Tag: wwe live results

WWE NXT live results: Eight-man tag team main event

Posted on by Chris Aiken

WWE NXT continues its build to Heatwave tonight — along with setting the stage for next week’s TV episode in Philadelphia.

It’s been confirmed that NXT Champion Oba Femi will defend his title against either Trick Williams or Je’Von Evans at the August 24 Heatwave PLE. Those two are set to do battle in a number one contender’s match next week, but they’ll be on the same side tonight as Femi, Williams, Evans, and TNA star Moose take on DarkState in an eight-man tag.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne will also be in tag action tonight, teaming up with Fallon Henley against Kelani Jordan & Lola Vice.

A grudge match is on the books for tonight with Nia Jax facing off against Lash Legend. Jax is out for revenge after Legend eliminated her from a battle royal at WWE Evolution.

Plus, TNA’s Joe Hendry will compete against Charlie Dempsey.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

NXT is on the air from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando.

— Opening the show is an outdoor skit from earlier today where NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank arrive at the building. They are met by NXT General Manager Ava, who orders they are not allowed to interfere tonight in Darkstate’s match. Ava has something in her eye, and the tag champs perceived that as a wink and a nod. Ava insists she is serious, and they are not to interfere. They wink back and walk away.

Lash Legend vs. Nia Jax

The match goes through a commercial break, and the live studio audience got into the match. Jax is in control much of the bout, but Legend powers out to fight back. At one point, Legend is making a comeback when Jax grabs the ring skirt. The referee turns away from them so he can get the skirting out of the ring. Behind the ref’s back, Jax pokes Legend in the eye.

The fighting soon spills outside the ring. They teased a suplex on the announce desk. Instead, Legend picks up Jax for a bodyslam, but Legend buckles and Jax splashes Legend as they crash through the announce desk. They then tease a countout, but Legend beats the count at the last second.

For the finish, they tease a superplex. Legend slips out and lifts Jax for a powerbomb. However, Legend’s legs again buckle, and Jax falls on top of her in a seated position. It looked like Legend took a very painful bump. Jax then climbed to the middle rope for a Bonsai Drop. Jax went to cover Legend for a three count.

Match result: Nia Jax defeats Lash Legend via pinfall

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Darkstate, and they take turns cutting promos.

— Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice are backstage in a skit where they are scouting talent. They encounter Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong. Green also insults several others on the roster. There is a weird attempt at comedy with two guys dressed in wigs and makeup, and they are quickly ushered away. The skit concludes with them setting up a match between Alba Fyre and Kendal Grey.

Joe Hendry vs. Charlie Dempsey (with Wren Sinclair)

Hendry is over with the studio audience. Dempsey was able to do some nifty wrestling, but this was about pushing Hendry. Dempsey with a counter late in the match, and he uses a backslide for a near fall. Hendry counters a second attempt of the backslide. Hendry then chokeslams Dempsey with Standing Ovation, and Hendry covers him for a pinfall.

Match result: Joe Hendry defeats Charlie Dempsey via pinfall

— Before a commercial break, Josh Briggs is heading to the ring. We will “hear from him” after the break.

— But first, another skit. Lola Vica and Kelani Jordan are warming up for their tag team match later tonight. In walks Jaida Parker, who says she has money on them in the tag match. But Parker warns them both about chasing the women’s title, as that is her shot.

Josh Briggs challenges Yoshiki Inamura to a street fight

Briggs enters the sound stage for a monologue. The studio audience drowns Briggs in boos. Briggs begins to cut a promo on his former partner, Yoshiki Inamura. The crowd chants to turn off the spotlights. That causes Briggs to stumble on his promo, but he continues while the audience boos more.

Briggs says Inamura needs to learn the only way to survive in NXT is to play dirty. So, Briggs issues a challenge for next week in Philadelphia for a Philly street fight. Inamura power walks to the ring to confront Briggs and answer the challenge.

Inamura calls Briggs a “jackass” before saying he will fight is way with honor. Inamura goes on to accept the challenge for the street fight, and Inamura then jumps Briggs. They fight on the turnbuckles as security tries to separate them. Inamura knocks Briggs off the turnbuckles, and Briggs falls into the waiting arms of security at ringside. Inamura then leaps off the top rope with a high cross on the group.

— Jordynne Grace sits down with Kelly Kincaid for an interview. Grace is without the neck brace, and Kincaid asks how she is feeling about her physical journey to NXT. Grace says Blake Monroe was right in that Grace spent too much time avoiding mirrors. Grace went on to say the real battle is not with her body, but her mind. Grace talks about battling feelings of self-worth.

Grace also talks about feeling like an outsider. She shares the same weakness with Monroe, but Monroe’s is wrapped up in a “designer confidence” where she doesn’t think she is good enough. She projects that on other women. Grace says real strength does not feed on someone else’s weakness. Grace then vows to show Monroe what a champion looks like in their match at Heatwave.

— Monroe is in Ava’s office. Ava informs her of a face-to-face next week with Monroe and Grace.

— Fatal Influence are interviewed backstage by Blake Howard. He asks NXT Women’s/TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne a question, but Fallon Henley answers instead. Jayne also takes a jab at Jazmyn Nyx for getting them booked in the tag match tonight. Jayne and Henley bicker as Masha Slamovich is seen arriving at the building. Fatal Influence then heads towards the ring for their match.

— NXT Champion Oba Femi, TNA Champion Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans and Moose are in the locker room talking about their tag match later on. Hank and Tank then come into the locker room spraying what is apparently a pesticide. They are ushered out by Robert Stone. That was quite odd.

Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne with Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Kelani Jordan & Lola Vice

Masha Slamovich is sitting in the audience as the match starts. The tag bout goes through a commercial break. Just before the show cuts to the break, the heels cut off the babyfaces. Nyx helps with a distraction.

Jordan with a hope spot when the show returns from the break, but Jordan is soon cut off. Hot tag to Lola Vice. The heels bump and feed. Vice with hip attacks and a snap suplex for a near fall. Jordan tags in and does slingshots into a springboard guillotine. Moments later, Jordan is slammed off the top rope. Jordan takes stereo strikes from Fatal Influence, albeit if one kick misses badly. Vice jumps in to break up the pin.

Jordan and Jayne run through a series of spots. Everybody gets involved, including Nyx jumping on the apron. Vice kicks Nyx, and she falls into the ring selling the kick. Vice ducks Jayne, and she hits Jayne with a spinning back fist. Jordan follows up with a split-legged moonsault, and Jordan covers the double champion for a pinfall.

Match result: Kelani Jordan & Lola Vice defeat Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley when Jordan pins Jayne

— Ricky Saints and Jasoer Troy are featured in a video package sponsored by an insurance company. Troy vows to defeat Saints next week in Philly.

— Coming back from a commercial break, Vic Jospeh voices over a plug for bull riding on CW in some cross-promotion with PBR.

Alba Fyre (with Piper Niven) vs. Kendal Grey

NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is seen watching the match on a backstage monitor alongside fellow Canadian Chelsea Green. Page leaves and heads to the ring to watch from ringside. In the match, Fyre pins Grey after a Gory bomb. Fyre rakes Grey’s away just before they go home.

Match result: Alba Fyre defeat Kendal Grey via pinfall

— In a post-match angle, Page cuts a promo. Out comes Tavion Heights to confront Page. Heights says Grey did a good job, but she was not his pick. Height’s pick is the first woman in WWE to win an Olympic gold medal. Heights then introduces Tyra Mae Steele (Tamyra Mensah-Stock) to the audience. Steele sneaks into the ring behind the heels. Steele suplexes both Fyre and Niven. She then gives Page a suplex.

— Fatal Influence is walking to Ava’s office as Jaybe berates her teammates. Once in Ava’s office, Ava announces that Jayne will defend the TNA Knockouts title at NXT Heatwave against Masha Slamovich and Ash By Elegance in a triple threat match. The Personal Concierge of Ash by Elegance is there to cut a promo on Jayne. Ava concludes the skit by announcing a six-woman tag match with Fatal Influence against Elgance Brand next Tuesday in Philly.

— Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice are backstage with Page. Green is stressing over the Olympians until she has an idea. They are going to sign a peace treaty between the United States and Canada. Page has connections in Parliament, so he can get it done next week in Philly.

Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Moose & Je’Von Evans vs. Darkstate (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Saquon Shugars & Cutler James) in a eight-man tag team match

Melee starts the match, but it eventually settles into a traditional eight-man tag. Wild action throughout with so many in the match. Lots of intricate sequences involving multiple people. The bout goes through a commercial break. For the finish, Darkstate wins with the Shield powerbomb.

Match result: Darkstate defeats Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Moose & Je’Von Evans via pinfall

After the match, Hank & Tank run in to brawl with Darkstate. The show goes off air with a melee in the ring.

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk appears in Quebec City

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: August 11, 2025
Location: Centre Videotron in Quebec City, QC 

The Big Takeaway —

Raw’s main event ended in a DQ/no contest for the fourth week in a row when Seth Rollins attacked CM Punk. The result led to Adam Pearce announcing that Rollins would defend his world title at Clash in Paris in a four-way against Punk, LA Knight and Jey Uso. 

Sami Zayn might have been in the title picture, but he failed to beat Rusev after Solo Sikoa and the MFTs interrupted that match—also leading to a DQ. 

Naomi did not appear, and there was no update on her status. Iyo Sky lost to Roxanne Perez after some failed assistance from Asuka and Kairi Sane. Asuka appears to be turning sooner rather than later.

**********

Show Recap — 

There was a long, dramatic recap of last week’s Raw. 

Michael Cole informed the live and TV audience that Naomi was not medically cleared to compete and, therefore, would not be defending her title tonight. 

CM Punk and LA Knight segment

Quebec City is red-hot, and CM Punk entered to a big ovation. 

Punk said the fans made it hard for him to stay angry, but he was angry because he should be standing there representing them as champion. He wasn’t, though, because he had a Seth Rollins problem. Rollins was a visionary who couldn’t see what was right in front of his face. He was trying to be CM Punk, but was failing miserably. 

Punk climbed to the top of the mountain at SummerSlam and became the champion for the first time in 12 years “in this company.” He couldn’t help but feel he let the fans down because he wasn’t the champion anymore. However, if he was obsessed about becoming champ before, he was even more possessed now. 

Punk knew to hate the game and not the player. He’s cashed in Money in the Bank multiple times before, but boy, did he hate Rollins. Rollins pretended to be Punk and pretended to be injured so he could cash in when the time was right. Punk promised to regain the title. Rollins wouldn’t have to pretend to be injured because Punk would break his legs. 

LA Knight interrupted to a big reaction. They shook hands. Knight said Punk was robbed at SummerSlam and deserved to have his rematch. (Punk responded, “Yeah!”) However, Knight had his title match against Rollins last week, and Punk couldn’t help but get involved and get him disqualified. Wrong place, wrong time. 

Knight said he didn’t have a problem with Punk and would like to keep it that way. If Punk wanted Rollins, he should do it on his own time. Punk could get his rematch—after Knight got his. 

Punk said Knight should be thanking him. Knight wasn’t about to become champion after getting his head stomped in. Punk called himself the number one contender and told Knight to get behind him in line. 

Knight recalled Punk saying there were levels to this, and Punk was not on his level. Knight wanted a favour from Punk. Knight suggested he take the title from Rollins first, then Punk could be his first successful title defence. 

Punk called himself the best in the world. They seemed to be spinning their wheels at this point and repeating themselves when Paul Heyman interrupted with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed (carrying two pairs of Roman Reigns’ shoes around his neck). 

Heyman spoke a couple of words in French before admitting that’s all the French he knew. The crowd yelled obscenities at him in French. Heyman advised Knight not to do any favours for Punk. 

Heyman rambled until Punk cut him off and invited the Bron-Brons into the ring. Heyman was on board and agreed: Punk and Knight against Breakker and Reed tonight. 

Knight didn’t initially accept (likely because he wanted Rollins instead), but Punk cut him off and said they accepted. Knight made it clear Punk didn’t speak for him, but he accepted. (They argued as the segment ended.) 

When it seemed like the segment was done, Breakker made his way down the aisle but was held back by Reed. Bron told Punk, “You’re 47! What are you gonna do?” and added, “You’re both 100 years old combined!” Reed and Heyman convinced Breakker to back off.

(This segment was ok. Punk and Knight are both good speakers, but their interaction felt forced. Punk’s initial promo wasn’t his best, either. After all their talking, the highlight of the segment was Breakker at the very end.) 

********

Dominik entered the Judgment Day clubhouse with El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser). Raquel Rodriguez didn’t like him being there. Finn Bálor pulled Dom aside and reiterated that they didn’t really want him there. Dom said it was cool because Americano was joining him at Triplemanía. Bálor was on board because Americano could help Dom bring the AAA Mega Championship to the Judgment Day. 

The announcers plugged Triplemanía during entrances for the next match. 

AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio & El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser)

Dragon Lee wiped out Americano with a dive before the match began, and they gave the babyfaces the edge until they went to break, when the heels took over. Lee made a hot tag after the break, but the heels got the advantage again. This led to a second break just nine minutes into the match. (Dom wrestled for a few moments while wearing a mask.) 

Americano ripped at Lee’s mask during a break and actually exposed a decent amount of his face. The match slowed until it was time to return from break, when Lee hit Americano with a double foot stomp. Dom yanked Styles off the apron to prevent a tag, but Styles chased him around ringside and tackled him over the barricade. 

Styles made a hot tag and hit Americano with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker, but Dom broke up a cover. Lee monkey flipped Dom into a Styles Clash, which was a cool spot. However, Americano shoved Lee off the top rope, so Styles gave him a reverse DDT. 

Americano tried placing a steel plate under his mask, but Styles hit an enziguri. The plate dropped into the hands of Dom, who put his mask on and placed the plate inside. As Styles came off the rope, Dom headbutted him, and Americano caught Styles in a schoolboy for the pinfall win. 

Match result: El Grande Americano & Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio defeated AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (16:38) 

********

Earlier today, Sami Zayn (wearing a Quebec Remparts jersey) asked Adam Pearce if he had decided on a world title match at Clash in Paris. Zayn desperately wanted the match. Pearce said he couldn’t make any promises. He told Zayn to focus on Rusev, then they could talk about it. 

Sheamus entered. Pearce didn’t want him going after Rusev again. Sheamus wasn’t about to listen to Pearce, but Zayn asked him sincerely to stay out of it. Sheamus agreed, but said he would go after Rusev the second their match was over. 

*******

Iyo Sky lamented to Pearce about not getting a title match (now that Naomi is hurt). Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez showed up to mock her. Sky said she came to Quebec to fight, so she challenged Perez. Pearce made it official. 

There was a graphic highlighting some wrestlers who came out of Quebec: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Quebecers, Pat Patterson, Stan Stasiak, Rick Martel, and more.

******** 

Sami Zayn vs. Rusev

They took turns posing for the Quebec fans as the match began, and you can guess the reactions. Zayn hit an Arabian press to the outside, and the crowd popped, but Rusev cut him off with a uranage. During a break, the crowd yelled obscenities at Rusev. He posed again for the crowd and got way more heat this time, the most he’s received since returning. 

Zayn made a comeback after the break and hit a tornado DDT as the fans rose to their feet. Zayn went for a Helluva Kick, but Rusev cut him off with a Machka Kick for two. Zayn avoided an Accolade and applied a schoolboy for two. Rusev avoided an exploder and hit Zayn with ten beats of the Bodhrán (to piss off Sheamus). 

Rusev stalled for too long, so Zayn hit an exploder in the corner. The camera zoomed way in on Zayn as he set up for a Helluva Kick, so you knew something was happening. 

Zayn was pulled out of the ring by Solo Sikoa’s MFTs for the disqualification. Tala Tonga booted Zayn as officials ran down to chase them away. The crowd booed this, of course. 

— The booing didn’t last long, because Sheamus appeared through the crowd and hit Rusev with a knee strike. Sheamus tossed a security guard over the announce desk. Sheamus and Rusev brawled through the crowd as the segment ended. 

During a break, Zayn got to his feet and went to the stage as the crowd chanted, “Olé.” 

(There was a funny, perhaps unplanned moment, where the security guard that Sheamus assaulted was in visible pain between Cole and Corey Graves at the announce desk.) 

Match result: Sami Zayn defeated Rusev via disqualification (9:49)

This was good enough while it lasted, thanks mostly to the crowd. They would’ve exploded if Zayn got a simple win here, but alas, they went with this finish instead. Cole mentioned that Zayn might’ve gotten closer to a title match with a win.  

********

After a break, Sikoa and his crew were kicked out of the arena. Pearce was pissed as he spoke with Nick Aldis on the phone. A referee interrupted to tell Pearce that they had separated Sheamus and Rusev. Pearce screamed at him to go make sure. 

The New Day and Grayson Waller approached Pearce next to complain about Penta. Pearce was steaming and put Xavier Woods in a match against Penta next week. 

*******

There was a video package for Bronson Reed, where he spoke about Reigns. He planned on adding to his shoe collection until Reigns acknowledged him as his Tribal Thief. 

Asuka and Kairi Sane offered to be at ringside for Sky’s upcoming match. Sky appreciated it, but she’s beaten Perez before, so she declined. They all embraced, but Asuka seemed put off slightly by Sky turning them down. 

IYO SKY vs. Roxanne Perez (w/Raquel Rodriguez)

Sky was in complete control and wiped out both Perez and Rodriguez with a suicide dive. It was weird because Perez just popped up and attacked Sky from behind to get the heat. Perhaps Sky was only supposed to hit Rodriguez on the dive, but she definitely got them both. I guess Perez knew they were going to break, and it was time to get heat. 

Sky made her comeback after the break, hitting strikes, a dropkick, enziguri, a missile dropkick, and bullet train (running double knee strike in the corner) for a nearfall. 

Perez knocked Sky off the top rope and brought her down with a hurricanrana. Perez clonked Sky with a knee drop (and you could hear the impact) for two. The referee was distracted by Rodriguez, so Perez poked Sky in the eyes and hit a shining wizard for two. Perez put Sky in a crossface, but Sky eventually slipped out and hit a backbreaker for two. 

Sky hit an Asai moonsault to take out both Perez and Rodriguez. Sky went for a moonsault in the ring, but Perez got her knees up. At least that was the plan. Sky didn’t land in position, so she landed knees-first on Perez anyway. They both stayed down. 

As Rodriguez distracted the ref again, Asuka and Sane ran down to go after Perez. Perez escaped, and Sky almost hit her friends by mistake. Perez shoved Sky into Asuka/Sane and rolled her up while holding the tights for the pinfall win. 

Sky was upset as she looked down at her friends at ringside. 

Match result: Roxanne Perez defeated IYO SKY (15:39)

This was a very good match until the clunky finish. The crowd was into Sky.

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed Jey Uso. He said it hurt him to miss Raw last week and hurt him to see what happened to Reigns. He missed Raw because he had family business to take care of. Jey put Rollins and the Brons on notice. 

Knight interrupted. He noted people thought Jey was conspicuous by his absence last week. (He claimed this is what people thought, but not him.) Knight told him that the line started behind him regarding the world title. Jey offered to put Knight at the back of the line. Jey welcomed him to Raw. 

********

Byron Saxton interviewed Penta during a break. He said Woods’ hat looked better on him, and New Day sucks. 

An upset Iyo Sky confronted Asuka in the back as Sane tried to settle them down. Sky blamed Asuka for the loss. Asuka shoved Sky and took off. Sky was shocked. Sane was upset, but she followed Asuka. 

******** 

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri (w/Natalya & Akira Tozawa)

Lynch mocked Dupri and told her to get out of her ring. Dupri acted like she might, but gave Lynch an arm drag. Lynch took over anyway and hit multiple suplexes, but Dupri countered a Man-handle slam into a stunner. 

Dupri applied an ankle lock, but Lynch rolled out of it. That led to Dupri doing an oddly timed cartwheel before booting Lynch in the corner. Dupri hit a flying crossbody for two. Dupri hit a spin kick, although it didn’t look good. 

They traded cradles, and Lynch tried stealing a win by grabbing the bottom rope, but the referee caught her. Lynch applied a Disarmer moments later, and Dupri quickly tapped out. 

— Lynch booted Natalya as she checked on Dupri after the match. 

Match result: Becky Lynch defeated Maxxine Dupri to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (5:38)

Dupri has improved, but this was nothing. 

*******

Seth Rollins met with his crew backstage. He was in a good mood because he thought he’d have to deal with Punk and Knight tonight, but they had to deal with the Brons instead. (Not sure why they can’t go after Rollins, too. People run into each other backstage all the time.) 

Rollins figured his job was done, so he left for his personal jet. (He doesn’t hang with the Brons outside of this show because he said he would see them next week, but would see Heyman on the jet.) 

********

New Day cut a promo with Waller on the stage. Kofi Kingston claimed Quebec wasn’t really Canada, and Woods (wearing a tiny hat this week) said he would beat Penta next week. 

Bayley segment 

There was a video feature on Bayley, who seems to be having an existential crisis. I thought this was really good until the very end. 

She said she’s been doing this a long time. She wanted more but felt less. She felt nothing. She was called a role model before she ever called herself one. She wanted to be that person people looked up to. But now she was here—by herself. Everything that led up to now has gotten her nowhere. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt proud of herself. It was her own fault. 

The camera went out of focus, and she acted like she had a headache. The screen went black, and you could hear her heel cackle. 

(I think they should have aired this same feature without the last part. They want to tease a heel turn, but laid on it on too thick with that bit.) 

— Redmond interviewed Lyra Valkyria about the video. Valkyria hoped Bayley was ok. She had no idea what was going on with Bayley and said she wouldn’t have known because Bayley shut her out. Valkyria was struggling with how to react to this, but she said Bayley was the reason she couldn’t challenge for the IC title anymore. Valkyria said this wasn’t her fault, and Bayley was on her own. 

********

Stephanie Vaquer approached Sky backstage. She said, “You’re not the only one who was promised a title match.” She left. 

Rhea Ripley approached Sky next. Ripley got a huge pop. Ripley tried reasoning with Sky and asked if she could trust Asuka and Sane. Sky didn’t want to hear that and told her to stay out of it. (Ripley was being sincere and seemed upset that Sky was upset.) 

********

CM Punk & LA Knight vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed (w/Paul Heyman) 

The babyfaces were in control until the Brons used a distraction to take over during a break. Knight came back after the break, but Breakker knocked him over the announce desk with a leaping clothesline off the apron to lead to the second break nine minutes into the match. (I refer to this pattern dismissively every week, but the match has been enjoyable so far with the teams doing simple heel and babyface stuff to work the crowd.) 

Knight began crawling for a hot tag as Breakker stalked around the ring to go after Punk. Punk saw it coming, so Breakker backed off, but that meant Knight couldn’t make a tag. The Brons gave Knight a Steinerizer, but Punk broke up the cover. 

Punk made the hot tag and hit Breakker with a boot, clothesline, leg lariat, vertical suplex, and lifting knee strikes. Reed was about to go after Punk, but Knight intercepted him with a baseball slide. 

Punk hit Breakker with a flying (falling) elbow drop as the crowd got to their feet. Punk called for GTS, but of course, Rollins attacked him for the DQ.  

— The heels attacked until Jey Uso entered to his music. He attacked Breakker in the aisle with a chair. Rollins bailed before Reed swatted the chair away from Jey. Jey fought him off anyway and knocked him out of the ring with the chair. Jey stood tall with Punk and Knight in the ring. 

Pearce entered. He told Rollins he would have to defend the world title at Clash in Paris against Jey Uso, Knight and Punk in a fatal four-way. Rollins was not happy. 

Punk was so happy he celebrated by shaking the ropes like Ultimate Warrior. Knight was less enthused and argued with Punk. Knight shoved Punk, so Punk tackled him. They brawled until Jey pulled Knight off Punk, so Knight gave Jey a back elbow. (Jey did not try to retaliate.) 

Punk set up Knight for GTS, but was speared by Breakker. Rollins and his crew beat up the stupid babyfaces. Breakker ran around the ring and speared Knight. Reed gave Jey a DVD and Tsunami. Rollins stomped Knight as he re-entered the ring, and stomped Jey. 

The Brons held down Punk as Rollins taunted him. Rollins stomped Punk and held his title belt up high. 

Match result: CM Punk & LA Knight defeated Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed via disqualification (16:22) 

This was the fourth Raw show in a row where the main event ended in a DQ or no contest. The last Raw show to end with a decisive winner was July 14th, when Punk won the gauntlet match. 

The babyfaces looked like idiots getting beaten up by Rollins and friends.

WWE SmackDown live results: SummerSlam fallout

Posted on by Marc Quill

At SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes reclaimed the WWE Championship in a hard-fought street fight against “the real” John Cena that saw the two men show tremendous respect for one another following the match. Rhodes is scheduled to appear tonight in Montreal’s Bell Centre to address his championship victory and potentially find out who his first title defense will be against.

Meanwhile, Cena will kick off SmackDown to not only discuss his defeat at SummerSlam, but also being attacked post-match by a returning Brock Lesnar.

Motor City Machine Guns will face Talla Tonga and JC Mateo of the MFTs in tag team action. The team of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley were one of five teams who came up short in dethroning the Wyatt Sicks in a hotly contested TLC match at SummerSlam.

The MFTs are coming off a mixed night at SummerSlam where Solo Sikoa retained the United States title against Jacob Fatu inside a steel cage — but Fatu and Jimmy Uso left Mateo and Tonga Loa laying after.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– SmackDown opened with a recap of the SummerSlam Sunday main event between Cody Rhodes and John Cena, as well as the Brock Lesnar return after the match.

John Cena opens SmackDown

We didn’t waste any time as John Cena opened SmackDown, with his usual babyface entrance back in full force after SummerSlam. The Montreal crowd responded with a loud cheer for Cena as he addressed the camera, telling Stu the Cameraman “let’s go to work” before he ran down to the ring, full of vigour.

Ring announcer Mark Nash did the introduction for Cena, but added that the “Last Real Champion” was here to celebrate with all the fans.

“Man, we have come a long way,” began Cena. He said for the longest time, WWE was afraid to come to Montreal because they thought the audience would hijack the show. Cena said that he wasn’t afraid of that possibility because he knew that the audience was the show. If we watched at home, we could see the crowd go and wish we were there. Cena noted that the Montreal crowd was so loud that he could barely hear himself talk.

For the crew in the back, Cena said that it could get scary if the crowd started singing. “Some performers might get scared,” but Cena said that he might’ve been afraid, but the crowd helped him through it by letting him embrace and enjoy every single second. He said that it didn’t last forever, unfortunately, as the crowd chanted “Thank you, Cena”.

He said that he’s been coming here for over two decades, and that he had shared many valuable moments in this ring, and that all he had to say was: thank you. Cena reminded the crowd that after tonight, he has 11 dates left before retirement. Cena admitted that every time a day goes by, he gets more and more afraid, and he thanked everyone for that.

Cena said that no matter how much he gave to the crowd in the little amount of time left, that it wouldn’t be enough. Cena continued by saying that he was also afraid that after he was gone and WWE moved on without him, he’d be forgotten as a result. Cena finally addressed Brock Lesnar, stating that there’d be no universe ever that he’d back down against Lesnar’s challenge.

Cena said that he’s afraid that Brock Lesnar has just gotten a “John Cena problem”, and that everyone in the locker room has also got themselves a “John Cena problem”. Cena declared that he was ready to go down guns blazing, because the last time was now. “If you want some, come get some!” challenged Cena.

The music of Logan Paul heralded the arrival of the so-called YouTube influencer to the ring. As the crowd booed, Paul said that this version of John Cena made him sick. Paul noted how he once respected Cena, but no longer as he “switched up” in his eyes.

As Paul entered the ring, Cena told him that he might’ve made the biggest mistake of his life. Paul claimed that the people didn’t know who John Cena was, and that he did WWE better than any professional wrestler. Cena responded by calling Paul the “biggest dumbass he had ever seen in his life”.

Paul called Cena a liar as he wanted to face him in a match, if Cena was in the mood for giving matches. Paul said that we would see this match in a beautiful French-speaking country… Paris, France. As Paul rambled on, Drew McIntyre snuck up on Cena and helped Paul ambush him. Cody Rhodes ran in to make the save to help Cena clear the ring of Paul and McIntyre.

Cena accepted Paul’s challenge for Clash in Paris, but it was clear that Paul and McIntyre wanted a fight. He then threw down the challenge for Paul and McIntyre to take him on and Rhodes for a tag match tonight. “The Champ is Here!” declared Cena, referring to our new Undisputed WWE Champion in the form of Cody Rhodes.

A rather interesting opening segment that seemed more centered on Cena’s final goodbye than directly addressing the Brock Lesnar/SummerSlam fallout, as well as giving us a match for Clash in Paris with Cena vs. Paul. The promo itself was back to a usual Cena babyface one, and it’s honestly good to hear it again, because Cena is a natural at these types of promos as opposed to the ones we got during his recently-wrapped heel run.

**********

– The Motor City Machine Gunes were asked backstage about their chances against Talla Tonga and J.C. Mateo of the M.F.T.s. They said that their road to the top began with this match.

– Rhodes/Cena vs. Paul/McIntyre was made official for later tonight.

The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs. Talla Tonga & J.C. Mateo (w/ Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga)

Mateo and Shelley opened the match as the two traded offense until Shelley and Sabin used a double team attack to floor Mateo and send him to the outside. Sabin took down Mateo with a five-hole suicide dive as the MCMGs did a number on Talla Tonga.

Tama Tonga got on the apron, which caused a distraction and gave Talla the time to pick Sabin off the apron and throw him into the barricade, which sent us to a break in the action.

We returned to the match as Talla had Shelley locked in a bearhug before he slammed the tag veteran to the mat. Shelley found a way to create separation as he elbowed Mateo before he got the tag on Sabin.

Sabin attempted to take down Mateo, but had to hit multiple superkicks before he did the job with a springboard DDT for a near-fall. The Machine Guns then attempted a double team on Mateo as they took Talla down from the apron. This gave Mateo time to recover and slam down Sabin. The cover, but Shelley broke it up.

A double superkick from Sabin and Shelley stunned Mateo, but Talla got involved and prevented the Skull and Bones with a boot to Shelley on the top rope. He then chokeslammed Sabin to pick up the victory for the M.F.T.s.

Talla Tonga & J.C. Mateo def. Motor City Machine Guns via pinfall

An okay match. Nothing really much to say, but does seem to set up Talla and J.C. as challengers for the Wyatt Sicks. Not sure what that will look like, but it’s at least worth keeping an eye on.

**********

After the match, Solo Sikoa got on the microphone and declared that he and his M.F.T.s were what greatness looked like. He said that we were looking at the soon-to-be WWE Tag Team Champions and the most dominant United States Champion. Sikoa said he was feeling good and ready for a fight, but the problem is that nobody was wanted to fight him. He said that this was the last place that he wanted to fight so he was ready to celebrate.

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis interrupted him and that he found someone who was also ready for a fight. That someone being a person that Sikoa knew all too well and one that Montreal knew well. Sami Zayn then entered to a raucous ovation from the hometown crowd.

Solo Sikoa vs. Sami Zayn

The match officially kicked off after a commercial break as Zayn and Sikoa stared down one another across the ring. The crowd broke out in an “ole ole ole” singalong as this was happening. Zayn and Sikoa finally locked horns in the middle of the ring as the latter forced his opponent into the corner. Sikoa tried to beg off Zayn by throwing up the Bloodline ones, but got a slap in the face for his troubles.

Zayn responded with punches in the corner before Sikoa regained control with a running shoulder block. The United States Champion chopped at Zayn in the corner before he struck with some punches of his own. Zayn escaped and once again hammered away at Sikoa in the corner. Zayn sent Sikoa to the outside with a clothesline and sized him up for a dive. He soared over the top rope with a dive that took down Sikoa, but soon found himself surrounded by the M.F.T.s by the commentary table.

In the ring, Sikoa provided a distraction, which allowed Tama Tonga to hit Zayn with a clothesline from the apron, which took us to a break in the action.

We came back from the break with Zayn connecting on a sunset flip powerbomb to Sikoa from the top rope for a close near-fall. Zayn followed that up by attempting to lift Sikoa up, but to no avail. An attempted Blue Thunder Bomb was met by a Spinning Solo from the United States Champion. One, two… Zayn just managed to kick out.

Sikoa sized Zayn up for a Samoan Spike, but Zayn got a boot up and threw him in the corner for an Exploder Suplex. Zayn locked in and looked like he was about to hit a Helluva Kick, but Tama Tonga provided the distraction. Another Exploder was followed by an attempted Helluva Kick, but J.C. Mateo this time provided a distraction. Talla Tonga got up on the apron and faced off with a defiant Zayn, but this opened him up for a superkick from Sikoa. The U.S. Champion looked to have this won with a Samoan Spike, but Zayn turned that around and got the surprise rollup pinfall win to a huge ovation from the hometown crowd. Zayn immediately rolled out of the ring to avoid an M.F.T. beatdown as Sikoa looked stunned at losing in such shocking fashion.

Sami Zayn def. Solo Sikoa via pinfall

This was a nice little match, and Sami getting the hometown hero win was a good change of pace.

**********

– We got a promo from the Wyatt Sicks. Uncle Howdy said that the Sicks would never lead us astray, and that when they spoke, they only spoke the truth. The Sicks said they woke the SmackDown tag division up to their true reality. This was clear that this was about something bigger than the Tag Titles, and that there were more lessons to be learned.

– Backstage, the Street Profits and #DIY got into an argument, with Tommasso Ciampa calling the Profits a bunch of “motherkillers” for what happened to Candice LeRae. The bickering continued until Nick Aldis interrupted. He said that the TLC match didn’t keep everyone in check, but that would start next week with #DIY vs. the Profits next week on SmackDown.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair’s Championship Celebration

The new WWE Women’s Tag Champions had themselves a Championship Celebration, which happened to fall on Bliss’s birthday. In the ring, was a cake that said “Congratulations Charlotte! – Alexa”, which Flair tried to pass off as a birthday gift to Bliss.

Flair said that if Bliss and her were tag partners, then Lilly the doll needed a tag partner of her own. Flair then unveiled “Charlie”, a doll that looked quite similar to Lilly. Bliss thanked Flair for the appreciation, but it wasn’t enough. Flair said that she needed something and Montreal needed something. And that something was a hug. Bliss said she didn’t know if that was necessary, but Flair beckoned her partner to give her a hug.

Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice interrupted before we got a hug. Green said that while she was a proud Canadian, seeing the Montreal crowd cheer for Bliss and Flair made her want to turn her passport in. She dissed the Montreal Canadiens and then said that the we should be celebrating her homecoming instead.

Flair said that she had one more gift for Bliss: kicking Chelsea Green’s ass tonight. As Green tried to back away, Nick Aldis appeared with a referee who wore a bowtie. The referee was apparently a “birthday gift” for Bliss as Aldis then made Flair vs. Green official, and we’d see that match after the break.

– Backstage, Carmelo Hayes tried to pay a visit to Nick Aldis, but was met by The Miz instead. Hayes was upset that Miz ignored him for two months and he wanted to get a shot at the United Staes Championship. Miz said that he supposedly got a tag team match for him and Hayes next week. Hayes tentatively agreed and left. Nick Aldis appeared and it was clear that Miz had not spoken to to the SmackDown GM about this supposed tag match.

Charlotte Flair vs. Chelsea Green

Flair had the advantage early on as she forced Green out of the ring for the time being. Green got the upper hand in the ring with a boot to the face. Green then slammed Flair’s face on the turnbuckle, but got countered and hit with a chop to the face.

On the apron, Flair fended off Alba Fyre and Piper Niven before she took the top rope and hit a diving crossbody for the near-fall. The Secret Hervice provided a momentary distraction, that didn’t provide any sort of advantage for Green. A rollup attempt by Flair was turned into a moment of opportunity for Green as she pushed her into the middle turnbuckle. That took us into an oddly-placed ad break.

We returned to the match and we found out that the birthday cake from the birthday celebration for Bliss was placed outside the ring while the match was in progress.

Flair blased Green with chops followed by a walkover clothesline and a high-angle German suplex on the Canadian. Flair then connected with Natural Selection, but Green kicked out at two. As Flair tried to run at Green, she was met with a big boot. Flair quickly recovered and tried to head up top. Green stunned Flair and landed a superplex for the close near-fall. A flustered Green motioned to the Secret Hervice to bring the birthday cake to her, as Fyre and Niven slid it into the ring.

On the outside, Bliss took out both members of the Secret Hervice with a dive. In the ring, Green set Flair up for a Un-Pretty-Her on the cake, but Flair reversed it and delivered an Un-Pretty-Her of her own on Green instead. In the end, Flair made Green submit to the Figure Eight for the win.

Charlotte Flair def. Chelsea Green via submission

A fun little segment and an entertaining match afterwards with a funny finish to the proceedings.

**********

– Tiffany Stratton was interviewed about what was next for her. She said that she’d just keep on doing what she had been doing for the past 216 days. Jade Cargill interrupted and promised that it’d be different next time she and Stratton faced off. Stratton said that it’d be a different story, but with the same ending: her winning out. As Stratton left, Cargill was confronted by Kiana James and Giulia. Cargill said that she’d go after Giulia’s Women’s U.S. Title on her own time. Finally, Michin showed up and offered to help Cargill out against Giulia and Kiana.

– We got a video from Aleister Black, where he said that he was granted the power to use violence to stop a greater violence being committed. Black said that he is an eye for an limb and and an eye for a life kind of guy. Black took credit for giving Damian Priest a hairline fraction in his jaw following his attack on last week’s SmackDown.

– John Cena was walking backstage and was met by Ron Killings/R-Truth, who seemed happy that the “real” Cena was back. Cena played along and acted like Truth had turned heel for the past five months and only since turned back face. Cena gave Truth an appreciative pat before he walked off for our main event up next.

Cody Rhodes & John Cena vs. Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre

Rhodes and Paul started off our main event with a tie up in the middle of the ring, as Rhodes took him down with a running shoulder block. Paul responded with a standing headlock that he failed to keep on as Rhodes fought back with his signature drop down slap to the face. After a suplex, Rhodes tried to tag Cena, but Paul rolled him up and dragged the Undisputed WWE Champion back to the his corner as McIntyre tagged into the match.

McIntyre failed to get any momentum as Rhodes slammed him with a running powerslam. Meanwhile, Paul ran a distraction, which gave McIntyre the chance to blast Rhodes with the Glasgow Kiss headbutt. In the ring, McIntyre provided a distraction of his own as Paul hit Rhodes with a clothesline at ringside, which took us to the final ad break of the night with about 7 minutes to 10:00pm.

We returned to our main event with McIntyre attempting to prevent Rhodes from making the tag to Cena. Rhodes managed to create some needed separation as he avoided a shoulder charge from McIntyre, which sent the Scotsman crashing into the corner. This allowed Cena to get the hot tag as he unleashed his Five Moves of Doom on legal man Paul. The Montreal crowd was on fire as Cena delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle, followed by the Attitude Adjustment. McIntyre made the save by breaking up the pin. McIntyre tried to target Cena for a Claymore Kick, but Rhodes intervened.

In the ring, Cena was hit by a low blow from Paul to cause the DQ finish. After the match, Paul and Cena brawled to the back while Rhodes and McIntyre continued to mix it up at ringside. The fight took a turn as McIntyre smacked Rhodes across the face with the Undisputed WWE Championship. With the Champion prone next to the edge of the commentary table, McIntyre delivered a particularly vicious Claymore Kick that managed to break the bottom of the commentary table entirely to end our night.

Cody Rhodes & John Cena def. Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre via Disqualification

**********

Kind of a hard reset of sorts, particularly with the past five months for John Cena as he abruptly turned back face. Main event was fine, and the post-match extracurriculars set up the already-announced Cena vs. Paul match and a presumed Undisputed WWE Championship match (and presumably writing Cody Rhodes off until Clash in Paris so he can film Street Fighter).

All in all, an average SmackDown at best.

WWE NXT live results: Two title matches, Nia Jax in action

Posted on by Chris Aiken

A pair of championship matches are scheduled for WWE NXT tonight.

Sol Ruca has an NXT Women’s North American Championship defense set, putting her title on the line against Tatum Paxley. It’s a title shot that Paxley earned when The Culling defeated Zaria, Ruca, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger — though Izzi Dame didn’t seem too happy about Paxley getting the shot instead of her.

Hank & Tank will be defending their NXT Tag Team title belts against the Chase U duo of Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors tonight.

After making her return to NXT last week by attacking Lash Legend, Nia Jax takes on Thea Hail.

Blake Monroe will also be in action against Kelani Jordan, Myles Borne continues his rivalry with Lexis King, and Yoshiki Inamura goes one-on-one with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo.

Plus, the build to Heatwave continues with the PLE now less than three weeks away.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show opens with the entrance of Blake Monroe. Her new entrance includes a mirror. It was cool enough I think if The Narcissist had the camera shot as part of his act in 1993, he might have gotten over better.

The entrance of Kelani Jordan is next, and she rushes into the ring, and the opening match is quickly under way. Maybe they were born with it. Or maybe it was Maybelline, which is a sponsor with their brand name on the center of the mat.

Blake Monroe vs. Kelani Jordan

Jordynne Grace returns during the match wearing a neck brace. Monroe flees the ring and Jordan wins via countout.

The bout itself was rather short, but it was more of a vehicle for an angle. More on vehicles later, as Monroe would speed away in an SUV to escape Grace. Monroe with heat on Jordan early in the match. Jordan with a comeback, and she locks in a half crab. Monroe gets a rope break.

Jordan leaps off the top rope, but Monroe cuts her off with a headbutt. Running knee strike by Monroe and a near fall on Jordan. Monroe goes to follow up when the theme music for Jordynne Grace blares on the speakers.

Out comes Grace wearing a neck brace, and Grace walks straight into the ring like she is on a mission. Monroe powders, and she runs for her life. Monroe gets into the back of a waiting SUV, and the automobile speeds away. Meanwhile, the referee is counting out Monroe. After a ten count, Jordan wins the match.

Match result: Kelani Jordan defeats Blake Monroe via countout

— In a backstage skit ahead of the next bout, Andre Chase is giving Chase U students Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon a pep talk. Chase did not like their odds in the tag title match, and they did the “so you’re saying there’s a chance” bit from Dumb & Dumber.

NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon (with Andre Chase)

Hot match, even with babyfaces on both sides. Connors & Dixon get to shine some, and Dixon does a flip dive over the top rope. He misses and rolls through a leap off the top rope. Dixon is then in the crosshair of Hank & Tank. Connors pushes Dixon to take a bullet for his partner.

Hank & Tank with a high/low powerslam combo on Dixon, and Hank covers Dixon while Tank blocks Connors from breaking the count. The ref stops the count anyway, and he claims Dixon got his shoulder up. The live studio audience was not buying it, and rightly so. Not sure it that was a botch, but it certainly was a bad spot.

Hank & Tank sandwich Dixon with a double standing splash, and they follow by once again doing their combo finisher. Hank then scores a pinfall on Dixon as the referee counts to three this time.

Match result: Hank & Tank defeat Connors & Dixon to retain the NXT Tag Team titles

Suddenly, the lights in the sound stage go dark. Darkstate is running in, and they jump everyone in the ring. They lay waste to Connors and Dixon. Darkstate with triple team moves on Hank & Tank. Darkstate stand pose under strobe lights over their fallen prey.

— The Personal Concierge cuts a promo on behalf of Ash by Elegance. He delivers message to WWE NXT/TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne, with The Personal Concierge vowing that Ash will win the title Thursday on Impact.

— Myles Borne and Tavion Height chat in a backstage skit, which plays off their past in the No Quarter Catch Crew. They remain buds in this skit.

— Vic Joseph voices over a plug that advertises bull riding on CW. Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is part of TKO Group Holdings alongside WWE, hence the cross-promotional. PBR recently inked a deal to air their team series bull riding events on CW.

— Izzi Dame gives Tatum Paxley a pep talk on behalf of The Culling.

— Thea Hail gets coffee in a skit posted on social media. She cuts a promo on Nia Jax, and Hail is go wound up over Jax that she almost forgets her coffee.

Myles Borne vs. Lexis King

The match goes through a split-screen commercial break. Before picture-in-picture, Borne slingshots himself over the top rope with a plancha on King. During the commercial break, King cuts off Borne. King targets Borne’s ear, which plays on Borne’s backstory.

Borne eventually makes a comeback with Saito suplexes, and then he strikes with Borne Again (which is the name for what was formerly called the Zig Zag finisher). Borne then covers King for a three count.

Match result: Myles Borne defeats Lexis King via pinfall

— Darkstate as a group cut promos saying they are focusing on getting the tag titles. Despite being played as a serious promo, they included a crude joke for comedy. So much for taking them seriously.

Nia Jax vs. Thea Hail

The match goes through a commercial break. Jax played the monster heel and Hail was the babyface in peril. Hail fought valiantly, but Jax was merciless. Jax with a Bonsai Drop, and she sits on Hail as the referee counts three.

Match result: Nia Jax defeats Thea Hail in the in-return of Jax to NXT

Kelly Kincaid is the ring for a post-match interview. Jax snatches the microphone out of Kincaid’s hands, and she cuts a promo on Lash Legend.

Out comes Legend to confront Jax. Legend flubs a line and then rushes into the ring for a pull-apart brawl with Jax. Security and officials pour in to separate them. Good thing security was there, unlike when Darkstate runs in.

— Jordynne Grace was pacing in the office of NXT General Manager Ava. Still in a neck brace, Grace ensures she will be cleared by the time of NXT Heatwave, where Grace meets Blake Monroe in a singles match.

Moose makes surprise appearance and a melee ensues

NXT Champion Oba Femi enters the ring for a monologue. He is soon interrupted by TNA Champion Trick Williams. Trick confronts Femi in the ring and they face off while cutting promos on each other. Soon comes another interruption as Je’Von Evans joins the party. The bickering continues, but with three people instead of two.

Moose from TNA makes a surprise appearance, and he cuts a promo on Trick. Moose vows to win the TNA title from Trick. Suddenly, the lights go dark on the sound stage. Darkstate runs and a schmoz ensues and everyone brawling in the dark.

— More cross-promotion as Vic Joseph voices over a plug for the Canelo vs. Crawford boxing match that TKO is co-promoting.

— Arianna Grace and Heritage Cup Champion Stacks flirt with each other as Nia Jax and Lash Legend brawl in a backstage pull-apart.

— Wren Sinclair is in a kitchen lounge with Charlie Dempsey. She sings the Joe Hendry song, and Hendry appears. Hendry pops out of a refrigerator. The skit sets up a match between Dempsey and Hendry. Dempsey is referred to as a “sourpuss”, which Sinclair repeats for comedic effect. Dempsey storms off, and Sinclair asks Hendry to take a picture with her. 1`

Yoshiki Inamura vs. Heritage Cup Champion Stacks in a non-title match

Stacks ambushes Inamura before the bell. Stacks gets heat on Inamura. Comeback by Inamura and he runs wild. The fight spills outside the ring, where Inamura gives Stacks a stiff slap. Arianna Grace runs down to ringside and slaps Inamura across the face. The referee ejects Grace from ringside, but not before another run-in.

With the referee distracted by Grace, Josh Briggs rushed into the ring on the far side. Briggs ambushes Inamura with a big boot. Stacks then covers Inamura to win the match.

Match result: Stacks defeats Inamura via pinfall

— Vic Joseph reads a voiceover that plugs NASCAR on CW.

Tavion Heights confronts North American Champ Ethan Page and Chelsea Green appears

NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is in the ring for a monologue. Page cut a promo bragging on his victory over Santion Marella. Page then talks about the greatest Canadians, and Page puts himself at the top of the list.

Page then does the Nikolai Volkoff gimmick of singing a foreign national anthem. So, Page begins singing “O Canada” to a chorus of boos. Tavion Heights interrupts the anthem and confronts Page in the ring. Heights insults Page and challenges Page to a title match. In doing so, Heights mentions he is an Olympian.

The live studio audience chants “YES” while Page tries to dismiss Heights. Suddenly, they are interrupted by the entrance of Chelsea Green and Secret Service. Green is flanked by Piper Niven and Alba Fyre as she storms the ring and confronts Heights.

Green points out she was a United States Champion as a Canadian. Green was going to sing the Canadian anthem, but Heights interrupted that. Green insults Heights for being American, but she says even a “rude” and “ignorant American” would not hit a woman. Heights says she is right, and he decks Page instead. Green jumps into the arms of Niven for comedy. Heights then vows to find a woman that will hit Green for him.

— The Fatal Influence trio insults Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice in a backstage skit. Dual champ Jacy Jayne joins Fallon Henley in cutting promos on Vice and Jordan. In walks Jazmyn Nyx, and she hands Jayne the NXT and TNA women’s title belts. Nyx informs them all she talked Ava into booking a tag match next week, much to the chagrin of Jayne. Vice and Jordan team up next Tuesday against Jayne and Henley.

— Sol Ruca and Zaria are chatting backstage when Lash Legend and Nia Jax brawl their way into the skit. Amidst the pull-apart brawl, Ava comes in to announce Legend and Jax meet next week in a singles match.

— Ricky Saints sits down with Kelly Kincaid for an interview in a segment sponsored by an insurance company. Saints talks about Jasper Troy, which builds up a match between the two.

— Triplemania gets a plug, as does NXT live in Philadelphia.

NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca (with Zaria) vs. Tatum Paxley (with The Culling)

Ruca retains after interference by The Culling and a doll. Lash Legend and Nia Jax also continue their ongoing brawl, which led to a stunt at ringside.

The title match goes through a split-screen commercial break. Before the break, Sol Ruca does a moonsault to the floor off the top turnbuckle. In setting up the spot, Shawn Spears interferes in the match. Zaria makes a save, causing Izzi Dame to get involved by arguing with Zaria. As they huddle together to argue, Ruca leaps into the moonsault.

During the break, Paxley cuts off Ruca. Paxley works the neck after targeting Ruca with a neckbreaker. Ruca with a comeback and rally. Ruca superkicks Paxley, and Ruca delivers a Rude Awakening neckbreaker. Ruca follows up with a running knee strikes. That sends Paxley out of the ring to regroup. Paxley then cuts off Ruca with a kick.

Paxley springboards into a Whisper in the Wind for a near fall. The studio audience chants “this is awesome” in admiration of the match. Ruca and Paxley tease a superplex, only for Ruca to instead catch Paxley with a sunset bomb.

Ruca post herself when she misses a charge into a corner. Paxley with a roll-up for another near fall. Ruca counters Paxley’s finisher into a pinning combination, but Paxley kicks out. Ruca lands on her feet after flipping off the ropes, and Ruca Spears Paxley in a corner.

Ruca slips on the top rope going for a springboard. They recover from the botch and they execute an avalanche neckbreaker. Double down after Paxley gives Ruca the neckbreaker. Meanwhile, Spears tries to slip Paxley her doll (seemingly to use as a weapon). Izzi Dame chides Spears for doing so, while Paxley picks up the doll.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend brawl there way onto the sound stage, which interrupts the match. They brawl at ringside, and they crash through a gimmicked section of the barricade.

Paxley is preoccupied with her doll, which allows for Ruca to deliver the Sol Snatcher. Ruca then hooks a leg and covers Paxley for a three count.

Match result: NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca defeats Tatum Paxley to retain her title

WWE Raw live results: The aftermath from SummerSlam

Posted on by Jeff Moss

After a newsworthy weekend at WWE SummerSlam that included the return of Brock Lesnar, WWE returns with the fallout edition of Raw from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

New WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins will appear after cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase and defeating CM Punk who had just defeated Gunther to win the title. Raw GW Adam Pearce isn’t thrilled with Rollins faking his injury and will have a “stiff conversation” with the new champion.

After defeating rival Lyra Valkyria to retain the WWE Women’s Intercontinental title, Becky Lynch will be in Brooklyn to address her adoring fans.

The next chapter in the hard-hitting rivalry between Sheamus and Rusev will unfold with another match.

New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss will be on hand after their title win this past Saturday over Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez.

Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

Here we are, friends. After a… complicated, SummerSlam, WWE is back on the air with Monday Night Raw.

Let me address the diverticulitis-riddled elephant in the room right away. This is a recap column, so I’ll be sticking to the show. There are aspects and opinions of SummerSlam that I’m sure you’ve read a whole bunch about and ones that I feel very conflicted about. But, we’re gonna leave that to the pundits tonight and try to have some fun and focus on the show and the storylines coming out of Metlife Stadium. The rest will still be there Tuesday morning.

So with that said, it’s Monday and like my sushi dinner, it’s RAW!

-The show kicked off with a SummerSlam highlight reel, bringing everyone up to speed with the all the winners and losers of the event along with the headlines the show made. Then, the traditional Wrestlers Arriving To Work montage aired, showing Alexa Bliss, Charlotte and Naomi arriving to the venue.

-Then we were kindly asked to BURN IT DOWN as the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion, and Talking Heads-style suit enthusiast Seth Rollins his way to the ring, entourage in tow. The Oracle, Paul Heyman (at least I think that’s what he said his name was) addressed the crowd first.

Heyman bigged up Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed before slagging Roman Reigns and CM Punk as has-beens. He then introduced the reigning, defending, undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, Seth “Freakin'” Rollins!

Seth took the mic and said “Shame on you, Brooklyn.” He said shame on everyone who didn’t believe in him and taunted him with chants of “OTC.” He told the crowd to never doubt him again. He told the locker room, shame on them for trying to stop his cash-in and hold him back.

Rollins reminded everyone that he always has a Plan B and the only ones who knew about this one (presumably his faked injury) were his wife and his Oracle. Rollins now has “absolute power” and this is the beginning of his Vision.

Suddenly, LA Knight appeared and made his way to the ring, mic in hand. Knight congratulated Rollins on his title win and said he wasn’t looking for a fight. He just had some questions. Knight pointed out that Rollins already had the MITB briefcase, so he didn’t need to fake an injury. Knight said that the only reason Rollins faked an injury was to get out of taking a beating by him at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

So, Knight said that since he was the last one to beat Rollins, so he should be the next one to beat him. Right here, right now. Rollins declined the challenge and went to leave the ring, but suddenly it was Adam Pierce’s turn to talk.

Pierce was pretty mad that Rollins had lied to everyone about his injury, so he made the match. Tonight, on RAW, in Brooklyn, Seth Rollins will defend his World Heavyweight Title against LA Knight. The icing on the cake was that Pierce also banned Breakker and Reed from ringside.

-Backstage, the Judgement Day was walking around and ran into the LWO. Domminck Mysterio claimed that he is the king of the Lucha Libres. Dragon Lee took exception to that and challenged him to a match. Dom accepted and the LWO left, clearing the way for AJ Styles to show up. He told Dom he didn’t appreciate the tricks at SummerSlam and he’s still coming for the Intercontinental Title.

Rusev vs Sheamus

With all that out of the way, Rusev stomped his way to the ring to take on Sheamus in the latest of their series of bangers. This was a very exciting development for the former League of Nations members and the crowd alike.

Also, the cast of the Netflix show Wednesday were shown in the crowd. SYNERGY. Joe Budden was also there.

Sheamus ran straight to the ring and into the flying fists of Rusev as the match began. The two traded punches until Sheamus laid out Rusev with a big lariat. Sheamus sent Rusev over the top rope, but when he followed Rusev got the drop on him and sent him into the barrier.

Back in the ring, Rusev hit a big suplex and drove Sheamus into the mat. The two went back to punch-based strategies and hammered on each other from the mat to the top turnbuckle. Sheamus got Rusev up on his shoulders and hit a White Noise from the top turnbuckle.

During the commercial break, Rusev fought back and took control of the match, setting a sleeper on Sheamus. He followed that up with some kicks to the chest. Sheamus asked for more, seemingly nourished by Rusev’s hatred. He leapt up and hit an Irish Curse backbreaker on Rusev.

Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick, but Rusev ducked it and Sheamus kicked the ropes. Rusev bonked his head off the ringpost, sending him to the outside. Rusev went after Sheamus, but Sheamus caught him and slammed him on the announce table. Rusev responded by sending Sheamus into the steel steps. Rusev then dragged him onto the barricade, chopping Sheamus. The crowd didn’t like it, but Sheamus reversed it, and began pounding on Rusev.

Then, the referee remembered that he was supposed to be doing something and counted both men out.

Match Result: Rusev vs Sheamus went to a no-contest double countout.

After the match, the two continued brawling at ringside. Security flooded the area but as always were woefully bad at their jobs and Sheamus and Rusev continued fighting as the scene switched to pre-taped footage of the New Day back stage in some truly ridiculous hats. I mean, who wants to watch the brawl, right? Hats!!!

Any way, Grayson Waller joined them, promising to get New Day a rematch for their lost titles. He stomped over to Adam Pierce who was chatting with Penta. Pierce, in a foul mood after Waller called him “baldy”, made a match: Penta vs Grayson Waller and since that was all taped earlier, that match happened now!

Penta vs Grayson Waller

The match kicked off with Waller reluctant to engage with Penta. When they did get things going, Waller shimmied out of a waistlock and the two traded headlocks. Penta deked out Waller by slowing things down and then bursting into a headscissor that sent Waller out of the ring.

Suddenly, the Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, The New Day, came out complete with hats. That caused enough of a distraction for Waller to take over, sending Penta onto the announce table. Corey Graves invited the New Day to join the commentary team and Kingston called out Micheal Cole for talking trash about them.

In the ring, a match was happening, and Penta got a two-count off of a rollup. Kingston said that the New Day were taking Waller under their wing. Penta took Waller under his open hand and chopped him in the corner. The New Day discussed their grieving process while Waller held Penta in a modified headlock.

Back from commercial, Waller delivered some high knees to Penta, but Penta fought back with a bulldog and backbreaker. He then stomped Waller in the corner, until Waller delivered a hard left to the face resulting in a two-count. Waller climbed the second rope to drop an elbow, but Penta dodged it and delivered a superkick. Waller came back with a high knee and the two wrapped each other up in a double lariat.

Penta hit a superkick and a big Mexican Destroyer and pinned Waller getting the victory and giving New Day one more thing to mourn.

Match Result: Penta defeated Grayson Waller

New Day climbed into the ring and Kingston got in the face of Penta. Penta sent Kingston and Woods packing, then threw Woods comically large hat at them before flying over the top rope and taking both men out.

-Next, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair were shown taking a walk in the back, but they were interrupted by Sheamus and Rusev who were apparently still fighting. The Security team chased after them as Sheamus through Rusev into a stack of clanky pipes. Again, no one really wanted to see them brawl, so a clip from Flair’s episode of Unreal on Netflix aired instead.

-Back out front, WWE Women’s World Champion Naomi came out to address the crowd. She ran down New Jersey, saying that she assumed Brooklyn would be better. But, in fact, it’s worse. Too much trash and construction in Brooklyn for Naomi. She said the crowd deserved to move to Florida, which frankly is a pretty mean thing to say.

Naomi said that next on her list was “Stephanie Velcro” but the show then came back from commercial, cutting Naomi off entirely for a recap of the aftermath of the John Cena vs Cody Rhodes match. So we can assume that Naomi was talking about Stephanie Vaquer and I guess she wants to fight her?

-As if none of that ever happened, the show came back and Micheal Cole said that he asked Triple H and Nick Khan about when they decided to bring back Brock Lesnar. They also said that John Cena would be on Smackdown to address Lesnar’s return. Then they tee’d up the Rollins vs Knight match later to come.

Is someone asleep at the switch tonight? The last 15 minutes were complete gibberish. And I’m a man who enjoys a good amount of gibberish.

-WWE Women’s World Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss came down to the ring next to address the crowd. Flair thanked the crowd for her first “you deserve it” chant and admitted that it felt good to do something as a “we.” Bliss urged her to admit they were friends, but Flair stopped short. The two debated how many times each has bean a champion until Judgement Day’s music hit.

Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez stomped down to the ring and said no one cares about friendship because the only thing that matters is bringing gold back to Judgement Day. Roxanne said “we know we don’t get a rematch but we didn’t come down here to not take those titles back.” Flair responded by saying they could have a rematch right here, right now.

Suddenly, Ol’ Baldy, Adam Pierce came out and said that the match would start right here, right now. Which was what Flair just said, but glad to have confirmation.

WWE Women’s World Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez

Now, according to my little countdown in the corner of the Netflix screen, the introductions were done and the match started during a commercial break. The bell rang with a minute left in the countdown, with Bliss and Rodriguez facing off to get things started.

Back from commercial, Bliss was on Rodriguez’ back and was quickly thrown off. She dragged Bliss to the corner and tagged in Perez. A much more even match, Bliss and Perez fought in and out of the corners with Bliss delivering a headscissors to Perez before tagging in Flair.

Flair knocked Perez back to her corner where Rodriguez tagged in. She sent Flair to the mat with a shoulder and bounced her head off the top turnbuckle. Rodriguez isolated Flair in the corner and tagged in Perez. Flair dodged her and Rodriguez held Flair’s ankle so Perez could dive between the ropes and send her to the outside.

Back in the ring, Perez stomped a proverbial mudhole in Flair before tagging in Rodriguez. Flair fought back, tagging in Bliss. The two delivered stereo bulldogs and Bliss and Rodriguez fought with Bliss sending the taller woman to the floor. She tried a cannonball, but Rodriguez caught her and slammed Bliss on the barricade.

Into commercial, in a Diva’s Era throwback, Rodriguez held Bliss’ hair and forced Flair to watch as she beat her up. Perez tagged in and choked Bliss with the ring rope. Bliss tried to get a tag to Flair, but Perez cut her off. Rodriguez and Perez took turns throwing Bliss around and Rodriguez snuck an elbow to Flair’s head in the corner.

Back from commercial, Bliss tried again to get the hot tag to Flair, but Rodriguez cut her off. Bliss hit a DDT and finally got the Tag, bringing Flair in off the top rope to take out Perez and Rodriguez. Flair hit a lariat on Rodriguez and used Perez as a weapon, throwing her at her prone partner.

Flair went up for a moonsault and landed it on both, but only got a two count on Rodriguez. Perez caused a distraction so Rodriguez could deliver a big boot to Flair. Perez charged Flair in the corner, but Flair was able to dodge and send Perez into the turnbuckle. They both climbed to the top rope and Perez hit a hurricanrana. Rodriguez tagged in for a hurricane elbow but Bliss broke up the count.

Flair sent Perez out and hit a big boot to send Rodriguez out of the ring too. Bliss tagged in and intercepted Perez for a Sister Abigail. Perez went down and Bliss got the pin, retaining the titles for her and Flair.

Match Result: Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair defeated Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez

-Backstage, IYO SKY and the Kabuki Warriors were hanging out, doing stuff they do, when IYO was approached by Rhea Ripley. Ripley said that she knows IYO asked for a one-on-one rematch against Naomi. Rhea said that she wants IYO to win so that she can beat her for the title. IYO grabbed her arm and lovingly said that she was never going to beat her. The two smiled and that was it.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio vs Dragon Lee

Mysterio came down to the ring and the show went to commercial.

Back from break, Micheal Cole said that next year’s SummerSlam in Minneapolis is sure to be “fire” which aged me about 7 years.

Then, Backstage, Bayley went looking for Lyra Valkyria. Bayley tried to apologize for costing her the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam. Valkyria said that Bayle should just stay the hell ouf her life.

Then, the bell rang and the match was on. Lee wasted no time in sending Mysterio to the outside, dragging him back in and pummeling him in the corner. Lee chopped him in the corner, but Mysterio racked Lee’s throat on the ropes, sending him outside.

Mysterio chopped Lee against the ring apron (the choppiest part of the ring!) and sent him back in. Mysterio called for a 619, but Lee dropped out and laid some quick kicks into Mysterio’s face. Mysterio then hit a DDT on the ring apron (the DDT-est part of the ring) as the show went to commercial.

During the break, Mysterio mugged for the crowd and threw punches at Lee on the mat. He then tried to tie the ribbons from Lee’s mask to the bottom rope. His real father never taught him how to tie knots though, so Mysterio abandoned the effort for a headlock instead. Lee fought back, but Mysterio hit a Michinoku Driver as the break ended.

Lee fought back, hitting a dragon kick in the corner. Lee removed his elbow pad to try for a cover, but only got a two-count. Mysterio tried walking the ropes, but Lee countered with a sit-out powerbomb. Mysterio set Lee on the top rope, but slipped, giving Lee the chance to stomp him.

Suddenly, Grande Americano appeared. Then, ANOTHER Grande Americano appeared. Then a THIRD Grande Americano. That was enough of a distraction for Mysterio to get a shot from behind in on Lee and pick up the pin and victory.

Match Result: Dominik Mysterio defeated Dragon Lee

After the match, AJ Styles came out to beat up Mysterio, but Mysterio bolted and Lee and Styles shook hands in the ring, exchanging “can you believe that guy?” looks.

-Backstage, Sami Zayn was interviewed about his match against Karrion Cross at SummerSlam. Zayn rejected a steel pipe in the match, but admitted wanting to use it. In the end though, it’s just not who he is. Zayn wants to be a world champion and he wants to do it right.

Suddenly, Sheamus and Rusev appeared, still brawling and still not being stopped by security. Zayn got caught up in the middle, but WWE said who cares? and switched to footage of Becky Lynch entering the building.

I know that this is supposed to be a funny running bit with Sheamus and Rusev, but really all it’s doing is showing that WWE has terrible security. Also, wouldn’t we, the viewers, be interested in the never ending brawl? Just sayin’.

-Back from break and an inconsequential interview by Byron Saxon of the Judgement Day, Method Man was shown in the audience. This was by far the high part of the episode for me. Dave East was also there along with Da’Vinchii and Adam Blackstone. I am not cool enough to know who the last two are, but they looked nice.

-Becky Lynch’s music hit and the Women’s Intercontinental Champion made her way to the ring in the track suit version of her husband’s suit. Lynch grabbed a mic and said that she plans on being champion for a very long time, much to Lyra Valkyria’s dismay. Suddenly, the music of one Nikki Bella hit and the Hall of Famer made her way to the ring.

Bella said that she was able to take a step away from WWE because stars like Lynch could hold things together. But Lynch became a disappointment to Bella. She’s not the leader she had hoped Lynch would grow into. The two traded jabs about their IMDB listings, with Lynch mocking Bella for having her role cut from Happy Gilmore 2. Now streaming on Netflix. SYNERGY.

Bella called Lynch a liar just like her husband and said she sees right through her. Lynch turned that around into a shot about Bella and John Cena’s failed relationship, which was quite clever if I do say so. Bella said that this isn’t Lynch’s era, so she should put the Intercontinental title on the line in a match against her.

Lynch said that the reason she and Bella never went one on one was– and then she sucker punched her in the face and ran for the ring.

-Backstage, Byron Saxon interviewed Women’s World Champion, Naomi. He asked her how she feels about her SummerSlam win, and she said “great.” She also mentioned that next week on RAW, she would defend against IYO SKY. Stephanie Vaquer wandered by and said that she would beat Naomi or SKY in Paris. Even though no one asked her.

-Next in BREAKING NEWS, Cole announced that GUNTHER would be out of action indefinitely because of a nose injury suffered at SummerSlam.

Also, that Cody Rhodes would be on Smackdown this Friday. Which is good, because that’s kinda his job.

Also, Also, as a result of the never ending brawl, Rusev and Sami Zayn will go one-on-one. I guess Zayn blamed Rusev more than Sheamus.

-Back from break, Backy Lynch was confronted backstage by Natalya. She was real mad about the way Lynch treated Bella and challenged her to a match. Lynch accepted, but not to face Natalya. She said that Maxxine Dupri, who was also there, could have the match and then walked away.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs LA Knight

Alicia Taylor gave everyone their official intros and the Main Event of the evening was on. Knight laid out Rollins with a right hand off the bell and stomped him into the corner. Rollins swung back and Knight caught him with a suplex followed by a neckbreaker.

Rollins charged Knight who sent him over the top rope to the outside. Rollins staggered away, using Heyman as a human shield to lure Knight outside. Knight slid through the ring and bounced Rollins head off the announce table. Rollins responded by sending Knight into the barricade, hitting a big stomp to the back of Knights head.

Off to commercial, and in the ring Rollins stomped Knight and called for Heyman to hand him the belt. Rollins posed with it and then whipped Knight into the turnbuckles. Knight tried to climb out, but Rollins caught him and sent his face back into the turnbuckle. Rollins hung up Knight with the second rope as the show ticked back out of break.

Rollins chopped Knight in the corner, but that seemed to ignite his second wind and Knight fought back and backdropped Rollins in the middle of the ring. Rollins tried going up top,but Knight raced up there too and hit a superplex for a two count.

The two got to their feet and traded punches until Knight laid out Rollins with a lariat followed by a side Russian leg sweep and a neckbreaker. It wasn’t enough to put Rollins down though and he hit a jawbreaker. Knight didn’t get phased though and hit a powerslam and an elbow.

Rollins tried a buckle bomb, but Knight reversed it into a Death Valley Driver. The two men lay in the ring, exhausted. Knight got to his feet first, looking to put Rollins away. Rollins played possum and tried. a curb stomp and a pedigree, but missed both allowing Knight to hit a DDT.

Knight hit his top rope elbow and Rollins bailed out of the ring. Knight sent him into the announce table with a baseball slide. He bounced Rollins’ head off the table and went to pick him up, but Rollins headbutted Knight right in the junk with a low blow. He then tossed Knight into the post and punched him repeatedly before tearing up some of the ringside padding.

Rollins sent Knight into the ringpost again for good measure then dragged him over to the exposed concrete, setting him up for a stomp. But out of the crowd came a wild CM Punk who jumped Rollins and started pounding on him. The ref signalled a DQ and Rollins tried to leave, but Punk followed until Bron Breakker showed up and speared him. Bronson Reed arrived and took out Knight in the ring.

Match Result: LA Knight defeated Seth Rollins via DQ

Breakker speared Knight for good measure and Rollins hit a stomp on Punk, leaving them lying. Reed, Breakker and Rollins exited the ring while Paul Heyman jawed at ringside. The credits appeared and the show seemed over when suddenly…

Roman Reigns’ music hit and the OTC came down and cleaned house, taking out Breakker and Reed. Rollins stood in the ring as Reigns stalked towards him, but bailed as soon as he hit the ring. Breakker tried to get Reigns from behind, but he was intercepted, leaving Reigns open to attack from Reed and a stomp from Rollins.

The three men gave the same treatment to Reigns that they did Knight and Punk, ending with a definitive spear from Breakker and Tsunami from Reed from TWO corners. Adam Pierce hit the ring with various producers (presumably because security was still chasing Rusev and Sheamus around) to break up the beatdown.

The show ended with Rollins and crew standing tall.

Well, that was weird. Not necessarily bad, but definitely a weird show. Maybe I’m just not used to the way WWE produces weekly TV any more, but it felt so fractured. Interviews in the middle of match intros in the middle of commercials. Recaps in the middle of promos in the middle of recaps. It felt like a lot. That said, the action in the ring was fun and most of the stories continued logically from SummerSlam. We’ll get the rest on Friday on Smackdown, so look forward to that.

Thanks for hanging out!

WWE SmackDown live results: SummerSlam go-home show

Posted on by Marc Quill

The final WWE SmackDown before this weekend’s two-night SummerSlam goes down tonight in Newark, New Jersey. A pair of title matches are scheduled for the episode, as well as a confrontation between SummerSlam opponents John Cena and Cody Rhodes.

Cena and Rhodes will meet in a street fight this Sunday for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The last time both men were in the same ring, Rhodes laid out Cena and forced him to sign the contract for their title bout.

Last week, Rhodes challenged Cena to bring “the real” version of himself at SummerSlam for the street fight. Cena will undoubtedly bring his response to that challenge tonight.

Also set for this evening is Giulia defending her Women’s United States title against former champ Zelina Vega in her first title defense. Giulia’s new “business partner” in Kiana James could factor into how this match plays out.

Damian Priest finally gets his chance to take down Aleister Black in singles action after weeks of being vexed by his new rival. Black took exception to Priest sticking up for Ron Killings and has taken out his frustrations on the former World Champion.

Los Garza will also defend their AAA Tag Team titles on tonight’s show in an open challenge. Plus, Jimmy Uso faces off against the debuting Talla Tonga.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Over shots of Newark, New Jersey and the Prudential Center, Joe Tessitore welcomed us to the shwo. He pointed out the steel cage hanging above the ring. Jimmy Uso, The M.F.T.s, Aleister Black, and Damian Priest were shown arriving at the arena.

John Cena and Cody Rhodes face off before SummerSlam

The Undisputed WWE Champion arrived to the ring in his usual, understated manner, dressed in New York Jets-themed “The Last Time is Now” gear. The crowd serenaded Cena with “Let’s Go Cena / Cena Sucks” chants before he instructed ring announcer Mark Nash to give him an appropriately bombastic intro.

Before Cena could even say a single word, the entrance theme of his SummerSlam foe, Cody Rhodes, interrupted. The American Nightmare made his way down to the ring to address Cena face to face.

The crowd filled the air with an eclectic mix of chants as the SummerSlam opponents stood in the ring. Cena started by saying that he told Rhodes that he was exhausted, and that a match at SummerSlam would be too difficult for him. He said that Rhodes forced him into one of the most dangerous matches in WWE. He only had one thing to say to Rhodes “Thank you”, because that was the boot in the ass he needed. Cena said that for 25 years, he had forged a legacy of respect and hard work. And that five months ago, he flushed that into the toilet for “shock TV”. He said that the people on his team (The Rock and Travis Scott) left him alone in the aftermath, which made him try to pretend something he was not. Cena said that he wanted to take the WWE Championship home not to ruin wrestling, but so that the fans wouldn’t forget about him.

Cena said he was so hung up about how we all saw him tomorrow, that it made him blind to how stupid he was acting today. Cena said that Rhodes did what a good friend should do, by forcing him to face it and forcing him into a fight. Cena said that the Street Fight at SummerSlam was going to get him back to who he really was. According to the Undisputed WWE Champion, August 1st, 2025, was the day that John Cena truly came back to WWE.

Cena said that he didn’t know who’d leave SummerSlam with the title, but the fans would leave as the winners, because we’d finally see John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes in a battle between the best. He told Rhodes that if he wanted some, to come get some. He said that on Sunday, the only platinum rapper showing up to whip Cody’s ass was him. “The Champ is Here!” Cena concluded.

Rhodes asked for two cans of beer to be given to him before he simply told Cena “welcome back”. The two men popped open the cold ones and shared a toast. Rhodes left Cena in the ring, so that the Champ could take in the cheers from the crowd as this segment ended.

Well, this was certainly an interesting segment, to say the least. But, this seemed like a hard reset for Cena to be a face for the latter half of his retirement run. It also seemed like they brushed aside whatever partnership with Travis Scott was developing. Whether or not it leads to a Cody Rhodes heel turn as a result remains to be seen, but it does adds intrigue to the SummerSlam main event, assuming we don’t get swerved one more time to end the night.

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– Tessitore and Wade Barrett tossed to footage of a Jelly Roll training session earlier today where Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre made their presence clear by attacking Jelly.

– PJ Byrne, the lead actor from the new USA Network series The Rainmaker (which, sadly, has nothing to do with Kazuchika Okada) was shown in the crowd.

Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia (c) (w/ Kiana James) vs. Zelina Vega

Vega and Giulia began with a tie-up before coming at a stalemate and a faceoff. The two attempted to trade strikes, but Giulia won out with a one-handed STO slam for an early pinfall attempt. Giulia continued the punishment on Vega with a mix of elbow strikes and chops, followed by a stalling suplex. Vega managed to kick out at two afterwards as she then left Giulia on the apron with a flip. She sent the Women’s United States Champion to the outside, as she then connected with a diving Meteora to the outside, which took us to a commercial break halfway through.

We returned to action with Giulia slamming Vega down face first with a wheelbarrow faceplant. She then locked in some sort of modfied Camel Clutch on Vega, who then countered it into a roll-up pin that Giulia kicked out of. Giulla regained momentum with a vicious stomp, but couldn’t capitalize after getting kicked in the corner by Vega.

Vega launched into her comeback as she delivered a saito suplex on the champion, followed by the running Meteora to the corner. Giulia avoided a dropkick and lifted Vega onto the top turnbuckle. Giulia looked to deliver a superplex, but Vega wriggled herself free and delivered an avalanche German suplex onto the Women’s U.S. Champion instead. One, two… Giulia managed to kick out at two.

Once again, Giulia put Vega up on the top turnbuckle and hit a series of headbutts to stun her foe. With Vega dazed, Giulia hit an avalanche butterfly suplex, followed by the Arrivederci Knee, and the Northern Lights Bomb. Vega somehow kicked out at 2.99999999 to somehow survive that salvo of Giulia’s signature moves.

Giulia looked for another Northern Lights Bomb, but Vega rolled her up for a close near-fall. Backstabber by Vega gave the challenger an opening she needed. Vega ascended to the top for the moonsault, but Giulia blocked it and pulled up Vega to finish this title defense with an emphatic Northern Lights Bomb.

A solid opener and a great title defense for Giulia. What’s not great, is that this was Giulia’s first match in over a month. She is a great talent who certainly deserves to be showcased more and I will say that tonight’s match was a good start. Now it falls on WWE to book Giulia more consistently so that she gets a chance to show up and show out like she did tonight.

Giulia def. Zelina Vega via pinfall to retain the Women’s United States Championship

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– Solo Sikoa and the M.F.T.s were interviewed, where we learned that he apparently asked for the steel cage to be above the ring tonight. Sikoa denied those claims as he talked about Talla Tonga’s debut tonight against Jimmy Uso and how it was about sending a message.

AAA Tag Team Championships: Los Garza (Angel & Berto) (c) vs. Mr. Iguana & Psycho Clown

Before the match, Santos Escobar addressed the crowd as he demanded the crowd to show respect to the AAA World Tag Team Champions, Los Garza. He chatised the crowd for not showing the respect deserved, as he then challenged any tag team in the back to face Angel and Berto for the AAA Titles.

Mr. Iguana (alongside La Yesca) and Psycho Clown were revealed to be the mystery opponents for Los Garza.

Psycho Clown and Angel started things off for their respective teams. Angel fell victim to a hurricanrana from Psycho, followed by a springboard crossbody. The masked clown looked good as he handled both Garzas easily early on. He ripped off his mask to reveal another one underneath, as he hit a popup forearm on Angel.

Berto got the blind tag, which allowed him to take advantage by tripping up Psycho as he tried for a springboard move. The AAA World Tag Champions began to work over on Psycho in their corner as the fans chanted for Mr. Iguana. Angel and Berto hit a double team kick on a prone Psycho as the former locked in a resthold to keep his foe grounded.

Psycho fought back with a kick to the face of Angel, which gave him some separation and time to get the tag to Mr. Iguana. The eclectic lizard floored Berto with a helicopter spin as he introduced La Yesca into proceedings. He delivered the Iguanarana on Berto as he then slammede Angel with a crucifix pin for the near fall. Angel and Berto caught Mr. Iguana as he tried for a dive to the outside and sent him right into Psycho Clown. Mr. Iguana was brought back into the ring and left at the mercy of Los Garza on the top rope. They dropped him with a super MTY from the top rope. Iguana managed to kick out at two as he tagged in Psycho Clown.

Psycho tried for a crossbody but got blocked, as they then landed the MTY to retain their AAA World Tag Team gold.

Los Garza def. Psycho Clown & Mr. Iguana via pinfall to retain the AAA World Tag Team Championships

It was an entertaining tag match, yes, but having the AAA-aligned talent lose on their WWE TV debut will certainly not help shake the notions that the WWE/AAA deal is a one-sided partnership more than anything else.

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– Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre were asked backstage about their attack on Jelly Roll earlier today, but the two said they’d explain why they did what they did later tonight.

– A video package setting the stage for the massive six-team TLC Match for the WWE Tag Team Titles at SummerSlam was shown.

Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest

Priest and Black locked horns in the middle of the ring to start as the latter took advantage with an attempted hammerlock. Priest escaped and withstood a kick to the thigh from Black. The Dutch brawler tried for another kick, but he got met with Priest’s own onslaught of kicks, which sent him to the outside. Priest leapt off the steel stepst to drop Black with a clothesline. On the apron, Priest tried for a kick, but he missed and got jettisoned to ringside, as Black then took off with a dive over the ropes. With Black in the driver’s seat, we took a break in the action.

SmackDown returned as Priest attempted to fight back, but he got felled by a knee to the face from Black. The cover from Black, but Priest kicked out. Black taunted Priest, who hyped himself back up and roared back with elbow strikes, a slam, and an Old School crossbody. Priest sized up Black and rocked him with a running clothesline as Black managed to kick out at two.

Priest tried for the Razor’s Edge, but Black escaped the attempt. A kick from Priest sent Black to the ringside area. Priest had a full head of steam and ran for a charging attack, but he was intercepted with a knee to the face from Black. As Black headed up top for a moonsault, Priest avoided calamity and pounced him over the announce table. Priest cleared away the commentary table, but got a faceful of chair from Black, which ended this match in a disqualification.

After the match, Black was far from done as he smashed the chair over the back of Priest. He then struck Priest in the face with the chair, which left him stunned against the steel steps. Black slammed Priest’s head against the steel steps repeatedly as he delivered one Black Mass kick to leave his rival down and out.

Damian Priest def. Aleister Black via disqualification

That match was shaping up to be a good one until the DQ finish, but I will say it was a decent way to get some heat on Black with the post-match attack. That said, it does feel odd that despite being the catalyst for Black’s heel turn, Ron Killings/R-Truth has essentially become persona non grata as it relates to this story, which raises the question of whether or not Truth feels any important at all after being brought back.

**********

– Backstage, Tiffany Stratton was confronted by her SummerSlam opponent, Jade Cargill. The two traded barbs ahead of their match tomorrow, as Cargill promised to finish what she started now that there’d be no distractions or cash-ins to worry about.

Talla Tonga (w/ Solo Sikoa) vs. Jimmy Uso

Uso started right way by trying to chop down Talla in the corner. On the top rope, Uso tried for a dive, but he got dropped by a punch from Talla, who took over the match with a hard clothesline that felled his opponent. Talla delivered a leg drop with those massive tree trunk legs of his onto Uso, as Sikoa trash talked Uso from the outside. Talla had the clear upper hand on Uso, up until he got sent over the top rope and onto the apron. Uso flew through the ropes and temporarily stunned Talla with a suicide dive, which took us to the break.

We returned with Talla in the driver’s seat as he attacked Uso in the corner. Talla took pleasure in mocking Uso for a bit before Jimmy tried to get momentum back. Talla withstood the storm and once again had Uso at his mercy in the corner with strikes. Uso avoided a running charge from Talla and left him momentarily dazed with a kick. An attempted Samoan drop from Uso failed as Talla was too strong for it. Uso headed up top and got grabbed by the throat by Talla. Chokeslam attempt was reversed by Uso, as he nailed a series of superkicks. Solo Sikoa got on the apron and got a kick for his troubles as Uso then delivered a spear on to Talla.

Uso headed up top and looked for the splash, but Talla caught him and hit a chokeslam for the one, two, three and the victory in his debut match.

After the match, Sikoa summoned J.C. Mateo and Tama Tonga to continue the punishment on Jimmy Uso as the United States Champion called for the steel cage to be lowered. Jacob Fatu ran down and entered the ring before the cage lowered completely. Sikoa made a run for it, as did Talla Tonga. This left Mateo and Tama to be picked apart, pillar to post, coast to coast by Fatu. With Mateo and Tama prone on opposite corners, Fatu laid them out with running hip charges and leaping moonsaults.

Talla Tonga def. Jimmy Uso

I can say that Talla Tonga did not look bad in his debut, and Jimmy Uso tried his best to make him look good for his debut. The post-match extracurriculars with Jacob Fatu laying waste to two-fourths of the M.F.T.s was a fun bit of business.

**********

SummerSlam Saturday Card

  • Gunther vs. CM Punk (World Heavyweight Championship)
  • Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss (Women’s Tag Team Championship)
  • Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
  • Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill (WWE Women’s Championship)
  • Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

SummerSlam Sunday Card

  • Street Fight: John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champipnship)
  • Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles (Intercontinental Championship)
  • Steel Cage Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu (United States Championship)
  • No DQ, No Countout: Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria (Women’s Intercontinental Championship)
  • Triple Threat: Naomi vs. IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley (Women’s World Heavyweight Championship)
  • Tables Ladders & Chairs Match: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. #DIY vs. Fenix/Andrade vs. Motor CIty Machine Guns vs. Fraxiom vs. The Street Profits (WWE Tag Team Championships)

– Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair were interviewed about their tag match tomorrow. Flair said that Bliss has had her back and been there for her, even if she’s been annoying. The two traded barbs with one another before they walked off.

Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre close out SmackDown

The two men who will face Randy Orton and Jelly Roll tomorrow night at SummerSlam made their way down to the ring to deliver some final remarks before their match.

Paul said that he and McIntyre were trying their best to defend WWE from outsiders, and that we didn’t understand what it took to compete at SummerSlam, which according to Paul, Jelly Roll thought was a “hotdog eating contest”. Paul said that he was tired of outsiders thinking they could step into WWE and compete, which Jelly Roll was in his eyes. He called Jelly a “country star, not a superstar”, and that he does not belong in WWE.

McIntyre said that whatever happens tomorrow will be on Randy Orton’s conscience. He said that he had God on speed dial, because when Drew McIntyre prays, bad things happened. Before Paul and McIntyre could continue, Jelly Roll arrived to the arena , and he wasn’t alone… as Randy Orton accompanied him. The two made their way down to the ring as Nick Aldis tried to stop the two from getting to the ring, but to no avail.

Once Orton and Jelly got to the ring, they began throwing hands with Paul and McIntyre. A vanguard of security officials ran down to the ring to get this fight to stop, to little success. McIntyre and Paul were sent outside as more officials got everybody finally separated. In the ring, Orton calmed himself down, as he turned to Jelly and hyped him up. Orton delivered an RKO on two of the security officials as the last of the trio got dropped by a Jelly Roll chokeslam. Orton and Jelly stood tall in the ring and jawjacked with Paul and McIntyre as we closed out the final SmackDown before SummerSlam.

**********

That was a decent way to end the night with the Jelly/Orton vs. Paul/McIntyre stuff, but I probably would’ve prefered if Cena and Cody’s segment from the beginning was the final one to send us home before SummerSlam, since the hook of whether or not Cena’s change of heart was legit would’ve at least made an interesting cliffhanger to leave us on before Sunday.

All in all, this was an okay go-home SmackDown before SummerSlam. The matches we got ranged from good (Priest vs. Black) to great (Giulia vs. Vega), and it did an admirable job to sell fans on the two-night event that’s coming this weekend.

WWE NXT live results: Santino Marella challenges for North American title

Posted on by Chris Aiken

On NXT tonight, Santino Marella has a chance to win his first WWE gold in 13 years.

The 51-year-old Marella is challenging Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship on tonight’s show. It’s a match that was set up last week when Marella confronted Page, who had just introduced a Canadian flag-inspired design for the North American title belt. Marella said the title deserves to be held by someone with dignity, honor, class, and pride.

Marella is currently an on-screen authority figure in TNA Wrestling with the title of Director of Authority.

A couple of women’s division matches have also been announced for tonight with Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley and Jaida Parker vs. Jazmyn Nyx scheduled to take place. Legend and Parker are both angling for a title shot against NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, who now also holds the TNA Knockouts Championship as well.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show opens on a somber note with a ten-bell salute to Hulk Hogan, while members of the NXT roster stand in the ring and at ringside. A music video tribute to Hogan follows the ten-bell salute. After that is an early commercial break.

Back from the break, a recap highlights the previous episode of NXT, which sets the stage for tonight’s card. Opening the show is a women’s match.

Jaida Parker vs. Jazmyn Nyx (with Fallon Henley and TNA Knockouts & NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne)

Parker pinned Nyx after a running hip attack. Nyx got some offense, but Parker made an impressive comeback. The result was a coordinated push of Parker to set her up to challenge Jayne in a title match. The match itself was largely good as Parker looked strong.

Jaida Parker defeated Jazmyn Nyx

— Je’Von Evans passes by The High Ryze at the start of a backstage skit, and Evans clowns on them. Evans then meets Chase U on Evans’ way to the ring for a monologue. Andre Chase is telling Kale Dixon and Uriah Connor to essentially take the bulls by the horns. That would lead into a later skit with Hank & Tank.

Confrontation sets up Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans for later tonight

Evans begins with a monologue, where he begins by talking about getting advice from Undertaker last week. Evans is going after the biggest dog in the yard.

Out comes TNA World Heavyweight Champion Trick Williams in jeans that sparkle bright. The biggest dog has arrived, and he offers advice not to tug on Superman’s cape or try Trick Williams. That leads to Evans saying he was not talking about Trick when he calling out the biggest dog in the yard. Instead, Evans was talking about NXT Champion Oba Femi.

High Ryze soon interrupts to interject in the conversation. Playing off the skit from earlier, Wes Lee is flanked by Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe. Lee has Trick’s back, and Lee cuts a promo on Evans. There is some bickering back and forth before Evans responds by decking Lee. Outnumbered, Evans is jumped by High Ryze and Trick. This sets up a singles match tonight with Lee against Evans. Lee and company stand over a prone Evans.

— In a comedy skit, Uriah Connors and Kal Dixon have chairs in hand outside the locker room of NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank. They intend to rush in and attack Hank & Tank, and they barge in. Instead of an assault, there is a comedy where Hank says all they had to do was ask. In comes Andre Chase, who is apologetic as he did not mean for his students to attack with chairs. This all was mildly funny, but more importantly, it sets up a tag title match for next Tuesday on NXT.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Tavion Heights

Heights pinned Dempsey after a belly-to-belly suplex. In winning, Heights can now leave No Quarter Catch Crew.

The match goes through a commercial break, and it was very good as well. Wren Sinclair was again at ringside, and she teased tossing in a the towel once more. She ultimately didn’t, and Heights made a comeback after Dempsey is working a leg.

Double down as the show cut to commercial. After the break, Dempsey targets the leg. Heights’ leg is smashed in the ring steps. Dempsey then goes to work with a half crab. Heights eventually hulks up into a comeback. He fights back and gets a near fall with a small package. Moments later, Heights counters Dempsey to execute a belly-to-belly suplex. Heights then covers Dempsey for a pinfall. Heights in now free to leave No Quarter Catch Crew.

Tavion Heights defeated Charlie Dempsey

— Trick William instructs High Ryze to finish off Je’Von Evans. In exchange, High Ryze wants Trick to use his pull to get them a tag team title match. Up walks Santino Marella, who chides Trick for thinking he was pull. Marella is the stroke in TNA. But do not worry about that, Marella says as he takes off his TNA badge. Tonight, Marella is a WWE superstar looking to win the NXT North American title. Marella also does his gimmick where he mispronounces the name of Ethan Page.

— Blake Monroe is heading to the ring for a monologue.

Blake Monroe promo turns to chaos

Monroe first cuts a promo on Booker T for mispronouncing her name last week. Monroe then shifts to cutting a promo on Jordynne Grace.

Monroe shows a picture on the big screen of Grace working as an extra, with Monroe chiding Grace’s appearance. Monroe then shows a recent picture, and she makes a crack at Grace about needing a gym membership instead of a title match.

Monroe then insists she herself is championship material. Monroe shows photos of her modeling days.

Lola Vice interrupts Monroe’s monologue, and Vice cuts a promo on Monroe. Vice talks about representing WWE in AAA and dancing with Nikki Bella at Evolution, instead of talking selfies in the locker room (which is a dig at Monroe).

Out next to interrupt the interruption is Jaida Parker. She cut a great promo about not chasing clout, she is chasing the championship.

Jordynne Grace’s music blares, but out comes Kelani Jordan instead. Not the “Jordan” you were expecting, Jordan says with a smirk. Jordan also says to expect the unexpected in WWE. Jordan hen proceeds to cut a promo on Monroe. Jordan basically challenges Monroe to a match.

Monroe accepts the challenge by threatening to put Jordan in a “local medical facility” next week. Monroe headbutts Jordan, which ignites a huge brawl. Vice and Jordan send Monroe and Parker packing, and Monroe begs off by hugging Parker, who shoves Monroe away.

— In a backstage skit with The Culling, Shawn Spears informs Tatum Paxley she has a title match next week against NXT North American Champion Sol Ruca. The Culling will be in Paxley’s corner to ensure she wins the title.

Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley (with Jazmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne)

Much of the match is overshadowed by a main roster run-in, as Nia Jax attacks Legend. When he fight spills outside the ring. Nyx tries to interfere, but Legend knocks her down with a punch. Legend also thwarts interference from Jayne, as Legend drops Jayne with a pump kick. Suddenly, Jax ran in to attack Legend from behind.

At a random point during the match, an image of Joe Hendry flashes across the screen. This would also happen in a later match on the card.

A stunned Legend is then rolled into the ring, where Henley executes a Rocker Dropper (famouser). Henley then covers Legend for a three count.

Fallon Henley defeated Lash Legend after interference by Nia Jax

In a post-match attack, Jax furthers her assault on Legend. Jax does a Bonsai Drop on Legend after the match.

— Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura get into an argument backstage, and they were separated. Stacks chimes in and gets slapped by Inamura. This sets up a match for next week with Inamura against Stacks.

Je’Von Evans vs. Wes Lee (with High Ryze)

TNA Champion Trick Williams is ringside for guest commentary.

They wrestle through a commercial break, and they had a great match. Big dive by Lee over the ropes to the floor before the commercial break, which leaves the babyface in peril. The high-flying action continues after the show returns from the break, and the bacyface fights back.

In the highlight of the match, Evans goes coast-to-coast with a flying dropkick as Lee is tied in a tree-of-woe. Great near fall when Evans delivers a frog splash on Lee. The finish came soon after as they go home.

Interference by Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe, but they are thwarted after a dive by Evans. Lee hits his finisher, but Evans gets a toe on the middle rope to break the hold. The idea allows Lee to save some face as he hooked Evans leg too much, which causes it to make contact with the rope. Regardless, the hold is broken.

For the finish, Evans delivers two cutters. The last cutter includes a double springboard off the ropes. Evans then covers Lee for a pinfall. Best match on the show by far.

Je’Von Evans defeated Wes Lee via pinfall

— Vic Joseph sits down with Myles Borne, who tells his emotional story of overcoming serious health conditions as a baby. Borne addresses Lexis King, accusing him of stirring the pot. Borne showcases his positive mental attitude as he describes his battles as a child on a ventilator, where he lost 90% of his hearing. Borne talks about how he could read lips to help understand people. Borne then dismisses King and tries to block him out.

— In a corresponding skit after a commercial break, Lexis King cuts a promo in Ava’s office. King again accuses Borne of faking his deafness. This sets up a match between Kind and Borne for next week on NXT.

— The Fatal Influence trio bicker in a TMZ-style interview. Suddenly, Nia Jax hijacks the interview to cut a promo on Lash Legend. Jax says Legend does not measure up.

NXT North American Champion Ethan Page vs. Santino Marella

Marella with a series of near falls at the start of the match, but Page escapes. The match also includes another mysterious video clip of Joe Hendry.

Heat spot as Page works over Marella. Fighting back, Marella does an airplane spin. Double down from there, and both are seemingly out. They rise and Marella counters Page’s finisher. Marella tries to rally, but he is dropped by a kick.

Page off the top rope with an attempted splash, but Marella gets his knees up. Comeback by Marella and he is firing up. Plancha by Marella, and he rolls Page back into the ring. Out comes The Cobra, but Page uses the referee to shield him. The ref is shoved aside. With the ref’s back turned, Page pokes Marella in the eye. Page then delivers a Twisted Grin, and Page covers Marella for a three count.

Ethan Page defeated Santino Marella to retain the North American title via pinfall.

— Closing the show is a skit with Tony D’Angelo seated at a restaurant. The cliffhanger is Tony D is seemingly being attacked when the show goes off air.

WWE Raw live results: SummerSlam go-home show

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: July 28, 2025
Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI 

The Big Takeaway —

Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed laid out Roman Reigns and Jey Uso in the final segment. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Raw started as SmackDown did, with a tribute to Hulk Hogan. Wrestlers and others were on the stage as the fans cheered for Hogan. Nick Hogan and Eric Bischoff were among those on stage. Paul “Triple H” Levesque said a few words, and they aired a Hogan video package after a ten-bell salute.

Oddly, Triple H was not actually there. More strange than that, they just re-aired what he said on SmackDown as a voiceover as everyone else stood on stage. 

Fans cheered the video. Only a few wrestlers applauded along with them. 

********

Hulk Hogan career highlights aired during a commercial break. 

Opening segment 

Jey Uso entered to his customary reaction. He was about to run it back and play his music again, but Paul Heyman interrupted. 

Heyman said he was not out there to disrespect “Main Event” Jey Uso, who was, in fact, in tonight’s main event. Heyman wanted to talk about family. Heyman was about to enter the ring, but after seeing the look on Jey’s face, he scampered back to the aisle. 

Heyman couldn’t believe Jey accepted Roman Reigns’ invite to be his partner against Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. Heyman knew Jey loved his family, but he told him that family would always let him down and get him in trouble. That wasn’t a prediction, that was a prophecy. (The crowd chanted, “OTC.”) 

Heyman informed Jey that Santa Claus wasn’t the one who left presents. His mother lied. The crowd booed, so Heyman said their mothers all lied, too—except for the Jewish ones. (“My tribe knows better,” he said.) 

Rikishi may have told Jey that he wanted him to be more iconic than him. But his father lied, too. When Reigns named the next in line for Tribal Chief, he picked Solo Sikoa, not Jey Uso. That didn’t work out so well. Now, Reigns might tell Jey he wants Jey to be as big as him, but Reigns was lying too. 

Heyman was simply telling this to Jey because he loved him. He loved Jey just like family. Heyman yelled, “Yeet,” and dropped the mic. 

Jey responded: family was the reason he was out there. Jey would pull up for his family every single time. The bloodline still ran deep in his veins. Heyman was being disrespectful by talking about the things Jey could do without Reigns. Jey already did those things. He went out on his own and won the world title to prove to himself that he could. Jey wondered where Heyman’s family even was. 

Jey said Heyman screwed Reigns at WrestleMania, while his boys screwed him out of a world title shot. Whatever happened to them at SummerSlam was on Heyman’s ass.

Since he wasn’t able to earlier, Jey had them play his music again so the crowd could Yeet.

(It was good to give Jey his own talking segment here with Heyman so he doesn’t feel so secondary to Reigns in this program.) 

******** 

Six-person mixed tag team match: AJ Styles, Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez & Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio 

The babyfaces were in control until Dom pulled Perez to safety, causing Sane to collide with the bottom turnbuckle, in full view of the referee. The ref turned her attention to a pissed-off Styles, and that distraction allowed Rodriguez to boot Sane while outside the ring. (This happened in the ref’s peripheral vision.) 

There were duelling chants of “AJ Styles” and “Dirty Dom” during a break. Sane speared Perez, but she couldn’t make a tag because Rodriguez yanked Asuka off the apron. (It was meant to be a surprise, but you could see Rodriguez run over.) Sane couldn’t tag Styles either, because Dom blatantly entered the ring and decked Styles. This all happened in front of the ref. 

Styles finally got the hot tag, and he ran wild on Dom to the crowd’s delight. Styles set up for a Phenomenal forearm, but Perez stepped in front of Dom to stop it. Asuka and Sane assisted in taking out Perez. Styles assisted Sane in hitting a big dive to wipe out Rodriguez. 

Styles finished off Dom with a Phenomenal forearm for the pinfall win. 

Match result: AJ Styles, Asuka & Kairi Sane defeated Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio and Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (10:42)

This match was really all about the last minute or so. The crowd was into Styles, so it came across well enough despite not being much of a match. 

********

Jackie Redmond congratulated Sheamus on his win over Rusev. He quoted Big E by saying it was an example of big, meaty men slapping meat. That got a laugh out of the crowd. Speaking of Big E, Sheamus’ interview was interrupted by Grayson Waller, flanked by The New Day. 

Waller talked tough and said the greatest tag team of all-time had his back. An argument between the two led to a match being made. Waller turned around to realize that New Day had vanished and suddenly did not have his back. 

********

Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs and UFC fighter Jamahal Hill were in the crowd. 

Sheamus vs. Grayson Waller

Sheamus had it won and set up for a Brogue Kick, but had to stop upon seeing Rusev hit the apron. Sheamus knocked him down, but Waller caught him in a schoolboy for two. Sheamus popped up and hit a Brogue Kick for the easy win. 

— Rusev attacked Sheamus with a shillelagh and applied an Accolade as some fans chanted, “We want Lana.” Rusev held the submission for a while until officials finally got him to let go. 

Match result: Sheamus defeated Grayson Waller (4:09) 

*******

Redmond interviewed Naomi about her upcoming title defence against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Naomi said she could bring the brutality like Ripley, and fly like Iyo Sky. Everyone in the division was passive-aggressive, but she was aggressive-aggressive, and tonight’s tag match would be a cautionary tale. She did her goofy evil laugh and warned everyone to proceed with caution. 

Byron Saxton interviewed New Day during a break. 

******** 

They aired some words on Hulk Hogan from Logan Paul, AJ Styles, Jim Duggan, Jimmy Hart, Natalya, Jey Uso, The Miz, and Cody Rhodes. Rhodes said Hogan was the first ‘superstar,’ and the wrestling business no longer has its Babe Ruth. 

Michael Cole announced that net proceeds from Hogan’s merchandise sales would be donated to his family. 

********

Heyman told Bronson Reed that Jey Uso thinks they’re just a group without a leader. Bron Breakker stepped in and said they have a leader now. Breakker told Reed to take out Jey with a Tsunami, and they could take control of WWE starting tonight. Reed was on board. After Reed left, Breakker told Heyman that he had a plan. 

Lyra Valkyria segment

Valkyria entered. She did a little twirl to show off her shoes, which she called “Becky stompers.” This got no reaction. She then misspoke and said she would be standing there in two weeks—then corrected herself to say one week—as Women’s Intercontinental Champion. 

She acknowledged that maybe she would fail and wouldn’t be standing there at all, because Lynch would have to beat her into the ground to walk out as champion. Valkyria knew Lynch didn’t like to play by the rules, which was the reason she won the title in the first place. 

Valkyria was happy to play it Lynch’s way. Valkyria was not playing into Lynch’s hand, because she knew exactly what Lynch was capable of. But Lynch didn’t know what Valkyria was capable of. Valkyria was prepared to go to a place she had never gone before. 

Lynch’s music hit, and Valkyria turned her attention to the stage. Nobody entered, so Valkyria quickly realized what was going on (Lynch was behind her, outside the ring). Valkyria ran and hit a baseball slide to Lynch. Lynch had a kendo stick, but Valkyria fought her off with it until Lynch bailed.

******** 

Sami Zayn and Karrion Kross segment 

Sami Zayn did a sit-down interview with Corey Graves. Zayn wanted to be done with Karrion Kross. Kross was getting in the way of achieving his goal, which was to be the world champion. 

Kross and Scarlett interrupted, and Kross took Graves’ seat. Kross said he had every intention of attacking Zayn with a steel rod, but he realized Zayn wouldn’t make it to SummerSlam if he did. Everybody Kross has dealt with so far has wound up showing their true colours, except for Zayn, and that was starting to piss him off. When Kross beat him at SummerSlam, he wanted to hear Zayn say, “Kross told the truth.” Then they could go their separate ways. Kross said Zayn was no better than him. 

Zayn said he wasn’t sure what Kross wanted. If Kross did win, Zayn was willing to say whatever he wanted. But Zayn wanted Kross to know he was wrong about him—and maybe Kross was wrong about himself. Zayn said he would beat Kross at SummerSlam, and wanted to hear Kross say he was wrong. 

********

Bayley interview

Redmond interviewed a downtrodden Bayley. She said she lost her chance at the IC title and tag titles, did not wrestle at WrestleMania, and wouldn’t have a match at SummerSlam. She was at a loss for words. She left. 

******** 

SummerSlam will begin each day at 6 pm ET/3 pm ET. The countdown show is 3 hours long. 

Cole announced a sold-out crowd tonight of 14,703. 

Eight-woman tag team match: Women’s World Champion Naomi, Chelsea Green, Piper Niven & Alba Fyre vs. Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Stephanie Vaquer & Nikki Bella 

It’s been 30 minutes since the Sheamus match ended, and that match went 4 minutes. 

Nikki was in control until Fyre made a blind tag and hit her with a superkick. This led to a break and, of course, Nikki made a hot tag to Sky moments after they returned. 

Sky was cut off after a distraction from Naomi, and the heels took over again. Niven and Green took turns hitting moves on Sky, so Vaquer and Nikki broke up a pinfall attempt. Ripley tried to get involved, but Naomi shoved her into the steel steps. 

Vaquer got a hot tag, and she laid out all four opponents. With all four laid out against each turnbuckle, Vaquer handed out running knee strikes to everyone except Naomi. Naomi managed to block it, but Vaquer caught her with a dragon screw instead. The crowd got louder when Vaquer hit Green with Devil’s Kiss. 

Nikki gave Fyre a Bella Buster. She stared down Naomi, who was about to enter the ring. Naomi had enough, so she grabbed her belt and began leaving, but Sky intercepted her and chucked her in the ring. Nikki and Sky laid out Naomi. Nikki and Sky did Sky’s pose. Niven laid out Nikki and Sky with a double clothesline, and did Sky’s pose too. That got a pop. 

Ripley gave Niven a Rip-tide. Green slapped Ripley, so Ripley got in her face until Green backed into Vaquer, who hit an SVB for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Stephanie Vaquer, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY & Nikki Bella defeated Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Alba Fyre & Women’s World Champion Naomi (14:36)

This was ok. Ripley did give Niven her finisher, but she otherwise did surprisingly little in the match. Perhaps saving her for the weekend. 

********

Judgment Day were not in a good mood backstage after the earlier loss, but Finn Bálor cheered them up by pointing out all their gold despite Liv Morgan not being there. Dom asked him if he wanted them at ringside, but Bálor told them to chill backstage. 

Perez handed Dom a new Nintendo Switch and suggested he play WWE 2K25 (they already have it playing on the big TV and PS5 behind them). Rodriguez was annoyed and reminded Dom that Morgan also liked to play that game. 

******** 

Backstage, Sky told Ripley that she has never beaten her and never will. Ripley said, ‘we’ll see.’ 

World Tag Team Championship match: Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh vs. Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro

Wilde hit a big dive before a break, but Judgment Day took control during the break. Del Toro made a lukewarm tag and woke up the crowd by hitting McDonagh with an impressive coast-to-coast missile dropkick. Wilde and Del Toro followed with suicide dives.

Wilde hit Bálor with a moonsault, and Del Toro followed with a Phoenix splash, but McDonagh broke up the cover. 

El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) ran out and hit the apron to distract Del Toro, but Dragon Lee ran out and they brawled to the back. Bálor used the distraction to put Del Toro in a small package for two. Del Toro superkicked Bálor and kicked McDonagh off the apron. Wilde took out McDonagh with a crazy flip dive off the top. 

Del Toro went to the top, but was tripped by a different masked man (dressed like Chad Gable). I have no idea how the ref didn’t see this. 

The masked man ran off, and Bálor hit Del Toro with a Coup de Grâce for the pinfall win. Judgment Day retain. 

Match result: Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh defeated Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro to retain the World Tag Team Championships (10:55)

Credit to LWO for getting the crowd into this even though nobody would’ve thought they could win. The fans were also into the shenanigans at the end. 

********

Gunther and CM Punk segment 

Gunther entered wearing an all-black suit, black t-shirt and his gold title belt. The crowd chanted for Punk. 

Gunther called last week a clean victory for him because he went toe-to-toe on the microphone with supposedly the best talker in the world, CM Punk. Gunther told him to his face what would happen at SummerSlam and left the ‘voice of the voiceless’ speechless. He made Punk understand that he does not deserve to call himself the best in the world and will never be a world champion. Most of all, he made Punk shut the hell up. 

Punk entered to a big reaction. Punk said he wasn’t speechless last week, he was dumbfounded. Not by what Gunther said, however. While standing across the ring from someone as great as Gunther, it dawned on him that he doesn’t want to be World Heavyweight Champion: “I need to be World Heavyweight Champion.” 

Punk fired up and said he needed to be champion like he needed air in his lungs, and like he needed a heart to pump blood through his veins. He needed to be a champion like the Red Wings needed a 12th Stanley Cup. 

He didn’t smoke or drink or do drugs, but he understood addiction. This place was his addition. He needed to raise the title over his head as a ‘thank you’ to the fans who chanted his name for over ten years (while he was gone). 

Punk said he doesn’t ‘deserve’ to call himself the best in the world; he earned that right. He also earned the right to be arrogant about it. Gunther was as arrogant as him, but he couldn’t back it up. Punk left a pile of bodies behind him, including Hall of Famers and legends that Gunther could only dream of. 

Gunther tried to tell him to shut up, but Punk cut him off. Punk responded, “There’s levels to this, kid.” Punk would teach him at SummerSlam that he was not on his level. Punk planned on leaving Saturday as the champion. At least Gunther would know what it was like to share the ring with the one and only, best in the world, CM Punk.

(It was a little cliché, but this was a strong promo by Punk.) 

******* 

The announcers ran down the SummerSlam card. Sunday is overloaded with gimmick matches: a cage match, a TLC match, a street fight and a no-DQ match. (Plus a triple threat, which is technically no-DQ.)

Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed (w/Paul Heyman) 

Reed fended off some early offence and had complete control. Literally the moment they returned from a break, Jey avoided a senton and came back with right hands, a superkick, and a suicide dive. 

Bron Breakker sprinted out down the aisle and speared Jey for the DQ. The crowd chanted, “OTC.” 

— The heels attacked Jey until Roman Reigns entered to his music. Reigns knocked Breakker out of the ring but couldn’t get Reed up for a Samoan drop. Reigns avoided his charge, and Reed went shoulder-first into the ring post. Reigns helped Jey to his feet. Jey superkicked Breakker off the apron, and Reigns gave Reed a Superman punch. 

Reigns and Jey stepped out of the ring and went for running spears, but Breakker cut Reigns down with a spear while Reed knocked down Jey with a body block. (Because both things were happening simultaneously, it was easy to miss Breakker cutting down Reigns with a spear.) 

Breakker speared Jey in the ring, and Reed followed with a Tsunami. Breakker noticed Reigns getting to his feet, so he flew off the apron and clotheslined Reigns over the announce desk. Breakker tossed Reigns into the ring, and Reed hit him with a Tsunami. 

Breakker stood above a fallen Reigns and told him everything around here was his now. The ring, the ropes, the cameraman, the fatasses in the arena—they were all his. 

Reigns and Jey found themselves near the part of the barricade that always breaks, so Breakker ran around the ring and speared them both through it. (This was followed by a funny bit where Reed removed Reigns’ sneakers and happily announced, “These belong to me now!”) 

Breakker and Reed (holding Reigns’ shoes) stood tall with Heyman in the ring as the show ended. 

Match result: Jey Uso defeated Bronson Reed via disqualification (7:09)

The match was an obvious waste of time, but the go-home angle was what they needed to do with this team, with the emphasis on Bron Breakker. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Hulk Hogan tribute

Posted on by Marc Quill

With SummerSlam fast approaching, Cody Rhodes will appear tonight on WWE SmackDown inside Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. He’ll continue the build to his upcoming Undisputed WWE Championship street fight against John Cena ahead of the August 2-3 PLE.

Rhodes made the match official during a contract signing last week after it turned into a brawl with Cena, who tried to back out of the SummerSlam match until Rhodes retaliated and put Cena through a table to send a message.

The Wyatt Sicks’ Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy will have their first defense of the WWE Tag Team titles against Andrade and Rey Fenix, who won a fatal four-way bout on last week’s SmackDown to earn a shot on tonight’s show.

Alexa Bliss will be in action to take on Roxanne Perez, ahead of her and Charlotte Flair teaming up to take on Perez and Raquel Rodriguez for the Women’s Tag Team titles at SummerSlam. Last week, Bliss helped her partner Flair pick up the win against Rodriguez in singles action.

Randy Orton, Jelly Roll, Drew McIntyre, and Logan Paul are all scheduled for tonight’s show in advance of their tag match at SummerSlam.

WWE has also announced that tonight’s SmackDown will pay tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, who passed away yesterday at the age of 71. Several legends are expected to be in attendance.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

Following the WWE signature open, we went inside to the Rocket Arena to see the entire SmackDown locker room stood on the stage, with a memorial graphic for Hulk Hogan. Paul “Triple H ” Levesque talked about Hogan’s legacy as he then asked for a ten-bell salute in Hogan’s memory. We then got a video tribute for Hogan’s career.

– Once we got back from the break, Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett briefly talked about Hogan some more before being interrupted by Logan Paul.

Logan Paul hosts live edition of Impaulsive TV

The so-called “Maverick” opened things with his Impaulsive TV set inside the ring. He asked why the Cleveland fans weren’t chanting for their hometown hero. Paul said that Cleveland did raise him, but it didn’t make him. In fact, he supposedly “made” Cleveland. Paul said that he and the crowd inside the Rocket Arena had nothing in common, because while he made it out, he didn’t. Paul talked about how tonight was about giving back to the community, by way of holding a special live edition of his Impaulsive TV show. Paul disparaged Jelly Roll for a bit before the man himself interrupted him.

Jelly said that the only thing Paul inspired was “little asshole kids filming themselves to be assholes”. He noted that Cleveland did not like Paul at all, as the Impaulsive TV host got him to shut up. Paul put himself and Drew McIntyre over as two of the most impressive stars in WWE right now. He asked Jelly Roll just who the hell he thinks he is. Jelly responded that he was the guy that was going to put Paul in a bodybag and ship him back to West Lake.

Jelly called Paul a “silver spoon kid” as he said that he was getting in the ring not just for himself, but for those who had been ever picked on by high school jocks. Jelly talked about how he was a WWE fan for his entire life, and how the company represented him and “every single one of us”. Jelly discussed how his story has inspired millions of millions of people as he called Paul “soft as Charmin” and a “Prime-peddling punk-ass bitch.”

Drew McIntyre entered the ring as he and Paul outnumbered Jelly Roll. At this point, Jelly said that he didn’t come alone as Randy Orton walked down the ramp to even the odds. Once Orton entered the ring, we got a fight right off the bat. McIntyre got the upper hand on Orton with a rake to the eye as he went after Jelly Roll. In the ring, McIntyre asked Paul to go after Jelly. Orton pulled McIntyre out of the ring, which allowed Jelly to fight back with elbows and a shoulder block.

Paul kicked Jelly in the midsection as he loaded up his fist for his signature punch. Jelly recovered and delivered a Black Hole Slam, which sent Paul scurrying.

I’ve been clear in the past about how how this feud wasn’t working for me at all, but I have to give some credit to Jelly Roll, as his work at the Performance Center has seemingly paid off. Other than that, the tag match at SummerSlam is still something I’m not looking forward to very much.

**********

– We got a video from Andrade & Rey Fenix discussing their chances against The Wyatt Sicks in their WWE Tag Team Championship match tonight.

Alexa Bliss (w/ Charlotte Flair) vs. Roxanne Perez (w/ Raquel Rodriguez)

Bliss went for consecutive early roll-ups on Perez,, to no avail. Perez slammed Bliss’s head down on the mat to gain a momentary advantage as she then slapped Bliss in the face. That seemed to anger Bliss, who threw Perez in the corner as the action spilled outside. Bliss dove onto Perez on the outside, as Charlotte Flair and Raquel Rodriguez stared one another down to take us to the break.

We returned with Bliss mounting a comeback on Perez as she unleashed her flurry of offense, topped off by a dropkick on the button. She blasted Perez with her flipping neckbreaker and lined up for the Sister Abigail DDT. Perez raked Bliss in the eye, which allowed Rodriguez to interfere with a strike to Bliss. Perez headed up top for the moonsault and connected. The cover, but Bliss kicked out as Flair threw Rodriguez over the timekeepers’ area.

Rodriguez recovered and kicked Flair in the face outside the ring. Bliss had Perez dead to rights with the Twisted Bliss, but she leapt outside to take out Rodriguez instead. As Bliss tried to enter the ring, Perez rolled her up and did the classic heel trick of holding the ropes for leverage to pick up the sneaky win.

Roxanne Perez def. Alexa Bliss via pinfall

A fine match and the cheating victory by Roxanne does make the “series” even between the SummerSlam opponents in singles action ahead of next week’s Women’s Tag Team Championship match.

**********

– After Cathy Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill, Chelsea Green appeared and talked trash about Cargill. Unbeknownst to Green, Cargill was behind her and attacked her as she dragged her to the ring and we got an impromptu match.

Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green

The match began before the break with Cargill hitting her pump kick on Green. As we resumed SmackDown, Cargill continued her dominance with splashes in the corner, followed by a one-handed chokeslam. On the apron, Alba Fyre provided a momentary distraction, which allowed Green to hit a jumping neckbreaker for a near-fall.

Green tried to deliver the Un-Pretty-Her, but Cargill reversed and finished this short match off with Jaded.

After the match, the Secret Her-vice pounced with the attack on Cargill until WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton ran in to make the save. The two SummerSlam opponents cleared the ring of Alba Fyre and Piper Niven in short order. We then got a tense staredown between Cargill and Stratton, as the latter held the WWE Women’s Title in her hands momentarily.

A short one, and likely meant to set up a tag match for Cargill and Stratton versus the Secret Her-vice next week on the go-home-to-SummerSlam edition of SmackDown.

Jade Cargill def. Chelsea Green via pinfall

**********

– Backstage, Charlotte Flair attempted to give words of encouragement to Alexa Bliss after her match. She stated that they could become true friends if they won the WWE Women’s Tag Titles at SummerSlam.

Cody Rhodes addresses SummerSlam and John Cena

With a new track jacket and the crowd’s cheers, Cody Rhodes walked down to the ring. He started by talking about how Hulk Hogan’s death elicited complicated emotions, but that his contributions to WWE and sports entertainment could not be ignored.

Rhodes shifted gears by discussing the violence that was to come at the Street Fight at SummerSlam. He said that doing the right thing sometimes don’t look like the right think and that what he did to John Cena last week was just a taste of what’s to come. Rhodes said that he didn’t want to the John Cena who is counting the days before he left, but he wanted to fight the “real” John Cena. That’s because Rhodes wanted to fight the very best to prove that he can be the very best. He dared Cena to come to his last SummerSlam like it is his first. Rhodes wanted all the “hustle, loyalty, and respect” so he and Cena could beat it out of each other.

The reason Rhodes wanted to fight against the “real” John Cena was because he wanted to know if that story that he was on was real, and that the only person who had the answer to that question was Cena himself. “I’ll see you next week,” said Rhodes to conclude his promo.

Just your standard Cody Rhodes promo to sell the SummerSlam match against John Cena, but he at least delivers these promos well and it helps build excitement ahead of next week.

**********

– Jacob Fatu addressed last week’s events that involved Solo Sikoa’s attempted frame-up of him. Fatu warned Sikoa that he was going to dogwalk his ass at SummerSlam inside the steel cage. The Miz walked up behind Fatu and claimed that he was the “main character” and he got himself a match against Fatu cleared tonight. Miz brazenly slapped Fatu across the face before he walked off.

– Aleister Black and Damian Priest traded barbs about one another in a video promo ahead of their showdown on next week’s SmackDown.

The Miz vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu rocked Miz with his running spinning elbow as he lived up to his boast prior to this match and began to indeed “dogwalk” Miz early on. Miz avoided a running hip charge from Fatu, but couldn’t avoid a strike that left him stunned in the corner. Before Fatu could continue his charge, Solo Sikoa and his M.F.T.s walked down in unison, which allowed Miz to take charge with a blow to Fatu’s knees. Miz then jettisoned Fatu into the ring post, which sent him outside the ring. The M.F.T.s looked on at their fallen rival as we headed to a break in the action.

SmackDown returned from the break with Fatu fighting back against Miz, flooring him with a clothesline followed by the running senton. In the corner, Fatu teed off on Miz with repeated headbutts. Fatu knocked Miz out with the hip attack as the M.F.T.s pulled Miz out of the ring. This prompted Fatu to respond with a dive to the outside, which took out nearly the entire group.

In the ring, Fatu finished Miz off with the pop-up Samoan Drop. However, the Samoan Werewolf did not have any time for a celebration, as he got immediately ambushed by the M.F.T.s. Jimmy Uso evened the odds as he emerged with a steel chair. He cleared past Tama Tonga and J.C. Mateo with the chair. However, Tala Tonga withstood Uso’s attack and took him down. Fatu recovered and managed to fend off the M.F.T.s one by one, which left Sikoa alone in the ring and prone in the corner.

Fatu trapped Sikoa with a chair wrapped around his neck and looked to deliver a vicious hip attack, but Tala Tonga entered the fray and floored Fatu with a clothesline. Chokeslam by Tonga, was soon followed by Sikoa delivering the Samoan Spike to Fatu. The M.F.T.s stood tall in the ring as the United States Champion trashtalked his SummerSlam foe.

It was nice to see the Miz back in action for this match, and I think it was imperative for Sikoa and the M.F.T.s. to get their heat back since last week, they were the ones on the receiving end of the humiliation from Fatu and Jimmy Uso.

Jacob Fatu def. The Miz

**********

– The Street Profits and #DIY had a disagreement backstage, as Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa said they had a plan for the Wyatt Sicks later on in our main event.

– Backstage, Zelina Vega confronted Giulia until Kiana James appeared as the Women’s United States Champion’s “official representation”. We learned that Giulia would be defending her U.S. Championship next week against Vega.

SummerSlam Saturday Card

  • Gunther vs. CM Punk (World Heavyweight Championship)
  • Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss (Women’s Tag Team Championship)
  • Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill (WWE Women’s Championship)
  • Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

SummerSlam Sunday Card

  • Street Fight: John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champipnship)
  • Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles (Intercontinental Championship)
  • Steel Cage Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu (United States Championship)
  • No DQ, No Countout: Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria (Women’s Intercontinental Championship)
  • Triple Threat: Naomi vs. IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley (Women’s World Heavyweight Championship)

WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix

Fenix started off on the offense against Gacy as he and Andrade looked to be in chemistry early on. The two had Gacy and Lumis draped across the middle rope as they hit the double team kick barrage on the champs.

Andrade went right away for the Three Amigos, as things picked up immensely with Lumis pulling Fenix off the top rope. This allowed Gacy to hit his signature handspring-into-lariat against Fenix, which took us to the final commercial break of the evening.

We returned to our main event with Fenix connecting on a superkick against Lumis, who was the legal man for the Wyatt Sicks. Andrade got the hot tag as he was a house of fire against both Lumis and Gacy. He nailed Gacy in the corner with the running Meteora, but that only got the two. Andrade looked for The Message, but Gacy reversed, as Lumis tagged in and got his helping of a double team attack on Andrade. Fenix tried to interject, but he got thrown aside.

Andrade countered the assisted powerbomb of the Wyatt Sicks with double knees. Fenix leapt to the outside to eliminate Lumis at ringside. This allowed Andrade to deliver The Message on Gacy. One, two…. Nikki Cross pulled the referee out of the ring to cause the disqualification.

Erick Rowan entered the ring and began to lay waste to Andrade. Fraxiom and The Motor City Machine Guns tried to interject, but also got waylaid by the massive Rowan. The two teams recovered as the fight continued to break down,. The Street Profits joined the fray and took out Rowan. #DIY walked down the ramp with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis in tow.

In the ring, the Street Profits took turns in taking flight to eliminate everyone outside the ring.

Nick Aldis addressed the situation as he declared that at SummerSlam, the entire SmackDown tag team division will compete in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. We ended the night in total bedlam with everyone brawling in and out of the ring as referees and security officials failed to contain the chaos caused by SmackDown’s tag division.

Rey Fenix & Andrade def. The Wyatt Sicks via Disqualification

**********

A wild, wild ending to our main event for the night, with an equally-chaotic match being set up for SummerSlam in the process. The SmackDown tag division shined with their TLC match on an episode of SmackDown a few months back, so them getting PLE time to run it back (with the added element of the Wyatt Sicks thrown in) should make for an entertaining bout.

Overall, a strange SmackDown that seemed to be more about setting the stage for the go-home show next week than anything else, on top of the Hulk Hogan tribute at the beginning that made for an unusual night of wrestling action.

WWE NXT live results: The Undertaker confronts Trick Williams

Posted on by Jeff Moss

NXT is on the road in Texas tonight — and one of the biggest legends in WWE history is scheduled for an appearance in his home state.

The Undertaker will appear live on tonight’s NXT episode in Houston for a confrontation with Trick Williams. The segment stems from Williams recently insulting the Performance Center recruits who are on Undertaker’s WWE LFG team. In a promo on Monday’s Raw, Williams took shots at The Undertaker and threatened to knock him out tonight.

Tonight’s show is also a homecoming for Wren Sinclair, who will be the opponent for Blake Monroe’s NXT TV singles debut.

An NXT Championship bout is part of the card with Oba Femi defending his gold against Yoshiki Inamura and Josh Briggs in a triple threat. Plus, Ricky Saints will be in action against Jasper Troy.

We’ll have an appearance by NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne following her winner-take-all victory over Masha Slamovich at TNA Slammiversary. Jayne won the TNA Knockouts title in that match and is now a double champion.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

It’s busy times for WWE’s formerly-black-and-gold brand! The NXT roster has been through The Great American Bash, Evolution and TNA Slammiversary since it’s last episode an there are doin’s a-transpirin’!

-There was a nice nod to Ozzy Osbourne (RIP!) off the top as the traditional footage of wrestlers arriving for work kicked off the show. The card was run down with Vic Joseph and Corey Graves and Booker T arriving to a great Houston ovation. Booker announced that the show would begin with an 8-person surprise Mixed Tag Team match!

Mixed Tag Team Match: NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca, Zaria and NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank vs The Culling (Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley)

The Culling jumped their opponents off the bell, but things settled down with Hank and Spears facing off. A quick tag to Vance and he and Hank traded punches until Spears tagged back in. Hank Sent Spears face first into the turnbuckle and Tank tagged in with a Senton.

Spears got a quick tag to Paxley and she and Zaria went back and forth. Ruca jumped in to cut off Dame interfering and the men came back in. Then, it broke down into a straight up brawl culminating with a 4-person slam and quadruple splash from the Hank, Tank, Zaria and Ruca side.

Hank and Tank isolated Spears in their corner and traded tags to try and take him out. Spears ducked Tank and Vance hopped in with a devastating clothesline. Vance worked the arm of Tank and Dame added a kick to the face through the ropes for good measure.

Vance and Spears double teamed Tank while the crowd chanted for Ruca. Vacne went to the top rope and tried a headbutt, but Tank dodged it and reached for a hot tag. Spears cut it off though and he and Tank battled in the center of the ring.

Paxley and Ruca were tagged in next and Ruca took out Paxley and Dame with a little help from Zaria. Zaria went for a pin, but Dame broke it up. The men tagged back in and Tank used Hank as a weapon to take out Vance. Spears began superkicking anything that moved.

Dame went up top and flung herself onto Hank and Tank on the outside. Not to be undone, Ruca did the same thing to Spears Paxley and Zaria were in the ring and Spears tried to interfere, but Zaria hit him with a face breaker. Paxley tried for a quick rollup, but the lights went out and DarkState appeared int he crowd!

When the lights came back on, Paxley had Zaria in a pin and got the 1-2-3 to give the Culling the win.

Match Result: The Culling (Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley) defeated Sol Ruca, Zaria and Hank & Tank

Super fun match to kick things off! Ruca is really popular with the NXT crowd and I’ve always been a big Shawn Spears fan. I like the Culling a lot and they are a great foil for Hank & Tank in the tag division!

-Jordynne Grace was shown arriving to the arena. She was met by NXT GM Ava who said that she was not allowed in the building. Grace promised to get her hands on Blake Monroe anyways.

-NXT Women’s Champion & TNA Knockouts champion Jacy Jayne came to the ring with the rest of Fatal Influence, Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx. Jayne grabbed a mic and celebrated her win, declaring herself the best. She was very adamant she did it all by herself to prove everyone wrong. She is a history maker!

Suddenly Lash Legend’s music hit and the Legend herself joined the conversation. Legend congratulated Jayne and said that Jayne was about to begin her fall from the top. Legend said that it’s time for her moment, and suddenly more music!

Jaida Parker came down to the ring. Parker declared that she has a direct line to the NXT Women’s title and Legend can step aside. Jayne said that they should figure it out for themselves and Fatal Influence jumped Parker and Legend. Parker and Legend cleared the ring and began jawing at each other as the segment slammed into:

-Je’Von Evans and Ricky Saints having a conversation in the back about Jasper Troy. Evans gave Saints some advice: Don’t over think it.

Ricky Saints vs. Jasper Troy

Saints fought Ethan Page at the Great American Bash in a brutal Falls Count Anywhere match. When that match spilled over into the back, Saints and Page stumbled onto Troy, who was either eating his lunch or angrily leaning against a wall lamenting a loss to Je’von Evans. Troy decided to take that out on Saints and NXT GM Ava made this match so that they can properly destroy each other. 

If you’re just joining us, Troy is a very big, very angry man. Saints needed to use his quickness and agility to get around the big man, but it didn’t work well off the top. Troy sent Saints into the corner and Clotheslined him on the ring apron (the most revolutionary part of the ring!).

Troy hoisted Saints up on his shoulder and hit a spinning slam for the first near fall of the match. Troy grabbed Saints again and threw him out of the ring. Saints clutched his wrist as Troy exited the ring, picked him out and carried him back into the ring.

Saints tried his hardest to fight back, but a trio of big splashes from Troy left him writhing in the ring. Troy added one more splash for good measure, but Saints managed to kick out. Troy punched Saints in the stomach so hard his wrist tape started coming off.

Every time Saints started gaining some offense, Troy would hammer him back down. Troy began literally throwing Saints around the ring, hoisting him up on his shoulders. Saints wriggled free, but Troy decided a Bear Hug was in order and Troy ragdolled him.

Saints got desperate and bit Troy on the head. Saints lured Troy out of the ring and laid some haymakers on him. Troy tried to punch back but Saints ducked and Troy hit the ring post. Troy shoved Saints back into the ring, favouring his hand.

Saints went up top and hit a high crossbody followed by a spinning DDT. It wasn’t enough though as Troy kicked out at 2. Keeping up the momentum, Saints sent them both outside over the top rope. Troy got to his feet first and began menacing the Ref. Saints used that to hop on Troy’s back and they battled up the entrance ramp.

The Ref tried to get them back into the ring, but the entry ramp collapsed on Saints! Troy hit a senton bomb on him through the collapsed metal ramp! The ref began a count in the ring and Troy staggered back, just beating the count and getting the win over Saints!

Match Result: Jasper Troy defeated Ricky Saints via Countout

Wow! The collapse of the ramp may have been a little premature, but IF they needed to call an audible, they did it seamlessly. Troy is an awesome force and I think if they can give him some good creative, he’ll be a big star.

-Next, tribute was paid to 2021 Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne who’s involvement with WWE goes all the way back to Wrestlemania 2.

The Undertaker confronts Trick Williams

Over the weekend, Williams defeated Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a Triple Threat Match at TNA Slammiversary to retain the TNA World Championship. However, his mouth got the best of him and he badmouthed the Undertaker’s WWE LFG team. Taker, lacking things to do with his time these days, would like a word with the TNA Champion about it. 

Williams made his way to the ring and grabbed a mic. Williams talked about his victory at Slammiversary and said that he was undeniably the greatest TNA Champion of all time. Williams said that he will drop anyone in his way. Williams said that the LFG team told on him to the Undertaker. Williams gave taker props, but he’s never held down two brands at the same time like Williams. He then said that LFG has made the Undertaker soft. He then called Taker down to the ring.

A giant DONG rang out, but quickly switched to the American Badass music and out strode the Undertaker. He walked to the ring (stepping around the hole Ricky Saints left in the ramp) and got a mic. The music faded and Taker stood silently, considering what he would say while the crowd chanted for him.

Eventually, Taker began speaking, calling Williams a Dead Man Walking. Taker admired William’s cowhide leather outfit and said that Williams had it all… except respect. Taker said that Williams just isn’t the same guy with the TNA title as he was with the NXT title. NXT Williams was hungry, he said. He had that “daawg” in him.

Undertaker said that TNA Williams isn’t that guy anymore. With his current attitude, he won’t keep the TNA Championship for long. Taker said that he tries to teach his LFG team to not have an attitude and Williams interrupted, saying he doesn’t give a damn about the LFG team! No one is as good as he is!

Undertaker offered Williams one more piece of advice: Don’t step to an OG (Taker being the OG). Williams looked terrified as Undertaker promised to make him famous. Williams tried to sucker punch Taker, but he immediately goozled him and hit him with a vintage Taker chokeslam! The segment ended with Williams lying in the ring.

-Back from a commercial, Fatal Influence were discussing who would take on Jaida Parker and Lash Legend. Michelle McCool joined them and made some suggestions. They headed off to Ava’s office to make things official.

Blake Monroe vs. Wren Sinclair

Monroe had a heck of a week going back to Great American Bash. There, she made her NXT/WWE in-ring debut in a tag match with Jordynne Grace in an eventual loss to Fatal Influence. Then, at Evolution, she turned on Grace, costing her the NXT Women’s Title in a match with Jacy Jayne. Grace had promised to be out there somewhere looking for revenge and caught in the middle is Sinclair, who was big-upped by her friends in the No Quarter Catch Crew earlier in the show.

The two locked up and Monroe took control, sending Sinclair to the corner. She raked Sinclair’s head along the ropes and and had her until Sinclair hit a big back elbow. Sinclair tried to employ the technical style of the NQCC and it threw Monroe off at first.

Monroe regained control with a sling blade followed by a tight chinlock while wrenching her arm behind her. Sinclair fought out of it with an armdrag and some big chops. Monroe sent Sinclair face first into the ropes and then a big head butt.

Monroe hit a big slam and pinned Sinclair, getting her first NXT singles victory.

Match Result: Blake Monroe defeated Wren Sinclair

After the match, Monroe grabbed a mic but before she could say anything, Jordynne Grace appeared through the crowd and headed right for Monroe. Grace battled security allowing Monroe to grab her from behind and DDT her into a steel chair!

The match was pretty good, essentially a glorified squash, but I’m loving the feud between Grace and Monroe. They are both excellent at this pro wrestling thing and I can’t wait to see them go one on one.

-Back from commercial, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page was in the ring with a podium. Next to him was a second podium with a belt under a black cloth. Page said that he would be bringing more class to the title than the 17 Americans that had previously held it.

Page talked about his parents being immigrants from the Ukraine and that he was born in Canada. He unfurled a set of Canadian flags and said that the title would no longer represent the continent of North America, because America is a lie. It should represent the pure dominance of Canada over the rest of North American.

Page said the was born in Canada but made in America which makes him the greatest North American alive. He tossed the NXT North American Championship Belt to the side and unveiled a new version of it with a Canadian flag as the strap.

Page listed the various reasons that he feels Canada is better than America or Mexico, including hotter women, cleaner air and being nice to each other. He said that the USA is in HIS North America and as the North American Champion, he takes great pride in holding the title. But that pales in comparison to the pride he feels about being Canadian.

He then asked the audience to rise as he sung the Canadian National Anthem. He began singing but was cut off by an arriving Santino Marella, TNA Director of Authority!

Marella made his way to the ring and said that Page should be ashamed of himself. Marella lives in Canada and he said that Canadians don’t think like Page. He said that Page couldn’t relate to the people of North America because he is a “bumhole boy.”

Page said that Marella should go back to TNA and Marella said that someone with dignity, honor and pride should hold the North American title. He then challenged Page to a match next week. Page said that he wouldn’t do that, he’d do it RIGHT NOW!

Page turned around and Marella had the cobra ready for him! Page grabbed his new belt and bailed as the Commentary team speculated about the match happening next week!

-Backstage, Trick Williams was looking around every corner for the Undertaker, trying to avoid him. That set him up to run into NXT Champion Oba Femi though and the two stared each other down as the show went to commercial.

-Back from Commercial, Yoshiki Inamura met with Je’Von Evans. Inamura was wondering if he’d been a bad friend to Josh Briggs. He likes Briggs, but not always how he thinks. Evans said sometimes you can love someone, but not like them.

-The scene transitioned to the No Quarter Catch Crew lamenting Wren Sinclair’s loss. Suddenly, Bubba Ray Dudley appeared. He congratulated Wren on a good match and said that he was going to set up a match between Charlie Dempsey and Tavion Heights. If Heights wins, he can leave the Crew.

Then, Lexis King wandered by and accused Dempsey of not really being deaf. Dempsey left and that was the end of the segment. Weird.

-Then, the match was made official: Next week, North American Champion Ethan Page will defend his title against TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella!

NXT Championship Triple Threat Match: Yoshiki Inamura vs. Josh Briggs vs. Oba Femi (c) 

At Great American Bash, Femi and Inamura had a slugfest that saw Femi retain the NXT title. The bigger issue was that Briggs, Inamura’s best friend, kept trying to interfere on his behalf. Not wanting to win the title in a “dishonorable” way, Inamura wasn’t pleased with Briggs’ interference. Briggs thinks Inamura was being “too nice.” The question is will they work together in this triple threat? Or will Femi be able to stand back and let these two take each other out? 

Off the bell, Femi sent Briggs to the outside and he and Inamura began clubbing each other in the corners. Femi flipped Inamura over which allowed Briggs to jump in a get a quick splash. Femi bounced between Inamura and Briggs before sending them into opposite corners.

Imamura got a big slam on Femi but during the count, Briggs “inadvertently” stepped on the Ref’s hand, breaking the count. In the confusion, Femi delivered a double Chokeslam to both men. Femi focused on Briggs, but Briggs sent Femi into the corner and Inamura began stomping him.

Inamura went for a cover and Briggs stepped towards him to break up the pin, but Femi kicked out and the two eyed each other. Briggs then introduced a chair into the ring. Inamoura did not like that dishonorable move and Briggs slammed him onto Femi for his trouble. Inaumra then returned the favor and the two began working together.

Briggs went for a cover, but Inamura didn’t break it up. Femi kicked out and stalked Briggs into the corner, setting him up on the second rope. Inamura grabbed Femi from below in an Electric Chair position. Inamura threw him backwards and Femi dragged Briggs down with him.

Briggs went for a quick cover, but Femi kicked out. Briggs seemed to think that Inamura caused the kickout and the two got angry at each other. Inamura was sent out of the ring by Femi, who was then chokeslammed by Briggs, resulting in a two-count.

Briggs and Femi fought in the ring and Inamura returned, charging at Femi. Femi leapt into the air and Inamure speared Briggs by mistake. Inamura then lifted Femi and hit a sit-down powerbomb. The ref started counting, but Briggs pulled him out. The ref jumped back in and tried to count again, but Briggs put Femi’s arm on the ropes.

That made Inamura mad and he screamed at Briggs while laying Femi out for a big splash. As he mad the pin though, Briggs broke it up with a moonsault. Briggs went for the cover, but Femi kicked out at two.

Briggs and Inamura had enough at that point and started trading chops and punches. Inamura gave as good as he got and Briggs hit a massive lariat. That brought Femi back in who hit a powerbomb on Briggs and got the pin to retain his title.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Yoshiki Inamura and Josh Briggs

After the match, Briggs ran over Inamura at ringside. The scene switched to the back where Je’Von Evans was still trying to figure out what he is going to do next. The Undertaker approached and offered him some advice: Keep going after the biggest dog in the yard. Evans considered that as the show went off the air.

Great triple threat main event tonight! The story was obviously the dissolving of the friendship between Briggs and Inamura, but Femi looked great as always. He didn’t steal a victory, he earned it through smarts and picking his moments. NXT is chock full of talent right now and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

WWE Raw live results: Roman Reigns addresses Paul Heyman

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: July 21, 2025
Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX 

The Big Takeaway —

Roman Reigns addressed Paul Heyman in the main event segment with a long promo where he did not say much of note. Reigns wanted everyone to know that it was Heyman who ruined the Bloodline. The focus shifted to Bron Breakker, who had enough of Reigns. A brawl ended with Jey Uso saving Reigns, and the two men standing tall.

**********

Show Recap — 

There was a video package of last week’s gauntlet, focusing on Bron Breakker’s lengthy run, CM Punk’s win, and Roman Reigns’ return. 

Sami Zayn (still being referred to by Michael Cole as the ‘underdog of the underground’), Becky Lynch, and Judgment Day were shown arriving. 

Dominik handed the keys to their SUV to a valet—who happened to be AJ Styles (in full valet attire). Styles hoped Dom got cleared today. Dom left, and Styles chucked the car keys away. 

CM Punk and Gunther segment 

Punk entered, and the crowd chanted his name as he stood atop the Slim Jim logo in the ring. Punk told Houston he had two goals when he returned: main event WrestleMania and become world champion. He was still working on the latter because he kept getting sidetracked by people who took things a little personally. 

Punk looked forward to facing Gunther, whom he called one of the best wrestlers in the world. He couldn’t promise a win, but with the help of the fans, he could promise that he would give everything he had. 

Gunther was the Intercontinental champion for 666 days and was now on his second run with the world title. Punk only had two weeks to train for this “beast.” But Punk remembered he’s been training for this his whole life. Punk wasn’t just any challenger—he was the best in the world. 

Gunther interrupted. Punk got in his face, but Gunther stepped back. The crowd chanted, “You tapped out,” and chanted for Punk. Gunther stalled for a while before addressing Punk. 

Gunther said he did not want to create any drama. He said they were both there for the same reasons. Not to make friends, but to make money and win championships. 

They each considered themselves the best in the world. They both had massive egos. But Gunther’s ego was justified, unlike Punk’s. Punk’s ego was based on what the fans thought. Gunther’s ego was based on his accolades. The best was the one who held the world title. 

Gunther only focused on what happened in the ring, and when the bell rang at SummerSlam, he would make Punk regret that he ever stepped in a wrestling ring. 

Gunther would drop him like a wet towel, and Punk would realize he was right: Punk would never be champion and would never be best in the world. The only thing Punk would have was the degenerate fans chanting his name for the rest of his life. 

Gunther’s music played, and he left as Punk watched. (I guess the production team knew Punk wouldn’t have a response to this.) 

********

Byron Saxton tried interviewing Stephanie Vaquer, but they were interrupted by Naomi. They had never met, so Naomi introduced herself as the world champion. Vaquer knew who she was. 

Naomi said they would see each other at Clash in Paris, but Vaquer said that would only happen if she survived at SummerSlam. Naomi was offended by the comment and was confident she would see her in Paris. She did her evil laugh and left. 

******** 

Sheamus vs. Rusev

Cole yelled, “It’s fight night, baby!” in the most annoying manner during Sheamus’  entrance, but you were lucky enough to miss it if you aren’t able to watch the show during commercials. 

A few minutes in, Sheamus went to the top for a dive to the outside, but he lost his balance and returned to the ring. Rusev had to pretend he was still hurt and went back to a knee as Sheamus simply returned to the top. The fans got behind Sheamus as he hit the flying clothesline to the outside. 

It didn’t matter because Rusev grabbed him seconds later and hit a fallaway slam over the announce table to take over during a break. 

Sheamus came back as soon as they returned, but when he went for the Brogue, Rusev caught him and hit a powerbomb for two. Rusev went for a thrust kick, but Sheamus nailed him with a great-looking knee strike for a nearfall. Sheamus came off the top, but Rusev hit him with a thrust kick (which didn’t look great) for a nearfall. 

Rusev applied the Accolade, but Sheamus got a rope break. As in their previous match, Rusev booted Sheamus while Sheamus asked for more. Rusev ripped the padding of the metal turnbuckle rod, but Sheamus bounced Rusev off it instead. 

As the referee fixed the padding (which seems low-priority), Rusev grabbed Sheamus’ shillelagh. Before he was able to use it, Sheamus nailed him with the Brogue Kick for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Sheamus defeated Rusev (14:50) 

I thought for sure Rusev would kick out, because the ref was still distracted when Sheamus made the cover. Rusev was down for 3-4 seconds already before the ref ran over to count the fall. 

They’re 1-1 now, and I suppose Rusev can demand a rematch after Sheamus technically cheated. 

********

Saxton interviewed El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser). Kaiser spoke a few words in Spanish before being interrupted by Dragon Lee. Dragon Lee called him a fake who didn’t have the fire. Kaiser pie-faced him, so they brawled until officials quickly broke it up. 

They aired a “sneak peek” of WWE Unreal. It was just a backstage clip of IShowSpeed being rushed out to replace Akira Tozawa in the Royal Rumble. The footage provided no insight whatsoever. It was the same sort of clip they would have aired on the next Raw show.

Lyra Valkyria confronted Bayley about getting Adam Pearce to put them in a tag title match. Valkyria was bewildered, but Bayley said they were finally getting the match they were supposed to at WrestleMania. Valkyria said she beat Bayley’s ass last week and was focused on SummerSlam. Valkyria wondered what game she was playing. Bayley acted like everything was cool and said she would see her in the ring. 

******** 

Triple threat tag team number one contender’s match: The New Day vs. Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro (w/Dragon Lee) vs. The Creed Brothers (w/Ivy Nile)

New Day had control during a break. Wilde made a hot tag after the break, and the crowd barely reacted, but they got into his offence. However, Ivy Nile knocked him off the top rope. Dragon Lee tried to help by going after the Creeds, but he was attacked by El Grande Americano. The Creeds got in Kaiser’s face until Del Toro wiped them all out with a great-looking corkscrew plancha. 

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods set up Wilde for their finisher, but Wilde chucked Woods out of the ring and caught Kingston in a schoolboy for the pinfall win. 

The crowd popped for the win. LWO are now the number one contenders for Judgment Day’s tag titles. 

Match result:  Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro defeated The New Day and The Creed Brothers (9:19) 

********

After a replay aired of the Kabuki Warriors losing last week, Iyo Sky told them that they would soon be tag champs. Kairi Sane said Sky would soon be world champion again, and Asuka wished her luck at SummerSlam. 

Vaquer confronted Sky. Sky recalled that she had Vaquer beat the last time they wrestled (until it was interrupted). Sky challenged her to a match tonight, and Vaquer accepted. The crowd popped big for that. 

********

Vic Joseph interviewed TNA Champion Trick Williams during a break. He was booed. This was meant to plug Undertaker’s appearance on tomorrow’s NXT (also in Houston). Williams said he didn’t have a problem with Taker, but they could talk if he wanted. Taker acted like his knees didn’t have an expiration date, and Williams needed to knock him out and knock his eyes to the back of his head. 

********

Pearce tried convincing Dom to go get checked out by medical (and said it only takes five minutes). Dom kept making excuses, but Pearce told him to go get it done. Dom bumped into Styles, now acting as a custodian. Dom ran off. 

New Day were baffled by the sight of Styles working as a custodian (he was mopping the floors). They complained about recent events on Raw and said they needed something to restore things to normal. 

Grayon Waller popped in to inform them that Austin Theory was injured and was finally off his back, because A-Town Down Under was no more. Waller offered them his services. New Day were confused by this, but did not dismiss him. Waller left to get their car. 

So after all this time, Theory and Waller are done, and it happened in a backstage New Day segment without Theory. 

********

Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria segment 

Lynch entered. She wanted the fans to show her some appreciation. She shouldn’t even be here. She should be on the red carpet plugging her new movie, Happy Gilmore 2. Instead, she was in Houston. She did things she didn’t want to do because that’s what leaders did. She put over her slick victory at Evolution. 

People accused her of keeping others down, but Valkyria was the one bogarting everyone else’s opportunities. Valkyria was already getting an IC title shot, and now was getting a tag title shot. She wondered who would even need two belts. She said it was different when she was Becky Two Belts, because Valkyria was just being selfish. 

Lynch called out Valkyria, and she entered. Lynch said she made Valkyria a star, but that free ride ended at SummerSlam. Lynch said that if Valkyria lost at SummerSlam, she could never challenge for the belt again. 

Valkyria said she learned that whenever she thought she had dealt with a problem, it came back to haunt her. Maybe she didn’t take things far enough. She accepted Lynch’s terms but had terms of her own: no countouts and no disqualifications. 

Lynch accepted. Lynch said this was the most important match involving this title because it would dictate the future of the title. 

Lynch wanted to be the bigger person and told Valkyria to shake her hand. Valkyria went to shake her hand, and Lynch tried a cheap shot, but Valkyria saw it coming and laid her out with a Man-handle slam.

******** 

Women’s Tag Team Championships: Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (c) (w/Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio) vs. Lyra Valkyria & Bayley

Valkyria became distracted by Bayley as she urged the crowd to “woo” (as they do during Valkyria’s entrance). Rodriguez necked Valkyria over the top rope and distracted the referee so Perez could hit a cheap shot. 

Bayley made a hot tag after a break, and the crowd booed her offence. Even though they weren’t getting along early, Bayley and Valkyria started working together. Valkyria hit Perez with a sit-out powerbomb, but instead of making the cover, she tagged in Bayley to hit her flying elbow drop on Perez. She did, but Rodriguez broke up the cover. 

Valkyria confronted Dom outside the ring. Rodriguez tried to boot Valkyria, but she ducked, so Rodriguez booted Dom by mistake. Rodriguez called for medical to check on Dom. The medic was Styles, who aggressively gave Dom chest compressions until Dom managed to escape. 

This distraction allowed Lynch to chuck Valkyria into the ring steps. Perez used that distraction to roll up Bayley, but Bayley kicked out and applied a cradle for two. Rodriguez made a blind tag, which Bayley didn’t see. 

Bayley hit Perez with a Bayley-to-belly, but Rodriguez planted Bayley with a Tejana Bomb for the pinfall win. 

Rodriguez and Perez will defend the tag titles at SummerSlam against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. 

Match result: Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez defeated Bayley & Lyra Valkyria to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships (15:18) 

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed Sami Zayn, who she thought was out indefinitely. Zayn admitted he wasn’t 100% and should probably take more time off, but he was sick of Karrion Kross. Kross was the reason he wasn’t on Raw last week, and if he was on the show, he would’ve won the gauntlet. Zayn didn’t want to wait any longer to get his hands on Kross. 

******** 

Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh met with Dom. A pissed-off Pearce told Dom to go to medical now and threatened to take the IC title. Dom was upset, and he left. Bálor looked concerned, but asked Dom to get them some lollipops. 

Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross (w/Scarlett)

Zayn wrestled with his ribs taped. There were duelling chants early in the match, and Kross stopped his mounted punches so he could hear the fans chanting for him. 

Zayn hit an Arabian press, but Scarlett kicked Zayn in his injured ribs as the referee checked on Kross. Kross had control through a break, and Zayn made his comeback after the break. 

Zayn gave Kross an exploder in the corner. (They were really close to the ropes, and Kross landed awkwardly. I think his face hit the rope or buckle, because his nose was bleeding after this.) Scarlett handed Kross a pipe.

Zayn set up for a Helluva Kick, but Scarlett grabbed his leg. The ref argued with Scarlett instead of sending her to the back or calling for a DQ. As she distracted the ref, Kross hit Zayn in the ribs with the pipe for the pinfall win. 

(After the match, Kross rubbed the blood from his nose over his face for effect. He then kissed Scarlett, who wound up with blood on her face, and she used her finger to make a streak of blood down her cheek. I’m guessing they’ll be told not to play up blood again like this again.) 

Match result: Karrion Kross defeated Sami Zayn (10:04)

This was a very dull match, and the crowd was appropriately quiet throughout. 

********

Pearce and Styles met the medic, who said he needed more time to finish his paperwork (before he could clear Dom). Pearce and Styles were eager for the results. Dom suddenly decked Styles from behind and confidently accepted the match at SummerSlam. 

(This was a weak payoff. Dom avoided accepting the match all this time just so he could push Styles down from behind? It’s not like Styles is actually hurt. SummerSlam is less than two weeks away, so I guess they had to make it official.) 

********

Cole announced a sold-out crowd of over 13,000. 

Texas rapper That Mexican OT and Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale were shown in the crowd. Some fans chanted for Mattress Mack. (He runs a furniture store.) 

IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer

As they did a few weeks ago, they had a very good match until the finish. 

They had an excellent back-and-forth exchange, but Vaquer got the better of Sky during a break. At one point, the crowd cheered because they thought she was going for Devil’s Kiss, but she wasn’t. 

Sky applied a crossface, but Vaquer got a rope break. Vaquer rolled outside, so Sky hit an Asai moonsault, followed by a missile dropkick and double footstomp. Vaquer responded with a German suplex, but Sky hit one, too. 

Sky tried to kill Vaquer with a sunset flip powerbomb to the outside, but Vaquer blocked it. Vaquer instead hit a knee drop across Sky’s chest while on the apron. Vaquer followed with Devil’s Kiss on the apron and in the ring, to the delight of the crowd. 

Vaquer went for SVB, but Sky countered it into a similar move (double underhook backbreaker) for two. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” Sky went up for a moonsault, but Vaquer hit an avalanche reverse vertical suplex (off the middle rope), which looked awesome.  

The Secret Hervice marched out to ruin the match. Vaquer knocked Piper Niven and Alba Fyre off the apron, but Chelsea Green decked Vaquer from behind for the DQ. 

— The heels beat up Vaquer until Sky wiped out Green with a missile dropkick. Vaquer and Sky double dropkicked Niven out of the ring. 

Sky and Vaquer stood tall together until Naomi decked Sky from behind (knocking Vaquer out of the ring). Niven and Fyre put the boots to Vaquer while Naomi attacked Sky. 

Rhea Ripley ran out to an absolutely monster pop. She laid out Niven, Fyre, and Naomi. Sky and Vaquer attacked Green, and Ripley laid her out with Rip-tide. The three babyfaces stood tall. 

Match result: IYO SKY defeated Stephanie Vaquer via disqualification (15:04)

******** 

The announcers ran down the SummerSlam card. 

Roman Reigns segment

Paul Heyman entered first, with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Heyman had a lot to say, but was quickly interrupted. 

Reigns entered to a huge pop and “OTC” chants. (Heyman stopped speaking, but he probably could have said everything he needed in the time it took Reigns to get to the ring.)

Heyman told Reigns that Seth Rollins would be out of action for a long time. That opened up a leadership opportunity. That meant they could fix this. They could get back together because Reigns knew they were better together than opposing each other. Heyman told Reigns, “I love you, my Tribal Chief,” as the crowd chanted, “You sold out.” 

Reigns told H-Town to acknowledge him. They did. (Breakker was visibly bored by this.) Heyman raised his finger in the air. 

Reigns said Heyman wasn’t a Wise Man anymore, he was just a dumbass. Breakker was pissed by this comment, and was held back by Heyman and Reed. Reigns called him “junior” and told him to settle down. 

Reigns advised Breakker to sit under the learning tree and listen, because Heyman would do the same thing to Breakker as he did to him. When Breakker was the man on top in a few years, Heyman would take all the credit. 

Reigns has heard a lot of people trying to take credit for creating the Tribal Chief. He could say firmly it wasn’t because of Heyman. He was still the Tribal Chief because the fans still acknowledged him. 

Reigns was the greatest champion to step foot in this ring, and he admitted Heyman had a part in that. But Heyman didn’t help him keep that title. The Usos did. Solo Sikoa did. (The crowd Yeeted.) Even Sami Zayn helped out. 

Reigns finally lost the title after four years. He didn’t tuck his tail and go home. He went home and raised the future Bloodline. Bloodline was family. The dumbass Heyman thought they were just another faction or wrestling group. But you couldn’t create the Bloodline—that was God’s work. (They held back Breakker again, and Reigns again told him to back down.) 

Reigns said Heyman was always a friend and business partner to the Bloodline, but Reigns was the one who accepted him in. Heyman threw it all away for his “best friend,” whom he hadn’t even talked to in ten years. Reigns didn’t ever want to hear anyone say he ruined the Bloodline. Heyman ruined the Bloodline. 

Breakker stepped in front of Heyman. He told Reigns nobody wanted him here anymore. Reigns was yesterday’s news. His prime was five years ago, and now he was taking up Bron’s time in the ring. Heyman wouldn’t stab him in the back because he had value, while Reigns was worthless. He was the top dog now. He told Reigns to leave. 

Reigns acted like he didn’t hear Breakker, so he offered him his microphone instead. As Reigns chucked his mic to Breakker, Reigns gave him a Superman punch. He attacked Reed, but turned around and was speared by Breakker. 

Breakker held down Reigns as Reed set up for a Tsunami, but Jey Uso ran out to make the save. Jey speared Breakker while Reigns simultaneously speared Reed. 

Jey helped Reigns to his feet. Jey’s music played as the two men stood tall.

(The fans love Reigns, so it doesn’t really matter what he said, but there was a lot of revisionist history here. There was also a line where he said Heyman killed the Bloodline because of his best friend, whom he hadn’t spoken to in ten years. I assume he meant Punk. Heyman did accompany Punk to the ring at WrestleMania, but he turned on both of them to join Rollins. Reigns didn’t address Rollins at all. Perhaps Reigns missed a line because he was too busy telling Bron to settle down.) 

WWE SmackDown live results: John Cena-Cody Rhodes contract signing

Posted on by Marc Quill

With their Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam coming up in two weeks, current champion John Cena and challenger Cody Rhodes will put pen to paper to make things official tonight on WWE SmackDown.

The last time Rhodes and Cena were in the same ring was at last month’s Money in the Bank when Rhodes pinned Cena in a tag team match.

Also scheduled for tonight is Fraxiom vs. DIY vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. Motor City Machine Guns in a fatal four-way bout to determine the next challengers for new WWE Tag Team Champions, The Wyatt Sicks.

Charlotte Flair is set to face Raquel Rodriguez in singles action tonight. Rodriguez and tag partner Roxanne Perez retained their Women’s Tag Team Championships after surviving a fatal four-way tag match at Evolution this past Sunday.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre is also set for tonight. Plus, Jacob Fatu is slated to appear and will continue his feud with Solo Sikoa.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Following the WWE signature, we abruptly went right to the parking lot as we saw a car accident involving the members of the M.F.T., as Adam Pearce and law enforcement officials tried to sort out what was what. Cody Rhodes walked by and conferred with Pearce about the contract signing he’ll be having with John Cena later tonight for their SummerSlam match. After Rhodes left, we saw Solo Sikoa and his group trying to figure out what the heck just happened.

– Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett discussed Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair’s situation post-Evolution, as we found out that Bliss and Flair will have a Women’s Tag Team Championship match against current champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez. Bliss agreed to be in Flair’s corner for her match against Rodriguez, which kicked off tonight’s action.

Charlotte Flair (w/ Alexa Bliss) vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/ Roxanne Perez)

As the bell rang, Flair and Rodriguez locked up in the middle of the ring before the two exchanged standing switches with no clear advantage for either woman. Rodriguez soon gained momentum with consecutive shoulder blocks, but Flair responded with a rough-looking hurricanrana, followed by a clothesline and a crossbody to the outside. In the background, Kiana James was seen talking with Giulia.

At ringside, Roxanne Perez tried to sneak up on Flair, but Alexa Bliss warded her off. This allowed Rodriguez to take advantage as she tossed Flair onto the ringpost, which sent us to our first break of the evening.

We resumed with Rodriguez lifting up Flair in a modified torture rack submission, but eventually got countered. Rodriguez maintained her advantage with a series of stomps and strikes onto the downed Flair, followed by a twisting Vader Bomb. Flair recovered and began to light up Rodriguez’s chest with her signature chops, followed by a somersault clothesline. Flair delivered a German suplex as she headed up to the top and connected with a crossbody. Rodriguez rolled right through and turned it into a tornado powerslam of her own for the near-fall.

Rodriguez attempted to lift Flair up for the Tejano Bomb, but Flair countered and hit a big boot. Roxanne Perez tried to create a distraction, but this allowed Alexa Bliss to take advantage as she struck Rodriguez with one of her pompoms, as Flair rolled her up for the pin and win.

Charlotte Flair def. Raquel Rodriguez

A decent match to start the show, but the bigger story is how well-received Flair and Bliss’s “Allies of Convenience” tag team has been with fans. Perhaps Flair’s excellent Players’ Tribune article from last week has helped gain her new fans, but in any case, I’m enjoying this storyline so far.

**********

– Adam Pearce was confronted by three police officers, who were seeking Jacob Fatu as a “person of interest”. The cops found Fatu in another area and walked off with him to get some answers from him regarding the hit and run from the start of the broadcast.

– A video package showing Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill talking about their impending WWE Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam was shown.

– The commentators discussed the ongoing situation with Ron Killings, Aleister Black, and Damian Priest, including Black’s attack on Priest last week. We then went to Earlier Today footage of Priest looking for Black, and being confronted by Carmelo Hayes. Priest said that he didn’t know why he was trying to play peacemaker, because he’s the man who goes into the ring and gets business done. This led to Hayes challenging Priest to a match for tonight.

– We got a vignette for the new Naked Gun movie that focused on Cody Rhodes’ cameo in the film, which releases on August 1st.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest

Hayes got things started with a sneak attack as Priest was playing to the crowd on the top rope. Priest soon recovered with a big boot to the fast, which allowed him to finally take off his entrance jacket. In the corner, Priest worked over Hayes with repeated strikes, as he then sent him out to the ring with an elbow to the face. Outside the ring, Hayes slipped free from Priest’s grasp and dropkicked him against the ringpost, which took us to the break.

Our show continued with Hayes having the advantage over Priest as he trash-talked him. Priest got himself hyped up and took advantage of Hayes’ hubris and struck him with a flurry of offense. Priest targeted Hayes for his clothesline, but got suckered in with an arm guillotine across the top rope. Hayes took over with a springboard clothesline as he tuned up the band for some Sweet Chin Music in Shawn Michaels’ hometown. Priest countered, but Hayes delivered his own version of La Mistica and escaped a Razor’s Edge attempt from his foe.

On the top rope, Hayes couldn’t connect with dive, as he escaped another South of Heaven attempt from Priest. Hayes headed up top once again and hit a frog splash on Priest for the two count. The battle spilled outside as Priest slammed Hayes across the commentary table. Priest tried to go for Old School, but Aleister Black appeared on the apron and tripped him up to cause the disqualification.

Black laid out Priest with the Black Mass kick as Hayes backed out of the ring wisely.

Damian Priest def. Carmelo Hayes via Disqualification

This match was really picking up steam up until the disqualification, but the Black vs. Priest feud should be interesting. Of course, Ron Killings, after his big return at Money in the Bank, seems kind of like an afterthought once he left John Cena’s orbit, which is odd, given how he’s a central figure of this feud.

**********

– We got a creepy video of the Wyatt Sicks where they talked about their plans for the SmackDown tag team division and their quest to strip the division of their vanities and desires one by one.

Solo Sikoa and The M.F.T.s’ frame-up revealed

The United States Champion and his faction headed to the ring to discuss the accident that had happened to them at the start of tonight’s SmackDown.

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is the perfect example of who Jacob Fatu really is,” started off Sikoa. According to Sikoa, without his guidance, Fatu is reckless, doesn’t care about anybody, and all he cares about is himself. Sikoa took credit for giving everything to Fatu, bringing him to WWE, and making him a champion. He said that Fatu didn’t deserve any of this because he was so selfish for betraying his family. “Once a criminal, always a criminal,” said Sikoa.

Backstage, we saw Jacob Fatu arriving at the arena as he was apparently not the person of interest that the police were looking for. Incensed, Fatu headed down to the ring and was ready for a fight with Sikoa and the M.F.T.s. As Fatu was making his way down to the ring, Jimmy Uso got the drop on the group with an ambush. Fatu and Uso laid waste to the M.F.T.s until Tala Tonga pulled Uso out and looked like he was about to chokeslam Uso through the commentary table. Fatu took Tala out with a dive to the outside.

Tala recovered and emerged from the commentary table. He eventually got taken down by a double team superkick party from Uso and Fatu. A Fatu-assisted crossbody by Uso took Tala out over the timekeepers area. Fatu attacked Sikoa inside the ring and was about to hit a hip attack with a chair draped over Sikoa’s neck. J.C. Mateo intercepted Fatu, which gave Sikoa enough time to escape. This was a bad move, as Fatu and Uso proceeded to take out their frustrations on Mateo and Tanga Loa.

The voice of Adam Pearce interrupted, as he announced for SummerSlam that Sikoa will defend his United States Championship against Fatu in a steel cage match. He then called for the cops to arrest Sikoa for framing Fatu for the “accident” earlier. As Sikoa and the M.F.T.s were being taken away by the cops, Fatu and Uso stood tall in the ring.

This was a pretty fun segment, I must say, and the alliance between Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso is one I didn’t expect to end up enjoying like I did here tonight.

**********

– We got a recap of a brawl that broke out on Jimmy Kimmel Live as Jelly Roll and Randy Orton got into it with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, including Jelly Roll chokeslamming Paul through a table.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre (w/ Piper Niven)

Fyre and Vaquer traded offense early on in the match as things kicked off fast and furious. Vaquer headbutted Fyre and looked to hit a dive from the apron, but she was intercepted by a kick from Fyre. Vaquer then got rocked by a dive to the outside by Fyre. In the ring, Vaquer recovered with a kick of her own as she then delivered the Devil’s Kiss to the delight of everyone.

Fyre attempted for a Gory Special, but Vaquer countered and finished things off with the SVB for the victory.

After the match, Piper Niven attacked Vaquer and looked to hit the Viper Bomb, but Vaquer escaped and managed to fend off Niven with a superkick.

Stephanie Vaquer def. Piper Niven

This was honestly tragically short. I think Vaquer and Niven could’ve gone on a bit longer than what they had to work with here, which is a shame because both women are talented and can certainly go in a match that lasts longer than three minutes or so.

**********

– The Street Profits were asked about their loss to the Wyatt Sicks last week. They said that the Wyatts as the WWE Tag Champions is not a reality they want to face, and that they’ll be coming for the tag titles again. #DIY confronted the Profits and mocked them for losing last week as they headed down for the tag team fatal four-way coming up next.

Fatal Four-Way Tag Match: #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) vs. Rey Fenix & Andrade vs. Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)

We kicked off with Sabin and Frazer starting off the action as the two traded acrobatics with one another until #DIY snuck in and attacked both men. This prompted Andrade and Rey Fenix to enter the fray as things broke down. Fraxiom intercepted the two with superkicks as they tried for a dive of their own. The Machine Guns pulled Frazer and Axiom out of the ring and ended up getting their dives in on Gargano and Ciampa to the outside, as we took a break in the action.

SmackDown returned with Shelley and Sabin fending off the #DIY duo, as Axiom tagged himself into the match. The masked Axiom and Frazer proceeded to get their moments in with a bonanza of dives on all their opponents. A modified Total Elimination nearly brought Fraxiom the win, but Andrade interrupted and got himself into the match with a tag.

Andrade and Fenix united with amazing chemistry as Fenix nailed Axiom with the spinning kick in the corner, followed by the Three Amigos on Frazer. A frog splash by Fenix saw the pin get interrupted by the Machine Guns. Things broke down briefly between all four teams as they brawled it out in the ring. It turned into total chaos as Andrade and Fenix took advantage of the situation.

#DIY tagged themselves in and took out Fenix and Andrade as a Project Ciampa from Tommaso Ciampa on Axiom was unable to put this one in the books. We got another break at this point of the match.

Our main event match trucked along with Sabin and Shelley on a roll and having Axiom at their mercy for Skull and Bones. Andrade and Fenix broke things up as the former headed up top. Axiom stopped Andrade’s advance and hit the Spanish Fly to the top rope followed by Frazer’s Phoenix Splash. #DIY attempted to steal the victory, but Andrade and Fenix intervened in the nick of time. In the ensuing chaos, only Andrade and Ciampa were left as Candice LeRae tried to draw the distraction. Ciampa tried to roll up Andrade, but couldn’t get the win.

Gargano and Ciampa attempted a double team, but a malfunction at the junction between the #DIY duo led to the finish, as Fenix took Gargano out with a dive to the outside, which left Ciampa at the mercy of Andrade’s Message and the three.

Andrade & Rey Fenix def. #DIY, Fraxiom, and Motor City Machine Guns via Pinfall

That was a fast and frenetic tag match that I really enjoyed. Just some tremendous action from these four teams from start to finish.

**********

Next Week on SmackDown

  • WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Wyatt Sicks’ Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix
  • Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez
  • Jelly Roll, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, and Logan Paul appear live

Cody Rhodes & John Cena contract signing

Raw GM Adam Pearce — who was filling in for Nick Aldis tonight — was in the ring as he introduced both Cody Rhodes and John Cena for the contract signing for their Undisputed Men’s WWE World Championship match at SummerSlam.

Rhodes entered first and didn’t waste time in signing the match contract before he asked San Antonio what they wanted to talk about. He talked appreciation about being made to feel like a Texan, because his father and brother were Texans. Rhodes talked about a post that was overanalyzed but the message was clear: do not flinch and thanks for coming along for the ride. He discussed about how he didn’t flinch for hsi return, fighting with a torn pec, fighting his best friend, and when the Final Boss came for his spot. However, as Rhodes said, he flinched at WrestleMania when he lost to John Cena. Rhodes said it was an unenviable task to be the one to take it away from one of the most beloved wrestlers in our game, but this was important for him.

At this point, Cena made his way down to the ring. Once inside the ring, Cena said that he had some bad news for Rhodes, that he wasn’t going to be at SummerSlam. This was supposedly because he was filming a movie for Netflix in New York, and advised to not take part in anything physical as a result. Cena claimed that this was a decision only made tonight, and one that was a “tough decision” because it was best for business.

Cena said that the crowd didn’t know how hard it was for him to be here tonight, and that right now, physically and emotionaly, just being here is all he can give the crowd. Cena thanked the crowd for his patience and understanding in this matter. Cena walked out of the ring as Rhodes took off his jacket and started to fight on the ramp.

The fight broke down as Cena got the upper hand. He retrieved the WWE Championship and looked like he was going to blast Rhodes with it, but Cody intercepted him with a kick. The title belt ended up in Rhodes’ hands as he smashed it across Cena’s face. WIth Cena stunned on the table, Rhodes headed up top and crushed Cena with a diving splash. Afterwards, Rhodes used Cena’s hand to sign the contract as he revealed that it was going to be a Street Fight at SummerSlam for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

SmackDown ended with Rhodes holding the WWE Title and standing tall over Cena in the process.

**********

Cena using his Hollywood position for heel heat to beg off defending his title was a nice heel move and a nice twist on the old contract signing trope, and the Street Fight stipulation does add some sauce to the WWE Title rematch at SummerSlam. Hopefully, Travis Scott doesn’t decide to amble back into the proceedings once again.

This was actually a good edition of SmackDown featuring a fantastic tag match and some entertaining in-ring segments with the M.F.T.s/Fatu & Uso stuff, plus the contract signing angle to cap off the show. It was certainly better than last week’s effort, that’s for sure.

WWE NXT live results: The fallout from Great American Bash

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The fallout from Great American Bash takes place on WWE NXT tonight — and the episode will also help set the stage for TNA Slammiversary.

At Sunday’s TNA pay-per-view, Trick Williams is defending his TNA World Championship against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a triple threat match. But those three will be teammates tonight when they take on DarkState in a six-man tag. The bout comes after DarkState left Hendry and Santana laying at Great American Bash. Williams claimed that he had nothing to do with his upcoming challengers being attacked.

Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe defeated Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley in the Great American Bash main event. The partnership between Grace & Monroe didn’t last long, though, with Monroe betraying Grace the next night at WWE Evolution. The turn helped cost Grace her NXT Women’s Championship challenge against Jayne, who now has a winner-take-all match against TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich at Slammiversary.

An appearance by Jayne will kick off tonight’s show.

The D’Angelo Family implosion continues as Tony D’Angelo, Stacks, and Luca Crusifino look to settle business in a triple threat match.

Plus, Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong defends against Karmen Petrovic.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show is on the air from a sound stage at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in front of a live studio audience.

A recap of The Great American Bash catches up viewers on the happenings at the PLE last Saturday. Opening the show from the sound stage is the entrance of the trio known as Fatal Influence. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne is flanked by Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyz.

NXT Women’s Champ Jacy Jayne addresses the audience

Jayne first apologizes for her raspy voice, and she blames it on Jordynne Grace hitting her in the throat over the weekend. Jayne goes on to address the “elephant in the room,” which is her not doing well at The Bash.

Jayne blames her partners, and she especially casts blame on Nyz. Jayne says Nyz did her best, but her best is not good enough next to someone like Jayne herself. Luckily for Nyz and Henley, Jayne says they redeemed themselves at Evolution, where Jayne shocked the crowd again by winning.

Henley chimes in to put over Jayne. Henley says Jayne will be champion for a long time to come. Jayne also says she will do what no person has done before, like this Sunday when she goes one-on-one with the TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich. Jayne insults Slamovich until Slamovich interrupts the in-ring promo.

Slamovich gets in the ring to confront Jayne and Fatal Influence. Slamovich’s microphone was not working well, so Henley gave her a microphone. Slamovich says the only reason the interference of Blake Monros is the only reason Jayne retained her title at Evolution. Slamovich vows to be the first TNA wrestler to hold the NXT Women’s Championship.

Jayne scoffs and starts cutting a promo on Slamovich when Jayne is interrupted by the entrance of NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca and Zaria. Ruca cuts a promo on Jayne, and Ruca says her money is on Slamovich. Zaria adds that Ruca was the MVP of this weekend. Okay, sure.

Zaria and Ruca get in the ring to confront Fatal Influence. Nyx gets to cut a promo. Soon thereafter, a brawl erupts. The babyfaces clear the ring of the heel trio. This sets up a six-women tag team match, which is officially announced after a commercial break.

— Tony D’Angelo is the focus of a video package that recaps The Family’s history in NXT. The title of part one is “Birth of the Don.” More to come later in the show as they hype the “family business” triple threat match for later tonight.

TNA World Champion Trick Williams, Joe Hendry & Mike Santana vs. Darkstate (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, & Saquon Shugars with Cutler James)

During the entrance of Darkstate, Santana leaps over the ropes with a tope con hilo. Besides getting knocked down before the bell, Darkstate has lost almost all of their mystique. They are just another faction in NXT at this point.

The tag bout goes through a commercial break with a heat spot. The heel faction works over Santana. When the show returns from the break, Hendry cleans house after a hot tag.

Darkstate are all thrown out of the ring. Santana and Hendry then deck Trick when she starts cutting a promo on them. Santana and Hendry then do stereo dives outside the ring.

Suddenly, TNA faction known as The System run in to brawl with Darkstate, Hendry and Santana join in as the referee calls for the bell. No official word on the actual result, so I’m guessing a no contest.

Match Result: No finish after outside interference

— A skit in the locker room sets up a match between Karmen Petrovic and WWE Evolve Champion Kali Armstrong. Arianna Grace is also involved in the skit.

— Jordynne Grace arrives to the building, and Vic Joseph on commentary says she “looks pissed.”

— Part two of the Tony D’Angleo saga is titled “Enter the Underboss”.

WWE Evolve Champion Kali Armstrong vs. Karmen Petrovic

Shortly after the match starts, Jordynne Grace runs down to ringside and trips Armstrong. Grace gets into the ring and suplexes Petrovic. Grace calls out Blake Monroe, and Grace demands that Monroe immediately come to the ring.

Match result: No contest when Jordynne Grace runs in

Out comes Stevie Turner and Robert Stone, who are presumably acting under the authority of Ava. Turner and Stone argue with Garce until a video package starts playing, which tells the story of Monroe turning on Grace. The video includes a narration that seems like a ripoff of Toni Storm’s current gimmick. In this particular video, Monroe is a bathtub. She invites everyone to her NXT debut next week.

Grace goes berserk in the ring when she attacks Stone and Turner. Grace clotheslines Turner and gives Stone a spinebuster. Security comes out trying to wrangle Grace.

— Team Undertaker from LFG are talking backstage when in walks Trick Williams. He yells at them to move out of his way. Williams bullies them and leaves. Not sure what this skit accomplishes, but Team Undertaker gets a call from The Undertaker himself as the show cuts to a commercial break.

— NXT General Manager Ava talks with Jasper Troy about him attacking people. If he wants to prove himself in NXT, Ava says to do it in matches she approves for him. Troy defends himself by saying Saints entered his territory. Ava says this is NXT, where they settle things in the ring. (Sure Ava, of course they do considering this show begins with two matches that ends in a no contest due to run-ins.) Ava books a match for next week with Troy against Saints next Tuesday in Houston.

— “Rise & Fall of the Family” is the title of for part three of the D’Angelo Family saga. This hypes the triple threat that is up next on NXT.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Lash Legend, who brags about being one of the last two remaining in a battle royal at Evolution. She was thrown out by Stephanie Vaquer, but Legend still brags on herself in this interview. Jaida Parker interrupts her to brag about her performance in the battle royal. Both Legend and Parker vow to confront the women’s champion in Houston.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs. Luca Crusifino in a “family business” triple threat match

D’Angelo turns his back to both of his opponents after the opening bell, lulling Stacks into an attack. “The Don” fights off both Stacks and Crusifino. Stacks goes to retrieve a hidden crowbar, only to discover that D’Angelo found and disposed of the weapon.

The fight eventually spills outside. D’Angelo and Crusifino are fighting on the apron when Stacks knocks them off the ring apron. From there, the match goes through a split-screen commercial break. The triple threat continues after the show returns from the break.

In a big high spot, “The Don” with a hip toss sends Stacks into a flip dive over the ropes. Crusifino catches him on the floor. Stacks retrieves a crowbar, and D’Angelo blocks it only to for Stacks to send him crashing in the steps.

They do some clever triple threat spots that includes a double German suplex. The also do a Tower of Doom spot where Crusifino powerbombs D’Angelo while Stacks takes a superplex.

Crusifino gets his time to shine, and he gets a near fall on Stacks. Crusifino grabs the crowbar, but Stacks posts him and takes the crowbar. Just as Stacks is about use the crowbar as a weapon, D’Angelo strikes out of nowhere with a spear. D’Angelo spears Stacks through a gimmicked section of the wall in a stunt. Stacks then comically shoots out of the hole like a bullet after presumably being launched by D’Angelo.

D’Angelo gives Crusifino a spinebuster on the announce desk, and D’Angelo roll into the ring to give Stacks a spinebuster. D’Angelo then covers Stacks for a three count.

Match result: Tony D’Angelo wins via pinfall

— Wren Sinclair defends her throwing in the towel for Tavion Heights last week. Up walks Charlie Dempsey to gloat. Sinclair reveals she is booked in a match next week against Blake Monroe. The match is in Sinclair’s home state of Texas, but I do not like her chances for winning against a debuting Monroe.

— Josh Briggs is heading to the ring for a monologue.

NXT Champion Oba Femi confronts Josh Briggs

Briggs begins with an in-ring promo where he bemoans no getting a NXT title shot. Briggs mentions his pal Inamura getting a shot, but Briggs has yet to get his own title match.

Out comes Oba Femi to confront Briggs. Femi says Briggs’ presence in Femi’s title defense against Inamura raises some doubts. Yet, Femi insists “The Ruler” would have always won. But now people are questioning the validity of Femi’s win because of Brigg’s involvement. Femi says Briggs ruined the match.

When Femi accuses Briggs of being jealous of Inamura, Briggs snaps back by cutting a promo on Femi. Briggs says Femi might know Inamura as a man of honor, but Briggs is not.

Inamura comes through the crowd with a microphone in hand. Inamura gets into the ring while saying Briggs does not speak for him. Briggs and Femi bicker some more. Femi says Inamura deserves a rematch, but scoffs at the idea of Briggs getting a shot.

Inamura stops Briggs to say he will do what it takes to win, but Inamura will do so with honor. Briggs suggests a triple threat match for the NXT title next week in Houston. Femi asks if that is really what Briggs wants, and Briggs jumps Femi. A brawl erupts in the ring, where Briggs inadvertently elbows Inamura. When officials and referees pour out, they must separate Briggs and Inamura. Looks like a triple threat title match is set for next Tuesday.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is the focus of a video package where he brags about retaining the title against Ricky Saints at The Bash.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Saints, and Saints cuts a promo on Jasper Troy ahead of their match next week in Houston.

— On social media, Undertaker confirms an appearance next Tuesday on NXT.

NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca, Zaria & TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich vs. Fatal Influence (NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyz)

For some reason, Lexis King is watching the match in the stands with the live studio audience. He is also wearing headphones. Ava takes exception to this, so she confronts him in the middle of this match. Ava rips off the headphones and yells at him.

Meanwhile, Sol Ruca was shinning in the match. The heel trios works together to underhandedly gain the upper hand on Ruca. Fatal Influence are in control as the show cuts to a picture-in-picture commercial break.

Hot tag and Zaria is a house of fire. Zaria is soon cut off, but she makes a quick comeback. Slamovich tags in and cleans house. Slamovich is also cut off by the heel trio.

Out comes The Culling with Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley. In the ensuing commotion at ringside, Ruca knocks down Paxley, and Zaria does a running senton off the apron on Dame. Ruca is yelling at Shawn Spears and Niko Vance at ringside. NXT Tag Team Champions Hank and Tank run down to fight with Spears and Vance. Meanwhile, Ruca and Zaria brawl with Dame and Paxley. The leaves Slamovich at a disadvantage, as the heels have a three-on-one advantage. That does not stop Slamovich.

Slamovich is holding her own, and she delivers a brainbuster on Jayne. Slamovich then covers Jayne for a three count.

Match result: Slamovich, Ruca & Zaria win when Slamovich pinned Jayne

WWE Raw live results: Number one contender’s gauntlet

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: July 14, 2025
Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL 

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk won a gauntlet match to earn a world title match against Gunther at SummerSlam. Bron Breakker ran the full gauntlet—beating Penta, LA Knight and Jey Uso—for 42 minutes before ultimately losing to Punk. 

Roman Reigns returned following the main event to take out Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, and it appears he may have a date with Breakker at SummerSlam. It was clear they’ve decided to start pushing Breakker following Seth Rollins’ apparent injury. (There was no update on Rollins tonight.) 

A night after Evolution, women dominated Raw up until the gauntlet match. Naomi will defend her world title in a triple-threat match at SummerSlam against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. Lyra Valkyria beat Bayley in a 2-out-of-3 falls match and will face Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental title at SummerSlam. 

**********

Show Recap — 

A big video package highlighted Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution. Gunther, Jey Uso, CM Punk (wearing a Bret Hart hat), Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman arrived at the arena. 

Michael Cole and Corey Graves are tonight’s announcers. (Pat McAfee is at the Home Run Derby, which is on right now.)

Naomi segment

Naomi entered with her new Women’s World Championship belt. The crowd, of course, chanted, “You deserve it.” Naomi cut them off because she didn’t want to hear that now. They weren’t feeling the glow before, but they were feeling her now. They all thought she would cash in on Tiffany Stratton, but she warned them that nobody knew her next move, and that’s why she stood there as the champion. The crowd cheered. 

Naomi was done with the foolishness of SmackDown. She didn’t betray Bianca Belair—she outgrew her. She said Belair and Jade Cargill didn’t really want her to succeed. She was their flunky as long as it was convenient for them. She cut off some “What” chants and said she had the upper hand now, bitches. 

Cargill got a win at Evolution, but Naomi is the one who made history. Naomi was new on Raw again, but she advised the raggedy women in the back to proceed with caution. 

Rhea Ripley interrupted to a big reaction. Ripley informed Naomi that she wasn’t cautious. She was relentless and pissed. She had two goals at Evolution: to finally beat Iyo Sky and regain the title, but because of Naomi, she still had those goals. Now Naomi was on her list. 

Iyo Sky interrupted next, also to a good reaction. She told Ripley, with respect, to get in line because she planned on taking her title back. 

Naomi, making fun of Sky’s English, responded, “I don’t know what you just said,” and people laughed. Naomi called them entitled and told them to get to the back of the line. 

They began arguing until Adam Pearce interrupted. Pearce officially welcomed Naomi to Raw and told her she did deserve to be champion. Pearce understood why Ripley and Sky were pissed. He said their match was magic. 

SummerSlam was soon, and he wanted to blow the roof off MetLife Stadium. (There is no roof at that stadium.) He announced a triple-threat match for the title. All three women were content with this, and the fans cheered. 

********

Judgment Day met backstage. Dominik said he couldn’t relax with AJ Styles stalking him. Finn Bálor said he had nothing to worry about as long as he had his doctor’s note. 

Bálor put over Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez for their big win last night. Bálor suggested Dom accompany them to ringside for their match tonight, but Dom wasn’t sure about that. Bálor said Liv Morgan loved those titles, so they should do it for her. Everyone left, and Bálor was pleased. 

********

They posted some stat claiming that all three events this past weekend drew 277 million views across all social platforms. They could have said 500 million, and it would’ve been just as meaningful. 

******** 

Asuka and Kairi Sane entered ahead of a commercial break. Since moving to Netflix, they’ll often cut away during break to a backstage interview or something, but they didn’t do that here, so the two women just danced to their music for two straight minutes. 

Non-title match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (w/Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio) vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane 

Like last night, Asuka and Sane were all over Perez until Rodriguez came in to get the momentum on their side. Asuka made a hot tag after a break, but the crowd seemed more focused on telling Dom that he sucked. 

Dom tried to distract the referee, but it made no difference. Asuka posted Rodriguez and hit Perez with a missile dropkick, strikes, and a German suplex. 

Dom got on the apron again, so Asuka knocked him off with a back fist. Perez used the distraction to put her in a schoolboy for the pinfall win (Rodriguez used her boot to assist Perez). 

Match result: Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez defeated Asuka & Kairi Sane (10:24)

This was pretty much a nothing match. It felt like they just wanted to get the champs a cheap win with Dom’s help, and Asuka and Sane were on the wrong side of it. 

********

Jackie Redmond asked Heyman for an update on Seth Rollins. Heyman didn’t have that information, but reminded her that Rollins had until next June to cash in his MITB briefcase (which Heyman held). Heyman said it was Bron Breakker’s night to go through everyone in the gauntlet, punch his ticket at SummerSlam, and beat Gunther for the world title. 

********

Byron Saxton interviewed LA Knight during a break. Knight said he came out of SNME with a win. It was unfortunate Rollins was injured, and Knight wished him a speedy recovery. Knight wanted Rollins to recover because he wanted to hurt him. Rollins hurt himself before he had a chance. Knight wanted Rollins to return so he could hurt him the right way. Knight admitted he wasn’t 100%, but he planned on running the gauntlet with a world title shot on the line. 

They aired a clip of George Kittle laying out The Miz (Mike Mizanin, not Jacob Misiorowski) at a celebrity golf event over the weekend. 

********

Redmond interviewed Lyra Valkyria about her 2-out-of-3 falls match against Bayley tonight (with a title shot on the line). Valkyria didn’t like the question. She didn’t want to talk about Bayley. It was all about her and Becky Lynch. After she won tonight, Redmond could ask her about her title match against Lynch at SummerSlam. 

Bayley interrupted. Bayley told Valkyria she needed this more than she did and told her to stay out of her way. 

2-out-of-3 falls match: Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria got the better of an early exchange and dismissively patted Bayley on the head. Bayley slapped Valkyria in the face and rolled her up for the first pinfall, just 1 minute and 25 seconds into the match. It was good timing by Bayley because they went to break moments later. 

After the break, Valkyria went hard into the turnbuckle, and Bayley noticed she might be hurt. Bayley hesitated for a moment but began targeting her back. Bayley hit a back suplex onto the apron, followed by a spinning back suplex in the ring for two. Bayley tried a la magistral cradle, but Valkyria caught her in a rollup for a pinfall at 9:32. It’s tied at one. 

Bayley responded quickly with a running knee strike ahead of another break. Valkyria drove Bayley’s leg against the post and began working over her knee. Bayley fought back after the break after dropping Valkyria over the middle rope. Valkyria fought back and went for a diving leg drop, but Bayley caught her and hit a Bayley-to-belly for a nearfall. 

Valkyria suplexed Bayley out of the corner and hit a gutwrench sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. (Cole thought it was Valkyria’s finisher.) Valkyria followed later with a fisherman’s suplex on the apron. They traded cradles as Bayley sold her leg. 

They found their way to the outside, and Bayley gave Valkyria a sunset flip powerbomb into the steel steps. Bayley shoved her in the ring and hit a flying elbow drop onto Valkyria’s back for a nearfall. 

Bayley immediately applied a crossface. Valkyria crawled to the ropes, but Bayley pushed off. Valkyria used the momentum to get to her feet while hoisting Bayley on her shoulders, and she hit Nightwing for the pinfall win. 

— Lynch marched out to the ring and held her belt up high as she faced off with Valkyria. 

(Cole made some comment about Bayley’s losing streak continuing. She has now lost two in a row, but isn’t on some significant losing streak.) 

Match result: Lyra Valkyria defeated Bayley to earn a Women’s Intercontinental Championship match (19:57) 

This was a good match, and the crowd got into it more as it went. It felt like a big win for Valkyria. 

********

Redmond interviewed Stephanie Vaquer backstage. Vaquer said she came to WWE to be champion, and after Clash in Paris, she will be. Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice interrupted. Green thought she would represent them better in Paris than Vaquer. Vaquer dared her to take a shot. Green hid behind her cronies and said she was busy with Nikki Bella tonight. 

There was a pre-taped promo by Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Kross basically accused Sami Zayn of ducking him and didn’t think he was injured. Kross told Zayn to stay home until he was ready to tell the world that Kross told the truth. 

******** 

Nikki Bella vs. Chelsea Green (w/Piper Niven & Alba Fyre)

Bella was all over Green, so Green bailed outside and hid behind Niven and Fyre. When they returned to the ring, Bella went to the ropes, but Green kicked her leg out of her leg and hit a backstabber to take over. 

There were duelling chants, and this may have been the most definitive example of the men chanting for one wrestler (Green), and the women chanting for the other (Bella). 

Nikki came back with clotheslines and a springboard kick for two. Green followed with a neckbreaker for two. Green went for an Unprettier, but Nikki hit a “Bella Buster” (X-factor). Niven distracted the referee while Fyre tried to attack Bella, but Bella posted her. 

This led to the finish, which was a struggle. After a lengthy attempt, Bella eventually got Green on her shoulders and hit a “Rack Attack 2.0” (which didn’t look good at all) for the pinfall win. 

— Niven and Fyre attacked Bella after the match, but Vaquer ran out to make the save. She cleared the ring and posed with Bella. 

Match result: Nikki Bella defeated Chelsea Green (6:23) 

This was no good at all. 

********

(It should be noted that Raw started with a women’s talking segment and three consecutive women’s matches, the night after an all-women’s PPV.) 

Backstage, New Day were dressed in all-black, mourning their tag title loss. They had a gift for Pearce, presented by Grayon Waller. He offered Pearce a wig on a silver platter. Kofi Kingston figured this gift was enough to get a title rematch. Pearce said they don’t just “get” a rematch, but they would get a chance to earn one next week. He told them not to flip their wig and flipped the plate over. 

Pearce left upon seeing Judgment Day nearby. He didn’t buy Dom’s injury after seeing him get involved earlier. He said he spoke to WWE medical, who would reevaluate Dom next week. If cleared, he would defend the title against AJ Styles at SummerSlam. 

Styles was nearby, literally praying to God that Dom get cleared. Dom didn’t like this, so he pleaded with God, too. 

********

Gunther got in Penta’s face as he walked through the back. Gunther is up next. 

Saxton interviewed American Made backstage. He asked about El Grande Americano. They said it was clearly Ludwig Kaiser. Saxton asked about the earlier Chad Gable rumours, but Ivy Nile ignored him. Nile said everyone was on notice. 

********

Redmond asked Rusev what he planned on doing next after beating Sheamus. Rusev said people called him a God, but maybe he was a saint fending off Irish snakes. Now the world knew what he always knew, that he was better than Sheamus. 

Sheamus interrupted. He said he spoke to Pearce, who agreed that Rusev was a dirty, cheating bastard, so he issued a rematch. (This didn’t get much of a reaction.) Rusev said he was here to dominate gold, not gingers. He left. 

********

Gunther segment 

Gunther entered, and he was in a good mood after retiring Goldberg. Some fans chanted for Goldberg. Gunther said the fans weren’t very bright because Goldberg obviously wasn’t there. (The fans chanted, “You tapped out,” instead, and for some reason, they began censoring it, maybe thinking it was something else.) 

Gunther said he fulfilled every promise. He bullied, humiliated, blew up, and choked out Goldberg—and ended his myth. There was only one question to ask: “Who’s next?” 

He knew the answer would come soon. He would watch from a suite as five of the finest competitors would compete for his amusement—and to identify his SummerSlam challenger. He didn’t care who it was. Before he could finish his thought, Breakker and Heyman interrupted. 

Heyman shook Gunther’s hand. He began introducing himself as usual, but Gunther cut him off. Gunther simply wasn’t interested, so he began leaving the ring—until Breakker cut him off. Breakker faced off with Gunther as Heyman cut a promo. 

Heyman said Breakker would run the gauntlet and beat Gunther for the title. Heyman knew that was no easy task. He saw how Gunther beat Goldberg. But you haven’t been speared until you’ve been speared by Bron Breakker. 

Breakker was “the next big thing” and “the big dog.” This was his “yard,” and he was a Steiner. He would break through the glass ceiling and break Gunther’s ass at SummerSlam. There’s going to be a new World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam, and his name is Bron Breakker. 

Bron stepped aside, and Gunther left.

******** 

World Heavyweight Championship number one contender’s gauntlet match

– Bron Breakker vs. Penta 

Bron had control for a while (and through a break), and the crowd seemed to be getting restless until Penta made his comeback. Penta tried a springboard move, but Bron speared him out of the air for the pinfall win. That got a good reaction. (This went just under 10 minutes.) 

Penta has lost five matches in a row. His last singles win was against Chad Gable in May.

– Bron Breakker vs. LA Knight

Knight was in complete control early on, but they needed to go to another break, so Bron dropped him over the announce table to take over. A double clothesline spot led to a double-down, so the previously quiet crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” They did get into it from here. 

Knight fought back with jabs, a neckbreaker, DDT and a step-up flying elbow drop for two. Knight went for a BFT (Cole thought he was going for a neckbreaker), but Bron pushed him off. Bron tried a dropkick, but Knight hit a powerbomb. 

Knight tried the BFT again, but Bron raked his eyes and hit a lung blower. Bron followed with a spear for the pinfall win. (This also went about 10 minutes, and it was more entertaining than the previous match.) 

– Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso

Jey immediately wiped out Bron with a suicide dive. They were headed to break, so Jey had them play his music again, and he Yeeted while Bron sold outside the ring. 

Jey was in control after the break and hit a running hip attack for two. Bron came back later with a Frankensteiner for two. Jey responded with superkicks and a spear for a nearfall. 

Jey went to the top, but Bronson Reed yanked him off the top. Cole said there were no DQs in a gauntlet match. I have no idea why that would be. No DQs meant the match continued, so Bron followed with a spear for the pinfall win. (This only went about 7 minutes.) 

– Bron Breakker vs. CM Punk 

Knowing Bron was exhausted, Punk immediately attacked him with his jacket still on. Punk sent Bron out of the ring and removed his jacket during a break. Punk held control through a break, but Bron caught him off the ropes and hit an overhead suplex. Bron stood over Punk and mocked his “It’s clobbering time” catchphrase. 

After Bron hit a vertical suplex, it sounded like Punk told him to take it easy, but I could be wrong. (Bron’s been in the ring for 35 minutes at this point.) 

Bron tried a Frankensteiner, but Punk countered into a cradle for a nearfall. Punk made his usual comeback and fended off some potential Reed interference before hitting a flying elbow drop for two. 

Punk applied an Anaconda Vice, so Reed attacked Punk. Again, no DQs. (That feels like such a cheat.) Jey Uso ran back out (to his music) to take out Reed. 

Bron went for a spear, but Punk booted him and hit GTS for the pinfall win. 

CM Punk will face Gunther at SummerSlam for the title. 

(This went about 10 minutes. Bron wrestled the full gauntlet match for about 42 minutes.)

— Reed attacked Punk as he celebrated. Jey tried to make the save, but Bron speared him. Bron speared Punk, too. They stacked up Punk and Jey so Reed could go for a double Tsunami, but Roman Reigns entered to a monster pop. 

Reigns hoisted Reed on his shoulders and hit a big Samoan drop. He gave Bron a Superman punch, and he speared Reed. 

Reigns helped Jey to his feet. Punk put his hands up for Reigns to help him up, too, likely knowing Reigns would never actually do that. Punk got to his feet, and they gave each other a knowing look before Reigns turned his attention to the heels on the stage. 

The crowd loudly chanted “OTC” and sang Roman’s name. Reigns stared at the heels as Punk embraced Jey, and the show ended. 

Match result: CM Punk won a gauntlet match to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship (42:18)

**********

Official for SummerSlam so far: 

  • John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship 
  • Naomi (c) vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship 
  • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship 
  • Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship 
  • Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul 
  • Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship

WWE SmackDown live results: Tag titles on the line, Jelly Roll appears

Posted on by Marc Quill

Tonight’s live WWE SmackDown from Nashville will serve as the go-home show for both Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution.

The Street Profits are set to once again defend their WWE Tag Team titles against the Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis). The Wyatts went to a no contest with the champions last month, followed by them winning an eight-man tag match against an all-star team representing SmackDown’s tag division.

Grammy-nominated artist Jelly Roll is set to appear tonight on SmackDown — and many believe it will be the start of an angle that will lead to Jelly Roll making his in-ring debut next month at SummerSlam.

Ron Killings, in just his second match since the news of his release and re-signing happened, will take on Aleister Black, who is looking for his first win since May. Killings was last in action against John Cena on the June 20 SmackDown, picking up a DQ win.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The voice of Joe Tessitore set up the action over shots of the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. Shots of the Street Profits were briefly interrupted by the Wyatt Sicks’ graphics as we then saw Jelly Roll arriving and being welcomed by Randy Orton.

LA Knight addresses Saturday Night’s Main Event

LA Knight made his way down to the ring to kick off SmackDown with some words at the ready for his SNME opponent, Seth Rollins.

“Let me talk to ya,” Knight started off in his usual manner. He started talking about predictions and spoilers, two things that came out of Paul Heyman’s mouth an awful lot. Knight called Seth Rollins a desperate man, who made a desperate move by siding with Heyman and forming a crew with “slop house” Bronson Reed and “dog-brained idiot” Bron Breakker. Knight said that Reed and Breakker tried to injure him on the orders of Rollins because he couldn’t do it himself.

Knight said that while he got to drop Rollins on his head this past Monday on Raw, it wasn’t enough because he wanted justice and he wanted to hurt Rollins. Knight declared that Rollins would get his ass kicked because it’s not a prediction or a spoiler, it’s just a fact of life, because he was the spoiler.

Paul Heyman interrupted Knight and admonished the fans for “missing the cue” for his “ladies and gentlemen” introduction. Heyman said that as the Oracle of Seth Rollins, he was gifted with being able to see the future, and that the future of his and Rollins’ group is the future of the entire industry. On the other hand, Knight had no future at all, per Heyman’s claims.

Solo Sikoa and his “M.F.T.” group of JC Mateo, Tala Tonga, and Tanga Loa showed up next. Sikoa said that some things changed, but some things have stayed the same. Sikoa said that when Heyman left to Raw, there was no more Bloodline, no more Tribal Chief, and no more Wiseman. Sikoa threatened Heyman to leave before he and his M.F.T.s put Heyman through a table. On that note, Heyman made his retreat through the crowd.

Sikoa then turned his attention to LA Knight. He said that one thing has changed: he is the new United States Champion. That means the man that beat Knight at WrestleMania, Jacob Fatu? He’s no longer a factor, according to Sikoa. The U.S. Champion issued the same ultimatum to Knight that he did to Heyman, otherwise the M.F.T.s would make sure he’d never be able to walk again. Knight refused to acquiesce to Sikoa’s group as he got ready for a fight.

The M.F.T.s surrounded the ring as a chair got slid into the ring by Jimmy Uso. The two then teed off on Sikoa’s group with chairs before Tala Tonga looked like he wanted to fight. Sikoa managed to get Tala to back down in a strategic retreat.

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis interrupted and said that he still ran the show even though Sikoa had his new friends. He said that it seemed like Sikoa wanted a fight and he was going to oblige that wish with a tag match between Sikoa and JC Mateo versus LA Knight and Jimmy Uso.

I liked this opening segment and I did enjoy the continuity being acknowledged with Solo threatening Paul Heyman.

**********

– Alexa Bliss approached Charlotte Flair backstage and asked her to be in her corner for the fatal-four way match coming up next, since her opponents would have their partners. Charlotte agreed and mocked the idea of being a “cheerleader”, stating that she’d be a cheerleader for herself.

Fatal Four-Way Match: Alexa Bliss (w/ Charlotte Flair) vs. Roxanne Perez (w/ Raquel Rodriguez) vs. Sol Ruca (w/ Zaria) vs. Kairi Sane (w/ Asuka)

Ruca and Bliss mixed it up while Sane and Perez fought it out in the corner. As Ruca went for an early pin, Sane broke it up and went on the attack. Sane sent Ruca to the outside and looked for a dive, but Perez intercepted her with a Thesz Press. As Perez had Sane set up for a move, Ruca took both out with a double drop kick. Ruca wasn’t done yet as she somersaulted and launched herself onto Bliss, Perez, and Sane on the outside, which took us to the break.

We resumed with Perez and Sane fighting on the top turnbuckle as the former looked to an attempt a superplex. Bliss and Ruca rushed towards the corner and we got the Tower of Doom superplex/powerbomb spot that seemed to knock the wind out of everyone. Bliss and Ruca recovered and began to mix it up with Bliss connecting with the flipping neckbreaker for a near-fall. Bliss’s attempt at a DDT was met with a superkick by Perez, followed by the running European uppercut to the back. DIving moonsault and pin was interrupted by Ruca. The NXT Women’s North American Champion pounced and hit a running knee on Perez for the two-count. Scoop slam by Ruca didn’t lead to anything as Sane met her at the top rope and trapped her in a Tree of Woe position for a double stomp. One, two… Bliss and Perez simultanuously broke up the pin.

Bliss attempted the Sister Abigail DDT on Perez, but got countered out of it. Ruca ran to the corner and connected with a double Sol Snatcher on Perez and Bliss. The cover, but Raquel Rodriguez put Perez’s rope to break the count. A melee outside the ring led to Rodriguez tossing Zarya as she then found herself thrown over the commentary table by Flair (and right into Joe Tessitore in the process).

In the ring, Sane’s Insane Elbow was blocked by Bliss’s foot as this match then came to an end with a Sister Abigail DDT and the three.

Alexa Bliss def. Kairi Sane, Sol Ruca, and Roxanne Perez via pinfall

Fun opener that got really chaotic towards the end. It’s always nice to see Sol Ruca break out another variation of her finisher, especially on a main roster show. This was great stuff.

**********

WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Street Profits (c) (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis; w/ Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, and Nikki Cross)

Dawkins and Gacy got things going to start this match off. Both men attempted a lockup, but neither man could get an upper hand. Dawkins eventually managed to throw Gacy down as he worked him over in the corner with some hard strikes. Ford entered the match with a tag and looked for a dive, as Lumis pulled Gacy out of the ring. Ford mocked Lumis’ taunt just as we went to a break.

SmackDown returned from break with Lumis attempting to hit a superplex on Ford, but being unable to, on the account of Ford fighting back. Lumis tried again, but got blocked by Ford, who instead hit a sunset flip powerbomb that created needed separation. Dawkins got the hot tag and went to work right away on Gacy with a running shoulder charge, spinning clothesline, and a neckbreaker. With both Wyatt Sicks members outside, Dawkins flew over the rope with a dive to both Gacy and Lumis.

Inside the ring, Dawkins connected with a gigantic Swanton Bomb, but Gacy managed to kick out. Gacy then connected with his handspring clothesline, as he and Lumis nailed a double team combination neckbreaker on Dawkins that wasn’t unable to put an end to this match. Lumis threw Dawkins hard into the corner, as he then sent him outside and we got another break.

SmackDown returned from break with Gacy continuing the punishment on Dawkins, up until Ford got the blind tag, which gave the Street Profits a chance to connect with a double team move, but that wasn’t enough to put the match away. With Gacy in no man’s land, he fell victim to a double team blockbuster by the Profits. One, two… Gacy somehow kicked out at two.

As Ford ran at Gacy, he got thrown to the outside, but Dawkins connected with a pounce, as he then connceted with a diving splash on Lumis inside the ring. Erick Rowan headed up to the ring and pulled Ford out of the ring with the referee distracted by Gacy. Dawkins ran into Rowan and sent him over the timekeeper’s area, which took him out in the process.

Ford headed up top and looked for another frog splash, but he missed thanks to the distraction from Gacy at ringside. This left him at the mercy of the Wyatt Sicks’ double team powerbomb/neckbreaker, and that’s it, over. We have new WWE Tag Team Champions.

The Wyatt Sicks def. The Street Profits via pinfall to win the WWE Tag Team Championships

A really solid tag match and seeing a title change here is quite interesting. Having the Wyatts as the monsters running the SmackDown tag division with teams stepping up to them in the hopes of wresting the tag titles away from them should make this run one to watch, at the very least.

**********

– The SmackDown tag division discussed the fallout of the Wyatts’ tag team title win, as Andrade and Fenix announced themselves as part of the SmackDown tag team division officially based on their recent successes.

– Crews were getting a stage set up for Jelly Roll’s performance coming up next.

Jelly Roll performs

After being introduced as “Nashville’s own hometown hero”, Jelly Roll began to perform a song for the live crowd. Before he could continue on, he was rudely interrupted by Logan Paul.

Paul said that everyone was here to see real WWE superstars, not music by for people who had tattoos of their children, but don’t have custody of them. Paul said that Jelly Roll belonged on the stage, not a WWE ring. Paul got upset about celebrities, clout chasers, and influencers thinking they could hang in the WWE ring. Paul said that the WWE didn’t need a Jelly Roll, but they “needed” a Logan Paul. He said that the WWE loved him so much, his podcast just inked a long-term deal.

Jelly Roll interrupted and said that this was his hometown, and nobody gave a damn about Paul’s podcast in Nashville. The two got in each other’s face before Randy Orton walked down to the ring and took exception to Paul’s dismissal of Jelly Roll.

Orton called Paul a “whiny, entiitled bitch” because everyone moved heaven and earth just to make Logan Paul look good. Before Orton could go on, McIntyre blasted him with a Claymore Kick. Paul attacked the fallen Orton with repeated strikes but Jelly Roll grabbed him from behind and threw him down. Jelly Roll then helped Orton up as Paul wanted a piece of him. Security got Paul to back away

Paul snapped and wrecked the music set on the stage to end the segment.

Well, this was certainly a segment. I can’t say I’m excited at the idea of a Jelly Roll versus Logan Paul feud leading to a match at SummerSlam potentially. Whatever the intent of doing this segment was had the total opposite effect on me, if we’re being honest. In short, I did not like this at all and the hint of potentially roping Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre in this silliness does nothing for me.

**********

– Backstage, Randy Orton thanked Jelly Roll for his help moments ago. Jelly offered to be in Orton’s corner for his match with Drew McIntyre tomorrow for Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Ron Killings vs. Aleister Black

Killings avoided a Black clothesline and hit him with a single-legged dropkick to start. Black recovered and swept Killings with a leg as he transitioned into striking attacks to the former R-Truth. Killings fought back and sent Black to the outside. He was looking to line up a dive, but got kicked by Black. Outside the ring, Black tried for a moonsault, but Killings got out of the way. Killings grabbed a chair from the timekeepers area and wanted to use it as a weapon. Black stopped him with a kick as he looked to use the chair. Black was about to take a swing, but the referee stopped him, which allowed Killings to roll him up for the win.

Ron Killings def. Aleister Black via pinfall

There’s really not much to say about this match since it honestly ended before it could really get going.

**********

– Aleister Black saw Ron Killings walking and made a beeline for him, but Damian Priest stopped him from going further. Black seemed like he was going to back off at Priest’s urging, but he hit him with a knee to the face, followed by a Black Mass kick.

Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus speak before Evolution

Wade Barrett was in the ring with the WWE Women’s Champion and her opponent for Evolution to moderate this segment.

Stratton started off by saying that she already beat Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Nia Jax, and the reason that she chose Stratus was because beating her would put her into consideration for being one of the greats.

Stratus answered by saying that the pressure is on Stratton because she needs the championship and while she’ll leave on Sunday as champion, Tiffany will leave with nothing. Stratus said that she helped solidify the women’s division and that she was still delivering for this division. She said that she loves Tiffany, but she’ll be leaving as an eight-time champion.

Naomi interrupted proceedings, but got clocked from behind by Jade Cargill, her opponent in a No-Holds Barred Match at Evolution this Sunday. Security officials stormed into the scene to keep the two hated rivals separated.

**********

Saturday Night’s Main Event card

  • World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Goldberg
  • LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins
  • Randy Orton (w/ Jelly Roll) vs. Drew McIntyre
  • United States Championship: Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jimmy Uso

– Both Cody Rhodes and John Cena were adveritsed to appear on next week’s SmackDown.

LA Knight & Jimmy Uso vs. Solo Sikoa & JC Mateo (w/ Tala Tonga & Tanga Loa)

Sikoa and Knight got our main event started, as the U.S. Champion went on the offensive briefly before getting rocked by a neckbreaker. Knight stomped away on Sikoa as Uso tagged in and hit Sikoa with a running hip drop in the corner. Sikoa recovered and hit Uso with a strike to back him in the M.F.T. corner. Mateo entered the match and tried to continue the momentum, but he fell victim to a superkick, followed by a Samoan drop from Uso for a two-count.

Mateo woke up and hit Uso with an elbow to the face to force him back to his corner. Sikoa tagged himself in and pulled Uso out of the ring, as he delivered a Samoan drop onto the reinforced commentary table to take us to the final commercial break of the night.

Our main event returned with Mateo attempting a backdrop, but Uso escaped and kicked him, which allowed for a hot tag to Knight. The Megastar was on fire as he felled Mateo with a jumping neckbreaker. He attempted a BFT, but got blocked. Roll-up pin by Mateo was unable to put this match away. Knight hit yet another neckbreaker on Mateo, which left him open for a diving elbow, followed by the big Uso splash by Jimmy. Sikoa ran into the ring and broke up the pin at the last second.

Sikoa dragged Mateo back into his corner so he could make the tag. Sikoa attempted a Samoan Spike, but got blocked. He did, however, managed to connect with the Spinning Solo. Knight entered and attacked Mateo on the outside, and was interrupted by the sight of Paul Heyman in the timekeepers’ area. This distracted Knight long enough to get kicked by Tala Tonga.

In the ring, Sikoa found himself rolled up by Uso for the shock one, two, three win.

Post-match, the M.F.T.s chased after Uso in the ring, as Knight took out Sikoa with the BFT. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed caught Knight by surprise with a Spear and a Tsunami. The show ended with Seth Rollins’ vanguard being led away from the ring by a group of referees.

Jimmy Uso & LA Knight def. Solo Sikoa & JC Mateo via pinfall

**********

Again a pretty standard TV main event to end the night. Really not much else to say about the tag match other than that.

Overall, tonight’s SmackDown fell kinda flat, with only the Tag Team Championship match being a standout highlight of the night. The Jelly Roll/Logan Paul segment was the big disappointment and it seemed like the rest of the show kind of petered out after that segment.