offical wwe thread
- Thread starter orochi_lubu
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Last update: May 4, 2023
WWE
- WWE Championship – Roman Reigns
- WWE Universal – Roman Reigns
- Raw Tag Team – Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- Smackdown Tag Team – Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- Raw Women’s - Bianca Belair
- Smackdown Women’s - Rhea Ripley
- WWE Women’s Tag – Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez
- US Title – Austin Theory
- Intercontinental title - Gunther
NXT
- NXT Championship- Carmelo Hayes
- NXT Women’s - Indi Hartwell
- North American Title – Wes Lee
- Tag Team Title – Gallus
- Women’s Tag Team Title – Alba Fire and Isla Dawn
AEW
- AEW World Title - MJF
- TNT Title - Wardlow
- Women's Title - Jamie Hayter
- TBS Champion - Jade Cargill
- Tag Team Titles - FTR
- Trios Titles - House of Black
- AEW International Title - Orange Cassidy
Impact Wrestling
- World Champion - Steve Maclin
- X Division - Trey Miguel
- Tag Team Titles - Bullet Club (Chris Bey and Ace Austin)
- Digital Media Champion - Joe Hendry
- Knockouts Champion - Deonna Purazzo
- Knockouts Tag Titles - The Coven (Taylor Wilde and KiLynn King)
ROH
- ROH World Champion - Claudio Castagnoli
- ROH TV Champion - Samoa Joe
- ROH Pure Champion - Katsuyori Shibata
- ROH Tag Titles - The Lucha Bros
- ROH Women's Title - Athena
- ROH Six Man Tag Titles - Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage & Gates Of Agony)
NJPW
- IWGP World Title - Sanada
- IWGP US Title - Kenny Omega
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight - Hiromu Takahashi
- Strong Openweight Title - Hikuleo
- IWGP Tag Team Titles - Aussie Open
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles - Intergalactic Jet Setters
- Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles - Aussie Open
- NEVER Openweight Title - Tama Tonga
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Titles - Okada, Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii
- KOPW 2022 - Shingo Takagi
- IWGP Women's Title - Maya Iwatani
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2007
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- 13,411
At least a full half of those titles should be thrown in the trash immediately.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2003
- Posts
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WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-6-23
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's real time report).
(1) BIANCA BELAIR vs. IYO SKY – Raw Women’s Title match
Belair made her entrance first. Graves said the place is nuclear. “What an atmosphere,” he said. Sky came out next. Cole said there was a lot of chatter on social media contending Sky is being held back by Bayley. A loud “Iyo! Iyo!” chant broke out during ring entrances Belair was cheered and booed during ring introductions. The crowd was very loud. The “Iyo!” chant picked up again after the ring introductions. The bell rang 8 minutes into the first hour.
Cole touted the title histories of both wrestlers. Graves said Belair doesn’t have to change anything about her approach to win. The crowd popped huge for Sky’s offense early and loudly booed any counters for Belair. Graves said this is an unusual situation for Belair and it might throw her off. The crowd just got more and more vocally supportive of Iyo as the match progressed including a very loud “Iyo” chant at 5:00. Iyo’s offense was flashy and smooth. The crowd exploded after a double-stomp by Iyo.
The crowd booed when Belair landed a neckbreaker. Belair sold an arm injury after the landing. The crowd chanted “Let’s go, Iyo!” Belair rallied and kipped up. The crowd counted along in Spanish was Belair punched away at Sky in the corner. Belair pressed Sky in the air with one arm, but when she dropped her, Sky landed on her face. That looked painful. Sky grabbed at her face. Belair landed a handspring elbow and scored a near fall. When she charged in the corner, Sky moved and Belair went shoulder-first into the turnbuckle. Sky then held onto Belair’s arm and leaped over the top rope and yanked it over the top rope. Sky followed with a springboard dropkick. Belair bumped to the floor. Cole said that might be the best thing that happened for the champion.
Belair shoved Sky off the top rope. Belair then went for a 450 splash as fans booed. Sky lifted her knees. Siy applied a crossface on Belair. Belair stood and lifted Sky, but Sky faceplanted Belair for a near fall. Belair and Sky countered each other several times. belair caught Sky in position for a K.O.D., but Sky escaped and threw Belair through the ropes to the floor. Sky landed a moonsault onto Belair at ringside. She threw Belair back into the ring and scored a near fall at 14:00. Cole said this is the biggest battle Belair has had in her entire title reign.
Sky went for a top rope head scissors, but Belair held on. Sky hung upside down. Belair lifted her and delivered a top rope powerbomb for a near fall. The crowd exploded with cheers for the kickout. Graves gasped, “My god! This building is legitimately rumbling right now.” Cole said this is the Iyo Sky the WWE Universe has been waiting for. Bayley and Dakota Kai came out and distracted Belair. Belair lifted Sky on her shoulders and knocked Kai offthe ring apron. Sky then countered the K.O.D. again with a roll-up for a believable near fall that popped the crowd. Bayley gave Sky a pep talk. Belair dragged Bayley into the ring and beat her up briefly. Fans booed. Kai roundkicked Belair from ringside. Sky stepped on Belair’s chest and climbed to the top rope. Bayley held Belair’s braid. The ref caught her. When Sky went for the moonsault, Belair moved and then hit the K.O.D. for the win.
Cole said that the Sky the WWE Universe was waiting for. He said Belair is now the longest reigning women’s champion of the modern era in WWE. He said Sky might’ve gotten the job done if it wasn’t for Bayley.
WINNER: Belair in 17:00 to retain the Raw Women’s Title. (****)
(That’s a match that was very good anyway, but elevated by the crowd response. Although there were a few glitches in execution, overall it was one of the hotter openers to a WWE event you’ll see. Belair wasn’t booed out of the building or anything, but Sky had an ovation that was off the charts. If there was any doubt, Sky is a great fit to be presented as a babyface. The seed was planted for Sky to break away since Bayley and Kai attempting to help backfired.)
(2) SETH ROLLINS vs. OMOS (w/MVP)
As Omos made his entrance, Cole noted he’s a free agent who can appear on either show. The crowd sang Seth’s song loudly. Omos kicked Seth while Seth was soaking up the crowd’s singing. The ref scolded Omos as Seth recovered in the corner. Seth stood and the ref called for the bell 37 minutes into the hour.
Seth charged at Omos, but Omos knocked Seth out of mid-air. Cole said tomorrow morning WWE will announce the participants in the World Hvt. Title tournament. He said Seth hopes to be in it if he survives this match against Omos. Omos stood on Seth’s chest and then whipped him hard into the corner turnbuckle. Fans continued to sing Seth’s song as Omos celebrated his early offense. Omos shoved Seth over the top rope, then dropped to teh floor and lifted Seth. Seth flailed and slipped free and then shoved Omos into the ringpost. Seth landed a dive through the ropes. He went for a second dive, but Omos caught him and slammed him on the ring apron. Fans were still super into everything and cascaded Omos with boos and jeers.
Omos pressed Seth above his head and threw him into the ring. Fans chanted, “Let’s Go Rollins!” Back in the ring, Omos gave Seth a big boot to send him hard to the mat. Graves said Seth’s offense is just bouncing off of Omos. Omos appeared to fling ear wax toward the fans a few times to taunt them. Seth leaped onto Omos’s back with a sleeper, but Omos tossed him off of him quickly. Seth hit a flying knee to the side of Omos’s face. Seth landed a running low dropkick to counter Omos, then connected with a superkick. Omos was on his knees. Seth set up a Pedigree. Omos backdropped out of it from his knees. Graves said, “That is absurd in and of itself.”
Seth landed a top rope frog splash. Omos kicked out at one. Cole said Seth couldn’t believe it. Seth stood and looked at his fist. He punched him in the head a few times. Omos grabbed Seth’s throat. Seth broke free and hit a flying punch to the back of Omos’s head. Seth then went for a Stomp, but Omos blocked it. He then stood and chokeslammed Seth for a near fall. Fans loudly chanted “Let’s Go Rollins!” Seth leaped onto Omos’s shoulders with a sleeper. Omos dropped to one knee. Omos landed a side slam to break the hold. Cole asked Graves what Seth has to do. Graves said he doesn’t have an answer.
MVP distracted the ref on the ring apron. Seth landed a Stomp. Seth superkicked MVP off the ring apron. Seth delivered a second Stomp for a two count at 9:00. Seth backed away, eyed bugged out at Omos’s ability to kick out. Seth leaped off the top rope and landed a Stomp for a three count.
WINNER: Rollins in 10:00. (**1/2)
(That was easily the best match of Omos’s career. It was different than the style a lot of fans like, but there’s a part of the fanbase that is into this style of a match with a babyface fighting from underneath against a bigger nasty opponent. Omos is clearly getting better, but Seth is someone who can make it seem like someone is getting better than they actually are too. Still, Omos’s comfort level with his timing, body language, and facial expressions along with just being in the right place at the right time is world’s better than a year or so ago where he was just clearly in over his head and very green. Seth vowed he’d produce a memorable good match with Omos that would generate buzz and I can’t imagine him doing much more than this to live up to that.)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's real time report).
(1) BIANCA BELAIR vs. IYO SKY – Raw Women’s Title match
Belair made her entrance first. Graves said the place is nuclear. “What an atmosphere,” he said. Sky came out next. Cole said there was a lot of chatter on social media contending Sky is being held back by Bayley. A loud “Iyo! Iyo!” chant broke out during ring entrances Belair was cheered and booed during ring introductions. The crowd was very loud. The “Iyo!” chant picked up again after the ring introductions. The bell rang 8 minutes into the first hour.
Cole touted the title histories of both wrestlers. Graves said Belair doesn’t have to change anything about her approach to win. The crowd popped huge for Sky’s offense early and loudly booed any counters for Belair. Graves said this is an unusual situation for Belair and it might throw her off. The crowd just got more and more vocally supportive of Iyo as the match progressed including a very loud “Iyo” chant at 5:00. Iyo’s offense was flashy and smooth. The crowd exploded after a double-stomp by Iyo.
The crowd booed when Belair landed a neckbreaker. Belair sold an arm injury after the landing. The crowd chanted “Let’s go, Iyo!” Belair rallied and kipped up. The crowd counted along in Spanish was Belair punched away at Sky in the corner. Belair pressed Sky in the air with one arm, but when she dropped her, Sky landed on her face. That looked painful. Sky grabbed at her face. Belair landed a handspring elbow and scored a near fall. When she charged in the corner, Sky moved and Belair went shoulder-first into the turnbuckle. Sky then held onto Belair’s arm and leaped over the top rope and yanked it over the top rope. Sky followed with a springboard dropkick. Belair bumped to the floor. Cole said that might be the best thing that happened for the champion.
Belair shoved Sky off the top rope. Belair then went for a 450 splash as fans booed. Sky lifted her knees. Siy applied a crossface on Belair. Belair stood and lifted Sky, but Sky faceplanted Belair for a near fall. Belair and Sky countered each other several times. belair caught Sky in position for a K.O.D., but Sky escaped and threw Belair through the ropes to the floor. Sky landed a moonsault onto Belair at ringside. She threw Belair back into the ring and scored a near fall at 14:00. Cole said this is the biggest battle Belair has had in her entire title reign.
Sky went for a top rope head scissors, but Belair held on. Sky hung upside down. Belair lifted her and delivered a top rope powerbomb for a near fall. The crowd exploded with cheers for the kickout. Graves gasped, “My god! This building is legitimately rumbling right now.” Cole said this is the Iyo Sky the WWE Universe has been waiting for. Bayley and Dakota Kai came out and distracted Belair. Belair lifted Sky on her shoulders and knocked Kai offthe ring apron. Sky then countered the K.O.D. again with a roll-up for a believable near fall that popped the crowd. Bayley gave Sky a pep talk. Belair dragged Bayley into the ring and beat her up briefly. Fans booed. Kai roundkicked Belair from ringside. Sky stepped on Belair’s chest and climbed to the top rope. Bayley held Belair’s braid. The ref caught her. When Sky went for the moonsault, Belair moved and then hit the K.O.D. for the win.
Cole said that the Sky the WWE Universe was waiting for. He said Belair is now the longest reigning women’s champion of the modern era in WWE. He said Sky might’ve gotten the job done if it wasn’t for Bayley.
WINNER: Belair in 17:00 to retain the Raw Women’s Title. (****)
(That’s a match that was very good anyway, but elevated by the crowd response. Although there were a few glitches in execution, overall it was one of the hotter openers to a WWE event you’ll see. Belair wasn’t booed out of the building or anything, but Sky had an ovation that was off the charts. If there was any doubt, Sky is a great fit to be presented as a babyface. The seed was planted for Sky to break away since Bayley and Kai attempting to help backfired.)
(2) SETH ROLLINS vs. OMOS (w/MVP)
As Omos made his entrance, Cole noted he’s a free agent who can appear on either show. The crowd sang Seth’s song loudly. Omos kicked Seth while Seth was soaking up the crowd’s singing. The ref scolded Omos as Seth recovered in the corner. Seth stood and the ref called for the bell 37 minutes into the hour.
Seth charged at Omos, but Omos knocked Seth out of mid-air. Cole said tomorrow morning WWE will announce the participants in the World Hvt. Title tournament. He said Seth hopes to be in it if he survives this match against Omos. Omos stood on Seth’s chest and then whipped him hard into the corner turnbuckle. Fans continued to sing Seth’s song as Omos celebrated his early offense. Omos shoved Seth over the top rope, then dropped to teh floor and lifted Seth. Seth flailed and slipped free and then shoved Omos into the ringpost. Seth landed a dive through the ropes. He went for a second dive, but Omos caught him and slammed him on the ring apron. Fans were still super into everything and cascaded Omos with boos and jeers.
Omos pressed Seth above his head and threw him into the ring. Fans chanted, “Let’s Go Rollins!” Back in the ring, Omos gave Seth a big boot to send him hard to the mat. Graves said Seth’s offense is just bouncing off of Omos. Omos appeared to fling ear wax toward the fans a few times to taunt them. Seth leaped onto Omos’s back with a sleeper, but Omos tossed him off of him quickly. Seth hit a flying knee to the side of Omos’s face. Seth landed a running low dropkick to counter Omos, then connected with a superkick. Omos was on his knees. Seth set up a Pedigree. Omos backdropped out of it from his knees. Graves said, “That is absurd in and of itself.”
Seth landed a top rope frog splash. Omos kicked out at one. Cole said Seth couldn’t believe it. Seth stood and looked at his fist. He punched him in the head a few times. Omos grabbed Seth’s throat. Seth broke free and hit a flying punch to the back of Omos’s head. Seth then went for a Stomp, but Omos blocked it. He then stood and chokeslammed Seth for a near fall. Fans loudly chanted “Let’s Go Rollins!” Seth leaped onto Omos’s shoulders with a sleeper. Omos dropped to one knee. Omos landed a side slam to break the hold. Cole asked Graves what Seth has to do. Graves said he doesn’t have an answer.
MVP distracted the ref on the ring apron. Seth landed a Stomp. Seth superkicked MVP off the ring apron. Seth delivered a second Stomp for a two count at 9:00. Seth backed away, eyed bugged out at Omos’s ability to kick out. Seth leaped off the top rope and landed a Stomp for a three count.
WINNER: Rollins in 10:00. (**1/2)
(That was easily the best match of Omos’s career. It was different than the style a lot of fans like, but there’s a part of the fanbase that is into this style of a match with a babyface fighting from underneath against a bigger nasty opponent. Omos is clearly getting better, but Seth is someone who can make it seem like someone is getting better than they actually are too. Still, Omos’s comfort level with his timing, body language, and facial expressions along with just being in the right place at the right time is world’s better than a year or so ago where he was just clearly in over his head and very green. Seth vowed he’d produce a memorable good match with Omos that would generate buzz and I can’t imagine him doing much more than this to live up to that.)
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WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-6-23
(3) AUSTIN THEORY vs. BOBBY LASHLEY vs. BRONSON REED – U.S. Title match
Lashley came out first followed by Reigns and Theory. The announcers noted that Theory doesn’t have a champion’s advantage in this match. Cole noted Theory beat John Cena. Graves said that should have silenced all doubters. (Cole didn’t push back at all that Theory used a low-blow and didn’t prove anything, but WWE wants to frame Theory’s tainted win as some sort of statement for him. I suppose that’s wise, but disingenuous.) Graves said Theory is the future of WWE. They showed a cool overview of the arena bowl from the last row. The bell rang 57 minutes into the hour.
Lashley beat up Reed in the corner. Theory tossed him to the floor. Theory then turned to Lashley. Cole said he asked Lashely earlier about what being on Smackdown means to him. “He looked me in the eye and you know what he said? Roman Reigns,” Cole said. Graves said he’s not surprised. Lashley delay-drop suplexed Theory. Reed rolled back into the ring and splashed Lashley after Theory tripped him. Reed and Theory had a brief talk, then turned and beat up Lashley in the corner together. A “Bobby!” chant broke out briefly. Cole acknowledged it.
Reed knocked Theory down with a standing bodyblock. Lashley then one-arm slammed Theory. Lashley delivered a spear. Reed yanked Lashley off of Theory when he went for a cover. Reed kicked Lashley at ringside. Reed swung off the top rope and landed on Lashley’s right shoulder. Cole said it was like being hit by a boulder in an avalanche. Reed threw Lashley into the ring and then climbed to the rope. Theory knocked Reed off balance and then went for an A-Town Down. Lashley escaped and applied a Hurt Lock center-ring. Theory faded, but then powered out by kicking off the middle rope. He bridged Lashley’s shoulders down for a two count. Reed then leaped off the top rope with a splash on Lashley. Theory broke up the cover.
Theory rallied and gloated. He lifted Reed onto his shoulders for a second, but Reed slipped free and powerslammed Theory. Reed followed up with a top rope moonsault, but Theory rolled out of the way. When Reed stood, Lashley speared him. Theory then threw Lashley out of the ring and “stole” the cover for the win.
WINNER: Theory in 7:00 to retain the U.S. Title. (**3/4)
(They packed a lot of action and twists and turns into that seven minute match. Everyone had big moments to shine either with big moves, big kickouts, or gloating. No surprise Theory retained and that it was Reed who took the pin as Reed moves to Raw while Theory and Lashley move to Smackdown.)
(4) RHEA RIPLEY vs. ZELINA VEGA – Smackdown Women’s Title match
Vega came out to the LWO theme and wore a Puerto Rican flag cape that extended out from her arms. Vega hugged and kissed her mom, step-dad, brother, and uncle. Cole noted that her uncle wrestled Bruno Sammartino in his career. Cole said Zelina called this moment in her career surreal and nerve-wracking, but a dream come true. Zelina was clearly emotional during introductions. Ripley was booed when she was introduced. Cole said Zelina was dedicating the match to her father, who died in the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Graves said Ripley is ice-cold emotionally to start. The bell rang 15 minutes into the second hour.
Ripley took control early and played to the crowd. Zelina avoided a charging Ripley at 4:00. Both were down and slow to get up. Zelina tried to take Ripley off her feet with several forearms and clotheslines. Ripley headbutted Zelina to stop the rally. Zelina countered Ripley with a DDT. Zelina fired up the crowd and then hit a 619. She then did an Eddie Guerrero shake and leaped off the top rope with a meteora for a near fall at 6:00. Zelina was emotional as she stood. Ripley kicked Zelina and then landed her Rip Tide for a sudden win.
WINNER: Ripley in 7:00 to retain the Smackdown Title. (**1/2)
( Good and basic quick match that told a story in a compact amount of time. The crowd was behind Zelina all the way, but seemed something short of crushed when she lost since they probably expected it given how much of an underdog she was portrayed as.)
(3) AUSTIN THEORY vs. BOBBY LASHLEY vs. BRONSON REED – U.S. Title match
Lashley came out first followed by Reigns and Theory. The announcers noted that Theory doesn’t have a champion’s advantage in this match. Cole noted Theory beat John Cena. Graves said that should have silenced all doubters. (Cole didn’t push back at all that Theory used a low-blow and didn’t prove anything, but WWE wants to frame Theory’s tainted win as some sort of statement for him. I suppose that’s wise, but disingenuous.) Graves said Theory is the future of WWE. They showed a cool overview of the arena bowl from the last row. The bell rang 57 minutes into the hour.
Lashley beat up Reed in the corner. Theory tossed him to the floor. Theory then turned to Lashley. Cole said he asked Lashely earlier about what being on Smackdown means to him. “He looked me in the eye and you know what he said? Roman Reigns,” Cole said. Graves said he’s not surprised. Lashley delay-drop suplexed Theory. Reed rolled back into the ring and splashed Lashley after Theory tripped him. Reed and Theory had a brief talk, then turned and beat up Lashley in the corner together. A “Bobby!” chant broke out briefly. Cole acknowledged it.
Reed knocked Theory down with a standing bodyblock. Lashley then one-arm slammed Theory. Lashley delivered a spear. Reed yanked Lashley off of Theory when he went for a cover. Reed kicked Lashley at ringside. Reed swung off the top rope and landed on Lashley’s right shoulder. Cole said it was like being hit by a boulder in an avalanche. Reed threw Lashley into the ring and then climbed to the rope. Theory knocked Reed off balance and then went for an A-Town Down. Lashley escaped and applied a Hurt Lock center-ring. Theory faded, but then powered out by kicking off the middle rope. He bridged Lashley’s shoulders down for a two count. Reed then leaped off the top rope with a splash on Lashley. Theory broke up the cover.
Theory rallied and gloated. He lifted Reed onto his shoulders for a second, but Reed slipped free and powerslammed Theory. Reed followed up with a top rope moonsault, but Theory rolled out of the way. When Reed stood, Lashley speared him. Theory then threw Lashley out of the ring and “stole” the cover for the win.
WINNER: Theory in 7:00 to retain the U.S. Title. (**3/4)
(They packed a lot of action and twists and turns into that seven minute match. Everyone had big moments to shine either with big moves, big kickouts, or gloating. No surprise Theory retained and that it was Reed who took the pin as Reed moves to Raw while Theory and Lashley move to Smackdown.)
(4) RHEA RIPLEY vs. ZELINA VEGA – Smackdown Women’s Title match
Vega came out to the LWO theme and wore a Puerto Rican flag cape that extended out from her arms. Vega hugged and kissed her mom, step-dad, brother, and uncle. Cole noted that her uncle wrestled Bruno Sammartino in his career. Cole said Zelina called this moment in her career surreal and nerve-wracking, but a dream come true. Zelina was clearly emotional during introductions. Ripley was booed when she was introduced. Cole said Zelina was dedicating the match to her father, who died in the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Graves said Ripley is ice-cold emotionally to start. The bell rang 15 minutes into the second hour.
Ripley took control early and played to the crowd. Zelina avoided a charging Ripley at 4:00. Both were down and slow to get up. Zelina tried to take Ripley off her feet with several forearms and clotheslines. Ripley headbutted Zelina to stop the rally. Zelina countered Ripley with a DDT. Zelina fired up the crowd and then hit a 619. She then did an Eddie Guerrero shake and leaped off the top rope with a meteora for a near fall at 6:00. Zelina was emotional as she stood. Ripley kicked Zelina and then landed her Rip Tide for a sudden win.
WINNER: Ripley in 7:00 to retain the Smackdown Title. (**1/2)
( Good and basic quick match that told a story in a compact amount of time. The crowd was behind Zelina all the way, but seemed something short of crushed when she lost since they probably expected it given how much of an underdog she was portrayed as.)
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WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-6-23
(5) DAMIAN PRIEST vs. BAD BUNNY – Puerto Rican Street Fight
Graves said Priest was on his podcast and he said that he doesn’t go on stage and interrupted or try to do what Bad Bunny does, so what makes him think he should be wrestling in his ring. Bunny got the huge pop you’d expect when he came out, kendo stick in hand. Fans sang along to his song. He paused half way to the ring and then walked back to reveal a shopping cart full of trash cans, chairs, kendo sticks, and other apparatus. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour.
Priest walked out to the center of the ring first. Bad Bunny met him. Priest shoved him down. Cole said they both grew up in the same small town. Cole said this night is special because he was raised there and Bad Bunny said “We are superheroes here.” Bad Bunny got up and had some words for Priest. Priest shoved Bad Bunny; Bad Bunny slapped him and then landed a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. “Are you kidding me?” asked Cole. Bad Bunny grabbed a kendo stick and danced in the ring as Priest bailed out to the floor. Priest picked up Bad Bunny and threw him into the corner. Priest broke the kendo stick over his knee. Fans booed.
Priest twisted Bad Bunny’s arm. Bad Bunny punched Priest, but Priest held on and twisted harder. Graves said Priest is savoring this given all the eyes on this match. Bad Bunny thumbed Priest in the eyes. He mounted Priest in the corner, but Priest powered out. Bunny leveraged Priest’s shoulders down for a two count. Priest punched Bad Bunny, who fell into the corner. Priest gave Bad Bunny a South of Heaven, but then lifted his shoulders before the three count. Graves said Priest is going to “savor the suffering” of Bad Bunny.
When Priest dove at Bad Bunny, Bad Bunny threw a chair at his face. Bad Bunny then pulled a kendo stick out from under the ring and bashed Priest with it several times. Bad Bunny leaped with a crossbody onto Priest at ringside. He bashed his head with two trash can lids. Back in the ring at 8:00 Priest took over briefly until Bad Bunny surprised him with a flying elbow in the corner. Bad Bunny gave Priest a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Priest decided to walk toward the back. Bad Bunny went after Priest with a trash can, but Priest kicked it into his face. Priest bashed Bad Bunny with the trash can. Bad Bunny sold it at ringside. Priest twirled the kendo stick and then bashed Bad Bunny with it. Bad Bunny sold it great.
Priest threw Bad Bunny into the time keeper’s area. He played to the crowd. Bad Bunny fought back and they brawled into the crowd. Priest put Bad Bunny on a stack of travel crates and then yanked off his own shirt. He stood over Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny stood and fought back. Priest delivered a leaping Michinoku Driver off the crates through tables below. Both were slow to get up. Adam Pearce and other officials ran out and tried to talk Priest out of continuing his attack. Priest picked up Bad Bunny and carried him back to ringside at 14:00. Graves said this could be the last time Bad Bunny will be seen in public.
Bad Bunny ducked a Priest roundkick toward the ringpost. Priest sold a leg injury. Bad Bunny bashed Priest with a kendo stick. Bad Bunny then hyper-extended Priest’s knee. Priest went down and told the ref in a panic his leg isn’t okay. Bad Bunny swung his leg into the ringpost several times. Bad Bunny pulled a chain out of the shopping card. He wrapped Priest’s ankle with it as Priest pleaded with him to let up on the attack. Bad Bunny went through with yanking his leg around the ringpost. Bad Bunny bashed Priest’s leg with a chair.
Back in the ring, Priest held onto his leg. Bad Bunny held up a chair, but Priest begged off. Bad Bunny paused. Priest apologized to him. Priest then up-kicked Bad Bunny. Priest hopped on one leg over to the chair and swung at Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny gave Priest a low-blow. Cole said, “Legal!” Bad Bunny then picked up a chair. Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor charged out aned stomped away at Bad Bunny. (Also legal!) Rey mysterio ran out to help. He went right after Dominik. Balor and Dominik double-teamed Rey. Carlito then charged out for the save. The crowd absolutely exploded as he cleared the ring of The Judgment Day.
Cool yanked off his shirt and bit into an apple. Dominik attacked him from behind. Carlito set up Dominik for a 619. Rey hit it. Carlito sprayed apple bits at Dominik’s face. Balor and Dominik retreated from Rey and Carlito. Savio Vega then came out from the entry and cornered Balor and Dominik. Balor laughed at Savio, perhaps nervously. Savio then called for the LWO to come out, and the Legado del Fantasma trio came out. They stomped away at Dominik. Balor thought he was about to escape when Savio caught him with a chop to the head. He punched him in the throat and then landed a spinning hook kick. Savio delivered some strikes to Dominik and then the heels fled.
Back in the ring, Bad Bunny cheered on the happenings. Priest went for a tornado kick, but his bad leg gave out. Bad Bunny then applied a figure-four leglock mid-ring. Priest cried out in pain. Priest’s shoulders were down for the count of two. Priest reached for Bad Bunny’s throat and be grabbed it. He went for a chokeslam, but Bad Bunny rolled through for a leveraged near fall at 24:00. Bad Bunny sent a charging Priest face-first into a chair edged in the corner. He then scored a near fall after Sliced Bread #2. Bad Bunny grabbed a chair and bashed Priest across his back with it several times as the crowd roared approval. Bad Bunny played to the crowd and landed a Canadian Destroyer for the three count.
Bad Bunny celebrated with all of his friends after the match. Bad Bunny slapped hands with fans afterward.
WINNER: Bad Bunny in 25:00. (****)
(That was awesome. That’s a match I wish I was in the arena for. That brought me back to being a kid watching the AWA when crowds believed or were at least given such an immersive presentation that they bought at least for the night. That was just a blast. Bad Bunny is among the best celebrities to ever dip their toe in the ring. Big props to Priest for what he gave to Bunny in that match, although it’s no surprise given their home town connection and how big of a star Bad Bunny is. As much as Priest made Bunny look great in the ring, Bad Bunny gave Priest’s career a big rub. The cameos were so fun. They had a full-fledged match even before The Judgement Day interfered and then it got wild in a whole new way after that. Just satisfying and masterfully booked and executed.)
(5) DAMIAN PRIEST vs. BAD BUNNY – Puerto Rican Street Fight
Graves said Priest was on his podcast and he said that he doesn’t go on stage and interrupted or try to do what Bad Bunny does, so what makes him think he should be wrestling in his ring. Bunny got the huge pop you’d expect when he came out, kendo stick in hand. Fans sang along to his song. He paused half way to the ring and then walked back to reveal a shopping cart full of trash cans, chairs, kendo sticks, and other apparatus. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour.
Priest walked out to the center of the ring first. Bad Bunny met him. Priest shoved him down. Cole said they both grew up in the same small town. Cole said this night is special because he was raised there and Bad Bunny said “We are superheroes here.” Bad Bunny got up and had some words for Priest. Priest shoved Bad Bunny; Bad Bunny slapped him and then landed a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. “Are you kidding me?” asked Cole. Bad Bunny grabbed a kendo stick and danced in the ring as Priest bailed out to the floor. Priest picked up Bad Bunny and threw him into the corner. Priest broke the kendo stick over his knee. Fans booed.
Priest twisted Bad Bunny’s arm. Bad Bunny punched Priest, but Priest held on and twisted harder. Graves said Priest is savoring this given all the eyes on this match. Bad Bunny thumbed Priest in the eyes. He mounted Priest in the corner, but Priest powered out. Bunny leveraged Priest’s shoulders down for a two count. Priest punched Bad Bunny, who fell into the corner. Priest gave Bad Bunny a South of Heaven, but then lifted his shoulders before the three count. Graves said Priest is going to “savor the suffering” of Bad Bunny.
When Priest dove at Bad Bunny, Bad Bunny threw a chair at his face. Bad Bunny then pulled a kendo stick out from under the ring and bashed Priest with it several times. Bad Bunny leaped with a crossbody onto Priest at ringside. He bashed his head with two trash can lids. Back in the ring at 8:00 Priest took over briefly until Bad Bunny surprised him with a flying elbow in the corner. Bad Bunny gave Priest a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Priest decided to walk toward the back. Bad Bunny went after Priest with a trash can, but Priest kicked it into his face. Priest bashed Bad Bunny with the trash can. Bad Bunny sold it at ringside. Priest twirled the kendo stick and then bashed Bad Bunny with it. Bad Bunny sold it great.
Priest threw Bad Bunny into the time keeper’s area. He played to the crowd. Bad Bunny fought back and they brawled into the crowd. Priest put Bad Bunny on a stack of travel crates and then yanked off his own shirt. He stood over Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny stood and fought back. Priest delivered a leaping Michinoku Driver off the crates through tables below. Both were slow to get up. Adam Pearce and other officials ran out and tried to talk Priest out of continuing his attack. Priest picked up Bad Bunny and carried him back to ringside at 14:00. Graves said this could be the last time Bad Bunny will be seen in public.
Bad Bunny ducked a Priest roundkick toward the ringpost. Priest sold a leg injury. Bad Bunny bashed Priest with a kendo stick. Bad Bunny then hyper-extended Priest’s knee. Priest went down and told the ref in a panic his leg isn’t okay. Bad Bunny swung his leg into the ringpost several times. Bad Bunny pulled a chain out of the shopping card. He wrapped Priest’s ankle with it as Priest pleaded with him to let up on the attack. Bad Bunny went through with yanking his leg around the ringpost. Bad Bunny bashed Priest’s leg with a chair.
Back in the ring, Priest held onto his leg. Bad Bunny held up a chair, but Priest begged off. Bad Bunny paused. Priest apologized to him. Priest then up-kicked Bad Bunny. Priest hopped on one leg over to the chair and swung at Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny gave Priest a low-blow. Cole said, “Legal!” Bad Bunny then picked up a chair. Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor charged out aned stomped away at Bad Bunny. (Also legal!) Rey mysterio ran out to help. He went right after Dominik. Balor and Dominik double-teamed Rey. Carlito then charged out for the save. The crowd absolutely exploded as he cleared the ring of The Judgment Day.
Cool yanked off his shirt and bit into an apple. Dominik attacked him from behind. Carlito set up Dominik for a 619. Rey hit it. Carlito sprayed apple bits at Dominik’s face. Balor and Dominik retreated from Rey and Carlito. Savio Vega then came out from the entry and cornered Balor and Dominik. Balor laughed at Savio, perhaps nervously. Savio then called for the LWO to come out, and the Legado del Fantasma trio came out. They stomped away at Dominik. Balor thought he was about to escape when Savio caught him with a chop to the head. He punched him in the throat and then landed a spinning hook kick. Savio delivered some strikes to Dominik and then the heels fled.
Back in the ring, Bad Bunny cheered on the happenings. Priest went for a tornado kick, but his bad leg gave out. Bad Bunny then applied a figure-four leglock mid-ring. Priest cried out in pain. Priest’s shoulders were down for the count of two. Priest reached for Bad Bunny’s throat and be grabbed it. He went for a chokeslam, but Bad Bunny rolled through for a leveraged near fall at 24:00. Bad Bunny sent a charging Priest face-first into a chair edged in the corner. He then scored a near fall after Sliced Bread #2. Bad Bunny grabbed a chair and bashed Priest across his back with it several times as the crowd roared approval. Bad Bunny played to the crowd and landed a Canadian Destroyer for the three count.
Bad Bunny celebrated with all of his friends after the match. Bad Bunny slapped hands with fans afterward.
WINNER: Bad Bunny in 25:00. (****)
(That was awesome. That’s a match I wish I was in the arena for. That brought me back to being a kid watching the AWA when crowds believed or were at least given such an immersive presentation that they bought at least for the night. That was just a blast. Bad Bunny is among the best celebrities to ever dip their toe in the ring. Big props to Priest for what he gave to Bunny in that match, although it’s no surprise given their home town connection and how big of a star Bad Bunny is. As much as Priest made Bunny look great in the ring, Bad Bunny gave Priest’s career a big rub. The cameos were so fun. They had a full-fledged match even before The Judgement Day interfered and then it got wild in a whole new way after that. Just satisfying and masterfully booked and executed.)
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WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-6-23
(6) SAMI ZAYN & KEVIN OWENS & MATT RIDDLE vs. THE USOS & SOLO SIKOA
The crowd loved singing Sami’s song. The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. Cole and Graves talked about the friendship between Solo and Reigns. Then they shifted to how Sami Zayn seems preoccupied with trying to get Jey to second guess his decision to betray him and stick with family. Sami took an extended beating for several minutes before eventually hot-tagging in Riddle at 10:00. This was paced to give the fans an emotional breather after the prior two matches.
Riddle landed a rip cord knee on Jey. He beat up Jimmy, too, with a flurry of offense. He played to the crowd briefly and then kicked Solo at ringside. Then he landed a springboard twisting dive onto Solo and the Usos. Back in the ring, Jimmy surprised a flying Riddle with a superkick for a near fall. Owens recovered from being slammed onto the ringside steps earlier. he landed a top rope swanton on Jimmy for a near fall.
Jimmy mistakenly superkicked Jey. Owens cleared the ring and then landed a Pop Up Powerbomb on Jimmy for a near fall at 13:00. Graves called it “an ultra-rare miscommunication between the Usos.” Cole said they’ve been out of sync this month. Owens went for a flip senton, but Jimmy raised his knees. Owens and Jimmy exchanged strikes, including headbutts. Jimmy blocked a stunner and landed a superkick. Owens fired back with a lariat off the ropes. Both were down and slow to get up. Fans applauded.
A few minutes later Sami leaped off the top rope, but the Usos landed stereo superkicks for a near fall. Jey yelled at Sami that discord in his family is his fault. He slapped him and yelled over and over, “It’s your fault!” Jey let out a yell in his corner. Solo tagged himself in and shot Jey a stern look. Cole said Solo was done with the games. Jey tagged himself back in immediately. Solo stared him down intensely. Jey said he’s got it. Sami charged at Jey with a Helluva Kick, but Jey moved and the boot hit Solo. Sami then overhead suplexed Jey in the corner and landed a Helluva kick. Solo made the save by interrupting the count. Cole said the issues with the brothers almost cost the family.
Solo gave Owens a Samoan Spike. He turned and nearly gave a Spike to Jey when Jey surprised him from behind. Jey took issue with how long Solo took to decide not to hit him. Sami hit Solo from behind. Jey rolled up Sami immediately for a near fall. He landed a superkick next and then climbed to the top rope. He went for a top rope splash, but Sami raised his knees and then small packaged Jey for a near fall. Sami tagged Riddle in.
Riddle went after Jey with rapid-fire offense. Jey fired back with a superkick. Riddle landed a high knee. Solo blind tagged in. riddle gave Jey a Bro Derek. Solo entered and gave Riddle a Samoan Spike for the three count. Cole asked whether the cracks in The Bloodline became major rifts during this match. Graves said even he has doubts right now. (The ref relayed a message to Jimmy from ringside.) Jimmy stood between Solo and Jey and was all smiles, trying to focus everyone on their victory.
WINNERS: Solo & The Usos in 21:00. (***1/4)
(Good action with further development of the discord within The Bloodline.)
(6) SAMI ZAYN & KEVIN OWENS & MATT RIDDLE vs. THE USOS & SOLO SIKOA
The crowd loved singing Sami’s song. The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. Cole and Graves talked about the friendship between Solo and Reigns. Then they shifted to how Sami Zayn seems preoccupied with trying to get Jey to second guess his decision to betray him and stick with family. Sami took an extended beating for several minutes before eventually hot-tagging in Riddle at 10:00. This was paced to give the fans an emotional breather after the prior two matches.
Riddle landed a rip cord knee on Jey. He beat up Jimmy, too, with a flurry of offense. He played to the crowd briefly and then kicked Solo at ringside. Then he landed a springboard twisting dive onto Solo and the Usos. Back in the ring, Jimmy surprised a flying Riddle with a superkick for a near fall. Owens recovered from being slammed onto the ringside steps earlier. he landed a top rope swanton on Jimmy for a near fall.
Jimmy mistakenly superkicked Jey. Owens cleared the ring and then landed a Pop Up Powerbomb on Jimmy for a near fall at 13:00. Graves called it “an ultra-rare miscommunication between the Usos.” Cole said they’ve been out of sync this month. Owens went for a flip senton, but Jimmy raised his knees. Owens and Jimmy exchanged strikes, including headbutts. Jimmy blocked a stunner and landed a superkick. Owens fired back with a lariat off the ropes. Both were down and slow to get up. Fans applauded.
A few minutes later Sami leaped off the top rope, but the Usos landed stereo superkicks for a near fall. Jey yelled at Sami that discord in his family is his fault. He slapped him and yelled over and over, “It’s your fault!” Jey let out a yell in his corner. Solo tagged himself in and shot Jey a stern look. Cole said Solo was done with the games. Jey tagged himself back in immediately. Solo stared him down intensely. Jey said he’s got it. Sami charged at Jey with a Helluva Kick, but Jey moved and the boot hit Solo. Sami then overhead suplexed Jey in the corner and landed a Helluva kick. Solo made the save by interrupting the count. Cole said the issues with the brothers almost cost the family.
Solo gave Owens a Samoan Spike. He turned and nearly gave a Spike to Jey when Jey surprised him from behind. Jey took issue with how long Solo took to decide not to hit him. Sami hit Solo from behind. Jey rolled up Sami immediately for a near fall. He landed a superkick next and then climbed to the top rope. He went for a top rope splash, but Sami raised his knees and then small packaged Jey for a near fall. Sami tagged Riddle in.
Riddle went after Jey with rapid-fire offense. Jey fired back with a superkick. Riddle landed a high knee. Solo blind tagged in. riddle gave Jey a Bro Derek. Solo entered and gave Riddle a Samoan Spike for the three count. Cole asked whether the cracks in The Bloodline became major rifts during this match. Graves said even he has doubts right now. (The ref relayed a message to Jimmy from ringside.) Jimmy stood between Solo and Jey and was all smiles, trying to focus everyone on their victory.
WINNERS: Solo & The Usos in 21:00. (***1/4)
(Good action with further development of the discord within The Bloodline.)
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WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-6-23
(7) CODY RHODES vs. BROCK LESNAR
Cody made his entrance first. The fans were into his theme song. They found one guy in the crowd who was super into singing the lyrics. Some pyro blasted from the lighting grid when Cody arrived in the ring. When Lesnar came out, Cole said Lesnar has never explained why he attacked Cody. He said Cody believes it’s because he replaced Lesnar as “the man” around there. Cole added that they may never know. Cody dove through the ropes onto Brock at ringside. He attacked him with an announce desk lid. Cole said the match isn’t even under way officially. Cody aggressively attacked Lesnar, ramming him three times in the head with the top of the ringside steps. Cody bashed Lesnar with a chair next.
When Cody entered the ring with a chair, the ref took the chair and called for the bell. The bell rang 53 minutes into the third hour. Lesnar fought back, but Cody landed two Disaster Kicks. Lesnar caught Cody mid-air and landed a back suplex. Cody yanked Lesnar’s neck over the top rope and threw some uppercuts. Cody leaped off the top rope, but Lesnar caught him and gave him a fallaway slam. Cole said Lesnar is still in the fight despite everything Cody did. Fans chanted “Suplex City!” Lesnar back suplexed Cody again, then smiled. He suplexed Cody a third time. Cole called it “a hat trick of suplexes.”
Lesnar stomped on Cody as fans chanted “Suplex City!” again. Cody held onto a turnbuckle pad. When Lesnar threw him, the pad came off. Lesnar stood over Cody and smiled. Two minutes later, Cody ducked a charging Lesnar whow ent face-first into the turnbuckle. Lesnar bled hard-way and was gushing blood. Cody landed a Cody Cutter. (There was no time for Lesnar to blade himself there.) Cody landed a Disaster Kick. Graves said Lesnar’s face was a crimson mess. Cody wiped some of Lesnar’s blood on his chest and then hit a Cody Cutter. “Brock’s in trouble,” said Cole. Graves said he couldn’t believe what they were saying. Cody hit a Crossroads, but hedl on and delivered a second Crossroads for a near fall.
Cody set up a third Crossroads, but Brock countered with an F5 for a believable near fall at 9:00. Graves wondered if that was Cody’s last gasp. The fans were standing. The announcers were standing. Brock surprised Cody with a kimura lock attempt. Cody resisted, but Lesnar locked it on. Graves said Lesnar will break his arm if he doesn’t give up. Cody leveraged Lesnar’s shoulders down and got a three count.
Cole said Cody has clamed the kingdom. Lesnar was given a towel and he wiped the blood off his face, but he did continue bleeding. They zoomed in on his face as the show ended.
WINNER: Cody in 10:00. (***3/4)
(That didn’t need to be another minute longer. Really strong storytelling start to finish. The presumed unplanned blood found a perfect setting given Puerto Rico’s hardcore pro wrestling history in general and the scarred foreheads of Carlos Colon and Abdullah the Butcher specifically.)
(7) CODY RHODES vs. BROCK LESNAR
Cody made his entrance first. The fans were into his theme song. They found one guy in the crowd who was super into singing the lyrics. Some pyro blasted from the lighting grid when Cody arrived in the ring. When Lesnar came out, Cole said Lesnar has never explained why he attacked Cody. He said Cody believes it’s because he replaced Lesnar as “the man” around there. Cole added that they may never know. Cody dove through the ropes onto Brock at ringside. He attacked him with an announce desk lid. Cole said the match isn’t even under way officially. Cody aggressively attacked Lesnar, ramming him three times in the head with the top of the ringside steps. Cody bashed Lesnar with a chair next.
When Cody entered the ring with a chair, the ref took the chair and called for the bell. The bell rang 53 minutes into the third hour. Lesnar fought back, but Cody landed two Disaster Kicks. Lesnar caught Cody mid-air and landed a back suplex. Cody yanked Lesnar’s neck over the top rope and threw some uppercuts. Cody leaped off the top rope, but Lesnar caught him and gave him a fallaway slam. Cole said Lesnar is still in the fight despite everything Cody did. Fans chanted “Suplex City!” Lesnar back suplexed Cody again, then smiled. He suplexed Cody a third time. Cole called it “a hat trick of suplexes.”
Lesnar stomped on Cody as fans chanted “Suplex City!” again. Cody held onto a turnbuckle pad. When Lesnar threw him, the pad came off. Lesnar stood over Cody and smiled. Two minutes later, Cody ducked a charging Lesnar whow ent face-first into the turnbuckle. Lesnar bled hard-way and was gushing blood. Cody landed a Cody Cutter. (There was no time for Lesnar to blade himself there.) Cody landed a Disaster Kick. Graves said Lesnar’s face was a crimson mess. Cody wiped some of Lesnar’s blood on his chest and then hit a Cody Cutter. “Brock’s in trouble,” said Cole. Graves said he couldn’t believe what they were saying. Cody hit a Crossroads, but hedl on and delivered a second Crossroads for a near fall.
Cody set up a third Crossroads, but Brock countered with an F5 for a believable near fall at 9:00. Graves wondered if that was Cody’s last gasp. The fans were standing. The announcers were standing. Brock surprised Cody with a kimura lock attempt. Cody resisted, but Lesnar locked it on. Graves said Lesnar will break his arm if he doesn’t give up. Cody leveraged Lesnar’s shoulders down and got a three count.
Cole said Cody has clamed the kingdom. Lesnar was given a towel and he wiped the blood off his face, but he did continue bleeding. They zoomed in on his face as the show ended.
WINNER: Cody in 10:00. (***3/4)
(That didn’t need to be another minute longer. Really strong storytelling start to finish. The presumed unplanned blood found a perfect setting given Puerto Rico’s hardcore pro wrestling history in general and the scarred foreheads of Carlos Colon and Abdullah the Butcher specifically.)
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Having celebrities get wins over your regular roster is incomprehensibly stupid no matter how they come about.
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In an effort to make their product even less distinguishable from WWE, AEW has announced yet another weekly two-hour wrestling show on TNT. Two hours every Saturday night, and along with it comes a "soft" brand split. It's apparently where they're going to stick most of the talent that doesn't get along with the rest of the talent. Show will be called Collision.
Didn't take them long to get to WWE style content bloat. Dynamite, Rampage, Dark, Elevation, ROH, now Collision.
Didn't take them long to get to WWE style content bloat. Dynamite, Rampage, Dark, Elevation, ROH, now Collision.
Last edited:
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- Jan 21, 2009
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Rampage looks like AEW's "Main Event". Hopefully he adds more writers and road agents.
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WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham is dead. He was 79 years old.
Graham was placed on life support earlier this week and was sick for much of the last year with COVID-19, a serious ear infection, and other ailments.
Billy Graham began his wrestling career in 1970 and spent time in various promotions including the AWA, NWA, WWWF, CWA, and the WWF. In 1977, Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino to win the WWE Championship. He held the title for a year and defeated Dusty Rhodes, Peter Maivia, and others. Graham finally lost the championship to Bob Backlund in 1978.
After his years in the ring, Graham became an announcer and a manager. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
Graham was placed on life support earlier this week and was sick for much of the last year with COVID-19, a serious ear infection, and other ailments.
Billy Graham began his wrestling career in 1970 and spent time in various promotions including the AWA, NWA, WWWF, CWA, and the WWF. In 1977, Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino to win the WWE Championship. He held the title for a year and defeated Dusty Rhodes, Peter Maivia, and others. Graham finally lost the championship to Bob Backlund in 1978.
After his years in the ring, Graham became an announcer and a manager. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Tony Khan, ladies and gentlemen. CM Punk wants to come back and make money for you, but two little petite parkour performers are afraid of his dog and his trainer so nah on that whole doubling the weekly tv time thing.
I kind of think the video game is a good analogy to the real-world AEW - both are completely off the rails and not at all where they should be in relation to TK/actual makers of it. Both could make a lot of $ but are stuck and making, at best, zero dollars. Both actively feature Kenny Omega. Hmm.
edit: I mostly enjoy the odd WWE PLE (peenie? whatevs) these days but Seth Franklin as top champ on Raw is very actively making me cancel Peacock. Who in the hell actually likes the guy outside of the live crowd that sings his song? Screeches his promos, zero substance to the character, just unwatchable other than his in-ring time.
And meanwhile Jay White beats Okada and goes to AEW midcard in less than a year.
I kind of think the video game is a good analogy to the real-world AEW - both are completely off the rails and not at all where they should be in relation to TK/actual makers of it. Both could make a lot of $ but are stuck and making, at best, zero dollars. Both actively feature Kenny Omega. Hmm.
edit: I mostly enjoy the odd WWE PLE (peenie? whatevs) these days but Seth Franklin as top champ on Raw is very actively making me cancel Peacock. Who in the hell actually likes the guy outside of the live crowd that sings his song? Screeches his promos, zero substance to the character, just unwatchable other than his in-ring time.
And meanwhile Jay White beats Okada and goes to AEW midcard in less than a year.
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- Sep 16, 2003
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- 9,687
wrestling is just about over for me, see jro’s post above.
I wanted AEW to be awesome. I’ve tried to support. They let all of us down, by not following their original mission statement of athletic based presentation and stats meaning something/not insulting our intelligence.
I mean…I don’t play modern video games for the most part either. The stoke isn’t the same as it once was, for either games or wrestling.
Carlito’s pop at backlash is like Eschatos being released for Switch. I’m happy they both happened; neither is enough to sustain my full participation in hobbies that have passed me by.
I wanted AEW to be awesome. I’ve tried to support. They let all of us down, by not following their original mission statement of athletic based presentation and stats meaning something/not insulting our intelligence.
I mean…I don’t play modern video games for the most part either. The stoke isn’t the same as it once was, for either games or wrestling.
Carlito’s pop at backlash is like Eschatos being released for Switch. I’m happy they both happened; neither is enough to sustain my full participation in hobbies that have passed me by.
JoeAwesome
I survived Secret Santa, It wasn't Easy.,
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They needed a singles white gaijin to lead Bullet Club
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MLW doesn't have Enzo anymore so I was thinking of watching a few episodes of that for the first time in a long time. Worth it?
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WWE Night of Champions PLE Results: 5-27-23
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's complete report)
(1) A.J. STYLES vs. SETH ROLLINS – World Hvt. Title match
(Putting this match on first immediately puts it at considerable risk of seeming as secondary as the old World Title did when was the opening match title while the WWE Title belt main evented. It defines it down as a secondary title. That said, the argument internally within WWE is that going on first is the second most prestigious position on their events if the match has high stakes.)
Cole and Graves talked about the design of the new belt and it being an homage to past titles. Seth made his entrance as fans sang his theme song. After formal ring introductions, Cole said this is the first world title match in more than four years, and the last time Styles lost to Seth. The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. Seth continued to act as a conductor as the fans continued to sing his song. They were about to do a test of strength, but Seth pulled away to play to the crowd. A frustrated Styles dropkicked him to jump-start the action. Graves said that was a surprising mistake by Seth given the stakes.
Styles battled back and took Seth down with a step-up enzuigiri. Graves said both men are such perfectionists and came prepared for each other, so the outcome could come down to one mistake. Styles set up a Styles Clash from the top rope, but Seth escaped and then took control in the opposite corner. Styles elbowed free, but Seth came right back with his own inverted DDT off the top rope followed by a side slam for a near fall at 12:00.
Seth blocked a Phenomenal Forearm attempt and knocked Styles to the floor. Seth dove to the floor at Styles, but came up limping. Cole said Seth appeared to tweak his knee. Back in the ring, Styles applied a Calf Crusher mid-ring. Seth rolled out of it, but Styles reapplied it. Seth escaped by shifting into chinlock so Styles broke. They replayed the Seth landing in slo-mo and observed the moment on the landing where it appeared Seth tweaked his knee. Seth caught Styles with a quick clothesline. Both were down and slow to get up. They showed the new belt on a table at ringside.
When Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm again at 19:00, Seth kicked him out of mid-air. When Seth went for a stomp, his knee buckles and collapsed. Styles then rolled Seth into position for a Calf Crusher, but Seth slipped free and landed a Pedigree followed by a stomp for the three count.
Triple H entered the ring and presented Seth with the belt as Seth’s music played.
WINNER: Rollins in 20:00 to become the World Hvt. Champion. (****)
(Right in the zone of what you’d expect from these two at this stage of their careers, with a smartly crafted story in the match and an economy of meaningful big moves and countermoves with a lot of effective body language selling the intensity early and the grind late in the match. No surprise at all that Seth won, and I can understand from the standpoint of ending this event with more suspense and drama, putting this on somewhere other than last. If you buy the idea that the opening slot is prestigious, then this was a fair placement of the match when looking the layout of this show. It still, though, risks defining it down out of the gate as secondary to whatever Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar are doing, title or no title.)
(2) TRISH STRATUS vs. BECKY LYNCH
A video package aired on this match before ring entrances. As Trish made her entrance, Graves asked Cole if he has thanked her lately. Cole said he doesn’t understand why she needs to talk about her past like she does. Graves said she got tired of not being talked about enough so she wants to show this generation she’s the greatest of all time. Cole said when he retires, “you’ll never hear from me again.” (That might’ve gotten the biggest pop of the night so far from some people watching at home.) Becky walked out in a yellow jump suit and black stripes and a black zipper. (That can’t be fun to wrestle in, but it’s cool looking.) Cole said Trish made a critical error dragging Becky’s young daughter into the conversation because it just ticked her off. Graves agreed because Becky is dangerous enough otherwise.
The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Becky went on the attack right at the start and stomped away at Trish in the corner. Trish threw Becky into the ringside steps. Trish landed a tornado DDT back in the ring for a two count. Trish yanked on Becky’s mouth and then slammed her head to the mat. Graves said Trish has a professional respect for Becky’s skills. Cole laughed at the timing of the comment. Cole said Becky admits she isn’t perfect but is proud of her accomplishments. Cole noted Trish hasn’t had a singles match in over four years. Graves touted her fitness routine including yoga.
Trish set up a superplex at 7:00, but Becky blocked it. Trish remained in control and set up a Stratusfaction, but Becky countered. Becky then went on the attack and landed a legdrop off the second rope for a two count at 9:00. Trish set up a sharpshooter, but Becky blocked it and climbed to the top rope. Trish went for a top rope head scissors, but Becky countered into a Boston crab off the ropes.
At ringside, Becky leaped off the ringside steps toward Trish, but Trish roundkicked her out of mid-air. Back in the ring, Trish landed a Chick Kick for a two count. Trish slapped Becky. Becky immediately lunged and applied a Disarm Her. Trish yanked on Becky’s hair to escape. They stood and brawled. Becky ducked a kick and then rolled up Trish for a two count. She followed with an immediate Alabama Slam and made the cover. Trish put her leg on the bottom rope to stop the ref’s count. When Trish retreated to the floor, Becky went after her and threw her back into the ring. Zoey Stark came out from under the ring and yanked on Becky’s leg and then delivered her Z360 knee to the gut. She threw Becky into the ring where Trish landed a Stratusfaction for the win.
Cole called it a hit and run and wondered what that was all about. Stark celebrated with Trish afterward. Becky’s nose was bleeding pretty heavily afterward. She wasn’t bleeding until after the Stark attack at ringside. It wasn’t obvious if it was the Stark move or the Stratusfaction that caused the bleeding.
WINNER: Stratus in 15:00.
(Good match. They were ambitious with the length of the match, and they had the crowd involved and invested at various times, but not consistently relative to the opener. Trish is back in a good groove, though, and Becky is a great opponent to be part of a good singles match. Zoey getting to align with Trish is going to elevate her quickly, especially as it appears she’ll be feuding with Becky next.)
(3) GUNTHER vs. MUSTAFA ALI – Intercontinental Title match
Graves downplayed Ali’s chances. The bell rang 11 minutes into the second hour. Gunther landed a chop early, but Ali fought back with a flurry of kicks. Gunther went for a quick sleeper, but Ali escaped and landed two dropkicks to the chin. Gunther bodyslammed Ali a second later, then landed several chops to the chest. Fans booed as Gunther gloated. Gunther settled into a crossface mid-ring. Cole said Gunther has no wasted motion and just gets to business. Graves said he’s all substance with his smash-mouth style.
At ringside, Gunther threw Ali into the ringpost and then re-entered the ring. Cole said some people compare Gunther to Bruno Sammartino. Gunther looked around as he battered Ali. Cole said Gunther believes the IC Title is the most prestigious championship. Graves said the rest of the roster is watching Gunther, and Gunther knows it. Ali showed fire with a comeback at 5:00. He delivered a leaping neckbreaker and then climbed to the top rope. Gunther chopped him off the top rope and then attempted a double underhook suplex. Ali blocked it and delivered a sunset bomb. “The champ’s in trouble,” Cole said. Ali leaped off the top rope with a 450 splash and scored an near fall that popped the crowd.
Gunther went back on the attack and landed a hard clothesline. Cole said the 450 might’ve been the last gasp for Ali. Seconds later, Ali made another comeback and landed a tornado DDT and went for another 450. Gunther moved and then landed a dropkick and a powerbomb into a stack pin for the win. Graves called Gunther a “dream crusher.” Cole said he might be the most dominant in the history of WWE.
WINNER: Gunther in 9:00 to retain the IC Title. (**3/4)
(Good story that allowed Ali to put up a great fight while also allowing Gunther to remain in the mode of the dominant champion.)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's complete report)
(1) A.J. STYLES vs. SETH ROLLINS – World Hvt. Title match
(Putting this match on first immediately puts it at considerable risk of seeming as secondary as the old World Title did when was the opening match title while the WWE Title belt main evented. It defines it down as a secondary title. That said, the argument internally within WWE is that going on first is the second most prestigious position on their events if the match has high stakes.)
Cole and Graves talked about the design of the new belt and it being an homage to past titles. Seth made his entrance as fans sang his theme song. After formal ring introductions, Cole said this is the first world title match in more than four years, and the last time Styles lost to Seth. The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. Seth continued to act as a conductor as the fans continued to sing his song. They were about to do a test of strength, but Seth pulled away to play to the crowd. A frustrated Styles dropkicked him to jump-start the action. Graves said that was a surprising mistake by Seth given the stakes.
Styles battled back and took Seth down with a step-up enzuigiri. Graves said both men are such perfectionists and came prepared for each other, so the outcome could come down to one mistake. Styles set up a Styles Clash from the top rope, but Seth escaped and then took control in the opposite corner. Styles elbowed free, but Seth came right back with his own inverted DDT off the top rope followed by a side slam for a near fall at 12:00.
Seth blocked a Phenomenal Forearm attempt and knocked Styles to the floor. Seth dove to the floor at Styles, but came up limping. Cole said Seth appeared to tweak his knee. Back in the ring, Styles applied a Calf Crusher mid-ring. Seth rolled out of it, but Styles reapplied it. Seth escaped by shifting into chinlock so Styles broke. They replayed the Seth landing in slo-mo and observed the moment on the landing where it appeared Seth tweaked his knee. Seth caught Styles with a quick clothesline. Both were down and slow to get up. They showed the new belt on a table at ringside.
When Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm again at 19:00, Seth kicked him out of mid-air. When Seth went for a stomp, his knee buckles and collapsed. Styles then rolled Seth into position for a Calf Crusher, but Seth slipped free and landed a Pedigree followed by a stomp for the three count.
Triple H entered the ring and presented Seth with the belt as Seth’s music played.
WINNER: Rollins in 20:00 to become the World Hvt. Champion. (****)
(Right in the zone of what you’d expect from these two at this stage of their careers, with a smartly crafted story in the match and an economy of meaningful big moves and countermoves with a lot of effective body language selling the intensity early and the grind late in the match. No surprise at all that Seth won, and I can understand from the standpoint of ending this event with more suspense and drama, putting this on somewhere other than last. If you buy the idea that the opening slot is prestigious, then this was a fair placement of the match when looking the layout of this show. It still, though, risks defining it down out of the gate as secondary to whatever Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar are doing, title or no title.)
(2) TRISH STRATUS vs. BECKY LYNCH
A video package aired on this match before ring entrances. As Trish made her entrance, Graves asked Cole if he has thanked her lately. Cole said he doesn’t understand why she needs to talk about her past like she does. Graves said she got tired of not being talked about enough so she wants to show this generation she’s the greatest of all time. Cole said when he retires, “you’ll never hear from me again.” (That might’ve gotten the biggest pop of the night so far from some people watching at home.) Becky walked out in a yellow jump suit and black stripes and a black zipper. (That can’t be fun to wrestle in, but it’s cool looking.) Cole said Trish made a critical error dragging Becky’s young daughter into the conversation because it just ticked her off. Graves agreed because Becky is dangerous enough otherwise.
The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Becky went on the attack right at the start and stomped away at Trish in the corner. Trish threw Becky into the ringside steps. Trish landed a tornado DDT back in the ring for a two count. Trish yanked on Becky’s mouth and then slammed her head to the mat. Graves said Trish has a professional respect for Becky’s skills. Cole laughed at the timing of the comment. Cole said Becky admits she isn’t perfect but is proud of her accomplishments. Cole noted Trish hasn’t had a singles match in over four years. Graves touted her fitness routine including yoga.
Trish set up a superplex at 7:00, but Becky blocked it. Trish remained in control and set up a Stratusfaction, but Becky countered. Becky then went on the attack and landed a legdrop off the second rope for a two count at 9:00. Trish set up a sharpshooter, but Becky blocked it and climbed to the top rope. Trish went for a top rope head scissors, but Becky countered into a Boston crab off the ropes.
At ringside, Becky leaped off the ringside steps toward Trish, but Trish roundkicked her out of mid-air. Back in the ring, Trish landed a Chick Kick for a two count. Trish slapped Becky. Becky immediately lunged and applied a Disarm Her. Trish yanked on Becky’s hair to escape. They stood and brawled. Becky ducked a kick and then rolled up Trish for a two count. She followed with an immediate Alabama Slam and made the cover. Trish put her leg on the bottom rope to stop the ref’s count. When Trish retreated to the floor, Becky went after her and threw her back into the ring. Zoey Stark came out from under the ring and yanked on Becky’s leg and then delivered her Z360 knee to the gut. She threw Becky into the ring where Trish landed a Stratusfaction for the win.
Cole called it a hit and run and wondered what that was all about. Stark celebrated with Trish afterward. Becky’s nose was bleeding pretty heavily afterward. She wasn’t bleeding until after the Stark attack at ringside. It wasn’t obvious if it was the Stark move or the Stratusfaction that caused the bleeding.
WINNER: Stratus in 15:00.
(Good match. They were ambitious with the length of the match, and they had the crowd involved and invested at various times, but not consistently relative to the opener. Trish is back in a good groove, though, and Becky is a great opponent to be part of a good singles match. Zoey getting to align with Trish is going to elevate her quickly, especially as it appears she’ll be feuding with Becky next.)
(3) GUNTHER vs. MUSTAFA ALI – Intercontinental Title match
Graves downplayed Ali’s chances. The bell rang 11 minutes into the second hour. Gunther landed a chop early, but Ali fought back with a flurry of kicks. Gunther went for a quick sleeper, but Ali escaped and landed two dropkicks to the chin. Gunther bodyslammed Ali a second later, then landed several chops to the chest. Fans booed as Gunther gloated. Gunther settled into a crossface mid-ring. Cole said Gunther has no wasted motion and just gets to business. Graves said he’s all substance with his smash-mouth style.
At ringside, Gunther threw Ali into the ringpost and then re-entered the ring. Cole said some people compare Gunther to Bruno Sammartino. Gunther looked around as he battered Ali. Cole said Gunther believes the IC Title is the most prestigious championship. Graves said the rest of the roster is watching Gunther, and Gunther knows it. Ali showed fire with a comeback at 5:00. He delivered a leaping neckbreaker and then climbed to the top rope. Gunther chopped him off the top rope and then attempted a double underhook suplex. Ali blocked it and delivered a sunset bomb. “The champ’s in trouble,” Cole said. Ali leaped off the top rope with a 450 splash and scored an near fall that popped the crowd.
Gunther went back on the attack and landed a hard clothesline. Cole said the 450 might’ve been the last gasp for Ali. Seconds later, Ali made another comeback and landed a tornado DDT and went for another 450. Gunther moved and then landed a dropkick and a powerbomb into a stack pin for the win. Graves called Gunther a “dream crusher.” Cole said he might be the most dominant in the history of WWE.
WINNER: Gunther in 9:00 to retain the IC Title. (**3/4)
(Good story that allowed Ali to put up a great fight while also allowing Gunther to remain in the mode of the dominant champion.)
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WWE Night of Champions PLE Results: 5-27-23
(4) BIANCA BELAIR vs. ASUKA – WWE Raw Women’s Title match
As Asuka made her entrance, Graves said she has turned her focus back to winning a championship and she might be the most lethal competitors in the division now. Belair then made her entrance, blowing kisses and dancing to the ring while twirling her braid. Cole touted Belair being the longest running women’s champion of “the modern era.”
The bell rang 32 minutes into the second hour. After some back and forth action, Asuka threw Belair into the ringside steps. Asuka scored a two count back in the ring and then applied an armbar. Asuka used Belair hair to yank Belair hard to the mat. Asuka strutted around and kicked Belair’s head in a disrespectful, cocky manner. Belair fought back with some punches and a leaping faceplant. Both were down and slow to get up at 6:00.
Belair rallied, but didn’t seem to get much of a crowd response. She punched away at Asuka and some fans counted along while others stood and gave her a thumbs down. Belair delivered a backbreaker and a handspring moonsault for a two count. An “Asuka!” chant picked up some steam.
They continued to fight back and forth for several minutes. They fought at ringside again at 12:00. Belair threw Asuka back-first into the ringside steps. Back in the ring, Belair was beating Asuka in the corner. The ref got between them. Asuka blew mist toward Belair, but Belair ducked. Asuka went for an armbar, but Belair escaped with a chokeslam. Asuka rolled to the ring apron and blew mist on her fingers. Belair lifted Asuka for the KOD, but Asuka rubbed the mist in Belair’s eyes and then kicked her in the neck and scored the three count. Cole said Asuka used the mist in an unconventional way and stole the title.
WINNER: Asuka in 15:00 to capture the Raw Women’s Title. (**3/4)
(Give Asuka credit for innovating after Belair ducked her attempt to blow mist in her face. The match wasn’t bad, but it felt too long because the crowd was split but not intense in their reactions.)
(5) RHEA RIPLEY (w/Dominik) vs. NATALYA – WWE Smackdown Women’s Title match
Cole said Natalya told her that she isn’t looking to just get her hand raised, but she wants to keep her head raised in a performance against Ripley. Graves said the locker room has shown Ripley respect, but the locker room doesn’t feel Ripley has returned the proper respect. Natalya took selfies with fans on her way to the ring.
After ring introductions, Dominik stood on the ring apron and told Natalya she doesn’t stand a chance. When Natalya turned to him, Ripley attacked her. Ripley rammed Natalya’s head into the announce desk and then threw her into the ringside steps. She then landed a Rip Tide for a quick win. Natalya was helped from the ring.
WINNER: Ripley in 1:00 to retain the Smackdown Title.
(6) BROCK LESNAR vs. CODY RHODES
Lesnar made his entrance first. Cole said Cody has to have a screw loose to want to get in the ring with Lesnar “with a broken freakin’ arm.” Graves said Lesnar is angry. Cole said Lesnar still has a cut on his forehead from his last battle with Cody at Backlash and Lesnar is still ticked off over Cody’s win over him and he’s out for revenge. “The Beast is ready to feast,” said Graves. As Cody came out, Cole said Cody has a break in his forearm area. He said he has an Exos cast on his arm to provide support and rigidity as he tries to battle Lesnar. Lesnar smiled as Cody entered the ring. Cole said Lesnar is a sharp and Cody is bleeding so he’s ready to strike. The bell rang 10 minutes into the third hour.
Graves said Cody has to win with strategy rather than brute force. Cody asked Lesnar if he wanted to fight, then dropped to ringside. Lesnar chased him. Cody jumped Lesnar as they reentered the ring, but Lesnar went on the attack. Lesnar suplexed Cody out of the corner and Cody’s arm hit the mat hard when he landed. Lesnar followed with a belly-to-belly. Cody hit Lesnar with his cast over and over. Then he knocked Lesnar hard to the floor and dove onto him. Cody leaped off the announce desk and bashed Lesnar with the cast. Cole said Lesnar is in trouble. Cody leaped off the ropes and landed on Lesnar and scored a near fall at 3:00.
Cody hit the Disaster Kick next followed by a Cody Cutter for a near fall. Cole asked if Lesnar inadvertently made an error breaking Cody’s arm because the resulting cast has been an effective weapon. Cody landed Crossroads next and then got fired up. Cody then set up a move, but Lesnar shifted into a sudden kimura. Cody writhed in pain and reached for the bottom rope. Cole said Cody has too much damn heart but “this is a career-threatening situation.” Cody seemed to be passing out from the pain. The ref raised his arm, but it didn’t drop, so the ref let Cody continue. Cole said there’s no way Cody makes it out of the Kimura. When Cody did grab the rope to force a break, Cole exclaimed, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Lesnar lifted Cody for an F5, but Cody countered into another Crossroads for a near fall. “Cody Rhodes is not human!” said Cole, his voice cracking. Cody bashed Lesnar with is cast, but Lesnar lifted Cody and delivered an F5. Lesnar was slow to get up. Cole said, “This is the damnedest match I’ve ever witnessed.” Cody kicked out at two. Lesnar applied another kimura and yelled, “Tap!” The ref lifted Cody’s arm and this time it dropped, so he called off the match. As Lesnar walked to the back and his music played, Cole said they needed a doctor out there for Cody.
WINNER: Lesnar in 10:00. (***)
(Really well executed and the right story to tell at this stage of their feud and given the backstory and build. At some point, it’ll be a good idea to move away from Cody’s identity being wrapped about him overcoming odds and injury and never giving up rather than just being a really good wrestler who wins without the central focus on his heart.)
(4) BIANCA BELAIR vs. ASUKA – WWE Raw Women’s Title match
As Asuka made her entrance, Graves said she has turned her focus back to winning a championship and she might be the most lethal competitors in the division now. Belair then made her entrance, blowing kisses and dancing to the ring while twirling her braid. Cole touted Belair being the longest running women’s champion of “the modern era.”
The bell rang 32 minutes into the second hour. After some back and forth action, Asuka threw Belair into the ringside steps. Asuka scored a two count back in the ring and then applied an armbar. Asuka used Belair hair to yank Belair hard to the mat. Asuka strutted around and kicked Belair’s head in a disrespectful, cocky manner. Belair fought back with some punches and a leaping faceplant. Both were down and slow to get up at 6:00.
Belair rallied, but didn’t seem to get much of a crowd response. She punched away at Asuka and some fans counted along while others stood and gave her a thumbs down. Belair delivered a backbreaker and a handspring moonsault for a two count. An “Asuka!” chant picked up some steam.
They continued to fight back and forth for several minutes. They fought at ringside again at 12:00. Belair threw Asuka back-first into the ringside steps. Back in the ring, Belair was beating Asuka in the corner. The ref got between them. Asuka blew mist toward Belair, but Belair ducked. Asuka went for an armbar, but Belair escaped with a chokeslam. Asuka rolled to the ring apron and blew mist on her fingers. Belair lifted Asuka for the KOD, but Asuka rubbed the mist in Belair’s eyes and then kicked her in the neck and scored the three count. Cole said Asuka used the mist in an unconventional way and stole the title.
WINNER: Asuka in 15:00 to capture the Raw Women’s Title. (**3/4)
(Give Asuka credit for innovating after Belair ducked her attempt to blow mist in her face. The match wasn’t bad, but it felt too long because the crowd was split but not intense in their reactions.)
(5) RHEA RIPLEY (w/Dominik) vs. NATALYA – WWE Smackdown Women’s Title match
Cole said Natalya told her that she isn’t looking to just get her hand raised, but she wants to keep her head raised in a performance against Ripley. Graves said the locker room has shown Ripley respect, but the locker room doesn’t feel Ripley has returned the proper respect. Natalya took selfies with fans on her way to the ring.
After ring introductions, Dominik stood on the ring apron and told Natalya she doesn’t stand a chance. When Natalya turned to him, Ripley attacked her. Ripley rammed Natalya’s head into the announce desk and then threw her into the ringside steps. She then landed a Rip Tide for a quick win. Natalya was helped from the ring.
WINNER: Ripley in 1:00 to retain the Smackdown Title.
(6) BROCK LESNAR vs. CODY RHODES
Lesnar made his entrance first. Cole said Cody has to have a screw loose to want to get in the ring with Lesnar “with a broken freakin’ arm.” Graves said Lesnar is angry. Cole said Lesnar still has a cut on his forehead from his last battle with Cody at Backlash and Lesnar is still ticked off over Cody’s win over him and he’s out for revenge. “The Beast is ready to feast,” said Graves. As Cody came out, Cole said Cody has a break in his forearm area. He said he has an Exos cast on his arm to provide support and rigidity as he tries to battle Lesnar. Lesnar smiled as Cody entered the ring. Cole said Lesnar is a sharp and Cody is bleeding so he’s ready to strike. The bell rang 10 minutes into the third hour.
Graves said Cody has to win with strategy rather than brute force. Cody asked Lesnar if he wanted to fight, then dropped to ringside. Lesnar chased him. Cody jumped Lesnar as they reentered the ring, but Lesnar went on the attack. Lesnar suplexed Cody out of the corner and Cody’s arm hit the mat hard when he landed. Lesnar followed with a belly-to-belly. Cody hit Lesnar with his cast over and over. Then he knocked Lesnar hard to the floor and dove onto him. Cody leaped off the announce desk and bashed Lesnar with the cast. Cole said Lesnar is in trouble. Cody leaped off the ropes and landed on Lesnar and scored a near fall at 3:00.
Cody hit the Disaster Kick next followed by a Cody Cutter for a near fall. Cole asked if Lesnar inadvertently made an error breaking Cody’s arm because the resulting cast has been an effective weapon. Cody landed Crossroads next and then got fired up. Cody then set up a move, but Lesnar shifted into a sudden kimura. Cody writhed in pain and reached for the bottom rope. Cole said Cody has too much damn heart but “this is a career-threatening situation.” Cody seemed to be passing out from the pain. The ref raised his arm, but it didn’t drop, so the ref let Cody continue. Cole said there’s no way Cody makes it out of the Kimura. When Cody did grab the rope to force a break, Cole exclaimed, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Lesnar lifted Cody for an F5, but Cody countered into another Crossroads for a near fall. “Cody Rhodes is not human!” said Cole, his voice cracking. Cody bashed Lesnar with is cast, but Lesnar lifted Cody and delivered an F5. Lesnar was slow to get up. Cole said, “This is the damnedest match I’ve ever witnessed.” Cody kicked out at two. Lesnar applied another kimura and yelled, “Tap!” The ref lifted Cody’s arm and this time it dropped, so he called off the match. As Lesnar walked to the back and his music played, Cole said they needed a doctor out there for Cody.
WINNER: Lesnar in 10:00. (***)
(Really well executed and the right story to tell at this stage of their feud and given the backstory and build. At some point, it’ll be a good idea to move away from Cody’s identity being wrapped about him overcoming odds and injury and never giving up rather than just being a really good wrestler who wins without the central focus on his heart.)