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.
Kassius Ohno beats Aiden English in English's first recorded match in eight months.
Harper beats Dominik Dijakovic in his first match in five months and since undergoing wrist surgery. After the match, both men shake hands.
The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) beat SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain), then continue to attack Killian Dain until Eric Young fights them off.
The show starts with The Kevin Owens Show. Tonight's guests are Randy Orton, who shows up first, and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, who shows up afterwards. Both men sit at the table, and Orton says he is proud of what he did last week as he saved the fans from a broken-down old man from beating a man who still thinks he is at the top of the game. Styles says Orton has learned only one move despite hanging out with legends. Orton says that when you have a move that deadly, you only need one, but Styles would not understand. He then states that Styles only thinks he had it so hard - as well as "indie guys" in general - while he was in WrestleMania. Styles says that Orton was also getting suspended for positive drug tests during that time. Orton tells Styles that if he was good as he thinks he is, he would have been in WWE a long time ago. He also states that Styles' legacy will not be his hard work paying off, but assuming the role of "corporate bitch" now that John Cena has headed to Hollywood. Kevin Owens leaves, then Orton and Styles have a stand-off. The stand-off quickly becomes a brawl, and a Phenomenal Forearm is countered into an RKO.
Aleister Black, Ricochet and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev and The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro). After the match, Alexa Bliss shows up and says while a lot has changed since she left SmackDown Live, the brand has lost its spirit of competition, and cites The Usos forfeiting in last week's tag team gauntlet match as an example. She then announces that The Usos will defend the SmackDown tag team titles against all the teams they just shared the ring with in a Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match at Wrestlemania. All four teams then brawl, and Ricochet and Aleister Black are the last team standing.
The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) show up. Billie Kay says the state of the tag teams at WrestleMania is great, especially since they can pin anybody in their match to become Women's Tag Team Champions. Peyton says it is a no-brainer that they will win the Women's tag team titles and make WrestleMania IIconic.
It is announced that Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake is in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
Before the next match, The Miz says that WrestleMania is about a lot of things for another people. While Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey are making history and Kofi Kingston is trying to break through, he is looking for retribution. He says that he stands at the best version of himself because of family, and tells his wife Maryse and daughter Monroe Sky that he loves them and is proud of them, and that he fights with a full heart. He states that his match with Shane McMahon cannot be contained, which is why he asked for a Falls Count Anywhere match, and that at WrestleMania, he will beat Shane anywhere and everywhere. After what Shane did to him, he fights not for his father's approval, but for his honor. He then says Shane has a dad, which makes Shane a "son of a bitch." After SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) shows up, Shane McMahon shows up before the next match starts, Shane says he is here to get a more personal look, then demands ring announcer Greg Hamilton introduce him as "the best in the world."
The Miz beats SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) in a 1-on-3 handicap match. During the match, Shane McMahon changes the rule of the match to Falls Count Anywhere, then puts up a shot of himself attacking The Miz's dad on the TitanTron. Miz gets the win after ramming a crate into Eric Young's head. After the match, Shane McMahon pulls out of the parking lot in a nearby SUV. A police car then shows up, and Becky Lynch is seen coming out of the back.
We look back at The Hardy Boyz' (Jeff and Matt Hardy) return at WrestleMania 33, courtesy of Snickers.
Corey Graves is in the ring. After announcing that "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair has been released from jail on their own recognizance, he then introduces Becky Lynch. Becky takes the microphone and stands on the commentary table, and says it's good to be free, then says her mugshot shirt aged well before talking about how much has changed in the last year. She says that the strike to Charlotte Flair's face at SummerSlam changed everything, and after fighting her way back into title contention at this year's WrestleMania, she is now part of the main event. Becky proclaims that her revolution, which she calls "the real revolution," will explode when she becomes a double champion and the champion she always knew that she was.
The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy), Heavy Machinery (Tucker and Otis), R-Truth, Naomi, Asuka, Nikki Cross and Carmella vs. Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson), Andrade, EC3, Shelton Benjamin, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Zelina Vega and Lana ends in a no-contest after the match becomes an impromptu battle royal. Lacey Evans shows up to walk up and down the ramp early in the match.
Samoa Joe beats Mustafa Ali - now known as just Ali - with the Coaquina Clutch.
"The New" Daniel Bryan and Rowan show up, and Michael Cole moderates the contract signing for Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Cole introduces Kofi, who shows up with Xavier Woods and Big E. As the crowd chants for Kofi, Daniel Bryan signs the contract, then says he is not here to stop Kofi from signing the contract; instead, he is here to educate the masses like he has all along. He tells the fans not to become complacent much like Kofi has become complacent, as good is not good enough after 11 years and a little success is not successful enough. He also tells the fans not to be bystanders in their own lives like Kofi has, and wait on the sidelines for others to push them to the top much like Woods and Big E have for Kofi. Daniel then tells Kofi not to mistake a fad for reality, as he has been in Kofi's shoes and the way that the fans chanted "Yes!" for him is the same way they chant for Kofi. He tells Kofi that the fans feed off him, not the other way around, for they are parasites. He says that the fans need Kofi to fulfill any fantasy in their lives, and then dispose of him when they are done, then tells Kofi to suck this all in for this is the best it will be. Kofi gets angry and tells Daniel Bryan to shut up while he educates him, and says the more he hears Daniel talk, the more he realizes Daniel knows nothing about him. Kofi tells Daniel that he has seen him rise to where he is in WWE, and says that everything has led to this moment and that he can see that Daniel knows he is ready. He then says the only thing they have in common to this story is that Daniel knows what this situation feels like and that he is scared because he knows what comes next: Kofi beating him to become WWE Champion. Kofi then signs the contract to end the show.
R-Truth - dressed as "Truthy Claus" - and Carmella - or "Carm-elf-a" - show up to hand presents to the fans to start tonight's show. R-Truth welcomes everyone to tonight's show in Santa character, and says he and Carmella had to stop at SmackDown Live to rest the reindeer. As R-Truth names off all the reindeer - who are named after Jackson family members - Carmella stops everything for a seven-second Christmas carol break that is immediately spoiled by "The New" Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan accepts that he has to be away from family to be in "this cesspool," and refuses to legitimize "the farce that is Truthy Clause," who he says is not the real Santa before calling R-Truth and Carmella fickle. Daniel then says he will expose the real Santa Claus like he did "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, saying he is the origin of everyone's selfish desires that have cost the world half of the coral reefs on the planet and created "islands of misfit garbage" in the oceans. He also says that this gets the glaciers melting and the sea levels rising to the point that there will be no North Pole - or Santa - in twenty years. R-Truth calls Daniel "an angry little elf," and Daniel Bryan responds by calling R-Truth's career "a tired old joke." R-Truth warns Daniel Bryan that he is #30 in the Royal Rumble Match and that after he wins, he'll take the WWE Championship from him and become the last one laughing, assuming he is still champion at WrestleMania. Daniel asks R-Truth how he expects to win the Royal Rumble when he can't count to 30. R-Truth counts to seven and starts a seven-second dance break, which leads to an angry Daniel hitting R-Truth with the WWE Championship and going after his leg to lock in a heel hook. After the heel hook, Daniel stomps at R-Truth's head before locking the heel hook again until a referee tells him to stop.
Mustafa Ali beats Andrade "Cien" Almas.
In the locker room, Samoa Joe asks Jeff Hardy if he has enjoyed his Christmas, then says he is glad to see him in the ring, as he is concerned for Jeff and senses weakness, saying he has become Jeff's new addiction. He hopes to cure Jeff of his addiction and his fixation with him tonight, and tells him it is for his own good.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) perform guest commentary on their own commentary table for the next match.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) beat The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro) and SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain).
Backstage, The Brian Kendrick, Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander congratulate Mustafa Ali, who is then met by Shelton Benjamin, who welcomes him to the SmackDown Live roster. Suddenly, Mustafa Ali is attacked by "The New" Daniel Bryan, who tells Mustafa Ali that he does not deserve to be here. Mustafa's 205 Live contemporaries and some officials have to restore order.
It's time for Miz TV, and tonight's guest is Shane McMahon. Shane tells the fans that the McMahon family is now listening to the fans, and that this is now the company mandate. He promises new Superstars, new match-ups and new opportunities, but now the fans will shape the narrative and make it happen. The Miz proposes that Shane form a tag team with him, saying he proved he can tag team with anybody and be successful after last week, and explains he has begged Shane to be his tag team partner because he has never heard his own dad say he is proud of him during his career. He also explains that Miz's dad views Shane as a man without fear, and asks Shane to imagine being one-half of the best tag team in the world. With that in mind, he set out to make the tag team a reality. As he explains things, he feels that this tag team should be the fans' choice, not theirs, and asks the fans for their input. The fans almost universally agree, and Shane says that everything Miz said resonates with him. He tells Miz not to screw him, or else there will be major consequences, and decides to give the idea a shot.
We hear from Rusev and Lana. Rusev says today is a big day, not just because it is Christmas, but also because it is his birthday. He promises to beat Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship and make tonight the most complete Rusev Day ever.
Samoa Joe beats Jeff Hardy by disqualification when Jeff Hardy refuses to listen to the referee when the referee tells Jeff Hardy to back off as he stomps Samoa Joe repeatedly near the barricade. After the match, Jeff Hardy continues to go after Samoa Joe, but Joe puts him out with the Coaquina Clutch.
Shinsuke Nakamura says the "Total Diva" Rusev has been asking for gold, but Rusev has been naughty this year, and all that he is getting is a knee to the face.
Next week: The New Day's (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) New Year's Celebration! John Cena returns to SmackDown Live!
Backstage, Jimmy Uso is suddenly met by Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville underneath some mistletoe while looking for Naomi. Naomi chases them away after throwing a shoe at them before she and Jimmy share a kiss.
Rusev beats Shinsuke Nakamura to become the WWE United States Champion!
Backstage, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles is met by Vince McMahon, who asks why Styles is not competing in the house that he built tonight before telling him he wants to see a different side of him and to harness the animal within him that is eating him alive due to "The New" Daniel Bryan. Vince slaps Styles, saying he wants to see that animal, then referees and officials rush in to get Styles away from Vince when Styles slaps Vince back. When asked if he is all right, Vince says "Yeah...I think I'm good."
Renee Young interviews Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan in the ring to start tonight's show. After footage from Daniel Bryan's match from last week is show, we see footage from earlier today where The Miz and Maryse announce from an empty arena that they will finish what they started last week. Miz says they are doing this to save them the embarrassment of being beaten up by million, and Maryse calls Brie and Daniel Bryan not showing up an act of cowardice before she and Miz drop their microphones. Daniel Bryan calls this a perfect encapsulation of Miz and Maryse as people, and instead of the "it couple," they are nothing more than a couple of cowards. Brie says cowards talk, and that it is clear that this will not wait until Hell In A Cell. Daniel says this is the time to fight, and Brie calls Miz and Maryse out. Renee Young tells them that Miz and Maryse were here in the building, but not anymore. Instead, Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega show up. Zelina says Brie and Daniel are crying in the ring about how unfair their lives are in the ring again, and thanks Renee for replaying the footage from last week. Almas then says it is now 1-1 between him and Daniel Bryan, and he is ready to do this again. Zelina says Almas is full of surprises, and that he wants to finish what he started right now.
Daniel Bryan beats Andrade "Cien" Almas. After the match, Brie Bella knocks Zelina Vega down and knees her on the ropes. Then, The Miz and Maryse show up on the TitanTron, hoping that Brie and Daniel are having a beautiful evening. Miz says they are taking the night off to dine in an Italian restaurant alone. Miz says that Brie and Daniel will have to wait until Hell In A Cell to become embarrassed again.
Mixed Match Challenge returns on September 18th!
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interview Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella, who are evidently heading to the Italian restaurant The Miz and Maryse are at to attack them.
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are interviewed in separate rooms. Charlotte says she won the SmackDown women's title, but lost her best friend. She feels Becky deserves it, but she could not just lie down for her. Becky asks if Charlotte is done, or if she wants more time in her spotlight. Charlotte says she is not in a shadow - Becky is - and that she viewed her as an equal. She says that all Becky had to do was ask, but Becky says she is no charity case. Becky says she is done playing; now, she is taking. She says it was "a full-time job" being Charlotte's friend, and the only thing she cares about is taking the top spot where she belongs, and she does not care what she has to do to get there. Charlotte says she is finally happy to see "the straight fire" she has had for some time, but in two weeks, she will not see a friend. She says that she was never second-best as a friend, but in the ring, she is second-best. Becky Lynch says Charlotte is delusional and tells Charlotte to shine the belt up, because after two weeks, she will never see it again.
Before the next match, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) mock Naomi again, saying that being beaten up by them is her favorite thing in the world. After Billie and Peyton argue over exactly whom, they make a "Naomi" joke with "no, me."
Naomi beats Peyton Royce with a sunset flip off the apron. After the match, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) gang up on Naomi, but the beatdown stops when Asuka shows up. Asuka runs to the ring and makes quick work of The IIconics. Afterwards, Asuka helps Naomi up at ringside.
We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton at Hell In A Cell from Jeff Hardy's point of view.
Backstage, General Manager Paige is met by The Miz and Maryse. The Miz say they cut their restaurant visit short. Paige tells them that Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella left, but with The Miz coming back, he is now in a match against anyone who wants to face him. The Miz does not want the match, and The Miz says he and Maryse are leaving. Paige tells them to go ahead and leave, but if they leave, they had better not come back.
Backstage, R-Truth confronts Maryse, thinking she is Carmella. Maryse is shocked that R-Truth would confuse her for "Staten Island trash." Miz shows up and tells R-Truth not to talk to his wife again, but R-Truth can't figure out that he's not talking to Carmella. The Miz brings up their time as The Awesome Truth and says that was the last time R-Truth was relevant. R-Truth says he does not know what Carmella (who is really Maryse) sees in him, then leaves. The Miz and Maryse are confused.
Samoa Joe shows up. Joe calls for "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles' wife Wendy, and says that with Styles not currently in the back, the Styles family is taking his threats seriously. He says that Styles' family is probably in the living room, with Styles waiting for him with a baseball bat. Joe then tells Wendy that he is not a monster or the man that she thinks he is, and says he only said what he said last week to keep a promise to her. He says he has sent her absentee husband back home to his family and forced Styles to care about her. He also says his actions have forced Styles to spend time with his family, and tells AJ's son Andy to enjoy his father tucking him in and keeping him safe as there will be more nights just like that. Joe says that at Hell In A Cell, he will take the WWE Championship from Styles and put him to sleep. Suddenly, Styles is on the TitanTron, and he confronts Joe for threatening his family, saying that is when the talking stops. After this, Styles shows up, and he runs into the ring and brawls with Joe. Styles gets the upper hand at first, but Joe drags him out of the ring and throws him into the steel steps. He then grabs a steel chair, but Styles hits the Phenomenal Forearm off the steel steps. Styles then grabs the steel chair that Joe dropped, and Joe ducks and dodges as Styles swings at the ring post. Referees then show up to separate both men. This does not stop Styles from getting in the ring and hitting a springboard cross body on Joe. General Manager Paige shows up with more referees, telling him to save it for Hell In A Cell.
Backstage, R-Truth tells "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger that Carmella is somewhere. Suddenly, Dillinger and R-Truth finally find Carmella, but R-Truth has no idea that Carmella is Carmella until he asks her if she is Carmella. R-Truth proposes a truce, saying that Maryse called her "Staten Island trash." Carmella says that if Maryse wasn't married to The Miz, she would be bagging groceries in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dillinger asks what R-Truth is doing. R-Truth says he is getting into the main event of SmackDown Live, and that Dillinger could learn something from him.
We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton at Hell In A Cell from Randy Orton's point of view.
Rusev and Aiden English beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and SAnitY (Eric Young and Killian Dain) to face Sheamus and Cesaro next week to decide #1 contenders for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. After the match, Sheamus and Cesaro show up and stare down Rusev and Aiden English from the stage.
It is announced that Carmella will be accompanying R-Truth to the ring for his match against The Miz.
Before the next match, The Miz says that he still can't believe that he still has to tell everyone after eight years that he is superior to Daniel Bryan. We then see footage from last week of The Miz and Maryse attacking Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella. Miz says he and Maryse are sick of chasing Daniel and Brie all over the city, then tries to call them out. Maryse says they will not show up because they are afraid of them. He then asks who the coward is now, then says it is one thing to be a selfish pest and something completely different to involve their family. At Hell In A Cell, they will be responsible for what happens, but it will be Miz and Maryse's fault. When R-Truth heads to the ring, Carmella takes part in the call-and-response part of the chorus to Truth's entrance music.
R-Truth beats The Miz with a roll-up after The Miz is distracted by Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella showing up. After the match, Daniel Bryan goes after The Miz and puts him in the Yes! Lock, while Brie Bella gets Maryse on the ropes. Zelina Vega shows up and drags Brie out of the ring, and Andrade "Cien" Almas attacks Daniel Bryan. Almas and Zelina grab Daniel and Brie by the hair as The Miz and Maryse escape, but Daniel and Brie counter and put them both in Yes! Locks. The Miz runs to the ring, but falls down and backs away when Daniel and Brie let go of their holds in anticipation for another brawl.
Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Carmella show up to start tonight's show. Carmella says the only thing as absurd as General Manager Paige making her defend the SmackDown Women's Championship is Paige forcing her to be part of this face-to-face meeting. She is tired of Charlotte and Becky's face as well as being punished for being a great champion, then says life is good as the champion. She says that Becky Lynch does not stand a chance, and should go back to being a clown for a living as it is the one thing she does better than Charlotte. Becky admits that she doesn't want Charlotte in this match, and while she lost sleep over beating Carmella, she now has a new dream of beating Carmella and whupping Charlotte. Carmella laughs and asks Becky if she knows how hard it is to beat Charlotte, then says she beat her twice because she is fabulous, despite Charlotte's accolades in the WWE so far, to which Becky's pale in comparison. Charlotte tells Carmella the lies, cheating and manipulation end at SummerSlam, and knows that Carmella has to do anything and everything to hold on to the SmackDown Women's Championship, even going so far as bringing out James Ellsworth to retain against Asuka. Charlotte then calls Carmella "a diva living in a women's era." Carmella then admits she is a diva before saying she is damn proud of it, as she has something Becky and Charlotte will never have: beauty, fitness, charisma and a championship. Before things can get even more tense, however, Paige shows up. Paige says her job as General Manager is to create the best matches as possible for SummerSlam, and that Charlotte earned her spot at SummerSlam thanks to Carmella. She also says that all three women will steal the show at SummerSlam, just like they will tonight. Carmella is put on the commentary table, because talking is apparently what she does best, while Becky and Charlotte are placed in a tag team match against Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.
Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch beat Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville with a Dis-Arm-Her to Mandy Rose following a kick-out from an inside cradle. After the match, Carmella stands on the commentary table and raises up the SmackDown Women's Championship.
We hear from The Miz and Maryse, who plug Miz and Mrs. as the hottest show on USA Network in years before announcing that the show has picked up a second season halfway through the first one. They promise the second season will be even better than the first.
Backstage, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair congratulate each other on winning and wish each other good luck at SummerSlam.
The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) decimate The Triple Threat (none of whom are named) in destructive fashion before the bell rings for their three-on-two handicap match.
It is announced that the October 16th episode of SmackDown Live on October 16th in Washington, DC will be the 1000th episode of SmackDown.
We see the first of three parts of a video package chronicling the eight-year tiff between The Miz and Daniel Bryan, and focuses on their time in NXT. Here, The Miz calls Daniel Bryan a rookie who couldn't shut up and listen and Daniel Bryan calls The Miz an arrogant wrestler who tried to make him the next Miz.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) beat SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain).
We see the second of three parts of a video package chronicling the eight-year tiff between Daniel Bryan and The Miz, which chronicles their scathing confrontation on Talking Smack.
It is announced that The Miz and Maryse will be on Today on NBC on 10 AM Eastern.
Backstage, General Manager Paige meets with Samoa Joe, and demands that Joe be professional so that SummerSlam does not get ruined. Joe says he cannot be unpredictable while being professional, and says he will do what he wants when he wants it. He also proposes staying backstage and enjoying her work, then tells her to enjoy her night because he knows he will enjoy his.
Aiden English is in the ring. He sings that he will make amends to Rusev and Lana tonight and beat Andrade "Cien" Almas for Rusev Day.
Andrade "Cien" Almas beats Aiden English. After the match, Zelina Vega says that if the fans love catchy tunes and made-up holidays, then they should mark their calendars for this Sunday, as Rusev Day and Lana Day will come to an end as she will expose Lana as dead weight to Rusev. Suddenly, Lana and Rusev show up. Rusev says Almas and Vega act like they just won the Powerball, and says Almas' luck runs out on Sunday and Vega will learn why Lana is the best and number one. Lana says that together, she and Rusev will crush Almas and Vega, as SummerSlam will fall on Rusev Day.
Backstage, General Manager Paige is met by AJ Styles. She warns him to be professional so that SummerSlam isn't ruined. Styles says he made a promise to his wife, and he intends on keeping it, implying that he will comply.
We look back on the Independence Day food fight of 2016, courtesy of Popeyes Chicken.
We see the third of three parts of a video package chronicling the eight-year tiff between Daniel Bryan and The Miz, which focuses on Daniel Bryan's recent return to in-ring action and what has happened since.
Jeff Hardy beats Shelton Benjamin in his first match in a few weeks. After the match, "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura shows up, and after Jeff Hardy knocks Shelton Benjamin off the ring apron, Nakamura runs into the ring, takes Hardy down and nearly hits the Kinshasa only to fall victim to the Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb. Meanwhile, Randy Orton is seen hiding behind the stage area, watching Jeff Hardy.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up. Styles says that for almost twenty years, he has been able to travel the world and compete against the best, and he has learned a lot. He says there no more important a lesson learned than after he won the WWE Championship, as whoever wins it has a target on his back, and says that Samoa Joe got his number. He says it began when Joe blindsided him three weeks ago, and says that just when he thinks he knows Joe, he stabs him in the back and then in the heart by saying he put his career over his family. Styles says Joe got him to lose his cool and talk about something private and personal: his family. He felt that as a man, father and husband, he had to defend himself, and he became emotional and went into a dark place where he wanted to rip Joe's head off. When he got home, his wife Wendy told him he cannot lose his cool and that he must remain focused. Suddenly, Samoa Joe shows up. Joe pulls out a piece of paper from his jacket and says that what Styles is saying is just not true. He has nothing left to say to Styles, but he holds a letter from a fan and says that he thought Styles should hear it. The letter calls Joe's response to Styles "disgusting" and that it made the writer physically ill because what Joe says is true. The writer goes on to say that Styles never wanted children and probably never wanted a wife, either. The letter then says that Styles is great at being a champion because Styles will do anything to stay away form his family. The writer then hopes Joe wins so that Styles loses what is important to him, as they lost him a long ago. The writer of the letter is Wendy Styles.
The show begins with The Miz and Maryse entering the arena with their child Monroe Sky.
Randy Orton shows up. Orton says he has heard all the fans' theories for what he did to Jeff Hardy. He debunks all of them, and says he did it because of the fans. He says he has been a constant in WWE for the last 16 years, and everyone who has come and gone has sat at the table with him. He then says that despite that, he gets no respect despite learning from the best, paying his due in front of millions of people, and accomplishing everything there is to do in WWE. He says he started out as a legend killer, but says the true legend killer is the fans. Orton then says he will not let them win, for he is the legend and he promises to destroy every Superstar the fans put on a pedestal, starting with Jeff Hardy. When he is done with Jeff Hardy, he will never come back. He says that he will end Jeff's career, and while his career has been a great one, he will enjoy the part that he writes: the final chapter. He then says the fans can call him what they want, but they really just need to refer to him as RKO.
We look back at the announcement of WWE Evolution on last night's Raw.
Andrade "Cien" Almas beats Rusev after Lana and Zelina Vega fight outside of the ring and Aiden English tries to break it up, accidentally knocking down Lana in the process. This distracts Rusev, who has no idea what has happened, allowing Almas to hit the Hammerlock DDT for the win.
In the locker room, R-Truth talks to "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger after his match with Samoa Joe tonight. Dillinger assures R-Truth that Joe will not be putting him to sleep in the next match.
Backstage, Aiden English and Lana argue over what happened earlier as well as about Rusev. Rusev says that is enough, and says that maybe neither of them are good for Rusev Day.
Samoa Joe beats R-Truth with the Coaquina Clutch.
Backstage, Dasha Fuentes interviews Asuka, who is so excited and ready for WWE Evolution. Tonight, Billie Kay is not ready for her.
Asuka beats Billie Kay despite the help from Peyton Royce.
We hear from "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, who tells Jeff Hardy that next week, he will walk out as United States Champion. He says Jeff may have been bitten by The Viper, but he tells Randy Orton to be careful because he can fight back.
The Miz and Maryse do a photo shoot backstage.
General Manager Paige is in the ring. After plugging WWE Evolution, she introduces "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles to the ring. Styles says he is a husband and a father, and when he heard the announcement for WWE Evolution, the first person he thought of was his daughter, as he felt he could look into her eyes and tell her that if she wants it that badly, she can accomplish it. He also says that he is proud to defend the WWE Championship at SummerSlam, and talks about his last two SummerSlams with John Cena and Kevin Owens. He says that SummerSlam is just like WrestleMania, and this year, he plans to turn the heat up a little bit more. Styles signs the contract on the table and asks who his opponent will be. As Paige is announce who his opponent will be, James Ellsworth shows up and steals the show, saying he came back to WWE for the WWE Championship as nobody is more worthy than him. Ellsworth says he has three wins on Styles and that the fourth time is the charm. Styles says nobody says anything like that around here, but Ellsworth insists that he will beat Styles for the title at SummerSlam. Paige tells him to stop and tells him that he is a joke. Ellsworth says Paige is the joke, not him, as nobody can understand what she says half the time. He also makes fun of Paige's skin tone. Paige approaches him, then says she's had enough and has two words for him: you're fired. Paige then calls for security, and Ellsworth is carried kicking and screaming to the back by two members of security. Backstage, Ellsworth is placed in front of the arena exit and pushed through the doors by Paige, who then asks security to man the doors. Suddenly, Samoa Joe comes out from the crowd and attacks Styles, putting him in the Coaquina Clutch. Samoa Joe then signs the contract before pushing the down on Styles.
Backstage, General Manager Paige confronts Samoa Joe, who doubles down and says that what he did to "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles was phenomenal. Carmella then shows up and confronts Paige for firing James Ellsworth. Paige says "'Mella is money," and that Carmella can buy herself a new boyfriend. Carmella says she will stay SmackDown Women's Champion up until Evolution, and talks about how she beat Asuka and Charlotte Flair before saying she will beat Becky Lynch right now.
Becky Lynch beats Carmella with the Dis-Arm-Her after Carmella drags her to the center of the ring to get a shot at the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship at SummerSlam.
We hear from The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan). Harper says four teams will fight, but there will be no winner, only punishment. Rowan wants the four teams to destroy each other, as it will not matter and a bludgeoning will await the winners.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) guest on commentary for the next match.
The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) beat SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain) to advance in the tag team tournament after Kofi Kingston foils Eric Young's interference attempt. After the match, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) are about to get in the ring when Sheamus and Cesaro - who have not been seen in months - appear on the stage. Sheamus and Cesaro announce they are back, and say that they did not miss any of the fans. They do, however, miss being tag team champions, and they plan to beat The Usos and become SmackDown Tag Team Champions at SummerSlam.
Backstage, The Miz and Maryse show dissatisfaction with General Manager Paige hiring Sin Cara as a babysitter before heading to the ring with baby Monroe Sky.
The Miz, Maryse and Monroe Sky show up for the Miz and Mrs. world premiere party. After Miz introduces Maryse, Maryse says the Women's Revolution started with her and that it will keep going with Miz and Mrs., which premieres after tonight's show. After Miz introduces Monroe Sky as having done more than Daniel Bryan since his return, we see a trailer for Miz and Mrs. This trailer somehow shows some of The Miz's less than stellar moments, and says "Miz and Misses" at the end. Daniel Bryan is then seen on the TitanTron, says that wasn't what he was going for, and then decides he should head to the ring to apologize in person. Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring. Miz's personal security tell him to head back to the ring, but Daniel Bryan makes quick work of both men before unhooking the velvet rope and letting himself in. Daniel then gets in the ring, then The Miz tosses a baby doll that he was carrying on a baby carrier to Daniel before booting him in the face. Miz then says he had fooled everyone, and that the baby he brought was an actor as he would never bring his real daughter to a place like this. He then tells everyone that if they want to see Monroe Sky, they can tune in to Miz and Mrs.
It's time for Miz TV. After The Miz plugs Miz and Mrs., which premieres in two weeks, tonight's guests are Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane). The Miz tells Daniel Bryan he is out here to be a professional, and asks Daniel to extend the same courtesy. After some words from Kane, Daniel abstains from punching Miz in the face and tells Miz he will be professional. Miz admits he thought he would never see Team Hell No reunite, comparing the event to a potential reunion of N*SYNC, and asks Daniel and Kane if they are ready for The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) at Extreme Rules. After saying that N*SYNC will never get back together because Justin Timberlake is too big a star, Kane says they know what The Bludgeon Brothers are capable of, but the Bludgeon Brothers are not Team Hell No. The Miz says that Team Hell No just might be the team to beat The Bludgeon Brothers, then we see the events of Team Hell No's initial run as well as the events that lead to Team Hell No's reunion. The Miz says that was not the footage he wanted to show, then Daniel Bryan tells The Miz that he knows that Miz is trying to stir the pot and that it is not working because The Miz is terrible at everything. He then says that the only thing Miz is worse at than stirring the pot is wrestling, and Miz responds by saying that Team Hell No will implode after Kane turns on Daniel Bryan, and that Daniel Bryan is hiding behind Kane because he cannot hang with him in the ring. Kane holds Daniel Bryan and tells him to breathe through the diaphragm to keep their focus on The Bludgeon Brothers. Miz tells Daniel Bryan to hide behind Kane one more time, and Miz gets grabbed by the throat in response. Suddenly, The Bludgeon Brothers show up, but so does SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain). SAnitY, however, shows up from the crowd and attacks Team Hell No, and The Bludgeon Brothers team up with SAnitY until The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) show up.The New Day go on the attack, but SAnitY and The Bludgeon Brothers manage to overpower everyone.
Before the next match, Rusev and Aiden English show up. Rusev tells Styles that no matter how well he secures his house as well as himself, he will tear down the house that he built at Extreme Rules before celebrating on the greatest Rusev Day ever. Rusev and Aiden English then guest on commentary for the next match.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura by disqualification after Rusev yanks Styles off the apron. After the match, Nakamura goes for a Kinshasa to Styles, but Jeff Hardy runs in to make the save for Styles and takes out both Rusev and Nakamura. General Manager Paige then shows up and makes a tag team match between the team of Styles and Jeff Hardy and the team of Nakamura and Rusev.
Rusev and "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura beat "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy.
James Ellsworth tries his best to train for his match tonight backstage when Carmella shows up. Carmella tells Ellsworth to take care of Asuka tonight. Ellsworth says he's got it, then winks at her. Carmella then says that if Ellsworth winks at her again, she will give him a beating worse than the one she will give Asuka.
Before the next match, James Ellsworth says he knows he must be tempting, but tells the female Superstars surrounding the ring to show some restraint before saying that none of them are ready for Asuka while he is.
Asuka beats James Ellsworth in a lumberjack match advertised as "Battle of the Sexes II" after Asuka kicks Ellsworth into Carmella, knocking Carmella off the apron before locking in the Asuka Lock. After the match, Carmella gets in, but Asuka beats her up. When Asuka turns around, she gets sprayed in the face with hairspray by Ellsworth.
Backstage, The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) tries to formulate a strategy with Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane), but Kane and Daniel Bryan argue over whether Kane should have let Daniel punch The Miz in the face. Big E puts the argument to a quick end, and immediately formulates a strategy that gets everyone on the same page and Kane to quote N*SYNC.
Backstage, James Ellsworth and Carmella are met by General Manager Paige. Ellsworth tries to get a kiss from Paige, but Paige tells Ellsworth that he will be in a shark cage suspended high above the ring in the SmackDown Women's Championship match at Extreme Rules.
Andrade "Cien" Almas beats Sin Cara.
A Tables Match between SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) and The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) is officially the kickoff match for Extreme Rules.
Backstage, we hear from SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain). They are hear to break the status quo and turn happiness into havoc, and they are not here for the nostalgia. Eric Young says The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) and Team Hell No's (Daniel Bryan and Kane) time is up and that all that is left is unadulterated chaos. The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) then show up, and Rowan says "Let the bludgeoning begin."
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) and Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) beat SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) and The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan). After the match, Daniel Bryan tries to do Kane's pyro. After three tries, he finally does it.
It's time for Miz TV with special guests The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) to start tonight's show. Miz says he and The Bludgeon Brothers have something in common as they know how to decimate Daniel Bryan, then he asks them why they did it. The Bludgeon Brothers give no answer as the crowd chants "Daniel Bryan," and The Miz tells the crowd to shut up. We then Daniel Bryan's interview from last week on the TitanTron. The Miz says that this is what Hollywood calls "Act 1," and The Bludgeon Brothers almost take offense to Miz telling them they would not understand. We then see footage of what Daniel Bryan coming into contact with The Bludgeon Brothers last week. Miz calls this "Act 2," and says that Daniel Bryan tried to steal The Bludgeon Brothers' thunder with his "Yes!" chants and made himself "the villain of this movie." We then see The Bludgeon Brothers' attack on Daniel Bryan, which Miz calls "Act 3." Miz tells The Bludgeon Brothers they did a fantastic job dealing with Daniel Bryan, and says that they look like they are trying to audition for another Miztourage. Rowan slaps the microphone out of The Miz's hand, then Daniel Bryan shows up. Daniel Bryan says The Bludgeon Brothers may be big, bad and scary, but size is not as important as heart and he is not afraid of them or Miz after they cost him a shot at the WWE Championship. Daniel Bryan then asks which of them will fight him first, and Harper asks Daniel if he ever learns before telling him that he will tonight.
Backstage, Mr. Bootysworth makes a pancake and maple syrup milkshake for The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods).
Daniel Bryan vs. Harper is official for later tonight.
Rusev beats Xavier Woods with the Accolade. After the match, Rusev says tonight was not about Xavier Woods, trombones, pancakes or Booty-O's; instead, it was about "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. He says he knows Styles is watching and that he is scared, and he has not forgotten how he slapped Aiden English in the face last week. As the crowd alternates between "AJ Styles" and "Rusev Day," Rusev says tonight is a preview of what will happen at Extreme Rules when he comes to Styles' house, beats him up, takes his title and becomes WWE Champion to make the day a great Rusev Day.
We hear from Jeff Hardy, who says that adrenaline is rushing through his body and sharpening his senses. He is ready to take flight and fight.
It is announced that "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura suffered an injury last night and will not be able to compete last night. Instead, Jeff Hardy is issuing an open challenge for the WWE United States Championship, and he is issuing it next.
We get a closer look at The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso), courtesy of Sonic Drive-Ins.
Backstage, Lana and Naomi argue. Lana insists she won last week's dance-off when all of a sudden, the cast of Netflix original series Glow show up. One of the stars does a nice Russian accent, but Lana responds by saying something in Russian. The cast then says Lana and Rusev should be working together. Naomi admits Lana is a good dancer, and says if they were on the same page, they would be ravishing together. After that, everyone would be feeling the glow.
Jeff Hardy's open challenge opponent is Eric Young.
Eric Young vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE United States Championship ends when The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) come out of the timekeeper's area and brawl with Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain at ringside. Eric Young tosses one of the Usos into the ring and brawls with them, ending the match. After the match, Jeff Hardy and The Usos brawl with SAnitY (Young, Wolfe, Dain), and quickly clean house.
Jeff Hardy and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) beat SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain).
Becky Lynch beats Sonya Deville with the Dis-Arm-Her when Mandy Rose is attacked by Becky, distracting Sonya.
Backstage, James Ellsworth puts on an Asuka mask and looks around until he sees "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger. Dillinger puts the mask back over Ellering's face, then tells him he's a ten with the mask and one without it before walking away.
We hear from Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega. Three weeks ago, Almas put Sin Cara on the shelf, and Vega says the locker room should be afraid. She warns the locker room to stay out of their way if they know what is good for them.
James Ellsworth shows up. Ellsworth says there are two types of men: men who like to wear sandals, have graduated from high school and talk about their feelings, and men who fight for what they believe in. He says that Asuka attacked him for no reason last week, and tells Asuka that this is a man's world and that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. Ellsworth tells everyone he loves and respects women, and has a love life so hot you can fry an egg on it. However, there is no love between and Asuka, and absolutely no respect, and while he was not ready for last week, he is this week. He takes off his jacket and coat and dares Asuka to come to the ring and kick him again. Instead of getting Asuka, he gets General Manager Paige instead. Paige says Asuka is not here tonight, and says Ellsworth's sudden return warrants some love and respect from her. She then announces that Carmella will defend the SmackDown Women's Championship against Asuka at Extreme Rules. After Ellsworth says Asuka is not deserving of a rematch, Ellsworth thinks that Paige is also here to ask him out on a date. Paige asks how next Tuesday sounds, and when Ellsworth says yes, she says she will see him then when Ellsworth faces Asuka in the ring.
Daniel Bryan vs. Harper ends when Rowan gets involved. After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers are about to lay Daniel Bryan out when Kane makes a surprise appearance for the first time in months. Kane almost choke slams The Bludgeon Brothers, and Daniel Bryan hits a double drop kick on them. Kane and Daniel Bryan quickly clean house. Afterwards, Daniel Bryan and Kane stare down, then Kane offers to hug it out with Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan is not exactly in the mood for it at first, but then changes his mind and hugs it out with Kane. As Daniel Bryan and Kane celebrate, General Manager Paige shows up and declares that The Bludgeon Brothers will defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against a reunited Team Hell No at Extreme Rules.
We see footage from earlier today where Tommaso Ciampa shows up outside of the arena to a shadow of boos and refuses to answer any interviewer questions. Ciampa finds General Manager William Regal and blames him for Johnny Gargano going after him on WWE property and at his house. Regal makes official an unsanctioned match between Gargano and Ciampa for NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. If Gargano wins, he is re-employed at NXT. If Ciampa wins, Gargano says fired.
General Manager William Regal shows up. Regal announces that at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, the NXT North American Championship will be introduced. As Regal announces that the new title will have a proud lineage, the words "I am the top 1% percent" are heard. All of a sudden, EC3 - Ethan Carter III - fresh out of Impact Wrestling, appears. EC3 says he will bask in the moment because he deserves it, and asks for the "EC3" chant to keep going. He then tells Regal that this is too much, and that he knew he was a kind man for giving him the call to come to NXT. He also knew he was a reasonable man for letting him strut his stuff and giving him a lucrative contract and "a banger of a theme song." As the crowd chants "One percent," EC3 says he had no idea Regal was logical enough to make a new title and give it to him on the very first day. The crowd chants "NX3," then he puts himself on a pedestal. Regal stops EC3, saying he is happy to finally have him here a competitor, but telling him that he has to earn the title and that he has proven more than capable, or else he would not be here. At NXT TakeOver: New Orleans will compete against five other men for the NXT North American Championship with the title suspended high above the ring in a ladder match. The crowd chants "Thank you, Regal," then EC3 tells Regal it does not matter if he lines up the entire NXT locker room, as he will show why he is the top 1% of the industry.
Charly Caruso gives us a recap of what has happened recently in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic from the NXT Control Center.
We see footage from earlier today where TM61 (Nick Miller and Shane Thorne) show disappointment in losing in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They feel they need a change of attitude to survive in addition to beating better teams. Suddenly, Ember Moon and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler are seen brawling near the practice rings.
The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) beat Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to advance to the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. During the match, Montez Ford is dancing around after a spinebuster to Akam from Angelo Dawkins only to run into Paul Ellering. He offers Ellering a sip from his cup, but Ellering smacks the cup out of his hand and tells Montez that messing with him is not a wise idea. Suddenly, a distracted Angelo Dawkins is hit with Last Chapter by The Authors of Pain, who sail on to the finals.
Cathy Kelley interviews General Manager William Regal backstage. Regal has announced that Adam Cole will be in the ladder match for the NXT North American Championship at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Suddenly, The Velveteen Dream shows up, wanting a piece of the action in that match. Regal admits that Velveteen Dream has been impressive as of late, and makes him the third competitor in the match. The Velveteen Dream says Regal may have broken ground by putting him in the match, but he may have also set the stage.
Lars Sullivan beats John Silver.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews General Manager William Regal again. Suddenly, Lars Sullivan shows up, and Regal makes him the fourth participant in the NXT North American Championship match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Sullivan says that he will bring the destruction that only he can, and this time, it will not be just with his hands, but also with a ladder. He then demands Killian Dain, and Regal mentions Dain is in the match as well. Regal then makes a match between Lars and Dain official for next week.
Before the next match, Andrade "Cien" Almas is seen attacking Aleister Black outside of the arena. Almas dunks Aleister's head into a cooler full of bottled water before slamming him into a door and getting him in the arena. The brawl then makes its way to the tech area and then to ringside. Almas then tosses Aleister into the ring and brings in a steel chair. The referee gets out of the way as the chair is smashed into Aleister's back and Almas demands Aleister respect him. Aleister then raises the NXT Championship up into the air in front of a downed Aleister Black. Referees check on Aleister Black in the ring, and Aleister tries to get back up under his own power.
Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne beat SAnitY (Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe) to advance to the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Next wek: Cathy Kelley interviews General Manager William Regal yet again. Regal introduces the last competitor of the ladder match for the NXT North American Championship at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans: Ricochet.
SAnitY (Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe) beat Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss to advance to the semi-finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic after Nikki Cross takes down Riddick Moss while the referee is dealing with Alexander Wolfe.
Tommaso Ciampa shows up and grabs a microphone, and the crowd becomes a sea of fans carrying the Johnny Gargano face symbol as they boo him. Ciampa tries to speak, but he gets showered with boos and "Johnny Wrestling" chants again. Tommaso Ciampa screams "He's gone!" at the fans, but the crowd's chants only grow louder. Ciampa tries to speak again, but the boos and jeers once again drown him out. Ciampa drops the microphone, and the crowd cheers. The crowd then chants "Yes!" repeatedly as Ciampa leaves the ring and stands near the commentary table before slowly walking around at ringside. The crowd begins to chant "Ciampa sucks" and "We want Johnny!" Ciampa stands there, irritated, then walks up the steps to the stage. The crowd then sings Na Na Hey Hey (The Goodbye Song).
Dakota Kai gets an upset win on Lacey Evans with a schoolgirl pin. After the match, "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler shows up. Dakota is frozen in the corner as Baszler slowly approaches, then Ember Moon shows up to stop Baszler in her tracks. Dakota Kai and the referee manage to get out of the ring. Ember Moon says that is Baszler really wants to do this again, then she will end this regardless of whether she has one arm or not. Both women then brawl, and referees have to restore order. Baszler eventually knocks Ember Moon down with a stinging forearm, but Ember Moon is not out. She hits Baszler with a big boot before going up top. Baszler meets her on the way up and kicks her off the top turnbuckle. Baszler goes for the double wristlock as Ember Moon is laying flat on the top turnbuckle, but Dakota Kai runs up on the apron to hit Baszler with a big boot. Ember Moon gets back up top and hits Baszler with a one-handed Eclipse.
Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat Heavy Machinery (Tucker Knight and Otiz Dozovic) to advance to the semi-finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Pete Dunne retains the WWE United Kingdom Championship against Adam Cole by disqualification after Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly get involved. As The Undisputed Era (Cole, Fish, O'Reilly) attack Pete Dunne after the match, Roderick Strong runs into the ring to go after them, but he fares no better. Suddenly, Pete Dunne gets back up and gets the upper hand, and he and Roderick Strong clean house. Afterwards, Roderick Strong extends his hand, but Pete Dunne brushes him off and leaves.
General Manager William Regal is in the ring in front of a table with a contract on it. He is here to moderate the contract signing for the NXT Championship match between Aleister Black and Andrade "Cien" Almas at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Aleister Black shows up first; however, when Andrade "Cien" Almas is supposed to show up, Zelina Vega shows up instead. Zelina Vega says Almas is not here tonight, but she is. She says that if he was, he would destroy Aleister Black until there is nothing left. Aleister fails to pay attention as Zelina states that Almas is waiting until NXT TakeOver: New Orleans to embarrass him. Aleister Black puts his hand in front of Zelina's face, signs the contract, hands it to her, moves the table away, sits down, and says they are now on the same level. Zelina Vega takes this as an insult before telling Aleister that Almas will humiliate him, then signs the contract. Aleister then says Almas is not here because he will come up short and he will not measure up. Zelina then slaps Aleister and tells him to sign the contract right now if he thinks he is ready. Aleister signs, then hands the contract to Regal as Zelina Vega keeps telling Aleister he is nothing. Aleister then says he is happy that Zelina Vega came alone, because he didn't. Candice LeRae then runs out to the ring and goes after Zelina Vega, beating her up both in the ring and at ringside. The brawl then ends up on the commentary table, where Candice LeRae continues to pummel Zelina. She then gets Zelina back into the ring, where she then plants her in the mat with a bulldog.
SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) attack The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly) before the match can take place, and security rushes into the ring to hold six men back. Killian Dain runs roughshod on security and knocks some of the security guards out of the ring. General Manager William Regal angrily comes out and makes the match the main event as well as a six-man tornado tag team match.
Heavy Machinery (Tucker Knight and Otiz Dozovic) beat Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli. After the match, Riddick Moss shows his dissatisfaction with Tino Sabbatelli and refuses to help him up.
Johnny Gargano shows up. Johnny Gargano says he felt he was going to be NXT Champion at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. It did not happen, but getting the crowd reaction that he did was worth more than a championship, and proved he earned the fans' respect and had the match of a lifetime. He says that the fans picked him up and made him what he is. He says he will never forget NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, but he will also never forget the crutch shot to the back from Tommaso Ciampa. Gargano says he has bit his tongue for long enough, and calls out Tommaso Ciampa. He gets Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega instead. Zelina tells Gargano he earned nothing and that he should not be out here, and says Almas should be in the ring celebrating instead of Gargano complaining about why he lost. She tells Gargano that all he proved is that he is a loser, and says Tommaso Ciampa has nothing to do with his loss as Almas has beaten him time and again. She then calls Gargano "Johnny Loser." Gargano says his favorite moment was getting the fans' respect, and that his second-favorite moment was his wife Candace LeRae jumping the guardrail and beating the crap out of her. Zelina gets in her face and jabs her finger in the chest. Suddenly, Candace LeRae shows up and shoves Zelina out of the ring, and Gargano gets the upper hand on Almas. Zelina Vega says that she is sick of Gargano, as Almas has beaten him three times. As she asks what it takes to get rid of him, Gargano demands another shot at the NXT Championship. She proposes that if Gargano cannot win the NXT Championship, he must leave NXT forever. Gargano accepts that challenge, despite the hesitation from Candace LeRae.
We see an interview from earlier today with "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler, who claims that she has quickly made herself the most dangerous woman in NXT, and that all her opponents have three choices: tap, nap or snap. She also says that there will be no rematch with Ember Moon, as Ember Moon is scared of her after what she did to him at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Next week: Roderick Strong vs. Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship!
We hear from Tyler Bate, who congratulates Roderick Strong on getting a shot at the WWE United Kingdom Championship against Pete Dunne. He says he will be watching that match. He is proud to have won match of the year for 2017 in NXT, and says he plans to have many more matches of the year with the best that NXT has to offer.
Bianca Belair quickly beats Jessicks Hill.
Next week: Aleister Black!
It is reported that Ember Moon has answered "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler's challenge on Twitter, telling Baszler to name the time and the place.
SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) beat The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly) in a six-man tornado tag team match.
The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) beat SAnitY (Eric Young and Killian Dain) to become the NXT Tag Team Champions after the distraction and attempted interference by Adam Cole, which takes Killian Dain out of the equation and distracts Young to allow Fish and O'Reilly to hit Total Elimination for the win and the titles.
We see a video package of Roderick Strong prior to his Fatal 4-Way #1 Contendership Qualifying Match with Lars Sullivan.
"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler is coming soon...
Heavy Machinery are outside the arena when they find Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss' Maserati. Tino and Moss show up as Otis is about to move it with his bare hands, and they brag that one day, they could earn something like it. After a lot of talk, Otis wants to fight. Tino and Moss get in the Maserati and drive away.
We see footage from earlier this week where Sonya Deville says she will never beat Ember Moon next week, and says that Ember Moon got the win off her ankle lock in the Triple Threat Match.
We see a video package of Lars Sullivan prior to his Fatal 4-Way #1 Contendership Qualifying Match with Roderick Strong.
Lars Sullivan beats Roderick Strong to continue to the Fatal 4-Way NXT Championship #1 Contender's Match.
We see the second episode of Street Talk starring Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford).
The fatal 4-Way NXT Championship #1 Contender's Match is next week!
Christy St. Cloud interviews Tyler Bate. He and "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne have history, and last year, he beat Pete to become the WWE United Kingdom Championship. At NXT TakeOver: Chicago, Dunne took the title. Tonight, he takes the title back.
Pete Dunne retains the WWE United Kingdom Championship against Tyler Bate as NXT goes into overtime.
We see footage from last week where Mercedes Martinez is disappointed she can't fight for the NXT Women's Championship. She has won where it counted, except tonight. She says she does not count on Ember Moon - who can't win the big one - to win this one.
Fabian Aichner gets an upset win on Johnny Gargano after reversing the Gargano Escape into an abdominal stretch into a schoolboy pin.
Drew McIntyre signs the contract for his match with Andrade "Cien" Almas, as does General Manager William Regal.
Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) show us a Maserati, and say if you work hard, this could be yours one day. We then find out the car belongs to Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss, who are also in custom suits. They tell them to step away from the car. Street Profits shrug them off.
Drew McIntyre is attacked by Andrade "Cien" Almas on the stage. He then signs the contract for their match and places it on top of Drew with Zelina Vega's gum.
Peyton Royce is irritated that Billie Kay is not in the Fatal 4-Way for the NXT Women's Championship with her. They mock Kairi Sane, who shows up and points her elbow at Peyton Royce.
Next week: Peyton Royce vs. Kairi Sane!
The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) vs. SAnitY (Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe) ends when both teams are attacked by The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly). After the match, Roderick Strong shows up. He pulls out the armband from his pocket and puts it on, then turns on The Undisputed Era. The Authors of Pain tear Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly apart, then Roderick Strong tosses the arm band away. General Manager William Regal shows says that there has been quite enough and that there will be order. He announces that at NXT TakeOver: Houston, there will be a Triple Threat Match between the team The Authors of Pain and Roderick Strong, SAnitY and The Undisputed Era. This will not be a normal Triple Threat match, as it is two rings and one cage. It is a War Games match. The "NXT TakeOver: Houston" logo turns into a "NXT TakeOver: War Games" logo on the mini-tron behind William Regal.
Ember Moon beats Sonya Deville and Ruby Riot in a Triple Threat Match to continue to the Fatal 4-Way Match for the vacant NXT Women's Championship after hitting Deville with an Eclipse as Deville has Ruby Riot in an ankle lock.
We see footage from earlier this week, where The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly) meets with Roderick Strong outside of the WWE Performance Center and Adam Cole places a shirt on Roderick Strong's shoulder. Strong places it back on Adam Cole's shoulder and walks away.
Christy St. Cloud interviews General Manager William Regal. Suddenly, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce show up. Billie Kay thinks she will be in the fourth qualifying match. Regal says she is, and announces that the fourth match is a battle royal for all the women who have yet to participate. Needless to say, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are not happy about this.
Aleister Black beats Raul Mendoza. At the beginning of the match, The Velveteen Dream shows up, stands on the apron and puts on Aleister's vest in an attempt to get Aleister to acknowledge him. Aleister does nothing, and Mendoza takes advantage. Nevertheless, it is not enough for Mendoza. After the match, Aleister Black continues to refuse to acknowledge The Velveteen Dream.
Christy St. Cloud interviews Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says a lot has been going on ever since he became NXT Champion. He says that winning the NXT title has been a dream of his, and he has had to sacrifice to get this far. Drew admits it has not been easy, as his first run in WWE did not pan out like he thought it would. He calls it a hard pill to swallow, as he lost his dream job just after getting his and his girlfriend's first place. After that, the fire in him briefly went out, but he worked himself to the bone to claw his way to success. He eventually made his way back to WWE, came to NXT, and became champion four months later. Suddenly, Zelina Vega shows up and tells Christy St. Cloud she is taking over the interview from here. Zelina says she has noticed that Drew and Andrade "Cien" Almas have a lot in common, as Almas was in a slump, but she was his second chance. Zelina Vega says Drew McIntyre has a target on his back, and wants to know why he is ducking Almas. Drew tells Zelina to get with General Manager William Regal, but Zelina says Drew has pull. Drew then tells Zelina to tell Almas to meet with him personally concerning an NXT Championship match.
Kassius Ohno beats Cezar Bononi.
Johnny Gargano faces Fabian Archer in the ring in two weeks!
The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly) vs. SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) after The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) show up and decimate SAnitY.
SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain) beat Kassius Ohno and Hideo Itami after miscommunication between Ohno and Itami and smart tag team wrestling from SAnitY.
Ember Moon is training and getting ready for Asuka. Ruby Riot interrupts, saying she's next in line, telling Ember Moon she had her chance and that Nikki Cross had her chance, too. Ember Moon says the end result is Asuka, but if anyone wants to step into her warpath, she'll gladly take them on.
Drew McIntyre says tonight's NXT title match will be excellent. Soon, he will have one of his own. When one looks back at past NXT champs, they were the men who led the way. McIntyre wants to be one of those men. McIntyre does not care who he has to get through, as all roads lead to the same destination: him as NXT Champion.
Johnny Gargano will return to NXT for the first time since NXT TakeOver: Chicago next week.
We see footage from earlier today where Kayla Braxton interviews Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. Peyton says she and Billie feel disrespected as Peyton was the only one to celebrate Billie's birthday. Meanwhile, Andrade "Cien" Almas is seen arguing with a woman in the background as Billie Kay demands cake. Almas declines to tell Braxton who the mystery girl is, or why he is arguing with her.
We see highlights from Aliyah vs. Bianca BelAir in a Mae Young Classic qualifier.
Kayla Braxton interviews Roderick Strong. He has only one thing on his mind: victory.
Kayla Braxton interviews Bobby Roode. Roode says Strong has been living a fairy tale for the last several weeks, and tonight, he stands across the ring from reality, and that reality is simply glorious.
Bobby Roode retains the NXT Championship against Roderick Strong. Roderick Strong almost wins the match on a backbreaker, but Roode places his foot on the bottom rope, and the match continues. After a Glorious DDT on the outside in front of Roderick Strong's mother and wife in the front row and another Glorious DDT in the ring, Roode retains the title. Roddy hugs his wife and mother after the match.
Ember Moon beats Peyton Royce in her first match since returning from a left shoulder injury.
Hideo Itami tells Kassius Ohno that he has not had the same success in NXT that he had in Japan, and says he has let that get to him. He apologizes to Ohno. Ohno says he has been there, too, but he refuses to give up. He starts getting back up tonight against Aleister Black.
We will see exclusive footage of Bobby Roode and Roderick Strong later tonight.
SAnitY (Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe) beat The Ealy Brothers (Gabriel and Uriel Ealy).
Next week: Asuka vs. Nikki Cross in a Last Woman Standing Match!
We see a vignette for Sonya Deville, who is coming up next.
Sonya Deville beats Rachel Evers with the double wristlock.
We see some footage from earlier today where Bobby Roode is in a photo shoot. Roderick Strong and family show up, and Bobby Roode tells Roderick Strong's wife to let him know if she feels like being with a real man. Strong rushes up to Roode and immediately fights him, and this starts a brawl that is quickly quelled.
In two weeks: Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship!
Aleister Black beats Kassius Ohno by stopping the Rolling Elbow cold with Black Mass.
The show starts with Tommaso Ciampa making his way to the ring on crutches. He takes the time to call Johnny Gargano out to the ring, as he owes him an explanation, but then realizes he is not here tonight. He asks the crowd if they want to see Gargano replaced, then says in the last two weeks, he has learned more life lessons than he has in the last several years. He then admits he was injured before NXT TakeOver: Chicago, but he knew he was ready to fight. He then accuses the fans of replacing Gargano with dream tag team partners on the night of TakeOver, and says he is not an afterthought. He put those thoughts aside, however, and told Gargano they were going to fight together, and admits they lost that night. During the match, he felt something in his knee pop and knew he would be out for a while. He put that aside and kept on fighting, and at the end, he looked at Gargano, then looked at the fans, and realized that Gargano and the fans are alike and that Gargano would replace him if given the opportunity. In that moment, he knew what he had to be done and made his decision. He blames the fans and Gargano for what he did, and if he had to go away for a long, long time, Gargano was going away with him. He says the fans ruined #DIY. He says it wasn't #DIY's moment or the fans' moment, but his moment. He is 32 years old, and for him, the ring is not replaceable, and he is not nor will ever be replaceable, as is Gargano. The fans, however, are replaceable, and says he doesn't need the fans and that he never needed them. He says he will be better than ever before and when he returns, he will be the most dangerous son-of-a-bitch in NXT, as he is professional wrestling whether the fans like it or not.
We get a closer look at Danny Burch.
It is announced that Tommaso Ciampa will need major knee surgery. As for Johnny Gargano, no updates are available at this time.
We see footage from earlier today where Bobby Roode announces there will be an NXT Championship celebration, but nobody is invited. Next week, he returns to NXT.
Pete Dunne beats Danny Burch. After the match, Dunne says that since January, he had to watch Tyler Bate carry his title. At TakeOver, it was his pleasure to take the title from him, and it will be remembered that he was the one who really got the UK Division started.
Kayla Braxton interviews Velveteen Dream. He says the ambiance is not right. He wants the entire backstage setting fixed.
We see a video package of Paul Ellering and The Authors of Pain, where Ellering declares that The Book of Dominance has been opened.
Cezar Bononi gets an upset win on Andrade "Cien" Almas after reversing a move into an inside cradle. Almas is angry after the match, but then quickly gets himself under control and heads back to the back.
We see footage from earlier today where Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are making a video when Ember Moon shows up. All of a sudden, Ember Moon signs a medical release form. Ember Moon is back in action.
In two weeks: Asuka defends the NXT Women's Championship against Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross in a Triple Threat Elimination Match!
We see footage from after NXT TakeOver where Hideo Itami is angry after his loss, followed by footage from earlier today where Hideo Itami and Kassius Ohno, the latter of whom Itami went off on that night, shaking hands and making amends. Next week, Hideo Itami takes on Oney Lorcan.
Kassius Ohno and Roderick Strong beat SAnitY (Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe) thanks to the surprise return of No Way Jose, who goes after Killian Dain when he tries to interfere.
#DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) talk about their time in NXT, and say they will get their moment at NXT TakeOver: Orlando.
We see another promo for Aleister Black.
Before the next match, Asuka addresses Ember Moon, telling her "This is your head." She then kicks her opponent square in the face.
Asuka beats Priscilla Zuniga with the Asuka Lock. After the match, Asuka speaks in Japanese, then says "No Eclipse."
The Revivial (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) say they have brought back the past and made it better. They say they have taken The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar), and could care less about #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa). At NXT TakeOver: Orlando, they will prove themselves to be the greatest tag team of all time.
Akam, Johnny Gargano and Dash Wilder will be in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match next week!
We see a video package for the NXT Championship match between "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode at NXT TakeOver: Orlando.
Kayla Braxton interviews No Way Jose, Roderick Strong and "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger have had enough of SAnitY, and Dillinger says they'll find out why you don't play the numbers game with "The Perfect Ten."
Next week: Heavy Machinery (Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovich)!
In footage from after last week's show, Kassius Ohno is about to talk about his match when "The Drifter" Elias Samson shows up. Samson says Ohno doesn't belong here, which leads to Ohno challenging Samson to a "Loser Leaves NXT" match. Samson accepts.
It is announced that Aleister Black will be debuting at NXT TakeOver: Orlando against Andrade "Cien" Almas. Almas says he will beat Black at TakeOver.
No Way Jose, Roderick Strong and "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger vs. SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) ends in a no-contest after the match gets out of control. Both teams continue to fight each other, and a mystery woman shows up to fight off Nikki Cross and even the numbers for Dillinger's team, who stands tall at the end of the show.
