Recapping American wrestling since 2013. Not only following the current stuff in WWE, Impact and ROH but also going back in time and doing stuff from back then as well.
Becky Lynch heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Becky Lynch celebrates the fact that this is the first televised WWE event in Ireland by saying "We're on the telly!" and talks about how she was a fan in tonight's venue and how Randy Orton made eye contact with her. She always hoped that Ireland would be on television, and now that they are, they do not deserve it. She even says she petitioned in the back to get the show cancelled, and says the fans will not get Lyra Valkyria when the fans chant "We want Lyra!" Becky then goes on about how she has been a hero for WWE and goes on about her accomplishments, which leads to "Who are ya?" chants. She also says nobody wants "his old ass" when the fans chant for CM Punk. She also complains about the lack of media coverage she has gotten and how she has seen the faces of other Irish sports and media personalities at the airport but not hers. Suddenly, Tiffany Stratton shows up and tells Becky is on the wrong show and that she can either leave under her own decision or she can make her leave. Nia Jax shows up wondering why Tiffany is concerning herself with Becky when she has bigger problems with her. Nia then smacks Tiffany and knocks her down, then she and Becky stomp her until Jade Cargill arrives and takes out Nia. Becky tries to sneak up on Cargill, but Cargill sees her coming. Tiffany drop kicks Nia off the ring apron when she tries to get back in, then Becky leaves the ring. General Manager Nick Aldis says that "Big Time Becks" is giving him "big time trouble" and that Raw General Manager Adam Pearce has signed off on "the big time main event": Becky and Nia vs. Tiffany and Cargill.
Backstage, Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) meet with Carmelo Hayes, saying that he was great in the ring last week and that The Miz stole his thunder. When Frazer calls Miz "a schemer," The Miz shows up and takes offense, but Carmelo stands up for Miz and credits him for their success.
Melo Don't Miz (Carmelo Hayes and The Miz) beat The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) after The Miz gets the pin and the win on Chris Sabin after Carmelo hits Sabin with a lungblower.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Jimmy Uso. Jimmy Uso says he has been getting a lot of love from everyone, including Sami Zayn, who shows up and congratulates Jimmy. Solo Sikoa and MFT (Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) show up, and when Sikoa gives him his blessing, Jimmy and Sami have none of it. Sami tells Solo he should be worried about keeping the United States Championship and not naming other people's kids, and that he will be facing a WrestleMania main eventer when he faces off with him.
Piper Niven beats Charlotte Flair after Alba Fyre distracts the referee, allowing Chelsea Green to rake Charlotte's eyes as Charlotte has Piper in the Figure Eight and allowing Piper to hit the Piper Driver for the pin and the win.
Backstage, Kiana James is talking with Giulia when Michin shows up. Kiana insists that "Michin" Mia Yim go through her to get to Giulia, and Michin says she will run through Kiana before going through Giulia.
John Cena heads to the ring. Before he has the chance to say anything, Logan Paul shows up. Logan Paul gets in the ring and says it is good to be back in England (despite being in Dublin, Ireland) before mocking the fans, then says Cena is "a corporate pawn" who will do whatever he is told while he does whatever he wants. He says that one of them is the imposter, and lists his accomplishments and calls himself the guy who stays in WWE to be himself and while calling Cena the guy who goes to Hollywood and does the same move for over 23 years. Logan says he looks forward to facing Cena at Clash in Paris and tells him that WWE is his house. Cena admits that Logan is full of potential and that it makes both him and the fans upset, but also says that while Logan is not an outsider, he is a disappointment. He says that WWE looked forward to his arrival, but instead of respecting the house that is WWE, he uses the company as another branding opportunity. He also says that Logan disrespects his family while also putting himself on the line for 23 matches while he himself has put himself on the line for 23 years and has given so much more to the business. Meanwhile, everyone can see how slimy Logan is and knows that he asks what he can take from the business, and regardless of what he can do, he is a parasite who sucks whatever he can out of WWE. He says that Logan got lucky and got his match with him, and now his match at Clash in Paris is the biggest of life. Cena says Logan knows plenty about hustle, he does not know about loyalty or respect, and does not know that this is the fans' house. He tells Logan to bring his A-game, as he is facing the best of all time, and that he will beat "the everloving shite out of him." Logan shoves and then swings at Cena, but Cena ducks and hits an Attitude Adjustment.
Backstage, Tiffany Stratton meets with Jade Cargill. Cargill says they can work together tonight, but afterwards, she is coming for her title.
Backstage, Logan Paul runs into Drew McIntyre, who says that Logan is scared of John Cena's "Super Cena" mystique and tells him that this is not 2010 and that he is in his prime. He tells Logan to make this right regardless of what it takes.
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat MFT (JC Mateo and Tonga Loa) after Jimmy Uso shows up and he and Talla Tonga brawl through the crowd. As this goes on, Sami Zayn runs in and hits Solo Sikoa with a Helluva Kick near the announce table.
Before the next match, R-Truth shows up on the video screen and says he will not be able to make it tonight because he is in Dublin, Georgia. However, he has a substitute opponent for him: Damian Priest. Damian Priest shows up and brawls with Aleister Black, and the brawl heads to the back as security gets involved.
As it is announced that there is no medical update for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre shows up and calls Cody "a little bitch" and says Cody will eventually have to face him. He says that when he does, he will take the World Heavyweight title. McIntyre says that everyone wants Cody's spot and that he has no friends left. All of a sudden, Randy Orton shows up behind McIntyre and hits him with an RKO as soon as he turns around.
Backstage, Nia Jax meets with Becky Lynch to get on the same page. Becky says she needs to be the hero and that she needs to win tonight, and says they need to be on the same page.
Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill beat Becky Lynch and Nia Jax.
Backstage, John Cena is met by General Manager Nick Aldis, who says that he has heard from Brock Lesnar. All of a sudden, Logan Paul pops up from behind Aldis and knocks Cena out with a right hand.
Hammerstone beats KUSHIDA and Frankie Kazarian in a three-way Ultimate X qualifier for the Ultimate X Match for the TNA X Division Championship at Emergence. After the match, Hammerstone lets Kazarian attack KUSHIDA, and Kazrian soon hits KUSHIDA with Fade To Black.
Backstage, Gia Miller interviews Eric Young. Eric Young says that Hammerstone may not make it to Ultimate X after their match next week, then Steve Maclin shows up and says that he will be watching.
We hear from Mike Santana, who says that he has lived on "survival mode" and has tried to erase that mindset, but the more time he spends in TNA, the more he realizes who he needs to be, and he thanks The System (Eddie Edwards, Alisha Edwards, Brian Myers, Moose) for that. He says The System has reminded him of the animal that he needs to be, and tells him that next time, they had better get the job done because he is coming for them and he is not stopping until he cuts the head off the snake.
Rosemary beats Alisha Edwards after Spitfire (Jody Threat and Dani Luna) show up to attack Masha Slamovich. After the match, Rosemary places a black rose in Alisha's hands.
Before the next match, Matt Cardona shows up in street clothes and says he is not medically cleared to compete due to TNA doctors not letting him compete and Director of Authority Santino Marella not doing his due diligence. Steph de Lander now has two surprise partners: Kon and Madman Fulton.
PCO, Rhino and Xia Brookside beat Steph de Lander, Kon and Madman Fulton in a six-person tag match. Steph de Lander, who disapproves of Cardona's interference during the match, celebrates with PCO and his team after the match.
We see a video package for "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander vs. "The Wanted Man" Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship at Emergence.
We hear from Jordynne Grace, who says that Ash by Elegance cannot accept defeat and wants to face her on her own terms. She says that she has been surprised by her open challenges and that surprises don't stop her, and that Ash will find out that nothing can stop the Juggernaut.
Laredo Kid beats Jai Vidal and Bhupinder Gujjar in a three-way Ultimate X qualifier for the Ultimate X Match for the TNA X Division Championship at Emergence.
Backstage, Rich Swann chews out referee Daniel Spencer for not declaring him the winner for last week's Ultimate X qualifier. Moustache Mountain shows up and is confronted by AJ Francis, but Speedball agrees with Swann and says he is the best of the best, then gives him the chance to prove himself for the title next week.
Johnathan Gresham beats Charlie Dempsey. After the match, Dempsey hits Gresham with a cheap shot, but Gresham fires back and sends Dempsey into a retreat.
The Hardys (Jeff and Matt Hardy) beat Moose and JDC. After the match, Moose and JDC attack The Hardys, then Mike Santana shows up and brawls with Moose. After the match, Moose and JDC attack The Hardys, then Mike Santana shows up and brawls with Moose. Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards show up to overpower Santana, then Joe Hendry shows up and fights his way to the ring. Santana takes out Moose to save Hendry, and this leads to a brawl all over the ring. The Hardys, Santana and Hendry come out on top at the end of the show.
"The Natural" Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara and The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross Von Erich) beat The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds and John Silver) and Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) in an eight-man tag match.
Backstage, we hear from Mark Briscoe, who says tonight is the night where The Beast Mortos challenges him for the ROH World Championship after pinning him on Dynamite a few weeks ago, then tells The Beast Mortos to get a time machine to get rid of his win on Mark Briscoe, as he is about to get an ass whupping.
Cage of Agony (Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, "The Machine" Brian Cage) beats Serpentico, Fuego del Sol and Atlantis Jr. in a six-man tag match.
Backstage, we hear from MxM Collection (Mansoor and Madden). Mansoor announces that tonight, they will be in action and racking up another delicious victory. After they pose, they are soon met by two men by Pillars of Destiny, who are wearing animal hides as they growl at MxM Collection.
Abadon beats Alejandra Lion.
MxM Collection (Mansoor and Madden) beat Pillars of Destiny (Hunter Grey and Parviz).
In backstage footage from last week, "Taiga Style" Lee Moriarty says his Pure Championship reign is a new chapter, and while Action Andretti impressed him, this is the beginning of "the Pure Renaissance." Shane Taylor says everything has led to this and has made Lee Moriarty one of the best technical wrestlers on the planet, then says that he leads by example and to be the leader he needs to be, he must become ROH World Champion, and the only reason he is not is because his shoulder is hurt. He says it will not be long before he comes back, and tells Mark Briscoe to keep the ROH World Championship shined up for him because he will come back for what is his.
Angelico beats Aaron Solo in a Pure Rules Match after Aaron Solo uses all his rope breaks and cannot rope break his way out of the Navarro Death Roll.
Trish Adora beats Erica Leigh.
We hear from The Righteous (Vincent and Dutch). Vincent says he has seen people come and go, and that he and Dutch have been here since they had a penny in their pocket, and now everything has changed. He says there are people hiding under masks and people with egos eating away at them until their flesh is off the bone. Dutch says some people fear is but a fleeting moment, but here, it is the only company that they have, and there is nothing like a little fear to make a paper man crumble. Lance Archer suddenly shows up and says everybody dies, and Vincent say is a chess game to the end for everyone and that he can play the deck that anyone can deal him. He then asks "How do you start when we already know how it ends?"
Komander beats KM.
EJ Nduka beats Deonn Rusman.
Before the next match, Jacked Jameson says everything is bigger in Texas except for the fans' collective manhood, and that while their opponents are a bunch of "low-T losers," they at least are not "a couple of chew-spittin', cow-lovin' Texans."
The Iron Savages (Boulder, Bronson, Jacked Jameson) beat Jay Alexander, Colton Charles and Rosario Grillo in a six-man tag match.
"The Problem" Marina Shafir beats Tiara James with Mother's Milk.
Before the next match, Jacoby Watts wants "Cool Hand" Angelo Parker and "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard, but they reject the offer and beat him and Nick Comoroto up.
"Cool Hand" Angelo Parker and "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard beat Jacoby Watts and Nick Comoroto.
Before the next match, "Smart" Mark Sterling says The Premier Athletes (Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Josh Woods) are on every show because they equal ratings, and that every episode that Tony Nese is on is the highest-rated episode of all time because he walks, talks, wrestles and wins like a star, and tonight, he will show his opponent what winning is, which the fans know nothing about.
Lio Rush beats Tony Nese after hitting "Smart" Mark Sterling with a tope suicida for getting physically involved in the match.
Mark Briscoe retains the ROH World Championship against The Beast Mortos.
Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo introduce everyone to tonight's show.
Ilja Dragunov beats Trick Williams.
Backstage, Tyler Bate is meditating when Nathan Frazer shows up. Tyler Bate tells Frazer it is all about him tonight, and Frazer asks Tyler Bate to be his second. Tyler accepts, and Frazer also offers Tyler the first shot at the Heritage Cup when he retains.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio look forward to punishing Lyra Valkyria and Dragon Lee when Mustafa Ali shows up and wishes them luck before telling Dominik to actually break a leg so he is gone from NXT. Dominik says he does not care about NXT, only Rhea. Rhea threatens to beat Mustafa up if he does not leave in ten seconds. Mustafa says "Just ten seconds? Sounds like something you two are used to."
Ivy Nile beats Ava in Ava's debut match with the Dragon Sleeper. After the match, Ivy puts Ava in the Dragon Sleeper again as The Schism surrounds the ring, but Ivy lets go and fends some of the masked members off before Ava is saved.
Backstage, Wes Lee is met by Dragunov, who says that nothing stands in his way towards the NXT Championship, but Wes Lee says he will make his own destiny tonight and become the new champion before looking forward to facing Dragunov as a champion.
Noam Dar beats Nathan Frazer two falls to one (2-1) to become the NXT Heritage Cup Champion for a record-setting third time. Noam Dar scores the first fall with a schoolkid pin in Round 2 after Tyler Bate is choke slammed into the ring apron by Dabba-Kato, distracting Nathan Frazer. Frazer scores the second fall with 1:14 (one minute, fourteen minutes) left in Round 4 with a Superplex followed by a neckbreaker. Noam Dar scores the third and deciding fall with 0:28 (twenty-eight seconds) left in Round 6 after Frazer misses big on the Phoenix Splash and Noam Dar hits the Nova Roller for the win.
We hear from Ava, who thanks the two followers behind her for saving her. She says that Ivy Nile tried to end her career and do permanent damage to her, but she failed like Diamond Mine did. She shows off the tree behind her, then tells Ivy that she knows where she is if she wants to prove her wrong.
Tiffany Stratton is in the ring. Tiffany says "the summer of Tiff-Tiff" is coming to an end and that it has been a hot one. She talks about how she became NXT Women's Champion at Battleground and went on a winning streak at Gold Rush and The Great American Bash. She states that with summer ending and fall around the corner, she is going to make things much better even though she is a perfect champion, as perfection comes easy. She states that with summer ending and fall around the corner, she is going to make things much better even though she is a perfect champion, as perfection comes easy. Tiffany states that she will be better than every other champion before, but for now, she will stay at the top. Gigi Dolin shows up and tells Tiffany to shut up before saying she wants to see Tiffany fall and declaring herself her next challenger. Tiffany tells Gigi she does not deserve an opportunity against her, but Gigi says Tiffany does not deserve to be a champion, because she tapped out in her last match. Kiana James shows up and says Gigi must be lost and that she does not deserve a title shot as she cannot even beat her. Kiana then says that she is the one deserving of a title shot, then Blair Davenport shows up and says she is next in line for a title shot. Gigi Dolin tells Davenport she has to go through the division and that everyone still remembers her convenience store brawl with Roxanne Perez. As Blair Davenport says that she will plant her boot in Gigi's face so hard that her brother will not recognize her anymore, Tiffany is about to let everyone else argue when Roxanne Perez shows up and reminds Blair Davenport about how she beat her. She then punches Tiffany in the face, starting a brawl that referees quickly have to stop.
Backstage, Drew Gulak has Myles Borne staying busy in his dojo when Charlie Dempsey puts Borne in a sleeper hold from out of nowhere.
We hear from Ava, who says that the longer she waits for Ivy Nile, the more Ivy Nile proves she is a failure like she says she is. Ava sics her masked followers on her, but the masked men end up being The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed), who tells Joe Gacy that if he wants to see Ava again, then they will have a steel cage against The Dyad (Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid) where if The Creed Brothers win, they will be reinstated back into NXT.
Backstage, Meta-Four (Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, Lash Legend, Jakara Jackson) celebrate Noam Dar's Heritage Cup win. Jakara Jackson say they are not just back, they are better, and that Nathan Frazer's should never have happened. Noam Dar is then issued a letter from the Heritage Cup Committee stating that there will be an eight-man Global Heritage Invitiational tournament with the winner facing Noam Dar for the NXT Heritage Cup at No Mercy.
Dragon Lee and Lyra Valkyria beat The Judgment Day (Rhea Ripley and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) after Raquel Rodriguez shows up and attacks Rhea Ripley on the outside.
Backstage, Trick Williams meets with Carmelo Hayes, who says that he wants his NXT Championship defense against Wes Lee to be strictly one-on-one.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Tiffany Stratton, who says that what happened in the ring earlier was not what she had in mind. She then announces that Roxanne Perez, Blair Davenport, Kiana James and Gigi Dolin will face each other for a chance to face her.
In backstage footage from last week, Thea Hail finds out she cannot get her recent loss off of her record when she is met by Jacy Jayne, who tells her that she changed in the last year and says that everybody has been let down by somebody backstage. She tells Thea that she will get through it and that people like them always get through it.
Von Wagner vs. Baron Corbin ends before it can begin. Corbin attacks Von Wagner before the bell rings, starting a brawl in which Corbin briefly gets his hands on Mr. Stone. Wagner is able to save Mr. Stone and is about to powerbomb Corbin through the announce table when he is Speared from out of nowhere by Bron Breakker.
We hear from The Schism (Joe Gacy, Rip Fowler, Jagger Reid). Joe Gacy wants to know where The Creed Brothers' (Julius and Brutus Creed) morality is after disguising themselves as Schism members, while The Dyad (Fowler and Reid) are also displeased with them. Rip Fowler tells The Creed Brothers that with the steel cage in place, they will be trapped inside with them, and Jagger Reid says that they will beat The Creed Brothers once and for all.
We hear from Dijak, who says that Eddy Thorpe ruined his chances at what he returned to NXT for, then tells Eddy he has seven days to be one with the spirits before he breaks his spirit and his soul.
Carmelo Hayes retains the NXT Championship against Wes Lee.
The show begins with a brawl between Matt Riddle and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins being broken up backstage. The brawl between Riddle and Rollins soon makes its way into the crowd, and when Rollins makes it to ringside, Riddle dives into him from off the barricade. The brawl is soon broken on the stage.
Trish Stratus heads to the ring. Trish says it feels good to be home not just in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, but in a WWE ring, as it will never "not feel like home" between the ropes. She says she has been doing a lot of thinking lately, then Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky show up. After the commercial break, Bayley says they are excited to be in the ring with Trish Stratus, then asks Trish what she is doing here. Trish says that Edge vs. Damian Priest is happening later and that she is supporting him, then mentions that she had an announcement. Dakota says they do not care what she has to say, and Iyo says she does not like Trish despite Bayley saying Iyo is her biggest fan. Bayley says they are sick and tired of Trish riding their coattails all weekend long and that the ring is theirs now before asking Trish who she thinks she is. Suddenly, Bianca Belair shows up. Bianca says that Bayley is "not even in the same stratosphere" and that Trish walked so they could run, and that there would be no Bayley without Trish before telling Bayley exactly who Trish is and to stop with the disrespect. Bianca then says she does not need to defend Trish as Trish can defend herself, then Trish tells Bayley she can go from being retired to "was retired" if Bayley does not keep her mouth shut as she removes her jacket. Bayley removes her own jacket before saying that she, Bayley and Iyo outnumber her and Bianca before Alexa Bliss and Asuka arrive. Bayley tells Trish that she should be lucky she is feeling generous, then says she will let it slide and they will see her at Clash at the Castle. Trish says that assumes they even make it to Cardiff, Wales.
Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky beat Alexa Bliss and Asuka with a schoolkid pin from Iyo to Asuka to advance to the finals of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament when Asuka is unaware that Iyo is a legal competitor.
Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler admits Austin Theory was the better man last week, then Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley show up. Finn says that Dolph Ziggler is just like Edge and Rey Mysterio by attaching himself to younger talent to stay relevant. Finn tells Ziggler that he cannot teach him anything, then tells Finn he can teach him something before slapping him in the face. As Ziggler heads to the ring, he asks Finn if he is going to sit on his ass "like a little bitch" or get in the ring.
Finn Balor beats Dolph Ziggler following the cheap shot from Rhea Ripley as the ref checks on Finn Balor following a headbutt from Ziggler.
Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Aliyah. Aliyah does not get to say much before Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai, and Bayley boasts Dakota and Iyo will win the WWE Women's Tag Team Tournament before asking where Raquel Rodriguez is. As the three of them confront Aliyah for being on "their show" alone, Trish Stratus shows up to have Aliyah's back. Trish and Aliyah ask Bayley when her knee will heal up before Aliyah challenges Bayley to a match tonight. Bayley accepts the challenge, and as she, Dakota and Iyo leave, WWE official Adam Pearce is carrying a photo as he is followed by two security guards.
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) head to the ring. Gable announces that the Alpha Academy has decided to accept new students and that he has decided to start his search in Canada, but the only thing he could find was toothless ex-hockey players hooked on Tim Horton's. He then makes fun of the Toronto Maples Leaves for losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning and mentions that Tampa, Florida does not even have ice. Gable says he has found no talent in Canada, and that the only guy he keeps hearing about is "some geek named Auston Matthews," who is actually American and does not have the talent to wash Otis' jock strap. He then says that against his better judgment, he is hosting the first-ever Alpha Academy open challenge and begs Toronto, Ontario, Canada to send him their best before saying their best will not measure up. When there are seemingly no comers and Gable says Toronto does not have anybody, Kevin Owens suddenly shows up.
Kevin Owens beats Chad Gable. After the match, Otis attacks Kevin Owens from behind, but he soon runs shoulder-first into the ring post. Owens then grabs Gable for a ring apron powerbomb, but Otis makes the save. Otis gets Owens back in the ring, but Owens hits him with a Stunner before kicking Gable in the gut and powerbombing him into Otis.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley brags about how The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley) is running the place, and Finn Balor says that he has Rey Mysterio in his back pocket. Damian Priest says that he will be sending Edge back into retirement as cheers turn to screams.
It is announced that Gigi Dolin was injured last week on SmackDown, and that Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) is out of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament. A "Second Chance" Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match involving the four losing teams of the tournament to decide who takes their place will happen this Friday night on SmackDown.
Bayley beats Aliyah. After the match, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky celebrate with Bayley.
Backstage, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Bobby Lashley see something smoking - with a security guard, a police officer in riot gear and WWE official Adam Pearce standing nearby - on the way to the ring.
The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Bobby Lashley ends with Dexter Lumis seemingly going after Styles from the crowd only for the person to really be a random person. It is then revealed that Dexter Lumis was wearing riot gear the whole time, and he grabs Miz from behind the barricade and drags him to the back. After the match, Ciampa attacks Lashley from behind, but Styles hits him with the Phenomenal Forearm. Lashley then hits Ciampa with another Spear.
We see a video package for Edge vs. Damian Priest later tonight.
Johnny Gargano's music suddenly hits, and Johnny Gargano makes an unannounced appearance, his first in nine months. He thanks the fans for the support and mentions his NXT accolades, and says that since he has been gone, everybody - including himself - wondered where he would go next, and he wondered if he still wanted to be a wrestler. Gargano then says that as he was playing with his six-month-old child, he remembered that he had big, impossible dreams when he was younger of winning championships in WWE and wrestling at WrestleMania. He then asked what kind of father he would be to his kid if he could not teach him that the biggest dreams can come true, then says that he is betting on himself and that he is back in WWE. As he says that this is just getting started, Austin Theory suddenly shows up, completely surprised that Gargano is here. He says a lot has happened in nine months, and Gargano says Theory has changed a lot. Theory mentions his accomplishments in the last nine months and says that he already done what Gargano has planned to do, and says he could not have done any of this without him. He talks about how Gargano took him under his wing and how their roles have reversed, then says that Gargano can be the one to carry his bags and carry the Money In The Bank briefcase as he becomes undisputed WWE Champion. Theory then says that he can show Gargano the way, or Gargano can go away if Gargano decides not to side with him. Theory then tries to do the high-five with Gargano for old times' sake, but he gets superkicked instead.
WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix is seen watching the next match from the front row.
In what is Edge's first match in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in ten years, Edge beats Damian Priest despite Priest sending Edge into referee Charles Robinson, knocking Robinson out temporarily and allowing Edge to put Priest in a crossface with the bottom bar of a chair. After the match, Edge goes for the Con-Chair-To on Damian Priest, but Rhea Ripley shows up from behind and hits Edge with a low blow before Finn Balor shows up and hits Edge with the Coup de Grace. When Rhea Ripley goes for a chair, Beth Phoenix jumps the barricade and grabs the chair before Rhea can, and The Judgment Day are forced to back down as the show ends.
This week on Raw Talk: Kevin Owens! Bianca Belair! Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai!
"Daddy Magic" Matt Menard guests on commentary for this week's show.
Anna Jay beats Nikki Victory with the Queenslayer.
Ruby Soho and Ortiz beat Queen Aminata and Mickey Midas in a mixed tag match.
Dante Martin beats Jackson Drake.
Serena Deeb beats Megan Meyers with the Serenity Lock.
The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Preston "10" Vance) beat D'Mone Solavino, Alexander Apollo and RC Dupree in a trios match.
Julia Hart beats Hayley Shadows by submission.
"The Premier Athlete" Tony Nese and "The Technical Beast" Josh Woods beat Andrea Guercio and Logan James.
Death Triangle (PAC, Penta el Zero Miedo, Rey Fenix) beat Rosario Grillo, Manscout and Dean Alexander in a trios match. After the match, a kid in the crowd is allowed in the ring, where he gets one of Penta's gloves as a souvenir.
Emi Sakura and Maki Ito beat Hikaru Shida and Skye Blue. After the match, Emi Sakura tells Hikaru Shida that she wants the Pro Wrestling Wave Wave Single Championship.
Ridge Holland beats Trey Baxter in the kick-off match. After the match, Ridge says this is what will happen to anybody to steps up to him and Pete Dunne, then tells Timothy Thatcher to take a good luck, as this is what his future will look like.
Before the next match, Cameron Grimes throws his butler outfit into a trash can with gold lining and a dollar sign on it that has been brought out by "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, who then accompanies Grimes to the ring. When LA Knight makes his way to the ring, however, he notices the trash can and the butler outfit inside, then topples the can over.
Cameron Grimes beats LA Knight to become the Million Dollar Champion after Knight tries to use the title as a weapon only for the referee to stop him. As Grimes grabs the title belt, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase punches Knight in the face. When the referee hands the title to DiBiase, however, DiBiase throws it back in to distract the referee so that DiBiase can put Knight in the Million Dollar Dream. Grimes then hits Knight with the Cave-In to win the match and the championship. (Had Grimes lost, Ted DiBiase would have had to become Knight's butler.)
Raquel Gonzalez retains the NXT Women's Championship after countering the Yakuza Kick into a top rope powerbomb. After the match, Kay Lee Ray shows up on WWE programming for the first time since losing the NXT UK Women's Championship to Meiko Satomura and stares down Raquel from the stage.
Ilja Dragunov beats Walter with a sleeper in a devastating match to become the NXT UK Champion, ending Walter's reign at 870 days.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews Cameron Grimes. He says his father is smiling down from heaven because he is a Million Dollar Champion, and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase says that Grimes is a champion because he did not quit. After DiBiase hands Grimes some money, Grimes says the party does not have to stop and that there will be a celebration next week.
Backstage, General Manager William Regal talks with Samoa Joe. Regal says he has to stay unbiased and hope his match with Karrion Kross entertains the fans, then tells Joe he wants him to kick Karrion Kross' ass.
Kyle O'Reilly beats Adam Cole two falls to one (2-1) in a two-out-of-three falls match. Kyle O'Reilly wins the first fall in a traditional wrestling match after sitting down on Adam Cole's attempt at the Panama Sunrise. Adam Cole wins the second fall in a Street Fight after throwing O'Reilly off the top rope and into an open chair. After the second fall, medical staff check on O'Reilly, but Cole attacks O'Reilly and powerbombs him into the announce table before putting him back in the ring. Kyle O'Reilly wins the third and final fall in a steel cage match after Adam Cole handcuffs O'Reilly to the top rope only for O'Reilly to catch a superkick and make Cole submit to a one-handed heel hook.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Ilja Dragunov, who says "The ring general has fallen...long live the tsar."
We hear from Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza). Santos Escobar tells Isaiah "Swerve" Scott that he and Hit Row will find out that there is nobody better than them when they escalate things, and that Swerve will find out that he who laughs last laughs best next week.
Samoa Joe beats Karrion Kross to win the NXT Championship for a record-breaking third time.
FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) - now with Tully Blanchard as their manager - beat Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy). During the match, it is announced that Dynamite will return next Thursday at 8 PM Eastern/7 PM Central.
We hear from Jon Moxley, who says that the MJF campaign is amusing to him and fun TV, and while MJF has said some bad things about him, it does not bother him. He then says that MJF missed a lot of the good and that he should talk to his wife, because she will give him a two-page list of all his faults and problems. While it does not bother him, he says that people who feel the need to talk about themselves all the time rub him the wrong way, as where he comes from, the toughest guys usually don't have to say much or hide behind words, and MJF talks a lot. He says that it makes him wonder what MJF is hiding, and while MJF might be the future of the business due to being talented in every way and he wants MJF to fulfill his potential and be the man to lead AEW for the next years as he gets out of bed not knowing if he has 18 months left in his career, going so far as to tell MJF to move out of his parents' basement, lose his virginity and become a world champion. He then says the day he becomes world champion will not be September 5th, as he will beat the hell out of him. He then says that at All Out, he will be in heaven while MJF will be looking for a way out while the world finally finds out what MJF is hiding.
We hear from MJF, who says that Genghis Khan, Fidel Castro and Napoleon were all "homicidal maniacs" who pale in comparison to "Dictator John." He talks about how Jon Moxley attacked him from behind "like a gutless coward" and that Moxley is too afraid to try it from the front. He says that Moxley's actions have put him in a neck brace, and that he wants to have a family and kids but won't be able to do because Moxley mangled him. He says that the Paradigm Shift is not a move, but an abomination. Mark Sterling, MJF's attorney, then states that the Paradigm Shift is not just a dangerous move, but also deadly, and that the move ended MJF's career. He then asks whose career Moxley might end next, then says the campaign has put up a petition online last week calling for a ban on the Paradigm Shift, and that the petition has netted five million signatures. He then announces that he and a team of lawyers have made it so that the Paradigm Shift has been banned in MJF's match for the AEW World Championship at All Out, and that Moxley has no reason not to sign at as he is "a badass" and "a man of the people." He also says that if Moxley does not sign the contract, he will sue Moxley so hard that he will have to part his hair to poop. Sterling then states that his firm has not lost and that they will take everything from Moxley before MJF takes his title.
The Natural Nightmares ("The Natural" Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall) and Jurassic Express (Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy) beat The Lucha Bros. (Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix), The Butcher and The Blade after The Blade pushes Pentagon Jr. into a schoolkid pin by Jungle Boy as they argue. After the match, The Butcher and The Blade argue with The Lucha Bros in the ring, then Eddie Kingston shows up and tells everyone to calm down before questioning why none of them are successful and that they are beaten when they are defeated when he has known them for years and knows they are good and they are capable of more. He then tells the four of them to walk with him, and that everything they want will be theirs. Both parties then make up and become a united faction under Eddie Kingston.
We hear from Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D., who is interrupted by "Superbad" Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford making out. He warns them that streptococcus is transmitted via saliva, and offers them her "Couples' Special:" free dental care for a year. She says that if they want it, Penelope Ford has to help her and Reba in a handicap match against Big Swole and make her put her money where her mouth is. Britt also throws in Reba doing Penelope's make-up for a year for free. Penelope accepts.
Tony Schiavone interviews Orange Cassidy and Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent) in the ring. After Schiavone congratulates Cassidy on his win against Chris Jericho last week, Jericho shows up. Jericho congratulates Cassidy for beating him last week, as he has only been pinned three times since the first episode of Dynamite and one of them has been to Cassidy. He says that while it is embarrassing on the surface, he is proud of Cassidy, as he has proved that he is learning from him and proved his haters and critics that he has heart, desire, courage and what it takes to be a main event superstar in AEW. Jericho then wants to give Cassidy a toast, but proposes that they have a third match to see who the better man truly is, and given that he came up with the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, he wants to come up with a unique match. He then proposes that they have a "Mimosa Mayhem Match," a match where 80 gallons of orange juice is mixed with 500 bottles of A Little Bit Of The Bubbly and the only ways to win are via pinfall, submission or being tossed into a vat of mimosa, at All Out. After a video package explaining the match, Cassidy accepts the challenge with a thumbs up. Jericho tells Cassidy the right decision, then says he wants the rest of The Inner Circle to join him. The rest of The Inner Circle surround the ring for a toast, then Jericho sics The Inner Circle on Best Friends and Cassidy, also pouring A Little Bit Of The Bubbly on Cassidy afterwards.
The Elite (Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Kenny Omega) beat The Dark Order (Alex "3" Reynolds, John "4" Silver and Alan "5" Angels). After the match, Kenny Omega is about to powerbomb Alan Angels into a steel chair, but Matt and Nick stop him from doing it by pulling the chair away.
Backstage, Marvez interviews Tully Blanchard and FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler), who will be in a Gauntlet Tag Team Match that starts with #4 ranked The Natural Nightmares ("The Natural" Dustin Rhodes vs. #3 ranked The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), with whoever wins going up against #2 Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent). The winner of that will face #1 ranked FTR. Wheeler says that FTR wants to be the best, and that if they want to be the best, they must learn from the best in Blanchard. Blanchard says it is all about crossing the threshold and becoming the best, which is where FTR is destined to be in the gauntlet match. He then says that the tag team title match at All Out is the path, then "Hangman" Adam Page shows up and confronts FTR for their actions last week. FTR ask Page to calm down and say that last week has nothing to do with him, and that The Rock 'N Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) turned their back on them and disrespected them. Harwood says that he had to see if FTR could trust The Elite as well as him, then asks Page what will happen if The Young Bucks face him and Kenny Omega at All Out, beat them and put him back in their shadows. Harwood then says the most important thing is winning the gauntlet match and facing a man they respect in Page as well as Omega.
Darby Allin beats Will Hobbes. After the match, Taz gets on the microphone and says that Team Taz is flourishing and that they have a new member: "Darby," who is really "Absolute" Ricky Starks dressed like Darby Allin. Starks says it is not every day you can live your dreams, but it is every day he can live his nightmares, and for that, nobody likes him. He says that he likes skateboarding, cuddles and being reckless and stomping a man's back, shredding it with thumbtacks on his skateboard, because life is a joke to him. This is just a distraction so that "The Machine" Brian Cage can attack Darby from behind with the FTW Championship before Stark splashes water on him and tells him that he is a joke, and that he does not need facepaint to be somebody or be better than him. He then says life is a joke and that Darby is the biggest joke of all before he and Cage attack Darby again, with Starks hitting Darby with a Coffin Drop.
During the commercial break, Sammy Guevara mocks Matt Hardy with a bunch of signs like he did last week, but he is attacked from behind with a steel chair by Matt Hardy, who then throws Guevara off the stage and into a table. Referees have to stop Matt Hardy before he can attack Guevara further.
We hear from Thunder Rosa, who says that she is here to bring the women's division to the next level and take the AEW Women's World Championship from Hikaru Shida.
Ivelisse and Diamante beat The Nightmare Sisters (Brandi Rhodes and Allie) to win the Women's Tag Team Tournament. When presented with the Women's Tag Team Cup, Ivelisse and Diamante do away with the flowers and display the flags of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Next Thursday at 8 PM Eastern/7 PM Central on Dynamite: Chris Jericho returns to commentary! The Tag Team Gauntlet Match! Matt Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara in a Tables Match! A contract signing for MJF vs. Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at All Out! Big Swole vs. Reba, Penelope Ford and Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. in a 3-on-1 handicap match!
Brodie Lee decimates "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes from start to finish to become the AEW TNT Champion! After the match, members of the production crew check on Cody while The Dark Order show up to celebrate. Tony Schiavone interviews Brodie Lee, who says that nobody believed in him or The Dark Order, then says he is now a problem for AEW. He says that with the TNT Championship comes the power and the say-so, and that The Dark Order is at the top as Cody is helped onto a board. Brodie Lee says that executives like Schiavone gave him no chance and kept him down, and when he got the chance, he knocked it out of the park. Brodie Lee then tells Schiavone to get out of the ring as Cody is placed on a stretcher. Cody gives the thumbs up, then The Dark Order approach Cody and "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson. When Anderson fights off The Dark Order, The Dark Order attacks Anderson and surround Cody's stretcher, then topple Cody off the side as they harass referees and security. Brodie Lee then hits Cody in the head with a black bag with what seems to be a metal object inside, then lifts the TNT Championship up while The Dark Order bring out QT Marshall and "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes. Brandi Rhodes gets on top of Cody to protect her, but Brodie Lee sics Anna Jay on Brandi, and Anna Jay chokes Brandi out in a rear naked choke. Brodie Lee then pours the contents of the black bag out: the old, unfinished version of the AEW TNT Championship, which is now broken and what Brodie Lee declares is now Cody's while the newer, finished TNT title is now his.
Here are the top five moments from tonight's show!
In footage from earlier today, General Manager William Regal reminds Pat McAfee that his match with Adam Cole tonight is strictly one-on-one.
Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) beat the team of Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch and Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza) in a Triple Threat tag team match to become #1 contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Finn Balor beats Timothy Thatcher.
Bayley and Sasha Banks are seen in the crowd.
Damian Priest beats Johnny Gargano, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes and Velveteen Dream in a Ladder Match to become the NXT North American Champion!
Before the next match, Pat McAfee says he has kicked off Super Bowls and sold out stadiums across the country, then says he will end the match with one kick from "the strongest leg in the history of humanity."
Adam Cole beats Pat McAfee.
Io Shirai retains the NXT Women's Championship against Dakota Kai. During the match, Dakota nearly whips Shirai into the referee, then inadvertently boots the referee in the face. Despite interference by Raquel Gonzalez as the referee is down, Shirai is able to retain the title. After the match, Gonzalez attacks Io Shirai, but Rhea Ripley runs into the ring and has a staredown with Gonzalez. Gonzalez then leaves with Dakota Kai.
NXT UK returns September 17th!
Tommaso Ciampa returns next Wednesday!
Cesaro is seen in the crowd.
Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Damian Priest, who spends some time with two women in a hot tub and a few bottles of champagne.
Karrion Kross beats Keith Lee to win the NXT Championship!
Backstage, ring announcer Melissa Santos is putting on her make-up when El Dragon Azteca Jr. shows up and asks her how she is holding up. Melissa says she is doing great, but he asks her to be honest as he knows she misses Fenix. Melissa admits she misses Fenix, then El Dragon Azteca Jr. places the pendant around Melissa's neck before saying she is keeping Fenix alive and well, for the more she grieves, the more she had loved. He tells her that she gave Fenix's life meaning, as he was lucky to have her. Melissa says she is lucky to have El Dragon Azteca Jr., and says that he is a great friend. Melissa then heads to the ring.
Famous B is seen in the crowd, having recovered from his injuries at the hand of "The Savage" Jake Strong.
Before the next match, Catrina demands that ring announcer Melissa Santos introduce her, and calls her a bitch. Melissa says "No!" right to her face, which leads to Catrina ramming Melissa's face into the steel cage wall before ramming her into a mat following the Kiss of Death and smashing a flower vase into the back of her head.
Mil Muertes beats The Mack in a Haunted House Match with a Flatliner off the top rope into a table. At the beginning of the match, it is announced that ring announcer Melissa Santos has been taken to a local medical facility following Catrina's attack on her. After the match, Catrina simply says "no" to Mil Muertes.
Famous B thanks everyone for calling him at (423) GET-FAME and wishing him a speedy recovery. He says it took seven screws and three surgeries, but he will be as good as new soon. He also announces that he will introduce the next match since Melissa Santos is not here, and unlike Melissa, he will never leave anybody again. He then reads the card for the introduction, and is immediately mortified when he finds out that Jake Strong is in the next match.
"The Savage" Jake Strong beats Aerostar with the ankle lock. After the match, Strong refuses to let go of the ankle lock until Drago shows up and swings his nunchaku, forcing Strong to retreat.
Backstage, The Worldwide Underground throw a marriage party. Taya and Mundo get a couples coupon to the Slamtown Resort and Spa as well as a picture of Mundo holding the Lucha Underground Championship, but when Mundo looks at at the piture, he becomes sad as it reminds him of how he lost the title. Taya tells Mundo that she has talked to Cueto and taht one week after the wedding, Mundo will face whoever is champion for the title. Mundo thanks Taya, he takes Taya's hand in marriage, and the week after, he will take back the Lucha Underground title. Meanwhile, Johnny Mundo's agent Benjamin shows up, but Ricky Mundo is in his way. Benjamin says he is useful to Mundo and helped his career, while Ricky is useless to Mundo and hps no one, hence why Ricky is the doorman. When Rosa tells Ricky he can't talk to him this way and to show him how useful he can really be, Ricky allows Benjamin in, but hands him what looks like a fountain pen before stabbing him with it. Meanwhile, the party goes on as normal while Ricky Mundo has a psychotic smile on his blood-splattered face and Rosa laughs.
Pentagon Dark retains the Lucha Underground Championship in a Last Man or Machine Standing Match against Cage.
Bianca Belair - now back from injury - beats Deonna Purrazzo, who has now returned to NXT after having left Ring of Honor.
In footage from after NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, Velveteen Dream places a crown on top of Cathy Kelley, calls her "Queen Cathy," then asks what she is doing Wednesday night. He then tells Cathy that on Wednesday, she can find out what he is doing just like everyone else on the WWE Network by watching NXT. Meanwhile, Mike Rome interviews Ethan Carter III. EC3 says that he and Dream are two different personalities looking for the same thing, and Dream was the better man. He says he is looking for victory after victory, and though he has been defeated time and time again, it is not over for him until he wins. EC3, when asked about the attack on Aleister Black, says he say a lot of things, but the one thing that he has realized is that "a 6'5", 300 lb. monster with a busted up jaw was standing right there, sticking out like a sore thumb." EC3 feels he has reason to believe that Lars Sullivan might have had reason to attack Aleister Black that night after Aleister broke his jaw.
In footage from after NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, Ricochet says that 15 years of hard work paid off, and Adam Cole's run has just run out. Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly confront Ricochet, but Pete Dunne shows up and shuts them up. Ricochet thanks Dunne, but Dunne says he is just a guy who hates them and that Ricochet is holding a piece of gold he wants.
Security camera footage of the attack on Aleister Black has been released, and it has been revealed that Nikki Cross was standing on a rooftop as the attack happened.
We get a closer look at Zack Gibson, who will face Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship later tonight.
In post-match backstage footage from NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler says that Kairi Sane's skill did not win her the match, and that she lost even though she is the better fighter. She and her friends "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke then leave.
Next week: The Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly) vs. Ricochet and Pete Dunne!
Pete Dunne retains the WWE United Kingdom Championship against Zack Gibson after Gibson nearly throws Dunne's mouth piece into the crowd only to be stopped by Dunne, who pulls at his fingers and hits the Bitter End to retain.
Before the next match, Drew Gulak introduces "The Premiere Athlete" Tony Nese as a man who shares his beliefs in a better 205 Live. After the match, Tony Nese asks where Brooklyn, New York is at. He then says the town of Brooklyn is never at the gym. Nese says the whole of Brooklyn does not look like him, as he is what a premiere athlete looks like.
Cedric Alexander and Gran Metalik beat "The Premiere Athlete" Tony Nese and Drew Gulak in a tag team rematch.
Titus O'Neil and Akira Tozawa are in the locker room. Titus wishes Tozawa waited a little bit before going for the championship rematch, but Tozawa says he is ready to take the WWE Cruiserweight title back.
The ring now houses a table with a black table dressing, and on the table is a variety of weapons for a Gentleman's Duel. "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher shows up. Gallagher says we all have that person who pushes our buttons. His person is The Brian Kendrick. This led to a Gentleman's Duel. Gallagher admits that neither he or Kendrick have been gentlemen, but at the same time, Kendrick has soundly mocked him. Gallagher says that he may have been too much of a gentleman, and that there are some people in life you just have to knock out. Suddenly, Kendrick appears on the TitanTron. He calls Gallagher "pathetic" for "surrounding himself with toys and props." Kendrick says Gallagher is proving him right when he says that Gallagher is a clown. Kendrick says he is a fighter, not a clown, and only clowns duel. He then sends out a suitable opponent. A circus clown shows up and pulls out a rope of handkerchiefs, then gets in the ring. The clown then makes fun of Gallagher, and squirts water out of his flower. The clown then takes off a glove as the crowd chants "Kill the clown." The clown then slaps Gallagher with the glove. Gallagher has had enough after this, and headbutts him before clearing the table. As Gallagher prepares to put the clown through the table, Kendrick comes out of the crowd, enters the ring and hits Gallagher with the umbrella. Kendrick then powerbombs Gallagher through the table, and tells Gallagher that they both beat up a clown tonight. He says that Gallagher has said before that he belongs here, and wants to see if Gallagher can prove it. He challenges Gallagher to a no-disqualification match next week.
Rich Swann talks to TJP backstage. TJP says he was scrapped from last week's match because he hurt his leg when he beat him last time. TJP says he did not expect last week's match between Swann and Ariya Daivari to play out like it did. He knows that Swann is salty to losing to him two weeks ago, and feels they have taken this too far. He says that he is injured, and tells Swann that he should focus on Ariya Daivari and get his win back so he can get back to focusing on beating him when he comes back. Swann agrees, and tells TJP to focus on his recovery.
Neville retains the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa. After the match, Neville mocks the crowd for wanting Tozawa to win the Cruiserweight title and calls Tozawa's reign pathetic. Suddenly, Enzo Amore shows up, and announces that 205 Live became the realest show in the room. Neville drops his microphone and walks away, but Enzo Amore says that if Neville calls him is a king, he's S-A-W-F-T.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up to start tonight's show. He welcomes everyone to the show, and says he is still the United States Champion. He has said before that he is the workhorse of the WWE, and says that won't change tonight as he is issuing an open challenge for the title and it starts...right...now. Kevin Owens shows up, but Styles says he beat him at SummerSlam and that they are done. Owens says Styles did not beat him, and says Commissioner Shane McMahon screwed him out of the title and that Styles cannot take credit for the win. Shane McMahon shows up, and tells Owens he did what he said he was going to do and that AJ Styles won fair and square. Owens complains about how Shane did not count his pinfall after he powerbombed Styles, then shows footage of said pinfall on the TitanTron and asks Shane if he clearly saw what was going on. Shane says that Styles foot was on the rope, and that he called it off as soon as he noticed it. Owens tells Shane that he is focused on the wrong body part, but Shane still has to explain it to him. Styles tells both of them to shut up, and Owens asks Styles if he does not like the truth. Styles then tells it like it is to Owens and says he doesn't like a whiny little bitch like him, and if he wants his US title rematch against him tonight, he can have it. Shane makes it official, but Owens wants more. He wants to be the person to pick the referee for this match. Shane is hesitant, but Styles says he is okay with this, as Owens will still lose regardless. Shane then adds another caveat: if Owens loses tonight, he cannot challenge for the title again for as long as Styles is United States Champion.
The Singh Brothers (Sunil and Samir Singh) clap for General Manager Daniel Bryan and bring out Jinder Mahal, who puts himself on a pedestal and paints himself as a hero who brings value and success to the blue brand. Daniel Bryan calls out Jinder Mahal for not being able to retain the WWE Championship without the help of The Singh Brothers, and as Jinder Mahal yells at D-Bry for painting him as a villain and being xenophobic, Daniel Bryan says that "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura deserves some retribution tonight. Jinder does not want to wrestle, but Daniel Bryan says he doesn't have to. Instead of getting a match against Jinder, Nakamura gets a match against The Singh Brothers.
Kevin Owens finds Sami Zayn backstage. He asks Sami to be the special guest referee in his match against AJ Styles for the WWE United States Championship tonight, as he is the one that he trusts the most even after all that they have done to each other. Sami Zayn says that he has been watching his DVD lately, and says that he has forgotten what they have been fighting over, and that they should probably stop fighting each other now. Kevin Owens agrees. He says that Sami hasn't been doing much since coming over to SmackDown Live, but says that Sami Zayn can do something that matters tonight. He gives Sami Zayn enough time to think it over.
Aiden English sings...but he is interrupted by former NXT Champion Bobby Roode in glorious fashion.
Bobby Roode beats Aiden English. After the match, Renee Young interviews Bobby Roode, who thanks Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan for breaking the bank and cashing in on him. He then says that everyone will find out soon enough that everything he has touched has become box office, and that SmackDown Live just went from good to glorious.
General Manager Daniel Bryan talks to Chad Gable backstage. Gable says he is worried about his future, but all anyone wants to talk to him about is Jason Jordan suddenly going solo and heading to Raw. D-Bry says he is worried about Gable's future, too, and says that in exchange for transferring Jason Jordan to Raw, he has to bring in one of Angle's old friends, whom he says will make a great new tag team partner for Gable. In walks The Gold Standard, Shelton Benjamin, whom Gable is a big fan of. Daniel Bryan tells them that their first match as a unit will be next week. Gable cannot wait.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are abckstage, and Owens hands Sami a referee's shirt. Sami says that he has thought about it and looked back at all that Kevin Owens has done to him, and knows that Owens needs help. He tells him he hopes he can get it, as he will not be the special guest referee in his match tonight before tossing the shirt into his face.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) beat The Hype Bros (Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley). After the match, The Usos make it clear that they are dominating the blue brand's tag team division, which will soon feel what The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) felt on Sunday.
Jider Mahal watches the next match from ringside.
"The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura beats The Singh Brothers (Sunil and Samir Singh) with a Triangle Hold from the top rope. After the match, Nakamura is blindsided by Jinder Mahal, but Nakamura hits the Kinshasa.
Backstage, Kevin Owens is confronted by Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango), who offer to be his referees. Owens screams "No!" and tells them to go. Suddenly, he is approached from behind by Baron Corbin, who is willing to be the special guest referee for his United States title match against "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles if he gets first dibs at the title if he wins. Kevin Owens says it's when, not if, and tells him he has a deal. Baron Corbin becomes the special guest referee for the WWE United States Championship match between "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Kevin Owens later on tonight.
Before the next match, Natalya says that SummerSlam will be known as the night that "The Glow" was unplugged, and that she proved she is the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. She tells Naomi to wipe th etears from her eyes and take a long look at what a real champion looks like, as she is now and forever SmackDown Women's Champion. She promises to restore honor to the title as it is not Glow Time...it's her time. Carmella and James Ellsworth congratulate Natalya - with Ellsworth doing it rather sarcastically by saying it took her a billion years and that she actually won something unlike the people of Brooklyn, New York, but Caremlla remind her that she is on her time as well as borrowed time. Carmella says she let Natalya have her SummerSlam moment, but it will only be a matter of time before she cashes in. James Ellsworth says Carmella might as well cash in the Money In The Bank contract tonight, and make it a 3-on-1 match where Natalya is left to her own devices.
Naomi and Becky Lynch beat Carmella and Natalya after Carmella leaves Natalya high and dry.
Kayla Braxton interviews a returning Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler says he is excited to be back...in a backstage interview. As he was gone, he watched a lot of WWE TV. He says he has figured it out, and says he will start singing, playing guitar, and rap. He plans to make himself look as bombastic as possible by combining every present day WWE gimmick ever...next week.
Lana meets with Tamina. The journey begins next week. This week is time to focus and realize "why we want this and need this." Lana asks Tamina to remember the feeling of being way too different for the locker room, as they are different. She tells Tamina to take the feelings from that and let them fester until they boil over into anger. Lana says she sees the anger. Next week, the reign of terror begins, and they will not stop until Tamina is champion. Lana says that Tamina will soon become the most feared woman on SmackDown Live.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles meets with Baron Corbin, who says he has made a deal with Kevin Owens and that has first dibs on the United States title if Kevin Owens wins. Styles says that when he retains, there will be an open challenge. If he wants a shot, he had better answer it. Corbin tells Styles he will see him out there in the ring.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles retains the WWE United States Championship against Kevin Owens in a match with Baron Corbin as special guest referee. During the match, Styles gets Owens in the Calf Crusher and keeps Owens away from the ropes, but Corbin breaks the hold, saying Owens touched the bottom rope. Owens pushes Styles in to Corbin, who pushes Styles into an Owens schoolboy pin. After a fast count attempt, Styles kicks out but Owens goes for another schoolboy that Styles kicks out of. After a double clothesline where both men are down, Shane McMahon shows up and argues with Baron Corbin. Owens hits Styles with a low blow, and when Corbin counts the pinfall, Shane drags Corbin out of the ring, as he saw the low blow. Corbin tells Shane that if he wants to be the referee, he can have the shirt. He tosses the shirt at him and walks off. Shane fills the role of referee and referees from that point on. Styles hits the Phenomenal Forearm, and Shane makes the three-count that allows Styles to retain the United States Championship. As per pre-match stipulation, Kevin Owens can no longer challenge for the WWE United States Championship for as long as "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles is WWE United States Champion.
It is announced at the beginning of the pre-show that Finn Balor will be out for six months due to a shoulder injury caused by Seth Rollins powerbombing him into the barricade last night at SummerSlam; therefore, the WWE Universal Championship will be relinquished.
It is reported on the pre-show that Randy Orton had to receive ten staples to close the laceration on his head from his match against Brock Lesnar.
Rusev and Lana are interviewed via Skype. Rusev says he thought he heard the bell ring, which is why he went after Roman Reigns, and stopped when he found out it was not. Lana says she will never accept Roman's apology after he called her a "Russian mail-order bride." Rusev and Lana not only ask that Roman Reigns be suspended for hitting Rusev with a steel chair, but also note the irony that Roman's wife is half-Russian.
Andrea D'Marco interviewed Charlotte after SummerSlam. Charlotte says she proved she can get it done without her dad, especially in a tough town such as Brooklyn.
It is reported on the pre-show that The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) will be retiring after tonight.
After SummerSlam, Jeri-KO (Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens) gloat that they ruined Enzo Amore and Big Cass' homecoming just like they said they would.
The show starts with the announcement of Finn Balor's injury.
Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and Raw General Manager Mick Foley are in the ring to start the show, and they introduce Finn Balor to the ring. Finn shows up with a cast on his right arm. The crowd chants "You deserve it!" to Finn. Finn Balor calls the Universal title "a lifetime of sacrifice," and proof that if you believe in yourself, you can achieve absolutely anything. Last night, he pulled off the impossible and became the first Universal Champion, but alludes to his shoulder injury when he says there was a sacrifice. He thanks all the WWE Superstars and staff, especially Seth Rollins, who gave him the match of his life. He then thanks the fans, who chant "Thank you, Finn!" before Finn says he should be thanking the fans. He then says that when he comes back, the Universal title is the first thing he's coming for. He then hands the title over to Mick Foley, who lifts Finn's left arm into the air. As Finn Balor leaves, Seth Rollins arrives, not caring at all that he injured Finn. He says it's a shame Finn is injured, but then calls himself the true winner at SummerSlam, and says he should be the champion. Suddenly, Sami Zayn shows up, followed by Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, Enzo Amore, Big Cass and Roman Reigns. Mick Foley says that all seven men are worthy of a shot at the Universal title, and says there will be a series of matches that will culminate in a new Universal Champion. Stephanie announces that Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn will start it all over. As everyone else leaves the ring, Sami Zayn is distracted by Kevin Owens, allowing Seth Rollins to attack Sami from behind.
We get a look at Sami Zayn courtesy of Mercury Insurance.
Seth Rollins beats Sami Zayn after Sami injures his right ankle to advance to the next round of the Universal title series.
Kevin Owens beats Neville to advance to the next round of the Universal title series after Chris Jericho distracts Neville.
We get an announcement from Mick Foley stating that the WWE Universal Championship match next week will be a Fatal 4-Way Match.
Before the next match, Big E announces his return along with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. The New Day (Kofi, Big E, Xavier) then announce that they have been WWE Tag Team Champions for one calendar year. They thank the fans for making The New Day what it is now, and Xavier Woods announce he has a unicorn pinata filled with Booty-O's. Before they can break it open, however, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson show up, calling the whole affair and the crowd stupid, saying there is nothing to celebrate because The New Day lost last night, and demand a tag team title rematch. Anderson calls Big E "the stupidest" and ask if he enjoyed the Magic Killer they gave him. They promise to take the tag titles from them, as well as decimate The New Day, starting with Big E. Big E says he's going to prove why The New Day rocks.
Big E beats Karl Anderson after Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods take down Luke Gallows.
We look back at The Dudley Boyz' (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) debut in WWE on the September 2, 1999 episode of SmackDown as it is announced that The Dudley Boyz are saying goodbye.
Before the next match, Titus O'Neil reminds us that he and Darren Young held the tag team titles as The Prime Time Players before The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) held them, and that he is asked if that is the worst day of his life every time he shows up in Brooklyn. He says it's the best day of his life because he dropped the dead weight that is Darren Young. He says Darren wouldn't be relevant if it wasn't for him, says he would be Universal champ if it weren't for Darren, and blames all his failures on him. He calls Darren Young out so he can bury him and be done with him. When he doesn't show up, he says that Bob Backlund is keeping him from getting in the ring, then proceeds to mock Backlund. Backlund runs in and almost puts him in the Crossface Chicken Wing, but Titus puts him out. Darren Young rushes in to save Backlund, but Titus hits him with a Clash of the Titus.
Tom Phillips interviews Stephanie McMahon concerning Brock Lesnar. She says that Lesnar crossed a line attacking SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon last night, and that there will be repercussions.
Before the next match, Big Cass tells Rusev he will finish the job Roman Reigns started last night after he and Enzo Amore wonder where "The Bulg Area" is.
Big Cass beats Rusev - who now has taped ribs thanks to Roman Reigns - by count-out to advance to the Universal Championship Fatal 4-Way Match along with Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens.
Tom Phillips interviews Jeri-KO (Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens). It becomes clear that Jeri-KO haven't thought about the prospect that both of them will be facing each other for the WWE Universal Championship if Jericho beats Roman Reigns after both of them say they would make a great champ.
Charlotte and Dana Brooke show up. Dana chants that Charlotte deserves the Women's title, and Charlotte agrees. She says that the WWE Universe can forget about Sasha Banks, as her back injury proved she can't carry the Raw Women's Division. She says Sasha will never take back her title, and tells Sasha not to come back to Raw. Raw General Manager Mick Foley shows up and congratulates Charlotte for raising the bar last night, and says Sasha will come back for the Women's title. Charlotte says she'll break Sasha's back again, and says there is nobody left, but Foley says that he and Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon have a signed a new member of the Raw Women's Division: Bayley. Bayley can't believe that this is happening, and thanks Mick Foley for the opportunity before sealing the deal with a hug. Charlotte is unimpressed, saying Bayley was left behind in NXT during the Women's Revolution for a reason. Bayley says she'd never upstage Charlotte, but she's here to challenge her for the Women's Championship. Charlotte tells her to get in line, and tells here to fight Dana Brooke instead, much to Dana's reluctance. Foley makes the match official...and it happens next.
Bayley beats Dana Brooke in her Raw debut.
Tom Phillips interviews Roman Reigns. He makes it short and sweet when he says he's going to beat Jericho tonight.
The Cruiserweight Division is coming to Raw on September 19th!
Andrea D'Marco interviews Sheamus, who says that Cesaro is overhyped and has underdelivered, and unlike New York sports teams, he's going to be a winner.
Byron Saxton interviews Braun Strowman's opponent for tonight, Johnny Knockout. He says he's facing Strowman because he likes big, sweaty men.
Braun Strowman beats Johnny Knockout. After the match, Strowman attacks Knockout again and tells the ref to count to three again.
We look back to last year, when The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) returned and laid waste to The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) the night after SummerSlam.
The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) show up to say goodbye to the WWE and retire. Bubba says he doesn't usually get emotional, but tonight might be a little bit different. He then talks about their return to the WWE last year, and while people sometimes loved them and people sometimes hated them, in the end they always respected them as they busted their asses for twenty years. D-Von says it's been one hell of a career, as they've made a lot of history, especially with The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) and Edge & Christian. D-Von says the WWE is their home and always will be, and Bubba Ray thanks the fans before saying that it's hard to go out on your own terms in the wrestling business. Suddenly, The Shining Stars (Primo and Epico) show up says that since The Dudley Boyz are leaving, they want to get them a going-away present: a pair of economy-class tickets to Puerto Rico, which the both of them put on a pedestal. Not surprisingly, they get a beating, and after Epico is hit with a 3D, Primo almost gets put through a table, but Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson attack The Dudley Boyz, hitting Bubba with a Magic Killer outside of the ring before putting D-Von through a table with one.
Despite a bad eye and interference from Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns beats Chris Jericho to move on to the Universal Championship Fatal 4-Way Match next week.
