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[Arcademan]

AEW Forbidden Door PPV Results: 6-30-24

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's report).

(1) HECHICERO vs. MJF

Hechicero made his entrance. Taz said most people know who his opponent is, but he didn’t want to spoil anything. An “MJF!” chant started. MJF’s music played and there was a short burst of cheers. MJF body surfed in the crowd briefly. Odd seeing MJF in an opening PPV match after so much time away. Nigel said the body surfing indicated MJF wasn’t all that concerned with his opponent. The bell rang and MJF acknowledged an “MJF” chant. MJF fended off an early attack by Hechicero. MJF offered a handshake, but then kicked Hechicero during the hand shake. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders When Hechicero did a dropdown, MJF strutted and then poked Hechicero in the eyes. Hechicero hid behind the ref and then threw MJF to the floor by his trunks.

When Hechicero went after MJF at ringside, MJF whipped him into the barricades. He pointed at his head to indicate he outsmarted Hechicero. He then charged and landed a running boot, sending a sitting Hechicero over the barricade.

Hechicero took over in the ring and applied an armbar. Hechicero blocked a Heat Seeker and then slingshot himself onto MJF for a two count. Hechicero stayed on offense and scored another two count. Taz and Nigel joked around about whether Taz had some of Hechicero’s Lucha-style moves in his career. Hechicero landed a running knee into the corner and then mocked MJF by strutting afterward. He gave the fans two middle fingers. MJF backdropped out of Hechicero’s next move. Both were slow to get up.

MJF landed a quick piledriver. Both were down and slow to get up again. An “MJF!” chant started, but nothing too enthusiastic or sustained. Hechicero applied a cross armbreaker mid-ring. MJF leveraged Hechicero’s shoulders down for a two count and then went for a Salt of the Earth armbar. Hechicero escaped and applied his own submission. MJF cried out in pain. A louder “MJF” chant started. MJF put his boot on the bottom rope to force a break. They collided mid-ring with simultaneous clotheslines.

MJF bit Hechicero and then hit a Panama Sunrise followed by a brainbuster suplex for the win. The announcers noted MJF was holding his previously injured arm as he walked to the back.

WINNER: MJF in 10:00.

(A solid match that felt like an opening match. The crowd did not react to MJF anywhere near his peak in this Long Island arena in the past. A new AEW fan might watch that and think, “This MJF youngster might have a bright future.”)

(2) THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) & KAZUCHIKA OKADA vs. THE ACCLAIMED (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & “ACE” HIROSHI TANAHASHI

The Bucks came out first. Then Okada. Then Takanashi. Caster rapped on his way to the ring. He said he’s going to kill the Bucks like they did Okada’s career. He then broke the Bitch-o-Meter as he turned his attention to Okada and called him “bitch” a handful of times. (It almost felt personal!) Nigel translated “Scissor me, Daddy” in Japanese. Billy Gunn did not accommodate The Acclaimed and Tanahashi to the ring. Some fans briefly chanted “Holy shit!” when Tanahashi and Okada had a staredown. Okada turned and tagged out, prompting boos from the crowd. Excalibur talked about Okada’s six years of dominance in New Japan and also talked about Tanahashi ascending to President of New Japan.

Taz said he was happy Billy wasn’t at ringside since he was never a fan of his. When The Elite cleared the ring of Bowens, Mathew put on headphones and then Okada danced to what he guessed was the beat of the song Matthews was listening to. Nicholas had Caster in a camel clutch and Matthew ran the ropes back and forth, but rather than hit Caster, he just stopped and gave his brother a smooch on the cheer.

A brief mild “C.M. Punk” chant broke out. Caster bit Matthew’s forehead (so forehead bites in each of the first two PPV matches). Matthew let out a Sting yell before charging at Bowens in the corner with a splash. Bowens countered and scored a two count on Matthew, sorta broken up by Nicholas. When Tanahashi and Okada tagged in, that got a decent pop. Tanahashi landed a senton on Okada for a two count. The Acclaimed gave Okada their Arrival and Mic Drop sequence. Tanahashi then climbed to the top rope. The Bucks held his legs briefly. Caster and Bowens pulled them off. When Tanahashi landed the splash, Okada lifted his knees. The Bucks pumped up their sponsored sneakers and rallied. They slingshot themselves onto Caster and Bowens at ringside.

Okada slammed Tanahashi and then landed a top rope elbowdrop. He struck a posee for the crowd rather than go for the pin. Excalibur said he was showing no sense of urgency. Okada then gave a middle finger to the crowd. (That’s two heels doing middle fingers to get cheap heat in the first two matches.) Excalibur chuckled.Okada finally went for a cover, but Tanahashi surprised him with a roll-up. He fended off the Bucks, but then Okada landed a dropkick followed by the Rainmaker for the three count.

WINNERS: The Bucks & Tanahashi in 13:00.

(Entertaining and good athleticism, but it didn’t feel particularly serious at any point or consistently intense like the stakes were high.)

(3) BRYAN DANIELSON vs. SHINGO TAKAGI – Owens Hart Tournament match

A video package aired before ring introductions with Danielson talking about this Owen tournament being his chance to get back on track as his last year as a full time wrestler was nearing an end. Nigel called Danielson “Brittle Bryan.” As Danielson came out, it noted he is 13-2 in his last 15 matches. Excalibur said Danielson hasn’t been right since the Tiger Driver ’91 by Will Ospreay. Excalibur plugged All In early in the match.

Excalibur noted the winner faces Pac on Dynamite on Wednesday. When Danielson dove through the ropes at Shingo, Shingo caught him and drove him head-first into the mat with a brainbuster. Danielson clutched his right shoulder and neck area after that and the ringside doctor checked on him. Back in the ring, Shingo suplexed Danielson. As he stayed on offense, he gave the “up yours” arm gesture to the crowd. (So three matches in a row with that type of gesture by a heel.)

Danielson showed sings of life and landed on his feet on a back suplex attempt by Shingo. He followed with a snap suplex and the charged and landed a corner dropkick. Shingo elbowed Danielson as he set up a top rope move. He played to the crowd and then went for a superplex. Danielson reversed positions and dropped some elbows and then back suplexed Shingo off the top rope. Both were down and slow to get up. Danielson climbed over and scored a two count. After a cradle suplex by Shingo, Danielson continued to clutch his right shoulder and neck area. Nigel predicted this could be the end of his career. Shingo landed a top rope superplex and a running clothesline for a two count. Danielson continued to clutch his neck. Danielson blocked a Shingo move and went for a dropkick in the corner, but Shingo avoided it and then took Danielson down hard with a lariat. Shingo landed his Made in Japan finisher for a near fall.

Nigel said Danielson should just stay down. Shingo drove elbows down onto Danielson, but Danielson countered into an armbar and torqued Shingo’s wrist. They headbutted each other. Danielson escaped Shingo’s grip and landed a high kick. He came back with a Yes Kick for a near fall. He followed with a series of body stomps and then a triangle mid-ring and eventually got the tapout win. Taz wondered if Shingo tapped or verbally indicated he was submitting. The doc checked on Danielson in the ring afterward as he continued to hold his shoulder and neck in pain.

WINNER: Danielson to advance in the Owen Hart Tournament.

(Really good match, with the drama early of Danielson being too hurt to pull out the expected win. Everything was intense and executed well. The crowd was into it. The biggest pop of the night so far, according to Frank Peteani in the arena, came when the finally played the in-ring action on the scoreboard screens during this match. Fans had been chanting for that all night up until that point.)

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Forbidden Door PPV Results: 6-30-24

(4) TONI STORM (w/Luther) vs. MINA SHIRAKAWA – AEW Women’s Title match

Storm came out dressed as the Statue of Liberty. The bell rang 11 minutes into the second hour. A few minutes in they were battling at ringside. Storm went for a hip attack, but Shirakawa moved and Storm hit the stairs hard. Shirakawa then leaped onto Storm and Luther. Back in the ring, Shirakawa applied a figure-four. Storm reversed it, but Shirakawa rolled back into control. Storm grabbed the bottom rope to force a break.

Storm landed a hip attack minutes later. Shirakawa came back with a leverage near fall and then a spinning backfist. She let out a yell and then landed a Glamour Driver for a near fall at 10:00. Storm came back with a Storm Zero a minute later for the clean win.

WINNER: Storm in 11:00 to retain the AEW Women’s Title.

-Afterward, Storm helped Shirakawa up. Shirakawa shoved her, but then offered a handshake. Storm shook he hand as May encouraged a hug. They hugged and the crowd popped. (So glad Excalibur didn’t go into the “you’ve gotta give the people what they want” bit there.) Then all three smooched on the lips at once. Excalibur joked that was what they did in the production meeting. They cut to Nigel at ringside who was mock-crying and standing and applauding.

(Solid match. The crowd didn’t seem super-invested, likely because they like Storm, Shirakawa feels like a visitor, and the storyline wasn’t as much a threat to Storm’s title reign as it was about Mariah May.)

(5) ORANGE CASSIDY vs. ZACK SABRE JR.

The bell rang 29 minutes into the hour. Cassidy regrouped at ringside after an early exchange, casually strolling around ringside. ZSJ opened the ropes for him. Taz said ZSJ is a cocky guy who’s been around a long time. ZSJ settled into some mid-ring matwork. ZSJ went into slo-mo kicks and then landed a hard kick. Cassidy came back with a Dragon Screw. Cassidy stood and fans clapped enouragement. ZSJ caught Cassidy with a guillotine, but Cassidy countered into a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Cassidy leaped off the top rope for a DDT for a two count. ZSJ snapped Cassidy’s arm to take control. Fans chanted “You suck f—!”

When ZSJ slapped Cassidy, Cassidy fired up and went for a leglock. ZSJ tried to upkick out of it, but Cassidy instead flipped ZSJ over into a modified sharpshooter. ZSJ wriggled out and then slammed ZSJ to the mat and scored a near fall. Cassidy hit an Orange Punch, but ZSJ fired back with a kick. They each engaged in leverage pins and reversals. Cassidy leveraged back with his hands on his pockets, but ZSJ powered out. Cassidy did it again, but again ZSJ powered out. ZSJ then applied a submission hold, torquing Cassidy’s ankle, and got the tapout win.

ZSJ handed Cassidy his sunglasses afterward. Taz said that might be a show of respect. Excalibur said Cassidy might’ve shown ZSJ more than he expected in that match.

WINNER: ZSJ in 17:00.

(Lots of compelling exchanges. The crowd seemed steadily into it, but in a low-key way.)

(6) SAMOA JOE & HOOK & KATSUYORI SHIBATA vs. CHRIS JERICHO & BIG BILL (w/Bryan Keith) & JEFF COBB

The bell rang 52 minutes into the second hour. Jericho said he knows the fans don’t really want him to retire. He claimed he is from Long Island. Taz said Jericho did live as a young kid in the arena. After some Shibata-Jericho action, the early minutes were mostly Joe and Cobb going at it in a hoss fight that Jim Ross would’ve loved. Hook tagged in and tossed Jericho and Bill around. Bryan Keith distracted Hook from the ring apron, giving Cobb an opening to take over. Hook eventually hot-tagged in Shibata.

Shibata went on the attack against Cobb. Hook, Joe, and Shibata took turns attacking Cobb in the corner rapid-fire. Jericho tagged in against Shibata and went for a Lionsault, but Shibata lifted his knees. Hook leaped off the top rope with a forearm to Bill at ringside who fixed his hair in his face as he took his bump. Back in the ring, Jericho applied a Walls of Jericho.

Wrestlers took turns entering the ring and landing moves on each other. Hook landed a T-Bone on Cobb, which Taz popped for. Jericho took over, but Hook countered and applied a sleeper mid-ring. Shibata cut off Big Bill’s interference. Joe had Cobb in a Coquina Clutch at ringside. Hook then took Jericho down with a Judas Effect for the win. They showed Taz standing and applauding at ringside. Nigel asked Taz if he was going to cry and Taz said he doesn’t cry. They cut away from the celebration rather abruptly to play the video package for the next match.

WINNERS: Joe & Hook & Shibata in 14:00.

(Solid match start to finish with some distinct chapters that each told separate mini-stories. Glad to see Jericho putting over Hook clean. It feels more genuine than Hulk Hogan putting over Billy Kidman.)

(7) JACK PERRY vs. EL PHANTASMO vs. DANTE MARTIN vs. MARK BRISCOE vs. LIO RUSH vs. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA – Ladder match for the TNT Title

Perry came out wearing a goat head, playing off of being the scapegoat. The bell rang 12 minutes into the third hour. Several minutes in, Takeshita gave Dante a brainbuster onto a ladder. Dante sold it big. Briscoe threw a ladder at a charging Rush. Briscoe ran and leaped over the top rope and crashed onto a ladder at ringside that was over Takeshita as he lay on a table at ringside. Perry climbed the ladder, but Rush yanked him down.

ELP bridged a ladder from the top turnbuckle to a ladder mid-ring and battled Perry. He yanked on Perry’s nipples and knocked him to the mat. Excalibur asked if it was a Storm match. Dante leaped over Perry to battle ELP on the top. Perry tipped the ladder over and both crashed to the mat. Dante grabbed his previously injured ankle in pain. The announcers talked about Dante suffering a serious leg break in his last ladder match.

Briscoe stood on top of a tall ladder and leaped onto Perry on a table at ringside. Briscoe came up a bit short and his chest hit the edge of the table. Dante surveyed the scene and entered the ring and battled Rush. He set up a ladder and climbed it. Rush rushed to the top to meet him. They each looked up at the belt and reached for it. Takeshita intervened and slammed Dante to the mat. He then went after Rush and powerbombed him onto a ladder leaning in the corner. Takeshita smiled and looked up at the belt hanging above the ring. Excalibur noted fans were cheering him.

ELP springboarded onto the ladder and knocked Takeshita down. Takeshita yanked ELP down and kneed him in the jaw on his way down. ELP then battled Takeshita on the ring apron. Takeshita kneed him and then leaped off the ring apron with a Blue Thunder Bomb through two tables. Fans popped big and chanted “Holy shit!” Takeshita then climbed the ladder, but Briscoe hit him across the back with a chair. Briscoe gave Takeshita a J-Driller onto a ladder leaning in the corner. He then climbed the ladder. Perry jabbed him with a ladder and then smashed him over and over with a chair. Perry climbed the ladder and grabbed the belt to win.

WINNER: Perry to capture the TNT Title.

(With all of those big spots, and there were a lot of them, Perry win felt a bit out of nowhere. I think the match delivered what people were looking for out of it.)

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Forbidden Door PPV Results: 6-30-24

(8) MERCEDES MONE vs. STEPHANIE VAQUER – AEW TBS Championship and New Japan Strong Women’s Champion match

Vaquer came out first. Then Mercedes to a mild reaction, but she looked like a star. As the ref gave pre-match instructions, Vaquer attacked Mercedes. The ref, of course, rewarded the pre-match attack by immediately calling for the bell, rewarding Vaquer. (Imagine if MMA fights officially started after one fighter attacked another before the match officially began and that was just standard practice.)

A few minutes in, Mercedes got the better of Vaquer at ringside, but Vaquer took over when Mercedes tried to re-enter the ring. Vaquer landed a springboard crossbody off the top rope onto Mercedes at ringside. Vaquer settled into a chinlock mid-ring.

Mercedes made a comeback and hit two suplexes but didn’t land a third before Vaquer took over. Vaquer applied a submission hold, wrapping up Mercedes mid-ring. Mercedes battled out of it, but was slow to get up.

Mercedes smiled when a group of fans starting chanting “Stephanie! Stephanie!” A small counter-chant of “CEO” briefly and faintly could be heard. They collided mid-ring with simultaneous clotheslines. Both went down and some applause came from the crowd.

They stood and exchanged strikes mid-ring. Mercedes got the better at first, but Vaquer took Mercedes to the mat with a crossface. Mercedes leveraged Vaquer’s shoulders down for a two count. Mercedes applied a crossface. Fans began chanting “F— the Celtics!” Excalibur said that’s because Mercedes is from Boston. Taz said someone was wearing a Cetics t-shirt. Mercedes fired up and landed two back stabbers. Vaquer came back with a Dragon screw and then running double-knees in the corner leading to a two count.

They countered each other mid-ring leading to Mercedes setting up her finisher and eventually hitting the Moné Maker for the tapout win.

The ref presented her with the New Japan Strong belt and she looked it like her baby was pure human and not a hybrid. She stood and held up both belts to a mixed response from the crowd. A “CEO!” chant started, but then was countered with boos.

WINNER: Mercedes to retain the TBS Title and capture the New Japan Strong Title.

-After the match, Britt Baker walked out. She eyed Mercedes in the ring as she held both belts up.

(That came across as the biggest pop of the night. A loud “DMD!” chant broke out.)

(9) JON MOXLEY vs. TETSUYA NAITO – IWGP Title match

Jim Ross joined the announcers on commentary for this match. He sounded spry. The fans chanted “Red Shoes!” at the famous referee from New Japan. When Naito struck a casual pose in the ring, Mox kicked him. Naito rolled to ringside. When he re-entered the ring, he sat casually on a folding chair. Mox went after him aggressively and dominated the early minutes including yanking his leg around the ringpost. Mox applied a half Boston Crab. He followed with a leaping piledriver for a two count a few minutes in. Mox pounded away at Naito in the corner and then landed a backdrop suplex for a two count.

They exchanged slaps. The action went to the floor where Ross took exception to Naito hitting Mox with a stick of soft padding. Mox went for a figure-four, but Naito countered with a small package for a two count.

Eventually both were down the mat and slow to get up. Naito surprised Mox with a quick DDT. Mox came back with a sleeper. Naito countered with a Destino. Mox fired back with a Paradigm Shift. Both were down and slow to get up again. They battled for a minute and then Mox hit a Death Rider for a very near fall. It appeared. Naito didn’t really get his shoulder up in time. Mox cornered the ref and protested. Excalibur noted that a title can changes hands on a DQ or a countout in New Japan, so Mox had to be careful. Mox brought a chair into the ring. The ref took it away. Mox went for another Paradigm Shift, but Naito blocked it and drove Mox to the mat awkwardly.

Naito and Mox struggled to hit the next move. Naito hit Destino for the win. Ross said, “History was made tonight.”

WINNER: Naito in 17:00 to capture the IWGP Hvt Title.

(A decent-enough hard-hitting match, but something seemed missing, even in Mox’s body language before the match. The lack of build contributed to a lack of crowd investment, plus Mox is a crowd-favorite who has been in a heel role for a long time now and that just eats away at emotional investment in what he does.)

(10) SWERVE STRICKLAND vs. WILL OSPREAY – AEW World Hvt Title match

Ross stayed around for this one. The bell rang 30 minutes into the third hour. “It’s amazing how enthusiastic the fans still are, at least around near where we’re sitting, after being here this long,” he said. “They love AEW and here are two reasons why.” The crowd really woke up for this. Frank Peteani, our on-site correspondent, tells me: “Crowd woke up for both entrances. There’s life now, much more so than all night. It feels like everyone was just waiting for this and conserved their energy.” The crowd at up rapid-fire exchanges early. An “AEW!” chant broke out.

Ospreay got the first sustained offense at ringside. He then slingshot himself onto Swerve at ringside. He played to the ringside camera as he landed a dropkick of Swerve on the ring apron. The announcers talked about both of their great records this year. Taz said they both have momentum. Back in the ring, Swerve fired up and made a comeback including landing a flying elbow to the back of Ospreay’s head.

Ospreay went for a slingshot dive onto Swerve at ringside. Swerve moved. Swerve avoided Ospreay and sent him into the crowd. Ospreay and Swerve stood on the ring barricade. Ospreay took Swerve down with a huracanrana. He took over back in the ring. Swerve grounded Ospreay a minute later.

As they continued to battle back and forth in the ring with bit spots including , fans chanted “This is awesome!” They showed Garcia watching from a suite. They took it to ringside again. Ospreay leaped to the top rope. Swerve met him up there and superplexed him.

When Ospreay leaped at Swerve on the ring apron with an OsCutter attempt, Swerve moved and crashed on the ring apron. Swerve stood on the top rope, but before he leaped, Ospreay rolled off the apron to the mat. Swerve changed plans and then leaped at Ospreay with a double stomp onto the announce desk. Fans chanted “Holy shit!”

Swerve landed a piledriver on Ospreay on the ringside barricade. Swerve threw Ospreay into the ring and landed a two count. Ospreay knocked Strickland off balance on the top rope and then landed a leaping OsCutter and then a springboard OsCutter for a two count.

Swerve blocked a Hidden Blade. Ospreay landed sidekicks, but Swerve countered another leaping OsCutter. He went for a submisison, but Ospreay leveraged Swerve’s shoulders down for a two count. Ospreay hit a Storm Breaker for a two count. They showed MJF watching on a monitor in the back. They went to a wide shot of the crowd. An “AEW!” chant broke out with some fans.

Ospreay double underhooked Swerve to set up a Tiger Driver ’91. Swerve resisted and then broke free. Ospreay head-butted Swerve, who went down. Ospreay then yelled, “Tiger Driver!” He went for it, but Swerve countered and leveraged Ospreay down for a two count. Swerve landed a Hidden Blade and then went for a leaping double stomp. Ospreay avoided it and leaped at Swerve, but Swerve moved and Ospreay knocked the ref down hard. Ospreay landed a Hidden Blade. Fans booed. Don Callis then walked up to Ospreay at ringside and offered him a screwdriver. Ospreay shook his head. Callis yelled angrily at him. Prince Nana walked over, but Callis shoved him.

Ospreay took the screwdriver from Callis. Nana shoved him down. Ospreay then rolled to the floor and threatened to stab Nana with the screwdriver. Nana begged off. Ospreay backed away and dropped the screwdriver, as if realizing he was acting crazy. Swerve then kicked Ospreay as soon as he entered the ring and then leaped off the top rope with the Swerve Stomp. A second ref made a count, but Ospreay kicked out. Swerve snapped Ospreay’s arm and then landed House Call for a believable near fall. Ross said they’re going to fight until Monday.

Ospreay went after Swerve with a Hidden Blade, but he was exhausted. Swerve blocked it, patted Ospreay on the back, dropped him, then landed another House Call. He played to the crowd and landed Big Pressure for the win.

WINNER: Swerve in 28:00 to retain the AEW World Hvt. Title.

(The highlight of the night and easily the most engaged the crowd was all night. Just fantastic. Swerve’s best match ever. Ospreay showing he can be the centerpiece and sell PPVs single-handedly. The ref bump seemed to take the wind out of the sails of some of the fans. Ospreay overreacting to Nana shoving Callis was silly, especially considering he was threatening to stab him in the face with a screwdriver.)

-As Ospreay soaked up the loss, Kyle Fletcher came to ringside. Swerve checked on Ospreay and then celebrated respectfully as Ospreay sat on the mat and seemed dejected.

 

[GohanX]

Forbidden Door was a solid 2 hour show. Unfortunately, it was 4 hours long.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Money In The Bank PLE Results: 7-8-24

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

(1) JEY USO vs. ANDRADE vs. L.A. KNIGHT vs. CHAD GABLE vs. CARMELO HAYES vs. DREW MCINTYRE

The ring announcer said the winner gets to cash in the briefcase anyplace, anywhere for up to a year. Jey came out first, making his way through the crowd. Then Andrade, Knight, Gable, Hayes, and finally McIntyre. The bell rang 19 minutes into the hour. A brawl broke out with everyone, and when the dust settled, only Jey and Knight were in the ring, squaring off. Knight turned and dove through the ropes boots-first to kick Gavle. Jey dove onto Hayes on the other side of the ring. Drew rammed Andrade back-first into the ringside barricade.

Drew brought a ladder into the ring and swung it at Hayes, who flip-bumped. Drew climbed the ladder. Gable climbed the other side. Gable grabbed Drew’s arm and hung upside down for leverage. Andrade dropkicked a hanging Gable. As Hayes and Andrade battled in the ring, fans chanted “We want tables!” Andrade sprinboarded off the middle rope and drove Hayes onto the ladder with an inverted Spanish Fly, with him landing on the ladder too. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Drew and Jey squared off. Fans chanted, “C.M. Punk!” Jey got the better of him. Gable entered and German suplexed Jey at 6:00. Gable fended off Hayes and then dropped a ladder on Jey. Knight got the better of Gable including a leaping neckbreaker on a ladder.

Hayes knocked the ladder over with Jey and Knight battling on top. He then landed a running flip dive onto Knight. Hayes returned and set up the ladder and climbed quickly. Andrade yanked him down by his boot just as he began reaching for the briefcase latch. Andrade climbed the ladder on one side as Hayes re-climbed the other side. Andrade bridged another ladder in the ring and then climbed the other side. Hayes climbed the ladder, too. Andrade then sunset powerbombed Hayes off the top of the ladder with a shove from Knight to help. “Hayes is dead!” exclaimed Graves. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Cole said, “Holy sh is right!”

Knight climbed the ladder. Gable set up a German suplex on Knight. Knight fended him off. Gable threw Knight into the ladder and then overhead suplexed him onto a ladder bridged at ringside. Gable was alone in the ring. Jey pulled the ladder out from under Gable as he was hanging from the latched briefcase. Gable let go and crashed onto the mat stomach-first. Jey speared him and climbed the ladder. Cole declared that Jey was going to win the contract. Jey nearly unlatched it when Drew jabbed him off the ladder with another ladder like a javelin. Drew then climbed and unhooked it to win.

WINNER: McIntyre in 15:00.

(They fit a lot of drama into that 15 minutes and everyone had some big moment, many them looking high-impact and high-risk. A crowd-pleasing stunt-fest with the big moments spread out pretty evenly with the competitors.)

(2) SAMI ZAYN vs. BRON BREAKKER – Intercontinental Title match

Graves said if AI could create a WWE Superstar, it’d be Bron Breakker. (What, are his fingers mangled and he has two belly buttons?) When Sami came out, Graves said there isn’t a wrestler in WWE who feeds off an audience like Sami. The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Breakker overpowered Sami early. Sami ducked a charging Breakker at 3:00 and threw him to the floor. He then landed an Arabian press, which Breakker had to run underneath to avoid Sami from crashing to the mat without hitting him. Back in the ring, Breakker ran the ropes super-fast and took Sami down with what Graves called a Steinerline.

Sami took over again and went after Breakker at ringside. Graves said Sami is a like a zombie who keeps coming forward. Sami went for a moonsault press off the ringside barricade, and Breakker caught him out of mid-air after Sami nearly slipped out of his grip. Sami broke free and shoved Breakker into the ringpost. Sami charged at Breakker at ringside, but Breakker caught him with a clothesline.

Sami took over in the ring briefly. Breakker shoved Sami into the corner. Sami teased a tornado DDT. Breakker instead leaped to the top rope and delivered a Frankensteiner for a near fall. Breakker slid to the floor and then ran around the ring. This time Sami leapfrogged him. Breakker, though, rammed Sami’s head into the table. Breakker then leaped off the ring apron and clotheslined Sami over the table at 12:00. Back in the ring, Sami rallied with an exploder suplex. Breakker leaped into Sami with knees to Sami’s chest. Breakker delivered a lift-and-drop powerslam. He went for a spear, but Sami kicked him. “Sami’s got a chance!” said Cole and Graves. Sami landed a Helluva Kick for a three count.

As Sami celebrated, Cole said he goes into these matches always thinking Sami is the underdog and he can’t overcome the dominant opponents, yet he beat Gunther, Bronson Reed, and Breakker.

WINNER: Sami in 13:00 to retain the Intercontinental Title.

(This was a match and finish that I felt would tell us a lot about both Sami and Breakker and how WWE looks at them. Sami’s IC Title continued and is given a boost with a clean, decisive win over Breakker, who was made to look strong but also defined as something other than infallible and unstoppable.)

-Trish Stratus came out to her entrance theme. She asked if everyone was having fun. She said she was once a mystery partner for someone. She then introduced a surprise appearance by John Cena. Cole let out the geekiest “What?!” you’ll ever hear. He then said, “He’s here!” Cena stepped out with a towel that said, ‘The Last Time is Now.” He made a sad face and then ran to the ring. He said fans are there to make noise. He then said, “Why am I here?” He then announced his retirement from WWE. Cena said he is excited about WWE going to Netflix next year. He said he will participate in the 2025 versions of the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania. He said he would answer questions about his retirement in a press conference after Money in the Banks. Fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena!” Cena’s voice cracked as he thanked the fans for their support. Cole said he’s happy he’ll at least have three more matches of Cena’s to call.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Money In The Bank PLE Results: 7-8-24

(3) DAMIAN PRIEST (c) vs. SETH ROLLINS – WWE World Heavyweight Championship match

Seth Rollins went after the World Heavyweight Champion right out of the gate. He gave him a kick and pulled him in for a Pedigree. Damian Priest easily countered, looking for South of Heaven. Rollins blocked it. The two traded quick punches. Priest managed to catch Seth with a Falcon Arrow. He popped to his feet and jogged in place cockily. Priest shoved Seth into the corner and gave him some quick jabs. The referee pushed Priest to get Seth out of the corner. Priest dragged Rollins to center and delivered a Flatliner for a cover and two count.

The crowd began to sing to Seth, willing him to life. He flew out of the corner and dropped the champion with a Slingblade. Rollins clotheslined Priest to the floor, then turned toward the entrance. He invited Drew McIntyre to come out. Graves said that Rollins has his priorities out of sorts. The distraction didn’t aid Priest any. Rollins hit the champion with three middle rope dives, sending Priest crashing into and over the announcers desk. Seth retrieved the champion and tossed him back into the ring. He went for a springboard, but Priest ducked under him. Seth landed on his feet and caught Damian with a kick. Rollins went to the apron and delivered a springboard Swanton, then a Lionsault for a cover and two count.

Cole praised Rollins for the innovation. Graves said you have to show your opponents new wrinkles of offense. Rollins gave Priest a pair of rolling elbows, then turned him around for a ripcord. Priest blocked it. He dropped Seth, then called for South of Heaven. Priest kept glancing toward the entrance. He dropped Rollins with a massive clothesline. The crowd started chanting “Undertaker” at Priest. Damian scooped Seth up, but Rollins got his feet on the ropes and spun him into a tornado DDT. Rollins leapt to the top of the northeast turnbuckle and delivered a splash for a cover and near fall just before 5:00.

Rollins hit another rolling elbow. He set up for the ripcord again, but surprised Priest with a kick to the back of the knee. He looked for the Stomp, but Priest dropped him with an uppercut. He seated Rollins in the northwest corner. Graves talked about the furious pace of the match thus far. “These guys aren’t getting paid by the hour,” he said. Rollins managed to slide underneath Priest and pull him into Powerbomb position, delivering a Buckle Bomb into the opposing corner. Priest shrugged it off and quickly lifted Rollins up and into a sit-out Powerbomb for a cover and near fall. Priest looked toward the entrance way again. Cole and Graves continued to talk up the circumstances of the match, and the gentleman’s agreement between the two wrestlers.

Priest gave Rollins a forearm strike, crumpling the challenger against the ropes. He slapped Seth repeatedly, angering him. Rollins fired back punches of his own and the two went back and forth. Priest fired up. Seth slapped him in the face. Damian began kicking Rollins in the lower body. Seth exploded with a step-up kick. Damian stumbled, but came back with a spin kick. He went for South of Heaven, but Seth blocked it went for the Pedigree again. Priest backdropped him. Rollins popped to his feet, kicked Priest and quickly delivered the stomp for a cover and near fall just before 9:00.

“This is awesome!’ the crowd said as the camera pulled back and Cole reset the stage. In the ring, Rollins implored Priest to stand. “You want to be the man around here?” Seth asked. The crowd sang to him. Priest struggled to his knees, using Seth’s tights to steady himself. Rollins backed him into the corner. Priest sprang to life and pulled Seth up and into position, delivering a Razor’s Edge. He covered for a two count. Priest sat in the middle of the ring, exhausted. He shook off the cobwebs and plotted in the corner as Rollins writhed. Priest ascended the northeast turnbuckles. Rollins rose to meet him.

Both men traded punches, teetering atop the turnbuckle. Priest clapped the ears of Seth, causing him to fall to the mat. Rollins popped to his feet, leapt back up to the top and delivered a Superplex. He held on, looking for a second. Priest countered, trying for his own. Rollins slid down his back and delivered a Falcon Arrow to Priest. He covered and very clearly scored a three count, but the referee just stopped counting. The crowd booed in confusion.

Rollins sat around, looking confused. Drew McIntyre’s music hit and he marched to the ring, briefcase in hand. McIntyre cashed in. He went for a Claymore on Rollins, but Seth blocked it. Seth went for a stomp. McIntyre moved. He grabbed Seth and gave him a Future Shock DDT. McIntyre covered, but Priest broke it up. Damian went for South of Heaven on Drew. McIntyre blocked it and hit a Claymore. Suddenly, CM Punk hit the ring. He blindsided Drew and knocked him out of the ring. Punk tossed McIntyre over the ringside barrier and grabbed a chair. He cracked it over Drew’s back repeatedly.

Punk tossed McIntyre back to ringside, then into the ring. He grabbed the World title and hit McIntyre in the head with it. Punk sad cross-legged on the announcers desk. “What the hell are you doing, Phil?!” Cole exclaimed. “My job!” Punk said. Damian Priest gave McIntyre South of Heaven and covered him for a three count.

WINNER: Damian Priest in 15:46 to retain the World Heavyweight Championship

After the match, Rollins approached Punk, seething. Corey Graves left the desk to hold him back.

LeClair’s Analysis: Rollins and Priest were given the unenviable task of making a compelling world title match out of a looming cash-in, complete with needed to stare at the entrance way in anticipation of his arrival. They had a really good, hard-hitting match until the final sequence. I don’t know who’s fault it was, but Priest failing to kick out of the Falcon Arrow was an inexcusable mishap. Rollins pretty clearly scored a three count, and then had to sit around looking like an idiot while he waited for McIntyre’s music to hit. Thankfully, they had a big angle coming to more or less redeem the situation, but I think the result was just about the worst case scenario. Priest vs. Gunther is an uninteresting, mid-card proposition for the second biggest show of the year. Priest’s run as a complete paper champion, weak and ineffective in booking continues. Punk vs. McIntyre’s heat continues to grow, but continues to come at the significant expense of the World title.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Money In The Bank PLE Results: 7-8-24

(4) TIFFANY STRATTON vs. LYRI VALKYRIA vs. NAOMI vs. CHELSEA GREEN vs. ZOEY STARK – Women’s Money in the Bank match

The bell rang 11 minutes into the third hour. Fans chanted “Chelsea!” early. Cole said she’s a local hero. Graves said her home is a five hour flight away and he took issue with all Canadians supporting other Canadians like that. Fans chanted “Tiffy sucks!” when she got in some early offense against Iyo Sky. Lyra overhead suplexed Iyo into a ladder leaning in the corner; the ladder fell onto them afterward.Lyra suplexed Sky onto a ladder flat in the ring. Lyra’s back landed on the ladder and Sky largely overshot the ladder other than her head, but Sky sold her back was inuured.

Zoey toook over in the ring to booing from the fans. The back and forth battle continued with everyone getting at turn on offense. When Naomi climbed the ladder. Stratton yanked her down and then eyed the briefcase. Naomi yanked her to the floor and threw her into the ringside barricade. Naomi pulled a ladder out from under the ring. Chelsea attacked Naomi. She and Tiffany set up two tables at ringside.

Everyone entered the ring. They bridged ladders on both sides of the tall ladder mid-ring. Sky dropped Chelsea over one of the bridged ladders. Lyra climbed the ladder. Stark pulled on her boot. Lyra kicked her down. Stark went back at her and slammed her onto the other bridged ladder. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Cole said, “I feel sick that I’m actually enjoying this.” (He’s a… sicko, perhaps?). Naomi climbed the ladder. Chelsea pulled her down. Chelsea reached her arms back for Naomi to grab for a move. Chelsea leaped off the bridged ladder and sent Naomi into the ladder. Graves said it was an ugly modified Unprettier. Stark climbed the ladder, but Sky met her at the top and they battled. They teased a superplex. Sky then leaped and drove Stark onto the bridged ladder below. (That felt too high-risk.) Chelsea ran in and the fans popped as she climbed the ladder and unlatched the briefcase but didn’t unhook it. Tiffany intervened and knocked Chelsea off the ladder through the two tables at ringside. Tiffany then unhooked the ladder to win.

Cole threw out a bunch of superlatives about how good and memorable and wild that was for a ladder match. “Let’s talk about the girls,” Graves said, before moving out of the 1950s and saying, “Let’s talk about these women.” He talked in amazement as big spots were replayed.

WINNER: Tiffany in 17:00.

(That certainly didn’t pale in comparison to the men’s match in terms of crowd heat or big risky spots. No surprise Tiffany won, and they did a good job playing up the possibility of a Chelsea win.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Money In The Bank PLE Results: 7-8-24

(5) THE BLOODLINE (Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu w/ Tonga Loa) vs. CODY RHODES & RANDY ORTON & KEVIN OWENS

Cody Rhodes elected the begin the match for his team. From the apron, Solo Sikoa presented the Ula Fala to Tanga Loa for safe-keeping. He entered the ring. The crowd broke into a massive “f–k you Solo” chant. Solo circled Rhodes briefly, then tagged in Tama Tonga. Tonga locked up with Cody. They struggled into the northeast corner, where Tama broke the hold at the referee’s count of three. Out of the corner, Cody dropped to the floor and gave Tama an uppercut. He looked to Sikoa, talking trash. Rhodes gave Tonga a running bulldog, then turned over his arm.

The WWE Champion tagged in Kevin Owens to a massive reaction. Kevin immediately punched Tonga into the corner and stomped him to the mat. Owens unloaded with a series of rapid-fire punches and kicks. The referee had to pull him away. Owens immediately went back, attacking again. He turned to the rest of the Bloodline and gave them a crotch chop. Owens tagged in Cody Rhodes as the crowd chanted “KO!” Cody gave Tonga a stalling front Suplex, then turned to Randy Orton. The veteran held out his hand for a tag. Cody obliged.

With the crowd loudly behind him, Randy Orton entered with a series of right hands to Tonga. He worked Tama into the corner and gave him ten mounted punches, finishing with an uppercut. Tonga used Orton’s tights to pull himself up. He thumbed Orton in the eye and stumbled to his own corner, tagging in Jacob Fatu. Cole and Graves sold his history of violence. Fatu charged at Orton, but Randy side-stepped him and sent him flying to the apron. Orton immediately hooked Fatu and delivered his signature draping DDT. Orton spun around, pounding the mat and readying himself for the RKO. Unbeknownst to him, Fatu had popped up, completely no-selling the DDT. Fatu gave Orton a Samoan Drop, then dragged him to the Bloodline corner. He tagged in Solo Sikoa.

Solo sauntered around the ring as the match crossed 6:30. He tossed Orton into the heel corner and punched him repeatedly. The crowd booed him loudly, eventually transitioning to a “we want Roman” chant. Solo trash talked Randy. He let him writhe on the mat, then stepped on his hand. Solo draped Orton across the middle rope and choke him. He distracted the referee, allowing Fatu to knee Orton in the face. Cole called the Bloodline a “vile group of individuals.” Solo tagged in Tama Tonga. Tama gave Orton a leaping Senton over the top.

From the babyface corner, Orton tried to will the crowd for Orton. It worked. Randy bought himself some time with a big backdrop on Tonga. He reached his corner and tagged in Owens. Tonga missed wildly with a clothesline. KO knocked Solo and Jacob off the apron, then pounced on Tama. He kicked him in the face and dropped him with a clothesline. Fatu got back on the apron, trying to distract Owens. Kevin knocked him to the floor and delivered a cannonball to Tonga. He followed up with a Swanton for a cover and two count, broken up by Fatu. Jacob gave Owens a flurry of violent headbutts. He dragged his faction-mate back to his corner and tagged himself in.

Fatu pounced, delivering more headbutts to a dizzied KO. Orton and Rhodes tried to rally Kevin. Fatu tagged in Sikoa at 10:30. Owens tried to reach for his corner, but Solo held him back. Sikoa whipped Owens violently into the heel corner, quieting the crowd. Solo draped Owens over the bottom rope and pulled at his nostrils. He let Kevin pull himself up. Owens tried to fire up, but Solo downed him in the corner and talked trash. He gave Owens a violent hip check in the corner, then tagged in Jacob Fatu. Cole said Owens is exhausted and physically and emotionally spent. Fatu crushed Owens with a hip check of his own. The ring looked like it moved. Owens looked dazed.

KO fought to his feet, trying to slow Fatu. Jacob hit the ropes and speared Owens, cutting him off. He tagged in Tonga. Tama pounced on Owens like a rabid animal. Graves said Tonga could’ve tried to win the match, but that’s not what this Bloodline is about. They want to destroy their opponents. Tonga smothered Owens into the heel corner. Kevin flailed wildly, trying to hit anything. He was easily overwhelmed. Cole called it a mauling. Solo tagged in. He knocked Cody off the apron, then charged at Owens. Kevin pulled the bottom rope down, sending Solo crashing to the floor. Owens saw his opening. He crawled to Orton. Tonga Loa ripped Randy off the apron.

“We want Roman!” the crowd taunted Sikoa as he continued to beat Owens down. KO took it on the chin. He challenged Solo to hit him. He fired off a few punches of his own, but was quickly overcome by the Bloodline’s new leader. Sikoa tagged Fatu again. Jacob talked trash to Cody on the apron as the match approached 16:30. Cole and Graves said Fatu lacks any morals. The newcomer charged at KO in the corner, leaping. Owens moved. Fatu’s head cracked against the ring post. Fatu managed to tag Sikoa, but not before Owens reached Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes exploded into the ring off the hot tag. He dropped Sikoa once, twice, and then spun him around with a snap Powerslam. Cody leapt to the middle rope and gave Solo a Disaster Kick. Tama Tonga entered the ring. Cody caught him with a Cody Cutter. Fatu tried to get involve, but Rhodes knocked him to the floor. He dove through the middle rope onto Sikoa. Cody re-entered the ring and dove through the opposite side, aiming for Fatu. Tanga Loa took the bullet instead. His head crashed into the table violently. Rhodes launched Fatu over the timekeeper’s barricade and into the ringside doctor.

Back in the ring, Cody turned to eat a Spear from Solo Sikoa. He covered him for a near fall. Sikoa hoisted Rhodes onto his shoulders for a Samoan Drop, but Cody slid down his back. He set up for a Pedigree. Solo broke free. He went for a lariat, but Cody ducked. Sikoa took out the referee. Rhodes gave Sikoa Cross Rhodes, but there was no referee to count. Owens delivered a frog splash on Sikoa. Orton slid in the ring, pounding the mat. He gave Solo an RKO. The babyfaces had Sikoa dead-to-rights, but no one to make the count.

Orton led the charge to floor. He and Owens cleared the announcers desk. Cole and Graves took refuge in the timekeeper’s area. They set Sikoa up for a Shield Bomb. Fatu leapt into frame and broke it up. He charged at Orton, but Randy moved. Fatu crashed into the referee and the steel steps. Owens kicked Fatu in the head repeatedly, laying him out on the desk. He climbed the turnbuckles and gave Fatu a Frog Splash through the desk as the match crossed 22:30. There was feedback and modulation coming through the broadcast. Graves’ headset was cut.

KO slid Tonga in the ring and set him up for a Powerbomb. Tanga Loa gave him a low blow from behind. Orton rushed in and gave Loa an RKO. He hit Tonga with one, too. Solo tossed Orton to the outside. Cody grabbed Sikoa and gave him Cross Rhodes. He held on, looking for a second. Jacob Fatu returned and dropped Cody with a flipping springboard attack. He helped Solo to his feet. Fatu held Cody by the arm. “Acknowledge me,” he said. Sikoa delivered a Samoan Spike and covered Rhodes. Fatu tossed the referee in the ring and he counted the three.

WINNERS: The Bloodline in 24:39

Jacob Fatu retrieved the Ula Fala from ringside and ceremoniously placed it on Solo Sikoa. Cole and Graves noted that Sikoa just pinned the WWE Champion. The Bloodline held up their ones. The Bloodline posed on the ramp as Kevin Owens and Randy Orton joined Cody in the ring. Cole tossed to the post-show panel of Jackie Redmond, Big E, and Wade Barrett in the lobby of the arena.

 

[famicommander]

Stephanie Vacquer went full Hogan and hosed everybody on her remaining dates before going to WWE.

CMLL had her under contract and they actually agreed to let her out of it if she agreed to work all of the dates she had already been scheduled for in CMLL and NJPW and dropped her titles (CMLL Women's World, CMLL Women's World Tag Team, NJPW Strong Women's). She said she would, then when she got her release she immediately signed with WWE and pulled out of all of her CMLL, NJPW, and indie dates without dropping any of the belts.

Makes CMLL look like chumps, makes CMLL and NJPW look ridiculously dumb for letting Vacquer get pinned on AEW TV by Sasha Banks and not just letting her take the singles titles.

Of course if Vacquer succeeds in WWE this won't matter at all. But if she fizzles out in WWE she's gonna end up in TNA or AAA because of shit like this. No god damn way CMLL or NJPW/Stardom book her again, and I wouldn't be surprised if AEW/ROH blacklists her too.

 

[MSL]

.

 

[BeefJerky]

https://x.com/MLW/status/1811938733513429291

Nigger

 

[famicommander]

https://x.com/MLW/status/1811938733513429291

Celebrities wrestling is a terrible idea 150% of the time.

 

[wataru330]

The dude from Arrow and Logan Paul are ‘aight.

They are the exception to the Jenna Mosca rule.

 

[famicommander]

The dude from Arrow and Logan Paul are ‘aight.

They are the exception to the Jenna Mosca rule.

Even if they're able to be coached to a passable match it undermines the entire profession. It tells the audience that your wrestlers aren't special and any jagoff can do it.

 

[Taiso]

The dude from Arrow and Logan Paul are ‘aight.

They are the exception to the Jenna Mosca rule.

Logan Paul looks like a ten year veteran out there. He's exceeded all of my expectations in the ring and on the stick. He is a fantastic heel. When LAK beats him for the title in a few weeks, it will be a true moment.

AEW has been pretty damn good lately too. Ospreay v. MJF will be fantastic, Hangman Adam Page's heel turn us visceral and believable and Mariah May heeling on Toni Storn is the best turn this year. Epic stuff and unforgettable imagery.

 

[Arcademan]

Even if they're able to be coached to a passable match it undermines the entire profession. It tells the audience that your wrestlers aren't special and any jagoff can do it.

The less mentioned about former WCW champion David Arquette the better

 

[deviljin102]

Stephanie Vacquer went full Hogan and hosed everybody on her remaining dates before going to WWE.

CMLL had her under contract and they actually agreed to let her out of it if she agreed to work all of the dates she had already been scheduled for in CMLL and NJPW and dropped her titles (CMLL Women's World, CMLL Women's World Tag Team, NJPW Strong Women's). She said she would, then when she got her release she immediately signed with WWE and pulled out of all of her CMLL, NJPW, and indie dates without dropping any of the belts.

Makes CMLL look like chumps, makes CMLL and NJPW look ridiculously dumb for letting Vacquer get pinned on AEW TV by Sasha Banks and not just letting her take the singles titles.

Of course if Vacquer succeeds in WWE this won't matter at all. But if she fizzles out in WWE she's gonna end up in TNA or AAA because of shit like this. No god damn way CMLL or NJPW/Stardom book her again, and I wouldn't be surprised if AEW/ROH blacklists her too.

I was thinking this the day that she signed. She better be a star because there isn't much to fall on now if she fails. At least I did get to see her live for the first time when AEW was in town a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Taiso]

The less mentioned about former WCW champion David Arquette the better

If you haven't watched Vice's 'Fall of WCW' on YouTube, I highly recommend it. There've been a hundred of these documentaries but four episodes, 44 minutes each, for 7 bucks is a steal for what you get.

There's a part where they interview David Arquette and he talks about how terrible he felt bragging about being the champ in the locker room to the boys. At first he was so thrilled to be the champ, like a child eating candy for the first time, but when he asked Booker T 'how many times have you been champion?' and Book responded 'Uh, none', Arquette realized that him being the champ was unfair to the guys that had been there for so long. That was why he namedropped Booker as one of the guys 'that deserved it' when he dropped the strap on Nitro a couple of nights later.

 

[Arcademan]

If you haven't watched Vice's 'Fall of WCW' on YouTube, I highly recommend it. There've been a hundred of these documentaries but four episodes, 44 minutes each, for 7 bucks is a steal for what you get.

There's a part where they interview David Arquette and he talks about how terrible he felt bragging about being the champ in the locker room to the boys. At first he was so thrilled to be the champ, like a child eating candy for the first time, but when he asked Booker T 'how many times have you been champion?' and Book responded 'Uh, none', Arquette realized that him being the champ was unfair to the guys that had been there for so long. That was why he namedropped Booker as one of the guys 'that deserved it' when he dropped the strap on Nitro a couple of nights later.

Watched the series and thought that was David doing the right thing with the belt. In the final days of WCW, there was no one better to be on top than Booker T after all the crap they did with the Russo and Hogan fiasco.

 

[famicommander]

Gotta respect how the Rock got WWE to hire every single living person who is even vaguely related to him in any fashion.

The Tongans are all relatives through blood brothers on his dad's side, the Samoans are all relatives through blood brothers on his mom's side, Nia is a blood cousin through his mother, his no-talent daughter is still there I think. I guess Dwayne got sick of buying them all pickup trucks himself and just decided to get them their own checks.

 

[wataru330]

Trolling, or serious?

Rikishi + Haku can take more credit than the Rock.

Jacob Fatu has been absolutely killing it, and Tama is holding his own.

Rocky’s African-Canadian father is the Tongan connection? That’s a stretch, dude. They both *are* Haku’s nephews that he adopted into his household as his sons when his sister fell on hard times.

Tama Tonga broke this all down on his podcast, years ago.

 

[famicommander]

Rocky’s African-Canadian father is the Tongan connection? That’s a stretch, dude. They both *are* Haku’s nephews that he adopted into his household as his sons when his sister fell on hard times.

Tama Tonga broke this all down on his podcast, years ago.

You are not understanding what I'm saying here.

I'm saying that the Tongans aren't connected to the Samoans at all except by both being tangentially related to The Rock. I wasn't at all taking about Haku's relationship to his own three sons, whom I know the story behind.

Tama, Haku, Loa, Hikuleo, and Fale are not related to the Anoai'i or Fatu families at all. Haku was blood brothers with Rocky Johnson and that's where the connection to the Rock comes in.

Separately from that, Rock has a blood brother bond to the Anoai'i family from his mother's side.

So the Tongans (Haku's family tree) are blood brothers with the Rock and so are the Anoai'i family, but they're not related to each other. Sort if like if you have a cousin through your mom's sister and another through your dad's brother. Unless you're inbred, both of those cousins are kin to you but they're not at all related to each other.

 

[famicommander]

put their fucking world title on Dolph fucking Ziggler.

never, ever trust TNA

 

[Arcademan]

TNA Slammiversary Results: 7-20-24

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com

(1) MATT HARDY vs. JDC

They fought on the floor before the bell rang. JDC had the advantage at the start, but Hardy made a comeback. Hardy won after a Twist of Fate.

WINNER: Matt Hardy in 5:00.

Hardy gave JDC three more Twists of Fate after the match.

(2) THE SYSTEM (c) (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards) vs. ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) — TNA World Tag Team Title match

Fans chanted “F*** the System!” at the start. ABC had some flashy offense, but The System eventually took over and got the heat on Ace. Bey made the tag and ran wild. He went after Alisha but got chopped by Eddie. The teams traded the advantage and near falls. Bey (partially) gave Alisha a cutter by accident. ABC hit the Art of Finesse on Myers and Ace got the pin to win the belts.

WINNERS: ABC in 17:00 to win the TNA World Tag Team Titles.

​

(3) MIKE SANTANA vs. JAKE SOMETHING

Jake flew over the top rope on dove on Santana on the floor. Santana gave Jake a senton off the top rope to the floor. Jake got a two count after a sit out powerbomb. Santana gave Jake a German suplex off the top rope. Santana finished him off with a spinning clothesline for the pin.

WINNER: Mike Santana in 12:00.

(4) THE RASCALZ (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz & Wes Lee) vs. NO QUARTER CATCH CREW (Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights & Myles Borne)

There were “NXT” chants as the Crew came to the ring. Heights used power moves to get the advantage on Wentz. The Crew kept the advantage on Wentz. Lee made the hot tag, but the Crew eventually overwhelmed him. The Rascalz made a comeback. Lee did a dive to the outside on everyone. Everyone exchanged moves in the ring. The Rascalz used teamwork to make a comeback. They hit Hot Fire Flame and Wentz pinned Heights.

WINNERS: The Rascalz in 15:00.

(5) AJ FRANCIS (c) (w/Rich Swann) vs. PCO — TNA Digital Media Title & International Heavyweight Wrestling Title match

This was a Montreal Street Fight. AJ did mic work before the match and said PCO wouldn’t be there tonight. They cut to a clip from earlier where AJ and his crew had presumably beaten up PCO. However PCO came out for his ring entrance (with Destro). AJ hit PCO with a chair at the bell. PCO came back with a cannonball to the outside. Fans were enthusiastically behind PCO. There was an extended fight on the floor.

AJ put a metal trash can over PCO’s head and hit it repeatedly with a chair. AJ gave PCO an Electric Chair on a pile of chairs. PCO threw AJ through two tables that were set up at ringside. Josh Bishop hit PCO with a chair. Sami Callihan came out to help PCO, but Swann took him out and threw him in the ring. Rhino came out to a big reaction for the save. Rhino gave Swann the Gore.

PCO gave AJ the PCOsault, but AJ kicked out of the pin attempt. AJ gave PCO a tombstone, but PCO kicked out. PCO chokeslammed AJ onto a pile of chairs. PCO hit another PCOsault and got the pin.

WINNER: PCO in 12:00 to win both belts.

(6) JORDYNNE GRACE (c) vs. ASH BY ELEGANCE (w/The Concierge) — TNA Knockouts Title match

Grace used her power early to get the advantage. Rosemary was watching. She pulled out a knife and chased the Concierge up the ramp. Ash used the distraction to get the upper hand. Grace came back with a spinning backfist. She hit the Shades of Samoa for a two count. Ash battled back with a tornado DDT. Grace came back with more offense. Ash gave Grace a Canadian Destroyer to boos from the crowd. Grace got her knees up to block Rarefied Air. After a back and forth battle, Grave finally got the Juggernaut Driver for the pin.

WINNER: Jordynne Grace in 13:00.

(7) MUSTAFA ALI (c) (w/Campaign Singh) vs. “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY— TNA X Division Title match

Bailey’s wife Veda Scott was shown at ringside. Bailey got a huge reaction when he was introduced. Bailey was on offense early, hitting some of his signature moves. Ali used a distraction from his secret service to turn the tide. Bailey battled back and got a Shooting Star Press for a two count. Bailey gave Ali a Spanish Fly to the outside to knock down the secret service, Campaign Singh, and the riot squad members.

Back in the ring, they exchanged the advantage. Bailey gave Ali a moonsault on the outside. Bailey avoided a 450 splash. Bailey gave Ali a Poison Rana from the top, followed by Ultima Weapon for the apparent pin, but Ali’s foot was on the rope. Bailey accidentally decked the referee. Secret service surrounded the ring. Bailey fought them off. Singh hit Bailey with the title belt. Security held Bailey so Ali could give him the 450 splash. Ali did another one.

The referee recovered, but one of the riot members stopped the count. He revealed himself to be Trent Seven. Seven took out the security and Singh. Ali did a dive on Seven. Ali signaled to the back and Earl Hebner came to the ring in a referee’s shirt. Ali put Bailey in the sharpshooter. Hebner motioned like he would call for the bell, but he didn’t. Ali grabbed him. Bailey kicked a chair out of Ali’s hands. Bailey put Ali in the sharpshooter and Hebner called for the bell.

WINNER: “Speedball” Mike Bailey via submission in 20:00 to win the X Division Title.

(8) MOOSE (c) vs. JOE HENDRY vs. FRANKIE KAZARIAN vs. JOSH ALEXANDER vs. STEVE MACLIN vs. NIC NEMETH — TNA World Title match

This was a six-way elimination match. Moose was attacked at the start, then Frankie was attacked. The other four wrestlers then fought. Hendry suplexed Moose on the outside. Alexander had a sequence where he gave everyone German suplexes. Nemeth delivered some dropkicks and gave Moose a series of elbow drops, including one on the outside. Frankie had his chance to shine next with a series of legdrops and cutters.

Fans chanted “This is awesome!” Maclin gave Moose and Hendry the Scud Missile and gave Alexander, Moose, and Frankie the Caught in the Crosshairs. Moose gave Maclin the spear and pinned him for the first elimination. Moose turned on Frankie. Moose went on offense. Everyone exchanged moves on the floor and fought up the ramp. Nemeth superkicked Frankie off the stage and through a table.

Back in the ring, Moose slammed Nemeth and Alexander. Hendry chokeslammed Moose for a two count. Hendry went on offense. Moose and Hendry battled. Hendry gave Moose the Standing Ovation for a pin. Alexander kicked Hendry low and gave him the C-4 Spike for a pin. The crowd booed and chanted “Bulls**t!” Alexander continued to punch Alexander. Alexander knocked the referee down and grabbed him. Alexander gave Nemeth a backbreaker.

Alexander put Nemeth in an armlock. Nemeth gave Alexander a DDT. Nemeth pinned Alexander after a superkick. Frankie returned and gave Nemeth the Fade To Black for a two count. Frankie put Nemeth in the chicken wing. Nemeth superkicked Frankie for a two count. Nemeth gave Frankie a superkick and a Danger Zone for the pin.

WINNER: Nic Nemeth in 31:00 to win the TNA World Title.

 

[famicommander]

Put their world title on a 44 year old career goob