Wyatt come to the ring. Wyatt noted his lawyer Mercey The Buzzard advises him not too.
Bryan said he figured out Wyatt’s mind games. He’s just running from his past and his mistakes.
Wyatt noted “mistake” is the word of the day. Wyatt’s not the one in the match, so it only makes sense that He signs the contract.
The lights went out. The red lights came on, and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt was standing in the ring. Wyatt attacked Bryan gave him Sister Abigal and the mandible claw.
Wyatt then viciously whipped Bryan with the strap. Wyatt sat down to sign the contract. He grabbed the pen and stabbed his other hand, and signed the contract with his blood. The fans chanted, “You’ve Got Issues.”
Wyatt threw the contract at Bryan and left. The lights came back on to show the marks on Bryan’s back from the strap.
A six-man tag match will be part of WWE’s final build to the Royal Rumble.
WWE has announced that Roman Reigns & The Usos will team against Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode on tomorrow’s episode of SmackDown. The show is taking place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas and is the final episode of WWE television before Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
The Usos returned to WWE TV three weeks ago to help Reigns in his storyline against Corbin. Roode then returned from his wellness policy suspension the next week.
After Corbin and Ziggler interfered, The Usos helped even the odds during Reigns’ tables match against Roode last week. Reigns defeated Roode and then announced that his match against Corbin at the Royal Rumble will be falls count anywhere.
In addition to that match, Reigns and Corbin will both be entrants in the men’s Royal Rumble. Ziggler has also been confirmed as an entrant.
The build to the Royal Rumble continues as SmackDown takes place from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina tonight.
Roman Reigns takes on Robert Roode in a tables match. With his 30-day suspension for a wellness policy violation up, Roode returned last week and attacked Reigns after The Usos faced King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler. Roode gave Reigns a spinebuster on the announce table, and Ziggler followed up with an elbow to put him through the table.
The winner of the tables match will decide the stipulation for Reigns vs. Corbin at the Royal Rumble.
The Miz and John Morrison’s feud against The New Day will continue with Morrison returning to the ring against Big E tonight.
After Sasha Banks bailed on their match last week — Banks and Lacey Evans will finally face off.
Plus, Kane makes his return to Friday Night SmackDown.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with an in Memorium graphic for Rocky Johnson.
Kane made his way down to the ring to kick off SmackDown. He pointed out they’re nine days away from his favorite pay-per-view, The Royal Rumble. Kane discussed The Royal Rumble and the chance at headlining WrestleMania.
Kane talked about all the eliminations he earned throughout his career and the amount of fun he had.
Suddenly, The Firefly Funhouse interrupted. Bray Wyatt pointed out that Kane hasn’t changed. He noted it’s not good to brag about causing misery.
Wyatt gave Kane that chance to apologize, but he didn’t. He thinks Kane winning the Rumble isn’t a good idea. Wyatt noted Ramblin Rabbit is doing better after being attacked.
Wyatt realized that Kane’s picture is already on his wall, which means Kane and The Fiend have cross paths before.
The lights went out. The red lights came on, and Kane was standing at ringside.
The Fiend then emerged from a hole in the ring. Kane turned around and asked what took him so long. Suddenly, Daniel Bryan appeared and hit the running knee on The Fiend.
The Fiend tried to get away and went back through the hole. Bryan chased after him and pulled out some of The Fiend’s dreadlocks, but he was able to get away.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Daniel Bryan. Bryan noted The Fiend disappears every time he gets close to getting him. Bryan is sick of Wyatt escaping down the hole. He challenged The Fiend to a strap match at the Royal Rumble. Bryan explained the rules and noted it might not be a good idea, but he’s determined to get his hands on The Fiend.
John Morrison (w/The Miz) defeated Big E (w/ Kofi Kingston)
On commentary, Michael Cole and Corey Graves discussed Graves’ podcast. Graves noted he discussed the potential of Big E as a singles star, and this might be the start of it.
Big E had an early advantage, but Morrison took over. He dragged Big E to the apron and rocked him with a kick to the back. Morrison then hit a neck breaker off the apron to the floor.
Back from the break, Morrison slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Big E fought back, but Morrison recovered. Morison hit a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Morrison missed a springboard move, and Big E hit a belly-to-belly. Morrison poked Big E in the eyes to briefly take over.
Big E recovered and hit a big splash for a near fall. He then gave Morrison a huge back body drop.
The Miz jumped on the apron, but Kingston pulled him off. Morrison climbed to the top, but instead of hitting Big E, he hit a dive to the floor onto Kingston.
Big E went for the spear, but The Miz caused a distraction. Morrison then hit Starship Pain for the win.
In the back, Roman Reigns and The Usos discussed Reigns match against Robert Roode later tonight. They noted if Reigns wins, he gets to pick the stipulation for his match against King Corbin.
The Usos promised to get some payback against The Revival.
Back from the break, Michael Cole pushed the NFC Championship game this Sunday on FOX.
The Usos defeated The Revival
Jimmy rocked Scott Dawson with a right hand to gain control. The Revival took over and isolated Jey in their corner.
Dawson slowed the pace down with a chin lock on Jey. Jimmy got the hot tag and ran wild.
Jimmy rocked Dash Wilder with a clothesline and hit a Samoan drop. He then hit a crossbody for a close near fall.
Wilder avoided a superkick and used an inside cradle on Jimmy for a two count.
Jey got the tag, and the Usos hit double superkicks on The Revival.
The Finish came when Jey hit a suicide dive on Dawson, and Jimmy hit a splash on Wilder for the win.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves pushed that The Revival is on a losing streak.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed The Revival. They said if WWE doesn’t change, then they might have to make a change.
Suddenly, Lacey Evans brawled with Bayley and Sasha Banks in the back. Banks was injured on the floor and was holding her leg.
They recapped the Mandy Rose-Otis angle.
In the back, Mandy Rose approached Sonya Deville. She asked Rose if Otis can be in her corner. Deville said she gets what Rose is up to with Otis. Rose said Otis is a nice guy, but Deville thinks she’s just using him. Rose isn’t sure if Otis will agree to be in her corner. Deville thinks he’ll say yes if Rose asks.
In the trainer’s room, Bayley checked on Banks and noted she couldn’t compete tonight against Evans. They were furious that Evans attacked them. Adam Pearce entered and pointed out this is the second time Banks can’t take on Evans. He said the match is happening but with Bayley instead in a non-title match.
Lacey Evans defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley In a Non-TItle Match
Evans had the early advantage and ran wild. Bayley took over and rocked Evans with a forearm. She slowed the pace down and worked over the shoulder.
Bayley caught Evans with a back elbow for a two count. The fans broke into a loud “Let’s Go Lacey” chant.
Evans made a comeback and hit the bronco buster. She attempted her moonsault, but Bayley got her knees up. Bayley followed up with a running knee into the barricade.
Back from the break, Bayley was firmly in control and backed Evans into the corner.
Bayley missed a charge in the corner. She regained control and scored a close near fall.
Bayley rocked Evans with a back elbow off the second turnbuckle for a very close two count. The fans broke into another “Lacey” chant.
Bayley dropped Evans on the top turnbuckle. She then charged at Evans, but Evans rocked Bayley with the Women’s Right for the win.
The newest addition to the SmackDown announce team Alyse Ashton interviewed Shorty G. He’s not going to fall for what Sheamus is up. Shorty G noted Sheamus is one of the best superstars.
Suddenly, Sheamus interrupted and mocked Shorty G’s height. He patted Shorty G on the head. Shorty G snapped.
Shorty G tackled Sheamus to the ground and threw shots. Sheamus was furious afterward.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Braun Strowman. He announced his entry into the Royal Rumble match and then turned his attention to Intercontinental champion Shinsuke Nakamura. Strowman noted he pinned Nakamura twice. He demanded a shot at the IC champion Nakamura.
In the ring, Elias thanked the fans and started singing a song about Greensboro. Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Cesaro interrupted. Zayn said they have more significant problems than Elias. He talked about Braun Strowman’s challenge and turned it down. Zayn noted, not this close to the Royal Rumble.
Zayn pointed out that Nakamura won the Rumble match before. Zayn noted he’s done and told Elias to get back to doing whatever he’s doing.
Elias noted he just wrote a song about Sami Zayn while he was talking. Zayn was furious and sent Cesaro to the ring.
All three heels jumped Elias and beat him down. Strowman marched down to the ring and threw the heels out.
A tribute video for Rocky Johnson aired and included highlights from his career. After the video, the fans broke into a “Rocky” chant.
Heavy Machinery made their way down to ringside to be in Deville’s corner.
Rose distracted Bliss, and Deville attacked. She used a chin lock, but Bliss fought out.
Rose tried to climb to the top to distract Bliss again. Cross then pushed Rose off the top, but she fell into Otis’s arms.
Deville was distracted, and Bliss rolled her up for the win.
In the back, King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler approached Robert Roode. Corbin discussed all the possible stipulations he can make when Roode wins.
Tables Match: Roman Reigns defeated Robert Roode
Roode jumped Reigns as he made his way down to the ring. Roode pulled out a table from under the ring, but Reigns rocked him with the drive-by.
Reigns ran around the ring but missed a spear and crashed through the barricade. King Corbin came out and watched the match from the stage.
Back from the break, Roode tried to superplex Reigns through a table in the ring. Reigns fought back and attempted a powerbomb through the table but Roode fought out.
Reigns hit a superman punch on the floor and threw Roode back in the ring. Corbin caused a distraction, and Ziggler caught Reigns with a superkick.
Ziggler and Corbin placed Reigns on the announce table. Roode climbed to the top, but The Usos ran down for the save. They hit double suicide dives onto Corbin and Ziggler.
The Usos then gave Ziggler a double splash through the announce table.
Reigns then speared Roode through a table in the corner for the win.
After the match, Reigns announced the stipulation for his match against Corbin at the Royal Rumble will be a falls count anywhere match.
A tables match has been set for this Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
Robert Roode will face Roman Reigns in a tables match. This follows what happened at the end of SmackDown last week when Reigns was spinebustered into the announcer’s table by a returning Roode. The table did not break, leaving tag team partner Dolph Ziggler to finish off Reigns with an elbow that finally broke the table.
Roode, along with Primo Colon, were suspended for 30 days on December 10 for failing a Wellness Policy drug test. He was written out of SmackDown last after being laid out by Reigns.
Reigns has been feuding with King Corbin, Ziggler and Roode in recent months. He lost a match to Corbin at TLC last month after Ziggler, Roode and The Revival interfered. Reigns also had to endure having dog food being poured over him. Corbin had tried to do it again two weeks ago, but the returning Usos came out to aid their cousin.
SmackDown will take place at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina.
With his 30-day suspension up, Robert Roode returned to WWE television on tonight’s SmackDown.
Roode appeared after tonight’s main event, with Roode, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler laying out Roman Reigns and The Usos. The show ended with the heels burying Reigns under the announce table — just like Reigns did to Roode during his last appearance in November.
The Usos faced Corbin & Ziggler in tonight’s main event. The Revival caused a distraction but were laid out by a Superman punch from Reigns as they headed to the back. The match ended in a disqualification when Reigns speared Corbin after Corbin had thrown Jimmy Uso into him and later sent Reigns into the barricade.
Reigns was trying to powerbomb Corbin through the announce table, but Roode made his return and attacked Reigns.
WWE announced on December 10 that Roode and Primo Colon had been suspended for 30 days for their first violations of the company’s wellness policy.
In the first wellness policy violations since 2016, WWE announced that Robert Roode and Primo Colon have been each suspended for 30 days effective immediately.
The reason for the violations, the first for either man, weren’t announced.
The 42-year-old Roode (seen above) adopted Robert as his in-ring first name earlier this year with a slightly new look and heel persona earlier. He had been teaming with Dolph Ziggler and the duo held the Raw tag titles for several months before losing them to the Viking Raiders. They were drafted to SmackDown and won an interbrand tag team battle royal at Survivor Series.
The 36-year-old Colon (real first name Eddie) and cousin Epico have been virtually absent from WWE for the last 18 months with their last appearance in a February dark match. The two have been working in the revived World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico where Epico holds their top title.
The last announced wellness policy violation was Paige back in October 2016, her second in just three months. The program was revived by WWE in February 2006 in the wake of Eddie Guerrero’s death.
A six-man tag match has been announced for SmackDown’s Survivor Series go-home show.
Roman Reigns, Mustafa Ali & Shorty G will face King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode on SmackDown next Friday. The episode is taking place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. It will be the first of four straight nights at the venue for WWE.
In a match where their Survivor Series spots were on the line, Ali & Shorty G defeated Ziggler & Roode last night. After being mocked by Corbin in the opening segment, Reigns came out to ringside during the match after Corbin distracted Ali. Reigns ended up laying out Corbin with a spear.
The six-man tag was announced for next week after Ziggler & Roode complained to Corbin and blamed Reigns for costing them the match and spots at Survivor Series.
Reigns, Corbin, Ali, Shorty G & Braun Strowman will be on Team SmackDown for their triple threat elimination tag match against Team Raw and Team NXT at Survivor Series.
WWE has announced two matches for tomorrow’s SmackDown and revealed Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair’s roles for the show.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) will face Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode on the episode. Nikki Cross vs. Mandy Rose is also set.
Hogan and Flair will appear on Miz TV, with Hogan being joined by Roman Reigns, Ali, and Shorty G (Chad Gable). Flair will be joined by Shinsuke Nakamura and King Corbin.
Team Hogan (Reigns, Rusev, Ricochet, Ali & Gable) are facing Team Flair (Randy Orton, Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Nakamura & Drew McIntyre) at Crown Jewel next Thursday (October 31).
New Day and Ziggler & Roode will both be in the World Cup tag team turmoil match at Crown Jewel. The Viking Raiders, Heavy Machinery, The Lucha House Party, Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins, The Revival, The O.C., and The B-Team have also been confirmed for the match.
Big E, Xavier Woods & Heavy Machinery defeated Ziggler, Roode & The Revival on SmackDown last week. Woods is out of action after suffering an Achilles injury at Monday’s house show in Sydney, Australia.
Cross won a six-pack challenge last Friday to become the number one contender to Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Championship. Cross pinned Rose in the match, which also included Sonya Deville, Carmella, Lacey Evans, and Dana Brooke.
Due to game three of the World Series being on FOX, SmackDown will air live on FS1 tomorrow. A face-to-face segment with Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez is also set for the episode. Lesnar will defend his WWE Championship against Velasquez at Crown Jewel.
In addition to it being the second night of the WWE Draft, next week’s episode of Raw will include a Tag Team title match.
WWE has announced that Raw Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode will defend their titles against The Viking Raiders next Monday (October 14). The episode is taking place at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
The title match was set up by The Viking Raiders defeating Ziggler & Roode in non-title action tonight. Ziggler was pinned after being hit with The Viking Experience.
A promo by The Viking Raiders aired later in the show, with them saying that Ziggler & Roode learned that nothing and no one can keep The Viking Raiders from their fate. The Viking Raiders said they’ll become the new Raw Tag Team Champions next week.
The WWE Draft begins on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown and will conclude on Raw next Monday.
A third title match is set for Raw’s season premiere.
WWE has announced that Raw Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode will defend their titles against Heavy Machinery on Raw this coming Monday (September 30). Seth Rollins will also defend his Universal Championship against Rey Mysterio on the episode, and Cedric Alexander will challenge for AJ Styles’ United States title.
Ziggler & Roode won the Raw Tag Team titles from Rollins & Braun Strowman at Clash of Champions earlier this month.
Heavy Machinery are currently part of the SmackDown roster. The WWE Draft will take place on SmackDown on Friday, October 11 and Raw on Monday, October 14. The Wild Card rule will no longer exist after the draft.
The Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona is hosting the Raw season premiere. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
Universal Champion Seth Rollins defending against Rey Mysterio
United States Champion AJ Styles defending against Cedric Alexander
Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss
Raw Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode defending against Heavy Machinery
Date: September 23, 2019 Location: Chase Center in San Francisco, CA
The Big Takeaway —
Rey Mysterio won a 5-way elimination match to earn a Universal title match against Seth Rollins on next week’s “season premiere” of Raw. It was the highlight of what was otherwise a lameduck show.
Rollins was once again frozen in fear at the mere sight of Bray Wyatt, who appeared in the main event to take out Braun Strowman. Strowman actually tried to fight back, but Wyatt put him down a second time as Rollins just sat there and watched.
Next week’s show will also include MizTV with guests Hulk Hogan (whose name was booed tonight) and Ric Flair. Brock Lesnar will also appear.
Show Recap —
The signature video that airs before the show was altered by Bray Wyatt, which then bled into a recap of what happened between Wyatt and Seth Rollins.
Rollins came out to start the show. Rollins said he has seen a lot over the last seven years that he’s been here, but has never felt what he felt like last week before. After getting attacked by five guys, he had the living embodiment of a nightmare in front of his face. All he could do is close his eyes and hope it was a bad dream he could wake up from.
But it wasn’t a dream and it gets worse because, at Hell in a Cell, he has to defend the title against Wyatt. Rollins said he would do what he always does — survive and prevail. Rollins spoke about surviving and prevailing against both Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman recently.
Strowman interrupted. He wanted Rollins to say that to his face. He also blamed Rollins for losing the tag titles and accused him of being afraid to fight him again. Rollins basically said he wasn’t afraid of Strowman, he just had a lot of his plate with two upcoming title defenses, both against Wyatt at HIAC and on Raw next week. This eventually led to Rollins challenging Strowman to a match, and he accepted. (The match was made official after a break.)
This wasn’t good. I don’t care that Rollins flubbed a couple of lines, he had a long script, but he basically admitted he was afraid of the Fiend.
The Viking Raiders defeated Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (w/US Champion AJ Styles) (10:44)
Michael Cole said, “Are you guys ready to join the raid?!” as the Viking Raiders entered (the way he yells “It’s boss time” when Sasha Banks enters). The OC have new music.
The Raiders were in control until Ivar got distracted by Styles. The referee kicked Styles from ringside. As he left, Cedric Alexander attacked him on the stage and chased him to the back.
After a break, the OC were in control. Ivar used a senton on Gallows, then tagged in Erik who ran wild on Anderson before tagging Ivar back in. Erik slammed Ivar into Anderson for a nearfall. Gallows pulled Ivar from the ring, then Anderson gave Erik a spinebuster for two. The OC followed with the Boot of Doom but Erik kicked out.
Erik fought out of a Magic Killer, then Ivar tagged in and they gave Anderson a Viking Experience. Erik took out Gallows with a dive and Ivar pinned Anderson for the win. The crowd got more into the Viking Raiders as the match went on and popped for the win.
Charly Caruso asked Robert Roode why he thought he could win tonight’s match. Roode was mad at the question and noted that he already beat Rollins when they won the tag titles. He said tonight’s result would be glorious.
During the previous match, there was a commercial in Canada for Smackdown moving to Fridays and they use a voiceover of Byron Saxton calling it the premiere show in WWE.
There was a commercial later for Total Divas with Ronda Rousey. Among the clips they used was Sonya Deville calling herself the first openly gay woman in WWE.
Becky Lynch sit-down interview
Cole interviewed Lynch. Lynch said she wanted Banks at her best. She said she left Smackdown’s women’s division in good shape before moving to Raw, where the division was in shambles after Rousey ran through everyone. Lynch knew she couldn’t make history on her own which is why she called out everyone, especially Banks.
Cole told her that there has only been one women’s HIAC match and Banks was in it. Lynch said Banks didn’t win that match and couldn’t wait to be in the cell with her. Lynch said Banks wasn’t just trying to fight her when she came back, she was trying to end her with all those chair shots. Lynch said Banks will get her chance at HIAC and she better take it. This was good.
Rusev defeated EC3 (1:41)
The match started with a “we want Lana” chant, which Corey Graves acknowledged. Rusev won quickly by submission after a superkick and Accolade.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio said this business has been his entire life and he overcame a moment of serious doubt thanks to his son Dominick. Mysterio dedicated the match to him.
Sasha Banks (w/SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley) defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion Nikki Cross (w/Alexa Bliss) (15:36)
They kept calling this a big match for Cross and a win would be perhaps the biggest of her career. Cross was in control for the first few minutes. She applied a sleeper on the outside but Banks dropped her back-first against the mats and they went to break.
[Second hour]
Banks was in control after the break and hit a double knee strike for a two count. Cross came back with forearm strikes, a running charge and bulldog for two. Banks again used a double knee strike again for two. Banks worked over the leg but Cross fought back and launched her into the turnbuckle. Cross then gave Banks a crossbody off the apron to the outside.
Cross yanked Banks over the middle rope, then used a neckbreaker for two. Banks used a baseball slide, but Cross then caught her between the ring and the skirt and clubbed away at her. Cross nailed her with the swinging neckbreaker but Bayley hopped on the apron as a distraction. Bliss then took out Bayley.
Cross went for a flying crossbody but Banks rolled through into the crossface for the submission win. Banks kicked Cross after the match, then attacked Bliss before she could make the save. The crowd was quiet for most of the match but got into the finish. The story was that Cross was Banks’ equal and should have won.
The OC had a meeting backstage. I guess Styles escaped Alexander at some point.
WWE congratulated themselves on having a lot of Facebook followers.
They announced that Lesnar will appear on Raw’s season premiere next week. Looks like there’s a new Raw logo too.
The Street Profits spoke backstage until they were interrupted by The Miz. Miz announced the birth of his and Marye’s second child, which the crowd cheered. He also announced MizTV next week with Hulk Hogan (who was booed) and Ric Flair.
They aired a clip of Lesnar attacking Kofi Kingston and plugged their Smackdown match on October 4th. On Smackdown tomorrow, Daniel Bryan speaks to Roman Reigns face-to-face.
Lacey Evans defeated Ember Moon (5:32)
Enemy number one in Canada Lacey Evans taunted Moon at the start so Moon kicked her in the neck. Evans took over by simply shoving Moon against the mat and kicking her out of the ring. Moon fought out of a rest hold and hit a Samoan drop. Moon then ducked a “women’s right” and hit a series of strikes.
With Evans on the outside, there was a cool spot where Moon was hanging upside down, using her feet to hold on to the bottom rope, then grabbed Evans and gave her a stunner. However, she only got a two count in the ring. Moon went to the top but Evans caught her with the “women’s right.” Evans then applied a Sharpshooter for the submission win.
Natalya told Sarah Schrieber that if Evans wanted to fight, she better be prepared to tap out.
Firefly Fun House
Wyatt hanged an empty picture frame on his wall to go with the pictures of Rollins, Kane, Kurt Angle, Jerry Lawler, Finn Bálor and Mick Foley. He said there’s always room for one more. The pig and rabbit puppets fought over a Rollins toy figure.
Wyatt said you shouldn’t get too attached to anything and he knew what it was like to be abandoned by those he cared about most. Wyatt said Rollins doesn’t like to share but thought his puppet friends could share. He ripped the Rollins toy in half. “See you in hell.”
The announcers put over last week’s NXT show.
R-Truth and Carmella sprinted to the ring and the usual losers ran after them. Before the group could attack, Carmella begged them to stop. She said this was consuming her life as she couldn’t eat or sleep. She then rolled up Truth to win the title, which got a good reaction.
Truth raised her hand as the others looked on. Sarah Logan, Billie Kay, Dana Brooke and Tamina ran out, so Carmella and Truth ran away through the crowd.
Backstage, Sami Zayn hyped up Shinsuke Nakamura until Nakamura cut him off in Japanese. Zayn apologized and settled down.
Chad Gable defeated Baron Corbin via DQ (14:52)
Corbin came out wearing custom king gear — a black crown, black scepter, and black leather cape with fur. He still wrestled in slacks and a tank top. Corbin told Gable that tonight’s match would be short and after tonight, he will no longer be facing anyone under 5’5”.
Corbin launched Gable over the barricade into two plants (people) and they went to break three minutes into the match.
[Third hour]
After the break, Gable seemed to be mounting a comeback until Corbin cut him off with a running elbow. Gable came back later with a springboard crossbody and strikes, but Corbin cut him off again, this time with a boot.
Gable fired back with three consecutive rolling back kicks and went to the top, but Corbin grabbed him and slammed him down. Gable countered a chokeslam into a sunset flip cover for two, then Corbin hit the chokeslam for a nearfall. The crowd got into it and began chanting “Chad, Chad, Chad.”
Gable avoided a double axe handle, then hit a German suplex and moonsault for a nearfall. The crowd chanted for Gable who countered an End of Days into an ankle lock. Corbin fought for the ropes, then grabbed his scepter and clocked Gable with it for the DQ.
Corbin continued the attack as the crowd booed (Gable was bleeding from the mouth a bit, which made it look better). The crowd really got into Gable here and it’s the loudest they’ve been all night.
There was a new AOP promo. This was different. It began with AOP sitting down and speaking as they did last week, then they got up in the middle of it, left the locker room and went down the hallway where they found and attacked Heath Slater and one other person (I didn’t notice who it was). The camera went black for a moment, then came back on and AOP were back in their seats. AOP said they just showed why nobody wants to face them.
Rey Mysterio defeated Ricochet, Robert Roode, US Champion AJ Styles and Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Sami Zayn) in a 5-way elimination match to become number one contender for the Universal Championship
It was randomly announced as the wrestlers entered that this was an elimination match. Ricochet did a lame interview before the match. Graves wondered where Ziggler was.
Ricochet and Mysterio had a brief staredown but were interrupted before they could interact. Mysterio dove on Styles and Ricochet dove on Namakura, then they went to break one minute into the match.
Styles and Roode stared each other down which led to a brief “TNA” chant. They worked together for a moment until Roode tried to attack Styles, but Styles gave him a Pelé kick. Nakamura kicked away at Ricochet until Ricochet caught him with an enziguri. Mysterio took out Nakamura with a seated senton.
Mysterio and Ricochet finally went at it and the crowd buzzed somewhat. Ricochet countered a DDT into a suplex for two. Styles attacked Ricochet but Ricochet caught him with a dropkick. Ricochet gave Roode a springboard clothesline and Recoil, but Nakamura flew in and gave Ricochet a Kinsasha for the pinfall. Nakamura eliminates Ricochet (9:43).
The crowd seemed surprised that Ricochet was out first. After a break, there was a tower of doom spot where Roode powerbombed Styles and Nakamura as they suplexed Mysterio. Roode tried for covers on each guy but they all kicked out. Nakamura caught Roode with a kick and a knee strike off the middle rope for a nearfall.
Styles and Nakamura tried strikes, which Namakura got the better of, leading to a two count. Mysterio gave Nakamura a 619 but Styles gave Mysterio a brainbuster on the apron. Styles then gave Nakamura a Phenomenal forearm for the pinfall. Styles eliminates Nakamura (17:47).
Roode then flew in and gave Styles a Glorious DDT for the pinfall. Roode eliminates Styles (18:03).
The crowd really got behind Mysterio as Roode sized him up. Mysterio went for a 619 but Roode caught him with a spinebuster for a nearfall. Mysterio countered a DDT and hit a 619 followed by a frog splash for the pinfall win. Mysterio eliminates Roode and wins the match (20:21).
This was fun. The crowd was very happy that Mysterio won. It’s Mysterio vs. Rollins for the title next week.
Backstage, Rollins told Caruso that facing Mysterio was a dream match. He knew he still had to also face Wyatt and face Strowman tonight. It sounded like he was complaining about having to wrestle too many matches. He said he would beat them all and burn it down.
They plugged next week’s show and announced Bliss vs. Banks.
Non-title match: Universal Champion Seth Rollins vs. Braun Strowman
Strowman was in full control and they went to break 90 seconds into the match. After the break, Rollins avoided a running charge but still ate a headbutt. Rollins avoided a charge again and sent Strowman shoulder-first into the post. Rollins then chop-blocked him and drove his leg into the post. Rollins followed with a flying knee and superkick but barely got a one count.
Rollins nailed a blockbuster off the top for two. Rollins followed with consecutive frog splashes for a nearfall. Rollins slipped out of a powerslam attempt and hit consecutive dives. He went for a third (and almost tripped) but Strowman caught him and slammed him against the edge of the ring. Strowman then ran over Rollins with running shoulder tackles.
Strowman gave Rollins a powerslam on the floor and rolled him into the ring. Instead of going for a cover, Strowman just stared at him for a while. He picked him up for another powerslam attempt when the lights began to go out.
Wyatt appeared and put Strowman down with the mandible claw. Wyatt turned his attention to Rollins who once again backed into the corner and yelled as he became frozen. Strowman actually got to his knees and tried to attack but Wyatt put him down again with the mandible claw.
Rollins had ample opportunity to get up and attack, or maybe leave, but instead, he just looked on, frozen in fear. The lights went out, Wyatt’s laugh played over the speakers, and the show ended.
A fatal five-way number one contender’s match is set for tomorrow’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Ricochet, Rey Mysterio, and Robert Roode will face off in the number one contender’s match. The winner will challenge for Seth Rollins’ Universal Championship on what’s being billed as Raw’s season premiere next week (September 30).
Rollins defending his Universal title against The Fiend in a Hell in a Cell match has been announced for WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. The PPV is taking place in Sacramento, California on October 6.
The Chase Center in San Francisco, California is hosting both Raw and SmackDown this week. A new edition of Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Fun House, Sasha Banks vs. Nikki Cross, and Baron Corbin vs. Chad Gable have also been made official for Raw.
Bayley will be in Banks’ corner tomorrow, while Cross will have Alexa Bliss in her corner.
Corbin vs. Gable is a rematch of last week’s King of the Ring finals, where Corbin defeated Gable to win the tournament. Gable then ruined Corbin’s coronation on SmackDown the next night.
A new tag team has entered WWE’s tag team division, and they are already looking to challenge the Raw Tag Team champions.
Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler won a tag team turmoil match that took place during tonight’s Raw, earning a title match against champions Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman. They ended up defeating Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik, The Revival, Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins and finally Heavy Machinery to win the match.
The tag team turmoil match featured eight teams overall. The Viking Raiders started the match by beating the B-Team, but were disqualified alongside Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows when the referee could no longer control the match. Roode and Ziggler then entered and won the last four matches in a row.
Rollins and Strowman will compete twice at Clash of Champions, as they will face one another for Rollins’ Universal Championship. The show will take place on September 15.
The Big Takeaway: Natalya managed to scoop slam Tamina in a good back-and-forth match in the opener, then Robert Roode took a ton of near falls from Heath Slater before finishing him off with the Glorious DDT in the main event.
**********
Sam Roberts was back this week to make it a three-person announce team. They have flirted with this idea over the last few months and must be keen to make it work. It’s already a weak team with Byron Saxton and Renee Young, and adding a third doesn’t help.
Natalya defeated Tamina (6:25)
With no Sarah Logan and Dana Brooke match this week, it was Natalya and Tamina’s turn to put on a good show. And they did a good job with what they had.
Natalya spent the match trying to break down the difference in size between her and Tamina and got nailed outside with a superkick when she had tried to baseball slide Tamina to gain some advantage.
In the last couple of minutes, they played up that Tamina couldn’t be slammed by Natalya and she kept trying but her back would give out. This was all very Lex Luger vs. Yokozuna, but clearly on a much smaller scale.
Eventually, though, Natalya managed to hit a sit-out slam that got her the victory. It was a good way to make this matchup more interesting than it otherwise would have been.
Robert Roode defeated Heath Slater (2:46)
In what was his fourth straight week on Main Event, Roode had to do his best to make a matchup with Slater look interesting. Roode, who is in tremendous shape, seemed to have fun with Slater, who can’t help but make you smile.
Slater is using a “dad bod” gimmick where he doesn’t take his sleeveless T-shirt off because otherwise we’d see his dad bod. What a way to bury a guy who is already six-feet under.
Surprisingly, Slater did, however, take most of the match. He tried everything to finish Roode off, including a high running knee, a top rope diving forearm smash, and a neckbreaker. They did near fall after near fall in the last minute until Roode snatched the win.
Roode dodged the charge of Slater, kicked him in the midriff, and then nailed him with the Glorious DDT to make it four wins on the trot for Roode on Main Event. You have to think, though, that surely there’s room on Raw for Roode?
