offical wwe thread

famicommander

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It’s sad; Jeff is someone’s dad. He needs to get his shit together for the kids.
He's not going to change until he stops drawing crowds, at which point he'll stop getting booked.

But no matter how many times he gets arrested and/or shows up to a match completely bombed out of his mind there's at least one major wrestling promotion to keep writing him a big check.
WWE-->ROH-->TNA-->WWE-->TNA-->ROH-->WWE-->AEW

He's been with one of those promotions in every year since 1994. Pretty sure he has been arrested while on all of their rosters at least once.
 

famicommander

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Andrade, Penta, and Fenix are all off the AEW Forbidden Door PPV because Tony Khan is an idiot.

He booked NJPW stars on the same card as AAA stars. That pissed off CMLL, who has been NJPW's longest running and most important international partner.

So all three guys are off the card, and simultaneously, Andrade publicly accused AAA and Konnan of stiffing him on his pay for Triplemania.

But that's pretty much standard procedure for AAA. They are well known for stiffing talent but people continue to work with them because they're the only promotion of any note that actually tours Mexico (CMLL is bigger but they only run in the 6 or 7 arenas around the country that they own and operate themselves).
 

Arcademan

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Tony Khan issued a statement regarding the Jeff Hardy situation on Tuesday afternoon. In it, Khan suspended Hardy without pay, but volunteered resources for him to get healthy.

“We were able to resume contact with Jeff Hardy this afternoon,” Tony Khan wrote. “AEW does not condone Jeff’s alleged behavior. We’ve made it clear to Jeff that we’ll assist him in getting treatment for substance abuse issues, which he has indicated that he’s open to receiving. In the interim, he is suspended without pay, and he can only return to AEW upon successfully completing treatment and maintaining his sobriety. If you or a loved one needs help, please reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline.”

Jeff’s brother, Matt Hardy, issued a statement on Twitter on Jeff’s arrest. The duo was scheduled for a tag team ladder match this week on AEW Dynamite against The Young Bucks and Jurassic Express for the AEW Tag Team Championship. That match will obviously not take place. Jeff Hardy has been removed from AEW Dynamite promotion for tomorrow night and WarnerMedia has been asked to remove Jeff Hardy from AEW advertising and promotion as well.

Jeff Hardy was arrested for DUI on Monday afternoon. It’s his third DUI in the last 10 years.
 

famicommander

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Huge news coming out of WWE’s corporate end, as the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the board of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is investigating a $3 million settlement, paid to a former employee by WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon with whom he allegedly had an affair.

According to the Journal’s sources, the separation agreement is from January of 2022 and bars the former paralegal from discussing her relationship with McMahon or disparaging him in any way. The WWE board has said the relationship between McMahon and the employee, hired in 2019, was consensual. The WWE board began investigating McMahon in April and has since uncovered more settlements.

The investigation has reportedly uncovered previous non-disclosure agreements by former WWE employees, which not only claim misconduct by McMahon but also Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis. There is no word on how many agreements were unearthed by the investigation. The total amount paid in non-disclosure agreements (NDA) has yet to be determined by the board, but a source noted that it was in the millions.

The investigation also discovered that McMahon used personal funds to pay the former female employees. The personal funds were not only used for complaints against McMahon, as McMahon reportedly used personal funds to pay for the settlement involving Laurinaitis.

According to McMahon’s attorney Jerry McDevitt, “WWE did not pay any monies” to the former employee, which lines up with the investigation’s report that McMahon used personal funds. While the investigation is mainly focused on the settlements to the former employees, but would also broadly investigate WWE’s human resources programs, as well as company culture as a whole.

The Wall Street Journal notes that the 12-person board of directors still includes McMahon’s daughter Stephanie, who recently stepped away from her duties as Chief Brand Officer to take time with her family. The investigation is being led by board member Man Jit Singh, a former Sony Home Entertainment Executive.

Somebody finally cares about Vince's actions?

Nobody cared when he raped that female ref in the 90s and paid her to go away
Nobody cared when he bribed Jimmy Snuka's way out of a murder charge in the 80s
Nobody cared when he enabled Pat Patterson to molest children and sexually assault male employees for decades
Nobody cared when he silenced a wrestler who got raped at a WWE Tribute to the Troops show (she later killed herself)
Nobody cared that he and his wife are two of Trump's biggest political allies

But a consensual relationship with an employee is what gets him?
 

famicommander

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And in an unrelated McMahon double whammy, it's being speculated that the reason for Stephanie's absence is that she's the one who leaned on Fox and Vice to cancel MLW's media deals. Particularly MLW's streaming deal with the Fox-owned Tubi, which Tubi pulled out of the day before MLW was set to premiere there.

WWE will still likely just delay the proceedings and bleed Court Bauer, MLW's owner, dry of all his cash. But it seems like there might be actual merit to his lawsuit itself.
 

wataru330

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all those muscles, all that ‘power’, and still pays for pussy.

What a dweeb.

Fuck you, Vince-looooool
 

famicommander

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WWE President Nick Khan:
a2e34027-7da3-48ae-99c5-1c506300037b-jpeg.125254
 

jro

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Okay, rant incoming:

TF is it with Khans ruining pro rasslin' these days? Shit. They've at least mildly moved on from the worst set of champions in modern pro wrestling history (seriously, Luchafuckup, Rosa, Page, Sky, what in the actual fuck?).

A one-legged man ought to beat shit out of VKM in an ass-kicking contest if he was spotted, say, a few billion dollars, but instead, TK turns it into:

-top guy out due to stage diving mishap.
-top guy beaten by top guy regressed to who-fucking-cares-jobber-to-Okada-whatevs.
-create a placeholder belt when there's already like 40 of those fucking things and give it to a guy that's fucking boring (this is of course subject to change as TK tends to hand AEW title belts to anyone who passes the metal detector like they're candy).
-ohshitmybad bunch of top-ish guys off show due to handling politics like a retard. Mexican promotions all look alike tho, IM come on.
-No. 2 guy doing... nothing? Hope Danielson isn't regretting anything about now.
-top 3-ish wrestler in the world vs. Pockets. For real? Ospreay's fantastic and Aussie Open is too, so they go WO vs. Cassidy at the PPV. Which leads me to
-Old tag champs sucked so we had to hot-shot the titles on to a team that might actually sell vs. I dunno... FTR (i.e. who will the JP audience pay for before we yank the now-useless titles onto a team TK had in mind in 2018)? Only took TK about a year too long to finally turn Christian against his utter retard proteges. Luchasaurus is an insult to wrestling, JB has talent but zero improvement in three years, and apparently no one bothered to notice.
-The original four "pillars," LOL. Jungle Boy has talent but zero charisma and feel. Sammy Guevara either completely sucks or was ruined by Jericho, not sure which. Darby... seems okay but too limited by his booking. MJF is too good for the company. As CM Punk once said, Britt Baker is more valuable than all but the last one.
-Thunder Rosa sandbagging the everloving shit out of Shafir, way to make the women's division look good. The fuck is wrong with her? For someone who should have been a great babyface champ she's fucking terrible and I hope they put the belt on Toni Storm ASAP and then just finally move on to Jade Cargill at the top of the division. Rosa's booking has been awful, and her recent attempt to argue that she didn't sandbag MF, just, sad.
-Who the fuck even is the TBS Champion, Scorpio Sky apparently? And Wardlow, who's the most over face in the business, is only going to require the assistance of near paraplegic/reactionary idiot Matt Hughes and multiple time Youtube Paul KO victim Tyron Woodley to beat said fucking boring journeyman that no one in wrestling ever gave a shit about? Yeeeeeeeesh.
-I assume the Wardlow storyline got fucked up a bit due to CMP mishap, but, c'mon, you don't have to be a retard TK. Instead of doing, literally, Wardlow vs. 20 security guards (FML), maybe just do Wardlow vs. Spears or Cobb (via payday from MJF or whatever) for a spot in the main event at Molester Door. Put the guy in the main event and have him FUCKING win it instead of having who knows how many damn months of Moxley beating people before he can job to Punk or maybe Danielson and you'd have something interesting.

Ospreay, Tanahashi, White, Okada, Danielson, (sigh) Wardlow all sitting right there as interim champ. You know what? Be bold, put the interim title on Dax Harwood or Cash Wheeler or Kyle O'Reilly, any of those would be pretty interesting as an interim champ between the two brands. But it's going to be Moxley, and it's going to be boring as hell.

edit again: I know full well I should not give a shit about this but AEW is pretty much the only show I haven't completely checked out on at this point (I watch my Impact DVR every, I dunno, every month or so?) and I still cling to that last little bit of pro wrestling that isn't trash sometimes. Time machine back to Wrestlemania XVII I'm there.
 
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wataru330

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jro said it.


Only slight divergence from all these points (the idea just popped into my head)

Danielson interim champ = American Dragon v Punk upon Punk’s return.

They need to do that one sooner than later, because they ain’t getting any younger.

Speaking of Danielson…what a fucked turn of events, pairing him w/ Mox & Yuta. He could’ve kept on as the best heel in the business, and been BCC by his damn self + Regal. A one man army, if you weeeel.
 

famicommander

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So apparently everybody in AEW knew Jeff was fuckin' up bad. He was apparently seen shitfaced in a hotel lobby WM weekend. AEW was planning to put the tag titles on the Hardys until Jeff's awful performance at Double or Nothing forced them to change the plans. There was significant anger backstage from other tag teams about the Hardys getting a run with the belts despite Jeff being off the wagon and both Hardys clearly being physically busted.
 

Arcademan

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Randy Orton reportedly will miss a significant amount of time due to a back injury that has kept him out of action for nearly a month.

Fightful Select is reporting that WWE fears Orton’s back injury is worse than originally calculated and that he could miss the remainder of 2022.

For most of 2021 and all of 2022, Orton has spent his time working with Riddle as part of the RK-Bro tag team. The duo are two time WWE Raw Tag Team Champions. Most recently, Orton and Riddle lost a tag team title unification match to The Usos. Roman Reigns interfered in the match to cost RK-Bro the win. After the match, Reigns and The Usos decimated both Orton and Riddle. Orton has not been seen on WWE television since.
 

famicommander

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famicommander

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Update:

Vince will be appearing in character on Smackdown tonight and has reportedly torn up the script for the show.

This carny fuck is turning this shit into a storyline.
 

Arcademan

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Brock Lesnar returned to WWE during this week’s episode of Smackdown, but the return was not an original part of plans for WWE’s summer.

Fightful is reporting that Lesnar was brought back to the company once WWE knew that their planned Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns match at Summerslam would not be able to take place. Orton is said to have a serious back injury and will likely miss the rest of 2022.

The report indicates that Lesnar returning this week starting leaking backstage at 4pm CST, but that he was not on the final rundown of the show that was passed out to the crew before the show.

Lesnar returned after Roman Reigns defeated Riddle to retain his WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. Lesnar walked out after Reigns told the audience that there was nobody left to beat him. Lesnar walked to the ring and faced off with Reigns. He teased a handshake with Reigns, but then lifted him into the air and dropped him with an F5. The Usos ran into the ring to make the save, but they were hit with an F5 as well.
 

Arcademan

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WWE is saddened to learn that long-time referee Tim White has passed away.

For more than two decades, Tim White was a dedicated WWE referee and official. White began his illustrious career in 1985 working with Andre the Giant and as a part-time referee.

During his tenure, he was the referee for some of WWE's biggest matches, including the infamous Hell in a Cell Match between Undertaker and Mankind at King of the Ring 1998.

A shoulder injury effectively ended White’s in-ring career, but White still remained a major part of WWE working behind the scenes as an official and talent agent until 2009.

WWE extends its condolences to White’s family, friends and fans.
 

Arcademan

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AEW Forbidden Door PPV Results: 6-26-22

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's real time report).

Buy In Show Results:


(A) YOSHI-HASHI & HIROOKI GOTO vs. Q.T. MARSHALL & AARON SOLO
WINNERS: Goto & Yoshi-Hashi in 9:00

(B) LANCE ARCHER vs. NICK COMOROTO
WINNER: Archer in 6:00.

(C) SWERVE STRICKLAND & KEITH LEE vs. YOSHINOBU KANEMARU & EL DESPERADO
WINNERS: Strickland & Lee in 12:00.

(D) BILLY & COLTEN & AUSTIN GUNN & MAX CASTER (w/Anthony Bowens) vs. THE DKC & KEVIN KNIGHT & ALEX COUGHLIN & YUYA UEMERU
WINNERS: Caster & the Gunns in 5:00.

MAIN PPV CARD​

(1) CHRIS JERICHO & SAMMY GUEVEARA (w/Tay Conti) & MINORU SUZUKI vs. WHEELER YUTA & EDDIE KINGSTON & SHOTA UMINO

Excalibur hyped Blood & Guts on Wednesday on Dynamite. Taz, a more excitedly than you’d expect, declared Sammy Guevara, “a sex god.” The highlight of the early minutes was Suzuki and Kingston engaging in a chopfest. Suzuki eventually scored a two count on Kingston. Everyone ended up paired off with submission holds mid-ring about five minutes in. Guevara landed a top rope shooting star press onto Umino. Yuta then landed on Guevara, then held up Guevara for a dive by Kingston through the ropes. Suzuki teased a dive through the ropes, then stopped in his tracks and smiled. Later, Guevara hit a GTS on Yuta on the floor as Jericho landed a Lionsault on Umino and got a near fall. Guevara hit Umino with a shot to the back with a bat. Umino avoided a Judas Effect and then landed a DDT and a brainbuster for a dramatic near fall. Suzuki, meanwhile, punished Kingston at ringside. Umino applied a Boston Crab mid-ring next. Suzuki snarled at ringside. Guevara superkicked Umino twice to break the hold. Suzuki then gave Kingston a Gotch-style piledriver. Guevara and Suzuki double-teamed Umino as the ref yelled at them p0intlessly. Jericho recovered and caught Umino with a Judas Effect for the win.W

WINNERS: Jericho & Guevara & Suzuki in 19:00. (***)

(That was a solid opener with a dose of athleticism and distinct personalities.)

(2) FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. UNITED EMPIRE (Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan) vs. RAPONGI VICE (Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero) – ROH Tag Team Titles and IWGP Tag Team Titles on the line

Kelly noted that Bobby Cruz was doing the ring announcing. Caprice Coleman joined the announcers on commentary. Dax and Beretta battled first. Cobb tagged himself in by slapping Beretta’s back. Rocky blind-tagged himself in by slapping Cobb’s back. Dax took control and tagged in Cash, but then tagged right back in to land a running elbowdrop. Dax sold an injury to his shoulder or pec area and rolled tor ingside. The doctor checked on him after tagging Cash back in. The doctor helpoed Dax to the back as fans looked on with concern. Kelly said Cash got taken to the back instead of Dax, but then corrected himself seconds later.

Beretta and Romero scored a near fall on Khan a few minutes later as Cash watched from the ring apron. Cash then tagged in and went after Khan and Cobb, but was soon overwhelmed. Dax made his heroic return to the match with his shoulder and arm wrapped and he rallied against his opponents. They did a corner tower spot out of the corner on Cobb and then Cash landed a top rope frog splash and scored a near fall. Romero and Cash landed a spike piledriver on Khan. Taz said he broke his neck on that move, thus cringes whenever he sees it. Beretta and Romero landed Storm Zero on Cobb, with Cash breaking up the cover. A loud “AEW!” chant broke out. FTR hit the Big Rig on Romero a minute later for the win. Kelly said this was the first FTR tag team title match he’s ever called. (By mixing up Dax and Cash, does that mean it’s also the first one he’s ever seen?)

WINNERS: FTR in 16:00 to retain the ROH Tag Team Titles and capture the IWGP Tag Team Titles. (***)

(3) MIRO vs. PAC vs. CLARK CONNORS vs. MALAKAI BLACK – Four-way for the new All-Atlantic Title

Several minutes in, Miro and Black argued over who got to beat up Pac. Pac recovered during this time and made a comeback. He also backdropped a charging Connors over the top rope to the floor. Pac landed a shotgun dropkick on Miro, then played to the hard cam. All four fought with rapid-fire hard-hitting moves. Black caught Miro with a boot to the face, but scored just a one count. Black leaned a table against the ringside barricade and then threw Miro toward it. Miro blocked it and threw Black toward it. Black blocked it and threw Black into the ringside steps. Pac dove at Miro, but Miro caught him. Pac slipped free and then shoved Miro into the ringpost. Connors then got the pop of the match when he came out of nowhere to spear Miro through the table.

Back in the ring, Black and Connors battled. He snap powerslammed Black, and the crowd was popping for him. Black entered, but Connors speared him and then scored a near fall on Pac after a uranage. That was a nice teaser sequence for an underdog victory. Fans chanted, “Let’s Go Clark!” Pac kicked a charging Connors to finally slow him. He climbed to the top rope quickly, but Black knocked him off balance. Connors got up and they set up a tower spot. Miro slammed all three to the mat. He then waited for Pac to stand and delivered the Machka Kick. He yelled “Game Over!” He stomped Pac and applied his finisher mid-ring. Pac crawled toward the bottom rope, so Miro released the hold and dragged him back to center-ring. Black sprayed black mist in the face of Miro, then put Connors in a cross armbreaker. Pac landed a 450 on Black, then applied the Brutalizer on Connors for the quick tapout win.

WINNER: Pac in 15:00 to become the first All-Atlantic Champion. (***1/4)

(Another in an early stretch solid of three-star or better matches. Very good matches, but largely non-stop spotfests designed to pop the crowd. Giving Pac the belt is fine, but this isn’t the ideal way to feature Miro upon his return as he just feels like another in a long endless line of talented upper-mid-card acts in AEW, and after time away, his return could have led to him being effectively portrayed as a level higher than that.)

(4) STING & DARBY ALLIN & SHINGO TAKAGI vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matt & Nick Jackson) & EL FANTASMA (w/Hikuleo)

Takagi came out first. Then Darby, but Sting didn’t appear. Then the Bucks and Fantasma came out. The lights went dark. They showed the cat walk and what might have been Stiing up there. Then the actual Sting leaped off the entrance tunnel onto the Bucks, Fantasma, and Hikuleo. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Schiavone said, “That’s how a superstar makes his entrance!” The Bucks had an extra vigor to their energy early, with both doing more playing to the crowd and the camera than usual. The Bucks and Fantasma triple-dropkicked Darby as he hung upsideside down in the corner.

Sting tagged in and hit rapid-fire strikes on all three opponents. The Bucks eventually stereo superkicked the Bucks, but Sting brushed it off and popped the crowd. Then he clotheslined both Bucks, who flip bumped for him. Sting then fell to the mat. Excalibur said Sting could deflect the impact for a moment, but then it sunk in. Darby went for a Coffin Drop on Matt, but Matt lifted his knees. Nick then landed a 450 splash. Matt landd a splash. Fantasma then landed his top rope splash. Shingo broke up the cover on Darby. The Bucks dove through the ropes on Darby and Sting. Fantasma flip dove onto the crowd. When Sting teased a dive to the floor, the Bucks and Fantasma entered the ring and superkicked him to the mat. The Bucks then went for the BTE Trigger, but Sting ducked. Sting stood and gave them a double Scorpion Death Drop. Sting grabbed Fantasma by his nipples and then kicked him in the nuts. “This is so much fun!” exclaimed Schiavone. Darbyu landed a Coffin Drop on Hikuleo at ringside).

Shingo went to work on Fantasma in the ring leading to a near fall. Sting kneeled in his corner, catching his breath. Shingo then landed Last of the Dragon on Fantasma for the win.

WINNERS: Shingo & Sting & Darby in 13:00. (***)

(Another enjoyable avalanche of highspots and action that the crowd ate up. The finish was a tad bit anticlimactic after all the previous sequences.)
 

Arcademan

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AEW Forbidden Door PPV Results: 6-26-22

(5) THUNDER ROSA vs. TONI STORM – AEW Women’s Title match


After some back and forth action early, and dueling chants from the crowd, Storm took sustained control after a German suplex on the ring apron. Storm landed a hard-hitting hip attack back in the ring. Rosa made a comeback with an inverted piledriver for a two count. She landed her Thunder Driver finisher next for another near fall. Storm set up her Storm Zero, but her shoulder gave out. Rosa then hit the Final Reckoning for the win. Taz said Storm had nothing to be ashamed of.

WINNER: Rosa in 11:00 to retain the AEW Women’s Title. (**1/2)

(Solid basic match.)

(6) WILL OSPREAY (w/Aussie Open) vs. ORANGE CASSIDY – IWGP U.S. Title match

Cassidy began the match with his hands in his pockets. Cassidy used a body-wrap head scissors for the first big pop of the match. Ospreay bailed out to ringside. Ospreay returned to the ring and dropped Cassidy over the top rope and then kicked him to the mat. Aussie Open at ringside helped propel Ospreay into Cassidy at ringside. Ospreay did some sit-ups to show off how in control he was at 5:00. He smiled and then delivered a spinning leaping backbreaker for a one count. Ross said Ospreay hasn’t peaked yet, but added Cassidy hasn’t either. (Cassidy is 38 years old.)

Cassidy eventually put his hands in his pocket again and got inside Ospreay’s head. He threw a barrage of kicks and played to the crowd. Ospreay went for his leaping cutter, but Cassidy moved and then leaned down on Ospreay for a near fall. Cassidy countered Ospreay with a Slum Dog Millionaire followed by a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. (The crowd was into it and played along, but they weren’t buying he was actually going to win.) Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Cassidy caught Ospreay with a leaping DDT. He speared Ospreay into the ringside barricade, then flipped onto Aussie Open. He leaped off the top rope and hit a DDT for a very near fall. Ospreay went for a moonsault, but Cassidy moved twice. Ospreay then landd a standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Cassidy landed a string of offense, including Beach Break, for a very very near fall that the crowd popped for. Cassidy pulled off his armband and set up his Orange Punch. Ospreay stood and caught Cassidy mid-air with a cutter and then another leaping cutter for a near fall. He sat up wide-eyed after the kickout.

Ospreay charged, but Cassidy ducked. Ospreay countered a Storm Breaker for a near fall. Ospreay landed a quick lariat and then a running knee for a near fall. Fans popped for the kickout. Ospreay then hit the Storm Breaker for the win.

WINNER: Ospreay to retain the IWGP U.S. Title. (****)

(That’s why Cassidy was put in that match. He’s really, really good. He’s also a good match-up for Cassidy. The crowd played along enthusiastically for the underdog Cassidy and all his near fall. Ospreay looked great and projected a lot of personality, too.)

(7) ZACK SABRE JR. vs. CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI

Zack came out first. When Claudio’s music played, fans cheered. When Claudio (formerly Cesaro in WWE) walked out, the crowd went bananas. That had to feel good for Claudio. Excalibur said it was 16,000 fans “losing their minds.” The announcers talked about how respected Claudio is in locker rooms everywhere. Claudio attacked Zack at the bell with a European Uppercut and landed a Neutralizer for a believable near fall just seconds in. Fans loudly chanted “Clau-di-o!” Claudio attacked Zack at ringside, including a running uppercut against the ringside barricade. Zack avoided a second charge.

Back in the ring, Claudio knocked Zack down with an uppercut. Zack rolled to the ring apron. Claudio brought back into the ring and landed a delay-drop vertical suplex for a two count. Zack again rolled to the ring apron. Zack got in some sustained offense until Claudio took over with a backbreaker. He lifted Zack onto his shoulders, but Zack raked at Claudio’s eyes and then rolled into an armbar. Claudio powered Zack up and then dropped over the top rope, but Zack pulled Claudio over, too. Claudio held on and they landed on the floor. Claudio lifted Zack and walked up the ringside steps and dumped Zack into the ring. Taz said he cannot put into words the energy that takes out of a body to accomplish..

A few minute later, Claudio did the Swing. He let go after a few revolutions and sold a sore arm. Zack upkicked Claudio, but Claudio persisted and applied a sharpshooter, but Zack immediately spun into a heel hook. Claudio twisted back into a sharpshooter. He then landed a double stomp for a two count. Zack countered Claudio a minute later and applied a sleeper. Zack wrapped his legs around Claudio’s head and leg to control him on the mat. Claudio sat up and invited Zack to roundkick his chest. Zack took him up on it. Claudio landed a lariat for a near fall. Zack leveraged Claudio’s shoulders down for a two count. Claudio came right back with a lift-and-drop uppercut, a discus lariat, and his released powerbomb finisher for the three count. Claudio didn’t want the ref to raise his right arm. The ref moved to the other side of Claudio and raised his left arm instead.

Kelly said AEW has a grade-A stud now. Ross said the Blackpool Combat Club just got stronger, but they didn’t need it. Ross said he’s a class act and a credit to the pro wrestling busiuness, and “make no mistake, he’s a pro wrestler and not a sports entertainer.” Claudio favored his arm as he walked to the back.

WINNER: Claudio in 18:00. (***1/2)

(That was hard-hitting and a lot of fun. Man, the crowd might have reacted as well to Claudio in his debut match for AEW as anyone else, and that’s saying something.)
 

Arcademan

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AEW Forbidden Door PPV Results: 6-26-22

(8) “SWITCHBLADE” JAY WHITE (c, w/ Gedo) vs. ADAM COLE vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. KAZUCHIKA OKADA – 4-way match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship


Kevin Kelly talked about how rare it is to have an IWGP singles title defended in a multi-man match. Kazuchika Okada and Jay White challenged the fans to stand and get loud. They obliged. Jay White left the ring just as the action was about to begin. Adam Cole followed suit. Okada turned his attention to Hangman Page. The shared a quick handshake, then prepared to lock up. Adam Cole ripped Hangman to the outside. Jay White attacked Okada from behind.

White hit the ropes, but ate a big boot from Okada on the return. Okada teamed with Hangman to deliver double elbows to Jay White. Adam Cole pulled Jay White from the ring and convinced him to work together. Page and Okada rolled to the outside to break up their dialogue. Page and Cole hit the ring first. Hangman tossed Cole to the outside and dove onto him through the middle rope. On the opposite side of the ring, White gave Okada a front Suplex onto the apron. Up on the rampway, Hangman set up Adam Cole in Piledriver position. White rushed in to make the save. Cole and White gave Hangman a delayed vertical suplex onto the video ramp.

Adam Cole called for Jay White to toss Okada back in the ring. Cole gave Kazuchika a neckbreaker, then fed him to White for a big chop. On the outside, Hangman Page rolled back toward the ring. White and Cole continued to beat down Okada as the match crossed 5:00. White rolled outside and tried to whip Page into the steps, but Hangman reversed him. Okada began to mount a comeback on Cole, but Switchblade returned to cut it off. Page returned to the ring and kicked Cole in the face. He hit a springboard clothesline to Jay White, sending him to the floor. Page gave Cole a diving clothesline off the top rope and covered for a two count.

Cole retreated to the corner. Hangman gave him a series of stiff chops, walking him to each turnbuckle for a fresh look. Jay White slid in the ring but ate a back elbow from Page. Hangman leapt to the top rope and went for a moonsault, but Adam Cole kicked him in the face in mid-air. Okada returned, chest crimson red. He fired punches at both White and Cole. He gave Cole a back elbow, then pancaked White. Cole leapt to the middle rope and Okada dropkicked him to the outside.

Okada left the ring to meet his three opponents. He called for fans in the corner to move. He tossed Jay White into the crowd, then sent Cole over to meet him. Okada got a running start and launched himself over the barricade onto a waiting Cole and White. They toppled over ringside chairs. Okada soaked in the adoration from ringside before returning to the ring. Jay White and Adam Cole weren’t far behind. Adam Page rejoined the fray. He worked White into the corner and gave him a litany of chops. White countered out of the corner with a Complete Shot. He went for a German Suplex, but Hangman flipped through it. Cole returned with a kick to Hangman’s face.

The match ticked past 11:30. Cole and White shared “2 Sweet.” Adam Cole gave White a Backstabber and covered him for a near fall. Cole set up for the Boom, but White ducked it. The champion delivered a hard chop to the chest, followed by a Sleeper Suplex. Okada returned and ate a big lariat from Page. All four men were down in the ring. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. The heels and babyfaces paired off on opposing sides of the ring. White and Cole raked Page and Okada’s eyes. White ended the pairing, chopping Cole. Okada whipped Cole to the corner, but got dropped with a kick to the side of the head from Page.

Hangman delivered a sit-out Powerbomb on White for a cover and near fall. He set up for the Buckshot Lariat, but Cole grabbed his foot. Hangman climbed the ropes instead and took both Cole and Okada out with a moonsault. He returned to the apron. Gedo grabbed his foot. Hangman kicked him away. Page flipped into the ring for the Buckshot, but White blocked it. He set up for Blade Runner, but Page blocked it and pulled him into Deadeye. Page returned to the apron and called for White to stand. Hangman hit the Buckshot Lariat and hooked the leg, but Okada saved the pin at 16:40.

Kazuchika Okada rose to meed Hangman Page in the center of the ring. The two men traded forearms. Okada went for a Tombstone, but Page rolled free. Page held the ropes to avoid a dropkick from Okada. Adam Cole returned and tossed Page to the outside. He set Okada up for Panama Sunrise, but Okada countered it into the Air-Raid Crash. Okada climbed to the top rope and hit a massive elbow. He called to the crowd and threw his arms wide. He set up for the Rainmaker, but Cole blocked it. Hangman appeared and attempted the Buckshot, but Okada blocked that. Cole kicked Okada in the face and covered him for a near fall.

Cole shot Okada off the ropes, but Kazuchika caught him with a big dropkick. Cole shot to his feet and connected with another Superkick. Page leapt back on the apron and ate a Superkick, too. Okada dropped Cole with another dropkick. He set up for the Rainmaker, but Cole collapsed. White rushed in and hit Okada with the Rainmaker. Okada rolled out of the ring. White covered Adam Cole for a three count.

WINNER: Jay White to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in 21:01

Doctors headed into the ring to check on Adam Cole. The rest of the Undisputed Elite came to the ring, staring down Jay White on their way. The announcers covered the situation, saying White must have noticed Cole was injured, making it easy for him to get the pin. Cole made his way to the back under his own power, a good sign.

(Really good match marred by a really awkward finish. Adam Cole looks to have been really shaken up, leading to a very anti-climactic end, as noted by J.R. It seems likely he was meant to take Okada’s Rainmaker, allowing White to come in and eliminate Okada, then steal the pin on Cole. Instead, Cole ate the fall after taking no real damage. While I’d certainly prefer good one-on-one title match to a multi-man match any day, this was hard hitting and fun from the opening bell. All four guys being tremendously over with the crowd certainly helped make it feel like a big deal. I liked the dynamic of Cole and White thinking they could use their friendship to eliminate Okada and Page one by one, only to find that the babyfaces weren’t at all opposed to teaming up temporarily to even the odds. Unfortunately, Cole became the designated fall guy here. Injury and botched finish aside, he’d still have been the one taking the pin, even under more believable circumstances. I think Cole has been a little mis-handled during his AEW run to date, and he seems to be one of the very few main event level guys that Tony is comfortable beating on a semi-consistent basis. Given how important I think he is to the roster, and the show as a whole, I’d like to see that change going forward. )
 

Arcademan

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AEW Forbidden Door PPV Results: 6-26-22

(9) JON MOXLEY vs. HIROYOSHI TANAHASHI – Interim AEW World Title match


A few minutes in, Mox landed a top rope underhook suplex followed by a piledriver for a two count. Fans chanted “You f—ed up!” due to a fight in the crowd and cops dragging a fan away. After a few more minutes of methodical back-and-forth action, Mox slammed Tanahashi through a table at ringside. Tanahashi was slow to get up. The ref got to nine before Tanahashi rolled into the ring. Mox expressed disappointment. Mox applied a cross armbreaker mid-ring.

Tananashi twisted free and stomped on Mox’s face as he held his arms. Tanahashi ducked a Mox clothesline and landed a slingblade. Mox rolled to the floor. He came up bleeding from the forehead. Announcers wondered if it was the slingblade or the stomps. Tanashashi leaped off the top rope with a bodypress, although he looked unsteady up there before leaping.

Mox landed a quick Paradigm Shift for a near fall. Then he landed 12-6 elbows. Tanahashi came back with a headbutt and a knee. Mox went down hard. Tanahashi played to the crowd and got a respectful pop. He then landed a top rope crossbody followed by a top rope splash. He rolled off Mox, then back on. Mox kicked out and then applied his Bulldog Choke. Tanahashi held on, escaped, and landed a jackknife cover for a near fall.

They exchanged slaps to the head. Mox dropped Tanahashi with a lariat. Tanahashi kicked out at one. Mox dropped a barrage of elbows and then applied a sleeper. Tanahashi faded, but then raised his arm. Fans chanted, “Go Ace!” Tanahashi stood, but Mox held on. Mox shifted into a Death Rider for the win. Ross called it one of the most epic battles for an AEW championship in company history.

WINNER: Moxley to become Interim AEW World Champion. (***1/2)

(A reasonably satisfying main event for the show.)
 

Arcademan

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Impact Wrestling Against All Odds PPV Results: 7-1-22

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com

(1) MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. BULLET CLUB (Chris Bey & Ace Austin)

Fan support was split early. Bey and Ace had the early advantage on Shelley. Sabin eventually made the hot tag and took on Bey and Ace by himself. The Guns used teamwork on Bey and Ace. Bey and Ace eventually regained the upper hand on Sabin. Sabin gave Bey the Cradle Shock, but Ace broke up the pin.

The Guns double teamed Ace and sent him out of the ring. Sabin pinned Bey after a double team move.

WINNERS: The Motor City Machine Guns in 13:00.

(2) MIA YIM & MICKIE JAMES vs. DEONNA PURRAZZO & CHELSEA GREEN

Mia and Mickie came to the ring in cowgirl attire. Deonna and Chelsea attacked before the bell. Mia & Mickie made a comeback and Mia did a cannonball on Deonna & Chelsea. Mia & Mickie did a double slide to Deonna and Chelsea and sent them outside. The bell finally rang. Deonna and Chelsea double teamed Mia and kept the advantage.

Mia finally made the tag to Mickie. Mickie ran wild on Chelsea and Deonna. The crowd cheered. Deonna and Chelsea double teamed Mickie and sent Mia out of the ring. Deonna and Chelsea kept the advantage on Mickie, until she finally tagged Mia. Mia gave Chelsea a series of dropkicks and a DDT. Mickie gave Deonna a Thesz press from the top rope.

Deonna knocked Mia off the top rope. Deonna and Chelsea double teamed Mickie and Chelsea pinned Mickie.

WINNERS: Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green in 9:00.

(3) MIKE BAILEY (c) vs. TREY MIGUEL – Impact Wrestling X Division Title Match

Trey did an early dive on Bailey. They fought on the ramp and Trey dropkicked Bailey. Trey leaped in the ring and took Bailey down. Bailey dropkicked Trey, followed by a moonsault from inside the ring to the floor on Trey. Trey worked on Bailey’s leg. Bailey got the upper hand and put Trey in a leg lock. Trey reached the ropes to break it.

Trey made a comeback but sold his leg. Bailey came back with kicks but Trey blocked a standing moonsault with his legs. Both men were down. Both wrestlers sold their leg injuries and traded kicks. They moved around slowly. Trey gave Bailey a dragon screw and followed with strikes. Bailey gave Trey a big kick to the chest.

Bailey gave Trey the double knees to the back. Trey rolled up Bailey for a two count. Bailey gave Trey a brainbuster. Trey missed a dive off the top. Trey gave Bailey a running rana over the top rope to the floor, which was incredible. Bailey gave Trey the Ultimo Weapon on the apron. In the ring, Bailey gave Trey a spin kick but missed a 450 splash. Trey gave Bailey a meteora for a two count.

Fans chanted “Fight forever”. Bailey knocked Trey off the top rope. Trey recovered, but Bailey knocked him off again. Bailey lifted Trey and gave him the Flamingo Driver for the win.

WINNER: Mike Bailey in 14:00.

(4) ROSEMARY & TAYA VALKYRIE (c) vs. GISELE SHAW & TENILLE DASHWOOD (w/Madison Rayne) – Impact Wrestling Knockouts Tag Team Title Match

Hannifan noted that Shaw was a newsmaker recently. Taya started off against Shaw. Fans chanted for Taya. Tenille and Rosemary went at it, with Rosemary getting the better of it. Shaw and Tenille eventually got the advantage on Taya. Rosemary finally tagged in.

Rosemary tied up Tenille in the ropes. Tenille and Taya fought in the corner. Shaw did a spinning dive on Rosemary and Tenille got a two count. Taya and Rosemary double teamed Tenille. Madison tripped Taya from the outside. Shaw was thrown out of the ring and Taya rolled up Tenille for the pin.

WINNERS: Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary in 9:00.

(5) DOC GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON & HEATH & JAMES STORM & CHRIS HARRIS vs. EDDIE EDWARDS & MATT TAVEN & MIKE BENNETT & KENNY KING & PCO

Anderson and Eddie started the match. Fans chanted for PCO. Doc gave Eddie a series of punches. Heath gave Taven a series of punches. Taven gave Heath a neckbreaker. Kenny King put Heath in a camel clutch. Eddie put Heath in a headlock. Heath power slammed Eddie and tagged Storm. Storm took on the members of HNM by himself.

Harris tagged in to a big pop. Harris and Storm double teamed Bennett and Taven. Storm quickly tagged back in. PCO pulled him out of the ring and threw him to the floor. HNM attacked their opponents and celebrated in the ring. Taven missed a dive to Storm. Eddie tagged in to keep the advantage on Storm.

PCO knocked the Impact team off the apron. Eddie tagged in to stop PCO’s momentum. Fans were upset and chanted “You suck” at Eddie. HNM kept the advantage. Harris made the hot tag and ran wild on HNM. The fans were behind him. All the wrestlers got in the ring and had a sequence of exchanging moves.

Taven broke up the Death Sentence. Heath gave Taven the Wake Up Call. More moves were exchanged as the match broke down. Fans chanted for PCO and he climbed to the top rope. King wanted him to do the PCO-sault in the ring but instead, he leaped on everyone that was at ringside. It seemed like he slipped a bit. Storm and Harris gave King the Death Sentence and Storm pinned King. The fans gave a big ovation.

WINNERS: The Good Brothers & Heath & America’s Most Wanted in 15:00.

(6) MOOSE vs. SAMI CALLIHAN – Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match

There were weapons set up outside the ring. Sami came out first. Moose came out in a hoodie and attacked Sami from behind. Moose hit Sami with a metal trash can lid. Sami backdropped Moose through a table on the outside. Some of Moose’s former Atlanta Falcons teammates were shown at ringside.

Moose made a comeback but Sami grabbed him low. Moose gave Sami a headbutt. Sami drove Moose through a piece of chain link fence that was set up in the corner. Moose hit Sami with a bottle over the head. Moose sliced Sami’s forehead with the glass. Moose drove Sami through a table and got a two count.

Sami and Moose fought each other with doors. Moose used a staple gun on Sami’s foot. Moose used the staple gun on Sami’s head. Sami powerbombed Moose through two chairs. Sami used the staple gun on Moose’s crotch. Fans chanted “You sick f***”. Moose emptied a box with Legos. Sami emptied a box with broken glass.

Moose and Sami traded punches and slaps. Sami threw glass into Moose’s eyes and gave him a piledriver. Moose kicked out of the pin attempt. Fans chanted “This is awesome”. Sami cut himself with glass. Sami gave Moose a piledriver into the glass. Fans chanted “One more time”. A masked man got in the ring and gave Sami a low blow. He took off the mask to reveal Steve Maclin.

Maclin hit Sami with a barbed wire bat. Moose gave Sami a spear and got the pin.

WINNER: Moose in 17:00.

(7) JORDYNNE GRACE (c) vs. TASHA STEELZ (w/Savannah Evans) – Impact Wrestling Knockouts Title Match

Dave Penzer did the in-ring introductions. Tasha attacked Grace’s leg before the bell. Grace made a comeback but Evans interfered and ran her leg into the post. Tasha had the upper hand. They traded punches. Grace took over with power moves. Grace put Tasha in a Torture Rack, then slammed her down for a two count.

Tasha gave Grace a bulldog for a two count. Tasha had Grace in a single leg Boston Crab, then into a sleeper hold. Grace gave Tasha the Muscle Buster, but Evans distracted the referee. Tasha gave Grace a cutter for a two count. Grace gave Tasha a delayed superplex and got a two count. Grace threw Tasha into Evans and knocked her off the apron. Grace gave Tasha a Grace Drive and got the pin.

WINNER: Jordynne Grace in 12:00.

(8) JOSH ALEXANDER (c) vs. JOE DOERING (w/Deaner) – Impact Wrestling World Title Match

Penzer did the in-ring introductions again. Hannifan noted that we haven’t seen Eric Young since he lost to Josh Alexander. Doering had the early advantage and sent Alexander outside of the ring. Alexander made a comeback but Doering knocked him to the mat outside and drove him into the apron. Back in the ring, Doering continued to have the advantage.

Doering chopped Alexander to the mat. Doering sent Alexander to the outside again. They traded punches on the outside. Alexander was making a comeback, but Deaner grabbed his foot for a distraction. Doering went on the attack again. Alexander gave Doering a knee to the back of the neck. Fans chanted “Walking Weapon”.

Alexander gave Doering a German suplex and a Northern Lights suplex. Doering climbed to the top rope, but Alexander punched him. Alexander gave him a superplex. Alexander knocked Deaner off the apron, then dove on him. Doering made a comeback. Alexander gave Doering a series of German suplexes.

Doering gave Alexander a Death Valley Driver. Alexander came back with a clothesline. Doering gave Alexander a flying crossbody block. Doering gave Alexander a lariat. Alexander escaped the Revolution Bomb and put on the ankle lock. Doering powered up and gave Alexander a lariat. Alexander dropkicked Doering’s ankle.

Doering gave Alexander another lariat. Doering gave Alexander a series of punches. Alexander gave Doering the C-4 Spike and got the pin.

WINNER: Josh Alexander in 16:00.
 

Arcademan

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WWE Money In The Bank PLE Results: 7-2-22

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's real time report).

(1) ASUKA vs. BECKY LYNCH vs. ALEXA BLISS vs. SHOTZI vs. LACEY EVANS vs. LIV MORGAN vs. RAQUEL RODRIGUES – Women’s Money in the Bank

Asuka and Becky went at it early. A minute Rodrigues began bashing various opponents charging at her with the ladder. She pressed a ladder above her head and slammed it. A few minutes later, Becky leaped off the top rope onto a stack of women on a ladder leaning in the corner. (Inexplicably, Smith characterized that as “a veteran move” by Becky. Huh?) Bliss cleared the ring and began climbing a ladder. Raquel pulled her off the ladder. Bliss fought free and flung Raquel into the ladder in the corner.

When Lacey got an advantage for the first time, she strolled casually up the ladder, which Graves pointed out was a mistake. She was pulled down. Shotzi and Lacey then battled at the top of the ladder. Shotzi was the first woman in the match to touch the ladder. Lacey knocked her down and grabbed the case. Raquel interrupted the unlatching. Morgan climbed and trabbed at the ladder. Morgan sunset flipped Lacey off the ladder and powerbombed her to the mat. That looked dangerous and and high-impact.

Shotzi lifted Morgan off a ladder onto her shoulders. Shotzi seemed to lose her balance and fall backwards and sidways, sending Morgan onto the ladder as it tipped over. It looked awkward. A “Shotzi!” chant briefly broke out. Shotzi set up the ladder and climbed it. Becky met her mid-rung and knocked her down. Becky adjusted the ladder, which wasn’t quite under the ladder. It was bent and rocking unsteadily. Shotzi yanked her down by her legs. Shotzi went for a top rope senton, but Becky moved. Asuka went for a quick climb, but Raquel yanked her down. Asuka yanked Raquel off the ladder. Racquel threw Asuka out of the ring. Asuka yanked her to ringside.

Raquel yanked the lid off the announce desk and then bridged a ladder across the ring apron and the announce desk. Raquel smashed Asuka’s face on the announce desk, then lifted her for a suplex. Asuka broke free and kicked Raquel. Racquel caught her leg. Asuka broke free and leaped into an armbar on Raquel. Raquel powered out. Becky intervened. She saw Asuka lying on the bridged ladder and then looked over at a ladder set up at ringside. Fans popped and chanted “Becky!” She leaped off the ladder and sat down on Asuka’s ribcase. She dropped to the floor and sold a rib injury. It seemed like Becky might have overshot an intended senton. A “This is awesome!” chant rang out.

Back in the ring a few minute later, Becky tipped over two ladders that had women fighting on them. She then quickly climbed another, but Morgan intervened. Becky knocked the Morgan ladder over, but Morgan rebounded with her foot, knocked down Becky, and then pulled the ladder off the hook to win. Becky threw a fit at ringside as Morgan seemed genuinely moved by the moment as she celebrated.

WINNER: Liv Morgan in 17:00.

(I absolutely didn’t expect her to win. I didn’t think there was a perfect obvious scenario in terms of who should win, so it was anyone’s game in that sense, but Morgan was at the bottom of my list in terms of where she’s been in the booking scheme and already coming up short in title matches, plus being a babyface who didn’t seem to have a momentum. But surprises can be good, especially if it’s part of a good storyline yet to play out. This certainly will factor into Becky going forward. The match itself was all-action, not always smooth, but dramatic.)

(2) THEORY vs. BOBBY LASHLEY – U.S. Title match

A loud “Bobby!” chant rang out at the start. Lashley overpowered Theory easily on a collar and elbow. Theory bailed out to ringside and smashed his forearms on the barricade. When Theory charged at Lashley, Lashley lifted and slammed him hard. Lashley went for a spear, but Theory saw him coming and rolled to the ring apron. Lashley grabbed him and knocked him hard off the apron to the floor. Lashley lifted Theory onto his shoulders and was going to ram Theory into the ringpost, but Theory blocked it and then kneed him in the head and rammed him into the ringpost. He followed with a nice running elbow to the chest before returning to the ring to gloat.

They battled back and forth at ringside. Theory leaped off the ring apron. Lashley went to catch him, but Theory flew over his head. Lashley recovered and then rammed Theory into the ringpost as he tried to do earlier. Back in the ring, Theory dropped to the mat and curled up into a fetal position. Lashley stopped. Graves praised the strategy. He said Lashley pausing was a sign of his maternal instinct. Lashley mounted Theory in the corner for punches, but Theory slipped free and then knocked Lashley hard to the mat with a running forearm. He scored a one count.

They battled back and forth. Theory leaped onto the top rope and then landed a superkick that showed a little light, but sent Lashley to the mat. Graves called it a glancing blow. Theory scored a two count, then flexed his bicep and grounded Lashley with a chinlock. Lashley powered Theory up a minute later and went for a Hurt Lock, but Theory broke free. Lashley overhead tossed Theory and then crashed into him in the corner twice. He then went for a suplex, but Theory slipped free and rolled to the ring apron. Theory snapped Lashley’s neck over the top rope. When he charged at Lashley, Lashley pressed him into the air and turned it into a powerslam for a near fall. The announcers sold Lashley’s sequence there in a big way.

Theory took over and scored a near fall after a dropkick. Theory lifted Lashley for his finisher, but Lashley poowered out and rolled up Theory for a near fall. Theory raked Lashley’s eyes and then speared him. He set up his finisher again, but Lashley slipped free and applied a Hurt Lock for the tapout win. Lashley was bleeding from his mouth as he celebrated his win.

WINNER: Lashley in 11:00 to capture the U.S. Title. (***)

(Really good match. Both wrestlers played their roles really well. Theory is on a course to being a top tier player for WWE. Lashley’s clean win secures his top tier main event stature.)

(3) BIANCA BELAIR vs. CARMELLA – Raw Title match

Carmella got control early. Belair made a comeback, but Carmella slapped her and went for a head scissors. Belair gave Carmella two backbreakers instead. (I learned Smith thinks “undoubtedly” end in “-bly.”) Belair went for a moonsault, but Carmella moved. Belair charged at Carmella at ringside and knocked her down.

A few minutes later, Belair marched in place mid-suplex and then dropped Carmella to the mat. She mounted Carmella in the corner and then flipped to the mat and punched her. Carmella took a nice bump. “She’s not even on my dental insurance yet!” Graves exclaimed. Carmella surprised Belair with a small package for a two count. She followed up with a superkick for a two count. Belair fired back with a punch and a quick K.O.D. for the win.

WINNER: Belair in 6:00 to retain the Raw Title.

(That was quick, but good while it lasted. I like the strong win being booked for Belair, especially against an opponent who was filling in for an injured Rhea Ripley and wasn’t built up much before this match. It keeps Belair strong as a lead babyface champion.)
 

Arcademan

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WWE Money In The Bank PLE Results: 7-2-22

(4) THE USOS vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) – WWE Undisputed Tag Team title match


The Usos made their ring entrance first and did some mic work with their catch phrases. Cole again brought rumors that the Profits haven’t been getting along, so they’re definitely planting seeds for that to culminate in something. Dawkins and Ford took turns controlling the offense early. The Usos came back with a double slam of Dawkins. Jimmy gloated a bit, then knocked Dawkins to the floor and dove through the ropes at him.

Dawkins eventually leaped and hot-tagged Ford just as Jimmy also hot-tagged in Jey. Ford leaped off the top rope, but Jey caught him mid-air with a sidekick for a two count. The Usos stayed in control against Ford. Jimmy knocked Ford out of mid-air on a springboard a few minutes later Ford came back with a suplex on the ring apron. Ford leaped and hot-tagged Dawkins, then landed a running flip dive on the Usos at ringside. Back in the ring, Dawkins continues to rally against Jimmy. He landed a corkscrew neckbreaker for a near fall. The Profits landed a double-team move on Jimmy for a dramatic believable near fall. Cole said Ford looked frustrated.

Jimmy ducked an enzuigiri, then tagged in Jey. Ford landed a top rope blockbuster on Jey off of Dawkins’ shoulders for a believable, dramatic near fall. They set up another top rope tandem move on Jey, but Jimmy intervened. They hit a quick stereo superkick on Ford for a dramatic near fall. Fans popped for the kickout. Cole predicted “an hour Broadway here in Vegas.”

Ford head scissors Jimmy to the floor and then backdropped Jey to the floor. He then landed a running flip dive over the corner ringpost onto both Usos. He showed fire afterward and then threw Jey back into the ring. He tagged in Dawkins, who sidewalk slammed Jey. Ford landed a top rope frog splash. Jimmy broke up the cover. Cole said he declared last night this match would steal the show.

As Jimmy and Dawkins fought at ringside, Jey lifted Ford. Ford slipped out and went into a strange sequence with Jey. Jimmy and Jey double-teamed Ford with a leaping cutter for the win. Cole raved about the match. McAfee said that was one of the better matches he’s had the privilege to call. Graves said it was what the kids called a “banger.”

WINNER: The Usos in 23:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles. (****)

-After the Usos had made their way to the stage, Dawkins noted that he saw Ford’s shoulder was raised on the third count. They replayed the angle that showed Ford’s right should was raised off the mat as Jey wrapped him up on the cover. Both Ford and Dawkins pointed at their shoulders to indicate it was a blown call by the ref.

(This took a long while to get really rolling past the Usos methodically dominating Dawkins for a while and then Ford for a while, but once it did, it was really good. They had the crowd popping for the big spots and near falls. This did feel like WWE deliberately achieving an elevation of the importance of the tag titles plus an elevation of the Profits, in particular Ford, whom they noted has “put on 20 pounds of muscle.”)

(5) RONDA ROUSEY vs. NATALYA – Smackdown Title match

Natalya came out first. During ring entrances, McAfee said there was a sign for Natalya in the crowd, but he thinks it’s the only one. Cole said Natalya said she never charged Rousey to train her, but she’ll pay her dues tonight. Natlaya slapped Rousey and called her a “stupid bitch.” McAfee said they’ve said terrible things about each other on the Internet and in real life. He said they’re two alphas.

Natalya dominated for several minutes. Rousey hip tossed Natalya, but Natalya rolled over and controlled Rousey’s arm. Rousey countered into an abdominal stretch. Natalya countered that. Rousey countered into a cross armbreaker attempt. Natalya broke free and hit a running clothesline. Rousey countered a discus clothesline and judo threw her. Rousey followed with a knee strike in the corner and a chin to the throat. She lifted Natalya onto her shoulders and set up Piper’s Pit, but Natalya broke free and rolled up Rousey. Rousey rolled out of it, but then Natalya went for a cross armbreaker. Rousey held her wrist with her other hand a broke free to counter it. Rousey then applied a Sharpshooter. Natalya crawled over to the bottom rope to force a break.

Natalya propelled Rousey out of the ring to counter Rousey’s next move. Cole said Rousey landed awkwardly on her knee. Natalya went after her with a sharpshooter on the ring apron. Rousey tried to drop down, but Natalya held on. Rousey countered by twisting Natalya and knocking the back of her head into the ringpost. Natalya crumpled to the floor. The ref reached the count of eight before Natalya rolled back into the ring.

Rousey went for a cross armbreaker, but Natalya slipped out and went for a sharpshooter. Rousey slipped free and went right into an anklelock. Natalya crawled toward the bottom rope, but Rousey held on. Rousey rolled out of it and leveraged Rousey’s shoulders down. Rousey then applied an armbar while Natalya was standing. She wrapped her legs around her neck also. Natalya tapped out.

WINNER: Rousey to retain the Smackdown Title. (***)

(Keller’s Analysis: Rousey’s matches are still different from most because of her actual background and the desire to have work her work in a way that stays true to that. These two trained together and put a nice match together that incorporated the personal heat generated on TV and on social media.)

(6) RONDA ROUSEY vs. LIV MORGAN – Smackdown Title match

Liv excitedly charged at Rousey as soon as the bell rang. Rousey blocked her and applied an anklelock. Cole said she might have been overzealous. Liv kicked Rousey’s bad knee and rolled her up for the three count. Rousey stood and offered the belt to Morgan. She hugged her and congratulated her before leaving. As Morgan celebrated, a “You deserve it!” chant rang out.

WINNER: Morgan in 1:00 to win the Smackdown Title.

(It’s hard to feel too proud of Morgan winning against someone who just had a grueling match and an injured knee, but within WWE, she’s earned that advantage by winning a grueling MITB match. Rousey accepted that loss a lot better than she did her UFC losses. Is this a way to get Rousey off the road for a while? Having Rousey lose via the MITB cash-in “protets” Rousey in the sense that she didn’t lose her title in a regular match.)
 
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