offical wwe thread

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-6-24 (Night #1)

(7) THE ROCK & ROMAN REIGNS (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. CODY RHODES & SETH ROLLINS

All four men stood stoically in the center of the ring as the bell rang. They let the crowd work themselves in several different chants. The Rock broke the stare down nearly 90 seconds in. He turned to his cousin and gave him a fist bump before taking his place on the apron. Seth Rollins elected to begin the match with Reigns. The crowd sang his song. Rollins and Reigns locked up. Seth shot the champion off the ropes. Reigns dropped him with a shoulder tackle and threw a finger to the sky. Rock did the same. They shared a quick laugh. Rollins returned to his feet and he and Roman circled one another again.

Both men hit the ropes. Seth leap-frogged Roman and reached to Cody Rhodes for a tag. Roman pulled him back initially, causing Seth to stop and consider. Cody accepted the tag. Roman regrouped in his own corner with Rock, but didn’t tag out. Reigns and Rhodes locked up. Cody worked over Roman’s arm. He whipped the champion toward the corner, but Reigns turned it around and delivered a clothesline. Cole said tonight is about finishing the story, but is meant to “prolong it.” Cody and Roman traded rope runs. Cody cut Roman off with a knee to the gut. He hooked Reigns over with a headlock. Roman shot to his feet and another stalemate ensued.

Cody and Roman engaged in a test of strength as the match approached 6:00. Cody led Reigns into the ropes, allowing Seth to tag himself in. Cody and Seth tried to double team Roman, but he caught himself on the ropes and backed away. The Rock offered his hand for a tag. Roman slapped it. The crowd popped big. The Rock stepped through the ropes, officially in a match for the first time in eight years. He circled Rollins. The two locked up. Rock shoved Rollins across the ring. Seth shook out his wrist and smiled. McAfee said Rollins got tossed around like a bag. Seth rose to his feet and grabbed a waist lock. He shoved Rock in the back and posed for the crowd. Rollins got some boos, but most of the stadium sang his song.

A large “Rocky” chant eventually drowned out the pro-Seth audience. Cole said it’s a city that “loves nostalgia.” Rock worked Rollins into the corner and gave him a punch to the gut. “You shut your mouth!” Rock said. He and Seth traded punches. Seth whipped Rock to the corner. Rock exploded out with a big clothesline. He turned to Cody Rhodes and gave him his signature “bring it” taunt. Cody reached his hand out for a tag. Seth obliged.

Rhodes and Rock stood opposite each other for the first time. “Cody!” chants were quickly drowned out in favor of “Rocky!” Rhodes worked Rock into the Bloodline corner, but Rock passed up a chance to tag out. He kicked Cody in the gut on the comeback. Cody dropped to the mat and caught Rock with an uppercut. He worked Rock into the corner, talking trash and firing off right hands. Cody worked Rock into the babyface corner and tagged in Rollins. They stomped Rock together to a mixed reaction. Roman entered the ring and ate a right from Rhodes. Seth gave him a Slingblade. All four men rose to their feet and returned to center as the match crossed 11:45. Right back to where things began.

Seth and Cody attacked first, knocking their opponents to the outside. Rollins paired off with Rock. They fought into the beverage cart again. Rollins took a sip of Prime and spit it in Rock’s face. The referee began counting. Rock told him if he counts, he’s fired. Meanwhile, Rhodes and Reigns battled on the ramp. Rock tossed Rollins over the barricade and into the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field. They walked and brawled toward the scaffolding above the ring, and eventually toward the extended lower bowl. On top of the stage, Rhodes delivered a Suplex to Reigns. Rock tossed a big green trash can at Rollins. Seth fought back, causing Rock to try to escape back toward the ring. He grabbed a bottle of water, took a sip, poured some over his head, then spit some into Seth’s face. They brawled around the scaffolding and back toward the barrier.

On the ramp, Reigns tossed Rhodes into the barricade. Seth threw Rock back to ringside. Graves mentioned that it takes a while to get your “ring lungs” back. McAfee mentioned his 12 week training camp. Rollins tossed Rock back in the ring. Rock grabbed the shirt of the referee, distracting him. Roman took Seth’s knee out from behind. Rollins pounded the mat repeatedly in frustration. Rock leapt to the outside and kicked Rollins in the knee. Cole said it doesn’t bode well for Seth’s title defense against Drew McIntyre tomorrow. Rock rolled Seth back in the ring. Rollins tried to stand, but quickly collapsed on the injured leg. Rock wrapped the leg around the northeast ring post and slammed it against it repeatedly.

Rock tagged in the Undisputed Universal Champion at 18:05. Graves said he’s “fresh as a daisy.” Reigns worked Seth into the corner and hyper-extended his knee around the middle rope. Cole commiserated with Seth, noting that the referee can’t do anything to break the hold because of The Rock’s threat. Reigns ripped Seth to mat and applied a single leg crap. Seth was left to scream in pain, but eventually managed to turn the hold over and kick Roman away. Reigns sucker punched Cody off the apron. He turned around and ate a clothesline from Rollins, falling to the floor. Rollins leapt outside to continue to his attack, but Rock attacked him from behind. Cody tried to intervene, but the referee held him back at instruction of The Rock.

Paul Heyman held a finger to the sky, acknowledging his tribal chief. Rock did the same. Roman tagged in Rock. The Final Boss whipped Rollins into the corner. Seth collapsed to the mat, exhausted. Rock tagged in his cousin and they worked together to whip Rollins into the corner again. Cole noted Seth’s history of back problems, in addition to the re-aggravated knee injury. Reigns cocked his fist to a chorus of boos. He charged, but Seth ducked it. He turned Reigns over into a Neckbreaker. The World Champion writhed on the mat, crawling toward Cody Rhodes. Roman reached Rock first. Rock dragged Seth out of reach of his partner.

The People’s Champ delivered a low blow to Seth Rollins in clear view of referee Chad Patton. Cole again explained that there’s nothing Patton could do. Patton turned to Rhodes and apologized, selling that Rock had threatened his job. Rock continued his assault. Seth eventually managed to kick himself free of Rock’s grasp to create some separation. Rock tagged in Roman. Reigns shoved Seth against the ropes and charged. Rollins ducked, sending Reigns flying to the outside. Seth dove toward Cody, but Roman managed to pull him off the apron just before the tag was made. Rock turned Seth over into a Sharpshooter. Rollins screamed in agony. Rhodes leapt in the ring and slapped Rock right in the face. Rock broke the hold. Rollins kicked Rock in the face, then caught him with the Stomp.

Both men were down. The crowd willed Rollins to life. He dove to Cody and made the tag. Rock tagged Reigns. Cody dropped Reigns with a clothesline. He sent him to the corner. Reigns exploded out, but Cody caught him with a snap Powerslam. Cody flexed. He dropped Reigns with a Disaster Kick, then a Cody Cutter. He hooked Reigns’ leg for a two count at 27:25. Reigns and Rhodes were alone. Cody set up for Cross Rhodes, but Roman slid free. Cody went for another Disaster Kick. Roman picked him clean out of the air with a Superman Punch. He hooked the leg for a very close near fall.

Reigns checked his nose, finding blood. He snarled, turning to Rhodes to size him up. Reigns threw his arms back. The crowd yelled in unison. Cody leapt over the Spear attempt, catching Roman in a sunset pin for a two count. Cody leapt onto the ropes, tagging in Rollins in one swift move. He leapt at Roman and hit another cutter. Rollins immediately left off the top with a massive splash for a cover and near fall at 29:45. Outside, Heyman remarked that he “hates that damn song” as the crowd began to sing to Seth again. In the ring, Reigns recovered and caught Seth with a Powerbomb. He called for a Spear again. Rollins blocked it with a kick to the face. He tagged in Rhodes. Cody kicked him, too. Seth delivered a Stomp to Reigns. Rhodes hit Cross Rhodes. He hooked the leg. The Rock pulled Patton out at two and dropped him.

Rhodes yelled at Rock for attacking the referee. Rock tossed Rollins into the timekeeper’s area. In the ring,. Reigns caught Rhodes with a low blow. He followed up with a Spear. Reigns covered just as Rock tossed Patton back in the ring. Cody kicked out at the last moment. Reigns and Rock were livid. Reigns stomped away at his biggest foe. He pulled Cody into the Guillotine. Rhodes began to fade. The referee checked the hand, but Cody kept it raised. Rock grabbed Cody’s ankle and pulled him to the mat, allowing Reigns to sink deeper into the hold. Rollins returned and gave Reigns the Stomp to break it up. Rock tossed Rollins back to the floor.

Concluded in next post...

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-6-24 (Night #1)

Continued from previous post...

“It’s a pretty wild set of rules here,” McAfee said. Cole laughed, saying it might as well be Bloodline rules tonight. Rock tagged himself in. He thought better of getting in the ring. Instead, he fetched the blood covered weight belt from ringside. He turned to Cody’s mother at ringside. “This is your son’s blood, now it’s about to have your tears,” he told her. He slid in the ring. Cody ripped the belt from his hands. Rock caught him with a pair of rights. Cody fought back with a Bionic Elbow. He sized Rock up, but the Final Boss delivered his signature Spinebuster. He sauntered to Cody’s head. The crowd popped big. Rock removed the elbow pad and tossed it into the crowd. He ran the ropes. Rhodes leapt to his feet, leapt off the middle rope and dropped Rock with a Cody Cutter.

The American Nightmare pulled Rock to his feet, pulling him in for a Cross Rhodes. Reigns appeared and delivered a Superman Punch to break it up. The match ticked toward 37:00. Rock and Cody used each other to stand. Roman threw his arms back again, calling for another Spear. He charged. Seth shoved Cody out of the way. Reigns speared Rock. Rock sold it like he’d been shot by a cannon. Rollins and Rhodes pulled Rock and Reigns in and delivered stereo Pedigrees. They both covered their man for last moment kick outs.

Cody and Seth helped each other to their feet. They shook hands and took to opposite sides of the ring. Rollins dove onto Reigns near the ramp. Cody came after Rock near the announcers desks. Rock cut Rhodes off and cleared the Spanish announce desk. He spit some water in Cody’s face. Rock bounced Cody’s head off the desk. He scooped him into Powerslam position, then turned to Cody’s mother. “Mama Rhodes! You look at your son!” he said before dumping Cody onto the desk. He climbed up to meet him. Rock pulled Cody into position for a table-busting Rock Bottom. Seth grabbed Rock’s leg. The distraction was enough to allow Cody to switch position. He gave Rock a Rock Bottom off the Spanish announce desk through the main commentary table. Seconds later, Reigns speared Rollins through the timekeeper’s barricade.

“There are bodies everywhere!” Cole exclaimed as the match ticked beyond 40:00. A weathered Rhodes tossed Rock back into the ring, but was dropped by a drive-by from Roman Reigns. Rock tagged in the Tribal Chief. Roman stumbled in the ring and stomped his challenger. “He don’t belong here!” he told the crowd. Cody slumped against Reigns’ legs. Graves said there’s no quit in the heart of the American Nightmare. He and Reigns began trading punches. Reigns knocked Cody toward the ropes with an uppercut. Rhodes fell toward the ropes, bounced back and caught Roman with Cross Rhodes. He pulled him up and hit a second one. He turned him over for a third, but Rock cracked Cody in the back with the weight belt. Cody crumbled. Reigns dropped him with a Spear. Roman rose triumphantly and tagged his cousin.

The Rock stalked Cody Rhodes, hands on hips. He pulled him in and delivered a Rock Bottom. Rock walked to Cody’s head and threw a finger to the sky, looking down at Cody’s family. He delivered the People’s Elbow and hooked the leg for a three count.

“Cody is screwed.” Cole said with immense disappointment. Graves said it’s time for Cody to find a new story and a new dream. Cole said The Rock burned the book, and we’re not finishing a story. The crowd, who had largely backed The Rock throughout, now booed loudly.

The Rock and Roman Reigns sauntered up the ramp slowly. Reigns waved his title in the face of booing fans. In the ring, Seth rejoined Cody. The sat opposite each other, disappointment plastered on their faces. They showed a close-up of Cody’s face with the Bloodline standing tall in the background, mimicking prior year’s shots. Seth let out an exasperated sigh. Cole bid the audience goodnight, saying he’d see everyone tomorrow night.

WINNERS: The Rock & Roman Reigns in 44:31

 

[wataru330]

This thread is almost old enough to drink.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-7-24 (Night #2)

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

(1) SETH ROLLINS (c) vs. DREW McINTYRE – World Heavyweight Championship match

Drew McIntyre exploded out of his corner and delivered a Claymore to Seth Rollins in the opening second of the match. He hooked the leg for a very close near fall. CM Punk called it “smart.” Graves agreed. Drew lined up for a second one, but Rollins astutely rolled to the outside to save himself. McIntyre followed. He gave Seth an overhead belly-to-belly, then took a cell phone from his wife in the front row. He pretended to text somebody and take a selfie, then handed the phone back and promptly delivered another overhead belly-to-belly. Drew turned to CM Punk at the announcers desk. “You recognize this one?” he said as he hooked Rollins for the Future Shock DDT. Seth slipped free and gave McIntyre a Pedigree.

The World Heavyweight Champion rolled his challenger back in the ring and delivered a quick stomp. Seth landed awkwardly, selling the injured knee. He covered awkwardly. McIntyre kicked out at two. The two began trading punches as the match crossed 3:30. Punk talked up the merits of both wrestlers, saying he respects their games as much as he dislikes them both. McIntyre broke the right hand stalemate with a Glasgow Kiss. He shook off the cobwebs and delivered a neckbreaker. Drew kipped up and trounced to the corner, calling for another Claymore.

“3, 2, 1!” the crowd chanted with McIntyre. He charged for another Claymore, but Seth moved. He pulled Drew in and hit him with another Pedigree. Rollins followed up immediately with another Stomp. He hooked the leg for a believable near fall. Punk said Rollins’ offense is compromised and he’s hurt. “Rollins’ body is beginning to fail,” Graves said. Seth began to ascend the northeast turnbuckle. He went for a super Stomp, but McIntyre moved. Drew went for another Claymore. Seth broke free. Rollins tried the Stomp again. McIntyre blocked it and delivered a Future Shock DDT. He covered for a near fall at 6:45. A “this is awesome” chant broke out as McIntyre turned his attention to CM Punk. He did Punk’s signature “go to sleep” taunt.

McIntyre set Rollins up for the G.T.S. Seth slid down his back. Rollins missed wildly with a clothesline. Drew hit the ropes and dropped Seth with a Claymore on the bounce back. He hooked both legs for another near fall. Both men were down. Drew rolled to the outside and began clearing off the announcers desk. Punk said that doubt is creeping into the mind of McIntyre, within earshot. Drew wasn’t phased. He dragged Seth outside and set him up for a Powerbomb. Seth fought free with punches to the head. Drew put him down gently on the table. Seth slammed McIntyre’s head against the desk repeatedly, then gave him a kick to the head. Rollins crawled to the Spanish announcers desk, clearing a path for himself to get a running start. Rollins gave Drew a Stomp on the table.

Seth rolled Drew back in the ring, looking to put him away. Drew popped to his feet and gave Rollins another Claymore. He hooked the leg for another near fall at 10:05. “McIntyre is about to go insane,” Cole exclaimed. Punk said he’d have to steal his stuff to get the job done. Instead, McIntyre shrugged off the frustration and hit another Claymore. He hooked the leg again, and this time, scored a three count.

WINNER: Drew McIntyre in 10:32 to win the World Heavyweight Championship

McIntyre sat in the middle of the ring, clutching his new Championship. Seth Rollins rolled to the outside and looked back at the ring. Tears were forming in his eyes. McIntyre left the ring and gave his wife a kiss. He circled ringside and climbed atop the announcers desk, laying the title in front of CM Punk. He started talking trash. “I want you know I can’t hear a word you’re saying because I have cans on,” Punk said. Drew told Punk he’d end his career, “I’m serious. Get a shot, I want this framed on my wall.” McIntyre held the title in Punk’s face. He turned to leave, but Punk grabbed his ankle, tripping him.

Punk removed his elbow brace and clocked Drew in the head with it. The crowd went wild. Judgment Day’s music hit and Damian Priest ran to the ring. He got a running start and cracked McIntyre over the head with the briefcase. Punk just stepped aside. Priest rolled Drew in the ring as Samantha Irvin announced the cash-in.

(2) DREW McINTYRE (c) vs. DAMIAN PRIEST – World Heavyweight Championship match

Damian Priest delivered South of Heaven and pinned McIntyre for a three count.

WINNER: Damian Priest in :07 to win the World Heavyweight Championship

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-7-24 (Night #2)

After a brief break, Snoop Dogg was introduced as a special guest commentator. Bubba Ray Dudley was introduced as the special guest referee for the Philadelphia Street Fight. The Final Testament was out first. Cole noted that it’s the first time any of them are appearing at WrestleMania, including Paul Ellering. Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits entered to a decent reaction.

(3) THE FINAL TESTAMENT (Karrion Kross & Akam & Razar, w/ Scarlett & Paul Ellering) vs. BOBBY LASHLEY & THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins, w/ B-Fab) – Philadelphia Street Fight

Bubba Ray called for the bell by yelling “ding ding ding.” The Street Profits and Bobby Lashley immediately cleared the ring. Karrion Kross and Authors of Pain used the opportunity to retrieve Kendo sticks from underneath the ring. They surrounded the Street Profits and forced them outside the ring, then beat Lashley mercilessly with sticks. Kross gave Lashley a violent neckbreaker on the edge of the chair. He covered, but Angelo Dawkins dove in the make a last moment save.

Authors of Pain immediately beat Dawkins senseless with Kendo sticks. Montez Ford flew off the top rope, but was quickly taken out by Akam and Razar. AOP stacked the Street Profits on top of one another and Kross went for the cover. B-Fab entered the ring with a Kendo stick and broke up the pin. Scarlett entered and hit B-Fab with a trash can. Snoop Dogg called it “trash.” Lashley returned to the ring and gave Kross an overhead belly-to-belly. Montez Ford leapt clear over the ring post onto the Authors of Pain.

The crowd, who’d been chanting “turn the screen on” since the match started, finally popped, indicating that they’d finally…turned the screen on. Bobby slammed Karrion on a chair and set him up for the Hurt Lock. He applied the hold, but Scarlett cracked him across the back with a Kendo stick. B-Fab returned and gave Scarlett a pump kick as the match crossed 4:30. B-Fab worked Scarlett out onto the apron, and the two went crashing through a table. Kross gave Lashley a back Suplex, then set up another chair. He gave him a DDT on the seat and covered for a near fall. Kross began arguing with Bubba about the count. Dudley confirmed it was a two count. Kross gave him a shove. Bubba reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses. He put them on just as Kross turned around and ate a Spear from Lashley. Snoop said Kross may need Pepto.

Lashley and Ford split Kross’ legs for Dawkins to come off the top with a headbutt to the lower extremities. The Profits and Lashley shared friendly shoves with Bubba. The referee instructed them to get the tables. “Tables!” the crowd chanted. Dawkins and Lashley set one up as the crowd chanted “ECW!” They hoisted Kross onto the table and it broke. The crowd booed. The Profits rushed outside and grabbed another one, much to the crowd’s delight. Ford snapped a Kendo stick repeatedly over Kross’ back. Lashley and Dawkins placed Kross carefully on the table. Ford splashed him through it from the top and covered him for a three count.

WINNERS: Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits in 8:32

(The crowd spent most of this chanting for production to turn the screens on, so it can assumed they couldn’t see much. Once they did, there was a second, less audible chant that sounded like it may have had something to do with the lights. I guess if there was a time for it to happen, it’d be here. The only real investment in this came from Bubba Ray’s involvement, where the crowd popped for the Street Profits recreating classic Dudley spots. Not much to speak of otherwise, here. The Final Testament doesn’t really have any juice as an act, and Lashley and the Profits have felt like they’ve been floundering for a while.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-7-24 (Night #2)

(4) LA KNIGHT vs. A.J. STYLES

The referee rang the bell right away. The crowd immediately launched in boos for A.J. Styles’ punches and big “yeahs” for LA Knight’s. Knight got the better of the exchange early, clotheslining Styles over the top rope to the floor and then sliding through the ropes to smash Styles’ head against the announcers desk. The crowd yeah’ed every hit. Knight posed atop the Spanish announce desk as the referee counted both men out. He reached a count of eight before Knight returned Styles to the ring.

Styles attacked Knight as soon as he stepped through the ropes. He took him out from the back of the knee and began driving his boot into it repeatedly. Cole noted that LA Knight won two Slammy’s earlier in the day – Breakout Star and Fan Chant of the year. Styles worked Knight into the corner and continued to work over the leg, kicking him back to the mat. A.J. dropped Knight on his own knee. The crowd began booing and chanting about the lights again. Knight worked his way to his feet, but Styles continued to kick at his knee. Knight managed to get him in a quick slam and Russian Leg Sweep for a cover and two count.

Knight worked Styles into the northeast corner. He stomped a mud-hole, then hit a running knee to the face. Knight leapt off the middle rope and delivered a nice tornado DDT for a cover and near fall just before the 4:00 mark. Knight walked Styles to the northwest corner and hoisted him onto the top turnbuckle. Knight delivered a hard knife-edged chop, then climbed the turnbuckle himself, preparing for a Superplex. Styles slid underneath Knight’s legs and pulled him into an Electric Chair, tossing him face first onto the ring post. Knight stumbled to the center of the ring. Styles gave him a sit out slam for a cover and two count. McAfee said Styles appears to be in the best shape he’s ever see him. Graves agreed.

A.J. slipped out to the apron and began climbing the turnbuckles. He appeared distracted by the crowd’s chants. Knight used the opportunity to meet Styles at the top and bite him on the forehead. Styles returned the favor by raking Knight’s eyes. The referee missed both transgressions. Knight managed to deliver an avalanche German Suplex off the top for a cover and near fall just after 6:30. LA Knight paced the ring, trying to rile up the crowd. He tried to grab Styles, but A.J. rolled him into a Calf Crusher. Knight fought valiantly, eventually breaking the hold. Styles didn’t let up, though. He dragged Knight to the southeast corner and wrapped his legs around the ring post repeatedly. Styles talked trash to the crowd.

LA managed to pull A.J. in, bouncing his body off the ring post. It bought him enough time to slide outside and remove the protective padding surrounding the ring. Knight hooked Styles up for a Piledriver on the floor system. Styles blocked it and back dropped him. A.J. rolled in the ring and requested a count out. Knight answered the count just before ten. Styles was livid. He gave Knight a stiff kick to the gut, then set up shop on the apron. Styles went for a springboard 450 splash, but Knight got his knees up. The camera pulled back for a quick drone shot looking toward the ring from the entrance way.

Both men hit a series of punches. Styles broke the stalemate with a Pale Kick. He headed back to the apron for the Phenomenal Forearm. Knight blocked it and pulled him in for the B.F.T. Styles blocked that. He went for the Styles Clash, but Knight wiggled free. Styles kicked him and went back to the apron. He leapt up for the forearm, but Knight knocked the ropes, dropping Styles in the ring. LA immediately pulled him into Blunt Force Trauma for a cover and three count.

WINNER: LA Knight in 12:27

(I had relatively low expectations for this going in, and I’d say it exceeded them marginally. I thought both guys worked hard and told an effective story for their spot on the card with the time they were allotted. This feud never felt much like a heated issue to me, and so they were working from behind the 8-ball out of the gate. I applaud the extra work they put it on social media this week to try to get there, but it just came off more generic and uninspired than I assume they’d hoped. Knight’s in-ring work tends to leave a fair amount to be desired, and Styles has grown comfortable working a very specific type of match. They did that here, but with just enough flourish to make it an entertaining breather.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-7-24 (Night #2)

(5) LOGAN PAUL (c) vs. KEVIN OWENS vs. RANDY ORTON – WWE United States Championship Triple Threat match

Michael Cole opened the match by stating Randy Orton is competing in his 19th WrestleMania. Logan Paul slid from the ring as soon as the bell rang. Orton and Kevin Owens cornered him and tossed him back and forth, delivering hard chops to his chest before eventually slamming him against the edge of the ring, the steel steps, and the announcers desk. Orton gave him a back drop onto the desk. Graves said it might be a good idea for them to move. “I’ve seen a Randy Orton match or two,” he said.

Owens copied Randy, giving him another back drop. Orton said he was okay, but he needed to get a little bit higher. Orton demonstrated, giving Logan some extra elevation. “I totally see it!’ Owens said. They tossed the champion back in the ring. Owens asked to try again. He hoisted Paul up, but Logan flipped over him and shoved Owens, who collided with Orton. KO and Randy talked it out and turned right back to Paul. They beat him down again. “This is our show!’ Owens told the crowd. They roared. Kevin asked Paul if he was having a good time. Logan screamed in pain.

Randy dropped Paul with a back elbow. Owens gave him a Senton. Both men covered the champion at the same time. Both Kevin and Randy shrugged. Kevin suggested they wait a little while a continue beating Logan up. Randy agreed. Orton then tried to give Owens an RKO. Owens blocked it. The two stared each other down. Orton just shrugged. “Do you want to do this now?” Kevin asked. Orton nodded. They began firing wildly at each other. Almost immediately, Paul flipped into the ring and clotheslined them both.

“Logan sucks!” the crowd said as he mocked Orton’s taunt. The U.S. Champion bashed KO’s head against the middle turnbuckle repeatedly as the match crossed 5:00. The crowd started a loud “Gatorade” chant. Logan downed Orton in the corner. KO took Paul down and climbed to the top rope. Owens went for a Swanton, but Paul got his knees up. He leapt to the top rope and delivered a Swanton of his own. He immediately rolled to his feet and gave Orton a Senton for a cover and two count. Owens rolled to the side. Orton and Paul rose slowly, trading punches. Paul got the better of the veteran, peppering him with uppercuts. He dropped Orton to his knees. The crowd booed louder than they had all night to this point. Orton returned to his feet and tossed Paul to the outside.

The challengers traded blows. Owens hit the ropes, but Orton caught him with a snap Powerslam. He tossed Owens to the apron and set him up for his signature DDT. Paul broke it up. Logan looked for the Buckshot Lariat, but Orton caught him with another Snap Powerslam. He tossed Logan to the apron and pulled Owens back in, delivering his signature DDT to both men. “Vintage Orton!” Cole called. Randy dropped to the mat and pounded his fists. He looked to both opponents. He went to Paul first, who shoved him away. Owens caught him with a Superkick. KO landed a kick on Paul, then stunned Orton. Randy slid to the outside. Owens covered Paul for a two count.

Orton returned quickly, cutting off Owens’ attempt to climb the turnbuckles. The two teetered at the top. Paul joined in, setting Orton up for a Powerbomb. Randy punched him, too. Owens gave Randy a pair of headbutts, knocking him to the floor. Paul caught Owens with a right hand. Kevin scooped Paul and gave him a strange looking Powerslam off the top. He climbed the ropes quickly and hit a Moonsault for a cover and near fall just past 10:30. Orton went for another RKO on KO, but it was blocked again. He rolled Randy up for two. Both men popped up. Kevin went for a Stunner. Orton blocked it, spun Kevin around and landed the RKO. He hooked the leg, but KO got a shoulder up. McAfee said everyone in the world thought he had it.

KO rolled to safety on the floor. Orton nearly got caught with a brass knuckle shot from Logan Paul, but he ducked. Paul swung back and connected the second time. He hooked the leg, but Orton kicked out at the last moment. Paul was shocked. He sized Orton up for another shot. KO leapt onto the apron, grabbing Paul by the hair. Logan turned around and punched KO with the knuckles, first in the gut, then in the head. Paul pulled Orton to his feet, talking trash. He reared back for another punch with the knuckles. Orton hit him with an RKO out of nowhere. He was too dazed to make the cover. Both men writhed on the mat as the match ticked toward 14:00.

The Viper found the brass knuckles on the mat. He picked them up and handed them to the referee. Instead, Orton got set up for a punt. The Prime bottle pulled Paul from the ring. He took his cap off, revealing IShowSpeed, a YouTuber. He barked at Orton, then kicked him in the gut. Orton slammed him against the the announcers desk and tossed him onto it. Orton barked back at him and gave him an RKO through the desk.

Paul tossed Orton back in the ring, leapt to the top rope, and went for a Frog Splash. Orton moved. Owens gave Paul a Stunner. Orton went for an RKO on Owens, but KO blocked it an stunned him, too. KO lifted Randy to his feet and tossed him off the ropes, looking for a Pop-up Powerbomb. He hoisted him into the air, but Orton turned his body and hit an RKO on the way back down. Paul immediately returned to the ring and blindsided Orton, driving him into the ring post and out of the ring. Paul climbed the northeast turnbuckle and hit a splash on Owens for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Logan Paul in 17:37 to retain the WWE United States Championship

(Really entertaining triple threat match that had the crowd invested from the get-go. Orton and Owens’ friendship at the start was endearing, and I loved the fact that KO basically narrated their inevitable downfall. There was an obvious understanding that they’d eventually come to blows, and I thought they did a fun job setting the whole thing up. Once Paul was able to get involved with his offense, the pace quickened and all three guys managed to get some great spots in. I could’ve done without the appearance of the YouTuber. It didn’t really seem like the crowd necessarily knew the guy, but rather, just wanted to see anyone associated with Paul get beat up. I’m glad that, if nothing else, his involvement didn’t directly lead to the finish. It made sense for KO to take the fall here, as he always sort of felt like the third wheel in this match. I’d imagine we’ll see Orton face Paul one on one before too long.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-7-24 (Night #2)

(6) IYO SKY (c) vs. BAYLEY – WWE Women’s Championship match

Michael Cole talked up Bayley and Iyo Sky’s accolades as the crowd settled in and the referee called for the bell. Bayley immediately took Iyo down with a shoulder tackle. The champion slid from the ring to regroup as the crowd began to sing to Bayley. Sky wrestled Bayley to the mat and tossed her to the outside. Bayley smiled as the crowd sang to her. Sky threw her arms out wide. The two locked up again, working to the mat. They rolled all the way to the floor. Bayley gave Iyo a hard shove. Sky pushed her right back. The two women traded punches before the champion tossed her challenger back in the ring.

Iyo landed a quick dropkick on Bayley. The challenger rolled to the outside and circled the ring. Sky tried to catch her with a baseball slide, but Bayley caught her legs. She leapt onto the apron and hit a quick guillotine. Sky fell to the floor. Bayley hit the ring and, with a running start, dove through the middle rope onto Sky. She came up favoring her right leg. Bayley shook it off and charged at Sky. Iyo moved, sending Bayley crashing into the ring post. Sky noticed Bayley favoring her leg and quickly wrapped it around the post, wrenching it the wrong way. Bayley scream in agony. The referee broke it up before too long.

Back in the ring, Sky worked Bayley into the corner and gave her a dragon screw back to center as the match approached 4:00. McAfee said Sky had a brilliant strategy. Graves agreed. Iyo drove her knee into Bayley’s mid-section and covered her for a two count. Bayley rolled back to the outside, wincing. Sky mocked the crowd for singing. Bayley managed to use the momentary distraction to pull Sky down to the floor. She tossed Sky over the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. She grabbed Sky by the hair, trying to retrieve her. Sky fought her off. McAfee noted that George Kittle was sitting in front of Bayley, cheering her Bay Area buddy on. Bayley and Sky worked back into the ring. Bayley managed to catch the champion with a quick kick to the face. Sky stumbled to the northeast corner. Bayley littered her with clubs to the back. She hoisted Sky onto her shoulders and gave her a spin-out side slam for a cover and near fall at 6:00.

From the apron, Bayley ascended the southeast turnbuckles. Sky met her there. She knocked Bayley all the way to the floor to a chorus of boos. She leapt onto Bayley and threw her arms in the air. She slid Bayley back in the ring and hit a Springboard dropkick, covering for a two count. The crowd continued to sing to Bayley. Sky hooked Bayley for a German Suplex. Bayley countered. Sky countered. They traded a number of standing switches, all the way to the opposing turnbuckle. Bayley finally hit a German Suplex, right into the turnbuckle. She tried to pull Sky into a small package, but she couldn’t bend the knee all the way. Sky kicked at two.

Sky side-stepped Bayley, sending her to the apron. Bayley landed awkwardly on her injured knee. Sky pulled her back in the ring and gave her a bridging German Suplex for a near fall. Iyo called for the Moonsault. She leapt to the top and flipped, but Bayley got her legs all the way up. The right knee buckled under Sky’s weight. Bayley limped to her feet and climbed the same turnbuckles, looking for an elbow. Sky blocked it and turned her right into a Crossface. Bayley slipped free and popped up, landing an elbow. She went for another, but Sky pulled her into a Crossface again. Bayley used her legs to scoot her body toward the ropes. Just as she was about to reach it, Sky turned her over and into an STF. Bayley used her elbow to break the hold. Both women rolled to their feet. Bayley delivered a Bayley-to-Belly for a cover and near fall at 11:10.

Champion and challenger struggled to their feet in the center. Bayley looked for the Rose Plant, but Iyo held firm on the mat. She fired off a right at Bayley and laughed. Bayley returned it. “You were never my friend, Iyo!” she said. Sky punched her again. They fired rapidly. Bayley went for another Bayley-to-Belly, but Sky blocked it. She gave Bayley a double-underhook Backbreaker, then climbed to the top turnbuckle. Sky delivered the Over-the-Moonsault and hooked the leg. Bayley kicked out at the last moment to a big reaction. Sky was furious. She pounded on Bayley’s stomach, then gave her a standing Moonsault. She climbed to the middle rope and delivered another. Not satisfied, she leapt to the top rope for another Over-the-Moonsault. Bayley rolled out of the way. She limped to Sky on the opposite side of the ring and gave her a Rose Plant. Sky immediately popped up. She gave Bayley a strong lariat. Bayley popped up. She gave Sky a back drop, then climbed the turnbuckle.

Bayley hit the diving elbow and immediately pulled Sky up and into the Rose Plant for a second time. She hooked the leg for a three count.

WINNER: Bayley in 14:23 to win the WWE Women’s Championship

(Very good match with an excellent closing stretch. It felt really cathartic to see a crowd cheer for Bayley again, and be invited to do so. She’s had a great run as a heel, particularly her work during the pandemic, but it was time to see what this new iteration could do in this role. Though I thought this feud lacked some of the juice it probably should have had, they did a nice job selling the gravity of the moment. I liked the story the match told, with Sky working over the leg that Bayley has had problems with for a long while. The closing sequence was a lot of fun, with a fitting no-sell of the first Rose Plant, a fitting end to Sky’s chapter as Women’s champion. I thought this delivered.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania XL PLE Results: 4-7-24 (Night #2)

(7) ROMAN REIGNS (c, w/ Paul Heyman) vs. CODY RHODES – WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, Bloodline Rules match

A huge wave of emotion rang out from the crowd when the bell rang. The camera pulled back wide to show the lower bowl moving about as the first “Cody” chant took hold. Roman Reigns took the match’s first steps forward. He got within a foot of Cody Rhodes’ face and talked some trash. Cody was having none of it. He circled the champion and motioned to the crowd. They sprang to life on command. Cody and Roman locked up, but Reigns quickly broke the hold. He turned to Paul Heyman briefly, nodded in affirmation, then went in for another lock up. Rhodes grabbed a waist-lock. Roman turned it over. He shot Cody off the ropes and dropped him with a shoulder.

Cody popped to his feet and shook out his shoulder. Roman gave him an apathetic point. He smirked at the crowd as they cheered his opponent. Rhodes grabbed a side headlock. Roman shoved him off the ropes. Cody slid under his legs and caught him with the uppercut. Reigns tried to shrug it off. He ran at Cody, who side-stepped him. Reigns went crashing into the southwest ring post and crashed to the floor. Rhodes slid out the opposite side. He pulled a table from underneath the ring. Cole called it smart. “Rock and Roman did it last night, Roman did it last year. It’s Bloodline rules, anything goes!”

Just as Cody stood the table up, Reigns dropped him with drive-by. He grabbed the table and slid it back under the ring, much to the crowd’s chagrin. Cody recovered and tossed Reigns into the steel steps as the match crossed 4:00. Rhodes stopped to look at the Universal title. Cole told him to focus. Cody tossed the champion back in the ring, but before he could catch him, Reigns rolled back to the outside. Cody went to retrieve him. Roman had a Kendo stick in hand. He cracked Cody in the forehead. Roman returned to the ring and beat Cody with the stick repeatedly. “Shut your mouths!’ he told the crowd as they booed.

Kendo stick in hand, Reigns sized up his challenger. He swung and missed wildly. Cody picked up the stick. Roman begged off. Rhodes charged and caught him with it, then gave him a bulldog out of the corner. Cody immediately applied the Figure Four. Reigns writhed. Cole noted that no break will occur if Reigns reaches the ropes, under Bloodline Rules. Reigns used the stipulation to his immediate advantage, poking Cody in the eye to break the hold relatively quickly. “Cody’s going to have to keep chipping away, “Graves surmised, “you’re never going to get sustained offense against the Tribal Chief, few ever have.”

The Tribal Chief walked his foe from corner to corner, bouncing him off the turnbuckles. He tossed him to the outside, talking trash. “I’m gonna miss whoppin’ your ass!” he told Cody. He tossed Cody into the hydration table, knocking it over. Cody stumbled over the barricade and into the crowd. Roman followed. They traded punches near the scaffolding rig. Both men climbed atop a string of covered crates. Reigns told people to move out of the way, as he planned to Suplex his opponent into the crowd. Cody blocked it and delivered one of his own onto the hard surface they stood atop. Rhodes worked Reigns back to ringside.

9:00 in, Cody tossed Roman in the ring and went for an early Disaster Kick. Reigns picked him out of the air and gave him a Powerbomb. Both men were laid out. Roman used the ropes to help himself stand. Cole mentioned that they’re not even 24 hours removed from the grueling tag team match. Reigns gave Cody a quick snap Suplex and covered him for only a one count. “That was all psychological,” Cole said. Reigns got in Cody’s face. He told him he was going to “send him to Hollywood with the rest of them.” He said it’s his company. Reigns delivered a back Suplex in the center and covered him with a forearm for a weak two count. Paul Heyman shouted instructions. “A 3 count means a $3 million bonus,” Roman smiled. He grabbed a cravat hold on Rhodes. Cody worked himself to a knee, then to his feet. He broke the hold and kicked Reigns in the gut. Roman shrugged it off and delivered a bridged Fisherman Suplex for a two count.

With the pace slowed dramatically, the champion settled in. He worked Rhodes into the southeast corner and gave him slow, plodding right hands. The fans tried to rally, booing Reigns and showing him middle fingers. Roman delivered ten short-arm clotheslines in the corner. He wound up for an eleventh, but Cody exploded out of the corner with a kick. He hit another one. Roman hit one of his own. Rhodes shrugged it off and dropped Reigns with one more.

Both men were down in the center. Cole said it’s the conclusion of the most intense rivalry of the past year. Champion and challenger reached their feet, trading punches. “A true heavyweight battle,” Cole said. They turned to gut punches, then back to rights. Cody dropped the champion with a body tackle. He followed up with a snap Powerslam. Cody flexed, bringing the crowd to life. He hit the ropes, connecting with a Disaster Kick for a cover and two count at 15:45.

Cody dragged Roman to his feet. He hit the ropes again, looking for the cutter this time. Reigns caught him in a waist-lock and pulled him into a Cross Rhodes. He hooked the leg, but Cody kicked out at two. “That move sucks,” Roman said. “That move ain’t beating nobody. This is fun. I just like shoving it in his face,” he said to Heyman. Paul laughed. Reigns stood, cockily. He sauntered to the corner and cocked his fist. Reigns charged, but Cody ducked. He gave Reigns a number of quick jukes, capped off with the bionic elbow. Reigns rolled to reprieve on the outside. Cody followed. He stood over the toppled champion, contemplating. Rhodes turned to the announcers desk and cleared it off. “Bloodline rules also applies to what Cody is allowed to do,” Graves explained. Rhodes tried to retrieve the Tribal Chief, but Reigns caught him with a low blow.

Roman Reigns gave Cody a Powerbomb through the announcers desk. He wasted no time, quickly tossing him back in the ring and delivering a quick Superman Punch for a cover and near fall just after 19:00. Both men writhed on the mat as the camera pulled back to a wide shot of the stadium. “Cody!” the crowd pleaded. Reigns motioned for them to quiet down. He motioned for the Spear. Rhodes blocked it with a kick to the face. He hit the ropes and hit the Cody Cutter for a cover and near fall. Graves pleaded with Cody to keep his foot on the gas pedal. “I’m not sure anyone can pin Roman Reigns,” McAfee concluded.

Rhodes set up for Cross Rhodes. Reigns blocked it with lifting knees to the face. He hooked Cody in for a Uranagi, but Cody blocked it, hit the ropes and drove Reigns through the mat with a Spear. Cody hooked the leg for a very close near fall. Heyman looked on, shocked. Cody dragged Roman to his feet and delivered the first Cross Rhodes. He held on, setting up for another. Before he could execute, Jimmy Uso leapt in the ring and gave Cody a Superkick. He held Cody in place for Roman to deliver a Superman Punch.

Concluded in next post...

 

[Arcademan]

Continued from previous post...

“It’s just me, uce!” rang out. Jey Uso bounced onto the stage. Jimmy left the ring and ran up the ramp to meet him. The two traded punches atop the stage. Jey speared Jimmy off the stage, through a pair of tables waiting below. In the ring, Cody rolled Reigns up for a near fall. Roman bounced up, hit the ropes, and delivered a Spear for a last moment kick out. Roman began threatening referee Charles Robinson. The Head of the Table was incensed. He lifted Cody and applied the Guillotine. Cody flailed desperately. He ran Roman’s body against multiple turnbuckles, then straight through the ropes and out the ring, breaking the hold.

Reigns was hunched by the timekeeper’s area. Cody got a running start and speared him right through the barricade as the match approached 25:00. Rhodes walked the champion back into the ring. He pounded the mat, stalking his prey. Graves wondered when was the last time anything like this happened. Cody hit a first Cross Rhodes, then a second, then primed him for a third. Solo Sikoa entered the ring and gave Rhodes the spike. He dragged Reigns’ lifeless body over Cody’s chest, then turned his back, knowing the result. But Cody kicked out. Solo turned back and wiped his face. He mounted Rhodes and punched him repeatedly. He hollered at his cousin, “get up! Finish him!” he ordered. “I know!” Reigns barked back. Solo told Roman to “finish the story.”

Solo Sikoa held onto Cody. He delivered the spike in tandem with another spear from Roman Reigns. Roman hooked the leg, but Cody kicked again. Sikoa was enraged. He stomped around the ring. Suddenly, John Cena’s music rang out. He bolted to the ring, and tossed Solo Sikoa out of the ring. He grabbed Roman and delivered an Attitude Adjustment. Cena wasn’t done. He retrieved Sikoa on the outside and gave him an Attitude Adjustment through the Spanish announce desk.

Cena removed his hat and slicked back his hair, satisfied with his work. Then The Rock’s music hit. The Final Boss marched to the ring, talking trash. Cena returned to the ring. McAfee said The Rock is furious with John Cena for sticking his nose in the Bloodline’s business. Rock and Cena stood opposite one another. Cena removed his shirt and tossed it in the crowd. Both he and Rock paused to look around at the crowd. Cena taunted him and took a swing. Rock caught him and delivered a Rock Bottom. “Get the f— out of The Rock’s ring!”

Suddenly, The Shield’s music hit. Rock looked around as crowd looked around frantically. Roman Reigns caught something out of the corner of his eye. He charged and caught an approaching Seth Rollins, decked in Shield gear, with a Superman Punch. Rock laughed. The gong sounded and the lights went out. When they returned, The Undertaker was standing in the ring. He gave The Rock a chokeslam. The lights went out again, then Taker was gone.

The Undisputed Universal Champion was left alone in the ring with a steel chair. He cracked Seth Rollins in the back with it, in homage to the Shield’s destruction. Roman called for another Spear. He charged, but Cody blocked it. He pulled Reigns in and hit one Cross Rhodes. Then another Cross Rhodes. Then a third Cross Rhodes. He hooked the leg for a resounding three count and absolutely thunderous pop.

WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 33:24 to win the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship

Samantha Irvin choked her way through the announcement, overcome with emotion. Brandi Rhodes entered the ring, embracing her husband. The crowd continued to cheer, singing Cody’s theme. Cody retrieved the Championship, climbing the turnbuckles and hoisting it above his head for the first time. “And now the celebration begins,” Cole said over a number of highlights. Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, and LA Knight rand down to the ring. John Cena and Jey Uso returned. Sami and Jey hoisted Cody onto their shoulders. Cole said he’s known Cody since he was a boy, and he knew he’d be a star. He talked about Cody leaving the company disgruntled and heartbroken, only to come back as a Superstar.

CM Punk joined Cody in the ring, giving him a big hug. Cody’s mom entered the ring, embracing her son. “Dammit, I love professional wrestling,” Michael said. Cody gave the title to his mother, having her pose with it in front of the camera. More family and friends joined the celebration.Even Brodie Lee’s son. Seth Rollins re-emerged. Cody grabbed a microphone. He asked for Bruce Prichard and Triple H to come to the ring. They did, and celebrated with the others.

Cody left the ring momentarily to shake Michael Cole’s hand and give him a big hug. He shook hands with Graves and McAfee, then returned to the ring. Everyone cleared the way. KO helped Seth out of the ring. Cody and Seth shared a moment between the ropes, shaking hands. Rhodes left the ring, hugging some fans at ringside and a couple of cameramen, too. He celebrated on the ramp as the broadcast faded to the recap video package.

 

[jro]

Kinda hoping MJF somehow buys out his contract and is standing opposite Cody in 2025.

Yes I know it's not gonna happen but it is still weird seeing Okada, Ospreay, and (eventually) Max on what has basically become TNA.

Awesome show, also. Paul gets the little things that Vince never bothered with.

 

[famicommander]

Oklahoma has banned trans people from women's wrestling in their state and have threatened AEW to not allow Nyla Rose to do it again. They say fair competition has to be preserved.

Oklahoma thinks wrestling is real:

 

[jro]

@famicommander (to save space) well that would be... something. Nyla Rose sucks on her own, there's no need for idiot right-wingers to try to keep her from working.

This fucking country.

Not gonna miss the south when they secede.

AEW sucks serious balls, but Florida, Oklahoma, et al suck a lot worse.

 

[jro]

Also, the latest Omega podcast is something else. Some people claiming it's a work... okay, he acknowledges that Punk was right, Bucks and Tony were wrong, he's cool with Punk. Right.

Meanwhile he's getting proper beaten down in SF6 by Austin, nice punish bro.

Omega seems like a decent guy that got sucked into a goddamned pyramid scheme by his idiot friends.

If they turn this into an angle then, shit, I dunno, maybe that's amazing or maybe it's trash, but for now it reads like Omega is a Gentleman in Moscow. You're better than the Bucks Kenny, get out of there.

 

[GohanX]

Oklahoma has banned trans people from women's wrestling in their state and have threatened AEW to not allow Nyla Rose to do it again. They say fair competition has to be preserved.

Oklahoma thinks wrestling is real:

This is so fucking stupid.

 

[Arcademan]

Oklahoma has banned trans people from women's wrestling in their state and have threatened AEW to not allow Nyla Rose to do it again. They say fair competition has to be preserved.

Oklahoma thinks wrestling is real:

So...if you're wrestling in Oklahoma, don't even think about promoting a mixed tag team match

 

[famicommander]

Most mixed tag matches don't even allow intergender wrestling to begin with, and that's why they're always completely unwatchable.

 

[famicommander]

In "not all wrestlers are shit bags" news, an Angel Garza fan was trying to sell his Garza collectibles online to fund an operation for his pet cat. Garza heard about it, contacted the fan, told him to keep his collectibles, and funded the operation himself.

 

[wataru330]

That’s fucking amazeballs. I always liked his dad’s work. Gone too soon.

 

[GohanX]

That’s fucking amazeballs. I always like his dad’s work. Gone too soon.

Angel Garza is really fucking good too, but he hasn't had a chance to shine on the main roster yet or have any sort of decent gimmick. If he had better promos he'd already be a superstar I think.

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Dynasty PPV Results: 4-21-24

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

Pre-show matches:

(A) TRENT BERETTA vs. MATT SYDAL (w/Mike Sydal)win.
WINNER: Beretta in 8:00.

(B) ORANGE CASSIDY & KATSUYORI SHIBATA vs. SHANE TAYLOR & LEE MORIARTY
WINNERS: Cassidy & Shibata in 13:00.

​

(C) THE ACCLAIMED (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & BILLY GUNN vs. JAY WHITE & AUSTIN & COLTEN GUNN. ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles and AEW Trios Title on the line
WINNERS: White & The Gunns in 15:00 to unify the AEW World Trios Titles with the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Titles.

Main Show:

(1) KAZUCHIKA OKADA vs. PAC – AEW Continental Championship

Pac came out first, then Okada. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” after the bell rang. Taz said these two are “wrestlers’ wrestlers.” Excalibur noted that the match is fought under Continental Championship rules where no outside interference is allowed (which is strange, since it’s not allowed in other AEW Title matches either). Excalibur said anyone interfering can be fined or suspended or worse (which means the Continental rules are the same, but come with more severe punishment if violated). Ross touted Pac’s kicks. Pac landed an early corkscrew dive over the top rope onto Okada.

Back in the ring, Pac landed a top rope superplex, but the clutched the back of his head in pain after landing. He scored a two count. Okada took over at ringside and threw Pac into the ringside barricade. Back in the ring, Okada looked at the crowd and got cheered. Okada dominated for a while. Ross said Okada is living in New York City loving the American life. Taz said he probably lives just down the road from him. Pac came back and landed a springboard moonsault off the top rope onto Okada at ringside. Pac suplexed Okada, but Okada popped up and dropkicked Pac who took a wild flip bump into the corner. With both men down, fans chanted “This is awesome!”

Okada stood and played to the crowd and went into his finishing routine, but he ended up giving the cheering fans the middle finger, so the cheers turned to boos. Pac kicked out of Okada’s cover. Fans chanted “F— Okada!” Pac took Okada down with a running clothesline followed by a dead lift German suplex into a bridge for a near fall. When Pac went for a Black Arrow, Okada moved out of his path. Okada gave Pac a Tombstone and let out a yell. Fans booed. Okada went for a Rainmaker, but Pac ducked and leveraged Okada down for a near fall. Pac rolled up Okada right away for another two count. Pac then put Okada in a Brutalizer mid-ring. Okada sank to the mat and cried out in pain. Okada gouged Pac’s eyes to break the hold, then smiled in self-satisfaction.

Pac delivered a leaping Tombstone and climbed to the top rope. Okada held the ref’s leg to delay Pac. Pac then went for the Black Arrow again, but Okada lifted his knees. He followed with the Rainmaker for the win. Okada left the ring. When a disappointed Pac stood, fans cheered and chanted “You’re a bastard!”

WINNER: Okada in 22:00.

(Excellent match, living up to high expectations for a first-time encounter between these two. Ross sounded really good on commentary and it was cool he was giving the chance to call this one.)

(2) HOUSE OF BLACK (Malakai Black & Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. EDDIE KINGSTON & MARK BRISCOE & ADAM COPELAND

Excalibur noted that Schiavone tagged in for Ross, but Ross would be back out later. Lots of back and forth action with tags in the early minutes. The first big pop came when Briscoe put a chair on the ring apron and then ran and leaped off of it and flipped onto Matthews at ringside. He set up a Death Valley Driver on the ring apron next, but Matthews blocked it. The heels beat on Briscoe for a couple minutes until Copeland got the hot tag in.

Kingston and Briscoe tried to superplex Brody, but Matthews and Black powerbombed them to the mat. Copeland ran in and gave Brody a superplex instead. All six were down and fans chanted “AEW! AEW!” Six-way action broke out. Copeland gave Brody an Impaler and then Briscoe landed his Froggy elbow for a near fall, broken up by Matthews. All three heels took spears at once from the babyfaces. Copeland charged at Black with a spear attempt, but Black sprayed mist in his face and hit his spinning hook kick for the win. Edge was covered in the mist and really sold it afterward. Briscoe gave him a soaked towel to wipe his face and eyes.

WINNERS: House of Black in 18:00.

(Entertaining match which seemed to set up Black going after Copeland and his TNT Title.)

(3) JULIA HART vs. WILLOW NIGHTINGALE (w/Stokely Hathaway) – TBS Title match

Excalibur noted the House Rules for this match at no rope breaks and a 20 count on the floor. Hathaway was on commentary. Willow opened at the bell with a running dropkick. Julia took over with some offense at ringside and then bashing Willow’s head on the canvas over and over.

After some back and forth action, Willow eventually lifted her boots on a Julia moonsault and then landed a lariat. He followed with her gut-wrench sitout powerbomb for the win. Stokely and Kris Statlandered entered the ring and they smiled and hugged Willow.

WINNER: Willow in 6:00 to capture the TBS Title.

-Mercedes Moné came out to her entrance theme. She danced at ringside and on the ring apron before entering the ring and facing Willow. Excalibur said that Mercedes will defend against Moné at Double or Nothing on May 26.

(Mercedes getting a title shot without winning a match in AEW makes a mockery of AEW’s rankings system, and arguably undercuts Mercedes if the goal is for her to be a babyface because she seems to getting preferential treatment.)

(4) RODERICK STRONG vs. KYLE O’REILLY – International Title match

O’Reilly came out first. Mike Bennett and Matt Taven gave Strong encouragement on the stage before his entrance. Strong landed a high kick to O’Reilly’s face to cut off a stretch of early offense my O’Reilly.

Strong got in sustained offense for a while. O’Reilly made a spirited comeback with really crisp sequences, but not much crowd reaction. A few minutes later, Strong got the better of a rapid-fire exchange with knee. Both were down and slow to get up. A “This is awesome!” chant started.

Wardlow came out and distracted O’Reilly to slow his rally. Strong delivered a gut-buster, but O’Reilly fired bak with a clothesline and a brainbuster into a cross armbreaker. Strong draped his boot over the bottom rope. Strong came back with a leaping side kick and End of Heartache backstabber for the win.

WINNER: Strong in 17:00 to retain the International Title.

(The match itself was very good. Those are two pros who can bring novel crisp moves and exchanges into a match without a ton of dangerous flashy highspots. The crowd was appreciative of the action, but not particularly invested emotionally.)

(5) HOOK vs. CHRIS JERICHO – FTW Rules

Taz and Excalibur said anything goes in an FTW Rules match. Hook took Jericho down with a hammerlock He followed with an old school arm twist and headlock takeover. Fans chanted “Fozzy sucks!” Hook delivered two overhead suplexes and then clotheslined Jericho over the top rope to ringside. Hook leaped at Jericho at ringside but largely missed. Jericho took over and rammed Hook into the ringside steps and then announce desk. Jericho played to the crowd and fans booed. Jericho set up a table and went for a powerbomb, but Hook escaped and then suplexed Jericho on the floor. He bashed Jericho with a trash can lid twice.

Jericho took over back in the ring including a boot to the chest. Fans booed. Hook battled Jericho on the ring apron and ended up overhead suplexing him onto the table at ringside. Hook rolled Jericho into the ring and delivered another suplex. Jericho caught a charging Hook with a boot to the chest and then a running clothesline in the corner. Jericho head-scissored Hook off the top rope and scored a two count. Hook put the trash can over Jericho’s head and bashed him and the can with a kendo stick. He then suplexed Jericho and the trash can. He pulled off the can and scored a near fall.

Hook pulled a table out from under the ring. He set it up in the corner. Jericho battled back and landed a Code Breaker. Hook avoided a leaping kneedrop by Jericho and applied a Red Rum. Jericho ran backwards and crashed Hook through the table leaning in the corner. Jericho applied a Walls of Jericho mid-ring. Hook twisted free and cradled Jericho for a two count. He followed with a Red Rum again, but Jericho mule kicked him. Jericho said he was sorry and then landed a Judas Effect, but Hook kicked out. Jericho said he was sorry and delivered a second Judas Effect for another near fall.

Jericho grabbed his baseball bat and told Hook,, “Don’t make me do this!” Hook gave him two middle fingers. Jericho hit him with the bat and scored a three count. Afterward, Taz checked on Taz ta ringside and waved Jericho to get away. Jericho looked sorry for what he had to do to win.

WINNER: Jericho in 17:00 to capture the FTW Title.

( That was ambitiously long and was pretty good throughout, but not good enough to need that much time to tell the story they wanted to tell. I think Jericho wanted to show he could lead Hook to an epic match, and Hook wanted a showcase to show how far he’s come. Hook kicking out after two Judas Effects and showing a ton of resilience before succumbing to the baseball bat made him seem tough.)

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Dynasty PPV Results: 4-21-24

(6) TONI STORM (w/Luther) vs. THUNDER ROSA – AEW Women’s Title match

Rosa wore a mask to the ring and when she removed it, revealed she wasn’t wearing her usual facepoint. The announcers noted that. Rosa leaped with a corkscrew dive early onto both Storm and Luther at ringside. Storm took over in the ring. Rosa made a comeback and landed a Death Valley Driver on the ring apron and scored a two count back in the ring. They exchanged signature moves and near falls.

Eventually, Mariah May stood on the ring apron. Deonna Purrazzo yanked her off the ring apron and knocked Luther down. Storm then landed a hip attack in the corner followed by her Storm Zero piledriver for a believable near fall. Storm applied a Texas Cloverleaf next. Rosa eventually reached the bottom rope to force a break.

Rosa landed a Backstabber followed by a Cobra Clutch. Storm forced a break by grabbing the rope and yanking on the ring skirt. Storm kicked Rosa in the crotch and then hit another Storm Zero for the win.

WINNER: Storm in 15:00 to retain the AEW Women’s Title.

(Good to see this get enough time to tell a nice story and feel substantial. They delivered a good match with a screwy finish.)

(7) WILL OSPREAY vs. BRYAN DANIELSON

Fans were in a frenzy including a “This is awesome!” chant shortly into the match and singing “Ospreay!” to the “Olé!” song. They battled back and forth with strings of signature moves. The crowd seemed invested in every turn of momentum. Ospreay eventually leaped off the top turnbuckle with a corkscrew backflip onto Danielson at ringside. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Back in the ring, he landed a leaping elbow to the back of Danielson’s neck. Danielson applied Cattle Mutilation a minute later. Ospreay draped his boot over the bottom rope to force a break.

Ospreay climbed to the top rope. Danielson knocked him off balance and then gave him a Tiger Suplex off the top rope to the mat. Ospreay clutched his neck in pain. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Danielson covered Ospreay after the ref checked on him. Ospreay put his boot over the top rope to stop the count. Danielson landed Yes kicks to Ospreay’s chest.

Ospreay landed a OsCutter off the ring apron and then a leaping Hidden Blade as fans chanted, “We’re not worthy!” Ospreay rolled into the ring to break the count. When Danielson re-entered the ring, Ospreay landed a powerbomb into a high stack cover for a near fall.

Ospreay blocked a Busaiku knee, but Danielson countered Ospreay into a leverage pin that was basically a three count but the ref stopped as Ospreay was kicking out. They exchanged leverage two counts. Danielson landed a Busaiku knee for a believale near fall. Fans stood and applauded the action. “AEW! AEW!” chanted the crowd.

After more back and forth action, Ospreay drove Danielson face-first into the mat. He was too exhausted to follow up. They both got on their knees and headbutted each other Billy Goat style. They sat up and exchanged punches. Ospreay landed a Hidden Blade. Danielson then caught Ospreay mid-air as he went for an OsCutter with a Busaiku knee.

Both sat up and leaned in opposite corners. Ospreay pulled off his elbow pad. Danielson signaled for a Yes kick, but when he charged, Ospreay elbowed him out of mid-air. Ospreay caught him and gave him a released Tiger Driver. Danielson grabbed his collarbone area and convulsed in pain. The ref called for the doctor. Ospreay then hit Danielson with a Hidden Blade for the win. The ref made the three count. Excalibur said he didn’t think Ospreay knew the ref called for the doctor to check on Danielson.

As Ospreay celebrated, medics checked on Danielson who was wincing in pain and convulsing while saying “F—, f—, f—.”

WINNER: Ospreay in 33:00.

(Astounding match start to finish, and it’s so great these two could have this match on this stage in this year when Ospreay is in his prime as a rising star on the national U.S. stage while Danielson can still deliver a match like that. The crowd’s investment and involvement was remarkable and memorable. What would have taken this to another level is if AEW had one major singles men’s title, Danielson had held it for the last year or two, and Ospreay just entered AEW, earned top contender status, and won it under these circumstances. AEW called this the battle between the two best wrestlers in the world, and it ideally would’ve been fought in the main event with a prestigious title on the line to determine who is the best of those two. For anyone not familiar with Ospreay’s level of athleticism and overall performance art level as a pro wrestler, now they know.)

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Dynasty PPV Results: 4-21-24

(8) FTR vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS – Ladder Match for the Vacant AEW Tag Team Titles

Schiavone said he believes a ladder match is the most dangerous match there is. Matt took some early bumps onto a ladder leaning on themiddle rope. Cash leaned two tables over the ringside barricade. Nick knocked Cash onto a ladder he was holding up on the ring apron and then Matt landed a running leaping flip senton onto Cash.

Matt and Nick bashed Dax with a chair in the ring. The Bucks leaned tables in the corner. They whipped Dax into one of them and then Cash into the other,. The ref checked on Dax’s bleeding forehead. They kept battling back and forth with spots on the ladders. Cash speared Matt onto a ladder and he tipped over backwards into the barricade. Nick then launched Dax off the apron onto a ladder on the other side of the ring.

Cash and Nick then each climbed a ladder. Dax and Matt climbed another ladder right next to them. Cash and Nick were knocked down. Matt knocked Cash down. Dax yanked off Matt’s boot and then FTR gave him a Shatter Machine. Matt jabbed Cash with a chair and then bashed FTR with the chair across their backs. Dax superplexed Nick off one ladder and then Cash leaped off another with a splash.

Cash got knocked off a ladder as he climbed it. Nick put Cash on a table and then leaped off the top turnbuckle with a 450 splash. Elsewhere, Dax gave Matt a leaping piledriver on a ladder bridged from the ring to the barricade. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Then they chanted, “This is awesome!”

Dax climbed a ladder. Nick springboarded onto the ladder and sunset flipped Dax to the mat. He then climbed the ladder and grabbed at a belt, but Cash yanked him down. Cash leaped through the ropes at Nick on a table but Nick moved and Cash cashed through the table. As Dax and Nick climbed a ladder, fans chanted, “Please be careful!” Dax knocked Matt down and was about to grab the belts, but a man in a mask ran in and knocked Dax down. Security grabbed him and unmasked him, revealing Jack Perry. Matt then pulled down the belts to win. Excalibur said what Perry did was trespassing, a criminal offense. He said security was dragging him out of the arena.

WINNERS: The Young Bucks in 22:00.

(That’s what you’d expect and anticipate from these two teams in a ladder match with high stakes at the end of a tournament. It was the right style of match to follow Ospreay vs. Danielson as it commanded a different kind of energy and investment from fans, although it took a while for them to really get invested as they were likely tired and also knew there’d be no finish early and probably no finish until someone interfered. Perry’s interference helps advance the story they’re telling with him, but it added to the long list of matches on this show that ended with interference or cheating. So I can’t wait for MJF to interfere at the end of the main event, costing Swerve the win he was about to get, leading to Swerve feuding with MJF as Joe moves on to lose his title to Ospreay this summer.)

(9) SAMOA JOE vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND – AEW World Hvt. Title match

Joe dominated early as fans chanted “Swerves House!” Swerve fired back with some chops. Joe took over again with a leg sweep and methodically battered and kicked Swerve when he was down on the mat. They battled back and forth for a while. Swerve took over eventually and went after Joe’s arm. Joe stood and landed a sudden Muscle Buster for a two count. Joe looked wide-eyed in disbelief afterward. Joe went to ringside and began to bring his title belt into the ring. Swerve landed a flying sidekick and then a guillotine legdrop and top rope Swerve Stomp for a near fall. Joe raked Swerve’s eyes to stop his momentum. Joe picked up the belt, but Swerve kicked it out of his hands. Swerve swung it at Joe, but Joe ducked and applied the Coquina Clutch. Swerve escaped and then landed a House Call for a dramatic near fall. Both were slow to get up.

Swerve battled with Joe on the ropes. He leaped over Joe and then powerbombed Joe to the mat off the top turnbuckle. Swerve then landed the Swerve Stomp for a three count. Ross said if they wrestled ten times, he thinks Joe might win seven times, but this is Swerve’s night.

WINNER: Strickland to capture the AEW World Hvt. Title.

(Nothing close to the best match of the night, but good enough, especially since I think nearly five hours after the bell rang for the first pre-show match, fans weren’t eager to settle in for another epic 30 minute battle. Instead, giving them a hard-hitting, efficient match with a happy (clean) ending fit the moment.)

 

[wataru330]

AEW has jumped the shark.

Remember when Tony promised to never work the boys?

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-4-24

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

(1) KEVIN OWENS & RANDY ORTON vs. TAMA TONGA & SOLO SIKOA (w/Paul Heyman)

(Keller’s Analysis: Noteworthy that they actually aren’t starting with Damien Priest’s defense of the World Hvt. Title. So often in the “two world title defense on a PPV” situation, they’ve started with the lesser belt or champion in the opening slot, with the argument being it’s the second most prestigious place to be on a card. For a hot crowd, this is a hot match to begin with.)

Owens came out to a big reaction. Then Orton came out to an even bigger reaction with fans again singing his theme song as they did the night before. Cole said, “I get paid to do this.” Then he said the fans are providing the soundtrack tonight. Cole noted it was Tonga’s first match in WWE. Cole and Graves talked about the situation with Roman Reigns and Heyman. Cole wondered if Solo is the new boss of The Bloodline sine Heyman said he hasn’t talked to Roman since WrestleMania.

​

The two teams squared off and then broke into an intense brawl that immediately spilled to the floor. Officials, referees, and agents ran out to try to pry the teams apart. Graves said they’ll have to call off the match if they can’t restore order. Owens gave security guys stunners one after another. Nick Aldis walked out with a mic in hand and insisted everyone stop. He said if they want to disregard the rules, “then do whatever you want because this match is now a no disqualification, no countout street fight.” Fans popped. The bell rang 16 minutes into the hour.

Orton and Solo brawled up the steps in the stands as Owens beat up Tonga in the crowd near ringside. They showed both in a double-box format. The brawl returned to ringside with Owens and Orton in control. Cole said it’s one of the wildest starts to a event he can remember. Fans chanted, “We want tables!” Orton smashed Tonga over the head with a trash can. Owens then hit Solo with a trash can lid. Owens bashed Solo with a keno stick a few times. Fans were crazy-loud throughout the whole thing. Graves asked if they’ve ever seen a scenario where The Bloodline looked outgunned. (That seems to be an actual concern here for Tonga’s debut and Heyman’s warnings on Smackdown that they’re getting pummeled and seem outclasses here.)

Owens landed a frog splash onto Tonga on a table at ringside. In the ring, Orton set up a table, but Solo fought back and drove Orton through the table with a Samoan Drop. Owens entered the ring as Solo was celebrating. Solo countered KO with a clothesline. For the first time, both Owens and Orton were down. Orton was down ta ringside for an extended stretch as Solo and Tonga double-teamed Owens. Owens sent Solo into the corner in a sign of a comeback, but Tonga then nailed him with a running lariat. Graves said staring into Tonga’s eyes is unsettling.

When Orton finally returned, he gave a draping DDT to Tonga and then landed an RKO mid-ring , but Solo broke up the cover at two. Solo set up a Samoan Spike on the table, but Orton countered with an RKO. Owens then returned to the ring with a fierce expression. He bashed Tonga with a chair across his back, then set up four chairs facing each other, bashing Tonga a few times before setting up each one. He then put Tonga on the chairs. As Owens climbed to the top rope, Tonga stood and fought back. He then mounted Owens in the corner and headbutted him. He went for a superplex, but Owens countered mid-air into a brainbuster onto the chairs. “Holy cow!” exclaimed Owens.

Tonga Loa then showed up, the other son of Haku. Heyman was wide-eyed. Graves said he was as shocked as anyone in the arena. He then helped Solo set up and deliver a Samoan Spike to take out Owens and get the win. Graves said no one was as shocked at the arrival of Loa than Heyman. Heyman leaned over Owens and begged Solo, Tama, and Loa to back away. Heyman stood and nervously raised his finger in the air along with the threesome next to him.

WINNERS: Solo & Tonga in 21:00.

(A wild brawl start to finish with a crazy enthusiastic crowd. I’d argue the enthusiasm of the crowd almost became a detriment because it was so prevalent throughout and almost cartoonishly over-the-top in reacting to everything. Almost. I think it was a net positive, but it was also a little much. It’s a real testament to pent up demand and excitement to see the WWE product in person. The one-sided nature of the majority of the match make sense when the ultimate story in the end was the arrival of Tonga Loa.)

​

(2) BAYLEY vs. NAOMI vs. TIFFANY STRATTON – WWE Women’s Title match

They exchanged rapid-fire leverage two counts early. Cole said he’s never been part of an atmosphere like this before. Graves said Tiffany’s ego is as big as France and what makes he so unlikable is that she’s never seen anything she didn’t think belonged to her, including the WWE Title. Naomi landed a leaping blockbuster neckbreaker on Bayley off the ringside barricade. She then went after Tiffany on the ring apron. She followed with a split-legged moonsault, but Bayley interrupted the ref’s count afterward. Bayley broke up a Tiffany submission hold on Naomi and the scored a two count on Naomi. All three were down and slow to get up.

Tiffany sat down on a Bayley sunset flip attempt. Bayley landed a Bayley-to-Belly for a near fall. Stratton rallied and set up a Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but both Bayley and Naomi moved. Bayley then gave Stratton neckbreaker. With Stratton at ringside, Naomi then rallied against Bayley, but Bayley leveraged Naomi’s shoulders down out of nowhere for the win.

As Bayley celebrated, Naomi sat up and smiled at Bayley and congratulated her on a fair win. They hugged.

WINNER: Bayley in 13:00 to retain the WWE Women’s Title.

(Another non-stop entertaining match. I like the clean finish without controversy. It was nice to see Naomi be a good sport afterward. It makes sense for Stratton to be spared directly losing since they’re protecting her and giving her something to complain about when demanding a one-on-one match instead.)

(3) DAMIEN PRIEST (w/J.D. McDonagh, Finn Balor) vs. JEY USO – WWE World Hvt. Title match

Jey came through the crowd who did the arm motions with their phone flashlights on, so it was a fun visual. “What a scene!” exclaimed Cole. The bell rang 19 minutes into the second hour. The announcers talked about the doubters when it comes Priest. Graves said he’s the real deal and he has transformed his body and his career. Jey outmaneuvered Priest early and fans yelled “Yeet!” Cole asked if the crowd “Yeets” were going to get under Priest’s skin. Jey leaped at Priest at ringside, but Priest (sorta) caught him and then slammed him into the ringside barricade. Graves said France has raised the bar on crowd enthusiasm.

Priest took over in the ring. The announcers said Priest was trying to take the crowd out of it. Priest threw some roundkicks at Jey. Jey ducked a swing and then landed a back suplex. Fans applauded. Jey landed a top rope crossbody press for a two count at 5:00. Cole noted that Jey has never been a singles champions. Then he dove through the ropes and tackled Priest. J.D. McDonagh showed up and crotched Jey with the second rope as the ref’s back was turned. Priest speared Jey and scored a two count. Priest then yelled at McDonagh and said, “What are you doing out here? I told you I don’t need your help.” Jey superkicked McDonagh and then kicked Priest followed by a top rope Uso Splash for a near fall.

Priest came back and landed a Razor’s Edge a couple minutes later for a near fall. Jey made a comeback. They fought back and forth. Priest grew frustrated after a Jey kickout. Priest landed a spinning hook kick and then called for Jey to stand. He delivered another kick to Jey’s head and called for Jey to stand again. Jey stood and caught Priest with a superkick. He hit two more and priest stumbled into the corner. Jey speared Priest seconds later, then landed an Uso splash for a near fall at 14:00, but McDonagh placed Priest’s boot on the bottom rope. Fans roared with disapproval. Fans chanted “Asshole!” Cole said, “We don’t need a translator for that, and I agree.” Then “F— you, J.D.!” rang out.

Jey dove onto McDonagh at ringside. He then speared Balor. Priest knocked Jey off balance on the top rope and then delivered a South of Heaven chokeslam off the ropes for the win.

WINNER: Priest in 15:00 to retain the World Hvt Title.

-After the match, Priest McDonagh and Balor, including stopping Balor from stomping on Jey. He did agree to let them pose with him as his music played and he raised the belt in the air. Cole said Priest has made it clear he didn’t want their help in recent weeks.

(The match was good for its place on the card and about the right length. We seem definitely in a fast lane toward Priest turning babyface. It makes me wonder if the interaction with Logan Paul at the start of Raw this week was a sign of a future feud between them once Priest breaks away as a babyface. I assume that’d be after he loses the World Title, but the question is whether Priest loses the belt as a heel to a babyface C.M. Punk or if he loses as a babyface to a heel Drew McIntyre.)