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.
"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler - now with the NXT Women's Championship back around her waist - shows up to start tonight's show. Baszler says that last week, she showed the locker room that when you step in the ring, you will be slapped in the face with a hard dose of reality and that she is that reality. She says that she is tougher, stronger and better, regardless of how brave her opponents are, and that the strong will always defeat the week. However, there always has to be one. She says there is one person who thinks the laws do not apply to them, and in her case, it is Nikki Cross. Baszler tells Cross that if she gets in her face again, it will be the last thing she ever does. Suddenly, Nikki Cross shows up. Cross gets in the ring, and she and Baszler stare down. Baszler tells Cross that her stunt was a joke, and that she is the NXT Women's Champion. She then says the only place where Cross is better than her is in her "twisted little mind." She then asks if Cross is crazy, and the crowd chants "Yes." Baszler tells Cross she could put her to sleep in a heartbeat, then throws the microphone at her. Cross takes the microphone and says "Do it, Shayna...do it!" She leads a "Do it!" chant, then Shayna she is the champion and that Cross does not call the shots. Cross then tries to scare Baszler, who pushes Cross only for Cross to attack her. Cross goes to town on Baszler, then tries to grab the NXT Women's title only for Baszler to knock Cross out with a right hand and toss her out of the ring. Cross gets on the apron and hits Baszler with a surprise forearm before landing a top rope cross body. Baszler is forced to retreat.
Nikki Cross vs. "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler is official for NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
TM61 (Nick Miller and Shane Thorne) beat Mike Hughley and Robbie Grand. After the match, TM61 claim they are the best team in NXT, and that it is all about winning and they are winners. They plan to win against other teams if they are man enough to get in the ring, and say the other teams should bow down and call them "the mighty."
We see footage from earlier this week of Lars Sullivan training in the WWE Performance Center and dominating against some trainees.
Roderick Strong beats Danny Burch after Adam Cole distracts Burch. After the match, Pete Dunne attacks Roderick Strong, but Kyle O'Reilly clips the back of the left knee of Dunne before Strong hits Dunne with End of Heartache.
Backstage, Kassius Ohno does a photo shoot. All of a sudden, Ethan Carter III interrupts. He admits Ohno is a good wrestler, but he is not the top one percent like him. Ohno calls EC3 a "narcissistic, arrogant blowhard," and says he will be one percent away from being 99% unconscious if he interrupts him again. He then challenges him to a match for next week. EC3 accepts.
We hear from Aleister Black, who says that Lars Sullivan did what people thought was the unthinkable and made it a reality. However, he says Sullivan's actions do not determine his reality. He says Sullivan succeeded in showing him what lies ahead at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, but next week, his reality will fade to black.
The Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly) vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch with the NXT Tag Team Championships on the line is official for NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
We hear from both Ricochet and Velveteen Dream before their match at NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
Kairi Sane beats Lacey Evans.
Next week: Aleister Black live! Kassius Ohno vs. Ethan Carter III!
Tomasso Ciampa shows up. Once again, the crowd chants "You suck!" and boo as Tommaso Ciampa approaches the ring. Ciampa simply smiles and shakes his head as he walks up the steel steps, then gets on the apron and outstretches his arms. He then gets in the ring, and the crowd then chants "Johnny Wrestling." These chants are matched with alternating "Psycho Killer" chants from the Ciampa fans, then Ciampa sits on the top turnbuckle, where the fans boo some more. The fans then chant "You tapped out!" Ciampa says everyone gave up on him long before he game up on them, and tells them not to forget it for even a second. He then says the fans disgust him. He then receives "Asshole!" chants, which he embraces before telling the fans they have a choice between shutting up and making noises, and that he doesn't care what they do. The fans obviously choose to keep making noises and alternate between "Johnny Wrestling" and "Psycho Killer" chants. He then talks about how Johnny Gargano interrupted a match last week because it is all about him. He then talks about Gargano announced to the entire world that he signed the contract for their match, and says "Johnny Wrestling" has become "Johnny Badass." This leads to "Johnny Badass" chants. He then says that two weeks ago, Gargano nearly injured his own wife, and says the best part is that it is all on him and that he did not even want to fight Gargano. He then says Gargano insisted even after people pleaded to Gargano not to attack him. Ciampa then says all he tried to do was defend himself. He says the truth hurts and that Gargano should have listened to his wife, and now he should listen to him. He tells Gargano not to show up at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, as his fairy tale will come to an unhappy end. He says that Gargano will be broken just like Candice LeRae and that he will win. Suddenly, Johnny Gargano shows up, shoving two security guards away before getting his hands on Ciampa. Security tries to stop Gargano, but Gargano overpowers them. Referees try to stop Gargano, but Gargano clotheslines Ciampa over the barricade before attacking another security guard and fighting Ciampa in the crowd. More members of security show up, and this time they hold back both men. Gargano escapes security's grasp yet again and dives into Ciampa, knocking him down. Ciampa goes back over the barricade, but Gargano continues to go after him. Two members of security gets elbowed again, and that is enough for Ciampa to hit Gargano with a clothesline before stomping his head and putting Gargano in the Gargano Escape. Referees try to pull Ciampa off of Gargano, then Ciampa rolls out of the ring and heads to the back as Gargano lies in the middle of the ring. Gargano gets back and slams Ciampa's head into the LED boards on the stage before putting him in the Gargano Escape to end the show.
Drew Gulak accompanies The Brian Kendrick to the ring and guests on commentary for the next match.
Lince Dorado beats The Brian Kendrick. After the match, Drew Gulak attacks Kalisto before stomping on Lince Dorado in the center of the ring. Gulak then helps Kendrick retreat.
Backstage, Mustafa Ali says he is proud of what Cedric Alexander did last week, and says his performance made him both proud and hungry to prove he can hang with the best and deserve an opportunity. Tonight, he has Buddy Murphy. Buddy Murphy might be a juggernaut and might be stronger, but he plans on showing the entire world that Mustafa Ali has the heart of a champion, something that he implies Buddy Murphy does not have.
TJP beats Brian Keith. During the match, TJP grabs the microphone, compliments Brian Keith's boots, calls tonight's venue "Corpus Crispy," then says Keith will not make a name for himself off "The Cruiser-Great" tonight. He then asks if this is the competition he deserves before saying he carried the division before General Manager Drake Maverick ever got here. He then says another General Manager on another brand would better appreciate his talents before putting Keith in the Sharpshooter. He then says he might be available to the other brands soon, then says it is tap out for Brian Keith, who indeed taps out.
We hear from Lio Rush, who says he has been in the back planning the perfect attack. He says it is no secret he is the best cruiserweight in the world, and that we are looking a 23-year-old piece of gold and a gift. He then says we will experience a living legend and a phenomenon, and that it will not be long before 205 Live feels the rush. Lio Rush is coming soon to 205 Live.
Next week: Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik vs. Drew Gulak, The Brian Kendrick and "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher!
Before the next match, Dasha Fuentes interviews Buddy Murphy. "The Premier Athlete" Tony Nese says Buddy took Cedric Alexander to the limit last week and that he will do the same to Mustafa Ali this week. Buddy says he will prove he is a juggernaut and that you cannot stop the unstoppable tonight.
Mustafa Ali vs. Buddy Murphy ends when Hideo Itami shows up and attacks both men.
Carmella shows up to start tonight's show. Carmella demands that the crowd shower her with the praise she deserves as SmackDown Women's Champion, then says tonight is not about her and about her opponent tonight, Asuka. She says everyone deserves to know the truth, and that Asuka is not who the people think she is. She shows a video package of the Asuka that people "know, love, fear and respect." Carmella says that Asuka was an incredible performer, then says it is timet o remove the mask and reveal the real Asuka. We then see a video package of Asuka losing at WrestleMania. After that, we see Asuka's performance on SmackDown as of late, which has been less than stellar compared to her undefeated run. Carmella says that Asuka was devastated by her WrestleMania loss and she has not been the same since. She then says she has no fear and that she is money. The crowd boos, and Carmella says the "Age of Asuka" is over. She says that Asuka was once undefeated; now she is defeated. She says nobody was ready for Asuka; now everybody is ready for Asuka. As Carmella says that even people in the crowd are ready for Asuka, Asuka shows up. Before Asuka can do anything, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville also show up. Mandy says Carmella did not have to go through the trouble of her presentation, and says that while Asuka did beat her last week, she did come close. She then says she can beat Asuka tonight now that she knows the truth. Sonya tells Mandy did what she was supposed to do last week: leave enough for her. Carmella says Sonya is right, and says that while the undefeated Asuka would take on both, the defeated Asuka would not, and tells Asuka to take an Uber and leave. Suddenly, General Manager Paige shows up and says nobody speaks for her, because she is the one that makes the matches. Paige, knowing she has unfinished business with both Mandy and Sonya, gives Asuka a choice between the two women. Asuka takes the microphone and says "Give me both!" An enthusiastic Paige makes the match official for right now.
Carmella guests on commentary for the next match.
Asuka beats Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville in a 2-on-1 handicap match with an Asuka Lock to Sonya Deville. After the match, Carmella gets in the ring and raises the SmackDown Women's Championship up in front of Asuka. Mandy Rose goes for a cheap shot, but Asuka takes her down, and Carmella attacks Asuka with a cheap shot from behind.
In the locker room, The Miz is met by Mr. Bootyworth, the pancake-carrying butler, and The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods). The New Day apologize for giving The Miz a hard time on Miz TV last week and say they are choosing their Ladder Match choice seriously. They tell The Miz that he hit them with some hard truth, then give The Miz a chance to reach into Mr. Bootyworth's hat and pick who in The New Day will be in the men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match. They tell Miz to cover their eyes, then switch hats. Instead of touching paper, Miz touches pancake batter. Miz says The New Day getting hurt will be what is really funny when The New Day laugh, then he wipes his hand off on Mr. Bootyworth's shirt and leaves.
Karl Anderson gets a surprise win on Harper with a schoolboy pin from the corner.
We hear from Naomi, who says Lana tried to bust a move on her, but she won't at Money In The Bank, when she grabs the contract. Jimmy Uso says Lana will learn which husband and wife team really runs SmackDown Live.
Jimmy Uso and Naomi beat Aiden English and Lana after a top rope cross body out of nowhere from Naomi to Aiden English.
General Manager Paige moderates the contract signing between "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles for their Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship at Money In The Bank. Styles says it feels like his and Nakamura's war has been going on forever, and that he understands why Nakamura does what he does: he cannot beat him. He then says Nakamura's dirty tricks will not work and that he will walk out as WWE Champion. Styles signs the contract. Nakamura then says the pen is out of ink, and asks to borrow Styles' pen, then looks at it and says it is broken. Styles tells Nakamura to stand up and be a man, then when Nakamura tries to stand up, Styles slaps him. Styles is carried out of the room as he says that if Nakamura wants to play games, he can play. Nakamura smiles, then signs the contract. He then says "Last Man Standing" and laughs again before leaving.
Becky Lynch beats Charlotte Flair with the Dis-arm-her. After the match, both women show respect.
Dasha Fuentes interviews Samoa Joe, who says that tonight, The New Day will learn that everything said about him is true, even though he wants people to see him as a man who keeps his promise after he put Daniel Bryan to sleep last week. He also talks about how he grabbed the Money In The Bank briefcase afterwards and how it scared everyone in the back and how destiny manifested into flesh. He then says that what you see is what you get, and soon, everybody gets.
Next week: A Women's Money In The Bank Summit with the SmackDown participants in the women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match!
Renee Young interviews Big Cass on the stage. After comparing himself and Daniel Bryan, he talks about how he was backstage at WrestleMania 30, and walked down the hallway as Daniel Bryan showed up with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. All he could think was "This pathetic little man is the WWE Champion?" That night, Daniel Bryan's victory was a fluke, just like his victory at Backlash. However, he will give credit where credit is due, as Daniel Bryan packs a punch for someone with a small stature. He then says a big man will always beat a good little man. After showing footage of what he did to Daniel Bryan at the end of last week's show, he says he almost feels bad for Daniel Bryan but then says that Daniel asked to get back in the ring. He then says that little did Daniel know that a seven-foot shadow would follow him around before saying Daniel has never been in the ring with someone like him, and he guarantees that he has never been in the ring with someone who holds a grudge like him. Big Cass then says he will do everything within his power to break and embarrass him before ripping his arms off and beating them on his head like his head is a snare drum and snapping his legs like twigs so he can never apply the heel hook again. He then tells Daniel to take his ball and go home and do what he does best: playing a garden gnome on Total Bellas, for after Money In The Bank, Daniel will have to look in the mirror, bruised and battered, and realize someone like him will never survive in this big man's world.
Dasha Fuentes interviews Sin Cara, who says he has been friends with Andrade "Cien" Almas since he was 14 years old, then something happened. Zelina Vega shows up and says she is the best thing to happen to Almas, because Almas accomplished nothing with Sin Cara. She says Sin Cara made him weak, but she taught him how not to hide behind a mask. Sin Cara argues with Zelina Vega, and this leads to a cheap shot from behind by Almas on Sin Cara.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) beat The Miz, Samoa Joe and Rusev after Joe and Rusev turn on Miz for throwing pancakes at them. The pancakes were meant for Big E, who escapes Joe and Rusev's grasp as The Miz knocks Kofi off the apron with a back elbow. After the pancake misfire, Joe and Rusev beat up Miz and leave him high and dry, allowing The New Day to hit Midnight Hour.
Elias is in the ring at the start of tonight's show. Elias plays his guitar, then asks who wants to walk with him. He then says it should be no surprise he is the first face anyone sees tonight, as he is valuable to the company and he will become more valuable when he becomes the next WWE Intercontinental Champion. He says that Seth Rollins will soon learn that WWE stands for "Walk With Elias," then brags about what he did to him last week before saying he smashed one of his favorite guitars in the process and used the pain to write a new song he will sing right now. Footage of Elias clocking Seth Rollins in the back with a guitar from last week plays over and over as Elias sings about how he will win the Intercontinental title and mocks Rollins and the Houston Rockets. Seth Rollins then interrupts his song. Elias is ready to smack Rollins with his guitar again, but Rollins shows restraint and does not get into the ring right away. He walks around to the other side of the ring, then reaches underneath the ring and pulls out a steel chair. Rollins makes his way up to the apron and gets in with the steel chair, then both he and Elias have a stand-off where they circle the ring before they both swing at the same time. Elias loses his guitar, and Seth still has his steel chair. Suddenly, Jinder Mahal runs into the ring and blindsides Seth Rollins, and he and Elias gang up on Rollins. All of a sudden, Roman Reigns' music hits, and Jinder and Elias immediately focus on him. Reigns overpowers both them and Sunil Singh, then helps Seth Rollins up before General Manager Kurt Angle arrives. Angle says Elias and Jinder are not going anywhere tonight, because there will be a tag team match between them and the team of Rollins and Reigns right now.
Elias and Jinder Mahal beat The Shield (Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins) after Rollins chases after Sunil Singh with a steel chair that he takes out of Sunil's hands and a groggy Elias hits Rollins with a DDT onto said steel chair.
Bruce Prichard of the Something To Wrestle With podcast and Something Else to Wrestle on WWE Network is seen in the front row.
Curt Hawkins says that he made a prediction recently on social media. He says he has lost 199 matches in a row, but he will not lose 200, and when he is victorious tonight, everyone in the crowd will get a free taco. Tacos are seen on a table near the ramp. Hawkins introduces his to his opponent tonight: James Harden. Harden happens to be from tonight's venue in Houston, Texas. Hawkins thanks Harden for being here tonight, as he will be a part of history.
James Harden beats Curt Hawkins by disqualification. During the match, Baron Corbin shows up, gets in the ring, grabs James Harden, hits him with End of Days, and hands Curt Hawkins his 200th loss. After the match, Baron Corbin fights Curt Hawkins, and dumps the entire nearby table of tacos on him.
General Manager Kurt Angle is met by Baron Corbin, who says that he is overshadowed week after week, and that he has spoken to Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, who has asked him to send Angle a message. Stephanie is introducing a new checks and balances system to Raw, and has made Baron Corbin the official constable of Raw, officially making him Angle's assistant.
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey guests on commentary for the next match.
Nia Jax beats Natalya after Natalya tweaks her knee during the match. After the match, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey checks on Natalya, and Nia Jax wants to see if Natalya is alright. Rousey keeps Nia away from Natalya, and tells her to "just go." Ronda then helps Natalya to the back with the help of referee Shawn Bennett. Nia Jax is all alone in the ring after this, and she also looks concerned after what happened.
Renee Young interviews Bobby Roode backstage. Roode says he is ecstatic about being in his first Money In The Bank Ladder Match, and he thrives in the spotlight. He is excited about climbing the ladder and winning the contract, and when he gets his shot at becoming the next Universal Champion, it will be glorious. As for his match against Braun Strowman tonight, Roode admits he has never seen a man like Strowman and he will have to use every trick up his sleeve to beat him. Tonight, his goal is just to survive.
Braun Strowman beats Bobby Roode. During the match, Roode pulls out a ladder from underneath the ring and sets it up from the apron to the barricade, then goads Strowman into chasing him. He does, then Roode slides underneath the ladder to keep Strowman away only for Strowman to break the ladder with his bare hands.
Charly Caruso interviews Kevin Owens, who does not care about any of his Money In The Bank Ladder Match opponents, and says that as far as Finn Balor goes, everyone is clueless about his career failures. Owens says he is winning the Money In The Bank contract, and that he will reveal that Finn Balor is nothing more than "a made-up Irish myth."
In the trainer's room, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey checks on Natalya when Nia Jax shows up and Natalya. Ronda gets angry, and while Nia Jax says that Natalya is as every bit her friend as Ronda's, Natalya demands a moment to herself.
Renee Young interviews Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt in the ring. Bray says many men lust for power, as it is in their nature. He says it drives, deludes and ultimately destroys them. He then says that whoever faces them for the Raw tag team titles will not be facing men, but woken warriors, fireflies and gods, and they will truly understand what it means to be woken. Matt says he and Bray are magic, and that their essences have transcended space and time and stand as the Raw tag team champions. He says they are unmatched, unparalleled and unstoppable, and they have woken the entire WWE Universe. After asking Renee Young if she considers herself woken, Matt says this is wonderful and asks everyone to give Renee a "woken O." He then says it is time for the tag team battle royal to commence. Before he can call for Senor Benjamin, Bray Wyatt wants to make sure the winning team suffers first before they are deleted.
We get a closer look at Finn Balor, courtesy of Schick Hydro Sense.
The B Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) win a tag team battle royal to face Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships at Money In The Bank after Slater picks up Bo Dallas for a scoop slam only to knock Rhyno off the apron with Bo's legs. During the match, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre attack everyone else after Ziggler is eliminated, which in turn eliminated McIntyre automatically.
Bobby Lashley shows up. Lashley says Sami Zayn has been talking a lot of trash about him, but where he comes from, they handle it the old-fashioned away. He then calls Sami Zayn out, daring him to say what he has to say to his face. Sami Zayn's music hits, but Sami Zayn fails to show. Instead of coming out from the stage, he is seen in the crowd, refusing to get in the ring with Lashley after being attacked when he was not ready and having his hand broken. Sami then says he is such a brilliant performer that his brain never stops working and never stops scouting his opponents, and says he has used Instagram to find out what the real Lashley is like. He makes fun of the inspirational quotes that Lashley posts on his Instagram account, calling them close to "Sami Zayn levels of poetry." He then says that the "simple Texas folks" in the crowd think that Lashley is a good person due to these posts, but Sami calls himself "an intellectual" and says he sent an anonymous DM to Lashley where he got a link to a VIP-exclusive Bobby Lashley fan club. He then says it is all a cash grab to pay money for a Bobby Lashley headband and T-shirt, and says he is too smart to fall for his tricks. Lashley wants to know how many sock accounts Sami Zayn has, and thought Sami would meet him face-to-face. Sami says he does not talk face-to-face with liars, and Lashley says he does not know whether to laugh with him, laugh at him or feel sorry for him. As Sami leaves through the crowd, Sami says Lashley's reputation is a lie when Lashley mentions his reputation. Sami then questions whether or not Lashley was in the military, which makes Lashley angry. This ends the segment.
Charly Caruso interviews Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh. Jinder says Roman Reigns is a jealous, bitter man who senses his superiority and is threatened, and says that he has been given opportunities that belong to him, wasted them, and thinks there is a conspiracy against him. He says that this is why Roman tried to take him out of the Money In The Bank Ladder Match. However, the winds are changing, and soon, Roman will learn a storm is coming. Afterwards, Renee Young interviews Roman Reigns, who says that Jinder has forgotten who he is and what he has done in WWE, and that Jinder hasn't done anything lately but walk around and expect to be handed opportunities. Jinder takes offense to this statement and dares Roman to say it to his face, but Roman tells Jinder to shut his mouth. He then says he has no problem saying it to his face, and tells him to stay in the arena so he can shut his mouth for him. Roman eventually finds Jinder and Sunil Singh, and Roman knocks down Sunil before he and Jinder go at it. Officials and referees quickly move into place to separate both men.
Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon beat The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan). During the match, Alexa Bliss tweaks her knee and is forced to walk out of the match. Later on in the match, Bayley shows up to help Sasha Banks tag out, and helps her and Ember Moon win the match. Backstage, Baron Corbin reminds General Manager Kurt Angle that he is Commissioner Stephanie McMahon's eyes and ears, and he tells Kurt Angle to tell Bayley, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon their win does not count.
Backstage, Bayley, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon talk. Sasha thanks Bayley, and Ember Moon says Bayley and Sasha should hug it out. Suddenly, General Manager Kurt Angle shows up. Angle tells them that The Riott Squad won by disqualification. Ember Moon walks away disappointed, then Sasha Banks shakes her head at Bayley and leaves.
Backstage, Baron Corbin chews out referee John Cone.
Big Show stands with some local Special Olympics athletes from Team Texas as part of WWE's partnership with the Special Olympics. Afterwards, as part of the "Balor Club is for everyone" message, everyone on stage takes part in Finn Balor's entrance on the stage afterwards.
Next week: The Raw participants in the men's and women's Money In The Bank Ladder Matches face each other in their own Fatal 4-Way Matches...and Natalya's and Alexa Bliss' statuses are in doubt! "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax meet face-to-face!
Finn Balor beats Kevin Owens by disqualification when Owens refuses to let Finn Balor out of the corner. After the match, Owens hits Finn Balor with a frog splash from the top rope. Owens then drags a ladder out from underneath the ring, places it in the middle of the ring, climbs up and tries to hit Finn with another frog splash only to nearly lose his balance, allowing Finn to get up and fight back.Finn then climbs up the ladder and hits Owens with a Coup De Grace from the top of the ladder before climbing up again and taking one of the two Money In The Bank briefcases high above the ring to end the show.
This episode picks up where the last episode left off with Nikki talking to John Cena. Nikki tells Cena that she is considering going back to therapy, thinking she was okay after she had it. Cena says that Nikki should not put her feeling to the side, even though Nikki cannot imagine not being married to John and spending the rest of her life with him. He also tells Nikki that she has not been honest with herself and that she has been looking past that. When Nikki asks if they should call the wedding off, John Cena says yes. He apologizes to her, and when Nikki does the same, John Cena tells her she did nothing wrong. He then says he will not tell everyone that the wedding is off until Nikki is comfortable with him saying so. John Cena and Nikki then both say that they still love each other, then Cena leaves and Nikki texts her mom Kathy, saying she and John Cena have just broke up and to meet her at her room. Kathy commends Nikki and John Cena for being mature about the break-up, but admits it hurts hard. Nikki tells Kathy that the birth of Birdie was the straw that broke the camel's back, and that she didn't want to waste money on a marriage that did not feel honest. Nikki says she feels like she just took something good away from John Cena, but Kathy tells Nikki to take the break-up with John Cena day by day. Privately, Kathy is devastated, but at the same time, she is proud of Nikki for figuring out what she truly wants and that she should not put other people before herself. She also does not want Nikki or John Cena to regret the decision that they have just made. On the way back, Brie texts Nikki, telling her about the break-up and that she needs her.
Nikki and Kathy show up at Brie and Bryan's house. Nikki says she is giving John Cena a few days of space; meanwhile, Brie knows that Nikki is crushed. Nikki feels like a big piece of her is missing without John Cena. Brie says she does not want John to regret calling the wedding off, and that she understands Nikki wanting a baby of her own after Birdie was born and that she does not want to see her and John sad. Nikki also mentions that John also really looked forward to seeing Nikki as a mom, and wanted the first thank you text. Afterwards, is it announced that Bryan is in Detroit, Michigan having his health tested, and if he is in good shape, he will be cleared to wrestle again.
Brie is on the phone with Bryan while out, then goes out to get hair extensions as part of her and Nikki's WWE comeback. J.J. and Lauren show up with champagne. J.J. opens it outside of the building, but the champagne does not leak out. Brie loves her hair extensions after the work is done.
Brie and Kathy go looking for a home for Nikki in San Diego, California. Brie and Nikki's family check out a house that is currently on the market, but being like a cabin, it is more like something that Brie would want and not Nikki.
Brie and Nikki's family have dinner at a restaurant. Brie talks about her and Bryan buying cannabis biscuits for Winston, then she and Nikki talk about their return appearance at Raw 25 and what they will be wearing that night. In a conversation with Brie and J.J., Nikki says she feels super confused after her break-up, and that the break-up has everything to do with her as she was always a "yes girl" and that she was never honest with herself, and that she sacrificed so much just to keep the relationship. Kathy feels they should still support John Cena, and Brie tells Nikki to take her time concerning the break-up.
Brie and Bryan check out another house. Bryan ends up liking the house, and they end up getting ready to buy it.
Nikki does a photo shoot for Birdiebee despite her break-up with John Cena. Nikki shows up halfway through to pose for some photos with Brie, and Kathy is also there. Brie notices that Nikki is good at putting on a straight face, and it is also noted that nobody on Birdiebee staff knows about the wedding being called off.
Brie and Nikki get their make-up done for Raw 25. Nikki is worried about her potential first meeting with John Cena since the break-up, and Brie is upset that John Cena has not called since the break-up happened.
At Raw 25, Brie and Nikki meet up with The Miz, Maryse, Paige, Titus O'Neil, Natalya. Nikki feels like she is living in a fake life as she has to put up a facade that everything between herself and John Cena is okay and has to please everyone. As Brie talks with Bryan, Brie sees Nikki hugging John Cena. Even though Cena is trying to the right thing during the break-up and stay away, they both miss each other and promise to communicate whenever Nikki is ready. Brie and Nikki then come out to the stage for their first televised WWE appearance in quite some time. Nikki says she should feel happy to sharing the stage with great women throughout WWE history, but she cannot even enjoy it due to her break-up with John. Jon then shows up on the stage, and Nikki decides to get out of the arena so she can stop pretending and see what she wants out of life.
Bonus clip: Nikki's family supports her during her break-up.
Bonus clip: Brie Bella gets candid about mom issues.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Burnard the Business Bear show up. Cody says going by "The American Nightmare" has ironically been a dream in the last six months, as he has taken the leadership of Bullet Club and he will become the next great Senator from Texas and the next NWA World Heavyweight Champion. However, the world is not enough, and as he stands, he demands his ROH World Championship rematch. He then mentions the three-way dance for the title at Best In The World and "The Villain" Marty Scurll's involvement in the match, then Scurll shows up. Scurll says Cody loves to tell everyone how good he is, but the truth is that he does not have to do that as the people already know. He then goes on to say that nobody knows this better than Cody, as Cody feels threatened and intimidated by him. Scurll then tells Cody that he will see first-hand just how good he is at Best In The World, because even though they are friends, if he has to get through him to get the ROH World Championship, then that is exactly what he is going to do. He then extends his hand for a gentleman's handshake, but Cody is surprised that this is all Scurll has to say. Cody says Scurll is a good guy, then he shakes hands with Scurll. Scurll, however, does not let go, and teases applying joint manipulation to Cody's fingers before letting go, threatening to hit Burnard with his umbrella and leaving.
We hear from "The Last Real Man" Silas Young, who says that Austin Aries has been begging and whining for the shot at the ROH World Television Championship that he now has. He says tonight is the night, and he hopes Aries has been studying and working out, as he has been training and the only thing he wants to hear from Aries instead of excuses is the statement that he is the greatest man that ever lived and not Aries.
Tenille Dashwood beats Karen Q after reversing a Spring Roll into a roll-up. After the match, Karen Q is infuriated over his loss and swings a steel hair around before leaving through the crowd.
We see a video package chronicling the feud between Punishment Martinez and "Hangman" Adam Page.
It is announced that Punishment Martinez and "Hangman" Adam Page will face each other at Best In The World, as will The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) vs. The Briscoes (Jay and Mark Briscoe) for the ROH World Tag Team Championships.
.Austin Aries beats "The Last Real Man" Silas Young to become the ROH World Television Champion in his first ROH match in over three years...almost. During the match, referee Paul Turner goes down when Austin Aries' legs hit Turner in the head when Silas goes for Misery. The Beer City Bruiser runs down to the ring, but Kenny King stops him. Nevertheless, this distracts Aries, and Silas Young trips Aries off the top rope. He tries to use the Television title as a weapon, but Kenny King stops him and uses the title against Silas, allowing Aries to get the win. After the match, however, senior referee Todd Sinclair meets with Stone and ring announcer Bobby Cruise, the decision is reversed and Silas Young wins by disqualification, bringing the ROH World Television Championship back to him. Aries kicks Todd Sinclair in the groin, and Kenny King calms Aries down and hands his championship belts back to him only to be kicked in the groin, hit with a brainbuster and put in the Last Chancery.
