This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, before Monday’s Raw.
The all-women’s edition this week didn’t quite deliver, but it was fun to see Natalya in action while Indi Hartwell is getting better all the time. JD McDonagh vs. Apollow Crews III has still yet to happen and would have been a way better curtain-jerker than either of these matches.
Natalya defeated Xia Li (5:20)
Although the crowd rallied to give this one some energy, it was a tepid affair that lost its way a few times toward the end. This was, according to Byron Saxton, Natalya’s 1517th televised WWE match.
Natalya sold and sold for Li in the early going. Li’s offense is pretty basic and there was a lot of clubbing and chops to the corner, as well as a rest hold. The idea was clearly for Natalya to allow Li to show off what she can do, but it didn’t translate into anything particularly interesting.
When Natalya made her comeback, she went for the Sharpshooter but got kicked off and then was nailed with a pop-up enziguri in one of the best spots of the match.
The crowd recovered here and when Li missed a running knee to the corner, they could sense the end was coming. Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter and that was all she wrote.
Natalya is so good at building tension. When she put Li in the submission hold, she paused and gave a long look to the crowd which they ate up. What a pro.
Indi Hartwell (w/ Candice LeRae) defeated Dana Brooke (7:56)
They lost the crowd and it dragged after a very early commercial break. However, Hartwell and LeRae are getting over while Brooke is increasingly well-appreciated by live crowds.
No offense to either of these two, but this is not the match to get a pre-Raw crowd hyped up for the show ahead. They should have given Brooke a partner and this would have reaped far better rewards as a result.
They worked hard for an audience that pretty much sat on their hands. Hartwell took the bulk of the offense, trying quick covers to get it done early.
LeRae kept shouting advice from the sidelines. Hartwell went for rest holds and a sleeper and the match slowed right down. Eventually, Brooke fought her way out by backing Hartwell into the corner.
They fought on the top rope, and teased a superplex, but Brooke came out on top and used a crossbody that led to them both being down. Just when it looked like Brooke was going to take this one, her plans got thwarted at the last minute.
Brooke used a handspring back elbow and went for a sunset flip, but Hartwell was too strong and stood still before sinking to her knees and hooking Brooke’s legs to steal the win.
Last week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the EnMarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, before Monday’s episode of Raw.
This was a perfectly watchable episode. Hopefully, we get the rubber match next week between JD McDonagh and Apollo Crews because these two could tear the house down in front of a British crowd.
Katana Chance (w/ Kayden Carter) defeated Emma (5:27)
This was a nice short matchand really showed off how good Chance could be.
Chance looked very good in just her second match on Main Event (she defeated Tamina on an episode in December) and her first since officially joining the main roster. She is much shorter than Emma, but has bouts where she explodes into fiery offense and has a really unique in-ring move set to boot.
Emma has featured heavily on Main Event over the last few months and, like Dana Brooke, has been a steady hand with the newbies from NXT. There is nothing especially dazzling about what she does, but she carries herself like a star.
For a match that lasted just over five minutes, it felt like they got a lot in, but it was mostly Emma who dictated the pace while Chance played the babyface in peril. Carter was on the sidelines cheerleading, trying to rally her from Emma’s methodical beatdown.
Chance did The Miz’s running clothesline to the corner where he sits on the rope afterward and then used a spinning Codebreaker to get the win after some distraction from Carter.
This continued Emma’s poor run of form as she has just one win to her name in all of 2023.
JD McDonagh defeated Apollo Crews (7:37)
This was a tremendous offering from these two with some really neat near falls that the crowd got into at the end.
After last week’s strong outing, they went at it again, but with a different outcome this time. The loss for Crews is his first since he returned to the main roster.
The early going was fairly even with Crews using an impressive delayed suplex before missing a moonsault off the apron to the outside, giving McDonagh the advantage as we headed to the break.
The second half of the match was really action-packed and got the crowd heavily invested as they broke into a ‘this is awesome’ chant. Last week, they did a Spanish Fly in the middle of the ring and it looked fantastic. McDonagh used it again here and it was even better, getting a near fall.
The finish came after McDonagh kicked out of a sit-out power bomb when no one thought he would. Last week, the finish was a Samoan Drop, but this week McDonagh escaped it and used the ropes to steal a roll-up win.
Let’s hope they do this all over again next week as McDonagh is someone who needs reps in front of big crowds.
This past week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, before Monday’s Raw.
Candice LeRae defeated Xia Li (4:45)
This was a fine opener. Li got some of her stuff in and LeRae seems to be getting over.
Li made her Main Event debut, playing the heel and taking her time over everything that she did. She certainly looked comfortable enough. Byron Saxton noted that she had not quite got going over on SmackDown.
LeRae was at the top of the show last week in a winning debut performance, and seems to have something that the crowd likes. Either that or it was Li as her opponent that they disliked.
Li was methodical and burst into occasional flurries of offense, using a modified suplex at one point to throw LeRae across the ring. She tried a chin lock before LeRae broke loose and nailed her with a series of strikes in the corner.
They worked back and forth until Xi caught LaRae’s leg and got nailed with a kick to the head. LeRae stepped on her back, hit a senton and went to the middle rope for her moonsault finish to get her second win in as many weeks.
Apollo Crews defeated Akira Tozawa (7:09)
This was a solid match that was what you would expect. If Crews is back on the Raw roster, though, this isn’t the way to book him.
Before his run back on NXT, Crews had become quite the regular on Main Event. He and Commander Azeez were often tagging up or Crews would work solo with Azeez in his corner. It was an act that they grew tired of when it actually had legs.
As noted on commentary, Tozawa and Crews have worked together in a previous life and it showed. They were smooth and did the whole power vs. pace thing well.
Crews used a Perfect Plex at one point after having clotheslined Tozawa out of his boots, but as ever Tozawa was plucky to the last. He gave Crews a run for his money with a running headscissors and top rope back elbow.
After a segment where they traded kicks, including Tozawa going to town with a veritable can can of kicks, he tried to go up top for his finish, but got caught and nailed with a Samoan drop to give Crews the win.
The finish was really neat and the crowd was into it. Crews looked dominant and Tozawa continued his run of being excellent in the curtain jerker role for these pre-Raw crowds.
Final Thoughts:
This was a perfectly pleasant enough show this week. It was nice to see Crews back in action and for Li to make her show debut. The crowd certainly seem to like LeRae, so they should probably do something more with her.
Liv Morgan’s challenger for Extreme Rules is set to be determined on SmackDown tonight.
WWE has announced that Ronda Rousey, Sonya Deville, Natalya, Xia Li, and Lacey Evans will face off in a fatal five-way elimination match on tonight’s SmackDown. The winner will challenge for Morgan’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules on Saturday, October 8.
Morgan won the SmackDown Women’s Championship by cashing in on Rousey at Money in the Bank this July. Morgan then retained against Rousey at SummerSlam, but the match had a disputed finish where the referee missed Morgan tapping out to an armbar.
In storyline, Rousey was suspended for attacking a referee after her SummerSlam match against Morgan. She was officially reinstated from the suspension last week.
Morgan defeated Shayna Baszler to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Clash at the Castle last Saturday.
WWE has also announced an eight-man tag match for tonight’s SmackDown. The Street Profits will team with Hit Row against Maximum Male Models & Los Lotharios.
Tonight’s show is being held at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Here’s the updated lineup:
Braun Strowman appears
Fatal five-way elimination match to determine Liv Morgan’s Extreme Rules challenger: Ronda Rousey vs. Sonya Deville vs. Natalya vs. Xia Li vs. Lacey Evans
Eight-man tag match: The Street Profits & Hit Row vs. Maximum Male Models & Los Lotharios
A Women’s Tag Team title tournament match is set for this week’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE has announced that Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah will take on Shotzi & Xia Li in a Women’s Tag Team title tournament first-round match on SmackDown this Friday night. The winning team will advance to face either Natalya & Sonya Deville or Nikkita Lyons & Zoey Stark in the semifinals.
The Women’s Tag Team title tournament began with Dakota Kai & IYO SKY defeating Dana Brooke & Tamina on Raw this Monday. Kai & SKY’s semifinal opponents will be either Asuka & Alexa Bliss or Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H.
The WWE Women’s Tag Team titles were declared vacant after Sasha Banks & Naomi walked out of Raw this May.
It’s also been announced that a contract signing for Liv Morgan and Shayna Baszler’s SmackDown Women’s Championship match at Clash at the Castle will take place on SmackDown this Friday. Baszler won a gauntlet match last week to become the number one contender to Morgan’s title.
The updated lineup for this week’s SmackDown is listed below:
Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Women’s Tag Team title first-round match: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah vs. Shotzi & Xia Li
The field for this year’s Money in the Bank ladder matches will begin to take shape on SmackDown this Friday night.
WWE has announced that two Money in the Bank qualifying matches will take place on this week’s episode of SmackDown. Drew McIntyre will face Sheamus in a men’s qualifying match, and Lacey Evans will take on Xia Li in a women’s qualifying match.
McIntyre and Sheamus have been on opposite sides of six-man tag team matches on SmackDown the past two weeks. McIntyre, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods won the first meeting before The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch) defeated them the next week.
This will be Evans’ first match in more than a year. After going on maternity leave, Evans gave birth last October.
WWE has flipped back and forth on which roster Evans is going to be part of in her return. Promos leading to her comeback began airing on SmackDown this April. Evans was then moved to the Raw roster before being moved back to SmackDown.
Money in the Bank is taking place in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 2.
Here’s the updated lineup for this Friday’s SmackDown:
Intercontinental Champion Ricochet defends against Gunther
Money in the Bank qualifying match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Money in the Bank qualifying match: Lacey Evans vs. Xia Li
Max Dupri reveals the first client of his Maximum Male Models agency
Two matches have been announced for tonight’s Hell in a Cell go-home edition of SmackDown.
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles will be on the line as The Usos defend against Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura tonight. Riddle & Nakamura earned the title shot by defeating The Usos by disqualification on Raw this Monday.
The Usos got themselves disqualified in Monday’s non-title match when they attacked Riddle with his own scooter.
The Usos became the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions when they defeated Riddle & Randy Orton in a title unification match on SmackDown two weeks ago. Following that match, there was an angle where Roman Reigns and The Usos attacked Riddle and Orton. Orton hasn’t appeared on WWE television since then.
It’s also been announced that there will be a six-pack challenge on SmackDown tonight. The winner will become the number one contender to Ronda Rousey’s SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Shayna Baszler, Xia Li, Shotzi, and Aliyah will be the participants in the six-pack challenge.
WWE’s announcement didn’t confirm when the winner will be getting their title shot against Rousey.
The Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio is hosting tonight’s SmackDown. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura
Number one contender’s six-pack challenge: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Xia Li vs. Shotzi vs. Aliyah
Xia Li’s debut and two matches have been announced for next week’s WWE SmackDown.
Li will make her first official appearance as a member of WWE’s main roster on the Friday, December 10 SmackDown. Li was drafted to the brand in October and worked three dark matches that month. She has since appeared in a series of graphic novel-style vignettes touting her arrival, but has not wrestled since defeating Aliyah in a dark match at the October 15 SmackDown in Houston.
Also announced for next week, Naomi will face Sonya Deville. In her role as an on-screen WWE official, Deville has been antagonizing Naomi for weeks, including instructing a referee to fast count her in a match.
Jeff Hardy vs. Happy Corbin has also been announced for next week. Hardy and Drew McIntyre attacked Corbin and Madcap Moss on the Happy Talk show set on tonight’s SmackDown to set up the match.
Two more NXT names were drafted to the main roster during the second night of the 2021 WWE Draft.
During tonight’s Raw, it was announced that both Ridge Holland and Xia Li have both been drafted to SmackDown. Li has not been on NXT television in recent weeks, but has participated in several dark matches prior to Raw and SmackDown. Holland has been paired with Pete Dunne on NXT television. He lost to Kyle O’Reilly in a match that took place on September 29.
Several more names from NXT were drafted during the first round of the 2021 WWE Draft, which took place this past Friday on SmackDown. Hit Row (Isiah ‘Swerve’ Scott, Top Dolla, B-Fab, and Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis) were drafted to SmackDown along with Aliyah. Austin Theory, who was associated with The Way, was drafted to Raw.
Theory appeared on tonight’s Raw, acting friendly towards Jeff Hardy and asked if he could take a photo with him. Hardy obliged, but it was a trap by Theory as he attacked Hardy with his phone, taking more selfies after he laid Hardy out.
Xia Li appears to be okay following her NXT Women’s title match on this week’s NXT.
Fightful Select reported that she “appeared okay” backstage following the bout. Li appeared to be injured towards the end of the match, when Raquel Gonzalez landed on her following a springboard senton splash. The match was then stopped as WWE medical personnel tended to her. After a couple of minutes, the match resumed. Gonzalez quickly went to the finish and pinned Li to retain the title.
Li had challenged for the title the previous week after Dakota Kai defeated Ember Moon in a singles match. Li is part of the Tian Sha stable with Boa and Mei Ying, who were not at ringside for tonight’s match.
The end of tonight’s NXT had Samoa Joe come out immediately after the NXT Women’s title match and called out Karrion Kross, who attacked him on last week’s show. Kross revealed backstage that he had laid out GM William Regal, saying he was the one in charge. Joe exited the ring but Kross was gone by the time Joe reached Regal.
A Women’s Championship match is set for tonight’s episode of NXT.
In her third title defense since becoming champion, Raquel Gonzalez will put the NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Xia Li. The match was set up when Li confronted Gonzalez after Dakota Kai defeated Ember Moon on last week’s NXT episode.
Samoa Joe will appear tonight and respond to NXT Champion Karrion Kross’ attack from last Tuesday. After Joe was the special guest referee for his NXT Championship defense against Johnny Gargano, Kross choked Joe out with the Kross Jacket.
Kross made his Raw debut last night and lost to Jeff Hardy.
Kushida & Bobby Fish will team against Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong & Tyler Rust, Kyle O’Reilly will take on Austin Theory, Odyssey Jones will face Andre Chase in an NXT Breakout Tournament first-round match, LA Knight will square off against Drake Maverick, and Franky Monet will be in action.
Plus, Legado del Fantasma will host “Mariachi Musical Madness.” Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show began with a music video recap of the drama between Samoa Joe and NXT Champion Karrion Kross. Yeah, that guy pinned on Raw last night. No mention of that. The less said the better.
Samoa Joe opens the show marching to the ring looking pissed off. Though he wore pants and a t-shirt, Joe was also wearing wrestling boots and wrist tape. He looked ready to fight.
“Tick tock, tick tock,” Joe said. “Look who’s come to smash your clock!”
General Manager William Regal interrupted Joe’s monologue. Regal said this is not what he had in mind when Joe returned to NXT. Joe cannot call out superstars. An angry Joe got in Regal’s face.
Screaming at Regal, Joe said the deal was if he was provoked. Joe screamed to consider himself provoked. Regal argued that Joe was a referee last week when Kross attacked him, not acting in his other official capcity. That is a weak argument to be honest. Joe must have thought so too, he shot it down saying that is semantics. He ain’t wrong.
Joe went on to say Kross is out of control, and Joe is here to get control of Kross. Joe briefly mentioned Kross going to Raw. Like I wrote earlier, the less said the better.
Regal told Joe that Kross was on his way to the building, and Regal ordered Joe settle things peacefully between Joe and Kross. The crowd chanted to “let them fight.” Because of the deep respect Joe had for Regal, Joe promised the issue will end tonight, but Joe could not guarantee things end peacefully. Joe also guaranteed Regal “that tonight somebody is going to sleep.”
Xia Li in a pre-tape promo translated via subtitles vowed to become the first Chinese NXT Women’s Champion. She called the title bout the biggest match of her life. Li warned champion Raquel Gonzalez that Li would do to her what Li did to Mercedes Martinez (which was legit knock her out a few weeks ago).
Bobby Fish & NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defeated Roderick Strong & Tyler Rust (with Hideki Suzuki & Malcolm Bivens)
Kushida submitted Rust to win the match. Good match. The Diamond Mine cheated to win last week, and this week they were beaten clean in a tag team match. Not the best of debuts.
Fish & Kushida attacked Diamond Mine before the bell. The two babyfaces cleaned house before the show went to a commercial break. The match was joined in progress after the break. Fish was working over Strong as the show came back from break, and the babyfaces continued to maintain an advantage.
Strong was eventually able to cut off Kushida with a backbreaker. Rust soon tagged in to take his turn in working over Kushida. Hot tag to Fish, and he throttles Rust. Strong distracted Fish, allowing Rust to strike from behind. Fish falls out of the ring, and Strong suplexed Fish onto the apron. Fish was prone on the floor selling as the show cut to commercial.
Going through a second commercial break, the match continued with the heels targeting Fish. They worked him over, until Kushida came in off a hot tag. Kushida ran wild, leading to a near fall. Rust stopped the rally by cutting off Kushida. They went on to trade strikes, and Rust struck with a swinging neckbreaker. Fish jumped in to break up a pinning attempt, and Fish went after Strong. They both tumbled to the floor.
Kushdia with a flying elbow off the top rope to target the arm of Rust. Kushda followed up with by punting the arm. Rust tried a counter, but Kushida ended up countering with a flying bodyscissors. Kushida transitioned from that into the Hoverboard Lock, and Rust tapped out.
Million Dollar Champion LA Knight and Cameron Grimes arrived the building a sports car with the top down. Grimes was driving since he is still Knight’s butler. They looked more like odd couple pals here than rivals.
Knight said they could have arrived sooner of Grimes had not listened to the GPS. Grimes was still dressed as a butler, and Knight ordered Grimes to get his bags. Knight had a lot of bags, and Drake Maverick came out of nowhere to offer help. Grimes said he would do it alone, but Maverick insisted he help. Knight basically told Maverick to get lost. Maverick said he wasn’t going anywhere. This sets up a match between Maverick and Knight for later tonight.
NXT TakeOver 36 was announced for August 22, 2021.
A vignette hyped Odyssey Jones ahead of his match in the NXT Breakout Tournament.
Samoa Joe paced around backstage waiting for Karrion Kross.
Franky Monet (with Jessi Kamea) defeated Jacy Jayne
Monet pinned Jayne in a short match that Mandy Rose watched at ringside.
Robert Stone came down to ringside as the match was underway. Monet in the ring dashed a hope spot from Jayne. Monet punished Jayne, and grounded her. Meanwhile, Mandy Rose walked down to ringside and sat on the announce desk to watch the bout.
Monet was distracted by Rose being at ringside, allowing Jayne to make a comeback on Monet. Jayne gets a two count after a neckbreaker. Monet hulked up to stop Jayne in her tracks. Monet then executed a chickenwing facebuster, and she scored a pinfall.
Stone was trying to win over Monet, but she wanted nothing to do with him.
Kyle O’Reilly had beef with Austin Theory, leading to a match tonight when Theory accepted the challenge. Johnny Gargano told Thoery that Theory got himself into this match so he’s on his own tonight.
Wade Barrett sat down for an interview with Bronson Reed. Barrett asked Reed about losing the NXT North American Championship. Reed said he was ready to step up and move forward. Barrett questioned whether facing Adam Cole in a match was wise. Reed replied said Cole was the best, so why not fight the best. Reed and Cole meet in a match next Tuesday on NXT.
Kyle O’Reilly defeated Austin Theory
O’Reilly submitted Theory to win a pretty good match. O’Reilly would show a mean streak before the finish.
They grappled early on, and soon began throwing strikes. Chain wrestling as they go back-and-forth. Theory started to talk trash after grounding O’Reilly. The match went through a commercial break with Thoery working over O’Reilly.
O’Reilly was fighting back when the show returned from the break, but Theory dashed O’Reilly’s hope for the time being. Not for long, as O’Reilly fought back moments later to apply a heel hook. Theory managed to get a rope break.
Theory with a rolling fisherman’s suplex for a two count. Comeback by O’Reilly with a flurry of offense. Theory cut him off to deliver a Blue Thunder Bomb for two and a half. Ushigoroshi by Theory for another near fall.
Theory went to use the ring steps, but O’Reilly snapped kind of like Ken Shamrock used to do during his WWF run. O’Reilly hulked up big time, and he went nuclear on Theory. Kicks, strikes, more kicks, Kawada kicks, and O’Reilly was going to town.
O’Reilly off the rop rope with a bombs away flying kneedrop, and O’Reilly barred the leg. Theory tapped out, but O’Reilly refused to break the hold. The referee had to pry O’Reilly loose.
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai cut a promo ahead of the title match later on tonight.
Legado del Fantasma Mariachi Madness Musical
Not much of musical, but the promos were great.
Santos Escobar flanked in the ring by Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde for what was supposed to be a musical celebration of marichi. Instead, Escobar told the musicians to leave. The fans weren’t worth it, according to Escobar. He said his stable would not do the “Hit Row thing” where they “vomit a few lines” while embarrassing themselves. Escobar said he was the “true campeón.”
Escobar warned Hit Row that he was coming for the North American Championship, which is currently held by Hit Row’s Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. Hit Row interrupted Escobar’s speech to confront Fantasma. Hit Row took turns cutting promos on Legado del Fantasma.
Scott said he going to make “Santo my bitch.” Escobar cursed in Spanish at Scott, and Escobar vowed to take the title back to the Mexico. Hit Row approached the ring, and Legado del Fantasma also wanted the smoke.
The two stables faced off in the ring. Hit Row dispatached the henchmen as Scott squared off with Escobar. They got into a brawl. There were guitars left in the ring by the musicians that Escobar had dismissed earlier on. Escobar grabbed a guitar, and he went to hit Scott with it. B-Fab made a save to take the guitar from Escobar. B-Fab gave the guitar to Scott. Escobar bailed out of the ring. Raul Mendoza was trapped by himself surrounded by Hit Row. Scott hit him with a guitar.
Looks like a North American title match is coming soon.
The Way was bickering amongst themselves, and Austin Theory had enough. He said their family was falling apart, and he left them to argue.
Samoa Joe was still waiting on Karrion Kross to arrive. Seems like the champ is very late to work. Regal cautioned Joe to keep things peaceful.
Oydessey Jones defeated Andre Chase in a NXT Breakout Tournament first round match
Jones pinned Chase to advance in the Breakout tourney.
Jones got a vignette earlier in the show, and Chase did not. Jones was also very much pushed like he was the star here. Chase did get heat on Jones after posting him, and Chase used a moonsault press for a two count.
Jones mowed down Chase, and Jones used a modified Big Bossman slam to score the pinfall.
Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan cut a promo on Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa, challenging them to a tag match next week. By the way, the show is airing on SyFy next Tuesday. They happened to mention that here.
Drake Maverick defeated Million Dollar Champion LA Knight (with Cameron Grimes) in a non-title match
Maverick pinned Knight with a roll-up after Knight was distracted by Grimes.
Knight was preoccupied by his butler during the bout. Knight wanted Grimes throughout the match to hold up the Million Dollar title. Although Knight manhandled Maverick, Knight again shifted his focus to Grimes. Knight was showing Grimes how high Knight wanted the belt held overhead. Maverick with a dropkick sent Knight headfirst into the title belt. Maverick then proceeded to roll up Knight for a three count.
Knight jumped Maverick after the bell, and Knight assaulted Maverick. Grimes got in the ring to make a save. Knight ordered Grimes to hit Maverick. Grimes tried to leave, but Knight stopped him. Knight yelled at Grimes to hit Maverick, and Knight held Maverick for Grimes to punch him. Grimes was very upset with himself for doing so. He glared at Knight in disgust.
Samoa Joe saw Kross’ car drive up to the building. Joe rushed over and forcibly pulled the driver out of the car. It was not Kross. He pulled the okie doke on Joe, and Joe left to go find him.
The announce team offcially announed NXT was moving to SyFy for two weeks beginning next Tuesday.
Matches announded for next week:
Adam Cole vs. Bronson Reed
Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan vs. Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
Carmelo Hayes vs. Josh Briggs in a Breakout Tournament first round match
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defeated Xia Li to reatin her title
Gonzalez pinned Li clean to retain. Li was without Boa and the ancient women in her corner.
Gonzalez powered out on Li early on. Li was posted like a lawn dart by Gonzalez, and Gonzalez was looking dominate. Li sidestepped a charge, and Gonzalez booted the ring post. Li then several times rammed the leg into the post, and Li sent Gonzalez crashing into the ring steps. The show cut to commercial with Li working over the champ.
Li applied a half crab, targeting the injured leg. Gonzalez dug in and she powered out of the hold. Gonzalez sold her leg but was still able to fight back with power moves. Li with kicks and strikes, and one spin kick netted a two count.
Gonzalez came back with a senton for a near fall. The match paused briefly as the referee and trainers checked on Li. Not sure if Li was indeed injured, if this was a spoofing Li’s last match on NXT against Mercedes Martinez. Either way, they went right to the finish.
Gonzalez with her chokeslam bomb finisher, and she covered Li. One…two…three. The champion retains.
Samoa Joe calls out Karrion Kross
Samos Joe stormed to the ring calling out Karrion Kross. “Come out and play,” Joe yelled on the house mic. “Where oh where is my young champion?”
Joe vowed there would be a reckoning, and Joe wanted to kick Kross’ ass. Kross appeared on the video screen to say this is not the same world (meaning NXT) that Joe remembers. Kross said this was his world now, and Kross sayd he is “the new beginning.” Umm, that is also a New Japan show. Kross went on to say he is “the way of the future.” The Way is Gargano’s stable, and the supposed “future” was beaten in under two minutes on Raw via a roll-up. But I digress.
Kross held up the NXT Championship belt, and he said it means he can go anywhere he wants. He can also hurt anyone he wants. The camera panned down to reveal Regal laid out in the parking lot. Kross left Regal laid out as he drove away in his car. Befoer leaving Kross asked, “Who provoked who?”
Joe ran outside to chase after Kross, but Kross was speeding away. Joe screamed out in anger as the show faded to black.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. appeared in a dark match prior to tonight’s SmackDown.
Smith teamed with Austin Theory to take on Odyssey Jones and Xyon Quinn (formerly Daniel Vidot). Smith was billed under his real name, Harry Smith. In another dark match, Xia Li wrestled Aliyah.
WWE later posted a video on social media with Smith talking about his return to WWE.
Originally signed by WWE in 2006, Smith was released by WWE in 2011 and spent most of the last decade teaming with Lance Archer as the Killer Elite Squad in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where they won the IWGP Tag Team titles on three occasions. Smith left NJPW in 2019 and has worked dates with MLW since his departure. He also attended the WWE Hall of Fame indcution ceremony this year, where his father The British Bulldog was inducted.
Tonight’s SmackDown at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas is the first television taping to take place in front of fans since March of 2020. WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, Florida has been the only WWE event to be held with a live audience since then.
The NXT Women’s Championship will be on the line next week.
WWE has announced that NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez will defend her title against Xia Li on NXT next Tuesday. The match was set up when Li confronted Gonzalez on tonight’s episode.
Gonzalez’s tag team partner Dakota Kai defeated Ember Moon on NXT tonight. After the match, Li came out to the ring and confronted Gonzalez. Li wanted an NXT Women’s Championship match, and Gonzalez accepted Li’s challenge.
Kai had thought Li was coming out to go face-to-face with her, but Li walked past her and challenged Gonzalez.
Gonzalez won the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Io Shirai at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April. She’s since had title defenses against Mercedes Martinez and Moon.
Gonzalez defeated Moon at TakeOver: In Your House last month to retain her title. That same night, Li defeated Martinez. Li and her Tian Sha stablemate Boa faced Martinez & Jake Atlas in a mixed tag team match on NXT two weeks ago. The match ended with Li & Boa winning by referee stoppage when Martinez was legitimately hurt by a kick from Li and appeared to be knocked out.
Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong & Tyler Rust vs. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida & Bobby Fish has also been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT. With Strong’s help, Rust defeated Fish on NXT tonight. Kushida then ran out and chased Diamond Mine off after the match.
The card for NXT’s next TakeOver event now has four confirmed matches.
WWE has announced that Mercedes Martinez will face Xia Li at NXT TakeOver: In Your House. The show is taking place on Sunday, June 13.
After Martinez defeated Zayda Ramier on last week’s NXT, there was an angle where the lights went out and smoke began to fill the ring. A black mark from Li’s Tian Sha faction then appeared on the video screen. The lights went out again — and the mark was on Martinez’s hand when they came back on.
In a promo that aired on NXT tonight, Li said she’ll never forget how Martinez tried to embarrass her when they faced off in the 2017 Mae Young Classic. Martinez defeated Li in the first round of that tournament. The bout was Li’s first-ever pro wrestling match.
Li said during her promo tonight that she feels sick whenever she rewatches that Mae Young Classic match. Li claimed that Martinez tried to bring shame to Li’s name and disgrace to her family. Li said she’s a true warrior now and has been waiting for this moment for four years. Li said Martinez is standing in the way of her destiny. Li vowed that she’s going to purge Martinez at TakeOver: In Your House.
Martinez responded to Li later on tonight’s show. Martinez said Li may be more badass and dangerous now than she was in 2017 — but so is Martinez. Martinez said Li is standing in the way of Martinez’s way back to the NXT Women’s Championship. Martinez said she’ll run through Li at TakeOver.
Martinez unsuccessfully challenged for Raquel Gonzalez’s NXT Women’s Championship on an episode of NXT last month.
TakeOver; In Your House will air live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else. Here’s the updated lineup for the event:
NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match’
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Ember Moon
Three matches have been announced for next Wednesday’s episode of NXT:
– NXT North American Champion Keith Lee puts his title on the line against Johnny Gargano and Finn Balor in a triple threat match
The winner will advance to face NXT Champion Adam Cole in a winner-take-all title vs. title match on the July 8 episode of NXT.
– Karrion Kross vs. Bronson Reed
Reed quickly defeated Leon Ruff on NXT tonight and then issued a challenge to Kross. It will be Kross’ first match since his dominant win against Tommaso Ciampa at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
On last week’s NXT, Scarlett sent a warning to Cole on behalf of Kross. She placed an hourglass in the ring and turned it over, signifying that Cole’s time as NXT Champion is coming to an end.
– Damian Priest vs. Cameron Grimes
Priest defeated Killian Dain on NXT tonight. Later in the show, Priest found his tires slashed in the parking lot. Grimes then drove by and mocked Priest.
Priest punched Grimes last week after Grimes did an interview where he called Priest a loser for not defeating Balor at TakeOver: In Your House. Grimes tried to get out of his match against Balor later in the show by faking that he may have broken his jaw, but NXT general manager William Regal made Grimes still wrestle. Balor defeated Grimes in the match.
