offical wwe thread
- Thread starter orochi_lubu
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Wade Keller summed it up here as far as the overall show:
FINAL THOUGHTS: By stripping away all of the special stuff the did in the earlier SNMEs with a second host in Joe Tessitore and guest commentator in Jesse Ventura, it just felt like they phoned in a four match card without anything to set it apart. It felt stripped down and half-hearted. It’s not a huge deal because you mostly want the focus to be on the matches and the stakes in the matches, and this did that well with the video packages, but it just felt like they couldn’t be bothered to do anything else rather than a strategic choice. It felt like walking into the last half of a solid house show event.
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Since they got booted off NBC they don't have to try to get ratings now, SNME is just the "contractrurally obligated show for Peacock" now. The only thing that set it apart was that you were guaranteed a new champion due to Rollins' injury.
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AEW Full Gear PPV Results: 11-22-25
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's report).
(1) PAC vs. DARBY ALLIN
Pac came out first. An entrance video for Darby included him in a hospital bed wrapped head to toe in bandages watching clips of him getting set on fire on an old tube TV. He got up and smashed the TV screen with a baseball bat. He then made his entrance through the crowd as fans chanted “Darby! Darby!”
Darby settled into a side headlock back in the ring. Darby was bandaged heavily on his right arm, ribs, and upper right back area. Darby shifted into a half Scorpion Death Lock.
They battled on the ring apron at 6:00. Pac pressed Darby above his head and threw him onto the floor. Excalibur said Darby is ten days removed from suffering second-degree burns in Blood & Guts. Pac rubbed aggressively against Darby’s burns on his arm and then raked his back. Fans chanted, “You sick f—!”
A few minutes later, Darby leaped off the topr ope and dropkicked Pac off of a folding chair at ringside. Excalibur drew attention to Darby’s hard landing, also. Back in the ring, Darby collided with Pac with a lariat and both went down and were slow to get up. Excalibur said Pac’s speed worked against him so he didn’t have time to adjust to the lariat Darby threw at him.
Pac got up and took Darby down with a hard charging lariat for a near fall at 15:00. Pac then applied his Brutalizer. Darby draped his boot over the bottom rope. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” When Pac went for his top rope Black Arrow, Darby moved and then applied a Scorpion Deathlock. Pac desperately waved for help. Wheeler Yuta ran out. With the ref distracted, Pac hit Yuta with the bat Darby brought to the ring with him. Pac made the cover and scored a three count.
WINNER: Pac in 17:00.
(The match was remarkable early in that it was all mat holds and traditional wrestling exchanges you might’ve seen in 1970s territory house shows. It picked up and ended up in totality being a good match with the right level of intensity and pacing for an opener. I wasn’t surprised at all Pac cheated to win once he felt he was in jeopardy of losing clean to Darby, given his promo to set up the match by vowing to not use weapons because he said Darby couldn’t beat him without them.
(2) TONI STORM & MINA SHIRAKAWA vs. MARINA SHAFIR & MEGAN BAYNE (w/Penelope Ford) vs. JULIA HART & SKYE BLUE vs. WILLOW NIGHTINGALE & HARLEY CAMERON – Winning Team Can Pick Stipluation in AEW Women’s Tag Team Tournament semi-final match
As usual in a match like this, there’s so many wrestlers pairing off, it doesn’t really develop a story as it’s mostly just brief exchanges of moves and then tags in and out. When Willow tagged in, she got a nice hometown pop. When Shafir put Shirakawa in Mother’s Milk, Storm broke it up.
Eventually, Willow landed a running flip dive onto a crowd at ringside. Back in the ring, Storm pinned Cameron with an inside cradle.
WINNERS: Storm & Shirakawa in 13:00.
(This was fine. It was an excuse to get a lot of women wrestlers on the PPV more than anything, I think, and especially an excuse to get Storm on the PPV.)
(3) BRODIDO (Brody King & Bandido) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)
The bell rang 2 minutes into the second hour. Brody chopped away at FTR at ringside a couple minutes in, then tagged on Bandido. Bandido bodyslammed Brody onto Dax. Dax rolled to the floor. Brody and Bandido teased doing the Macarena, but instead got back to business. Bandido flip dove at FTR at ringside, but FTR caught him and slammed him face-first onto the announce desk. FTR then got in sustained offense on Bandido.
When Brody tagged in, he gave Cash a Death Valley Driver onto Dax in the corner. He then hit both with a cannonball. Brody landed a big dive at ringside. Back in the ring, FTR took over and scored a near fall after a Power & Glory. Bandido ducked their next move and pressed Cash above his head. He then tossed Cash at Dax at ringside. He followed with a top rope crossbody press onto Cash and Dax.
FTR took over and scored a near fall after a Shatter Machine. Brody tackled Cash at ringside, and then Bandido and Brody landed Shatter Machine on Dax for a near fall at 17:00. Cash yanked Bandido by his legs crotch-first into the ringpost. Nigel made the obligatory comment about Bandido not being able to deliver grandkids to his parents.
Bandido moonsaulted onto Cash for a near fall. Brody put Dax in a sleeper on the ring apron. Cash put Brody in a sleeper, so Brody lost his grip on Dax. Cash and Dax gave Brody a spike piledriver on the ring apron. Bandido went for a move against FTR in the ring, but FTR blocked it and slammed him and scored a two count.
FTR gave Bandido a stuff piledriver for a believable near fall. Fans stood and applauded as FTR expressed frustration. FTR lifted Bandido. Bandido gave them double middle fingers. FTR then gave him Shatter Machine again for the three count.
WINNERS: FTR in 21:00 to capture the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
(Really good tag match, with FTR doing their signature double-team moves and then Brody and Bandido using their contrasting styles to keep FTR off balance. I figured this show had a chance to hit the reset button with a few acts and titles, and this elevated FTR to the top of the tag division, but certainly Brodido have earned a rematch with their reign overall and this performance tonight. If the Young Bucks turn babyface, another Bucks-FTR showdown could happen in 2026 for the tag titles.)
(4) CASINO GAUNTLET MATCH – Winner Becomes First-Ever AEW National Champion
Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin started against each other. They casually locked up. The announcers said the clock seemed to count down quickly and Ricochet came out as the third official entrant. He complained that they weren’t being more aggressive. GOA attacked Shelton and Bobby from behind. Ricochet then bashed Lashely in the head with a mic. GOA continued to attacked Shelton and Bobby. (They’ve made a mockery of this entire concept already.) MVP got beat up, too, and he was helped to the back.
Claudio Castagnoli made his entrance as the fourth entrant. He came through the crowd. Ricochet waited for him. When Ricochet leaped at Claudio at ringside, Claudio caught him mid-air with a European uppercut. He then pressed Ricochet and threw him into the ring. Ricochet made a comeback and knocked Claudio to the floor.
Daniel Garcia came out fifth through the crowd. They showed Claudio smiling at ringside as Garcia arrived, giving the Death Riders essentially a two-on-one advantage with Shelton and Bobby still selling the GOA beatdown.
Orange Cassidy came out sixth. Wheeler Yuta came out seventh. Schiavone said Wheeler took his time getting the ring and could lose his chance to win the National Title. Danielson said he was surprised he didn’t sprint to the ring. Cassidy casually waited for Yuta. Claudio and Garcia jumped Cassidy. Yuta slapped Cassidy hard as Claudio held him. Garcia mocked him with soft slo-mo kicks.
Kevin Knight entered eighth. Claudio caught him leaping off the top rope and tried to toss him over the top, but Knight head scissored him over onto teh ring apron. Claudio and Yuta stomped away at Knight in the ring as the fans counted down the clock.
Roderick Strong came out ninth. Strong cleared the ring except for Ricochet and scored a near fall on him. Mark Davis then entered tenth. Next “Speedball” Mike Bailey came out 11th. Knight and Speedball cleared the ring. Knight went from slapping hands with Bailey to giving him a schoolboy for a two count. They went at each other with some moves and counters. Garcia kicked Speedball and then applied his Dragon Slayer as fans counted down the clock.
Matt Menard then came out 12th. Menard yelled “What? What? What?” at Garcia and then went into rapid-fire punches. Garcia bailed out to ringside. Menard went after him. Garcia retreated through the crowd. A wide angle showed a bunch of wrestlers just hanging out at ringside, selling a beating, not trying to win the match despite the sudden death aspect.
Finally, Shelton and Bobby re-entered. They fought Davis and Claudio. Ricochet entered and squared off with Shelton and Bobby. He got scared and tried to leave. Bobby tossed him across the ring and then Shelton did the same in the other direction. Bobby slammed Ricochet uranage style. Davis and Claudio entered next. Cassidy joined in the right. Shelton clotheslined Davis and both tumbled over the top rope to ringside. Bobby charged at Claudio at ringside, but Claudio avoided him.
Knight broke up a cover Yuta had when he was stealing a pin. Ricochet then gave Knight a Spirit Gun for the win. Excalibur said they will never know for certain how many other wrestlers were lined up to enter the match.
WINNER: Ricochet in 22:00.
(Why should Ricochet be taken seriously when he was destroyed in three minutes by Lashley on Dynamite? That match was so ridiculous and a setback for Ricochet’s credibility, made even worse by the fact that he’s now become an incredibly weak first National Champion. The execution of this match made me think the match concept should be retired. The fans were reasonably into it, even if almost nothing about it stands up to any scrutiny.)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's report).
(1) PAC vs. DARBY ALLIN
Pac came out first. An entrance video for Darby included him in a hospital bed wrapped head to toe in bandages watching clips of him getting set on fire on an old tube TV. He got up and smashed the TV screen with a baseball bat. He then made his entrance through the crowd as fans chanted “Darby! Darby!”
The bell rang 18 minutes into the hour. The announcers touted Darby’s amateur wrestling skills and noted he isn’t just a daredevil. Darby took Pac down with an armbar. Nigel McGuinness compared his armdrags to Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat’s. Darby dropkicked Pac to the floor.Darby settled into a side headlock back in the ring. Darby was bandaged heavily on his right arm, ribs, and upper right back area. Darby shifted into a half Scorpion Death Lock.
They battled on the ring apron at 6:00. Pac pressed Darby above his head and threw him onto the floor. Excalibur said Darby is ten days removed from suffering second-degree burns in Blood & Guts. Pac rubbed aggressively against Darby’s burns on his arm and then raked his back. Fans chanted, “You sick f—!”
A few minutes later, Darby leaped off the topr ope and dropkicked Pac off of a folding chair at ringside. Excalibur drew attention to Darby’s hard landing, also. Back in the ring, Darby collided with Pac with a lariat and both went down and were slow to get up. Excalibur said Pac’s speed worked against him so he didn’t have time to adjust to the lariat Darby threw at him.
Pac got up and took Darby down with a hard charging lariat for a near fall at 15:00. Pac then applied his Brutalizer. Darby draped his boot over the bottom rope. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” When Pac went for his top rope Black Arrow, Darby moved and then applied a Scorpion Deathlock. Pac desperately waved for help. Wheeler Yuta ran out. With the ref distracted, Pac hit Yuta with the bat Darby brought to the ring with him. Pac made the cover and scored a three count.
WINNER: Pac in 17:00.
(The match was remarkable early in that it was all mat holds and traditional wrestling exchanges you might’ve seen in 1970s territory house shows. It picked up and ended up in totality being a good match with the right level of intensity and pacing for an opener. I wasn’t surprised at all Pac cheated to win once he felt he was in jeopardy of losing clean to Darby, given his promo to set up the match by vowing to not use weapons because he said Darby couldn’t beat him without them.
(2) TONI STORM & MINA SHIRAKAWA vs. MARINA SHAFIR & MEGAN BAYNE (w/Penelope Ford) vs. JULIA HART & SKYE BLUE vs. WILLOW NIGHTINGALE & HARLEY CAMERON – Winning Team Can Pick Stipluation in AEW Women’s Tag Team Tournament semi-final match
As usual in a match like this, there’s so many wrestlers pairing off, it doesn’t really develop a story as it’s mostly just brief exchanges of moves and then tags in and out. When Willow tagged in, she got a nice hometown pop. When Shafir put Shirakawa in Mother’s Milk, Storm broke it up.
Eventually, Willow landed a running flip dive onto a crowd at ringside. Back in the ring, Storm pinned Cameron with an inside cradle.
WINNERS: Storm & Shirakawa in 13:00.
(This was fine. It was an excuse to get a lot of women wrestlers on the PPV more than anything, I think, and especially an excuse to get Storm on the PPV.)
(3) BRODIDO (Brody King & Bandido) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)
The bell rang 2 minutes into the second hour. Brody chopped away at FTR at ringside a couple minutes in, then tagged on Bandido. Bandido bodyslammed Brody onto Dax. Dax rolled to the floor. Brody and Bandido teased doing the Macarena, but instead got back to business. Bandido flip dove at FTR at ringside, but FTR caught him and slammed him face-first onto the announce desk. FTR then got in sustained offense on Bandido.
When Brody tagged in, he gave Cash a Death Valley Driver onto Dax in the corner. He then hit both with a cannonball. Brody landed a big dive at ringside. Back in the ring, FTR took over and scored a near fall after a Power & Glory. Bandido ducked their next move and pressed Cash above his head. He then tossed Cash at Dax at ringside. He followed with a top rope crossbody press onto Cash and Dax.
FTR took over and scored a near fall after a Shatter Machine. Brody tackled Cash at ringside, and then Bandido and Brody landed Shatter Machine on Dax for a near fall at 17:00. Cash yanked Bandido by his legs crotch-first into the ringpost. Nigel made the obligatory comment about Bandido not being able to deliver grandkids to his parents.
Bandido moonsaulted onto Cash for a near fall. Brody put Dax in a sleeper on the ring apron. Cash put Brody in a sleeper, so Brody lost his grip on Dax. Cash and Dax gave Brody a spike piledriver on the ring apron. Bandido went for a move against FTR in the ring, but FTR blocked it and slammed him and scored a two count.
FTR gave Bandido a stuff piledriver for a believable near fall. Fans stood and applauded as FTR expressed frustration. FTR lifted Bandido. Bandido gave them double middle fingers. FTR then gave him Shatter Machine again for the three count.
WINNERS: FTR in 21:00 to capture the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
(Really good tag match, with FTR doing their signature double-team moves and then Brody and Bandido using their contrasting styles to keep FTR off balance. I figured this show had a chance to hit the reset button with a few acts and titles, and this elevated FTR to the top of the tag division, but certainly Brodido have earned a rematch with their reign overall and this performance tonight. If the Young Bucks turn babyface, another Bucks-FTR showdown could happen in 2026 for the tag titles.)
(4) CASINO GAUNTLET MATCH – Winner Becomes First-Ever AEW National Champion
Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin started against each other. They casually locked up. The announcers said the clock seemed to count down quickly and Ricochet came out as the third official entrant. He complained that they weren’t being more aggressive. GOA attacked Shelton and Bobby from behind. Ricochet then bashed Lashely in the head with a mic. GOA continued to attacked Shelton and Bobby. (They’ve made a mockery of this entire concept already.) MVP got beat up, too, and he was helped to the back.
Claudio Castagnoli made his entrance as the fourth entrant. He came through the crowd. Ricochet waited for him. When Ricochet leaped at Claudio at ringside, Claudio caught him mid-air with a European uppercut. He then pressed Ricochet and threw him into the ring. Ricochet made a comeback and knocked Claudio to the floor.
Daniel Garcia came out fifth through the crowd. They showed Claudio smiling at ringside as Garcia arrived, giving the Death Riders essentially a two-on-one advantage with Shelton and Bobby still selling the GOA beatdown.
Orange Cassidy came out sixth. Wheeler Yuta came out seventh. Schiavone said Wheeler took his time getting the ring and could lose his chance to win the National Title. Danielson said he was surprised he didn’t sprint to the ring. Cassidy casually waited for Yuta. Claudio and Garcia jumped Cassidy. Yuta slapped Cassidy hard as Claudio held him. Garcia mocked him with soft slo-mo kicks.
Kevin Knight entered eighth. Claudio caught him leaping off the top rope and tried to toss him over the top, but Knight head scissored him over onto teh ring apron. Claudio and Yuta stomped away at Knight in the ring as the fans counted down the clock.
Roderick Strong came out ninth. Strong cleared the ring except for Ricochet and scored a near fall on him. Mark Davis then entered tenth. Next “Speedball” Mike Bailey came out 11th. Knight and Speedball cleared the ring. Knight went from slapping hands with Bailey to giving him a schoolboy for a two count. They went at each other with some moves and counters. Garcia kicked Speedball and then applied his Dragon Slayer as fans counted down the clock.
Matt Menard then came out 12th. Menard yelled “What? What? What?” at Garcia and then went into rapid-fire punches. Garcia bailed out to ringside. Menard went after him. Garcia retreated through the crowd. A wide angle showed a bunch of wrestlers just hanging out at ringside, selling a beating, not trying to win the match despite the sudden death aspect.
Finally, Shelton and Bobby re-entered. They fought Davis and Claudio. Ricochet entered and squared off with Shelton and Bobby. He got scared and tried to leave. Bobby tossed him across the ring and then Shelton did the same in the other direction. Bobby slammed Ricochet uranage style. Davis and Claudio entered next. Cassidy joined in the right. Shelton clotheslined Davis and both tumbled over the top rope to ringside. Bobby charged at Claudio at ringside, but Claudio avoided him.
Knight broke up a cover Yuta had when he was stealing a pin. Ricochet then gave Knight a Spirit Gun for the win. Excalibur said they will never know for certain how many other wrestlers were lined up to enter the match.
WINNER: Ricochet in 22:00.
(Why should Ricochet be taken seriously when he was destroyed in three minutes by Lashley on Dynamite? That match was so ridiculous and a setback for Ricochet’s credibility, made even worse by the fact that he’s now become an incredibly weak first National Champion. The execution of this match made me think the match concept should be retired. The fans were reasonably into it, even if almost nothing about it stands up to any scrutiny.)
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AEW Full Gear PPV Results: 11-22-25
(5) KYLE O’REILLY vs. JON MOXLEY – No Holds Barred
O’Reilly tackled Mox before the bell and the ref rewarded him by immediately calling for the bell. The bell rang 56 minutes into the second hour. At 5:00, Mox jabbed O’Reilly with a fork in the forehead over and over. O’Reilly came up heavily bleeding.
Mox dominated for a while afterward with a grinding mat attack. Mox twisted the fork against O’Reilly’s nipple. O’Reilly took over for a while. He applied a standing ankelock. Mox escaped with some up-kicks and then pulled O’Reilly into a triangle choke attempt. O’Reilly shifted into a head scissors and then stabbed Mox in the forehead several times with the fork. They zoomed in on blood streaming from Mox’s forehead.
O’Reilly used a chain to add to a standing guilotine at 15:00. O’Reilly suplexed him with the chair and both were down and slow to get up. A soft “This is awesome!” chant didn’t get much steam behind it despite going on for 20 seconds from a small group.
After more fork violence, Mox put O’Reilly’s arm in a chair and stomped on it. They went back into some mat exchanges with countermoves. O’Reilly ended up with a standing anklelock. He then wrapped a chain around Mox’s ankle for supposedly extra pain. Mox struggled to endure the pain and tapped. Danielson wondered if O’Reilly had a broken arm.
WINNER: O’Reilly in 20:00.
(This is an interesting story with Moxley, and credit to Mox for being willing to do this when he certainly has the leverage to a diva and a mark for himself and steer away from any storyline that involves him tapping out twice to the same opponent in ten days, especially a mid-carder like O’Reilly. The commentators did note early in the match that O’Reilly had some health issues and when he came back, he didn’t regain his footing for a while. The match itself was pretty compelling with the juxtaposition of gore and violence with mat wrestling exchanges and countermoves.)
(6) KYLE FLETCHER (w/Don Callis) vs. MARK BRISCOE – TNT Title match
A video introduction for Briscoe including him talking about the impact the death of his brother Jay had on him. He talked about his family at home and his family in AEW, the Conglomeration. Don Callis joined in on commentary. They took it to ringside a couple minutes into the match and delivered big moves on chairs, the steps, and a ladder. Briscoe leaped over the top rope and aimed for Fletcher on a ladder leaning on a chair, but Fletcher moved and Briscoe crashed through the ladder. Fletcher gloated and flexed toward the fans.
Fletcher threw a ladder and a chair into the ring. Briscoe was bleeding from the forehead. Fletcher slammed him onto the ladder in the ring. Callis said when Fletcher beats Briscoe, he will own him professionally. He said there are worse fates. When Schiavone asked Callis what use Briscoe will be if he can’t stand, Callis said maybe he could be his driver. Danielson said you wouldn’t want Briscoe to be your driver because he’s seen him drive. (Consider how Jay Briscoe died, they probably shouldn’t have gone this direction with the conversation.)
Fletcher beat up Briscoe at ringside. When Briscoe took over, he set up a dive off the top rope. Callis distracted Briscoe long enough for Fletcher to stand and shove Briscoe off the top rope through a table below. Fletcher then slid a folded table into the ring. He leaned it in a corner and then gave Briscoe a running boot to the face in the opposite corner. Briscoe countered Fletcher, but Fletcher countered back on a suplex attempt. Briscoe landed an enzuigiri and then set up a double-underhook Jay Driller. Fletcher countered and leaped with Briscoe on his shoulders into the table in the corner. He followed with a leaping powerbomb for a two count.
Fletcher poured thumb tacks on the mat. He shoved some in Briscoe’s mouth and kicked him in the face. Briscoe came back and slammed Fletcher onto the tacks, some of which stuck in the skin on his back. Briscoe then pulled a table out from under the ring that had barbed wire taped to the surface. Briscoe also pulled a tall ladder out from under the ring and slid it into the ring.
Briscoe leaped off the ring apron and took Fletcher through six chairs lined up in two rows with a twisting neckbreaker. Briscoe slipped a bit as he launched but still landed the move. Briscoe then climbed to the top of the ladder. Danielson said he’s known Briscoe for 23 years and he loves him and he asked him not to do anything stupid. “This might be just too much,” he said. Fletcher met him on the ladder. Briscoe leaped off the very top of the ladder and elbowdropped him through a table below for a near fall. A “This is awesome!” chant broke out.
Fletcher jabbed Briscoe in the forehead and eye area with a screwdriver and then licked the top of the screwdriver seductively. Fletcher stabbed the screwdriver toward Briscoe, but Briscoe moved and the screwdriver poked into the turnbuckle pad. Briscoe then took over. He climbed to the top rope , but Fletcher shoved the ref into Briscoe to knock him off balance. Fletcher stuck the screwdriver up through the turnbuckle and was about to drop Briscoe onto it, but Briscoe blocked it. When Briscoe lifted Fletcher, Fletcher stabbed Briscoe in the head with the screwdriver. He then charged at him and stabbed at him again. He followed with a brainbuster suplex onto the tacks for a believable near fall.
Fletcher set up a table in the corner with barbed wire on it. Fletcher superoplexed Briscoe, but Briscoe slipped free and then shoved Fletcher and then delivered a Razor’s Edge onto the barbed wire table. He followed with a Jay Driller for a three count.
WINNER: Briscoe in 25:00 to capture the TNT Title.
(Really good match, but the back-to-back matches with so much violence and blood was too much. I’m surprised at Briscoe’s win, but I’m okay with it because it does send a message that AEW is going to try to elevate some wrestlers from within despite how they were positioned prior.)
(7) THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matt & Nick Jackson) & JOSH ALEXANDER vs. THE JURASSIC EXPRESS (Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) & KENNY OMEGA – $1 million dollar to the winner
The bell rang at the top of the fourth hour. Nick opened against Perry with dazzling chain sequences. They went nose-to-nose after a stalemate. They each tagged out to Matt and Luchasaurus. Kenny and Josh tagged in and battled next. Omega landed a leaping dive to ringside onto the Bucks and Josh. The announcers commented on Omega favoring his knee, advising him to tag out. He did to Perry. Josh slammed Perry onto the ring apron when he leaped to the floor.
Nick leaped toward Luchasaurus, but it didn’t go as planned. The announcers gasped and drew attention to it. They seemed fine. Matt battled Perry in the ring next. Josh settled into a chinlock mid-ring on Perry at 8:00.
More back and forth action. Kenny battled Josh one-on-one. Then everyone else got involved. Josh then applied a standing anklelock on Alexander. The Bucks gave Kenny the BTE Trigger. Josh cinched on the anklelock on the mat as Kenny cried out in pain. Luchasaurus blocked a Bucks double-team move. More chaos ensued. Luchasaurus and Perry landed Countdown to extinction. Josh interrupted the count at 18:00.
The Bucks stereo superkicked Perry out of mid-air and then stereo superkicked Luchasaurus and followed with stereo superkicks on Josh. Kenny gave Josh a One-Winged Angel at ringside. Perry rolled up Matt meanwhile for a near fall in the ring. The Bucks then gave Perry a BTE Trigger for the win.
WINNERS: Young Bucks & Alexander in 19:00 to win $1 million dollars.
-Afterward, Callis said they are $1 million richer, but even better, they’re now part of the family. He said they should go celebrate. The Bucks left with Callis and three bags of cash. The Callis family then attacked Kenny and tried to break his leg. Callis tried to shrug it off from the stage, but the Bucks didn’t like it. Schiavone said they looked conflicted. Callis led them away with the bags. Fans chanted, “You sold out!” Nick and Matt threw down the bags of money and ran to the ring and superkicked the Callis Family members. The announcers framed this as a choice between money or friendship. (So they lose the money from the match they just won?) The Bucks shook hands with Perry and Luchasaurus. Kenny stood and eyed The Bucks. The fans chanted, “Hug it out!” Kenny slapped their hands. The Bucks then hugged him. Schiavone said they were witnessing a great moment. Callis yelled from the stage that he has their money. Excalibur said the Bucks were leaving with something even more valuable.
(The story beats ultimately got the crowd to pop, but the idea that the Bucks were going to leave with Callis went against all the facial expressions and body language of the Bucks in recent weeks when Callis pitched them. It also felt odd that they made it seem like if the Bucks didn’t leave the stage with Callis, they’d give up their share of the money they just won in the six-man tag match. The match was exactly what you’d expect overall.)
(5) KYLE O’REILLY vs. JON MOXLEY – No Holds Barred
O’Reilly tackled Mox before the bell and the ref rewarded him by immediately calling for the bell. The bell rang 56 minutes into the second hour. At 5:00, Mox jabbed O’Reilly with a fork in the forehead over and over. O’Reilly came up heavily bleeding.
Mox dominated for a while afterward with a grinding mat attack. Mox twisted the fork against O’Reilly’s nipple. O’Reilly took over for a while. He applied a standing ankelock. Mox escaped with some up-kicks and then pulled O’Reilly into a triangle choke attempt. O’Reilly shifted into a head scissors and then stabbed Mox in the forehead several times with the fork. They zoomed in on blood streaming from Mox’s forehead.
O’Reilly used a chain to add to a standing guilotine at 15:00. O’Reilly suplexed him with the chair and both were down and slow to get up. A soft “This is awesome!” chant didn’t get much steam behind it despite going on for 20 seconds from a small group.
After more fork violence, Mox put O’Reilly’s arm in a chair and stomped on it. They went back into some mat exchanges with countermoves. O’Reilly ended up with a standing anklelock. He then wrapped a chain around Mox’s ankle for supposedly extra pain. Mox struggled to endure the pain and tapped. Danielson wondered if O’Reilly had a broken arm.
WINNER: O’Reilly in 20:00.
(This is an interesting story with Moxley, and credit to Mox for being willing to do this when he certainly has the leverage to a diva and a mark for himself and steer away from any storyline that involves him tapping out twice to the same opponent in ten days, especially a mid-carder like O’Reilly. The commentators did note early in the match that O’Reilly had some health issues and when he came back, he didn’t regain his footing for a while. The match itself was pretty compelling with the juxtaposition of gore and violence with mat wrestling exchanges and countermoves.)
(6) KYLE FLETCHER (w/Don Callis) vs. MARK BRISCOE – TNT Title match
A video introduction for Briscoe including him talking about the impact the death of his brother Jay had on him. He talked about his family at home and his family in AEW, the Conglomeration. Don Callis joined in on commentary. They took it to ringside a couple minutes into the match and delivered big moves on chairs, the steps, and a ladder. Briscoe leaped over the top rope and aimed for Fletcher on a ladder leaning on a chair, but Fletcher moved and Briscoe crashed through the ladder. Fletcher gloated and flexed toward the fans.
Fletcher threw a ladder and a chair into the ring. Briscoe was bleeding from the forehead. Fletcher slammed him onto the ladder in the ring. Callis said when Fletcher beats Briscoe, he will own him professionally. He said there are worse fates. When Schiavone asked Callis what use Briscoe will be if he can’t stand, Callis said maybe he could be his driver. Danielson said you wouldn’t want Briscoe to be your driver because he’s seen him drive. (Consider how Jay Briscoe died, they probably shouldn’t have gone this direction with the conversation.)
Fletcher beat up Briscoe at ringside. When Briscoe took over, he set up a dive off the top rope. Callis distracted Briscoe long enough for Fletcher to stand and shove Briscoe off the top rope through a table below. Fletcher then slid a folded table into the ring. He leaned it in a corner and then gave Briscoe a running boot to the face in the opposite corner. Briscoe countered Fletcher, but Fletcher countered back on a suplex attempt. Briscoe landed an enzuigiri and then set up a double-underhook Jay Driller. Fletcher countered and leaped with Briscoe on his shoulders into the table in the corner. He followed with a leaping powerbomb for a two count.
Fletcher poured thumb tacks on the mat. He shoved some in Briscoe’s mouth and kicked him in the face. Briscoe came back and slammed Fletcher onto the tacks, some of which stuck in the skin on his back. Briscoe then pulled a table out from under the ring that had barbed wire taped to the surface. Briscoe also pulled a tall ladder out from under the ring and slid it into the ring.
Briscoe leaped off the ring apron and took Fletcher through six chairs lined up in two rows with a twisting neckbreaker. Briscoe slipped a bit as he launched but still landed the move. Briscoe then climbed to the top of the ladder. Danielson said he’s known Briscoe for 23 years and he loves him and he asked him not to do anything stupid. “This might be just too much,” he said. Fletcher met him on the ladder. Briscoe leaped off the very top of the ladder and elbowdropped him through a table below for a near fall. A “This is awesome!” chant broke out.
Fletcher jabbed Briscoe in the forehead and eye area with a screwdriver and then licked the top of the screwdriver seductively. Fletcher stabbed the screwdriver toward Briscoe, but Briscoe moved and the screwdriver poked into the turnbuckle pad. Briscoe then took over. He climbed to the top rope , but Fletcher shoved the ref into Briscoe to knock him off balance. Fletcher stuck the screwdriver up through the turnbuckle and was about to drop Briscoe onto it, but Briscoe blocked it. When Briscoe lifted Fletcher, Fletcher stabbed Briscoe in the head with the screwdriver. He then charged at him and stabbed at him again. He followed with a brainbuster suplex onto the tacks for a believable near fall.
Fletcher set up a table in the corner with barbed wire on it. Fletcher superoplexed Briscoe, but Briscoe slipped free and then shoved Fletcher and then delivered a Razor’s Edge onto the barbed wire table. He followed with a Jay Driller for a three count.
WINNER: Briscoe in 25:00 to capture the TNT Title.
(Really good match, but the back-to-back matches with so much violence and blood was too much. I’m surprised at Briscoe’s win, but I’m okay with it because it does send a message that AEW is going to try to elevate some wrestlers from within despite how they were positioned prior.)
(7) THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matt & Nick Jackson) & JOSH ALEXANDER vs. THE JURASSIC EXPRESS (Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) & KENNY OMEGA – $1 million dollar to the winner
The bell rang at the top of the fourth hour. Nick opened against Perry with dazzling chain sequences. They went nose-to-nose after a stalemate. They each tagged out to Matt and Luchasaurus. Kenny and Josh tagged in and battled next. Omega landed a leaping dive to ringside onto the Bucks and Josh. The announcers commented on Omega favoring his knee, advising him to tag out. He did to Perry. Josh slammed Perry onto the ring apron when he leaped to the floor.
Nick leaped toward Luchasaurus, but it didn’t go as planned. The announcers gasped and drew attention to it. They seemed fine. Matt battled Perry in the ring next. Josh settled into a chinlock mid-ring on Perry at 8:00.
More back and forth action. Kenny battled Josh one-on-one. Then everyone else got involved. Josh then applied a standing anklelock on Alexander. The Bucks gave Kenny the BTE Trigger. Josh cinched on the anklelock on the mat as Kenny cried out in pain. Luchasaurus blocked a Bucks double-team move. More chaos ensued. Luchasaurus and Perry landed Countdown to extinction. Josh interrupted the count at 18:00.
The Bucks stereo superkicked Perry out of mid-air and then stereo superkicked Luchasaurus and followed with stereo superkicks on Josh. Kenny gave Josh a One-Winged Angel at ringside. Perry rolled up Matt meanwhile for a near fall in the ring. The Bucks then gave Perry a BTE Trigger for the win.
WINNERS: Young Bucks & Alexander in 19:00 to win $1 million dollars.
-Afterward, Callis said they are $1 million richer, but even better, they’re now part of the family. He said they should go celebrate. The Bucks left with Callis and three bags of cash. The Callis family then attacked Kenny and tried to break his leg. Callis tried to shrug it off from the stage, but the Bucks didn’t like it. Schiavone said they looked conflicted. Callis led them away with the bags. Fans chanted, “You sold out!” Nick and Matt threw down the bags of money and ran to the ring and superkicked the Callis Family members. The announcers framed this as a choice between money or friendship. (So they lose the money from the match they just won?) The Bucks shook hands with Perry and Luchasaurus. Kenny stood and eyed The Bucks. The fans chanted, “Hug it out!” Kenny slapped their hands. The Bucks then hugged him. Schiavone said they were witnessing a great moment. Callis yelled from the stage that he has their money. Excalibur said the Bucks were leaving with something even more valuable.
(The story beats ultimately got the crowd to pop, but the idea that the Bucks were going to leave with Callis went against all the facial expressions and body language of the Bucks in recent weeks when Callis pitched them. It also felt odd that they made it seem like if the Bucks didn’t leave the stage with Callis, they’d give up their share of the money they just won in the six-man tag match. The match was exactly what you’d expect overall.)
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AEW Full Gear PPV Results: 11-22-25
(8) KRIS STATLANDER vs. MERCEDES MONE – AEW World Title match
Mercedes made her entrance past shiftless men on the stage. Statlander made her entrance by bursting out of a space capsule that looked like it came from a Twilight Zone museum. The bell rang 30 minutes into the fourth hour. Statlander took early offense until Mercedes avoided a top rope 450 splash. Statlander clutched her left forearm. Danielson said that could be a bad sign.
Mercedes then grounded Statlander with variations of armbars. The crowd got pretty quiet. Mercedes eventually moved into doing 14 unreleased vertical suplexes, one for each of her titles and the one she wanted to win tonight. Some fans stood and applauded, but otherwise were pretty quiet. Mercedes went for a top rope frog splash, but Statlander caught her with an up-kick. Both were down and slow to get up.
Statlander took over for the next few minutes. She landed a discus for a near fall, which Mercedes turned into an armlock at 16:00. Statlander came back with a belly-to-belly for a two count and then shifted into a Statement Maker mid-ring. Statlander hoisted Mercedes onto her shoulders and carried her over to the corner. She stood on the second rope and leaped off with a rib-breaker. Both were down and slow to get up. “Shades of the great Dean Malenko,” said Schiavone.
After more countermoves, Statlander landed a package piledriver for a near fall; Mercedes grabbed the bottom rope to force the break. Mercedes made a comeback and scored a near fall. She then gathered herself. They stood and did more moves and countermoves. Stat then finally scored the win after her Staturday Night Fever.
Excalibur said it was the first-ever win by Stat over Mercedes and it was only Mercedes’s second pinfall loss in AEW. He said Statlander was the better woman tonight.
WINNER: Statlander in 23:00 to retain the AEW Women’s Title.
(This was needlessly long, especially for its place on the card. The lack of passionate support for Statlander, the competing admiration for Mercedes despite her heel character, and the prior ultra-violent action that all made it nearly impossible to expect the crowd to be all that into it. This is a vote of support for Statlander, but I don’t think she’s got the collective traits of a top star.)
(9) “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. SAMOA JOE – Cage match for the AEW World Title
Joe came out first followed by Hangman. Justin Roberts did formal ring introductions from inside the cage. The bell rang 4 minutes into the hour. Joe was bleeding from the forehead early. Joe stomped away at Hangman in the corner. Hangman bashed Joe over and over with his boot seconds later. Hangman ended up bleeding five minutes in. Joe landed a snap powerslam for a two count. They stood and exchanged strikes.
Hangman landed on his feet on a Joe released back suplex attempt. Fans chanted “Cowboy Shit!” Hangman put Joe in a sleeper. Joe’s face was just completely covered in his blood at this point.
At 11:00, Katsuyori Shibata came to ringside and created a distraction at ringside. The ref told him to get down as he began climbing the cage. Eddie Kingston came out and yanked Shibata down by his ankle. They punched each other. During that, the ref got knocked into the cage. Hangman landed a Dead Eye. The fans counted to ten or so, but the ref was down. Hobbs broke the chain with his own strength and brought the AEW Title belt into the ring. Hangman kicked him and threw him into the cage. Joe recovered and put Hangman in the Coquina Clutch. Hangman knocked Joe into an exposed turnbuckle and landed a Buckshot Lariat. The ref was still down. Hook ran in and tried to wake up the referee. Hook then eyed the belt and lifted it and hit Hangman with it. “You son of a bitch!” yelled Excalibur. He took off his orange jacket and it said “The Opps.” Danielson said he was with The Opps all along. “What did we just witness?” asked Excalibur. Joe then gave Hangman a Muscle Buster to win.
WINNER: Samoa Joe in 15:00 to capture the AEW World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Well, that was an unexpected title change. The Hook deception doesn’t really make any sense because it didn’t give him any advantage. He could’ve run into the cage as a heel who was already with The Opps, so what was the point? Joe becoming champ again is an interesting move because it obviously should extend the Hangman-Joe feud to another big event. The cage match as a concept that assures wrestlers settling their score without outside interference has long been compromised, but this was a pretty ridiculous example of reinforcing that.)
-As Joe celebrated, the lights went out. When they came back on, nothing happened. Then they went out again and then the video wall showed a burning house. Prince Nana stood on the stage with a coffee drink. Swerve Strickland then came out to a Swerve theme song. Hangman was still out on his back behind Joe. Joe pointed down at Hangman. When Swerve’s music stopped, fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Swerve walked between Joe’s Dojo security force and then hit one of them. They attacked him, but he easily took out all of them. Joe left. Swerve gave a House Call to the final Opps Dojo guy. Hangman stood and clotheslined the Opps Dojo guy. The PPV then suddenly cut off before a proper closing message (at least for me).
(So is Hangman going to get a rematch or are they pivoting immediately to belt on Swerve’s waist? Swerve stared at Joe as he walked slowly to the ring.
(8) KRIS STATLANDER vs. MERCEDES MONE – AEW World Title match
Mercedes made her entrance past shiftless men on the stage. Statlander made her entrance by bursting out of a space capsule that looked like it came from a Twilight Zone museum. The bell rang 30 minutes into the fourth hour. Statlander took early offense until Mercedes avoided a top rope 450 splash. Statlander clutched her left forearm. Danielson said that could be a bad sign.
Mercedes then grounded Statlander with variations of armbars. The crowd got pretty quiet. Mercedes eventually moved into doing 14 unreleased vertical suplexes, one for each of her titles and the one she wanted to win tonight. Some fans stood and applauded, but otherwise were pretty quiet. Mercedes went for a top rope frog splash, but Statlander caught her with an up-kick. Both were down and slow to get up.
Statlander took over for the next few minutes. She landed a discus for a near fall, which Mercedes turned into an armlock at 16:00. Statlander came back with a belly-to-belly for a two count and then shifted into a Statement Maker mid-ring. Statlander hoisted Mercedes onto her shoulders and carried her over to the corner. She stood on the second rope and leaped off with a rib-breaker. Both were down and slow to get up. “Shades of the great Dean Malenko,” said Schiavone.
After more countermoves, Statlander landed a package piledriver for a near fall; Mercedes grabbed the bottom rope to force the break. Mercedes made a comeback and scored a near fall. She then gathered herself. They stood and did more moves and countermoves. Stat then finally scored the win after her Staturday Night Fever.
Excalibur said it was the first-ever win by Stat over Mercedes and it was only Mercedes’s second pinfall loss in AEW. He said Statlander was the better woman tonight.
WINNER: Statlander in 23:00 to retain the AEW Women’s Title.
(This was needlessly long, especially for its place on the card. The lack of passionate support for Statlander, the competing admiration for Mercedes despite her heel character, and the prior ultra-violent action that all made it nearly impossible to expect the crowd to be all that into it. This is a vote of support for Statlander, but I don’t think she’s got the collective traits of a top star.)
(9) “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. SAMOA JOE – Cage match for the AEW World Title
Joe came out first followed by Hangman. Justin Roberts did formal ring introductions from inside the cage. The bell rang 4 minutes into the hour. Joe was bleeding from the forehead early. Joe stomped away at Hangman in the corner. Hangman bashed Joe over and over with his boot seconds later. Hangman ended up bleeding five minutes in. Joe landed a snap powerslam for a two count. They stood and exchanged strikes.
Hangman landed on his feet on a Joe released back suplex attempt. Fans chanted “Cowboy Shit!” Hangman put Joe in a sleeper. Joe’s face was just completely covered in his blood at this point.
At 11:00, Katsuyori Shibata came to ringside and created a distraction at ringside. The ref told him to get down as he began climbing the cage. Eddie Kingston came out and yanked Shibata down by his ankle. They punched each other. During that, the ref got knocked into the cage. Hangman landed a Dead Eye. The fans counted to ten or so, but the ref was down. Hobbs broke the chain with his own strength and brought the AEW Title belt into the ring. Hangman kicked him and threw him into the cage. Joe recovered and put Hangman in the Coquina Clutch. Hangman knocked Joe into an exposed turnbuckle and landed a Buckshot Lariat. The ref was still down. Hook ran in and tried to wake up the referee. Hook then eyed the belt and lifted it and hit Hangman with it. “You son of a bitch!” yelled Excalibur. He took off his orange jacket and it said “The Opps.” Danielson said he was with The Opps all along. “What did we just witness?” asked Excalibur. Joe then gave Hangman a Muscle Buster to win.
WINNER: Samoa Joe in 15:00 to capture the AEW World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Well, that was an unexpected title change. The Hook deception doesn’t really make any sense because it didn’t give him any advantage. He could’ve run into the cage as a heel who was already with The Opps, so what was the point? Joe becoming champ again is an interesting move because it obviously should extend the Hangman-Joe feud to another big event. The cage match as a concept that assures wrestlers settling their score without outside interference has long been compromised, but this was a pretty ridiculous example of reinforcing that.)
-As Joe celebrated, the lights went out. When they came back on, nothing happened. Then they went out again and then the video wall showed a burning house. Prince Nana stood on the stage with a coffee drink. Swerve Strickland then came out to a Swerve theme song. Hangman was still out on his back behind Joe. Joe pointed down at Hangman. When Swerve’s music stopped, fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Swerve walked between Joe’s Dojo security force and then hit one of them. They attacked him, but he easily took out all of them. Joe left. Swerve gave a House Call to the final Opps Dojo guy. Hangman stood and clotheslined the Opps Dojo guy. The PPV then suddenly cut off before a proper closing message (at least for me).
(So is Hangman going to get a rematch or are they pivoting immediately to belt on Swerve’s waist? Swerve stared at Joe as he walked slowly to the ring.
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WWE Survivor Series PLE Results: 11-29-25
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to LeClair's report)
(1) RHEA RIPLEY & CHARLOTTE FLAIR & ALEXA BLISS & IYO SKY & AJ LEE vs. BECKY LYNCH & NIA JAX & LASH LEGEND & ASUKA & KAIRI SANE – Women’s War Games match
Charlotte Flair and Asuka circled each other slowly, then locked up. Flair missed wildly with a pair of punches, allowing Asuka to pepper her with a few quick kicks. Asuka tried to work Flair into the cage wall, but Charlotte used her size advantage to block and counter. Asuka caught her with a stiff kick to the temple, then settled in to a side headlock. A small Charlotte chant built within Petco Park. Flair downed Asuka with a shoulder, then kipped up. Asuka rolled to the bridge between the rings. Flair charged her and ate a kick to the forehead. Asuka followed up with several more out in no-woman’s-land.
Cole noted that both of these wrestlers are former Royal Rumble winners, and among the most decorated women in the whole company. Flair climbed to the middle rope and leapt, but Asuka caught her with a kick to the mid-section. Now in the right ring, Asuka began pelting Flair’s chest with hard kicks. Flair caught a kick, missed with an elbow, but knocked Asuka down with her free leg. Barrett reminded everyone that there are no pins or submissions until all ten women are in the ring. Asuka continued to wear down Flair with kicks. Flair hit the ropes and caught Asuka with a cartwheel lariat as the match crossed 4:30, closing in on the next entrant. Flair missed a clothesline and took a German Suplex for her trouble. Flair flipped herself onto the bridge off an Irish Whip. She tried to climb the southwest corner, but Asuka dumped her between the ropes and cage wall.
Iyo Sky entered after the 5:00 mark. She slapped hands with fans and carried a garbage can lid into the cage. Sky charged Asuka with it, but missed. She went for a second hit, but it was blocked. Asuka stole the lid. Sky flipped away from Asuka, then caught her with a big missile dropkick. Asuka took Flair down again, then got caught with a springboard clothesline from Sky off both ring’s top ropes. She hit the Bullet Train with the metal lid. Sky tossed Asuka into the cage wall and stomped away at her. The two battled on the steel of the ring bridge. Iyo swept Asuka onto the steel grate. Becky Lynch was introduced next, right around 9:00.
Lynch carried a Kendo stick into the ring, immediately going to work on Iyo Sky. She gave her a Russian Leg Sweep with the stick across Sky’s neck. She tossed Sky into Tree of Woe position against the turnbuckles, then hit a wind up shot with the Kendo stick. Flair returned, stealing the stick from The Man. Lynch begged off, offering her pinky finger to Charlotte. Flair shoved her off and the two began trading punches. Asuka rushed in, grabbing Flair’s arms and allowing Lynch some free shots. Becky hit Sky with a Bexploder. Flair hit one on Asuka. The two horsewomen battled into the right ring. Becky worked Flair against the cage wall as the clock counted down again.
Alexa Bliss was next out, giving her team a 3-on-2 advantage. Bliss wasted no time, running to the ring to assist her team. She dropped Asuka with a shoulder tackle, a hard elbow, and slam. Bliss dodged a shot from the metal lid and hit Asuka with a dropkick. Alexa turned her attention to Lynch, beating her down before helping Flair to her feet. They worked together to hit tandem Dragon Screws on Lynch and Asuka. The duo hit double Natural Selections, then worked their opponents into opposing corners for some punches. Iyo Sky returned and celebrated with her partners. Cole said all these women have mended fences at least for one evening.
The clock counted down from :20 again, bringing Kairi Sane out at 16:15. The other half of the tag team champions headed to the ring swinging a chain. Bliss and Flair surrounded her as she entered the ring. Sane wrapped the chain around her fist and clocked the former tag team champions. She leapt off Flair’s back to punch Bliss square in the cheek, then spider-wrapped Flair against the ropes. Sane hit a leaping fist off the top rope to Flair. She swung it wildly, celebrating her success. In the other ring, Sky and Asuka struggled on the top turnbuckle. Sky ran to assist. Sky tried to leap at her, but Sane cracked her with the metal lid right in the ribs. Lynch celebrated this development.
Becky, Asuka, and Kairi used the chain to tie up the babyfaces. They hit running dropkicks to all three women. The camera pulled back as the clock counted down again. AJ Lee was next to enter. She walked briskly toward the ring, then jogged to ringside when she caught sight of Lynch. Becky was trying desperately to hold the cage door shut, preventing Lee’s entry. AJ simply scaled the cage instead, entering through the top. She fought off Asuka and Kairi, then hit a cross body onto both of them. Lee turned to face Becky. Lynch tried to run away, but AJ quickly caught her by the hair. She slammed her into the ring post, then skipped merrily around the ring. Lee began tossing Becky repeatedly into the cage walls. She caught her with a Shining Wizard before being attacked from behind by Sane.
Sane mocked Lee’s skipping as the match crossed 22:30. AJ hit Sane with a missile dropkick, clearing the way for she and Asuka to lock up. Lynch cut it off by attacking Lee from behind. Bliss, Sky, and Flair returned to the fold as the crowd counted down the next entrant – Nia Jax. Cole said the complexion of the match just changed. “Get ready for carnage!” Barrett said. Jax cleaned house as soon as the cage door closed behind her. She sandwiched Flair and Bliss between the ropes and cage door and gave them both several hip checks. Jax dropped Sky with a hard right hand. Sky climbed the cage wall to avoid Nia’s attack initially. Lee temporarily slowed Jax, but Nia was able to easily thwart her. She ripped Sky off the cage wall and gave her a Powerbomb.
“This is just turning into a walk in the park for Nia Jax and company,” Barrett claimed. Jax invited her partners to join in on the attack. Jax jawed at the fans through the cage while her partners beat down their opponents. The crowd stood in anticipation of Rhea Ripley’s entrance. She emerged from the stage, towing a a trash can, and a bag filled with weapons. She had a custom mask, inspired by Art the Clown of the “Terrifier” series. Ripley gave Sane a boot, then tossed the trash can into the face of Jax. Becky Lynch was left staring into the masked face of Rhea.
Ripley gave Lynch a pair of short-arm clotheslines, then an Enziguri. Asuka hoisted Ripley between the rings, then ate a kick from Rhea. She dropped Jax with a missile dropkick, then slammed Sane. Ripley helped Iyo Sky to her feet. Ripley put Sane in the reverse Cloverleaf. Sky placed the trash can on Sane’s head and ran the ropes to pick up steam. She hit Sane with a dropkick. Jax wiped out Sky and Ripley from behind. Bliss hit Jax with a Tornado DDT off the top rope.
Cole noted that the match is about to become 5-on-5, marking the official beginning of the contest. Lash Legend headed to the ring for her first official match as a member of the main roster. Lash Legend slammed the cage door behind her. Alicia Taylor announced the official start of the match at 32:30. Referees had entered the cage to officiate. Lash Legend grabbed Bliss in a choke and rag dolled her. She gave Flair a Chokeslam. Sky flew at her from the top, but Legend dropped her with a shot to the gut. Ripley slid in the ring and waved. Legend missed with a pump kick. Ripley and Lash began trading hard right hands. Rhea blocked a Chokeslam but ate a back elbow. She tried to leap into Legend’s arms, but Lash dropped her with a pop-up Powerbomb, then a pump kick for a cover and near fall.
After a brief struggle, Rhea caught Legend with a headbutt. She set up for Riptide, but Jax flew into frame and tossed Ripley violently into the cage. Bliss leapt onto Nia’s back. Flair went for a boot to Legend, but wound up on her shoulders. Jax scooped up Bliss for a Powerbomb. They slammed their opponents into the cage, then the mat. Both covered, but AJ Lee flew in to break it up. Lynch hit Lee with a Man Handle Slam and covered for a two count, broken up by a Moonsault from Sky. Sky covered, but Lash Legend ripped her away.
Jax and Legend picked a leaping Iyo Sky out of the air and catapulted her across both rings onto her partners in the right ring. Asuka held Sky in place while Sane climbed to the top rope and hit the Kabuki Special. She covered, but Ripley bulldozed her way into the pin attempt to break it up just before 38:00. All five heels surrounded Ripley like sharks smelling blood. They held Ripley in place for Asuka to spit her mist. Flair shoved Ripley out of the way, causing Asuka to mist Lash Legend. Rhea and Charlotte gave the “suck it” taunt to Jax. They worked together to slam her. Bliss hit Twisted Bliss from the top.
Iyo was waiting on top of the cage. They handed her the trash can and she placed it on her head. She launched herself with a Swanton and took out everyone but Lynch. Becky looked on in horror. Bliss tried to give her Sister Abigail, but Lynch wiggled free and ran. She tried to escape the cage, but was quickly ripped down. Ripley hit her with Riptide. AJ Lee applied the Black Widow and Lynch tapped out.
WINNERS: AJ Lee, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Charlotte Flair, & Alexa Bliss in 40:49
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to LeClair's report)
(1) RHEA RIPLEY & CHARLOTTE FLAIR & ALEXA BLISS & IYO SKY & AJ LEE vs. BECKY LYNCH & NIA JAX & LASH LEGEND & ASUKA & KAIRI SANE – Women’s War Games match
Charlotte Flair and Asuka circled each other slowly, then locked up. Flair missed wildly with a pair of punches, allowing Asuka to pepper her with a few quick kicks. Asuka tried to work Flair into the cage wall, but Charlotte used her size advantage to block and counter. Asuka caught her with a stiff kick to the temple, then settled in to a side headlock. A small Charlotte chant built within Petco Park. Flair downed Asuka with a shoulder, then kipped up. Asuka rolled to the bridge between the rings. Flair charged her and ate a kick to the forehead. Asuka followed up with several more out in no-woman’s-land.
Cole noted that both of these wrestlers are former Royal Rumble winners, and among the most decorated women in the whole company. Flair climbed to the middle rope and leapt, but Asuka caught her with a kick to the mid-section. Now in the right ring, Asuka began pelting Flair’s chest with hard kicks. Flair caught a kick, missed with an elbow, but knocked Asuka down with her free leg. Barrett reminded everyone that there are no pins or submissions until all ten women are in the ring. Asuka continued to wear down Flair with kicks. Flair hit the ropes and caught Asuka with a cartwheel lariat as the match crossed 4:30, closing in on the next entrant. Flair missed a clothesline and took a German Suplex for her trouble. Flair flipped herself onto the bridge off an Irish Whip. She tried to climb the southwest corner, but Asuka dumped her between the ropes and cage wall.
Iyo Sky entered after the 5:00 mark. She slapped hands with fans and carried a garbage can lid into the cage. Sky charged Asuka with it, but missed. She went for a second hit, but it was blocked. Asuka stole the lid. Sky flipped away from Asuka, then caught her with a big missile dropkick. Asuka took Flair down again, then got caught with a springboard clothesline from Sky off both ring’s top ropes. She hit the Bullet Train with the metal lid. Sky tossed Asuka into the cage wall and stomped away at her. The two battled on the steel of the ring bridge. Iyo swept Asuka onto the steel grate. Becky Lynch was introduced next, right around 9:00.
Lynch carried a Kendo stick into the ring, immediately going to work on Iyo Sky. She gave her a Russian Leg Sweep with the stick across Sky’s neck. She tossed Sky into Tree of Woe position against the turnbuckles, then hit a wind up shot with the Kendo stick. Flair returned, stealing the stick from The Man. Lynch begged off, offering her pinky finger to Charlotte. Flair shoved her off and the two began trading punches. Asuka rushed in, grabbing Flair’s arms and allowing Lynch some free shots. Becky hit Sky with a Bexploder. Flair hit one on Asuka. The two horsewomen battled into the right ring. Becky worked Flair against the cage wall as the clock counted down again.
Alexa Bliss was next out, giving her team a 3-on-2 advantage. Bliss wasted no time, running to the ring to assist her team. She dropped Asuka with a shoulder tackle, a hard elbow, and slam. Bliss dodged a shot from the metal lid and hit Asuka with a dropkick. Alexa turned her attention to Lynch, beating her down before helping Flair to her feet. They worked together to hit tandem Dragon Screws on Lynch and Asuka. The duo hit double Natural Selections, then worked their opponents into opposing corners for some punches. Iyo Sky returned and celebrated with her partners. Cole said all these women have mended fences at least for one evening.
The clock counted down from :20 again, bringing Kairi Sane out at 16:15. The other half of the tag team champions headed to the ring swinging a chain. Bliss and Flair surrounded her as she entered the ring. Sane wrapped the chain around her fist and clocked the former tag team champions. She leapt off Flair’s back to punch Bliss square in the cheek, then spider-wrapped Flair against the ropes. Sane hit a leaping fist off the top rope to Flair. She swung it wildly, celebrating her success. In the other ring, Sky and Asuka struggled on the top turnbuckle. Sky ran to assist. Sky tried to leap at her, but Sane cracked her with the metal lid right in the ribs. Lynch celebrated this development.
Becky, Asuka, and Kairi used the chain to tie up the babyfaces. They hit running dropkicks to all three women. The camera pulled back as the clock counted down again. AJ Lee was next to enter. She walked briskly toward the ring, then jogged to ringside when she caught sight of Lynch. Becky was trying desperately to hold the cage door shut, preventing Lee’s entry. AJ simply scaled the cage instead, entering through the top. She fought off Asuka and Kairi, then hit a cross body onto both of them. Lee turned to face Becky. Lynch tried to run away, but AJ quickly caught her by the hair. She slammed her into the ring post, then skipped merrily around the ring. Lee began tossing Becky repeatedly into the cage walls. She caught her with a Shining Wizard before being attacked from behind by Sane.
Sane mocked Lee’s skipping as the match crossed 22:30. AJ hit Sane with a missile dropkick, clearing the way for she and Asuka to lock up. Lynch cut it off by attacking Lee from behind. Bliss, Sky, and Flair returned to the fold as the crowd counted down the next entrant – Nia Jax. Cole said the complexion of the match just changed. “Get ready for carnage!” Barrett said. Jax cleaned house as soon as the cage door closed behind her. She sandwiched Flair and Bliss between the ropes and cage door and gave them both several hip checks. Jax dropped Sky with a hard right hand. Sky climbed the cage wall to avoid Nia’s attack initially. Lee temporarily slowed Jax, but Nia was able to easily thwart her. She ripped Sky off the cage wall and gave her a Powerbomb.
“This is just turning into a walk in the park for Nia Jax and company,” Barrett claimed. Jax invited her partners to join in on the attack. Jax jawed at the fans through the cage while her partners beat down their opponents. The crowd stood in anticipation of Rhea Ripley’s entrance. She emerged from the stage, towing a a trash can, and a bag filled with weapons. She had a custom mask, inspired by Art the Clown of the “Terrifier” series. Ripley gave Sane a boot, then tossed the trash can into the face of Jax. Becky Lynch was left staring into the masked face of Rhea.
Ripley gave Lynch a pair of short-arm clotheslines, then an Enziguri. Asuka hoisted Ripley between the rings, then ate a kick from Rhea. She dropped Jax with a missile dropkick, then slammed Sane. Ripley helped Iyo Sky to her feet. Ripley put Sane in the reverse Cloverleaf. Sky placed the trash can on Sane’s head and ran the ropes to pick up steam. She hit Sane with a dropkick. Jax wiped out Sky and Ripley from behind. Bliss hit Jax with a Tornado DDT off the top rope.
Cole noted that the match is about to become 5-on-5, marking the official beginning of the contest. Lash Legend headed to the ring for her first official match as a member of the main roster. Lash Legend slammed the cage door behind her. Alicia Taylor announced the official start of the match at 32:30. Referees had entered the cage to officiate. Lash Legend grabbed Bliss in a choke and rag dolled her. She gave Flair a Chokeslam. Sky flew at her from the top, but Legend dropped her with a shot to the gut. Ripley slid in the ring and waved. Legend missed with a pump kick. Ripley and Lash began trading hard right hands. Rhea blocked a Chokeslam but ate a back elbow. She tried to leap into Legend’s arms, but Lash dropped her with a pop-up Powerbomb, then a pump kick for a cover and near fall.
After a brief struggle, Rhea caught Legend with a headbutt. She set up for Riptide, but Jax flew into frame and tossed Ripley violently into the cage. Bliss leapt onto Nia’s back. Flair went for a boot to Legend, but wound up on her shoulders. Jax scooped up Bliss for a Powerbomb. They slammed their opponents into the cage, then the mat. Both covered, but AJ Lee flew in to break it up. Lynch hit Lee with a Man Handle Slam and covered for a two count, broken up by a Moonsault from Sky. Sky covered, but Lash Legend ripped her away.
Jax and Legend picked a leaping Iyo Sky out of the air and catapulted her across both rings onto her partners in the right ring. Asuka held Sky in place while Sane climbed to the top rope and hit the Kabuki Special. She covered, but Ripley bulldozed her way into the pin attempt to break it up just before 38:00. All five heels surrounded Ripley like sharks smelling blood. They held Ripley in place for Asuka to spit her mist. Flair shoved Ripley out of the way, causing Asuka to mist Lash Legend. Rhea and Charlotte gave the “suck it” taunt to Jax. They worked together to slam her. Bliss hit Twisted Bliss from the top.
Iyo was waiting on top of the cage. They handed her the trash can and she placed it on her head. She launched herself with a Swanton and took out everyone but Lynch. Becky looked on in horror. Bliss tried to give her Sister Abigail, but Lynch wiggled free and ran. She tried to escape the cage, but was quickly ripped down. Ripley hit her with Riptide. AJ Lee applied the Black Widow and Lynch tapped out.
WINNERS: AJ Lee, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Charlotte Flair, & Alexa Bliss in 40:49
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WWE Survivor Series PLE Results: 11-29-25
(2) JOHN CENA (c) vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO (w/ Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez) – WWE Intercontinental Championship match
John Cena and Dominik Mysterio teased a test of strength to kick things off. Cena pulled Dominik into a side headlock and took him to the mat. A dueling chant for both wrestlers broke out early. Cena hit the ropes, but Roxanne Perez tripped him up. Dominik provided enough to distraction to keep her out of view of the official. He began stomping at Cena. Mysterio climbed the ropes, miming Cena’s “you can’t see me” gesture at the audience. Mysterio overwhelmed Cena in the corner, causing the referee to pull him away. The distraction allowed Raquel Rodriguez to leap onto the apron and punch Cena right in the face.
Dom took control with Three Amigos for a cover and two count just before 3:00. Mysterio begged for a faster count. He worked John into the northeast corner and stomped him to the mat. Cena battled out with some right hands. Dom rolled to the floor for a reprieve. Cena tired to give chase, but Perez and Rodriguez stepped between he and the AAA Mega Champion. Mysterio cut past his Judgment Day cohorts to blindside Cena. He walked him around ringside and slammed him against the Spanish announce desk. Cena was punching at air. Dom flexed on the steel steps, then continued slamming Cena’s head onto the ring apron and ringside barrier.
Mysterio leapt to the barricade, looking for a Hurricanrana on Cena. Dom landed awkwardly on his neck and shoulder. Cena rolled in the ring while the referee went to check on Dom. He called medical over to assist. Meanwhile, Perez and Rodriguez slid in the ring. Raquel gave Cena a Tejana Bomb. Roxanne followed up with Pop Rox. They placed Cena in place for the 619. Suddenly, Dom popped up and slid back in the ring. He hit Cena with the 619, then a frog splash from the top. Dom covered, but referee Chad Patten admonished him for faking the injury. He turned to Raquel and Roxanne and ejected them from ringside as the match crossed 8:00.
Cena worked to his feet, ducking a clothesline and catching Mysterio with his signature side drop. He hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle, then went for the Attitude Adjustment. Dom blocked, but Cena tripped him into the STFU. Mysterio managed to reach the bottom rope quickly. He unzipped his left boot. Cena tried to drag him by the foot, but the boot came off. Mysterio kicked Cena into the ropes and hit another 619. He followed up with a second Frog Splash and cover for a near fall just before 11:00. Mysterio put his boot back on and walked right into an Attitude Adjustment. John hooked the leg, but Dom just managed to kick out.
“Respect to Dirty Dom for digging deeper than he’s ever had to before,” Wade said. A “this is awesome” chant broke out in the San Diego crowd. Both men rose slowly, then began trading right hands. Cena got the better of the exchange. He hit one shoulder tackle, but Dom ducked the second. John collided with the referee, sending him crashing to the floor. Cena applied the STFU again. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh rushed to the ring and beat Cena down. McDonagh went for a Moonsault off the top, but Cena got his knees up. Finn immediately flew in for the Coup De Grace, but Cena rolled out of the way. He sent Finn and JD to the corner, then hoisted them both onto his shoulders for a double Attitude Adjustment.
John was down alone in the ring as the match ticked toward 14:30. On the outside, Dominik retrieved the Intercontinental title. Cena stumbled to his feet, but Dom missed the belt shot. Cena hit another A.A. He motioned toward the stage for another official. Instead, Liv Morgan’s music hit. Morgan sprinted to the ring. “Liv Morgan is back!” Cole exclaimed. She stood in front of Dom, smiling big. Dominik was ecstatic. Morgan slapped him in the face.
Liv turned to Cena, still smiling. She leapt into his arms. The camera zoomed in on her face. Liv’s eyes got wide. She leapt out of Cena’s arms and gave him a low blow. Cena fell into the ropes. Dom hit another 619, then Liv clocked Cena in the head with the Intercontinental title. Dom covered John and the referee returned to count to three.
WINNER: Dominik Mysterio in 16:47 to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship
(This was fun, despite all of the wacky shenanigans and interference. It’s essentially what you’d expect from a Dominik Mysterio and late era Cena match. The Judgment Day interference seems far for the course, but that alone would’ve probably felt a little underwhelming had it been the action that cost Cena the Intercontinental title. The returning Liv Morgan fit that bill much better, and gave a slightly better excuse for Cena’s eventual demise. John’s wins and losses hardly matter at this point, but at least a big return precipitated this one.
It was undoubtedly a bit surreal knowing that this was Cena’s final Pay-Per-View/Premium Live Event performance. An end of an era, for sure. I’m glad these final few months of Cena’s farewell tour have produced a lot of fun matches and one-offs, and that they were largely able to effectively course-correct from the disastrous heel run earlier in the year.)
(3) STEPHANIE VAQUER (c) vs. NIKKI BELLA – Women’s World Championship match
Nikki Bella attacked Stephanie Vaquer from behind the moment the bell rang. Barrett said he loves the new approach from Bella, and is glad to see she’s hungry to take the gold. Cole talked up her title accolades. Bella shoved Stephanie toward the ropes. The champion bounced back with a quick dropkick. She downed Nikki in the northeast corner and slammed the back of her head repeatedly against the bottom turnbuckle. Vaquer gave Nikki a number of headbutts. She drove the heel of her boot into Nikki’s forehead, then charged. Nikki rolled to the floor to avoid. Vaquer gave chase.
Stephanie worked Bella against the ring apron near the announce desks. She went for a stomp to the head, but Nikki moved. She ripped Vaquer to the floor, then tossed her in the ring. “That’s right, bow down!” Nikki told the San Diego crowd. She worked Vaquer into the corner, hit her with a couple of shoulder thrusts, then a Suplex for a cover and quick one count. Nikki mounted Vaquer and elbowed at her. Bella continued to taunt the crowd, firmly in control. She drove her knee into Stephanie’s back and choked the champion with her own wrists. Vaquer worked her way to her feet, but Nikki slammed her back down as the match approached 4:00.
Bella hit a knee to the face and covered for a two count. Barrett said she’s “finding a new gear.” Bella sent Vaquer into the southwest corner and charged, but the champion managed to pull her in to a Tarantula. The referee forced a break. Nikki shook it off and dropped the champion again. She teased the Devil’s Kiss, but Vaquer blocked her. She hooked her legs around Bella’s neck and rolled her toward the apron for Devil’s Kiss on the outside, but Nikki grabbed the bottom rope. She briefly rolled to safety, then back in the ring. Vaquer caught her with a kick. Both women were down. After a beat, they rose to a knee and traded headbutts. Vaquer bested the challenger with a headbutt and pair of spinning clotheslines. Vaquer gave Nikki the S.V.B. and covered for a near fall at 8:30.
The champion sent Bella into the northeast corner and downed her. Vaquer delivered a running Meteora and headed to the top rope, but Nikki pulled her down. She gave her a kick off the middle rope, then hit Rack Attack 2.0. She covered, but Vaquer got her foot on the bottom rope. While Nikki complained to the referee, Vaquer rolled to the apron. Nikki followed her out there. The women traded blows on the edge. Stephanie sent Bella careening to the floor with a headbutt. Nikki stepped underneath her and tried to pull her in for a Powerbomb. Stephanie blocked it and caught Nikki with double knees across the chest.
Vaquer sat Bella on the announcers desk and climbed it herself. She hooked Bella and turned her over, delivering the Devil’s Kiss on the table. Stephanie returned the challenger to the ring at the count of seven. Bella fought back with a hard slap. Vaquer hit her own, then followed it up with a back Suplex. She gave Bella another round in the Devil’s Kiss, this time in the ring. Vaquer climbed the ropes and hit the Corkscrew Splash for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Stephanie Vaquer in 12:23 to retain the Women’s World Championship
(The outcome of this one was never much in doubt, but I was intrigued by how these two would work together as opponents. I’ve been generally pleased with Nikki Bella’s work, both as friend and foe to Vaquer. The match was fine, but never really reached a third or fourth gear. I don’t think the crowd really bought Bella as a legitimate threat to the title, and so they mostly sat patiently for Vaquer’s major offense to come into play. Vaquer continues to build her resume, and this was fine for a B-level title defense on the undercard of a major show.)
(2) JOHN CENA (c) vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO (w/ Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez) – WWE Intercontinental Championship match
John Cena and Dominik Mysterio teased a test of strength to kick things off. Cena pulled Dominik into a side headlock and took him to the mat. A dueling chant for both wrestlers broke out early. Cena hit the ropes, but Roxanne Perez tripped him up. Dominik provided enough to distraction to keep her out of view of the official. He began stomping at Cena. Mysterio climbed the ropes, miming Cena’s “you can’t see me” gesture at the audience. Mysterio overwhelmed Cena in the corner, causing the referee to pull him away. The distraction allowed Raquel Rodriguez to leap onto the apron and punch Cena right in the face.
Dom took control with Three Amigos for a cover and two count just before 3:00. Mysterio begged for a faster count. He worked John into the northeast corner and stomped him to the mat. Cena battled out with some right hands. Dom rolled to the floor for a reprieve. Cena tired to give chase, but Perez and Rodriguez stepped between he and the AAA Mega Champion. Mysterio cut past his Judgment Day cohorts to blindside Cena. He walked him around ringside and slammed him against the Spanish announce desk. Cena was punching at air. Dom flexed on the steel steps, then continued slamming Cena’s head onto the ring apron and ringside barrier.
Mysterio leapt to the barricade, looking for a Hurricanrana on Cena. Dom landed awkwardly on his neck and shoulder. Cena rolled in the ring while the referee went to check on Dom. He called medical over to assist. Meanwhile, Perez and Rodriguez slid in the ring. Raquel gave Cena a Tejana Bomb. Roxanne followed up with Pop Rox. They placed Cena in place for the 619. Suddenly, Dom popped up and slid back in the ring. He hit Cena with the 619, then a frog splash from the top. Dom covered, but referee Chad Patten admonished him for faking the injury. He turned to Raquel and Roxanne and ejected them from ringside as the match crossed 8:00.
Cena worked to his feet, ducking a clothesline and catching Mysterio with his signature side drop. He hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle, then went for the Attitude Adjustment. Dom blocked, but Cena tripped him into the STFU. Mysterio managed to reach the bottom rope quickly. He unzipped his left boot. Cena tried to drag him by the foot, but the boot came off. Mysterio kicked Cena into the ropes and hit another 619. He followed up with a second Frog Splash and cover for a near fall just before 11:00. Mysterio put his boot back on and walked right into an Attitude Adjustment. John hooked the leg, but Dom just managed to kick out.
“Respect to Dirty Dom for digging deeper than he’s ever had to before,” Wade said. A “this is awesome” chant broke out in the San Diego crowd. Both men rose slowly, then began trading right hands. Cena got the better of the exchange. He hit one shoulder tackle, but Dom ducked the second. John collided with the referee, sending him crashing to the floor. Cena applied the STFU again. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh rushed to the ring and beat Cena down. McDonagh went for a Moonsault off the top, but Cena got his knees up. Finn immediately flew in for the Coup De Grace, but Cena rolled out of the way. He sent Finn and JD to the corner, then hoisted them both onto his shoulders for a double Attitude Adjustment.
John was down alone in the ring as the match ticked toward 14:30. On the outside, Dominik retrieved the Intercontinental title. Cena stumbled to his feet, but Dom missed the belt shot. Cena hit another A.A. He motioned toward the stage for another official. Instead, Liv Morgan’s music hit. Morgan sprinted to the ring. “Liv Morgan is back!” Cole exclaimed. She stood in front of Dom, smiling big. Dominik was ecstatic. Morgan slapped him in the face.
Liv turned to Cena, still smiling. She leapt into his arms. The camera zoomed in on her face. Liv’s eyes got wide. She leapt out of Cena’s arms and gave him a low blow. Cena fell into the ropes. Dom hit another 619, then Liv clocked Cena in the head with the Intercontinental title. Dom covered John and the referee returned to count to three.
WINNER: Dominik Mysterio in 16:47 to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship
(This was fun, despite all of the wacky shenanigans and interference. It’s essentially what you’d expect from a Dominik Mysterio and late era Cena match. The Judgment Day interference seems far for the course, but that alone would’ve probably felt a little underwhelming had it been the action that cost Cena the Intercontinental title. The returning Liv Morgan fit that bill much better, and gave a slightly better excuse for Cena’s eventual demise. John’s wins and losses hardly matter at this point, but at least a big return precipitated this one.
It was undoubtedly a bit surreal knowing that this was Cena’s final Pay-Per-View/Premium Live Event performance. An end of an era, for sure. I’m glad these final few months of Cena’s farewell tour have produced a lot of fun matches and one-offs, and that they were largely able to effectively course-correct from the disastrous heel run earlier in the year.)
(3) STEPHANIE VAQUER (c) vs. NIKKI BELLA – Women’s World Championship match
Nikki Bella attacked Stephanie Vaquer from behind the moment the bell rang. Barrett said he loves the new approach from Bella, and is glad to see she’s hungry to take the gold. Cole talked up her title accolades. Bella shoved Stephanie toward the ropes. The champion bounced back with a quick dropkick. She downed Nikki in the northeast corner and slammed the back of her head repeatedly against the bottom turnbuckle. Vaquer gave Nikki a number of headbutts. She drove the heel of her boot into Nikki’s forehead, then charged. Nikki rolled to the floor to avoid. Vaquer gave chase.
Stephanie worked Bella against the ring apron near the announce desks. She went for a stomp to the head, but Nikki moved. She ripped Vaquer to the floor, then tossed her in the ring. “That’s right, bow down!” Nikki told the San Diego crowd. She worked Vaquer into the corner, hit her with a couple of shoulder thrusts, then a Suplex for a cover and quick one count. Nikki mounted Vaquer and elbowed at her. Bella continued to taunt the crowd, firmly in control. She drove her knee into Stephanie’s back and choked the champion with her own wrists. Vaquer worked her way to her feet, but Nikki slammed her back down as the match approached 4:00.
Bella hit a knee to the face and covered for a two count. Barrett said she’s “finding a new gear.” Bella sent Vaquer into the southwest corner and charged, but the champion managed to pull her in to a Tarantula. The referee forced a break. Nikki shook it off and dropped the champion again. She teased the Devil’s Kiss, but Vaquer blocked her. She hooked her legs around Bella’s neck and rolled her toward the apron for Devil’s Kiss on the outside, but Nikki grabbed the bottom rope. She briefly rolled to safety, then back in the ring. Vaquer caught her with a kick. Both women were down. After a beat, they rose to a knee and traded headbutts. Vaquer bested the challenger with a headbutt and pair of spinning clotheslines. Vaquer gave Nikki the S.V.B. and covered for a near fall at 8:30.
The champion sent Bella into the northeast corner and downed her. Vaquer delivered a running Meteora and headed to the top rope, but Nikki pulled her down. She gave her a kick off the middle rope, then hit Rack Attack 2.0. She covered, but Vaquer got her foot on the bottom rope. While Nikki complained to the referee, Vaquer rolled to the apron. Nikki followed her out there. The women traded blows on the edge. Stephanie sent Bella careening to the floor with a headbutt. Nikki stepped underneath her and tried to pull her in for a Powerbomb. Stephanie blocked it and caught Nikki with double knees across the chest.
Vaquer sat Bella on the announcers desk and climbed it herself. She hooked Bella and turned her over, delivering the Devil’s Kiss on the table. Stephanie returned the challenger to the ring at the count of seven. Bella fought back with a hard slap. Vaquer hit her own, then followed it up with a back Suplex. She gave Bella another round in the Devil’s Kiss, this time in the ring. Vaquer climbed the ropes and hit the Corkscrew Splash for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Stephanie Vaquer in 12:23 to retain the Women’s World Championship
(The outcome of this one was never much in doubt, but I was intrigued by how these two would work together as opponents. I’ve been generally pleased with Nikki Bella’s work, both as friend and foe to Vaquer. The match was fine, but never really reached a third or fourth gear. I don’t think the crowd really bought Bella as a legitimate threat to the title, and so they mostly sat patiently for Vaquer’s major offense to come into play. Vaquer continues to build her resume, and this was fine for a B-level title defense on the undercard of a major show.)
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WWE Survivor Series PLE Results: 11-29-25
(4) CODY RHODES & CM PUNK & ROMAN REIGNS & JEY USO & JIMMY USO vs. BROCK LESNAR & LOGAN PAUL & DREW McINTYRE & BRON BREAKKER & BRONSON REED (w/ Paul Heyman) – Men’s War Games match
CM Punk and Bron Breakker marched slowly to the center of the ring and came face to face. Punk raised a single finger to the sky and the crowd chanted his name. The two locked up, and Breakker overpowered the champion, driving him into the mat. Punk stood quickly, but Breakker quickly took him down on another lockup. He barked at Punk. The champion stood confidently and grabbed a side headlock. Punk hit the ropes, looking for a shoulder tackle. Bron ate it and didn’t budge. He gave Punk a violent scoop slam, then worked him into the northwest corner. Breakker drove his shoulder into Punk’s ribs repeatedly, then sent him to the ropes. Punk hit a side kick out of nowhere, finally dropping Breakker.
Breakker and Punk worked back to center. Bron lifted him into the air, looking for a military press. Punk slid down the back and headed to the ropes. He caught Bron with a double axe handle. Punk went to the well a second time, but Breakker picked him out of the air and delivered a releasing overhead belly-to-belly as the match approached 3:30. “Breakker’s got everything but a World Championship,” Barrett said. Breakker charged at Punk, but got caught with a hard clothesline as the clock began ticking down toward the next entrant.
Help for Bron came in the form of Drew McIntyre. “Things just got real bad for CM Punk,” Cole surmised. Drew marched confidently to the ring. Punk charged at Drew as soon as he stepped in the ring. McIntyre quickly overpowered him with a kick and chop out of the corner. Bron joined in on the assault. Punk turned back and forth, trying to fight them both off. McIntyre shut it down with a Claymore. He clawed at Punk’s eyes, then threw him into the cage wall. McIntyre and Breakker talked strategy, then lifted Punk together. They lawn-darted him into the cage. Cole and Barrett explained McIntyre’s involvement in the match, despite his ongoing suspension. Drew mounted Punk and punched him repeatedly.
McIntyre scraped Punk’s face across the cage, then the bottom rope. The clock counted down again, bringing out WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. He quickly removed his entrance gear and rushed to the ring to aid his partner. Drew McIntyre held the cage door shut to block Cody from entering. Rhodes just climbed the wall instead. Cody took McIntyre down with a cross body off the top of the cage. Breakker intervened. Cody flipped over his back and dropped Bron with a Cody Cutter. Rhodes felt someone behind him and threw an elbow. It was Punk. Punk was bleeding from the forehead. Cody apologized to his partner. Punk shoved him out of the way, avoiding attack from McIntyre.
Punk and Rhodes put their friendly fire aside and went to work, first toppling Drew, and then catching Breakker with a scary looking Doomsday Device off the top. Breakker landed awkwardly on his neck. Barrett pleaded with someone to check on Bron as the match crossed 12:00. Punk wiped blood from his eyes and let Cody work over Drew in the corner. They took turns delivering short jabs and bionic elbows. Cole said a doctor was checking on Breakker.
Logan Paul entered next. McIntyre shouted instructions at him as he reached ringside. Paul retrieved some steel chairs and slid them in the ring ahead of him. A recovering Bron Breakker held Punk up so Paul could hit a Buckshot Lariat across both rings. Rhodes hit Breakker in the ribs with a chair. Paul began climbing the cage, Cody followed. Straddled atop the cage wall, Rhodes and Paul traded right hands at the 15:00 mark. Breakker caught Cody in the leg with a steel chair. McIntyre kicked Punk in the head. Rhodes slumped back into the ring, sandwiched between the cage and ropes. Breakker scraped Cody’s face against the rope, then the steel. Drew cracked a chair over Punk’s back.
“This has been a masterclass of using the numbers game to your advantage,” Barrett explained. Paul and McIntyre took Punk down and then kipped up together. The heels continued to dominate as the clock ticked down again, bringing Jimmy Uso out at around 17:00. Cole said no one on Cody’s team has ever lost in War Games. Jimmy retrieved a table from underneath the ring before entering the chaos. He dropped Drew with a Superkick, then Breakker. He gave Paul a Samoan Drop. Jimmy flew off the top, taking down both Paul and Breakker. McIntyre exploded into frame with a Claymore. Punk kicked Drew in the head, then went to work on Paul. He hit a Suplex. The camera missed a top rope ‘rana from Breakker to Rhodes. Cody was busted open at the forehead.
0:00s on the clock opened the cage door for Bronson Reed to enter. He immediately hit the Tsunami on Punk, Rhodes, and Jimmy Uso. Barrett reminded the audience that this would be over if not for the inability to pin before all competitors enter the cage. The heels continued to beat down Rhodes and company. Drew laughed while chopping Punk viciously against the cage wall. Reed propped the table in the corner and tried to slam Jimmy into it, but Uso slid down the back and caught Reed with a Superkick to stagger him. Breakker stifled the comeback attempt, dropping Jimmy. “Finally, some help for Cody and company,” Cole said as the countdown appeared on screen again. Jey Uso was next out.
Jey skipped through the entrance way with 24:00 elapsed. He rushed to the ring, blocking shots from Breakker and connecting with several of his own. He kicked Reed in the gut, then sent him stumbling into the corner with an Enziguri. Jey helped his brother up. They hit tandem Superkicks to Reed, then Bron, and finally, McIntyre. Paul leapt into view. The Usos caught him with the 1-D. Jey turned to the camera, telling them to run it back. Jey’s music played again. He climbed the cage to “yeet” with the crowd. Jimmy, Punk, and Rhodes continued to beat down the heels in the ring.
“People should not be having this much fun inside War Games,” Barrett laughed. It foretold what was to come – Brock Lesnar’s music rang out, cutting the party short. Brock Lesnar emerged through the entrance, flanked by Paul Heyman. Cole noted that it’s the first time since 2004 that Brock Lesnar competes in a match with a partner of any kind. Brock entered the ring and began hitting German Suplexes indiscriminately. He tossed Rhodes violently into the cage. Lesnar hit Jey with an overhead belly-t0-belly, then gave Jimmy an F5. Punk walked into the next F5. Cody took one, too. Lesnar was left alone among a pile of bodies as the match approached 30:00.
The camera pulled back as the crowd chanted “OTC!” Lesnar gave Jey an F5. Punk used the ropes to steady himself. He grabbed a steel chair, but Brock easily kicked it out of his hands. Lesnar man-handled Rhodes into the corner, gave him a shoulder thrust, then a belly-to-belly. Cole said that Lesnar makes everything look easy. “It’s like being locked inside of a cage with a grizzly bear.” Brock cracked a chair over Punk’s back. The countdown returned to the screen, indicating the Tribal Chief’s arrival.
Roman Reigns sauntered into view, one to the sky. Brock left the cage and took up post on the steel steps, waiting his long time rival. Lesnar removed his gloves and stepped right into Roman’s way. Reigns charged, catching Lesnar with a Superman Punch. Brock stumbled, so Roman hit another one. Lesnar still didn’t go down. He hit a third. Reigns cocked his fist for a fourth and charged. Lesnar lifted Reigns into the air and gave him an F5 through the Spanish announce desk. Brock pulled Roman from the wreckage and tossed him into the cage wall. Lesnar walked Reigns around both rings and tossed him haphazardly into the steel steps. He forced him back in the ring and slammed the cage shut behind him. Alicia Taylor announced the official start of the match at 33:50.
Cole and Barrett wondered if it’d be the shortest War Games match in history. Lesnar gave Reigns an F5 and pinned him, but Cody broke it up. Punk hit Lesnar with a GTS. Cody followed up with Cross Rhodes. They covered Brock together, but Logan Paul came flying off the top with a splash to break it up. At ringside, Paul Heyman was shown fumbling through his pocket. He pulled out brass knuckles and handed them to Paul through the cage. Logan clocked Rhodes in the head, then Jimmy Uso. The crowd showered him in boos.
“Get up, Roman!’ Paul shouted. Reigns struggled to stand. Paul charged, but Reigns picked him off with a huge Spear. Reigns stole the brass knuckles from Paul’s fist. He put them on and hit a Superman Punch to Reed, then to McIntyre. Breakker came into view, pulling down his straps. He invited Reigns to charge. Roman hit him with a Spear. Jey dragged Lesnar to his feet. Brock hoisted Jey into the air for an F5. Reigns charged, spearing Lesnar through the propped table.
Breakker speared Jimmy. McIntyre gave Rhodes a low blow. Breakker speared Jey. Bron moved to the right ring. “You’ll never be better than a Steiner!’ he told Cody. Bron hit the ropes and dropped the WWE Champion with a spear. Breakker charged CM Punk, but Punk sidestepped and sent Breakker careening into the cage. Paul tried to attack Punk, but Punk countered and hit a GTS. He covered, but the camera cut to a man dressed in all black climbing the cage wall. He landed in the ring, gave Punk a Superkick and then a Stomp. Breakker looked on, shocked. The masked man climbed back up the cage and left. Breakker gave Punk another spear and pinned him for a three count.
WINNERS: Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed & Brock Lesnar & Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul in 39:26
(4) CODY RHODES & CM PUNK & ROMAN REIGNS & JEY USO & JIMMY USO vs. BROCK LESNAR & LOGAN PAUL & DREW McINTYRE & BRON BREAKKER & BRONSON REED (w/ Paul Heyman) – Men’s War Games match
CM Punk and Bron Breakker marched slowly to the center of the ring and came face to face. Punk raised a single finger to the sky and the crowd chanted his name. The two locked up, and Breakker overpowered the champion, driving him into the mat. Punk stood quickly, but Breakker quickly took him down on another lockup. He barked at Punk. The champion stood confidently and grabbed a side headlock. Punk hit the ropes, looking for a shoulder tackle. Bron ate it and didn’t budge. He gave Punk a violent scoop slam, then worked him into the northwest corner. Breakker drove his shoulder into Punk’s ribs repeatedly, then sent him to the ropes. Punk hit a side kick out of nowhere, finally dropping Breakker.
Breakker and Punk worked back to center. Bron lifted him into the air, looking for a military press. Punk slid down the back and headed to the ropes. He caught Bron with a double axe handle. Punk went to the well a second time, but Breakker picked him out of the air and delivered a releasing overhead belly-to-belly as the match approached 3:30. “Breakker’s got everything but a World Championship,” Barrett said. Breakker charged at Punk, but got caught with a hard clothesline as the clock began ticking down toward the next entrant.
Help for Bron came in the form of Drew McIntyre. “Things just got real bad for CM Punk,” Cole surmised. Drew marched confidently to the ring. Punk charged at Drew as soon as he stepped in the ring. McIntyre quickly overpowered him with a kick and chop out of the corner. Bron joined in on the assault. Punk turned back and forth, trying to fight them both off. McIntyre shut it down with a Claymore. He clawed at Punk’s eyes, then threw him into the cage wall. McIntyre and Breakker talked strategy, then lifted Punk together. They lawn-darted him into the cage. Cole and Barrett explained McIntyre’s involvement in the match, despite his ongoing suspension. Drew mounted Punk and punched him repeatedly.
McIntyre scraped Punk’s face across the cage, then the bottom rope. The clock counted down again, bringing out WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. He quickly removed his entrance gear and rushed to the ring to aid his partner. Drew McIntyre held the cage door shut to block Cody from entering. Rhodes just climbed the wall instead. Cody took McIntyre down with a cross body off the top of the cage. Breakker intervened. Cody flipped over his back and dropped Bron with a Cody Cutter. Rhodes felt someone behind him and threw an elbow. It was Punk. Punk was bleeding from the forehead. Cody apologized to his partner. Punk shoved him out of the way, avoiding attack from McIntyre.
Punk and Rhodes put their friendly fire aside and went to work, first toppling Drew, and then catching Breakker with a scary looking Doomsday Device off the top. Breakker landed awkwardly on his neck. Barrett pleaded with someone to check on Bron as the match crossed 12:00. Punk wiped blood from his eyes and let Cody work over Drew in the corner. They took turns delivering short jabs and bionic elbows. Cole said a doctor was checking on Breakker.
Logan Paul entered next. McIntyre shouted instructions at him as he reached ringside. Paul retrieved some steel chairs and slid them in the ring ahead of him. A recovering Bron Breakker held Punk up so Paul could hit a Buckshot Lariat across both rings. Rhodes hit Breakker in the ribs with a chair. Paul began climbing the cage, Cody followed. Straddled atop the cage wall, Rhodes and Paul traded right hands at the 15:00 mark. Breakker caught Cody in the leg with a steel chair. McIntyre kicked Punk in the head. Rhodes slumped back into the ring, sandwiched between the cage and ropes. Breakker scraped Cody’s face against the rope, then the steel. Drew cracked a chair over Punk’s back.
“This has been a masterclass of using the numbers game to your advantage,” Barrett explained. Paul and McIntyre took Punk down and then kipped up together. The heels continued to dominate as the clock ticked down again, bringing Jimmy Uso out at around 17:00. Cole said no one on Cody’s team has ever lost in War Games. Jimmy retrieved a table from underneath the ring before entering the chaos. He dropped Drew with a Superkick, then Breakker. He gave Paul a Samoan Drop. Jimmy flew off the top, taking down both Paul and Breakker. McIntyre exploded into frame with a Claymore. Punk kicked Drew in the head, then went to work on Paul. He hit a Suplex. The camera missed a top rope ‘rana from Breakker to Rhodes. Cody was busted open at the forehead.
0:00s on the clock opened the cage door for Bronson Reed to enter. He immediately hit the Tsunami on Punk, Rhodes, and Jimmy Uso. Barrett reminded the audience that this would be over if not for the inability to pin before all competitors enter the cage. The heels continued to beat down Rhodes and company. Drew laughed while chopping Punk viciously against the cage wall. Reed propped the table in the corner and tried to slam Jimmy into it, but Uso slid down the back and caught Reed with a Superkick to stagger him. Breakker stifled the comeback attempt, dropping Jimmy. “Finally, some help for Cody and company,” Cole said as the countdown appeared on screen again. Jey Uso was next out.
Jey skipped through the entrance way with 24:00 elapsed. He rushed to the ring, blocking shots from Breakker and connecting with several of his own. He kicked Reed in the gut, then sent him stumbling into the corner with an Enziguri. Jey helped his brother up. They hit tandem Superkicks to Reed, then Bron, and finally, McIntyre. Paul leapt into view. The Usos caught him with the 1-D. Jey turned to the camera, telling them to run it back. Jey’s music played again. He climbed the cage to “yeet” with the crowd. Jimmy, Punk, and Rhodes continued to beat down the heels in the ring.
“People should not be having this much fun inside War Games,” Barrett laughed. It foretold what was to come – Brock Lesnar’s music rang out, cutting the party short. Brock Lesnar emerged through the entrance, flanked by Paul Heyman. Cole noted that it’s the first time since 2004 that Brock Lesnar competes in a match with a partner of any kind. Brock entered the ring and began hitting German Suplexes indiscriminately. He tossed Rhodes violently into the cage. Lesnar hit Jey with an overhead belly-t0-belly, then gave Jimmy an F5. Punk walked into the next F5. Cody took one, too. Lesnar was left alone among a pile of bodies as the match approached 30:00.
The camera pulled back as the crowd chanted “OTC!” Lesnar gave Jey an F5. Punk used the ropes to steady himself. He grabbed a steel chair, but Brock easily kicked it out of his hands. Lesnar man-handled Rhodes into the corner, gave him a shoulder thrust, then a belly-to-belly. Cole said that Lesnar makes everything look easy. “It’s like being locked inside of a cage with a grizzly bear.” Brock cracked a chair over Punk’s back. The countdown returned to the screen, indicating the Tribal Chief’s arrival.
Roman Reigns sauntered into view, one to the sky. Brock left the cage and took up post on the steel steps, waiting his long time rival. Lesnar removed his gloves and stepped right into Roman’s way. Reigns charged, catching Lesnar with a Superman Punch. Brock stumbled, so Roman hit another one. Lesnar still didn’t go down. He hit a third. Reigns cocked his fist for a fourth and charged. Lesnar lifted Reigns into the air and gave him an F5 through the Spanish announce desk. Brock pulled Roman from the wreckage and tossed him into the cage wall. Lesnar walked Reigns around both rings and tossed him haphazardly into the steel steps. He forced him back in the ring and slammed the cage shut behind him. Alicia Taylor announced the official start of the match at 33:50.
Cole and Barrett wondered if it’d be the shortest War Games match in history. Lesnar gave Reigns an F5 and pinned him, but Cody broke it up. Punk hit Lesnar with a GTS. Cody followed up with Cross Rhodes. They covered Brock together, but Logan Paul came flying off the top with a splash to break it up. At ringside, Paul Heyman was shown fumbling through his pocket. He pulled out brass knuckles and handed them to Paul through the cage. Logan clocked Rhodes in the head, then Jimmy Uso. The crowd showered him in boos.
“Get up, Roman!’ Paul shouted. Reigns struggled to stand. Paul charged, but Reigns picked him off with a huge Spear. Reigns stole the brass knuckles from Paul’s fist. He put them on and hit a Superman Punch to Reed, then to McIntyre. Breakker came into view, pulling down his straps. He invited Reigns to charge. Roman hit him with a Spear. Jey dragged Lesnar to his feet. Brock hoisted Jey into the air for an F5. Reigns charged, spearing Lesnar through the propped table.
Breakker speared Jimmy. McIntyre gave Rhodes a low blow. Breakker speared Jey. Bron moved to the right ring. “You’ll never be better than a Steiner!’ he told Cody. Bron hit the ropes and dropped the WWE Champion with a spear. Breakker charged CM Punk, but Punk sidestepped and sent Breakker careening into the cage. Paul tried to attack Punk, but Punk countered and hit a GTS. He covered, but the camera cut to a man dressed in all black climbing the cage wall. He landed in the ring, gave Punk a Superkick and then a Stomp. Breakker looked on, shocked. The masked man climbed back up the cage and left. Breakker gave Punk another spear and pinned him for a three count.
WINNERS: Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed & Brock Lesnar & Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul in 39:26
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WWE Survivor Series PLE Results: 11-29-25
After the match, the heels gathered in the entrance way and celebrated. Logan Paul slapped hands with some fans just off camera. Fireworks exploded from the stage. Back in the ring, Punk and Reigns came face to face. They shared a respectful nod and fist bump. Cody popped to his feet and got in Roman’s face. Reigns was less friendly with the WWE Champion. “That’s the last time we’ll ever team, just know that…” The show faded out.
(There were fleeting moments of this that worked – Punk and Breakker’s early in-ring work, Punk & Cody’s teased dissension leading to reconciliation and solid babyface work, and Reigns’ brief onslaught after recovering from Lesnar’s attack on the outside. By and large, though, this just felt inconsequential, uneventful, and unremarkable. It wound up being over thirty minutes of trading off beat downs – long advantages for the heels, long advantages for the babyfaces. Jey’s run it back sequence felt completely out of place and out of touch in a match that is supposed to be as violent as War Games. For a match featuring so many big names and so many significant storylines, it just felt like very little actually happened.
The closing moments between Punk, Reigns, and Rhodes seemed to allude to bigger things ahead, but what? Punk and Reigns seem to be on good terms and are on separate courses. Reigns and Rhodes teased dissension for no viable reason – they barely interacted in the match at all. So much of this just felt disjointed.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: I thought this was one of the weakest PLEs of the year for WWE. Neither War Games match wound up being particularly memorable, with the latter especially seeming to fall flat in execution. The undercard was fine, with an enjoyable final appearance for John Cena, and a signature win for Stephanie Vaquer in a title defense against Nikki Bella. The intrigue and stakes were simply too low for these War Games matches to matter, and, as a result, this felt like a pretty meaningless affair. The stadium atmosphere looked good, but the crowd didn’t feel particularly engaged or hot at any point. I don’t know whether that’s an accurate depiction, or simply an issue with the open air baseball stadium. Barrett did remark that it was the “loudest Survivor Series crowd ever” at one point, but that was certainly not ascertainable on the broadcast. I think the company would be best served shelving this concept for a year or so, or only bringing it back the next time it feels like a logical end to a major feud between two warring factions.
After the match, the heels gathered in the entrance way and celebrated. Logan Paul slapped hands with some fans just off camera. Fireworks exploded from the stage. Back in the ring, Punk and Reigns came face to face. They shared a respectful nod and fist bump. Cody popped to his feet and got in Roman’s face. Reigns was less friendly with the WWE Champion. “That’s the last time we’ll ever team, just know that…” The show faded out.
(There were fleeting moments of this that worked – Punk and Breakker’s early in-ring work, Punk & Cody’s teased dissension leading to reconciliation and solid babyface work, and Reigns’ brief onslaught after recovering from Lesnar’s attack on the outside. By and large, though, this just felt inconsequential, uneventful, and unremarkable. It wound up being over thirty minutes of trading off beat downs – long advantages for the heels, long advantages for the babyfaces. Jey’s run it back sequence felt completely out of place and out of touch in a match that is supposed to be as violent as War Games. For a match featuring so many big names and so many significant storylines, it just felt like very little actually happened.
The closing moments between Punk, Reigns, and Rhodes seemed to allude to bigger things ahead, but what? Punk and Reigns seem to be on good terms and are on separate courses. Reigns and Rhodes teased dissension for no viable reason – they barely interacted in the match at all. So much of this just felt disjointed.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: I thought this was one of the weakest PLEs of the year for WWE. Neither War Games match wound up being particularly memorable, with the latter especially seeming to fall flat in execution. The undercard was fine, with an enjoyable final appearance for John Cena, and a signature win for Stephanie Vaquer in a title defense against Nikki Bella. The intrigue and stakes were simply too low for these War Games matches to matter, and, as a result, this felt like a pretty meaningless affair. The stadium atmosphere looked good, but the crowd didn’t feel particularly engaged or hot at any point. I don’t know whether that’s an accurate depiction, or simply an issue with the open air baseball stadium. Barrett did remark that it was the “loudest Survivor Series crowd ever” at one point, but that was certainly not ascertainable on the broadcast. I think the company would be best served shelving this concept for a year or so, or only bringing it back the next time it feels like a logical end to a major feud between two warring factions.
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Disney and DirecTV finally got their shit together so I watched this garbage, Jesus I had forgotten how useless WWE is right now. I liked Dominik but every other thing on the card was completely awful.
Get Nikki Bella the hell off the show. She's just pathetic.
New carriage partner followed immediately by two fucking awful shows. Just sell to the Saudis already.
Get Nikki Bella the hell off the show. She's just pathetic.
New carriage partner followed immediately by two fucking awful shows. Just sell to the Saudis already.
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- Sep 14, 2003
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- 20,774
WWE Saturday Night Main Event Results: 12-13-25
John Cena's Final Match.
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's report).
(1) CODY RHODES vs. ODA FEMI – WWE Champion vs. NXT Champion non-title match
As Cody entered the ring, Michael Cole spoke for the first time. He and Wade Barrett spoke about Cena briefly, then pivoted to Cody’s state of mind. Oba Femi then made his entrance. Cole said Oba Femi regained the NXT Title from Ricky Saints last weekend and had joined WWE three years ago as part of WWE’s NIL program with a great college background at the University of Alabama. He said Shawn Michaels told him he’s never seen anyone take to the business as quickly as Femi. Cole said Oba told him earlier in the day that he belongs there and tonight is the of John Cena and his beginning.
The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour. He said Femi’s father was watching live in Nigeria who has been a WWE fan his entire life. Fans sang “Cody, Cody Rhodes!” They locked up. When Cody dropped down, Femi grabbed him by his throat and gave Cody an Irish Curse backbreaker. Barrett said so far it was a 10-7 round to Femi. (That’s a bit much a minute into the match.) Barrett said this could be the start of a generational takeover of the industry. Femi landed a backbreaker and scored a two count a 4:00.
Drew McIntyre charged into the ring and attacked Cody. Cole said, “What the hell is he doing here? I thought this was ‘an unsafe working environment’!”
WINNER: No contest in 10:00.
-Oba stood and eyed Drew angrily. Drew poked him in the chest. Ova shoved Drew down. Cole said Drew ruined the match not just for Cody, but also Femi. Cody gave Drew a Cody Cutter. Femi then gave Drew a chokeslam. “That damn McIntyre,” Cole said. “The hypocrite!” Femi and Cody eyed each other. Cody picked up both belts. Cody tossed Femi the NXT Title belt. He then raised Oba’s arm. Cody’s eright ear was a bloody mess. Barrett said Femi might dominate for the next 15-plus years. Oba then raised Cody’s arm. Cole said Cody is QB1 and “hopes to replace John Cena, and already has, as the face of WWE.”
(This felt like the “obvious” finish given the way WWE operates with their booking. Cole did a nice job conveying disgust with Drew ruining a good match. I don’t think fans were all that invested in who won this match, and it was more the novelty of seeing a first-time match-up with two champions. The action was solid enough and Femi looked powerful and had a presence.)
(2) BAYLEY (w/Lyra Valkyria) vs. SOL RUCA (w/Zaria)
Bayley’s ring entrance took place first. Bayley hugged Trish Status and Eve Torres in the front row. Cole said Bayley has been struggling internally lately with some good days and bad days. Barrett said she seems to be on an even keel tonight after being erratic at times. Cole said Bayley met Cena at an autograph signing years ago and followed in Cena’s footsteps. Coles said Ruca wasn’t sure she wanted to do this. He said she wanted to be a stunt double after being part of acrobatics and tumbling at the University of Oregon. She said that sport allowed her to prepare herself for the ring. Barrett said that helps you learn to catch human beings and essentially it’s wrestling training before she got anywhere near NXT. He said that’s why she’s been on the fast track. The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour.
Barrett said Bayley is feeling pressure since she’s facing someone she’s expected to beat. Ruca showed off some of her acrobatics early. Cole said Bayley was caught off guard a bit. Ruca threw Bayley to ringside after a superkick at 3:00. Ruca landed a handspring backflip dive onto Bayley. Ruca landed a top rope cartwheel into a DDT for a two count a minute later. Bayley caught Ruca mid-air and landed a Belly-to-Bayley for a two count. Cole, “No disrespect to NXT, but this a completely different ballgame.” He talked about the sellout of over 19,000 with bright lights and celebrities.
Ruca scored a near fall on a backslide. Bayley recovered, but Ruca countered a Rose Plant with a single-arm handspring. Ruca then landed a quick running knee to the chest leading to a near fall. Bayley delivered a Rose Plant, but Ruca’s legs were on the bottom rope so the ref stopped his count. Bayley snapped a bit and started punching away aggressively at Ruca. Barrett said Bayley was showing frustration. Bayley climbed to the top rope and delivered a leaping elbow, but Ruca lifted her knees. Ruca then rolled up Bayley for a near fall. Ruca then caught Bayley with a Soul Snatcher. Bayley rolled out of the ring. Ruca pulled he back. Bayley caught Ruca with a roll-up, but Ruca reversed it for a three count.
Ruca showed disbelief and joy. Cole called it easily the best match of her career. Bayley raised Ruca’s arm afterward and was a great sport in congratulating her.
WINNER: Sol Ruca in 9:00.
(Given Bayley’s place on the roster right now, and how much the announcers talked about Ruca being such an underdog, it seemed like they were priming viewers for an upset. I think Ruca’s ring style stood enough that it was a good choice to put her in this position on a night like this. Bayley did a great job with her.)
(3) A.J. STYLES & DRAGON LEE vs. JE’VON EVANS & LEON SLATER – World Tag Team Title match
Evans and Slater made separate entrances. He said Slater’s family is staying up late in England to watch him. Cole said both are 23 years old. Barrett said neither were born when Cena started his career, then added, “That’s disgusting!” Lee made his entrance next followed by Styles. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour. Evans and Slater caught Styles and Lee with stereo superkicks. They each hit dives to ringside. Barrett said they were starting the match at 100 miles an hour. Evans landed a top rope splash and then scored a near fall on Lee a minute in.
Lee made a comeback and landed a sitout powerbomb. Evans landed an OG Cutter on Styles a minute later. Slater tagged in and landed a top rope 450 Swanton for a near fall. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but slipped and fell. Slater seized the chance to cover him for a near fall. Slater dragged Styles to the corner. Styles stood and caught Slater mid-ring and landed a Styles Clash for the win.
Styles helped Evans up and all four stood in the ring and posed together.
WINNER: Styles & Lee in 6:00 to retain the World Tag Team Titles.
(I’m going to assume the slip wasn’t intentional since it didn’t seem to play into the finishing sequence. A short match, but it did manage to be a showcase for what makes Slater and Evans special.)
John Cena's Final Match.
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's report).
(1) CODY RHODES vs. ODA FEMI – WWE Champion vs. NXT Champion non-title match
As Cody entered the ring, Michael Cole spoke for the first time. He and Wade Barrett spoke about Cena briefly, then pivoted to Cody’s state of mind. Oba Femi then made his entrance. Cole said Oba Femi regained the NXT Title from Ricky Saints last weekend and had joined WWE three years ago as part of WWE’s NIL program with a great college background at the University of Alabama. He said Shawn Michaels told him he’s never seen anyone take to the business as quickly as Femi. Cole said Oba told him earlier in the day that he belongs there and tonight is the of John Cena and his beginning.
The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour. He said Femi’s father was watching live in Nigeria who has been a WWE fan his entire life. Fans sang “Cody, Cody Rhodes!” They locked up. When Cody dropped down, Femi grabbed him by his throat and gave Cody an Irish Curse backbreaker. Barrett said so far it was a 10-7 round to Femi. (That’s a bit much a minute into the match.) Barrett said this could be the start of a generational takeover of the industry. Femi landed a backbreaker and scored a two count a 4:00.
Cody avoided a charging Femi who went shoulder-first into the ringpost. He followed with a Cody Cutter for a two count. Femi landed an elbow on Cody, knocking him out of mid-air. Cody pulled the top rope down as Femi charged, so Femi landed at ringside. Cody leaped to ringside and tackled Femi. Femi re-entered the ring and caught Cody with a sudden spinebuster. Femi clotheslined Cody over the top rope. Cole asid Cody was favoring his ribs. Femi charged into Cody with an uppercut into the announce desk. Both tumbled over the table. Cole said Cody’s ear was bleeding. Cole wondered if Cody had a busted eardrum. Cody landed a springboard Cody Cutter for a near fall at 9:00.Drew McIntyre charged into the ring and attacked Cody. Cole said, “What the hell is he doing here? I thought this was ‘an unsafe working environment’!”
WINNER: No contest in 10:00.
-Oba stood and eyed Drew angrily. Drew poked him in the chest. Ova shoved Drew down. Cole said Drew ruined the match not just for Cody, but also Femi. Cody gave Drew a Cody Cutter. Femi then gave Drew a chokeslam. “That damn McIntyre,” Cole said. “The hypocrite!” Femi and Cody eyed each other. Cody picked up both belts. Cody tossed Femi the NXT Title belt. He then raised Oba’s arm. Cody’s eright ear was a bloody mess. Barrett said Femi might dominate for the next 15-plus years. Oba then raised Cody’s arm. Cole said Cody is QB1 and “hopes to replace John Cena, and already has, as the face of WWE.”
(This felt like the “obvious” finish given the way WWE operates with their booking. Cole did a nice job conveying disgust with Drew ruining a good match. I don’t think fans were all that invested in who won this match, and it was more the novelty of seeing a first-time match-up with two champions. The action was solid enough and Femi looked powerful and had a presence.)
(2) BAYLEY (w/Lyra Valkyria) vs. SOL RUCA (w/Zaria)
Bayley’s ring entrance took place first. Bayley hugged Trish Status and Eve Torres in the front row. Cole said Bayley has been struggling internally lately with some good days and bad days. Barrett said she seems to be on an even keel tonight after being erratic at times. Cole said Bayley met Cena at an autograph signing years ago and followed in Cena’s footsteps. Coles said Ruca wasn’t sure she wanted to do this. He said she wanted to be a stunt double after being part of acrobatics and tumbling at the University of Oregon. She said that sport allowed her to prepare herself for the ring. Barrett said that helps you learn to catch human beings and essentially it’s wrestling training before she got anywhere near NXT. He said that’s why she’s been on the fast track. The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour.
Barrett said Bayley is feeling pressure since she’s facing someone she’s expected to beat. Ruca showed off some of her acrobatics early. Cole said Bayley was caught off guard a bit. Ruca threw Bayley to ringside after a superkick at 3:00. Ruca landed a handspring backflip dive onto Bayley. Ruca landed a top rope cartwheel into a DDT for a two count a minute later. Bayley caught Ruca mid-air and landed a Belly-to-Bayley for a two count. Cole, “No disrespect to NXT, but this a completely different ballgame.” He talked about the sellout of over 19,000 with bright lights and celebrities.
Ruca scored a near fall on a backslide. Bayley recovered, but Ruca countered a Rose Plant with a single-arm handspring. Ruca then landed a quick running knee to the chest leading to a near fall. Bayley delivered a Rose Plant, but Ruca’s legs were on the bottom rope so the ref stopped his count. Bayley snapped a bit and started punching away aggressively at Ruca. Barrett said Bayley was showing frustration. Bayley climbed to the top rope and delivered a leaping elbow, but Ruca lifted her knees. Ruca then rolled up Bayley for a near fall. Ruca then caught Bayley with a Soul Snatcher. Bayley rolled out of the ring. Ruca pulled he back. Bayley caught Ruca with a roll-up, but Ruca reversed it for a three count.
Ruca showed disbelief and joy. Cole called it easily the best match of her career. Bayley raised Ruca’s arm afterward and was a great sport in congratulating her.
WINNER: Sol Ruca in 9:00.
(Given Bayley’s place on the roster right now, and how much the announcers talked about Ruca being such an underdog, it seemed like they were priming viewers for an upset. I think Ruca’s ring style stood enough that it was a good choice to put her in this position on a night like this. Bayley did a great job with her.)
(3) A.J. STYLES & DRAGON LEE vs. JE’VON EVANS & LEON SLATER – World Tag Team Title match
Evans and Slater made separate entrances. He said Slater’s family is staying up late in England to watch him. Cole said both are 23 years old. Barrett said neither were born when Cena started his career, then added, “That’s disgusting!” Lee made his entrance next followed by Styles. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour. Evans and Slater caught Styles and Lee with stereo superkicks. They each hit dives to ringside. Barrett said they were starting the match at 100 miles an hour. Evans landed a top rope splash and then scored a near fall on Lee a minute in.
Lee made a comeback and landed a sitout powerbomb. Evans landed an OG Cutter on Styles a minute later. Slater tagged in and landed a top rope 450 Swanton for a near fall. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but slipped and fell. Slater seized the chance to cover him for a near fall. Slater dragged Styles to the corner. Styles stood and caught Slater mid-ring and landed a Styles Clash for the win.
Styles helped Evans up and all four stood in the ring and posed together.
WINNER: Styles & Lee in 6:00 to retain the World Tag Team Titles.
(I’m going to assume the slip wasn’t intentional since it didn’t seem to play into the finishing sequence. A short match, but it did manage to be a showcase for what makes Slater and Evans special.)
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WWE Saturday Night Main Event Results: 12-13-25
Final Report courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Powell's complete report).
(4) JOHN CENA vs. GUNTHER
4. John Cena vs. Gunther in Cena’s final match. Cole said the last time is now as the match started. Chad Patton was the referee and was acknowledged by Cole. Gunther ducked between the ropes to stall. The fans chanted asshole at Gunther when he put Cena down and kicked him. The fans were censored as they chanted, “F— you, Gunther.” Gunther slammed Cena and looked at the fans while they chanted, “You tapped out.” Cole said they were reverting to the chant they used when Gunther tapped out to Jey Uso at WrestleMania.
Cena stuffed a chop and then hit two shoulder tackles and slammed Gunther to the mat. Cena looked to the screaming crowd and did the “You Can’t See Me” before hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Gunther countered with a German suplex. Gunther threw a running clothesline that Cena ducked out of early. Gunther put Cena in a sleeper, but Cena pushed him off. Cena put Gunther in the STFU.
Gunther nearly reached the ropes. Cena wanted to pull him back to the middle of the ring, but Gunther kicked him. Gunther powerbombed Cena. There was another batch of censored “F— you, Gunther” chants that were replaced by boos when Gunther clotheslined Cena. Gunther waited for Cena to get up and then clotheslined him again. Gunther smirked and then hit another clothesline. There were uncesnored “asshole” chants before Gunther hit Cena with another clothesline.
Cena came back with more shoulder tackles, a Five Knuckle Shuffle, and an Attitude Adjustment for a two count. Cena went for another AA, but Gunther slipped out and threw a chop at the back of Cena’s neck. Gunther put Cena in a sleeper. Cena escaped and applied a sleeper of his own. Gunther reached the bottom rope with his foot to break the hold.
Gunther rolled to the floor. Cena followed and was hit with a chop and slammed on the apron. Gunther ran Cena into the ring steps. Fans chanted “asshole” again. Gunther placed the ring steps near the broadcast table, walked to the top of them, and saluted. Gunther set up for a powerbomb, but Cena countered with an AA that put Gunther through the table. Cena rolled Gunther back inside the ring and covered him for a two count. Cena went up top and hit Gunther with a leg drop to the back of the head for another near fall.
Cena looked to the crowd and held up his hand. He told the fans that this was the last one. Cena did the “You Can’t See Me,” and the fans chanted along. Cena ran the ropes, but Gunther shot put and put him down with a big boot. Gunther performed a German suplex and then powerbombed Cena for a near fall. Gunther went to the ropes and was cut off by Cena, who then performed an AA from the middle rope and covered Gunther for a near fall. “This is awesome,” chants broke out.
Cena and Gutnehr got up and traded punches in the middle of the ring while the fans did the yay/boo routine. Cena went for an AA, but Gunther countered with a powerbomb. Gunther went up top and frog splashed Cena and tried to pin him, but Cena kicked out aggressively at two. A “Super Cena” chant started. Gunther put Cena in the sleeper. Cena got up, but then faded. Cena got back to his knees while Gunther maintained the sleeper. Cena tried to power up Gunther for another AA, but Gunther reapplied the hold.
Cena got back to his feet. Gunther put all of his weight on Cena while maintaining the sleeper hold. Cena backed Gunther into the corner to break the hold, but Gunther quickly reapplied it and got Cena backon the mat. Cena stood up again and backed Gunther into the corner to break the hold. Cena hit an AA and covered Gunther for a two count. Gunther sat up and reapplied the sleeper hold. “Don’t give up,” fans chanted. The referee checked Cena’s arm. It fell twice, but Cena held it up the third time.
Gunther blasted Cena with elbows to the side of his head and then put him in the sleeper again. Cena reached up and tapped out to end the match.
Gunther defeated John Cena in 23:45.
The production crew cut to various shots of shocked and disappointed fans, including some who were crying. Cole said professional wrestling destroyed sports entertainment. Barrett said Gunther just became the standard-bearer for the industry. Cole said he and the fans were in shock over seeing Cena tap out. Cole said it was Goldberg and now Cena. “Gunther is a career killer,” Cole said. Gunther exited the ring.
Cena sat up, and some fans chanted “bullshit.” Cena kissed the mat. He stood up. He said that’s all he had and added a thank you. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena.”
Fans booed as Paul Levesque led a group of wrestlers, legends, and wrestlers to the ring. A “You f—ed up,” chant was directed at Levesque.
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes entered the ring and placed their title belts over Cena’s shoulders. The wrestlers at ringside applauded, and the fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena.” Levesque climbed on the apron, and the fans booed. Cena played to the crowd by holding up the title belts, which he then handed back to Punk and Cody.
Cena hugged Levesque while the fans booed. Levesque pointed to a big screen for a Cena video package that included comments from Cena’s parents, as well as various wrestlers.
Cena took a bow and saluted. He removed his shoes and sweat bands and then exited the ring. Cena slapped hands with fans along the entrnace aisle as he headed toward the stage area. He looked up at the fans behind the small entrance set and soaked in their cheers, then turned around and faced the ring. Cena took another bow, looked into the hard camera, and saluted. “It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years,” Cena said. “Thank you.” Cena turned and made his exit to end the show…
(The fans were obviously hoping for the feel-good ending of Cena beating Gunther. Instead, they got Gunther retiring another wrestler. And with some other notable retirements approaching, this may not be the end of the “career killer” saga. AJ Styles is retiring next year. There are rumors of Brock Lesnar retiring next year. Gunther could also retire Chris Jericho if he returns to the company for one last run. And there’s always the Career Killer vs. Legend Killer.
The post-match scene was nice. The lack of comments from Cena was disappointing. I’m guessing we’ll have to wait for Raw or even for the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. And that’s fine as a viewer at home, but I feel for the fans in attendance who paid big money to see Cena lose his final match and not address them afterward. All of that said, it’s been a hell of a ride for Cena, and here’s wishing him the best now that his in-ring career is over.)
Final Report courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Powell's complete report).
(4) JOHN CENA vs. GUNTHER
4. John Cena vs. Gunther in Cena’s final match. Cole said the last time is now as the match started. Chad Patton was the referee and was acknowledged by Cole. Gunther ducked between the ropes to stall. The fans chanted asshole at Gunther when he put Cena down and kicked him. The fans were censored as they chanted, “F— you, Gunther.” Gunther slammed Cena and looked at the fans while they chanted, “You tapped out.” Cole said they were reverting to the chant they used when Gunther tapped out to Jey Uso at WrestleMania.
Cena stuffed a chop and then hit two shoulder tackles and slammed Gunther to the mat. Cena looked to the screaming crowd and did the “You Can’t See Me” before hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Gunther countered with a German suplex. Gunther threw a running clothesline that Cena ducked out of early. Gunther put Cena in a sleeper, but Cena pushed him off. Cena put Gunther in the STFU.
Gunther nearly reached the ropes. Cena wanted to pull him back to the middle of the ring, but Gunther kicked him. Gunther powerbombed Cena. There was another batch of censored “F— you, Gunther” chants that were replaced by boos when Gunther clotheslined Cena. Gunther waited for Cena to get up and then clotheslined him again. Gunther smirked and then hit another clothesline. There were uncesnored “asshole” chants before Gunther hit Cena with another clothesline.
Cena came back with more shoulder tackles, a Five Knuckle Shuffle, and an Attitude Adjustment for a two count. Cena went for another AA, but Gunther slipped out and threw a chop at the back of Cena’s neck. Gunther put Cena in a sleeper. Cena escaped and applied a sleeper of his own. Gunther reached the bottom rope with his foot to break the hold.
Gunther rolled to the floor. Cena followed and was hit with a chop and slammed on the apron. Gunther ran Cena into the ring steps. Fans chanted “asshole” again. Gunther placed the ring steps near the broadcast table, walked to the top of them, and saluted. Gunther set up for a powerbomb, but Cena countered with an AA that put Gunther through the table. Cena rolled Gunther back inside the ring and covered him for a two count. Cena went up top and hit Gunther with a leg drop to the back of the head for another near fall.
Cena looked to the crowd and held up his hand. He told the fans that this was the last one. Cena did the “You Can’t See Me,” and the fans chanted along. Cena ran the ropes, but Gunther shot put and put him down with a big boot. Gunther performed a German suplex and then powerbombed Cena for a near fall. Gunther went to the ropes and was cut off by Cena, who then performed an AA from the middle rope and covered Gunther for a near fall. “This is awesome,” chants broke out.
Cena and Gutnehr got up and traded punches in the middle of the ring while the fans did the yay/boo routine. Cena went for an AA, but Gunther countered with a powerbomb. Gunther went up top and frog splashed Cena and tried to pin him, but Cena kicked out aggressively at two. A “Super Cena” chant started. Gunther put Cena in the sleeper. Cena got up, but then faded. Cena got back to his knees while Gunther maintained the sleeper. Cena tried to power up Gunther for another AA, but Gunther reapplied the hold.
Cena got back to his feet. Gunther put all of his weight on Cena while maintaining the sleeper hold. Cena backed Gunther into the corner to break the hold, but Gunther quickly reapplied it and got Cena backon the mat. Cena stood up again and backed Gunther into the corner to break the hold. Cena hit an AA and covered Gunther for a two count. Gunther sat up and reapplied the sleeper hold. “Don’t give up,” fans chanted. The referee checked Cena’s arm. It fell twice, but Cena held it up the third time.
Gunther blasted Cena with elbows to the side of his head and then put him in the sleeper again. Cena reached up and tapped out to end the match.
Gunther defeated John Cena in 23:45.
The production crew cut to various shots of shocked and disappointed fans, including some who were crying. Cole said professional wrestling destroyed sports entertainment. Barrett said Gunther just became the standard-bearer for the industry. Cole said he and the fans were in shock over seeing Cena tap out. Cole said it was Goldberg and now Cena. “Gunther is a career killer,” Cole said. Gunther exited the ring.
Cena sat up, and some fans chanted “bullshit.” Cena kissed the mat. He stood up. He said that’s all he had and added a thank you. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena.”
Fans booed as Paul Levesque led a group of wrestlers, legends, and wrestlers to the ring. A “You f—ed up,” chant was directed at Levesque.
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes entered the ring and placed their title belts over Cena’s shoulders. The wrestlers at ringside applauded, and the fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena.” Levesque climbed on the apron, and the fans booed. Cena played to the crowd by holding up the title belts, which he then handed back to Punk and Cody.
Cena hugged Levesque while the fans booed. Levesque pointed to a big screen for a Cena video package that included comments from Cena’s parents, as well as various wrestlers.
Cena took a bow and saluted. He removed his shoes and sweat bands and then exited the ring. Cena slapped hands with fans along the entrnace aisle as he headed toward the stage area. He looked up at the fans behind the small entrance set and soaked in their cheers, then turned around and faced the ring. Cena took another bow, looked into the hard camera, and saluted. “It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years,” Cena said. “Thank you.” Cena turned and made his exit to end the show…
(The fans were obviously hoping for the feel-good ending of Cena beating Gunther. Instead, they got Gunther retiring another wrestler. And with some other notable retirements approaching, this may not be the end of the “career killer” saga. AJ Styles is retiring next year. There are rumors of Brock Lesnar retiring next year. Gunther could also retire Chris Jericho if he returns to the company for one last run. And there’s always the Career Killer vs. Legend Killer.
The post-match scene was nice. The lack of comments from Cena was disappointing. I’m guessing we’ll have to wait for Raw or even for the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. And that’s fine as a viewer at home, but I feel for the fans in attendance who paid big money to see Cena lose his final match and not address them afterward. All of that said, it’s been a hell of a ride for Cena, and here’s wishing him the best now that his in-ring career is over.)
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- Sep 18, 2007
- Posts
- 15,487
Cena should've retired ages ago. He's a better actor than he ever was a wrestler, by miles. So is Dave Bautista.
Not Rock, though. Way better wrestler than actor.
Not Rock, though. Way better wrestler than actor.
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- Sep 18, 2007
- Posts
- 15,487
Mick Foley has left WWE over their Trump worship.
It's about damn time, but honestly, why now? Because of the Rob Reiner tweet? It's not like WWE being a part of the Trump administration's propaganda arm is a new thing.
And Mick remains friends with Vince McMahon who is a literal sex trafficking serial rapist and enabler of woman beaters and child molesters. Mick says he didn't know about any of that shit but most of it (the ring boy scandal, Snuka beating his mistress to death, Stone Cold beating the shit out of his wife at the peak of his run, Vince raping Rita Chatterton, Vince's multiple tanning salon sexual abuse cases, the Ashley Massaro rape coverup, etc) made the national news.
Little fuckin' late to grow some morals. And, of course, only after he's retired and sitting on a pile of millions of dollars.
It's about damn time, but honestly, why now? Because of the Rob Reiner tweet? It's not like WWE being a part of the Trump administration's propaganda arm is a new thing.
And Mick remains friends with Vince McMahon who is a literal sex trafficking serial rapist and enabler of woman beaters and child molesters. Mick says he didn't know about any of that shit but most of it (the ring boy scandal, Snuka beating his mistress to death, Stone Cold beating the shit out of his wife at the peak of his run, Vince raping Rita Chatterton, Vince's multiple tanning salon sexual abuse cases, the Ashley Massaro rape coverup, etc) made the national news.
Little fuckin' late to grow some morals. And, of course, only after he's retired and sitting on a pile of millions of dollars.
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- Apr 21, 2001
- Posts
- 4,891
Good on him. Can't defend him on the Vince shit though.
Also, it seems that more than a few people are using Rob Reiner's death as an "off-ramp" from the Trump cult. Which, honestly, blows my mind because as bad as the tweet and his press conference were, he's done waaaaaaay worse things. But PR and all that I guess.
Also, it seems that more than a few people are using Rob Reiner's death as an "off-ramp" from the Trump cult. Which, honestly, blows my mind because as bad as the tweet and his press conference were, he's done waaaaaaay worse things. But PR and all that I guess.
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- Oct 11, 2004
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- 15,163
I had the order wrong, looks like Gunther is retiring Lesnar at WM. Styles still be around the end of the year, then I got Jericho tapping to him mid or late 26 and Orton at Saudi Mania. Maybe throw Trish Stratus in there at some undetermined point.
They either need to make him bigger than either belt and/or Breakker's permanent foil.
Also, sounds like there's some NXT call-ups coming any time now, thank God. Femi, Ruca, Hendry, Evans, Slater all pretty likely. Dumb ass Italian mob guy too for whatever reason. Saints and Page and Santana should be but won't be. Just replace the entire SD upper mid card and fire Road Dogg.
They either need to make him bigger than either belt and/or Breakker's permanent foil.
Also, sounds like there's some NXT call-ups coming any time now, thank God. Femi, Ruca, Hendry, Evans, Slater all pretty likely. Dumb ass Italian mob guy too for whatever reason. Saints and Page and Santana should be but won't be. Just replace the entire SD upper mid card and fire Road Dogg.
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- Sep 14, 2003
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- 20,774
AEW World's End PPV Results: 12-27-25
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's report).
(1) KAZUCHIKA OKADA vs. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA – Continental Classic semi-final
Takeshita made his entrance first. Renee talked about Callis representing both men in this match. Then Okada. Don Callis joined in on commentary. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour. They paced themselves mid-speed early (or Okada’s normal speed these days) for a few minutes. Then Okada got the better of Takeshita at ringside with a drop toe hold as Takeshita charged. He reset the count rolling into the ring, then rammed Takeshita into the ringside barricade.
They fought back and forth with increasing intensity. Okada did his middle finger gesture to taunt the fans. Schiavone said he could not fathom why Okada did that.
After some counters at 14:00, both men were down and fans chanted “This is awesome!” Takeshita went for a running knee to Okada’s head after a lot of playing to the crowd. Okada blocked it. Takeshita blocked a Rainmaker. Takeshita threw some strikes. Okada, though, absorbed them and then took Takeshita down with a Rainmaker. Takeshita recovered and landed an elbow strike. Okada ducked a rolling lariat. Takeshita took Okada down with a backslide, but Okada stood and then gave Takeshita a German suplex.
Takeshita landed a running Power Drive Knee for a dramatic near fall at 17:00. The crowd popped. Okada pulled out a screwdriver and hit Takeshita with it and scored the pin. Callis stood and acted innocent. Schiavone said if anyone knows about a screwdriver, it’s Callis.
WINNER: Okada in 18:00 to advance to the final.
(The match was solid in the first half and picked up in the second half, but it still just barely grazed the fourth gear phase even at its peak and was mostly fought at Okada-AEW speed in first and second gear. The finish was a mess as Okada missed with the screwdriver the first time and the ref had to wander away and look away for Okada to land it on a second try. The screwdriver is a stupid weapon to begin with. This was a lame way to decide the winner of this long-anticipated one-on-one match in AEW.)
(2) KYLE FLETCHER vs. JON MOXLEY – Continental Classic semi-final
A vignette aired with Moxley talking about feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders lately. Fletcher came out first. Renee Paquette did a “sideline report” on Fletcher’s mindset going into the match, saying he had to meet Moxley’s intensity and pace. Moxley made his entrance.
The bell rang 31 minutes into the hour. Fletcher set a deliberate pace early. As Moxley fought back a few minutes in, Excalibur said Mox has regained his lost confidence as the tournament progressed, coinciding with relying more on himself instead of his Death Rider cohorts. Mox threw Fletcher to the floor and landed a running boot at 5:00.
Fletcher fought back and raked Mox’s eyes. He then kicked the ringside steps into Moxley’s leg and ringpost. Back in the ring, Excalibur said Moxley might have suffered a broken tooth and was bleeding from the mouth. Mox stopped Fletcher’s attack with a Cutter. Fletcher bailed out to ringside. Moxley ran the ropes and leaped through the ropes and speared Fletcher, although his boot clipped the middle rope which led to a rough landing on his knee.
Fletcher landed a Michinoku Driver for a near fall back in the ring at 10:00. A few minutes later, Fletcher landed a brainbuster on the ring apron. Mox fell to ringside. Fletcher was also slow to get up. Fletchered returned to the ring. Mox barely beat the ten count.
Fletcher gave Okada an immediate Liger bomb for a near fall. Then he applied a single-leg crab mid-ring. Fletcher shifted to his boot on Mox’s back for extra leverage. Mox tried to crawl to the bottom rope. Fletcher shifted again and wrenched and bridged back. Mox reached around and put Fletcher in a Bulldog choke. Fletcher winced and struggled and then got Mox in an anklelock. He wrenched it on, but had the wrong grip, as pointed out by Danielson. He shifted to the correct grip. Fletcher torqued Mox’s leg, but Mox grabbed the bottom rope.
The battled to the top rope. Mox bit Fletcher’s forehead. Then he applied a Bulldog from the top turnbuckle. He followed with a top rope Cuthtroat suplex of Fletcher onto the top of his head. The ref ran over to check on Fletcher. Fans were scared and silent. They replayed it in slo-mo and Danielson gasped, “Oh my god!” They aired it from another angle. Fletcher was able to turn onto all fours. Mox delivered a stomp and then shuffled overa nd covered Fletcher.
Fletcher countered with a crucifix and then went on the attack with a series of moves. Mox kicked out with authority. Fletcher caught Mox with a running kick and then a brainbuster suplex for a near fall. Fans popped for the kickout.
Fletcher removed turnbuckle covers looking for the screwdriver that Okada used. Mox caught a frustrated Fletcher with a small package for a near fall. Mox delivered a Paradigm Shift and scored a believable near fall at 22:00. Mox hit a Death Rider for another dramatic near fall. Mox immediately applied a sleeper on the mat. Fletcher flailed. He sat up, but then faded and the ref called for the bell as Excalibur said his face was purple.
Fletcher clipped Moxley’s left leg from behind as he left. Danielson said he found that despicable.
WINNER: Moxley in 24:00.
(Fortunately, Fletcher absorbed that top rope suplex onto his head and was able to finish the match and seemed totally fine. Although it got borderline heavy into the “spamming finishers” zone, it was an excellent and dramatic match that was well-executed start to finish. The clipping of Moxley’s leg feels like a “tell” that Okada is going to prevail against him in the final, but that seems like such an obvious “out” for Mox to lose that perhaps it’s a false indicator.)
(3) FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/Stokely Hathaway) vs. BANG BANG GANG (Juice Robinson & Austin Gunn) – Chicago Street Fight for the AEW Tag Team Titles
The bell rang 2 minutes into the second hour. They brawled to ringside and into the crowd early. Back on the ring apron, Juice backdropped Cash on the ring apron and then put him on a table. Wheeler attacked Juice in the ring and landed a back suplex off the top rope. Juice rolled to the ring apron. Dax bashed Austin with a trash can across his back. Cash put a trash can over Austin’s head and then Dax bashed it with a kendo stick. Cash then leaped off the second rope and smashed Austin with a trash can. Dax scored a near fall.
Dax and Cash threw Austin into a trash can wedged in the corner. Cash bashed him with it at ringside next. Juice returned to the fight and took it to Dax. When Cash entered, Juice clotheslined him right back to ringside. Dax hit Juice with a belt. Cash swung a kendo stick at Austin, but Austin blocked it with a trash can lid.
Austin crashed into the Spanish announce table when Cash avoided him. Austin was shown bleeding at ringside. Dax and Cash doubled on Juice with some help from Stokely at 10:00. Cash stomped on Juice’s knee as Dax held him, then feigned an apology. Dax locked on a knee lock as Juice cried out in agony. Cash leaped onto Austin and crashed through a table as Dax still had Juice tied up in the ring. Juice grabbed a fire extinguisher on the ring apron and sprayed Dax to force a break.
Stokely stopped the ref from counting Dax’s shoulders down on a Juice cover. Juice then looked at Stokely as he picked up a chair. Juice blocked it and took it back. Juice then bashed Dax across his back with the chair three times. He jabbed Cash with a chair to the gut and then across his back three times. Stokely grabbed the chair as Juice wound up. Juice shoved him off the ring apron. Stokely overshot the table below.
After a low blow, Dax and Cash landed their finisher on Juice, but Austin broke up the cover. Austin kicked Cash between his legs to block a trash can shot. Fax gave Austin a piledriver on a trash can for a two count. FTR then hit a stuff piledriver on Austin. Then did another onto a belt. Dax made the cover as Cash stood near Juice to block him from interrupting the cover.
WINNERS: FTR in 18:00 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles.
(A good, intense Chicago Street Fight. A few spots didn’t quite land where they were supposed to, but overall it felt like an actual fight not a mere stunt show. This also didn’t feel like a battle of AEW’s top two tag teams as Austin & Juice just felt like they were here to be part of a brawl and do the job.)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's report).
(1) KAZUCHIKA OKADA vs. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA – Continental Classic semi-final
Takeshita made his entrance first. Renee talked about Callis representing both men in this match. Then Okada. Don Callis joined in on commentary. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour. They paced themselves mid-speed early (or Okada’s normal speed these days) for a few minutes. Then Okada got the better of Takeshita at ringside with a drop toe hold as Takeshita charged. He reset the count rolling into the ring, then rammed Takeshita into the ringside barricade.
They fought back and forth with increasing intensity. Okada did his middle finger gesture to taunt the fans. Schiavone said he could not fathom why Okada did that.
After some counters at 14:00, both men were down and fans chanted “This is awesome!” Takeshita went for a running knee to Okada’s head after a lot of playing to the crowd. Okada blocked it. Takeshita blocked a Rainmaker. Takeshita threw some strikes. Okada, though, absorbed them and then took Takeshita down with a Rainmaker. Takeshita recovered and landed an elbow strike. Okada ducked a rolling lariat. Takeshita took Okada down with a backslide, but Okada stood and then gave Takeshita a German suplex.
Takeshita landed a running Power Drive Knee for a dramatic near fall at 17:00. The crowd popped. Okada pulled out a screwdriver and hit Takeshita with it and scored the pin. Callis stood and acted innocent. Schiavone said if anyone knows about a screwdriver, it’s Callis.
WINNER: Okada in 18:00 to advance to the final.
(The match was solid in the first half and picked up in the second half, but it still just barely grazed the fourth gear phase even at its peak and was mostly fought at Okada-AEW speed in first and second gear. The finish was a mess as Okada missed with the screwdriver the first time and the ref had to wander away and look away for Okada to land it on a second try. The screwdriver is a stupid weapon to begin with. This was a lame way to decide the winner of this long-anticipated one-on-one match in AEW.)
(2) KYLE FLETCHER vs. JON MOXLEY – Continental Classic semi-final
A vignette aired with Moxley talking about feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders lately. Fletcher came out first. Renee Paquette did a “sideline report” on Fletcher’s mindset going into the match, saying he had to meet Moxley’s intensity and pace. Moxley made his entrance.
The bell rang 31 minutes into the hour. Fletcher set a deliberate pace early. As Moxley fought back a few minutes in, Excalibur said Mox has regained his lost confidence as the tournament progressed, coinciding with relying more on himself instead of his Death Rider cohorts. Mox threw Fletcher to the floor and landed a running boot at 5:00.
Fletcher fought back and raked Mox’s eyes. He then kicked the ringside steps into Moxley’s leg and ringpost. Back in the ring, Excalibur said Moxley might have suffered a broken tooth and was bleeding from the mouth. Mox stopped Fletcher’s attack with a Cutter. Fletcher bailed out to ringside. Moxley ran the ropes and leaped through the ropes and speared Fletcher, although his boot clipped the middle rope which led to a rough landing on his knee.
Fletcher landed a Michinoku Driver for a near fall back in the ring at 10:00. A few minutes later, Fletcher landed a brainbuster on the ring apron. Mox fell to ringside. Fletcher was also slow to get up. Fletchered returned to the ring. Mox barely beat the ten count.
Fletcher gave Okada an immediate Liger bomb for a near fall. Then he applied a single-leg crab mid-ring. Fletcher shifted to his boot on Mox’s back for extra leverage. Mox tried to crawl to the bottom rope. Fletcher shifted again and wrenched and bridged back. Mox reached around and put Fletcher in a Bulldog choke. Fletcher winced and struggled and then got Mox in an anklelock. He wrenched it on, but had the wrong grip, as pointed out by Danielson. He shifted to the correct grip. Fletcher torqued Mox’s leg, but Mox grabbed the bottom rope.
The battled to the top rope. Mox bit Fletcher’s forehead. Then he applied a Bulldog from the top turnbuckle. He followed with a top rope Cuthtroat suplex of Fletcher onto the top of his head. The ref ran over to check on Fletcher. Fans were scared and silent. They replayed it in slo-mo and Danielson gasped, “Oh my god!” They aired it from another angle. Fletcher was able to turn onto all fours. Mox delivered a stomp and then shuffled overa nd covered Fletcher.
Fletcher countered with a crucifix and then went on the attack with a series of moves. Mox kicked out with authority. Fletcher caught Mox with a running kick and then a brainbuster suplex for a near fall. Fans popped for the kickout.
Fletcher removed turnbuckle covers looking for the screwdriver that Okada used. Mox caught a frustrated Fletcher with a small package for a near fall. Mox delivered a Paradigm Shift and scored a believable near fall at 22:00. Mox hit a Death Rider for another dramatic near fall. Mox immediately applied a sleeper on the mat. Fletcher flailed. He sat up, but then faded and the ref called for the bell as Excalibur said his face was purple.
Fletcher clipped Moxley’s left leg from behind as he left. Danielson said he found that despicable.
WINNER: Moxley in 24:00.
(Fortunately, Fletcher absorbed that top rope suplex onto his head and was able to finish the match and seemed totally fine. Although it got borderline heavy into the “spamming finishers” zone, it was an excellent and dramatic match that was well-executed start to finish. The clipping of Moxley’s leg feels like a “tell” that Okada is going to prevail against him in the final, but that seems like such an obvious “out” for Mox to lose that perhaps it’s a false indicator.)
(3) FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/Stokely Hathaway) vs. BANG BANG GANG (Juice Robinson & Austin Gunn) – Chicago Street Fight for the AEW Tag Team Titles
The bell rang 2 minutes into the second hour. They brawled to ringside and into the crowd early. Back on the ring apron, Juice backdropped Cash on the ring apron and then put him on a table. Wheeler attacked Juice in the ring and landed a back suplex off the top rope. Juice rolled to the ring apron. Dax bashed Austin with a trash can across his back. Cash put a trash can over Austin’s head and then Dax bashed it with a kendo stick. Cash then leaped off the second rope and smashed Austin with a trash can. Dax scored a near fall.
Dax and Cash threw Austin into a trash can wedged in the corner. Cash bashed him with it at ringside next. Juice returned to the fight and took it to Dax. When Cash entered, Juice clotheslined him right back to ringside. Dax hit Juice with a belt. Cash swung a kendo stick at Austin, but Austin blocked it with a trash can lid.
Austin crashed into the Spanish announce table when Cash avoided him. Austin was shown bleeding at ringside. Dax and Cash doubled on Juice with some help from Stokely at 10:00. Cash stomped on Juice’s knee as Dax held him, then feigned an apology. Dax locked on a knee lock as Juice cried out in agony. Cash leaped onto Austin and crashed through a table as Dax still had Juice tied up in the ring. Juice grabbed a fire extinguisher on the ring apron and sprayed Dax to force a break.
Stokely stopped the ref from counting Dax’s shoulders down on a Juice cover. Juice then looked at Stokely as he picked up a chair. Juice blocked it and took it back. Juice then bashed Dax across his back with the chair three times. He jabbed Cash with a chair to the gut and then across his back three times. Stokely grabbed the chair as Juice wound up. Juice shoved him off the ring apron. Stokely overshot the table below.
After a low blow, Dax and Cash landed their finisher on Juice, but Austin broke up the cover. Austin kicked Cash between his legs to block a trash can shot. Fax gave Austin a piledriver on a trash can for a two count. FTR then hit a stuff piledriver on Austin. Then did another onto a belt. Dax made the cover as Cash stood near Juice to block him from interrupting the cover.
WINNERS: FTR in 18:00 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles.
(A good, intense Chicago Street Fight. A few spots didn’t quite land where they were supposed to, but overall it felt like an actual fight not a mere stunt show. This also didn’t feel like a battle of AEW’s top two tag teams as Austin & Juice just felt like they were here to be part of a brawl and do the job.)
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AEW World's End PPV Results: 12-27-25
(4) HARLEY CAMERON & WILLOW NIGHTINGALE vs. MERCEDES MONE & ATHENA – AEW Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 28 minutes into the hour. Athena leaped onto Willow at ringside early as Willow was flexing and showboating. Harley then leaped onto Athena at ringside. Athena rolled through and held Harley in the air. Willow speared Mercedes.
Back in the ring, it settled into Athena vs. Harley. Mercedes yanked Harley to the mat by her hair. Harley hot-tagged in Willow at 5:00 who went to work on Mercedes including a running splash in the corner. She followed with a spinebuster. Athena had blind-tagged in and she went after Willow. They countered each other.
Willow fended off Athena and Mercedes at once with one-armed slams of both. Harley delivered a double crucifix bomb on both Athena and Mercedes seconds later and scored a two count.
A minute later, Mercedes had Willow in a crossface. Willow escaped and climbed to the top rope. Mercedes and Athena gave Willow a suplex/powerbomb combo leading to a two count. Harley “broke up the cover,” although Athena was still on top of Willow and Willow didn’t bother to lift her shoulders, so there was no reason for the ref to stop his count.
Willow won a battle for leverage mid-ring after blocking a Moné Maker and scored a three count on Mercedes to retain the tag titles.
WINNERS: Harley & Willow in 13:00 to retain the AEW Tag Titles.
(Decent enough, I suppose. Willow too often seems like she’s showing off for friends in the crowd than being focused and seeming interested in trying to fight to win, Harley is still green but her enthusiasm makes up for some of that, Mercedes was okay, and Athena worked hard and showed good intensity throughout. I’m still so sick of saves in tag matches where the cover is still in place after the so-called save, but the ref stops his count anyway.)
(5) DARBY ALLIN vs. GABE KIDD
Excalibur had to note, after they brawled at ringside early in the match, that it was a standard match. A few minutes in, though, both were bloodied. Kidd really took it to Darby aggressively early. They fought back and forth, with Darby taking big bumps including on the ringside steps.
At 10:00 Darby landed a a Code Red for a near fall. Darby followed with a Coffin Drop. Kidd rolled to ringside to avoid being covered. Darby landed a Coffin Drop on Kidd on the floor. Back in the ring, Darby landed a Scorpio Death Drop. He followed up with a Scorpion Death Lock mid-ring. Kidd made a brief comeback and landed two hard clotheslines, but Darby leveraged Kidd’s shoulders down for a sudden three count.
WINNER: Darby in 13:00.
(The roll-up for the finish felt anti-climactic, but the fight was intense and they packed a lot into the time they had.)
(6) TONI STORM & MARK BRISCOE & ORANGE CASSIDY & RODERICK STRONG vs. MARINA SHAFIR & DANIEL GARCIA & WHEELER YUTA & CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI – “Mixed Nuts Mayhem” Tornado Tag Team match
The bell rang 9 minutes into the third hour. After a few minute of brawling by everyone, Shafir and Cassidy engaged in dueling hands-in-pockets chicanery. Yuta entered and went after Cassidy.
At 10:00, Garcia set up a piledriver on Storm, but Cassidy broke it up. Cassidy and Storm then began to slow-dance. Yuta tried to interrupt, but Cassidy kicked him. Shafir then attacked Cassidy and Storm with clotheslines.
Claudio and Cassidy battled in the ring. Cassidy side slammed Claudio and then Briscoe landed a top rope elbow. His cover was interrupted by Yuta and Garcia.
Storm got a pop when she entered the ring and eyed Yuta and Garcia. She ducked them as they charged, then gave a German suplex to each. Shafir entered and threw Storm into the corner. Claudio went after Storm in the corner, but Storm slapped her and then DDT’d him. Claudio got up and gave Storm the giant swing. Storm gave Claudio a knee-strike. Shafir then walked up to Strong and kicked him. Storm gave Garcia a Storm Zero. Yuta grabbed Storm, but Cassidy hit Yuta with an Orange Punch. Storm then gave Yuta a hip attack in the corner. Briscoe then gave Yuta his finisher and scored a three count.
WINNERS: Storm & Briscoe & Cassidy & Strong in 14:00.
(Lots of comedic spots. They teased a lot of man-on-woman violence, but amazingly something always happened to prevent it, but there were plenty of crowd-pleasing babyface-women-on-heel-men violence. This was a positioned to be a “breather” match that leaned on comedy, but it also had a lot of action. I think it helped the crowd let loose a little bit before getting serious again.)
(7) KRIS STATLANDER vs. JAMIE HAYTER – AEW World Title match
Danielson tagged in on commentary for this one. The bell rang 30 minutes into the third hour. Hayter knocked Statlander down in a mid-ring collision a minute in. Statlander got up and knocked Hayter down, then flexed.
Statlander got the better of Hayter at ringside at 6:00. Hayter then made a comeback and threw Statlander into the ring. She then hit a second rope dropkick. She followed with a running clothesline in the opposite corner followed with a suplex for a two count.
Hayter blocked a Staturday Night Fever and landed a barrage of forearms and an elbow. Stat followed with a punch. Hayter gave Stat a Death Valley Driver variation and scored a two count. Statlander landed a package piledriver a minute later for a near fall.
Hayter landed awkwardly on a trning cradle suplex off the second rope. They were both slow to get up. Hayter delivered a suplex on Statlander where Stat landed on the top of her head. She followed with a Shining Wizard for a two count.
Stat avoided Hayterade and landed a drop-down enzuigiri. Hayter countered with a backbreaker. Statlander countered with a vertical suplex. Schiavone said they were evenly matches and literally going back and forth. Both were down and slow to get up.
Statlander short-arm clotheslined Hayter to the mat. Hayter countered Statlander into a package piledriver. Statlander charged at Hayter with a discus lairat, but Hayter blocked it and landed a hard clothesline. Statlander came right back with Staturnight Night Fever for a three count.
Excalibur said it was a battle to survive, and Statlander won in the end, “but barely.”
WINNER: Statlander in 19:00 to retain the AEW World Title.
(KThese moves where wrestlers land on the top of their heads just interrupts the flow of enjoying the match. Not sure if it’s intentional to seem more brutal and real or a case of just moves going slightly wrong, but making the crowd feel like someone got legit badly hurt breaks the immersion in a sort of ironic way. This was a heck a fight, though, with the announcers really stressing how close they are and the match following that talking point well start to finish.)
(4) HARLEY CAMERON & WILLOW NIGHTINGALE vs. MERCEDES MONE & ATHENA – AEW Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 28 minutes into the hour. Athena leaped onto Willow at ringside early as Willow was flexing and showboating. Harley then leaped onto Athena at ringside. Athena rolled through and held Harley in the air. Willow speared Mercedes.
Back in the ring, it settled into Athena vs. Harley. Mercedes yanked Harley to the mat by her hair. Harley hot-tagged in Willow at 5:00 who went to work on Mercedes including a running splash in the corner. She followed with a spinebuster. Athena had blind-tagged in and she went after Willow. They countered each other.
Willow fended off Athena and Mercedes at once with one-armed slams of both. Harley delivered a double crucifix bomb on both Athena and Mercedes seconds later and scored a two count.
A minute later, Mercedes had Willow in a crossface. Willow escaped and climbed to the top rope. Mercedes and Athena gave Willow a suplex/powerbomb combo leading to a two count. Harley “broke up the cover,” although Athena was still on top of Willow and Willow didn’t bother to lift her shoulders, so there was no reason for the ref to stop his count.
Willow won a battle for leverage mid-ring after blocking a Moné Maker and scored a three count on Mercedes to retain the tag titles.
WINNERS: Harley & Willow in 13:00 to retain the AEW Tag Titles.
(Decent enough, I suppose. Willow too often seems like she’s showing off for friends in the crowd than being focused and seeming interested in trying to fight to win, Harley is still green but her enthusiasm makes up for some of that, Mercedes was okay, and Athena worked hard and showed good intensity throughout. I’m still so sick of saves in tag matches where the cover is still in place after the so-called save, but the ref stops his count anyway.)
(5) DARBY ALLIN vs. GABE KIDD
Excalibur had to note, after they brawled at ringside early in the match, that it was a standard match. A few minutes in, though, both were bloodied. Kidd really took it to Darby aggressively early. They fought back and forth, with Darby taking big bumps including on the ringside steps.
At 10:00 Darby landed a a Code Red for a near fall. Darby followed with a Coffin Drop. Kidd rolled to ringside to avoid being covered. Darby landed a Coffin Drop on Kidd on the floor. Back in the ring, Darby landed a Scorpio Death Drop. He followed up with a Scorpion Death Lock mid-ring. Kidd made a brief comeback and landed two hard clotheslines, but Darby leveraged Kidd’s shoulders down for a sudden three count.
WINNER: Darby in 13:00.
(The roll-up for the finish felt anti-climactic, but the fight was intense and they packed a lot into the time they had.)
(6) TONI STORM & MARK BRISCOE & ORANGE CASSIDY & RODERICK STRONG vs. MARINA SHAFIR & DANIEL GARCIA & WHEELER YUTA & CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI – “Mixed Nuts Mayhem” Tornado Tag Team match
The bell rang 9 minutes into the third hour. After a few minute of brawling by everyone, Shafir and Cassidy engaged in dueling hands-in-pockets chicanery. Yuta entered and went after Cassidy.
At 10:00, Garcia set up a piledriver on Storm, but Cassidy broke it up. Cassidy and Storm then began to slow-dance. Yuta tried to interrupt, but Cassidy kicked him. Shafir then attacked Cassidy and Storm with clotheslines.
Claudio and Cassidy battled in the ring. Cassidy side slammed Claudio and then Briscoe landed a top rope elbow. His cover was interrupted by Yuta and Garcia.
Storm got a pop when she entered the ring and eyed Yuta and Garcia. She ducked them as they charged, then gave a German suplex to each. Shafir entered and threw Storm into the corner. Claudio went after Storm in the corner, but Storm slapped her and then DDT’d him. Claudio got up and gave Storm the giant swing. Storm gave Claudio a knee-strike. Shafir then walked up to Strong and kicked him. Storm gave Garcia a Storm Zero. Yuta grabbed Storm, but Cassidy hit Yuta with an Orange Punch. Storm then gave Yuta a hip attack in the corner. Briscoe then gave Yuta his finisher and scored a three count.
WINNERS: Storm & Briscoe & Cassidy & Strong in 14:00.
(Lots of comedic spots. They teased a lot of man-on-woman violence, but amazingly something always happened to prevent it, but there were plenty of crowd-pleasing babyface-women-on-heel-men violence. This was a positioned to be a “breather” match that leaned on comedy, but it also had a lot of action. I think it helped the crowd let loose a little bit before getting serious again.)
(7) KRIS STATLANDER vs. JAMIE HAYTER – AEW World Title match
Danielson tagged in on commentary for this one. The bell rang 30 minutes into the third hour. Hayter knocked Statlander down in a mid-ring collision a minute in. Statlander got up and knocked Hayter down, then flexed.
Statlander got the better of Hayter at ringside at 6:00. Hayter then made a comeback and threw Statlander into the ring. She then hit a second rope dropkick. She followed with a running clothesline in the opposite corner followed with a suplex for a two count.
Hayter blocked a Staturday Night Fever and landed a barrage of forearms and an elbow. Stat followed with a punch. Hayter gave Stat a Death Valley Driver variation and scored a two count. Statlander landed a package piledriver a minute later for a near fall.
Hayter landed awkwardly on a trning cradle suplex off the second rope. They were both slow to get up. Hayter delivered a suplex on Statlander where Stat landed on the top of her head. She followed with a Shining Wizard for a two count.
Stat avoided Hayterade and landed a drop-down enzuigiri. Hayter countered with a backbreaker. Statlander countered with a vertical suplex. Schiavone said they were evenly matches and literally going back and forth. Both were down and slow to get up.
Statlander short-arm clotheslined Hayter to the mat. Hayter countered Statlander into a package piledriver. Statlander charged at Hayter with a discus lairat, but Hayter blocked it and landed a hard clothesline. Statlander came right back with Staturnight Night Fever for a three count.
Excalibur said it was a battle to survive, and Statlander won in the end, “but barely.”
WINNER: Statlander in 19:00 to retain the AEW World Title.
(KThese moves where wrestlers land on the top of their heads just interrupts the flow of enjoying the match. Not sure if it’s intentional to seem more brutal and real or a case of just moves going slightly wrong, but making the crowd feel like someone got legit badly hurt breaks the immersion in a sort of ironic way. This was a heck a fight, though, with the announcers really stressing how close they are and the match following that talking point well start to finish.)
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AEW World's End PPV Results: 12-27-25
(8) JON MOXLEY vs. KAZUCHIKA OKADA (w/Don Callis) – Continental Classic final
As Moxley made his entrance, Renee said Okada just isn’t as obsessed as he is. She noted his cracked tooth and battered body. Schiavone said he noticed that Okada and Callis didn’t mention Takeshita at all. Excalibur said he’s sure a lot of questions are being asked within the Don Callis Family. The bell rang 1 minute into the fourth hour.
Excalibur asked Danielson if Moxley is right that he wants it more than Okada. Danielson Okada is the greatest tournament wrestler of all time because he knows how to pace himself, whereas Mox gives everything he has in every match. He said it usually works, but in this situation, it could work against him. Mox gave Okada a middle finger gesture during their staredown. Danielson said Mox has something prove since the second half of 2025 hasn’t gone great for him.
Okada swept Mox’s leg early. Mox, selling the post-match attack by Fletcher, dropped to ringside and shook out his leg. Danielson said this tournament is important to everyone in AEW and is “fast becoming” the top tournament in all of pro wrestling. Exacalibur noted, after 9 minutes of Okada in total control with methodical attacks, it’s the most one-sided match so far they’ve had all tournament.
Mox tried to fight out of the corner at 14:00. Okada fended off his attempt and then hit a Rainmaker and scored a two count.
Okada brought his Continental Title belt into the ring. The ref took it from him. Mox then gave Okada a low-blow, thwarting Okada’s plan.
They traded forearms next. Okada caught him with a dropkick. Mox got up, but then Okada took him down with a Rainmaker. Okada went for another, but Mox blocked it and landed a Paradigm Shift for a two count.
Mox applied a sleeper, but Okada escaped and hit another Rainmaker. Mox ducked and hit Okada with a hard lariat. Then he hit a Paradigm Shift for just one count. Okada fired up, but Mox gave him a stomp and a Death Rider and scored a three count for a clean win. He played to the crowd in the final sequence.
WINNER: Moxley in 20:00 to win the Continental Classic.
(Keller’s Analysis: Not a classic great match given the methodical pace early as dictated by Okada, but the final minutes were good.)
-Shafir, Yuta, Claudio, and Garcia joined Mox in the ring to celebrate. Schaivone said, “You did it, brother.” He said it has to be maybe the greatest moment for him of all time. Mox took the mic and said, “To hell with all that.” He held up the title and said it belongs to everyone in the Continental Classic who busted their asses and gave everything they had. He said it goes to the fans who paid their hard-earned money and said they owe it to them to give it all they have. He said they are the hardest working pro wrestlers in the world. He said they’ll continue to give everything they have every single day and there is no other organization like AEW “and we want to be the elite of the elite.”
He said they give 100 percent every god damned time “because that is what this job deserves.” He threw down the mic and his music played. Excalibur said it was decidedly different tone from Moxley than just over a year ago. He said maybe this tournament is what Moxley needed. Danielson it’s tough to take what Mox said at face value, though. He said he’s been saying that all along, basically, but perhaps he saw what he wanted to see in the tournament this year.
(That almost felt like a passive-aggressive three-minute guilt trip aimed at Okada. Beyond that, I’m not sure what to make of it at this stage.)
(9) SAMOA JOE vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND vs. MJF – AEW World Title match
Excalibur noted the first fall is the finish, so the champion doesn’t have to be involved in the finish to lose his title. The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour.
MJF strutted and then rammed Swerve’s in the face with his crotch. He posed for the camera as Swerve recovered and then went on the attack. Swerve danced after taking MJF down and then also jabbed his crotch into his face. Swerve did a running flip dive onto MJF. Joe then dove through the ropes and tackled both MJF and Swerve. Hangman then did a backflip off the top rope and overshot everyone but grazed MJF.
At 5:00, it was Swerve and Hangman alone in the ring. They milked the moment as fans cheered. Schiavone said it might be the best rivalry in AEW history. They swung away at each other. They countered each other and eventually Swerve landed a Dead Eye. Hangman stood and delivered a House Call and followed with a Buckshot Lariat, but Joe (sort of) broke up the cover.
Joe then set up a Muscle Buster on Swerve in the corner, but Hangman took over. He set up a slam. Joe powerbombed both Hangman and Swerve onto MJF.
Swerve and Joe battled next. Sewrve gave Joe a German suplex. Joe rolled to the ring apron. Hangman entered, but Swerve gave him a backbreaker and an awkward powerslam for a two count.
As Joe and Hangman battled, Danielson said MJF hasn’t been involved in the match much. MJF did catch a charging Hangman with an elbow and then he went after Joe in the corner. He then gave Swerve a wheelbarrow slam and threw Swerve into Joe. MJF gave Hangman a cutter for a two count at 12:00 followed by Salt of the Earth.
Joe intervened and put MJF in a sleeper. Swerve broke it up with a House Call to Joe’s head after two arm drops. Fans chanted, “Swerve’s House!” MJF scored a two count with a victory roll. He gave Swerve a thumb to an eye next. Hangman joined in. Hangman and Swerve both kicked MJF down and then did the same to Joe as he charged at them. Swerve kicked Hangman. All four were down and slow to get up. Fans cheered and chanted “AEW!”
MJF gave Swerve a Destroyer for a near fall, with Joe entering as Swerve kicked out. Hangman gave MJF a Dead Eye for a two count. (It didn’t land well.) Joe knocked Hangman off the ring apron. Swerve then caught Joe with a DDT. Fans booed as The Opps showed up. They yanked Swerve to ringside. Excalibur said because it’s a four-way match, there are no DQs and The Opps picked their spot almost perfectly. (Or they could have interfered earlier, before any of the other wrestlers had chances to win and end the match before they took advantage of the stupid no-DQ rules.)
Joe scored a near win over Hangman with a Coquina Clutch. Powerhouse Hobbs grabbed Prince Nana. Swerve leaped off the top rope with a Swerve Stomp on both Hobbs and Katsuyori Shibata. Hangman then saw Hook on the ring apron and grabbed hjm. Joe pulled him away and applied the Coquina Clutch. Swerve leaped off the top rope and gave Joe a Swerve Stomp. Hangman rolled to the floor. Swerve climbed to the top rope. Joe swept his leg and set up a top rope move. Swerve punched Joe and dropped to the ring apron. He then got behind Joe and powerbombed him to the mat as Joe yelled “No! No! No!”
Swerve climbed to the top rope, but MJF shoved him to the floor head-first into the announce desk. Hangman kicked MJF to the floor and then hit Joe with a Buckshot Lariat. He hit a second one. Then Hangman played to the crowd before going for a third one. MJF intervened and hit the Heat Seeker for the pin on Joe.
Excalibur said MJF played it perfectly. Danielson agreed that MJF creeped in just as Hangman seemed to have Joe down. Pyro blasted as MJF yelled at the camera about being a two-time world champion “who is better than you and you know it.” Excalibur noted few have won two world titles before age 30.
WINNER: MJF in 20:00 to win the AEW World Title.
(A good main event along the lines of what you’d imagine with these four in this type of match.)
(8) JON MOXLEY vs. KAZUCHIKA OKADA (w/Don Callis) – Continental Classic final
As Moxley made his entrance, Renee said Okada just isn’t as obsessed as he is. She noted his cracked tooth and battered body. Schiavone said he noticed that Okada and Callis didn’t mention Takeshita at all. Excalibur said he’s sure a lot of questions are being asked within the Don Callis Family. The bell rang 1 minute into the fourth hour.
Excalibur asked Danielson if Moxley is right that he wants it more than Okada. Danielson Okada is the greatest tournament wrestler of all time because he knows how to pace himself, whereas Mox gives everything he has in every match. He said it usually works, but in this situation, it could work against him. Mox gave Okada a middle finger gesture during their staredown. Danielson said Mox has something prove since the second half of 2025 hasn’t gone great for him.
Okada swept Mox’s leg early. Mox, selling the post-match attack by Fletcher, dropped to ringside and shook out his leg. Danielson said this tournament is important to everyone in AEW and is “fast becoming” the top tournament in all of pro wrestling. Exacalibur noted, after 9 minutes of Okada in total control with methodical attacks, it’s the most one-sided match so far they’ve had all tournament.
Mox tried to fight out of the corner at 14:00. Okada fended off his attempt and then hit a Rainmaker and scored a two count.
Okada brought his Continental Title belt into the ring. The ref took it from him. Mox then gave Okada a low-blow, thwarting Okada’s plan.
They traded forearms next. Okada caught him with a dropkick. Mox got up, but then Okada took him down with a Rainmaker. Okada went for another, but Mox blocked it and landed a Paradigm Shift for a two count.
Mox applied a sleeper, but Okada escaped and hit another Rainmaker. Mox ducked and hit Okada with a hard lariat. Then he hit a Paradigm Shift for just one count. Okada fired up, but Mox gave him a stomp and a Death Rider and scored a three count for a clean win. He played to the crowd in the final sequence.
WINNER: Moxley in 20:00 to win the Continental Classic.
(Keller’s Analysis: Not a classic great match given the methodical pace early as dictated by Okada, but the final minutes were good.)
-Shafir, Yuta, Claudio, and Garcia joined Mox in the ring to celebrate. Schaivone said, “You did it, brother.” He said it has to be maybe the greatest moment for him of all time. Mox took the mic and said, “To hell with all that.” He held up the title and said it belongs to everyone in the Continental Classic who busted their asses and gave everything they had. He said it goes to the fans who paid their hard-earned money and said they owe it to them to give it all they have. He said they are the hardest working pro wrestlers in the world. He said they’ll continue to give everything they have every single day and there is no other organization like AEW “and we want to be the elite of the elite.”
He said they give 100 percent every god damned time “because that is what this job deserves.” He threw down the mic and his music played. Excalibur said it was decidedly different tone from Moxley than just over a year ago. He said maybe this tournament is what Moxley needed. Danielson it’s tough to take what Mox said at face value, though. He said he’s been saying that all along, basically, but perhaps he saw what he wanted to see in the tournament this year.
(That almost felt like a passive-aggressive three-minute guilt trip aimed at Okada. Beyond that, I’m not sure what to make of it at this stage.)
(9) SAMOA JOE vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND vs. MJF – AEW World Title match
Excalibur noted the first fall is the finish, so the champion doesn’t have to be involved in the finish to lose his title. The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour.
MJF strutted and then rammed Swerve’s in the face with his crotch. He posed for the camera as Swerve recovered and then went on the attack. Swerve danced after taking MJF down and then also jabbed his crotch into his face. Swerve did a running flip dive onto MJF. Joe then dove through the ropes and tackled both MJF and Swerve. Hangman then did a backflip off the top rope and overshot everyone but grazed MJF.
At 5:00, it was Swerve and Hangman alone in the ring. They milked the moment as fans cheered. Schiavone said it might be the best rivalry in AEW history. They swung away at each other. They countered each other and eventually Swerve landed a Dead Eye. Hangman stood and delivered a House Call and followed with a Buckshot Lariat, but Joe (sort of) broke up the cover.
Joe then set up a Muscle Buster on Swerve in the corner, but Hangman took over. He set up a slam. Joe powerbombed both Hangman and Swerve onto MJF.
Swerve and Joe battled next. Sewrve gave Joe a German suplex. Joe rolled to the ring apron. Hangman entered, but Swerve gave him a backbreaker and an awkward powerslam for a two count.
As Joe and Hangman battled, Danielson said MJF hasn’t been involved in the match much. MJF did catch a charging Hangman with an elbow and then he went after Joe in the corner. He then gave Swerve a wheelbarrow slam and threw Swerve into Joe. MJF gave Hangman a cutter for a two count at 12:00 followed by Salt of the Earth.
Joe intervened and put MJF in a sleeper. Swerve broke it up with a House Call to Joe’s head after two arm drops. Fans chanted, “Swerve’s House!” MJF scored a two count with a victory roll. He gave Swerve a thumb to an eye next. Hangman joined in. Hangman and Swerve both kicked MJF down and then did the same to Joe as he charged at them. Swerve kicked Hangman. All four were down and slow to get up. Fans cheered and chanted “AEW!”
MJF gave Swerve a Destroyer for a near fall, with Joe entering as Swerve kicked out. Hangman gave MJF a Dead Eye for a two count. (It didn’t land well.) Joe knocked Hangman off the ring apron. Swerve then caught Joe with a DDT. Fans booed as The Opps showed up. They yanked Swerve to ringside. Excalibur said because it’s a four-way match, there are no DQs and The Opps picked their spot almost perfectly. (Or they could have interfered earlier, before any of the other wrestlers had chances to win and end the match before they took advantage of the stupid no-DQ rules.)
Joe scored a near win over Hangman with a Coquina Clutch. Powerhouse Hobbs grabbed Prince Nana. Swerve leaped off the top rope with a Swerve Stomp on both Hobbs and Katsuyori Shibata. Hangman then saw Hook on the ring apron and grabbed hjm. Joe pulled him away and applied the Coquina Clutch. Swerve leaped off the top rope and gave Joe a Swerve Stomp. Hangman rolled to the floor. Swerve climbed to the top rope. Joe swept his leg and set up a top rope move. Swerve punched Joe and dropped to the ring apron. He then got behind Joe and powerbombed him to the mat as Joe yelled “No! No! No!”
Swerve climbed to the top rope, but MJF shoved him to the floor head-first into the announce desk. Hangman kicked MJF to the floor and then hit Joe with a Buckshot Lariat. He hit a second one. Then Hangman played to the crowd before going for a third one. MJF intervened and hit the Heat Seeker for the pin on Joe.
Excalibur said MJF played it perfectly. Danielson agreed that MJF creeped in just as Hangman seemed to have Joe down. Pyro blasted as MJF yelled at the camera about being a two-time world champion “who is better than you and you know it.” Excalibur noted few have won two world titles before age 30.
WINNER: MJF in 20:00 to win the AEW World Title.
(A good main event along the lines of what you’d imagine with these four in this type of match.)
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2001
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- 13,350
If you told me last week that Moxley would have two really solid matches in one night without resorting to his normal shenanigans or blading, I wouldn't have believed you. Other than almost murdering Fletcher by dropping him on his head, bravo.
I liked about half of this PPV, which makes it the best AEW PPV in quite a while. And it wasn't 6 hours long this time.
I liked about half of this PPV, which makes it the best AEW PPV in quite a while. And it wasn't 6 hours long this time.