[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize Apr 24, 2023 2:56:56 GMT 1 Asaemon, johnnyboombatz, and 1 more like this

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Post by sleestaklightning on Apr 24, 2023 2:56:56 GMT 1

WWE WrestleMania XXXIX -- NIGHT ONE

Saturday -- Week 1 -- April 2023

LIVE! from So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

PRE-SHOW: SENSATIONAL INVITATIONAL BATTLE ROYAL

Near the end of the two-hour long pre-show the go to the ring for the first match of the night. A quick video paying tribute to Sensational Sherri Martel is shown. After the video we get a shot of the trophy as the women are entering the arena to mixed reactions.

Participants: Alexa Bliss, Beth Phoenix, Brandi Rhodes, B-FAB, Candice LeRae, Carmella, Chelsea Green, Dana Brooke, Sonya Deville, NXT Superstar Deonna Purrazzo, Jessamyn Duke, Lacey Evans, Marina Shafir, Mia Yim, Mickie James, Natalya, Nikki Cross, Tegan Nox, Sarah Rowe, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Tamina, Emma, Victoria and the returning EVA MARIE.

Order of Elimination:

01.) B-FAB (by Tamina)

02.) Dana Brooke (by Nikki Cross)

03.) Marina Shafir (by Beth Phoenix)

04.) Victoria (by Shayna Baszler)

05.) Valhalla (by Beth Phoenix)

06.) Mia Yim (by Lacey Evans)

07.) Candice LeRae (by Eva Marie)

08.) Eva Marie (by Emma)

09.) Jessamyn Duke (by Tegan Nox)

10.) Tamina (by Natalya)

11.) Sonya Deville (by Shotzi)

12.) Brandi Rhodes (by Deonna Purrazzo)

13.) Nikki Cross (by Alexa Bliss)

14.) Deonna Purrazzo (by Mickie James)

15.) Shotzi (by Carmella)

16.) Natalya (by Beth Phoenix)

17.) Emma (by Lacey Evans)

18.) Mickie James (by Shayna Baszler)

19.) Carmella (by Beth Phoenix)

20.) Chelsea Green (by Tegan Nox)

21.) Alexa Bliss (by Beth Phoenix)

22.) Beth Phoenix (by Shayna Baszler)

23.) Shayna Baszler (by Tegan Nox)

24.) Tegan Nox (by Lacey Evans)

WINNER: Lacey Evans (23:35) | 51

WELCOME TO WRESTLEMANIA

All the usual pomp and circumstance of WrestleMania kicks off the show. A WrestleMania hype video, then pyro, then America The Beautiful, then more pyro. | 68

WWE WORLD WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: BIANCA BELAIR (C) |VS| RHEA RIPLEY

What an awesome way to open WrestleMania. Both women get special Mania entrances and the title fight introductions. The women lock-up to start the match. Each woman gets a chance to show off their strength early. Rhea gets the early advantage and starts working over Bianca's back. They build slowly with Rhea viciously targeting Bianca's lower back and Bianca trying to fight from underneath. The crowd is into the match and solidly behind Bianca as she starts to fight back. Bianca starts a comeback but Rhea cuts her off by kicking her in the knee. Bianca collapses to the mat and holds her knee in pain. The referee temporarily stops the match to check on Bianca but the champion insists she can continue. Rhea shoves the referee out of the way and goes back on the attack. Bianca throws her shoulder into Rhea's midsection. Bianca comes back and gets Rhea on the run. Bianca clotheslines Rhea to the outside. Bianca charges and hits a suicide dive and knocks Rhea backward into the barricade. They start to brawl and Rhea whips Bianca into the steel steps. Bianca takes a Mick Foley bump where she hits her knee off the steps and flips over them. Rhea walks over to Bianca, and rolls her back in the ring. Rhea climbs in and bends down to pick Bianca up for the Riptide but Bianca slides down Rhea's back and forearms Rhea in the back of the neck. Bianca goes to run off the ropes but her knee gives out. Rhea is stunned but she turns around and charges Bianca and goes for a big boot but Bianca ducks and rolls up Rhea for a cover but Rhea kicks out. They both get to their feet and Rhea charges for a clothesline. Bianca ducks and Rhea runs past her but reaches back and grabs Bianca's ponytail and spins her around. Rhea kicks Bianca in the midsection and goes for the Riptide again but Bianca powers out of it with a hip toss. Rhea bumps and Bianca goes on the attack but her knee gives out again. Rhea pops up and grabs Bianca and hits the Riptide. Rhea covers Bianca, 1----2----NO! Bianca kicks out! Rhea gets up and begins stomping on Bianca and brutally kicking her. Bianca appears to be close to being out and Rhea bends down to pick her up. Bianca gets a small package and Rhea kicks out. Rhea is incensed and starts driving her knee into Bianca's head over and over Rhea tells the referee to call the match and she checks on Bianca. Bianca refuses to quit and the referee decides that the match can keep going. Rhea grabs Bianca by the hair and whips her into the corner. Rhea charges and Bianca moves. Rhea hits chest first in the corner and Bianca grabs her for the KOD. Bianca gets Rhea up on her shoulders and carries her toward the center of the ring. Bianca's knee gives out again and she collapses to the mat and Rhea lands on top of her. They both get to their feet and Rhea hits a short-arm forearm shot to the face and then a short-arm clothesline. Rhea hits the Riptide and covers Bianca, 1-----2-----3!!!

WINNER by pinfall and NEW WWE World Women's Champion: Rhea Ripley (17:35) | 80

BRAWLING WITH THE BRUTES HYPE VIDEO

A video airs recapping the Drew McIntyre/Sheamus feud and how Tyson Fury came to be involved. | 66

DREW MCINTYRE & TYSON FURY |VS| SHEAMUS & RIDGE HOLLAND

A really fun WrestleMania celebrity match. McIntyre looks great early. He beats Ridge and Sheamus all around the ring. But Sheamus turns the tide with a low blow kick that the referee doesn't see. The heels work McIntyre over in the corner. Ridge Holland goes for a spear on McIntyre as he is held in the corner by Sheamus but Drew elbows Sheamus and moves out of the way. He tags in Tyson Fury. Fury impresses everyone with a running clothesline on Ridge. Ridge pops up and charges and Fury hits a back body drop. Ridge tags in Sheamus. Sheamus and Fury get face-to-face in the center of the ring. Sheamus and Fury throw punches but both men block the shots. Sheamus boots Fury in the midsection and whips him into the corner. Running knee and Fury sells it by collapsing to his knees. Sheamus grabs Fury by the beard and taunts him. Fury headbutts Sheamus and then hits him with a huge right hand. Sheamus falls to the mat. Ridge attacks Fury from behind and sends him flying into the corner. Fury tags Drew. Drew comes in and hits the Claymore Kick on Ridge. Sheamus starts to stir and slowly gets to his feet. Fury grabs Sheamus and pulls him up to his feet. Drew goes for the Claymore on Sheamus but Sheamus moves and Drew pulls up to avoid hitting Fury. Sheamus slides behind Drew and he hits Brogue Kick on Drew but as soon as he lands, Fury destroys him with an uppercut. Sheamus falls to the mat and Fury drapes Drew's arm over Sheamus and the referee counts the pinfall.

WINNERS by pinfall: Drew McIntyre & Tyson Fury (12:47) | 71

CODY'S OPPONENT IS REVEALED?

Next up we get a rather long video recapping the Cody/Bloodline feud. It focuses on Cody agreeing to face a mystery opponent of Paul Heyman's choosing on Night One of WrestleMania. The video is then interspersed with various members of WWE discussing this match publicly and speculating on who Heyman will select to be Cody's opponent. | 66

CODY RHODES |VS| THE GREAT MUTA

Cody Rhodes is introduced first and he gets a huge ovation. He gets in the ring and paces around as he waits to find out who his opponent will be. After a momentary wait all of the lights in the stadium go out and some new mysterious sounding music hits. THE GREAT MUTA makes his WrestleMania entrance and gets a very nice ovation from the crowd. Cody looks a little surprised by the announcement. Muta gets to the ring and when the lights come back up he and Cody walk to the center of the ring. Cody offers a handshake and Muta obliges. He pulls Cody close and sprays black mist into Cody's face. Cody sells it incredibly, acting as if he's been blinded by it. The referee checks on him and the camera picks up Cody telling him that he can't see. The camera picks up Paul Heyman standing at ringside with a huge smile on his face. Heyman climbs in the ring and shakes Muta's hand as the referee waves off the match. Medical staff members rush out to check on Cody and they place a towel over his face and escort him to the back. | 70

AFTERMATH

As Cody is being helped to the back, his wife Brandi runs out to check on him and she sees Paul Heyman smiling in the ring and storms down to the ring. She slides in and shoves Heyman. Muta gets in between her and Paul and she yells at him too. Jamie Noble gets in the ring and tries to get Brandi out but she is trying to get at Heyman. Noble gets Brandi to start to leave and Muta walks away. Brandi breaks away from Noble and goes after Paul. She grabs him by the suit coat and he shoves her down. The crowd OOOOOOHs and Heyman, once he realizes what he did, quickly flees. | 73

MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH: AJ STYLES |VS| SANTOS ESCOBAR |VS| MATT CARDONA |VS| CEDRIC ALEXANDER |VS| SOLO SIKOA |VS| SHINSUKE NAKAMURA |VS| LA KNIGHT |VS| RICOCHET |VS| BUTCH |VS| JOHNNY GARGANO

After such a downer segment they needed something to get the crowd back up and this match delivered. There wasn't much story of psychology but there was a ton of fun spots. The match began with all 10 men exchanging punches in the middle of the ring. Eventually 8 men powder out of the ring and we're left with Solo Sikoa and Shinsuke Nakamura exchanging strikes. The crowd pops when Shinsuke tries to headbutt Solo and hurts himself. Eventually the other 8 men re-enter the match and one by one they get taken out. First up, Gargano is put through a table outside by Matt Cardona. Cardona then eats a forearm after Ricochet hits a suicide dive. Cedric Alexander and Santos Escobar do a crazy spot where they had a ladder set up in the middle of the ring and then attached closed ladders to it to make a bridge from the ladder to the ropes on all four sides of ring and then they leapt from ladder to ladder with Escobar chasing after Cedric. The spot ended when Butch hit a springboard clothesline to both men. At one point most everyone was down and Ricochet grabbed a ladder and set it up. He began to climb but was caught by LA Knight. Knight hit an Electric Chair Drop on Ricochet but Ricochet hits the top rope and flips to the outside. LA Knight has the ring to himself and the crowd pops as he starts to climb the ladder. AJ Styles pops up and looks like he's going to hit the Phenomenal Forearm but Butch grabs him and bites him on the leg. Knight reaches up and is about to grab the briefcase when Solo Sikoa tips over the ladder. Knight falls to the arena floor and Solo sets the ladder back up. He begins to climb and as he gets near the top Gargano leaps off the nearest turnbuckle but Solo catches him and hits a Samoan Drop off the ladder. Cardona slides in the ring and starts running up the ladder to steal the match but Solo grabs his ankle and yanks him down. Solo kicks Cardona in the midsection and then whips him into the corner and hits a charging clothesline. Solo turns around right into a superkick from Escobar but Escobar turns around and gets kicked in the side of the head by Nakamura. Cedric Alexander lifts Shinsuke up and hits the Lumbar Check. Cedric stands up and is hit with a Northern Lights suplex by Butch. Butch eats a Rough Ryder from Cardona and then AJ Styles kicks Cardona and hits the Styles Clash. AJ is all alone in the ring and starts to climb but he is speared off the ladder by Solo Sikoa who climbs up to the top and grabs the briefcase for the win.

WINNER: Solo Sikoa (17:29) | 76

USOS CHAMPIONSHIP REIGN RECAP

Next up is a video recapping the Usos lengthy tag team championship reign. The video does a great job demonstrating how strong they've looked and how many teams they've defeated. | 66

TRIPLE THREAT FOR THE WWE UNDISPUTED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: THE USOS (C) |VS| NEW DAY |VS| THE STREET PROFITS

Jey is banged up so he doesn't really do much in this match. But Jimmy bounces all over the place. Each team gets their signature spots in and we get some fun action where they keep reversing moves on one another. Kofi nearly wins the match early when he catches Jimmy Uso as he leaps off the top rope and Kofi hits the Trouble In Paradise for a near fall that's broken up by Jey Uso. The story of the match is that the Usos are struggling without Heyman and Solo in their corner and also with Jey's injury. But the other teams can't capitalize on their struggles because they keep preventing one another from getting the winning pinfall. Xavier Woods hits Montez Ford with a Codebreaker and gets a near fall that's again broken up by Jey Uso. The finish comes when Kofi and Woods are each on the top rope about to leap off onto Angelo Dawkins. Jimmy and Jey each hop up onto the ring apron and shove them off the top turnbuckles and down to the floor. The Usos take their place and go to hit a double splash but Montez Ford pulls Dawkins out of the way. The Usos crash into the mat. Dawkins tags in Montez. Montez quickly goes to the top and hits a big splash on Jimmy Uso and covers him but Jey breaks it up. Dawkins enters the ring and takes Jey out. Montez gets to his feet and staggers back into the corner. Jimmy rolls toward the corner and stands up and goes for a superkick but Montez ducks. Montez bounces off the ropes and hits a flying clothesline. Both men pop right back up and Jimmy catches Montez with a superkick and both men collapse to the mat. Jimmy lands on Montez and the referee counts but Kofi breaks up the pin. Jimmy gets up and Kofi goes for Trouble In Paradise again but Jimmy avoids it and grabs Kofi and ddts him. Xavier Woods leaps in from the apron and spears Jimmy. Woods stands up and sets Jimmy up for a piledriver or powerbomb but Jey Uso superkicks Woods. Woods falls to the outside. Kofi springboards back into the ring and hits a double clothesline on the Usos. As soon as Kofi pops up Dawkins is there to kick him and powerbomb him. Montez Ford gets up and goes to the top rope. Dawkins grabs Jimmy and whips him into the ropes. He hits a spinebuster and Montez hits a frog splash and covers Jimmy. Jey tries to break it up but Dawkins stops him, 1----2----3!!!

WINNERS and NEW WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions: The Street Profits (16:16) | 84

RHEA SPEAKS

We get a shot of the Street Profits celebrating in the ring and then we cut backstage to Kayla Braxton who welcomes in the NEW WWE World Women's Champion Rhea Ripley. Rhea comes in looking a little beat up and sweaty. She says she hasn't even showered yet. Kayla asks her for a comment on her win tonight and Rhea cuts what is largely a babyface promo where she talks about still not processing the win. She says Bianca was a great champion but she's not Rhea Ripley. She says that she plans on being champion for a long time and not backing down from any challenges. | 70

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: AUSTIN THEORY (C) |VS| RANDY ORTON

A slower paced, deliberate story telling match is needed at this point in the show and that's exactly what this was. Orton is a master at these types of matches and he does a great job here. Theory worked over Orton's back and the announcers really put over that Orton has just returned from major back surgery. The match built slowly with Theory cutting Orton off over and over and over until it seemed like Orton had nothing left. Suddenly, Orton hit an RKO out of nowhere but Theory rolled out of the ring. Orton went out to get him and Theory hit a low blow and then whipped Orton into the steel steps. Orton hits back first and rolls onto the ground selling that he's in severe pain. Theory picks Orton up and rolls him into the ring. Theory goes back on the attack but he makes a mistake and misses a dropkick and Orton capitalizes. Orton gets his comeback going and the crowd is really getting into it the match when suddenly Dabba Kato climbs over the barricade from the crowd. This distracts Orton and the referee. Theory digs into his tights and pulls out a pair of brass knuckles. He turns Orton around and levels him with the knuckles and then Theory tosses them out of the ring. The referee turns around and Theory covers Orton for the pinfall victory.

WINNER by pinfall and STILL WWE United States Champion: Austin Theory (12:58) | 73

KO OR SUBMISSION ONLY -- BOBBY LASHLEY |VS| BROCK LESNAR | SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: DANIEL CORMIER

Talk about "big fight feel" this match had it in spades. They did a great job with the presentation of this one as the introductions and entrances and everything about the pre-match festivities were right out of boxing or MMA. Cormier gave his instructions and Lashley turned to retreat to his corner but Brock Lesnar jumped him from behind. Lashley recovered and fought back and the two men basically just exchanged strikes to start. Lesnar got a waistlock on Lashley and hit a German suplex. He hit a second one and stood up and played to the crowd a bit. He turned around just in time to see Lashley barrelling toward him. Lashley speared Lesnar and Lesnar flew out of the ring between the ropes and fell to the floor. Lesnar appeared to have injured his ribs in the fall. He stood up holding his ribs and climbed back in. Cormier asked Lesnar if he was able to continue and Lesnar flipped him off. Lesnar tells Lashley to "come on, mother****er" and Lashley goes on the offensive with various strikes to Lesnar's ribs. Lashley has him backed into the corner and Lesnar is covering up. Cormier backs Lashley out of the corner and Lesnar gets out of the corner and shoves Cormier out of the way as he goes after Lashley. Lesnar and Lashley exchange some punches in the middle of the ring and Lashley gets behind Lesnar and goes for the Hurt Lock but Lesnar hits a low blow. Cormier admonishes Lesnar and Lesnar slaps Cormier's hand away and goes back on the attack but Cormier grabs Lesnar around the waist and pulls him back. Lesnar elbows Cormier to back him off and Cormier wants to hit Lesnar but holds back. He and Lesnar exchange words and Lashley charges Lesnar and spears him again. Lesnar holds his ribs and screams in pain and blood begins to leak out of his mouth. Cormier calls for the medical team to come and check on Lesnar but Lesnar shoves them away. Cormier pushes Lesnar back into the corner to make him get checked by the doctors and Lesnar head butts Cormier and pushes him out of the way. Lashley is ready to fight again and suddenly the bell rings. Cormier stops the match.

WINNER by referee stoppage: Bobby Lashley (7:55) | 73

LESNAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH CORMIER

When Lesnar realizes Cormier stopped the match he is livid. The doctors come in the ring to check on Brock and he shoves them down or ignores them and goes after Cormier. Cormier is on the outside of the ring and Lesnar spits on him. Cormier climbs back up onto the apron and gets into the ring. The two men are about to come to blows when numerous road agents and security get in the ring and stand between the two men. Cormier is eventually escorted out of the ring and to the back while a obviously injured Brock Lesnar slams things and breaks stuff at ringside. | 70

ELABORATE REIGNS ENTRANCE

A massive Samoan dance troop comes out onto the stage and performs a Fa'ataupa (slap dance) for a few moments until Roman Reigns' music hits. Reigns comes out onto the stage in his black pants with a red lei around his neck. He is wearing the WWE Universal Championship and Paul Heyman is behind him carrying the WWE World Championship. As Reigns passes the dance troop they all raise their hands into the air and put up one finger, acknowledging their Tribal Chief. Reigns gets in the ring and gets ready. | 78

MAIN EVENT -- WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: ROMAN REIGNS (C) |VS| SAMI ZAYN |VS| KEVIN OWENS

This felt like a WrestleMania match the entire way from the introductions to the finish. Really good match. Sami Zayn was jumped by Solo Sikoa as Sami was about to get into the ring. Solo beat the hell out of Sami outside. Reigns took advantage of Owens being distracted by the brawl and jumped him from behind. Zayn was destroyed by Solo and Solo powerbombed him through the Spanish announce table after hitting him with the Samoan Spike. Sami was injured and the announcers called for the medical staff. Sami was placed on a stretcher and wheeled out so we all know what's coming next. Inside the ring Reigns and Owens had a great brawl. It was clear that Owens had scouted Reigns because he countered most of Reigns' offense. So Reigns mixed things up and did some new moves we haven't seen from him. Reigns hit a shoulder breaker and then picked Owens up and hit a belly-to-belly suplex on him. Reigns got a couple near falls and then Owens started making his comeback. Owens hit a superkick and then a pop-up powerbomb for a two count. Owens eventually hit Reigns with a Stunner and had him down. But before Owens could make the cover, Solo slid in the ring behind Owens and leveled him with the Money In The Bank briefcase. Owens went down and Solo went to exit the ring but suddenly had an idea. He stopped at the ropes and turned around to see both men down on the mat. The crowd start cheering and chanting "YES! YES! YES!" at the idea of Solo cashing it. Paul Heyman tries to get Solo's attention and begs him not to do it. But Solo hands the referee the briefcase and the crowd pops as the announcement is made the Solo Sikoa will be cashing in his MITB briefcase. Solo picked Owens up and went for the Samoan Spike but Owens kicked him in the midsection and went for a Stunner but Solo shoved him away. Reigns got caught by Roman who hit him with a rock bottom. Reigns confronted Solo and they began arguing. Owens got up to his knees and hit Roman with a low blow and then charged Solo but Solo caught him with a Samoan Drop. Solo bends down and grabs KO and hits the Samoan Spike! The crowd pops again and the cameras cut to the entrance and we see Sami Zayn limping to the ring. Solo covers Owens, 1---2----SAMI breaks up the pin attempt! Zayn gets to his feet and so does Solo. Sami ducks a clothesline and then runs at Solo and kicks him in the midsection. Sami hits a high knee lift and then whipped Solo into the corner. Sami hit Solo with a Helluva Kick! And then Sami whipped Solo across the ring and Sami goes for another Helluva Kick but Reigns spears him out of nowhere. Reigns covers Sami, 1---2---Owens breaks it up! Owens and Reigns get to their feet and exchange punches. Solo recovers and charges both men and hits a double clothesline. Solo bends down and grabs Sami but Sami hits a chinbuster and Solo staggers to the ropes and Sami hits a running clothesline and Solo goes to the arena floor. Sami turns around and Owens kicks him and hits a Stunner. Reigns spears Owens and then covers him, 1---2---Sami pulls the referee away! Reigns is pissed and he takes an unnecessary chance as he charges toward Sami and goes for a suicide dive. Sami moves out of the way and Reigns hits the barricade on the outside. Solo gets back in the ring and Owens kicks him and goes for a Stunner but Solo shoves Owens away and then when Owens charges him Solo hits the Samoan Spike. Owens collapses to the mat and Solo covers him. 1---2---Sami breaks up the pin! Solo grabs Sami and throws him to the outside. Sami lands on his feet and Roman comes flying in and spears him. Reigns picks Sami up and sets him on the announce table. Reigns goes up to the ring apron and gets a running start before leaping off and going for an elbow drop but Sami moves. Roman goes through the table! In the ring Solo picks Owens up and puts him on the top turnbuckle. Solo climbs up to the 2nd rope. Solo hits a superplex on Owens. Solo gets to his feet and before he can go for the pin, Sami is in the ring. They meet in the middle of the ring and they begin throwing wild punches. Solo wins the exchange and grabs Sami by the wrist and goes for an Irish whip but Sami reverses it and as soon as Solo hits the corner, Sami charges and nails him wit the Helluva Kick! Solo staggers out of the corner and Sami, full of adrenaline, is able to pick Solo up and hit the Blue Thunder Bomb on him. Sami covers Solo. 1-----2----3!!!

WINNER by pinfall and NEW WWE Universal Champion: Sami Zayn (26:17) | 72

SAMI CELEBRATES

The match ends with Sami celebrating in the ring. The crowd is going crazy and pyro shoots off from the stage. The announcers sign off for night one with Sami Zayn hugging the Universal Championship on the stage as the crowd cheers him on. | 76

OVERALL RATING: 74

Last Edit: Apr 24, 2023 2:58:46 GMT 1 by sleestaklightning

sleestaklightning
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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize May 13, 2023 7:01:35 GMT 1 Asaemon, johnnyboombatz, and 2 more like this

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Post by sleestaklightning on May 13, 2023 7:01:35 GMT 1

WWE WrestleMania XXXIX -- NIGHT TWO

Saturday -- Week 1 -- April 2023

LIVE! from So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

PRE-SHOW: Omos won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal in 28:15 | 65

Order Of Elimination:

01.) Akira Tozawa (by Karrion Kross)

02.) Top Dolla (by Braun Strowman)

03.) Karl Anderson (by Davey Boy Smith Jr)

04.) Luke Gallows (by Omos)

05.) Humberto (by Mace)

06.) Drake Maverick (by Nick Aldis)

07.) Mansoor (by Ivar)

08.) Rob Van Dam (by Karrion Kross)

09.) Jinder Mahal (by Braun Strowman)

10.) Elias (by Pat McAfee)

11.) Pat McAfee (by The Miz)

12.) Dexter Lumis (by Braun Strowman)

13.) Baron Corbin (by Drew Gulak)

14.) R-Truth (by Ludwig Kaiser)

15.) Cruz Del Toro (by Chad Gable)

16.) Ashante thee Adonis (by Davey Boy Smith Jr.)

17.) Riddick Moss (by Tommaso Ciampa)

18.) Mace (by Cameron Grimes)

19.) Mustafa Ali (by Robert Roode)

20.) Joaquin Wilde (by Karrion Kross)

21.) Ivar (by Nick Aldis)

22.) Giovanni Vinci (by Drew Gulak)

23.) Dolph Ziggler (by Braun Strowman)

24.) Braun Strowman (by The Miz & Robert Roode)

25.) Shelton Benjamin (by Rick Boogs)

26.) Otis (by Omos)

27.) The Miz (by Davey Boy Smith Jr)

28.) Ludwig Kaiser (by Nick Aldis)

29.) Angel (by Cameron Grimes)

30.) Erik (by Davey Boy Smith Jr)

31.) Drew Gulak (by Karrion Kross)

32.) Karrion Kross (by Nick Aldis)

33.) Chad Gable (by Rick Boogs)

34.) Cameron Grimes (by Omos)

35.) Robert Roode (by Nick Aldis)

36.) Rick Boogs (by Omos)

37.) Tommaso Ciampa (by Nick Aldis)

38.) Davey Boy Smith Jr (by Omos)

39.) Nick Aldis (by Omos)

WINNER: OMOS

SHOW OPENING

Next up is the WrestleMania Night Two hype package. We see some highlights from Night One and then a recap of the Roman/Cody feud. The video ends with shots of Cody being helped to the back, unable to see. | 74

SETH FREAKIN' ROLLINS |VS| KOTA IBUSHI

An awesome opener. The crowd wasn't totally into Ibushi at the start but Rollins sold for him and got the crowd behind Ibushi before long. Rollins controlled the match to begin and dominated Ibushi with strikes. He mocked Ibushi, grabbing him by the hair and talking smack to him. Rollins went for a buckle bomb but Ibushi turned it into a hurricanrana and Rollins went through the ropes and to the floor. Ibushi hit a tope onto Rollins as Rollins gets to his feet. They brawl on the outside of the ring for a bit with Rollins regaining control when he runs Ibushi back-first into the barricade. Rollins rolls Ibushi back into the ring. They exchange some big moves and Ibushi eventually goes to the top rope and goes for a Shooting Star Press but Rollins gets his knees up. Ibushi lands right on Rollins' knees and Rollins rolls over into a pin but Ibushi kicks out. Rollins hits a Falcon Arrow for another near fall. Rollins goes for the Stomp but Ibushi pops up and kicks Rollins in the midsection as he's in mid-air. Ibushi hits a Tiger Driver and covers Rollins but Seth kicks out at two. Ibushi picks Seth up by the hair and backs him into the corner. Kota chops him and then goes to whip him across the ring but Rollins runs up the turnbuckles and as Ibushi runs up behind him, Rollins leaps backwards off the turnbuckles and hits a cross body but Ibushi rolls through and gets a near fall. Rollins pops up and he's frustrated. Kota charges and Seth back body drops him to the floor. Rollins goes up to the top rope and is about to try something, but Ibushi pops up onto the apron and shakes the ropes. Rollins crotches the top turnbuckle and Ibushi springboards off the top rope and hits a hurricanrana on Rollins. Rollins hits in the middle of the ring. Ibushi runs to the nearest corner and starts to go up but Rollins gets up and low blows Ibushi as Kota is climbing. Rollins pulls Kota down from the corner and hits a German suplex. Rollins lets go and goes for the Stomp again but this time Ibushi rolls to the apron. He pulls himself up to his feet. Rollins charges and Ibushi goes for a back body drop but Rollins kicks him in the face and then whips him into the corner. Rollins follows Ibushi into the corner and squishes him with a charging corner lariat. In a callback to WrestleMania 10, the finish occurs when Rollins goes for a victory roll and Ibushi blocking it ala Owen Hart and getting a pinfall victory in his WWE debut.

WINNER by pinfall: Kota Ibushi (14:25) | 77

UPDATE ON CODY

Backstage Kayla Braxton is standing by with Cody Rhodes' wife, Brandi. Kayla asks her for an update on Cody after being blinded by the Great Muta yesterday. Brandi says that Cody still has not regained 100% of his vision but it's back enough that he's been cleared to wrestle. Brandi says she does not want Cody to compete tonight but he's not going to listen to her and she realizes that. She just wants Cody to be sure to protect himself out there. | 40

WOMEN'S MONEY IN THE BANK MATCH: ASUKA |VS| NAOMI |VS| LIV MORGAN |VS| RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ |VS| PIPER NIVEN |VS| ZELINA VEGA

The women's MITB starts off with all six women brawling in the ring and no ladders involved. After a few minutes Piper Niven clears the ring of everyone but Raquel and the two women face off in the center of the ring. Raquel goes for a choke bomb but Piper dodges it and clotheslines Raquel out of the ring. Zelina Vega brings the first ladder in and the match gets properly underway. The story of this match is the women being eliminated one-by-one with more and more devastating high spots as the match goes on. Zelina gets taken out first when Liv Morgan hits ddts her from near the top of the ladder. Asuka is next to be incapacitated after Piper Niven powerslams her onto a ladder that was on its side. The brutal looking bump may have actually hurt Asuka as she immediately rolled out of the ring and was helped to the back after the match. Naomi goes for a moonsault onto Liv through a table but Raquel pulls Liv off the table and Naomi crashes down. Raquel and Liv work together as a team and go after Piper Niven. Raquel and Liv work together to powerbomb Piper through a table in the ring. Liv and Raquel both immediately run toward a ladder that's set up in the corner and set it up. They each start climbing. Zelina Vega re-enters the picture with a top rope dropkick that knocks the ladder down and sends Liv crashing to the arena floor. Naomi gets back in the ring and tackles Zelina and they roll to the outside. Raquel sets the ladder back up and begins climbing. Before she can get to the top Piper Niven gets back up and climbs up behind Raquel. Piper hits a back suplex on Raquel from off the ladder. Piper is up on her feet and suddenly realizes she's the last woman left standing. She climbs the ladder but Raquel grabs her foot. Piper kicks Raquel off. Naomi and Zelina each try to get back in and get to the ladder but they fight to get there first and that allows Piper to get to the top and grab the briefcase for the win.

WINNER of the 2023 Women's Money In The Bank Match: Piper Niven (12:24) | 59

NO FREAKIN' WAY

Backstage Byron Saxton is trying to get a word with Seth Freakin' Rollins and Rollins is apoplectic about losing. He runs his hands through his hair and just screams at Byron and walks off in frustration. | 53

GOLDBERG |VS| BRAY WYATT

This ended up not being a match as much as a longer angle. To start, we get a weird almost gimmick change for Wyatt. We get a closeup of a door in the back and then a gloved hand knocks on the door with a strange rhythm and the door opens. Bray Wyatt steps out dressed in his old swamp messiah gimmick clothing but it's all black leather. Wyatt spoofs the Goldberg entrance, complete with Uncle Howdy and a couple masked men following him. In the stadium "Broken Out In Love" plays and the crowd sort of pops as Wyatt enters by himself. He walks to the ring with a big grin on his face. Up next we get another shot of a door but this time a nameplate says "GOLDBERG" on it. The same gloved hand from earlier knocks on the door and it opens. The camera pans out and we see security guards laid out on the ground. Goldberg notices this just as Uncle Howdy and the two masked men from Bray's entrance attack him. They in the backstage area. Goldberg picks Uncle Howdy up and slams him onto a storage case before the large masked men go back on offense and knock Goldberg to his knees. They grab him and drag him out onto the stage and then down to the ring. They roll Goldberg into the ring and the bell rings. Wyatt kicks and stomps Goldberg to start and knocks him back into the corner. Bray backs up and goes for a corner clothesline but Goldberg spears him. Goldberg grabs Bray and lifts him up for the Jackhammer but Uncle Howdy reappears and whacks Goldberg in the knee with his cane. Goldberg drops Bray and falls to the mat holding his knee as the referee calls for the bell. Uncle Howdy and the two masked men begin kicking and stomping Goldberg until Wyatt gets to his feet and tells them to stop. Bray hits Sister Abigail on Goldberg and then hits another one. Bray and his new crew stand over Goldberg and the lights go out. When they come back on Bray and his cronies are gone but Goldberg is still in the ring, stunned.

WINNER by disqualification: Goldberg (1:34) | 60

WOMEN'S TITLE HYPE VIDEO

A video airs hyping up the WWE Universal Women's Championship match and spotlighting Ronda Rousey's feud with all four of Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Sasha Banks. | 68

WWE UNIVERSAL WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP -- FATAL 5-WAY: RONDA ROUSEY (C) |VS| BAYLEY |VS| BECKY LYNCH |VS| CHARLOTTE FLAIR |VS| SASHA BANKS

After the introductions the four challengers immediately went after Rousey. Rousey fought them off but the numbers game was too hard to compete with and the challengers took her down and started kicking and stomping her. Charlotte and Sasha ended up outside with Ronda and Becky went to join them but Bayley took advantage and school boy'd Becky for a near fall. Both women got to their feet and they exchanged punches. Ronda trips up Sasha and then throws Charlotte into the steps and crawls back into the ring. Bayley and Becky immediately go after Ronda again and Ronda is basically punished for her transgressions until Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir, and Jessamyn Duke rush out to try and even the odds. The challengers fight off Ronda's friends but the distraction allows Ronda time to recover. She chop blocks Becky Lynch and then gets Bayley in a rear naked choke but Charlotte breaks it up. The finish starts with each woman hitting finish and covering their opponent only for someone else to break it up and then hit their finish on the last person. The cycle continues until Becky Lynch hits the Manhandle Slam on Ronda and covers her, 1---2---Bayley breaks it up! Bayley picks Becky up and hits the Belly-To-Bayley suplex but before she can cover, Sasha comes off the top rope with a Meteora. But after the impact Sasha's momentum carries her forward into the arms of Ronda Rousey who immediately locks her in an armbar. Sasha tries not to tap and is helped by Charlotte who attacks Ronda to break it up. Charlotte and Ronda are brawling and go over the top rope together and fall to the arena floor. They begin brawling outside. In the ring, Bayley spins Sasha around as Sasha is trying to get her arm back. Bayley kicks Sasha in the midsection and hits an implant ddt but she can't cover Sasha as Becky grabs her and throws her out of the ring. While Becky's back is turned Sasha hits the Backstabber and rolls through for the Banks Statement submission. Becky won't tap and suddenly Charlotte is back up on her feet but Ronda's friends re-appear and grab Charlotte by the legs and yank her out of the ring. Bayley is back and she drops an elbow on Sasha to break up the submission. Becky rolls out of the ring to recover. Sasha and Bayley have a fun exchange where they each keep countering each other's big moves. Finally Bayley hits an Olympic Slam out of nowhere and covers Sasha, 1---2---Sasha kicks out! Outside the ring we see Duke, Baszler, and Shafir brawling up the ramp with Charlotte. Ronda slides back in and tackles Bayley and starts throwing forearms. Becky is back in the ring. She grabs Ronda by the hair, picks her up and hits the Manhandle Slam on Ronda. Before she can cover her, Bayley kicks Becky in the knee Ronda injured earlier in the match and Becky rolls out of the ring holding her knee. Bayley covers Ronda but Ronda kicks out at two. Ronda and Bayley have their back turned to Sasha and Sasha hits a double backstabber and then rolls through with the Banks Statement on Ronda. Ronda refuses to tap out at first but she slowly starts to fade. Bayley grabs Sasha to try to break the hold but Sasha bites Bayley's hand. Bayley walks off and shakes her hand in pain and suddenly the referee checks Ronda and then calls for the bell.

WINNER by submission and NEW WWE Universal Women's Champion: Sasha Banks (23:17) | 69

SIX MAN TAG HYPE VIDEO

After showing Sasha Banks celebrate her win the announcers pitch to a video recapping the Judgment Day/Edge/Rey Mysterio/Batista story. | 66

SPECIAL ENTRANCES

Judgment Day is introduced first to a ton of heat. After they get in the ring, Edge, Rey Mysterio, and Batista all get separate special entrances. | 54

JUDGMENT DAY (FINN BALOR, DAMIAN PRIEST & DOMINIK MYSTERIO) |VS| EDGE, REY MYSTERIO & BATISTA

A spectacle match that relies on storytelling, big spots to pop the crowd, and the crowd's absolute hatred for Dominik Mysterio. Dom is in to start with Edge but Dom wants to fight his dad. Edge tags in Rey and Dom goads Rey into attacking and then runs to his corner and tags in Damian Priest. Priest and Rey fight and Priest gets the upper hand. Rey is kept in the Judgment Day corner as Finn and Priest take turns beating on Rey. Once Rey has been sufficiently beaten down, Dominik Mysterio tags in. He slaps his dad in the face and starts screaming at him. Dom throws a stiff forearm shot that knocks Rey back into the corner. Dom starts to mock Rey and Rey fights back with a right hand to a big pop. Rey starts to fire up and beats Dominik around the ring. Rey tags in Edge. Edge comes in and Dom immediately darts toward his corner and tags Priest back in. Edge and Priest brawl and it's pretty even until Edge goes to bound off the ropes and gets kicked in the back by Dom Mysterio. Edge stops running to grab his back and eats a big boot from Priest. Edge is then isolated in the heel corner as well. But he is able to get out of it when Dom Mysterio goes off the top rope for a flying nothing and eats a spear from Edge. Edge covers him but Balor breaks up the pin. Rey comes in and goes after Balor. Priest comes in and grabs Rey and starts trying to remove his mask. Batista gets in the ring for the first time and the crowd pops huge! Batista hits a running clothesline on Priest, who powders. Batista grabs Balor and throws him out of the ring. Dom gets up and attacks Batista from behind. He throws a forearm to Batista's back but Batista no-sells it and turns around laughing. Dom begs off. Dom falls to his knees and then crawls backwards to the corner as Batista slowly stalks him. Dom goes to kick Batista in the balls but the Animal catches Dom's foot and lifts him up. Batista shoves Dom into the corner and grabs him by the shirt but Priest saves Dom and attacks Batista. Batista turns around and he and Priest exchange punches in the middle of the ring. Batista kicks Priest in the midsection and sets him up for the Batista Bomb but Dom dropkicks Batista to break it up. Dom runs back to the corner and climbs up to the top rope. He leaps off for a flying crossbody but Batista catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Balor goes for the Sling Blade on Batista but Batista catches him in mid-air and hits the Batista Bomb! Rey leaps off the top rope for a big splash. Rey covers Balor. Dom tries to break it up but he eats a spear from Edge. 1----2----3!!!

WINNERS by pinfall: Edge, Rey Mysterio & WWE Hall of Famer "The Animal" Batista (16:35) | 56

A HALL OF FAME SEND-OFF

After the match is over the heels leave and Edge, Rey Mysterio, and Batista celebrate in the ring. Edge and Rey leave the ring to give Batista his time alone in the ring as the crowd gives Batista a standing ovation as his music plays for possibly the final time on WWE programming. Batista sheds a tear in the ring as he waves to the crowd and thanks them for the ovation. | 58

NEW CHAMPION SPEAKS

New WWE Universal Women's Champion Sasha Banks is standing backstage with Kayla Braxton. Kayla congratulates Sasha and then asks her for her thoughts and emotions right now. Sasha is crying and overcome with emotion as she talks about the year she had and how she bet on herself. She says that she's so happy that her hard work and determination paid off on the biggest stage of all. Suddenly Naomi enters the picture. She gives Sasha a hug and tells her that she's proud of her. The segment ends with Sasha and Naomi speaking to one another and we can't hear what's being said. | 59

GUNTHER AND CENA HYPE VIDEO

Next up is a music video hyping up the Intercontinental Championship Match between GUNTHER and John Cena. | 71

WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: GUNTHER (C) |VS| JOHN CENA

The match begins slow as the crowd is on their feet and really into it and so Cena takes his time and slowly builds up the action. Cena, who said on social media that he couldn't wait to experience one of Gunther's chops, stood there and told Gunther he'd give him one free chop. Gunther chopped him in the chest and Cena immediately regretted the decision. Cena was all-business after that. They locked up and Gunther won the exchange, shoving Cena down. They kept telling the story of Cena trying to use his experience and savvy to figure out a way to get past Gunther's strikes. Cena takes a beating early as he keeps taking chances to try and get the upperhand. The announcers did a great job explaining this on commentary but I don't know if translated well to the crowd who seemed kind of confused early on. Eventually Gunther has Cena reeling and is stalking him around the ring trying to inflict more damage. Cena suckers him in and ducks a clothesline and then is able to get some offense in for the first time. The crowd comes to life as Cena takes over. He uses strikes to knock Gunther into the corner and then climbs to the second turnbuckle and fires 10 right hands into Gunther's head. Gunther is staggered and Cena hits another shoulder tackle and knocks Gunther down. Cena hits a legdrop and then bends down and picks Gunther up. Gunther gets to one knee and elbows Cena in the midsection and looks like he is turning the tide again but Cena hits a ddt and then goesfor the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Gunther sells the punch and then rolls to the ropes. He's slow to get up and Cena charges him but Gunther pulls the ropes down and dodges and Cena goes flying to the arena floor. Gunther follows him and we have another stiff looking brawl where both men take turns ramming one another into the steel ring posts and the ring steps. Eventually Gunther has Cena set up for a powerbomb onto the floor but Cena back body drops him. Cena grabs Gunther and rolls him back into the ring. Cena goes to the top rope and actually hits a missile dropkick. He covers Gunther but gets a two count. Cena picks Gunther up and whips him into the ropes. Gunther bounces off the ropes and goes for a boot to Cena's face but Cena ducks it, comes off the ropes on the other side and hits a flying clothesline. Gunther got knocked back into the ropes. Cena grabs him and hits the Attitude Adjustment and covers Gunther, but Gunther kicks out at 2! The crowd popped for the near fall. Cena goes back on the attack and has Gunther backed into the corner again. Cena lights him up with some chops and then picks him up and sets him up on the top turnbuckle. Cena climbs up to the second turnbuckle and tries to set Gunther up for a move of some kind but Gunther hits a headbutt and shoves Cena off the ropes. Cena bumps onto the mat and Gunther teases a move from the top turnbuckle but hops down onto the mat instead. Cena hits a running clothesline in the corner and then a second Attitude Adjustment. But this time Cena immediately grabs Gunther's arm and yanks him back up to his feet. Cena takes Gunther back to the corner and sets him back up on the top turnbuckle. This time Cena sets Gunther up for an Attitude Adjustment from the second rope. Cena hits the AA from the second turnbuckle and immediately covers Gunter, 1---2---GUNTHER KICKS OUT! Cena is shocked. He gets to his feet and starts firing up. Dueling "LET'S GO CENA!/CENA SUCKS!" chants erupt in the stadium. Cena is waiting for Gunther to get to his feet and when he does he grabs him for another AA but Gunther elbows Cena in the side of the head and gets back down onto the mat. Gunther chops Cena and then slaps him in the chest and then shoves Cena into the corner. Gunther charges and hits an avalanche in the corner. Gunther boots Cena in the stomach and then beals him to the middle of the ring. Cena takes a seated bump in the middle of the ring. Gunther stomps over to Cena and lifts him up. Gunther goes for a short-arm clothesline but Cena ducks. Gunther spins around and Cena charges and goes for a flying shoulder block but Gunther kicks Cena in the face. Gunther picks up and sets him up for a powerbomb but Cena slides down Gunther's back and spins Gunther around and picks him up for the AA but Gunther grabs the top rope. Cena makes the crowd pop as he powers up and walks Gunther back to the middle of the ring. He goes for the AA again but Gunther lands on his feet. Cena is stunned that Gunther was able to do that and he just stands there for a second, allowing Gunther to turn and kick him in the stomach. Gunther whips Cena into the ropes and when Cena comes back toward him, Gunther chops him in the chest and the impact causes Cena to fall to his knees. Gunther picks Cena up for a powerbomb but Cena starts punching Gunther so Gunther runs toward the corner and throws Cena back-first into the turnbuckles. Gunther follows up the buckle bomb with a charging avalanche and then a short-arm clothesline that turns Cena inside out as he flips through the air. Gunther picks Cena up and hits the triple powerbomb and covers Cena, 1---2---3!!!

WINNER by pinfall and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Gunther (17:39) | 78

WWE WOMEN'S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: DAKOTA KAI & IYO SKY |VS| THE BELLA TWINS

The cool down match between the IC title match and the main event. This is short and largely forgettable but it allows the Women's Tag Team Champions to get a big win on a big stage and elevate the title. The match opens with Dakota Kai and Brie Bella. They brawl around the ring with Brie looking as sloppy as ever in the ring. Brie misses a clothesline and Dakota gets her in the heel corner. The champions keep Brie isolated and tag in and out while they inflict punishment. But Dakota eventually misses a running knee in the corner when Brie moves. Brie makes the hot tag and Nikki comes in and cleans house. But her comeback is short-lived as Dakota knees her in the back as she comes off the ropes and Nikki stumbles into a ddt from Iyo. Iyo goes to the top rope and hits a fantastic looking moonsault. She covers Nikki but Brie breaks it up. Dakota comes in and tackles Brie and they roll to the outside. Nikki and Iyo are both up on their feet. Nikki kicks Iyo and hits a facebuster for a two count. Nikki sees Dakota is winning the fight against Brie and Nikki hits a baseball slide to Dakota's back -- knocking her into the barricade. Nikki is back in the ring and Iyo kicks her in the side of the head and then hits a Shining Wizard. Iyo covers Nikki and gets a three count.

WINNERS and STILL WWE Women's Tag Team Champions: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky (7:01) | 43

MAIN EVENT HYPE

Next up is a video hyping up the main event -- Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes. | 65

LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS

Backstage the Bloodline is standing by, ready to walk out with Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman tells Solo Sikoa and the Usos that Roman has decided that he does not want them at ringside and he doesn't want them coming out during the match. He tells them to pack their bags and head out. They can wait on the plane. Solo and his brothers shoot each other a look of confusion and concern but start to head out. | 74

MAIN EVENT -- WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: ROMAN REIGNS (C) |VS| CODY RHODES

Roman enters first with Paul Heyman. And then Cody is out next. He has an eye patch on but he's acting totally normal. He gets in the ring and we get the championship match introductions and then Cody removes the eye patch to a big pop. A closeup of his eye shows he's wearing some kind of gimmicked lens that makes his eye look slightly messed up. The announcers wonder if the eye will impact the match at all. The bell rings and the crowd is at a fever pitch as the two men walk toward the center of the ring and begin talking trash. Roman pie faces Cody and Cody throws a punch. The action begins with both men throwing punches and kicks. Roman wins the exchange and whips Cody into the ropes. Roman elbows Cody in the face as he bounces off the ropes. Cody bumps and Roman picks him up. Roman whips him hard into the corner. Cody hits the corner chest first and the impact knocks him backward and Roman hits a running clothesline to the back of Cody's head. Roman boots Cody in the face as Cody tries to get up. Roman drives a knee into Cody's back and then reaches over and starts digging at Cody's injured eye. Cody is screaming in pain and reaching for the ropes. Eventually he is able to get Roman to let go by throwing elbows and connecting with Roman's side. Roman leaps into the air and drives his knee into Cody's back again. Roman picks Cody up and backs him into the corner. He drives his shoulder into Cody's midsection and then bends him backwards over the top turnbuckle and chops him in the chest. Cody falls to his knees to sell and Roman charges Cody and boots him in the face. Roman picks Cody up and drapes Cody over his right shoulder and then drops him throat-first onto the top rope. Cody bounces off the top rope and Roman lifts him up and bodyslams him. A big legdrop from Roman leads to a near fall but Cody kicks out at two. Roman taunts the crowd and points at Cody recovering on the mat and then Roman walks to the corner and begins setting up for the spear. Cody crawls to the corner and uses the ropes to pull himself up. Cody turns around just in time to see Roman charging him and Cody dives out of the way. Roman hits his shoulder on the ring post. Cody fires up and grabs Roman by the belt of his pants and pulls him back toward him. Cody grabs Roman and picks him up and sets him on the top turnbuckle with Roman facing the crowd. Cody climbs to the second turnbuckle and sets Roman up for a back suplex. But on the way down, Roman turns around and lands on Cody with a flying cross body. Roman hooks Cody's leg and covers him, 1---2---NO! Cody kicks out! Roman gets to his feet and stands over Cody. Cody tries to get to his feet as Reigns bends down and grabs Cody in a side headlock. Reigns yanks on the headlock and Cody drops to one knee. Cody tries to fight out of it but Reigns tightens it up again. Cody tries to lift Roman up for a back suplex but Reigns blocks it. He drives an elbow into Cody's back and then reapplies the headlock. While he has the hold locked in, Roman slowly starts getting his fingers in Cody's injured eye and Cody screams in pain. The referee sees it and forces Roman to break but he refuses. The referee hesitates to disqualify Roman as the announcers mention that it will allow Roman to keep the title. Out of desperation, Cody lifts Roman up and hits a back suplex. Cody immediately drops down and starts firing punches to Roman's face as the champion tries to cover up. Roman reaches up and grabs the bottom rope and starts pulling himself toward the apron. Roman rolls out of the ring and Cody wastes no time and immediately charges and hits a suicide dive that knocks Roman to the floor. Cody mounts Reigns and fires right hands into his head. Reigns fights Cody off and gets to his feet. Reigns kicks Cody in the midsection and goes to Irish whip him into the steps but Cody reverses and Reigns slams back-first into the steps. Cody grabs Roman and rolls him into the ring. Cody goes to climb in and Paul Heyman grabs his ankle. Cody turns his head to look at Paul and Roman sucker punches Cody and then brings him in the ring. Roman picks Cody up and backs him into the corner. Roman throws a knee into Cody's midsection and then whips him across the ring. Cody hits the corner hard and the impact sends him staggering forward into the middle of the ring. Roman spears him! He covers Cody, 1----2----CODY KICKS OUT! Roman stands up and then bends down and looks at Cody and tells him to "acknowledge me" but Cody slaps Roman and Roman drops down and starts trying to choke Cody but Cody kicks him in the head. Cody rolls away from Roman and gets to his feet. Roman charges and Cody springboards off the middle rope and hits the Disaster Kick on Roman. Roman is staggered and Cody hits a running shoulder tackle that knocks Roman down. Cody drops a knee on Roman's head and then bends down and picks Roman up by the hair. Cody backs Roman into the ropes and shoots him off toward the opposite side. Cody goes for a leap frog but Roman stops and catches Cody with an inverted atomic drop. Cody sells it and Roman grabs Cody by the head as if he's going for a ddt but Cody forces Roman into the corner. Cody kicks Roman in the midsection a couple times. Roman gets out of the corner by thumbing Cody in his bad eye. Cody backs up and doubles over in pain and holds his eye. Roman hits a charging boot to the side of Cody's head. Cody staggers backward toward the ropes and then falls to his knees. He slowly gets to his feet while Roman sets up and signals for the Superman Punch. Cody starts to get to his feet and Roman charges for the Superman Punch but as he leaps into the air Cody leaps off the ropes and hits the Cody Cutter! The crowd pops and Paul Heyman is visibly shaken by this turn of events. Cody covers Roman, 1----2----ROMAN KICKS OUT! Cody gets to his feet and Roman is slow to get up. Roman gets to his feet and he and Cody start to exchange punches but Cody blocks Roman's punches and starts throwing jabs. Cody gets fired up and pays homage to his dad with the flip, flop, and fly and the bionic elbow! Roman bumps for the elbow shot and then pops back up to his feet. Cody whips Roman into the corner. Roman hits hard and Cody walks over and grabs Roman's legs and drapes them over the middle ropes in the corner. Cody backs up and then charges and pays homage to his older brother Dustin by kicking Roman in the nuts with the Shattered Dreams kick. Roman falls to the mat and Cody grabs him and lifts him up. He sets Roman up for the Cross Rhodes but Roman again goes after Cody's bad eye and shoves his finger in Cody's eye socket. Cody drops Roman in severe pain and staggers around. Roman quickly pops up and spears Cody! Roman thinks he's won and covers Cody, 1----2----NO! Cody kicks out! Roman is stunned. He grabs Cody by the hair and picks him up. He whips Cody into the corner. Cody hits hard and bounds out of the corner. Roman hits the Superman Punch! Cody falls to the mat. Roman covers him again, 1----2-----CODY KICKS OUT! Roman is getting pissed off that Cody keeps kicking out. He stands up and looks down at Cody who rolls over onto his hands and knees to try and get to the ropes. Roman kicks Cody in the midsection and then lifts him up. Roman places Cody on the top turnbuckle and climbs the turnbuckles. Roman grabs Cody and sets him up for a superplex but Cody blocks it. He tries again and Cody blocks it again and then headbutts Roman. Cody fires a forearm shot that knocks Roman backwards and off the turnbuckles. Cody hits a flying crossbody onto Roman but Roman rolls through for a pin attempt, 1----2----Cody kicks out! Both men get to their feet. Roman charges with a spear but Cody leap frogs it. Roman hits his shoulder off the steel ring post. Cody grabs him and sets him up for the Cross Rhodes but Roman manages to turn it into a Tombstone piledriver. Roman covers but Cody kicks out at two! Roman stands up and tells Paul Heyman to hand him the WWE World Championship. Heyman hands him the belt. Roman looks at the belt and then prepares to nail Cody with it when he stands up. The referee warns Roman but Roman pushes him aside. Cody gets up and Roman charges for the belt shot but Cody hits a Superman Punch! Roman is staggered. Heyman is up on the apron to distract the referee. Cody grabs the belt and is about to use it but changes his mind and throws it out of the ring. Instead Cody kicks Roman in the midsection, drops down to the floor and kicks Roman in the head. Roman staggers backward. Cody gets to his feet and runs off the ropes and hits another Cody Cutter! Roman collapses into the corner. Cody grabs him for the Cross Rhodes and he hits it! Cody rolls through for a second Cross Rhodes! And then he hits a third Cross Rhodes! Cody rolls through for one more but somehow Roman shoves him away and goes for a Superman Punch. Cody dodges it and grabs Roman and hits a fourth Cross Rhodes! Cody covers Roman, 1-----2------3!!!!!

WINNER by pinfall and NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Cody Rhodes (32:26) | 94

A CELEBRATION

Cody collapses to his knees as he's handed the belt. Pyro and confetti rain from the rafters and all around the stadium. Brandi Rhodes runs in to the ring with Cody's daughter. Cody hugs his family as Roman rolls out of the ring. The final shot of Night 2 is Cody hugging his family and then holding the title above his head and pointing up to the sky, showing the belt to his father. | 70

OVERALL RATING: 85

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize May 18, 2023 18:05:04 GMT 1 Asaemon and rabbitman like this

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Post by sleestaklightning on May 18, 2023 18:05:04 GMT 1

WEEK 2 -- APRIL 2023

WWE Monday Night RAW

Monday -- Week 2 -- April 2023

LIVE! from Los Angeles, CA

*New announce crew -- beginning tonight the new RAW announce crew is Mauro Ranallo, Corey Graves, and Wade Barrett*

NEW CHAMP SPEAKS

After a WrestleMania recap video and the new Raw intro Cody Rhodes' music hits and he is introduced as the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Cody Rhodes comes out onto the stage in a suit with the title around his waist and his suit jacket over the title. Cody climbs in the ring and the crowd goes crazy as pyro shoots from the ceiling. Cody waits for the CODY! chants to die down a bit before he begins to talk. As he starts to talk, "Thank you Cody!" chants start up. He responds by thanking the fans for always being there for him. He starts to talk about what being the champion means to him and how crazy it is that he's standing here in the ring, on the night after WrestleMania, as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He's ready to be a fighting champion and he promises to be the best champion this company has ever seen. Suddenly some music hits and MVP walks out onto the stage with Omos. The duo walk down to the ring and climb in. Cody is irritated and asks MVP what he wants. MVP gets a microphone. He says he's not going to apologize for interrupting Cody because Cody doesn't need any more promo time. MVP says that Cody is coming out here acting like the savior of WWE but he doesn't realize that he's part of the problem. Cody asks what he means. MVP says that Cody is a legacy. Cody is silver spoon. Cody may have worked hard over the last few years but he was handed everything before that. MVP says Cody debuted in WWE. He didn't work his way up. He was given a job because of his dad. MVP then starts to cut a promo on Dusty. MVP tells Cody to knock it off with the American Dream bullshit (bleeped on tv). MVP says "the American Dream is bullshit. Both the concept and your father." MVP cuts a promo about how unlike Cody, Omos had to scratch and claw for every opportunity. Omos had to battle poverty and if not for his massive natural gifts, he wouldn't have ever gotten the chance to be in the ring right now with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. MVP says Cody realizes this and it keeps him up at night. Cody says that he acknowledges the benefits of being Dusty's son but he's his own man now and he doesn't have to justify his position or how hard he's worked for anyone -- let alone a washed up B-tier athlete who never earned a shot at the main event himself. Cody congratulates Omos for winning the Andre battle royal and then says he has nothing against him and he'll fight anyone but he's not sure Mick Foley will agree that Omos has earned a title shot just yet. MVP calls Cody a coward and Cody says he's more than happy to take on Omos and if Foley agrees the title should be on the line then so be it. MVP and Omos go to leave but MVP turns around and suckerpunches Cody. Cody goes to fire back but Omos grabs Cody's fist and squeezes it and then pie faces Cody. Cody falls into the ropes and fires up and takes a couple steps toward the heels, only for MVP and Omos to bail out of the ring leaving Cody standing there looking angry as the show fades to commercial. | 71

BACKSTAGE INTERRUPTION

After the commercial break Cody Rhodes is backstage with Cathy Kelley. He says that he's had some time to think about it and he's decided that he WILL put the title on the line against Omos at Backlash. He says MVP can badmouth him but damn him for going after Cody's father. Suddenly Logan Paul steps into the frame and tells Cody that HE wouldn't have let MVP talk to him like that. "Nice belt, by the way. Maybe I'll get a chance to take it from you one day." Paul walks off and Cody looks pissed. | 75

NICK ALDIS |VS| ELIAS

Quick match designed to get Aldis over. The announcers put over his performance in the Andre Battle Royal at WrestleMania and Aldis makes Elias tap out to the King's Lynn Cloverleaf.

WINNER by submission: Nick Aldis (7:15) | 64

ALDIS GETS AN OFFER

After a commercial break we see Nick Aldis walking around backstage when The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, and Robert Roode approach him. Miz tells Aldis that they like his style and they think he'd be a perfect fit for the A-Listers. Aldis asks "Who are the A-Listers?" and Miz motions toward himself, Ziggler, and Roode. Aldis smirks and asks why they think he'd want to join them. Miz says it's because they'll make him better and make him a star. Aldis corrects Miz and says that he already is a star and walks off, leaving Miz standing there looking angry. | 71

ERA OF BRUTALITY

Rhea Ripley is introduced as the new WWE World Women's Champion. She comes down to the ring and cuts a promo about how it's now the Era Of Brutality in the women's division and how she plans to keep the title forever. Bianca BelAir comes down to the ring and says that she wants to congratulate Rhea and tell her that the better woman won. Rhea and Bianca shake hands but Rhea pulls Bianca close and headbutts her. Rhea hits the Riptide and then picks Bianca up and hits a corner powerbomb and then hits a running boot to the face. Bianca staggers out of the corner and Rhea kicks her and hits another Riptide. Bianca sells her back and then Rhea picks her up and hits ANOTHER Riptide. And then another. And then another. Road agents rush out to put an end to the assault and Rhea puts her foot on Bianca's chest and holds the title up above her head as her music hits. During the commercial break, Bianca BelAir is helped to the back. | 75

KOTA IBUSHI |VS| AKIRA TOZAWA

Kota gets a pre-match video showing highlights of his career and then a superstar entrance with pyro. Tozawa jumps him as soon as he gets in the ring. Corey Graves insinuates that there's a history of bad blood between these two. Tozawa's offense fails to do much to Ibushi, who quickly takes over and quickly wins with a running powerbomb.

WINNER by pinfall: Kota Ibushi (7:13) | 68

ROLLINS IS UPSET

After the match the camera cuts backstage and we see Seth Freakin' Rollins is watching the previous match on tv. He is approached by Byron Saxton who asks him about his loss to Ibushi at WM. Rollins starts to flip out and scream and yell. He storms off and the camera follows. Rollins overturns a table and Johnny Gargano is standing nearby. Gargano is unsure what is going on but smirks. Rollins slaps him and then kicks him in the midsection and throws Gargano into the wall. Gargano turns around and Rollins kicks and punches him until he's on the ground. Rollins eventually Stomps Gargano and then waks off. | 60

MAIN EVENT SET FOR TONIGHT

New Unified Tag Team Champions the Street Profits are walking around backstage when they're approached by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, the New Day. New Day congratulates the Street Profits and then suggest that maybe they could get a shot at the belts because they weren't pinned in their triple threat match at WM. The Street Profits talk it over and agree to face them tonight. They head off to find Mick Foley to make it official. | 59

BARON CORBIN |VS| APOLLO CREWS

Baron Corbin comes out first and says that tonight he has ANOTHER match where his opponent is a mystery to him. After he wins this match he's going to go back to Mick Foley's office and set him straight. Apollo Crews' music hits and he comes down to the ring to be Corbin's opponent. Corbin jumps him immediately but Crews battles back. Crews hits strikes and high impact moves and knocks Corbin back and forth around the ring. He goes for a flying crossbody but Corbin catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Corbin goes for the Deep Six but Crews spins out of it and hits a tornado ddt. He goes up top and leaps off the top rope and hits a 450 splash on Corbin and covers him for the win.

WINNER by pinfall: Apollo Crews (7:45) | 64

CLUB SANDWICH

After a commercial break we get a video recapping the men's Money In The Bank ladder match and then AJ Styles comes out to the ring. AJ says that he's out here tonight to talk through some things. He says that 2023 has not been good for him. His friends turned on him, he's lost big matches, he's been injured, and now tonight he stands before the entire WWE Universe at a crossroads. Maybe this is the beginning of the end of his career or maybe it's just the start of a new chapter. He's interrupted by Finn Balor's music. Balor comes out by himself and walks to the ring with a microphone. He tells AJ to just go ahead and retire. Finn says that AJ owes his entire WWE career to Finn. Because if Finn didn't start the Bullet Club AJ wouldn't have had anything to cling on to and build a career around. The WWE didn't care about AJ Styles until the Bullet Club. So AJ should first thank Finn for his WWE career and then second -- call it a career because it's embarrassing to see how far AJ has fallen. AJ takes offense to all of that and says he's always been his own man. He's always made things happen on his own. And, AJ says, the BC was was better under his stead than it was under Balor's. Balor and AJ appear to be headed to blows when suddenly some music plays and the lights go out. The word "SWITCHBLADE" appears on the big screen and the crowd pops. Suddenly a spotlight shines down on the stage and there stands the newest member of the WWE roster: JAY WHITE! The announcers are going crazy and explaining to the viewers at home who Jay White is. Balor and Styles seem surprised and amused. White climbs in the ring and is handed a microphone. He starts off with "Hello gentlemen..." and then unleashes a tirade on both guys. He says the BC is dead and the fact that those two are still arguing about it tells him that they've both lost the plot. They used to be killers. Now they're losers debating on who was better back in the day. "Now that Ole Switchblade is here -- things are going to change." White says he will put both of them out of their misery. "Wasn't there some old wrestler around here who used to say your time is up, my time is now? Well in this case, it's true. Jay White is here and I'm going to cut the head off of everyone who is hanging on too long or embarrassing themselves. The bar has been raised exponentially by my arrival -- and you either keep up or get cut." Jay White leaves and the segment ends with Balor and Styles still arguing in the ring. | 69

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPION AUSTIN THEORY |VS| BRAUN STROWMAN

This is a non-title match and if Braun wins, he gets a shot at Theory next week. Braun controls most of this match with power. He throws Theory around and Theory bumps for him. But every time Braun starts to get some momentum, Theory breaks it up by leaving the ring. This brings Ricochet down to the ring to help his tag partner out. Theory tries to take his belt and leave but Ricochet cuts him off. The referee is distracted by this and suddenly a large man enters the ring behind Strowman. It's Dabba Kato! He turns Braun around and grabs him by the throat. HE CHOKESLAMS STROWMAN! The referee feels the impact and turns around and sees Dabba Kato in the ring and calls for the bell.

WINNER by DQ: Braun Strowman (9:25) | 70

RE-INTRODUCING DABBA KATO

After the match is over Ricochet runs in the ring to check on Braun and Byron Saxton catches up with Austin Theory and Dabba Kato on the stage. Theory says that Dabba Kato is his new bodyguard. If people want to come at Theory to try and take the US title, they're going to have to get through Kato first. Saxton asks what the connection between the two men is and Dabba Kato leans in and says "MONEY." Theory says he's paying him handsomely to back him up and so far it's been worth every penny. Saxton reminds Theory that with Strowman winning the match he receives a title shot next week. Theory is pissed and storms off to try and correct this issue. | 60

MUSTAFA ALI |VS| MATT CARDONA

A good match designed to keep Cardona's momentum going. The crowd starts chanting "Woo Woo Woo" and Cardona keeps telling them to stop. This distraction allows Ali to take advantage. He hits a couple strikes and then surprises Cardona with a small package for a two count. Cardona pops up and hits a running boot, and then lifts Ali up and snake eyes him on the top rope. Ali bounces off the rope and Cardona boots him in the midsection and hits a swinging neckbreaker. Cardona goes up top and hits a Savage Elbow and covers Ali for the win.

WINNER by pinfall: Matt Cardona (11:49) | 62

PIPER NIVEN TALKS

Women's Money In The Bank Winner Piper Niven is backstage with Kayla Braxton. Kayla says that as the holder of the briefcase, Piper is now in a position to have a massive effect on the women's division of both shows and then asks her about how she plans to use the briefcase. Piper says that the briefcase is her ticket to the top. She cried all night after she won it. She knows how important it is to her career and how much the moment meant to her. She cannot fail when she cashes in. And she won't. But she plans to hold onto the briefcase until the right moment. And she'll know that moment when it arrives. | 40

ASUKA, LIV MORGAN & CANDICE LERAE |VS| PIPER NIVEN, NIKKI CROSS & ZELINA VEGA

We get a quick recap of why this match is happening -- this was supposed to be the six participants in the women's MITB ladder match but Naomi and Raquel Rodriguez were shaken up during the match so it was changed to this match. In the ring the heels isolated Candice and kept working over her back until she made a hot tag to Liv Morgan. Liv came in and turned the match around in her teams favor with some spirited offense but eventually got tripped up by Nikki Cross, allowing Piper Niven to tag in and go after Liv. Piper hit a powerslam and covered Liv but Candice broke up the pin. The match devolved into a six woman brawl but eventually order was restored and Liv tagged Candice in. Candice came off the top rope for a flying dropkick but Piper moved and hit a legdrop to the back of Candice's head. Piper rolled her over, splashed her, and covered her. Zelina and Nikki made sure the face team couldn't break up the pinfall and got the victory.

WINNERS by pinfall: Piper Niven, Nikki Cross & Zelina Vega (13:31) | 62

EDGE AND REY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY

Edge and Rey Mysterio come out to the ring separately to gloat about their win over Judgment Day at WrestleMania. Edge is proud to have stood in the ring alongside his friends Rey Mysterio and Dave Batista and take down the scourge that he created, Judgment Day. Edge says his only regret was that they didn't get to disband Judgment Day by winning. Rey says that it was cathartic to get that win and he got some measure of revenge but he won't be able to fill the hole he has in his soul until his son is back to him. Before Rey can say anything else, Dominik Mysterio's music hits and Dom comes down to the ring by himself. He gets in the ring and gets right in his dad's face. Dom says that he knows Rey had some kind of delusional fantasy that the match at WrestleMania would make Dom "see the light" (finger quotes) and come running back to hug him but the reality is that the outcome of the match was a fluke. Dom says Judgment Day is still the most dominant force on Raw and they're still going to rule this place. Rey starts to say something but Dom slaps his father in the face. Edge gets in Dom's face and Dom smirks and asks Rey if he's unable to fight his own battles anymore. Edge puts his hands up in the air and backs off, allowing Rey to go after Dom instead but Dominik bails out of the ring and walks backwards up the ramp. A closeup shot shows him backing up and suddenly he stops and we see that he ran into someone. Dom turns around and it's DAVE BATISTA! The crowd pops and Batista grabs Dom and charges to the ring and throws him back inside. Dom quickly slides back out and hops the barricade, leaving through the crowd as Batista, Rey, and Edge celebrate in the ring. | 70

THE USOS SPEAK

Cathy Kelley is backstage with the Usos. She notes that tonight, 48 hours after losing the WWE Tag Team Championship to the Street Profits -- they are alone. No Roman Reigns, no Paul Heyman, and no Solo Sikoa. She thanks them for taking the time to talk to her in this difficult time for them. Jey greets her and then says that not only are the others not here tonight but they haven't heard from them since last night. Jimmy says he texted with Solo earlier but Paul and Roman have been radio silent. Jey says he has a lot of things running through his mind right now. Cathy asks if one of the things running through his mind is the future of the Bloodline. Jey says yes. He says that he's wondering what the future holds and if he's just going to have to step up and become the leader. Jey says he needs a couple days to think about it and says that maybe he'll be ready to talk more on SmackDown. | 62

TOMMASO CIAMPA |VS| RANDY ORTON

This was a really good, old school match. Orton and Ciampa wrestled early on with each man trying to get a hold on the other. Ciampa started coming out on top of the exchange but Orton fought back. Ciampa dodged or blocked the RKO on numerous occasions. Orton got frustrated and tried dropped Ciampa with a rope hang ddt and then was about to punt him but Ciampa rolled outside. They brawled outside and then back in the ring. Orton went for another RKO but Ciampa shoved him away. Orton turned around and Ciampa kicked him and hit the Fairy Tale Ending and pinned Orton for the win.

WINNER by pinfall: Tommaso Ciampa (10:35) | 67

JD MCDONAGH: COMING SOON

Next is a video hyping up the debut of JD McDonagh by showing clips of him from NXT and voice over from JD himself, promising to show the Raw roster why he's called the Irish Ace. | 49

MAIN EVENT -- WWE UNDISPUTED UNIVERSAL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: THE STREET PROFITS (C) |VS| THE NEW DAY

These guys go all out and have a fantastic main event match. Both teams get lots of time in control and they go back and forth for most of the match. Kofi hits the Trouble In Paradise on Montez and gets a near fall. Dawkins hits a Sky High on Woods for a near fall. The match builds until all four men are in the ring and they all hit clotheslines on each other and all four men are down. The first one to get to his feet is Montez Ford. Ford tries to go up to the top but Kofi runs up the turnbuckles and grabs Ford and hits a superplex. Kofi floats over and gets a two count when Dawkins breaks up the pin. Woods tackles Dawkins and they roll to the outside and keep fighting. In the ring Kofi gets to his feet and pops up to the top turnbuckle but Ford kips up and then he runs up the turnbuckles and hits a hip toss. Ford leaps off the top rope for a frog splash and he covers Woods and gets the win.

WINNERS by pinfall and STILL WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions: The Street Profits (21:49) | 71

A SHOCKING RETURN

After the match the two teams shake hands until we hear someone yelling into a microphone. The camera cuts to the stage and we see that it's Jim Cornette! He tells the Street Profits and the New Day that they're both great tag teams but Cornette says the one thing he knows for sure is that there's two guys in the back waiting to get an opportunity to take those belts back. Cornette introduces his new team THE REVIVAL!!! The Revival comes out onto the stage in 80s Ribera style jackets with their logo and name on them. They wave at the Street Profits and the show goes off the air with the announcers going crazy and the New Day and the Street Profits in the ring smiling as they wave back at the Revival.| 66

OVERALL RATING: 72

Next week's Raw...

- Theory vs Strowman | US Title

- Rollins vs Gargano

- Cody Rhodes vs MVP

From ProWrestlingFlashlight.com...

BREAKING NEWS: RONDA ROUSEY WALKS OUT -- RELEASED FROM CONTRACT

Sources in WWE confirm to ProWrestlingFlashlight.com that Ronda Rousey was not happy about the planned finish to her title defense at WrestleMania and tried to get the finish changed over and over. Eventually she relented and the finish went off as planned but the next morning Ronda woke up and called Triple H and told him she would be sitting out the remainder of her contract. Since then we've learned that WWE has negotiated with Ronda and agreed to release her from her contract.

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize May 19, 2023 4:32:04 GMT 1 Asaemon and rabbitman like this

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Post by sleestaklightning on May 19, 2023 4:32:04 GMT 1

NXT On USA Network

Tuesday -- Week 2 -- April 2023

LIVE! from the WWE Performance Center

- The show opens with a recap of the major moments from Stand And Deliver 2. The video ends with the reveal that Gable Steveson was the one who ran Bron Breakker over with the car and Grayson Waller winning the NXT Championship. | 52

- Then we get an EARLIER TODAY segment that shows new NXT Champion Grayson Waller arriving at the arena. Nebo McKing and Xyon Quinn have gathered most of the undercard NXT talent and the Performance Center trainees and they've lined up on both sides of a pathway that leads from the parking lot to the entrance of the building and they cheer and scream as Waller walks past them. As he gets toward the end of the line, Charlie Dempsey is not smiling or cheering and Waller stops, looks at him and tells him to cheer but when Dempsey doesn't, Waller slaps him. Dempsey goes to attack and Quinn and McKing grab him and hold him back. | 51

- Vic Joseph is in the ring and he welcomes the NEW NXT Champion Grayson Waller. Waller comes out flanked by Nebo McKing and Xyon Quinn. They get in the ring and run Joseph off. Waller cuts a promo about this being the beginning of the Waller Dynasty. Waller says that from this day forward he is not going to relinquish this belt for any reason other than being called up to the main roster. Waller says he just proved he's the best and he plans to continue proving that night in and night out. He's interrupted by Charlie Dempsey who is pissed off about being disrespected earlier and wants a match with Waller. Waller laughs at him and tells him to instead find a partner and if he and his partner can beat Quinn and McKing tonight, he'll give him a match next week. | 55

- The Dusty Classic tag team tournament is announced. 8 men's teams and 8 women's teams will compete for the most prestigious trophy in wrestling. | 47

- Vidal Duran pinned Vincent Vorhees (jobber) in 3:21. | 37

- Von Wagner beat Hank Walker by pinfall in 6:44. | 43

- Alexander Hammerstone vignette -- he debuts tonight! | 48

- NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez comes out to the ring. She calls out Tessa Blanchard and tells her she wants a fight. Before Tessa can come out, Roxanne is jumped from behind by Vanessa Wundor, Gigi Dolin, and Jacy Jayne -- Toxic Attraction. Sarray runs out to save Roxanne and eventually she starts to get beaten up too until MANDY ROSE returns with a chair and runs off the heels. She chases them to the backstage area. Roxanne is getting to her feet when Tessa Blanchard walks out. Tessa pats Roxanne on the head to mock her height and then grabs Roxanne and hits her with the hammerlock DDT she calls the Buzzsaw. Tessa poses with the NXT Women's Championship as the show goes to commercial. | 66

- NXT North American Champion DIJAK beat Ikemen Jiro in a non-title match in 4:29. | 50

- After the match, DIJAK picks Jiro up and is going to powerbomb him out of the ring when KUSHIDA makes his NXT return and makes the save. | 52

- Alexander Hammerstone beat Damon Kemp by pinfall in 4:19. | 44

- After the match we see Joe Gacy, the Dyad, and Ava Raine watching Hammerstone in the back. | 42

- Backstage new NXT Tag Team Champions Roderick Strong & Nathan Frazer are interviewed by Kelly Kincaid and they are looking forward to the Dusty Classic this year where they plan to hoist the trophy too in addition to the tag titles. | 52

- A Dragon Lee hype video airs. | 58

- Tiffany Stratton pinned Thea Hail in 5:19. | 50

- Matches are announced for next week: DIJAK vs KUSHIDA, Sarray & Mandy Rose vs Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne. | 44

- MAIN EVENT: Charlie Dempsey & Bron Breakker beat Xyon Quinn & Nebo McKing when Breakker pinned Quinn at 8:49. | 49

- Bron Breakker grabbed a mic and called out Gable Steveson. Steveson appeared on the big screen and says that he has told NXT GM Shawn Michaels that he will not show up to the Performance Center for NXT if Bron is in the building. So he's at an undisclosed location right now. Bron storms to the back to look for him, taking a mic with him. Bron sees Kurt Angle and asks him if he knows where Gable is. Angle says he doesn't. Bron asks Angle if it's true he helped train Steveson and Angle says it's true, it's DAMN true and Bron proceeds to grab Angle and lifts him up off his chair and tries to take Angle to the ring but Angle shoves him away and Gable Steveson suddenly appears and jumps Bron from behind. They brawl in the back until Bron spears Gable through a plate glass window. Medical staff rush out to check on both men as the show goes off the air. | 65

OVERALL RATING: 58

------

Next Week On NXT:

- Grayson Waller vs Charlie Dempsey
- Sarray & Mandy Rose vs Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne
- DIJAK vs KUSHIDA

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize May 25, 2023 6:07:04 GMT 1 Asaemon likes this

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Post by sleestaklightning on May 25, 2023 6:07:04 GMT 1

Friday Night SmackDown!

Friday -- Week 2 -- April 2023

Live! from Detroit, MI

*New SmackDown announce team: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and Daniel Cormier*

SAMI CELEBRATES

After a video showcasing some WrestleMania highlights for the SmackDown brand the show skips the usual SmackDown video intro and instead we get a shot of the packed arena when Sami Zayn's music hits and the crowd goes crazy for the new WWE Universal Champion, Sami Zayn. Zayn dances his way down to the ring and climbs in. He tries to start cutting a promo but he is drowned out by the crowd chanting "YOU DESERVE IT!" Sami begins to tear up and takes the title off from around his waist, and holds it up over his head to a big pop. Then he takes the belt and kisses it. "YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I DESERVE THIS!" is the first thing he says. From there Sami begins to cut a fiery, passionate promo about what being champion means to him and how he plans to treat the championship with the respect it deserves. Sami says he won't back down from a fight and will take on anyone who earns a shot. Kevin Owens' music hits. KO comes down to the ring and stands in the middle of the ring and stares down Sami for a bit. Owens stomps over to Sami and gives him a hug and the crowd pops. Kevin tells Sami that he's going to get out of the ring and let Sami have his moment but he wanted to come out and publicly state how damn proud he is of Sami and how sorry he is that his own greed and desire to become the champion got in the way of their friendship. Sami goes to respond when suddenly the Usos hit the ring from behind Sami and attack. KO tries to fight them off but a third man slides into the ring and attacks KO from behind. The camera focuses on the man as he straddles Owens and fires right hands into his head and we can recognize him as JACOB FATU. Zayn eats a double superkick from the Usos and is down on the mat. Jey Uso picks up the microphone and looks down at Sami Zayn. Jey challenges Sami to a match for the Universal Championship at Backlash. | 71

THE NEW BLOODLINE

Owens and Zayn roll out of the ring and Jey continues his promo. He introduces the third man in the ring as his cousin, Ona Leaga. Jey says that it's been almost a week since Night One of WrestleMania and he still hasn't heard from Roman Reigns. Jey says that his brother Jimmy is still at his side. He says he hasn't heard from his other brother Solo but he knows that he has his back too. And now their cousin Ona is in the fold. Jey says the Bloodline wasn't about Roman Reigns after all. It was about family. And as long as their family is close -- the Bloodline will endure. Jey says he is stepping up and becoming the leader and the man that he was always expected to be. The Bloodline will not end. The Bloodline will not die out. And at Backlash -- Jey Uso will end Sami's Universal Title reign in short order. | 65

RIDGE HOLLAND |VS| DAVEY BOY SMITH JR

Before the match we get a hype video for Davey Boy Smith Jr. It shows his previous WWE stint and his return during the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at on the WM pre-show. Ridge Holland is already in the ring and DBS gets an entrance replete with a modern take on his father's old theme music. The bell rings and Ridge charges DBS and goes on the attack. But DBS fights back and turns everything around and wins in short order with a running powerslam.

WINNER by pinfall: Davey Boy Smith Jr. (5:13) | 38

EARLIER TODAY

Footage is shown from before the show. Rey Mysterio was arriving at the arena and was being followed by WWE Network documentary cameras when his son Dominik jumps him from behind. Dominik slams Rey off of the hood of a car and bends down and rips his father's mask off, shoves it in his pocket and walks away smiling. | 54

A NEW ASSISTANT

Backstage Kayla Braxton is trying to get a quick word with SmackDown GM William Regal about the recently announced WWE Draft and Regal blows her off but says she should speak to his newly hired Assistant GM. Recently called up Jinny from NXT UK walks into the frame and tells Kayla that she is too busy at the moment to answer questions but she will get back to Kayla as soon as possible. Jinny walks into Regal's office and closes the door. | 45

AN OPEN CHALLENGE AND A DEBUT

Imperium comes down to the ring. Intercontinental Champion Gunther brags about defeating John Cena at WrestleMania and says that he's not sure there's anyone who truly deserves a chance to dethrone him but Gunther is in the mood to beat people up and so he issues an open challenge. Some new music plays and ILJA DRAGUNOV comes out onto the stage with a microphone. He cuts a quick promo about how he can't wait to be the guy to end this reign too. The announcers put over Dragunov ending Gunther's long NXT UK Championship reign as Imperium talk amongst themselves. Gunther then tells Dragunov that he isn't worthy of a title shot as he's just arrived on the main roster. But if Ilja wants a fight -- Giovanni Vinci will give him a fight. | 59

ILJA DRAGUNOV |VS| GIOVANNI VINCI

Dragunov looked like a million bucks here. Vinci went out of his way to put him over in this one. Dragunov opened up on fire, hitting multiple European uppercuts and knocked Vinci back into the corner. Dragunov knocked Vinci all around the ring but Vinci caught him with a lariat to start the heat. Vinci kept Dragunov down on the mat with knees to his back and then some submission/rest holds. Dragunov hits an Olympic Slam on Vinci but he's been weakened by Vinci's offense and he staggers toward the ropes. Ludwig Kaiser hopped up onto the apron and grabbed Ilja and ran with him and slammed his head into the top turnbuckle. Ilja flies backward toward the middle of the ring and Vinci hits a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Vinci picks Dragunov up and hits a lung blower and covers him and Ilja kicks out at two! All members of Imperium begin yelling at the referee for what they perceive as a slow count. Kaiser even hops up onto the apron to yell. Vinci walks over toward Kaiser and Dragunov gets up and hits a running knee to Vinci's back. He collides with Kaiser and Kaiser flies off the apron onto Gunther. Vinci staggers backward into Dragunov and Ilja hits a T-Bone Suplex and then goes up to the top rope and hits the flying headbutt he calls Torpedo Moskau. He covers Vinci for the pinfall.

WINNER by pinfall: Ilja Dragunov (10:54) | 68

SASHA BANKS CELEBRATION

After a commercial break Sasha Banks' music hits and the NEW WWE Universal Women's Champion comes down to the ring to a big ovation. She climbs in the ring and starts to talk about being the new Universal Women's Champion. She says that she's worked hard since she's come back and she's been overwhelmed by the love she's received on social media and in the locker room. Before she goes much further, Naomi comes down to the ring. Naomi climbs in and she hugs Sasha. She says that she wanted to come out here and congratulate her on the big win. Naomi says they went through a lot together and she's so proud of her friend. Sasha thanks her and they hug. | 57

CELEBRATION CONT'D

Naomi gives Sasha the floor again and Sasha goes back to talking about being champion and how she plans to use her platform as champion to make things better for the future generation of women's wrestlers. Sasha says she wants to open doors for young wrestlers and take on challengers who may not be the usual choice for top contender. Out of the blue Naomi runs at Sasha and knocks her down with a forearm to the back of the head. Sasha goes down and Naomi starts stomping and kicking her. Naomi picks Sasha up and lifts her for a suplex but then drops her down for a facebuster. Naomi grabs the microphone and starts talking about how Sasha never gave her the same respect she gave Sasha. She says that Sasha took her for granted and never treated her as an equal. She says that she is tired of being on the second tier of women in WWE. Then she says that Naomi is done. She is Trinity Fatu and she acknowledges the new tribal chief -- her brother-in-law -- Jey Uso! | 58

LA KNIGHT |VS| DREW GULAK

A really good match that allows both guys to look good. LA Knight starts off the match taking Gulak lightly but Gulak outwrestles LA and gets him on the ground. From there, LA starts taking Gulak seriously and the brawl around the ring. Gulak keeps wearing Knight down with holds and locks but Knight eventually fights through it and takes over. He eventually hits the Gravy Train (Kryptonite Krunch) and gets the win.

WINNER by pinfall: LA Knight (9:19) | 61

A MOST REGAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Next up we get SmackDown GM William Regal sitting behind his desk. He makes the announcement that the 2023 WWE Draft will begin on the Raw after Backlash and will continue on SmackDown that week. Regal also announces a 9-man tournament to determine the #1 contender to the Universal Championship. Regal says there will be three triple threat matches over the next three weeks and the winners will meet in a Triple Threat match at Backlash and the winner will meet the Universal Champion whomever that may be at the Ring Royalty premium live event. Tonight it will be Santos Escobar vs. Richochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Next week: Karrion Kross vs Rick Boogs vs Drew McIntyre and then finally LA Knight vs Sheamus vs Rey Mysterio. | 46

CHARLOTTE SAYS BYE TO RONDA

Charlotte Flair is out next. She tells the fans that are booing her that they should really be happy that she's here. Charlotte says that Ronda Rousey got so mad that she lost the title at WrestleMania that she just...quit. She left. She went home. She couldn't handle adversity. But Charlotte will always be here. She rarely loses but when she does, she picks herself up off the mat, dusts herself off, and figures out what she needs to do to improve. As Charlotte continues, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir come walking down to the ring. They surround the ring and each woman climbs up onto the apron. Charlotte tells Shayna that she respects her because Shayna has proven herself to be a tough, determined, and very good wrestler. Charlotte asks why she is lowering herself to keep hanging out with the other two. Shayna gets in the ring and gets in Charlotte's face and Jessamyn and Marina jump Charlotte from behind. Charlotte fights them off at first but the numbers are too much and the heels take over until Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez rush down to the ring and clear the heels away and help Charlotte up. | 49

TEGAN NOX, SHOTZI & EMMA |VS| LACEY EVANS, SONYA DEVILLE & NATALYA

Kind of a filler match just to get these women on tv as nothing really happens in this one. Lacey keeps showing off her Sensational Invitational trophy throughout the match. Shotzi and Emma have some miscommunication and begin to argue. Tegan tries to be the peace maker but they both shove her away and begin to fight on the outside. They fight to the back and Tegan gets in the ring and tries to go it alone. Tegan puts up a valiant effort gets a couple near falls before Lacey takes the Sensational Invitational trophy and slams it into Nox's back as she bounces off the ropes. Tegan falls to the mat and Natalya takes advantage and pins her for the win.

WINNERS by pinfall: Lacey Evans, Sonya Deville & Natalya (7:04) | 50

THEY'RE COMING

A pretaped Bray Wyatt promo. Bray continues his slow and subtle return to the swamp preacher gimmick as he's wearing a button down shirt but it's all black. Wyatt says that he took Goldberg's soul at WrestleMania and that will satiate the hunger for the time being but it won't be long before he requires another one. Wyatt warns the entire WWE that they won't know when or where he's going to strike. But he has expanded his family and they will be here to help him. Don't be scared. Don't blink. Embrace the darkness. | 85

MAIN EVENT: SANTOS ESCOBAR |VS| SHINSUKE NAKAMURA |VS| RICOCHET

An exciting match that goes on a little bit too long but is overall a good match. Escobar and Ricochet start off hot with some high flying action but Nakamura puts an end to it by casually walking up to Ricochet and kicking him in the head. Escobar got a near fall on Shinsuke and then got yeeted from the ring by Ricochet and sold it for a while. Shinsuke and Ricochet worked the next portion of the match and the crowd really got into it as the two men exchanged strikes and a pretty cool looking technical wrestling exchange. Legado del Fantasma come out to the ring to check on Santos and get involved in the match. Shinsuke and Ricochet team up to take them out but Zelina Vega hits a hurricanrana on Ricochet that allows Escobar to hit a second rope rocker dropper and get a near fall. Ricochet rolls out of the ring and LdF start attacking him, leading to Braun Strowman running out and chasing them off. In the ring Shinsuke hit the Kinshasa on Escobar but Ricochet broke up the pin. Ricochet hit the Benadryller on Shinsuke and covered him but Zelina Vega yanked on the referee's leg, causing him to stop counting the pinfall. Ricochet ate a Codebreaker from Escobar who got a two count. Escobar turned around and Shinsuke kicked him in the head again. Shinsuke covered Escobar but Escobar kicked out. Shinsuke picked him up and tossed him aside. When Shinsuke turned around, Ricochet kicked him in the midsection and hit a ddt. Ricochet goes up to the top rope and goes for a 450 Splash but Shinsuke moves. Shinsuke cradles Ricochet and pins him for the win.

WINNER by pinfall: Shinsuke Nakamura (19:29) | 69

OVERALL RATING: 68

aew1992 Show Opener I have made 75 posts Location:	[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize May 26, 2023 9:43:57 GMT 1 sleestaklightning likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by aew1992 on May 26, 2023 9:43:57 GMT 1 Just read this from Wrestlemania onwards — nice format, easy to read. Will definitely be following along.

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize Jun 1, 2023 19:50:06 GMT 1 Asaemon, johnnyboombatz, and 1 more like this

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Post by sleestaklightning on Jun 1, 2023 19:50:06 GMT 1

WEEK 3 -- APRIL 2023

WWE Monday Night RAW
Monday -- Week 3 -- April 2023
LIVE! from Toronto, Ontario

GIVE IT BACK
Raw opens with Rey Mysterio coming to the ring. He cuts a promo on his son Dominik, who attacked him in the parking lot last week. Rey says that Dominik knows how disrespectful it is to steal a luchador's mask and when he stole Rey's mask he was sending a message. Rey got that message loud and clear and now he realizes that his son can't be redeemed. He realizes that he has to put an end to it now. This brings out Dominik, who is wearing the mask he stole from Rey. Dom laughs and mocks his dad. Dom asks Rey what he's going to do, spank him? Mami already does that. Is he going to ground him? Dom's an adult and can do whatever he wants. Rey admits he can't actually punish Dom. But he can humiliate him. So Rey challenges Dom to a Lucha de Apuesta Mask vs Hair match. Rey says that not only will he let Dom keep the mask he stole but Rey will unmask forever. Dominik Mysterio will be able to say he was the one who took Rey Mysterio's mask. But if Rey win -- Dom gets his head shaved. Dom takes a second to think and then grins and accepts. | 64

DOLPH ZIGGLER |VS| NICK ALDIS
A good match that was all about storytelling. Aldis has turned down Miz's overtures about joining the A-Listers and Miz has told his A-Lister compatriots, Ziggler and Robert Roode that Aldis needs to be taken out. So in this match Dolph keeps trying to take out Aldis' knee but Aldis keeps getting the better of Ziggler. Eventually Ziggler gets frustrated and grabs a chair. The referee stops him from using it and that allows The Miz to run in and try to attack Aldis but Aldis drops him and Ziggler nails Aldis in the back with a chair to get disqualified.
WINNER by disqualification: Nick Aldis (8:01) | 61

POST-MATCH ATTACK
After the match, Robert Roode and The Miz hit the ring and they attack Aldis along with Dolph Ziggler. They each take a turn to hit their finish on Aldis and then leave him laying in the ring. | 58

ANOTHER ATTACK
Next up, Byron Saxton is backstage with Apollo Crews but before he can ask Crews anything, Baron Corbin jumps Crews from behind. He slams Crews into the interview set and then throws him into a set of road cases. Referees and road agents rush in and back Corbin off as Saxton checks on Crews. | 51

DUELING PROMOS: CODY RHODES AND MVP
A cool split screen promo with Cody Rhodes and MVP each standing in their own locker room talking to one another. Cody tells MVP that he's welcome for the free publicity he's getting from this match. MVP says he doesn't need publicity. He says he's just going to hurt Cody tonight to get him softened up for Omos. Cody tells MVP that when he disrespected Dusty he put a target on his back. MVP asks Cody if he can tell a quick story. Cody says ok. MVP says that when Dusty Rhodes was working in WWE talent development he would routinely check in on main roster guys and give them pointers or suggestions or give his opinion on them. MVP says that Dusty hated him and used to always say that he didn't think MVP had anything. MVP says Dusty was a dumb redneck who didn't know talent, which is why he insisted his youngest son was worthy of a WWE contract. MVP says Cody has been handed everything in his life -- he's the living embodiment of a silver spoon but he's too arrogant to acknowledge it. Cody asks how MVP think he had a silver spoon advantage. MVP says that Cody grew up in a stable home, knew his father, had access to any and every advantage he needed or wanted thanks to his famous and rich father. MVP says that he had to work extra hard for everything he has because dumb [bleep] actively tried to keep him down. MVP says that everything he said last week was true but the most true comment of them all was saying The American Dream is total bullshit. MVP reiterates that he means both Dusty Rhodes and the idea. Cody rips off his lapel mic and storms off, presumably looking for MVP. MVP smirks as the show fades to commercial. | 78

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: AUSTIN THEORY (C) |VS| BRAUN STROWMAN
This went for eight minutes but it wasn't really a proper match. Theory came out with Babatunde and Braun came out with Ricochet. The bell rang and Babatunde kept teasing climbing into the ring which lead to Braun getting distracted. Theory took advantage and tried to work over Braun but the massive challenger rebuffed Theory over and over. Theory bumped around the ring for Braun for a few minutes and Braun built up his momentum until Babatunde attacked Ricochet and distracted Braun. Braun invited Babatunde into the ring and he climbed in. The referee threatened to call a DQ but the two giants just had a staredown and then Babatunde eventually backed off but Theory was able to hit Braun with the US title belt from the top rope. The move dropped Braun to the mat and Theory covered him for the pinfall.
WINNER by pinfall and STILL WWE United States Champion: Austin Theory (8:01) | 61

KOTA IBUSHI |VS| SHELTON BENJAMIN
A good competitive match that allowed Kota Ibushi to shine. Shelton Benjamin used his veteran knowledge to stay alive in this one by cheating every single time Ibushi started to get momentum. Throughout the match there were shots of Seth Rollins watching the match backstage. Ibushi got a couple near falls but Shelton kept getting his foot on the bottom rope or kicking out at the last second. Eventually Ibushi hit a Falcon Arrow and then a moonsault splash from the top rope and got the pinfall victory.
WINNER by pinfall: Kota Ibushi (11:39) | 66

THE PROFITS WANT THE SMOKE
We get a video recapping the return of The Revival last week. After the video the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions the Street Profits come down to the ring and cut a promo on the Revival. The Profits say they're not intimidated by anyone and they actually are excited about the idea of facing the Revival in the ring. The Revival and Jim Cornette come out to the ring. Cornette says that the Revival came back to WWE for two reasons -- to make money, and to win championships. And that's what they plan on doing. The Profits are about to agree to a title match when Mick Foley comes down to the ring and says that he doesn't want anyone to walk in off the street and get a title shot. He wants everyone to earn opportunities. So he's not going to sanction this title match. Instead he wants the Revival to earn their title shot in a #1 Contender Match tonight. Cornette and the Revival are pissed and Cornette asks who their opponents will be and Foley says THE NEW DAY! Cornette and the Revival get in Foley's face and back him into a corner until the Street Profits rush over and back them off. | 69

JOHNNY GARGANO |VS| SETH FREAKIN' ROLLINS
They recap the interaction between these two last week that lead to this match. An angry Gargano jumped Rollins as soon as he climbed into the ring. Rollins struggled to get his obnoxious fur coat off and that allowed Gargano to beat Rollins up all around the ring. Rollins bumped a lot for Gargano early. But eventually Seth rolled out of the ring and got his jacket off. Gargano hits a baseball slide and tried to keep the attack going but Seth grabbed Johnny's waist band and threw him into the steel steps. Rollins turned the tide with that one move and then rolled Gargano back into the ring. Seth dominated the rest of the match by aggressively and relentlessly beating Gargano all around the ring before eventually hitting the Stomp and getting the pinfall.
WINNER by pinfall: Seth Freakin' Rollins (16:55) | 65

RHEA HAS A REQUEST
Back in Mick Foley's office, WWE World Women's Champion Rhea Ripley asks Mick who her first challenger will be. Mick says there's a lot of good challengers out there and he can't fairly pick one so he's making a #1 contender Battle Royal next week on Raw and the winner will face Rhea at Backlash. | 72

CUTTING DOWN THE CLUB
Up next is a pre-taped backstage promo from Jay White. Jay says that it's sad that AJ Styles and Finn Balor are still clinging to the past and their affiliation with an old group from another country. He says that the Club they both still hold so fondly in their hearts left them behind years ago. Jay says that he came to WWE for the same reasons they did: the opportunity to achieve pro wrestling immortality, money, and success. But White says somewhere along the way they became complacent and now they're arguing over who was the better leader of a group that hasn't been relevant since Jay White left. Jay says he's not here to settle any differences or to assert dominance over the name the Club. He's here to make money and win championships but he realizes that if he can get AJ and Finn out of his way he'll have a much easier time so he welcomes their challenges and looks forward to using them to springboard to bigger and better things. | 64

THE NEW DAY |VS| THE REVIVAL W/JIM CORNETTE
This was really good. The Revival did everything they could to keep both members of the New Day on the ground. After an initial flurry, Dax hits a lariat and then Xavier Woods is worked over by both members of the Revival for the next few minutes. He struggles to get to his corner and tag out. Eventually Woods hits an inverted atomic drop on Dax and tags in Kofi. Kofi goes crazy and the crowd is really into it. But just as Kofi starts looking to hit Trouble In Paradise, Jim Cornette grabs his ankle and distracts him. This allows Dash Wilder to get to his feet and attack Kofi. The Revival gets heat on Kofi and get a couple near falls but he dropkicks Dax into Dash and then tags in Woods. Woods hits numerous suplex times on Dash and then hits a spinning ddt on Dax. But Cornette pops up on the apron as Woods goes to make the cover. The referee yells for him to get down and Cornette kicks his tennis racket to Dash. Dash goes to hit Woods with it but Woods kicks him in the midsection, takes the racket and then hits Dash with it. Woods throws it out of the ring and then grabs the referee and turns him around. Before he can cover Dash, Dax kicks Woods in the stomach and suplexes him. From there we get all four men in the ring brawling until Kofi is thrown out. The Revival hit the Shatter Machine on Woods but Kofi breaks up the pin attempt. The Revival hit the Shatter Machine on him too. At this point the Street Profits come out to check out the action. They start arguing with Jim Cornette which serves as a distraction to the Revival. This allows the New Day to recover and they begin brawling again. Eventually both teams end up on the arena floor brawling. Eventually the Street Profits get involved and the referee calls for the bell.
OFFICIAL DECISION: NO CONTEST DUE TO INTERFERENCE (21:19) | 71

THREE-WAY BRAWL
After the match all three teams brawl until road agents rush out and break up the fight. | 74

BULLIES
Cathy Kelley is standing by with Candice LeRae. She asks Candice about an issue Candice has been having with Damage CTRL's Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky lately. Candice says that they keep trying to intimidate her. They make fun of her. They try to bully her. Candice says she basically just ignores it because they can't get to her. We hear yelling in the background and the cameraman turns and we see Dakota and Iyo walking into the interview room. They start mocking Candice and say that she's lying to the people and to herself when she says that they don't get to her. Candice takes a deep breath and tells Dakota that she's right -- it DOES bother Candice. Candice says she's never done anything to either of them but they must be worried about her as a competitor so they're trying to get under her skin. Candice then challenges the women to a match next week. Dakota and Iyo laugh and Iyo reminds Candice that she doesn't have any friends. Candice tells them not to worry about that -- she'll have a partner and she'll be ready. Dakota and Iyo look at each other and then agree to face Candice and a partner next week. | 60

DISGUSTED
The announcers pitch to video shared on social media by Matt Cardona earlier today. Cardona is walking around backstage at the arena and he's filming a vlog for his social media. He starts off by talking about how ripped he's getting and how he's in better shape than pretty much everyone else in WWE. Suddenly he walks into what appears to be his locker room and he makes a grossed out face. He whispers "you guys gotta take a look at this..." and changes to the other camera on his phone and we see Cameron Grimes rubbing oil on his hairy chest and stomach. Cardona yells at him for doing that here and Grimes says he has a match to get ready for. Cardona calls him gross and the two men exchange words until some other wrestlers walk over and separate the two. | 57

BOBBY LASHLEY |VS| ROBERT ROODE
Another good match that was given time to breath. Lashley cut a in-set promo before the match about how he's feeling great coming out of his match with Lesnar at WrestleMania and says that while he respects Cody Rhodes as a performer he is going to be the one who takes the title from Cody. And his journey back to the top starts with beating Robert Roode tonight. The Miz and Maryse escort Roode to the ring and get involved in the match on a few occasions until the referee kicks them out. Roode controls early and gets a couple near falls but Lashley never actually feels like he's in danger of losing. Roode is allowed to look pretty strong though as he beats Lashley up for a good portion of the match before he eventually misses a corner clothesline and Lashley turns things around and wins with a Dominator.
WINNER by pinfall: Bobby Lashley (15:23) | 62

GOOD BROTHERS MAKE THE SAVE
Cameras catch some in progress action backstage as Finn Balor and Damian Priest are beating up AJ Styles backstage when Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson enter the picture and fight them off. The Good Brothers check on AJ who seems to be ok but is definitely angry. | 57

BECKY LYNCH PROMO
Becky Lynch is backstage with Cathy Kelley. Cathy asks Becky about the women's #1 contender battle royal scheduled for next week. Becky says that she heard that women from both Raw and SmackDown will be entering the battle royal because the Draft is coming up in a couple weeks and we're in the middle of the timeframe where people can appear on both shows but Becky doesn't care if they put 40 women in her way -- not winning the title at WrestleMania has just made her even more hungry and she is going to win that battle royal and put a premature end to Rhea's reign. Becky walks off and the camera sees Chelsea Green watching in the background. She scowls at Becky. | 62

JD MCDONAGH HYPE VIDEO
Next up is another video hyping up JD McDonagh. He talks about the Irish wrestling scene he came up in and how he's always looked up to Finn Balor who helped train him. McDonagh says he sees himself as the guy who comes in and immediately makes a name for himself and within a few months of debuting is fighting for championships. | 56

MAIN EVENT -- NON-TITLE MATCH: WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION CODY RHODES |VS| MVP
This one was surprising in that they had an actual wrestling match. Both guys traded holds and tried to outwork one another. Cody had the early advantage until MVP thumbed him in the eye behind the referee's back and took over. MVP took Cody to the corner and unloaded with punches and kicks. The referee backed him off and Omos climbed up onto the apron and choked Cody for a second before letting go. Cody stumbled out of the corner and doubled over, holding his throat and MVP hit a running boot to the face. Cody fell back into the ropes and MVP whipped him across the ring and immediately ran behind him and hit him in the midsection with a knee lift as Cody came off the ropes. MVP slowed things down and worked over Cody with some holds focusing on Cody's neck and back. MVP started to get some momentum but Cody got back into the match by hitting a spinebuster. Omos tried to interfere again and the referee kicked him out. MVP hits The Play Of The Day but Cody kicks out at two. MVP picks Cody up and whips him toward the ropes but Cody hits a Cody Cutter out of nowhere, picks MVP up and hits the Cross Rhodes and gets the pinfall.
WINNER by pinfall: WWE World Heavyweight Champion Cody Rhodes (13:05) | 66

POST-MATCH ATTACK
After the match ended Omos stormed back down to the ring and grabbed Cody by the legs and pulled him out of the ring under the bottom rope. Omos fired some hard chops into Cody's chest and whipped him hard into the steel steps. MVP joined in and the two heels beat on Cody and then Omos grabbed him and carried him over to the announce table. Omos chokeslammed Cody right through the table and then stepped on his chest. MVP hands Omos the World Heavyeight Championship and Omos holds it high above his head as the show fades out. | 71

OVERALL RATING: 69 (nice)

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize Jun 3, 2023 2:13:33 GMT 1 Asaemon likes this

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Post by sleestaklightning on Jun 3, 2023 2:13:33 GMT 1

NXT On USA Network

Tuesday -- Week 3 -- April 2023

LIVE! from the WWE Performance Center

- Following a recap of the final angle from last week's show we get a backstage update from Kelly Kincaid. She says that both Bron Breakker and Gable Steveson suffered superficial injuries from the broken glass and neither man is expected to miss any major time. Kincaid is interrupted by Joe Gacy, the Dyad, and Ava Raine. Kincaid asks what they want. Gacy just stares at her creepily until she hands him the microphone and walks away. Gacy looks into the camera, walks as close as he can to it and just stares for a second before smiling and winking. | 48

- The Creed Brothers defeated Nebo McKing and Xyon Quinn by pinfall at 8:39 to advance in the Men's Dusty Classic Tournament. | 47

- A vignette aired for the debuting Treehouse Lee. He's going by the name of Santonio Bolton. His gimmick is that of a soft-spoken spiritualist who is one with nature. He's outside wearing a white gown/robe thing and talking about the duality of his life. On one hand he is sitting outside, at peace with the world. He listens to nature and responds in kind by taking care of all of god's creatures. But at the same time he has a warrior's heart and that heart drives him to compete in the ring. He's on the way to NXT because NXT is full of the best competitors in the world and he is ready to prove he belongs. He says he will remain humble and he will prove to the world that you can still serve a greater purpose and be a successful wrestler. | 38

- Shawn Michaels is shown entering the building. McKenzie Mitchell catches up with him and Shawn announces that he has sent word to Bron Breakker that he is to meet Shawn in the middle of the ring tonight to address what happened last week. | 75

- MJ Jenkins, making her NXT debut, beat Elektra Lopez by pinfall in 4:18. | 31

- Charlie Dempsey pinned NXT Champion Grayson Waller with a school boy roll-up at 5:38 after Wes Lee came to the ring and distracted Waller. | 59

- Dempsey celebrated in the ring but Waller advised him that the match was not for the NXT Championship. Dempsey called Waller a loser and challenged him to another match. Waller agreed but only if Wes Lee went to the back and promised not to interfere. Lee agreed and walked off. | 50

- NXT Champion Grayson Waller beat Charlie Dempsey in 4:08 to retain the title. Waller, who had not been taking Dempsey seriously in the first match, made quick work of Dempsey after beating him all around the ring and toying with him for a bit before getting the pinfall victory. | 53

- Waller decided to pick Dempsey up and continue assaulting him after the match until Wes Lee came back out and made the save. Lee got on the mic and declared himself the next #1 contender and challenged Waller to a title match. Waller said he'd have to earn it and walked off. | 62

- Fiona Beltane & Lyra Valkyria beat Aliyah & Arriana Grace at 3:43 to advance in the Women's Dusty Classic. | 28

- Von Wagner and Robert Stone were arguing backstage and Wagner told him to get lost. Wagner walked off and Stone told him he'll never find a better manager. | 42

- Filthy Tom Lawlor hype video airs. | 40

- Leticia Salazar and Vidal Duran are backstage when they notice Dragon Lee getting promo pictures taken. Duran interrupts the pictures and Lee takes it in stride, laughing about it. But soon they begin arguing in Spanish and Duran shoves Lee. Lee goes to hit back but Salazar steps in between them and says they shouldn't be fighting -- they should be partners. She says they're perfect for the Dusty Classic. She asks Dragon Lee if he's willing to team with Duran and he agrees. | 61

- NXT North American Champion DIJAK defeated KUSHIDA by countout in 8:39 after he chokeslammed KUSHIDA from the ring to the floor and KUSHIDA could not answer the 10 count. | 64

- After the match DIJAK decides he's not finished with KUSHIDA and goes to attack him when Ikemen Jiro runs out and distracts DIJAK which allows KUSHIDA to get up and slowly head to the back. | 48

- Hammerstone is making his way to the ring for a match but as he climbs in the lights go out. When they come back on Joe Gacy, the Dyad, and Ava Raine are standing in the ring, surrounding Hammerstone. Gacy walks up to Hammerstone and offers him a handshake. Hammerstone refuses and turns to leave but is stopped by The Dyad. He fights them off and Gacy attacks Hammerstone from behind. When Hammerstone turns to go after Gacy he grabs Ava and pulls her in front of him. Hammerstone hesitates and suddenly a large man enters the ring behind Hammerstone and attacks him. We can see that it's Ricky Banderas! He grabs Hammerstone and chokeslams him and then the Dyad and Gacy kick and stomp Hammerstone. Banderas hits a chokebomb on him and the Schism grab Hammerstone and drag him to the back. | 68

- Sarray and Mandy Rose beat Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne at 12:49 when Mandy pinned Jayne. | 64

- After the match Vanessa Wundor hits the ring with a chair and hits Mandy Rose in the back with it. Toxic Attraction attacks the heels until Meiko Satomura comes out and makes the save. She helps up Sarray and the announcers mention that Satomura will be Sarray's partner for the Women's Dusty Classic and they will meet Toxic Attraction in the first round next week! | 52

- Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams cut a backstage promo on NXT Tag Team Champions Roderick Strong & Nathan Frazer who they will face in the opening round of the Dusty Classic next week. | 51

- HBK comes down to the ring. He calls out Bron Breakker. Breakker comes out and Shawn tells him that his actions last week were unacceptable. HBK says that Bron came close to assaulting WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle last week and now Bron needs to apologize. HBK calls Angle out and Kurt comes down to the ring. Bron apologizes -- to himself for not getting doing more to Gable Steveson last week. Shawn Michaels, who is in the ring with the two men, tells Bron that if he's not going to cooperate then he's going to tank his career quickly. Bron says that he doesn't care if he does -- he wants Steveson. He says Gable could have ended his career when he hit him with the car and Bron can't and won't rest until he gets payback. Bron demands Shawn give him a match with Gable and HBK says that unfortunately Gable has a special contract that gives him the right to refuse any match offered to him. Shawn says that he asked Gable if he wants to wrestle you and he said no. Bron says "What about a fight?" and Shawn just shrugs. Bron exits the ring and throws a tantrum. He starts breaking shit at ringside and he slaps around a couple production staff members. Wade Barrett tries to stop him and he grabs Wade and shoves him hard into the barricade. Shawn and security confront him and force him to leave. Shawn tells him to "go home." As security is escorting Breakker out of the building, Gable Steveson appears in the entrance way and he dives at Breakker's knee from behind. The chop block puts Breakker on the ground and he holds his knee and has to be helped up. Michaels screams at Steveson and tells him to get out. The last thing we see is a shot of Gable on the stage smiling and Kurt Angle in the ring smiling back at him. | 74

OVERALL RATING: 68

-----

Next week on NXT:

- Men's Dusty Classic: Strong & Frazer vs Hayes & Williams

- Women's Dusty Classic: Sarray & Satomura vs Toxic Attraction

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize Jun 13, 2023 6:27:48 GMT 1 Asaemon likes this

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Post by sleestaklightning on Jun 13, 2023 6:27:48 GMT 1

Friday Night SmackDown!

Friday -- Week 3 -- April 2023

Live! from Minneapolis, MN

NEW LOOK BLOODLINE

The show opens with Jey Uso standing in the ring by himself wearing a red lei like the one Roman Reigns used to wear. He tells the crowd to acknowledge him as he is now the Head of the Table. Jey says he wants to recognize that the family is still going even without the Big Dog. He calls out his brother Jimmy and Jimmy's wife Trinity. They come out to the ring to a chorus of boos. Jey hugs them both and places leis around their neck. He then introduces their cousin Ona Leata (Jacob Fatu) who comes down to the ring. He also gets a lei placed around his neck. After this Jey says that they are the Bloodline. They represent their family heritage and they will not disappoint their ancestors. Solo Sikoa walks out onto the stage. Jey sees him and asks him to come down to the ring. Jey says he needs to clear the air with Solo. He says they've talked since WrestleMania but they haven't talked about Solo's future in the Bloodline. Solo climbs in the ring and is surrounded by Jey, Jimmy, Ona, and Trinity. He seems to be suspicious of their intentions as he keeps his head on a swivel. Jey tells him to relax and says that Jey wants him in the Bloodline. They all want him in the Bloodline. Jey says Solo is the definition of blood --- he's their brother. Jey asks Solo if he'll commit to his family and hands him a lei. Solo thinks about it for a second and then puts it on. Jey says "Do it" and the rest of the Bloodline immediately close in on Solo and give him a big hug. Jey drops the mic and hugs his brother too. They stand side-by-side and raise their arms as the crowd boos. But the boos quickly turn to cheers when SAMI ZAYN'S music hits. The WWE Universal Champion comes out onto the stage. He says that Jey threw down a challenge to him last week but left before he could answer. Sami says that he doesn't like being laid out and he doesn't like when people try to intimidate him. Sami says he won't back down and he won't rest until he's destroyed the Bloodline, no matter what incarnation he has to take care of. Sami tells Jey that he'll see him at Backlash for the Universal Championship. As soon as he finishes the sentence William Regal's assistant Jinny walks out onto the stage and announces that Mr. Regal could see that this was coming and he has confirmed their title match will happen at Backlash. He also sent her out here tonight to announce that next week both Sami and Jey will be in action. Sami Zayn will take on a member of the Bloodline of Jey Uso's choosing. And Jey Uso will face an opponent of Sami Zayn's choice. | 68

JESSAMYN DUKE & MARINA SHAFIR |VS| LIV MORGAN & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ

I gotta give WWE credit here as they could have immediately dropped this angle with Ronda walking out but they've stuck to the plan and they're letting Duke and Shafir finish their story on the main roster before making any changes. This match saw the heels take control early but Liv, who was the best performer in this match by far, got the crowd behind her and they popped when Raquel got the hot tag. It was a simple story but the faces played their roles perfectly and it helped mask the heels' deficiencies a bit. Liv hit a spinning facebuster on Marina Shafir for the pinfall victory.

WINNERS by pinfall: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (8:09) | 46

CHARLOTTE MAKES THE SAVE

Just before the match ended, Shayna Baszler came out onto the stage to watch. When the match ended Shayna immediately ran to the ring and attacked Raquel and Liv. Jessamyn and Marina join in. Before too long, Charlotte Flair runs down to the ring and slides in. She evens the odds and helps Liv and Raquel run off the heels. Charlotte checks on Liv and Raquel as Shayna, Jessamyn, and Marina walk back up the ramp, yelling at the faces the entire way. | 49

BUTCH |VS| DREW GULAK

A really good technical match. Butch is getting closer to being Pete Dunne again as the announcers called him "Pete" a few times but he was officially announced as Butch. These two have a really fun wrestling match where each man tries to outdo the other and eventually Butch gets the upper hand. He wins with a weird pumphandle Go To Sleep and getting the pinfall.

WINNER by pinfall: Butch (7:49) | 59

ILJA IS STILL WAITING

Ilja Dragunov comes out to the ring. He calls out Gunther again and says the IC champion is dodging him. He says that Gunther is afraid of him. This leads to Imperium coming out onto the stage. Gunther tells Ilja that he's never been afraid of anyone in his life and he certainly wouldn't ever be afraid of Ilja. Gunther says Ilja can't just walk in from NXT and expect to be handed a title match. Gunther says if Ilja can beat Ludwig Kaiser he will prove himself worthy of a title match. Kaiser runs to the ring. | 63

ILJA DRAGUNOV |VS| LUDWIG KAISER

The match begins with the two men in the middle of the ring talking trash. Kaiser slaps Dragunov and he returns fire with an open handed palm strike and Kaiser is knocked backwards. Ilja whips Kaiser into the ropes and hits a spinning elbow and gets a quick two count. Kaiser flees the ring and stalls. Giovanni Vinci consoles him on the outside and Dragunov hits a suicide dive. Dragunov rolls Kaiser back in the ring and keeps the pressure on. He eventually hits a spinning sit-out powerbomb but when he goes for the pin Vinci hops up on the apron to distract him. Ilja knocks Vinci off the apron and when he turns around Kaiser kicks him in the midsection and lifts him up for a fireman's carry slam but Dragunov lands on his feet and hits a Pele kick. Kaiser staggers backwards into the corner and Dragunov hits the torpedo uppercut and Kaiser staggers into the middle of the ring. Dragunov lifts him up and hits a brainbuster followed by a flying headbutt for the pinfall.

WINNER by pinfall: Ilja Dragunov (9:08) | 66

TICK TICK TICK...

A Karrion Kross pre-taped backstage promo is next. Kross says the clock is ticking for Rick Boogs and Drew McIntyre. He says that there will be no mercy shown to anyone standing in his way of becoming Universal Champion. | 44

SONYA DEVILLE |VS| TEGAN NOX

Deville jumps Nox before the bell and controls the opening minutes of the match but Nox battles back and takes over. She hits some suplexes and some throws and rocker dropper for a two count. Deville kicks Nox in her knee and Nox collapses to one knee. Deville hits a swinging neckbreaker. Deville gets a two count and then she picks Nox up by the hair and tosses her outside. Deville and Nox brawl on the outside. Nox reverses an Irish whip and Deville hits the steps. Nox rolls her in the ring. Nox goes back after Deville and Sonya hits a chinbuster and then gets a two count with a small package. Both women get to their feet and throw kicks. Nox ducks Deville's kick and then hits a kick to Sonya's head and then a Codebreaker. Nox finishes Deville off with a Shining Wizard.

WINNER by pinfall: Tegan Nox (8:37) | 54

A CONFRONTATION

Drew McIntyre is backstage with Kayla Braxton. He's about to be interviewed but LA Knight walks up and interrupts. Knight wishes Drew luck tonight and says that of all of the wrestlers in the SmackDown locker room, Drew is the most detestable. Knight says Drew is big, he's tough, and he's damn good in the ring and yet he lets people walk all over him and then acts like a putz. Knight says Drew had to rely on a celebrity to win his WrestleMania match. "Couldn't be me, man" he says. Drew tells Knight that he also respects LA but LA is dead wrong if he thinks Drew rolls over or lays down for ANYONE. Drew will win tonight and then, if LA Knight wins next week, Drew will be more than happy to kick his teeth down his throat in pursuit of the Universal Championship. | 74

REY SPEAKS

A pre-taped Rey Mysterio promo airs next. Rey is talking about the importance of masks in lucha libre. He talks about what his mask means to him. And he talks about how he knows Dominik understands this. While he's cutting the promo we get interspersed shots of Rey throughout his career and Rey with Dominik when Dom was a child and Dom is holding Rey's mask or wearing Rey's mask. Rey finishes the promo by speaking to his son directly and telling him that he hopes he takes after his father and looks damn good with a shaved head. Otherwise Dom's girl might leave him when she sees his ugly ass bald head. Rey promises he won't lose to his son at Backlash. | 69

DAVEY BOY SMITH JR |VS| JINDER MAHAL

This match was completely designed just to put DBS over. Jinder gets steamrolled for five minutes, hits an eye poke that the referee doesn't see, gets a little bit of offense in and then DBS takes back over with a running lariat and wins with a running powerslam.

WINNER by pinfall: Davey Boy Smith Jr (7:19) | 57

SASHA SPEAKS

Sasha comes out to the ring. She wants to speak for a minute about what happened last week. Sasha says that she's going to be real here -- this isn't Sasha talking, it's Mercedes. She says Trinity was one of her two best friends in wrestling. She says she went through so much with Trinity over the past year and she was sure Trinity would always have her back because she'd always have Trinity's back. Last week Sasha was caught completely off-guard and she was, to be honest, hurt more emotionally than physically. But Sasha is resilient and she will persevere. And some day soon she will get her revenge. Suddenly Lacey Evans walks out onto the stage with a microphone. She tells Sasha to shut up and quit whining. Lacey doesn't care if Sasha's friend turned on her. Lacey is here for one reason -- to win titles and beat women up. And right now, Sasha has the belt Lacey wants. Sasha is at the top and Lacey wants to be the one who knocks her down. Lacey challenges Sasha for Backlash. Sasha tells Lacey that she'd be happy to slap the taste out of Lacey's mouth right now, but Sasha has an open contract for Backlash and would be happy to embarrass Lacey there. Sasha waves bye to Lacey as the segment ends. | 55

PREPARATIONS ARE BEING MADE

Next up is another Bray Wyatt promo. He's sitting in a field in a rocking chair. He's back to wearing his swamp preacher era gear -- a button down floral-patterned shirt and white pants -- he warns WWE that preparations are being made for the rebirth of the Wyatt Family. Bray says he promised never to go back there but he's been given no choice. If this is how he has to handle things he will. And everyone else will pay. | 98

MAIN EVENT -- DREW MCINTYRE |VS| RICK BOOGS |VS| KARRION KROSS

An alright main event when Drew and Kross were in there. Rick Boogs is the weak link in this one and drags the match down when he's in the ring. Kross and McIntyre lay Boogs out and then engage in hard-hitting brawling in the ring. McIntyre goes for the Claymore but Kross ducks and McIntyre takes out Rick Boogs who just re-entered the ring. Kross shoves McIntyre shoulder-first into the ring post. Kross covers Boogs but McIntyre manages to break it up at two. McIntyre picks Kross up and whips him into the corner. McIntyre hits a running clothesline. He grabs Kross and goes to pull him out of the corner but Kross shoves him away. Rick Boogs grabs McIntyre and hits a fireman's carry slam. Boogs goes for a cover but Kross grabs him and tosses him out of the ring. McIntyre stands up behind Kross and when Kross turns around, he eats a Claymore Kick. Boogs is back in and goes for an Olympic Slam on McIntyre but he slides down Boogs' back and headbutts Boogs. Boogs collapses to the mat and McIntyre covers him for the win.

WINNER by pinfall: Drew McIntyre (16:25) | 57

POST-MATCH ATTACK

As Drew celebrates in the ring, LA Knight runs out and attacks Drew from behind. The show goes off the air with LA Knight standing over McIntyre after hitting him with a piledriver. | 73

OVERALL RATING: 73

-----

WWE Backlash
Saturday -- Week 4 -- April 2023
LIVE! from Miami, FL

WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Cody Rhodes (C) |VS| Omos w/MVP

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Sami Zayn (C) |VS| Jey Uso

WWE UNIVERSAL WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Sasha Banks (C) |VS| Lacey Evans

LUCHA DE APUESTA -- MASK VERSUS HAIR
Rey Mysterio |VS| Dominik Mysterio

#1 CONTENDER TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Shinsuke Nakamura |VS| Drew McIntyre |VS| ???

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[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize Jun 24, 2023 6:07:16 GMT 1 Asaemon likes this

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Post by sleestaklightning on Jun 24, 2023 6:07:16 GMT 1

WEEK 4 -- APRIL 2023

WWE Monday Night RAW

Monday -- Week 4 -- April 2023

LIVE! from Atlanta, GA

BECKY IS DOWN

The show opens with cameras running around in the back to get a shot of Becky Lynch who has apparently just been taken out by someone moments before she was to be in the ring for the #1 contender battle royal. She is upset when the medical staff tell her she needs to go get checked out and she won't be able to participate in the battle royal. | 80

#1 CONTENDER WOMEN'S BATTLE ROYAL

Order of Elimination:

1.) Natalya (by Valhalla)

2.) Victoria (by Sonya Deville)

3.) Aliyah (by Shotzi)

4.) Valhalla (by Raquel Rodriguez)

5.) B-FAB (by Zelina Vega)

6.) Carmella (by Alba Fyre)

7.) Emma (by Nikki Cross)

8.) Mia Yim (by Bayley)

9.) Alba Fyre (by Chelsea Green)

10.) Sonya Deville (by Raquel Rodriguez)

11.) Nikki Cross (by Alexa Bliss)

12.) Shotzi (by Shayna Baszler)

13.) Chelsea Green (by Raquel Rodriguez)

14.) Zelina Vega (by Liv Morgan)

15.) Liv Morgan (by Bayley)

16.) Raquel Rodriguez (by Shayna Baszler)

17.) Tegan Nox (by Bayley)

18.) Shayna Baszler (by Alexa Bliss)

19.) Bayley (by Alexa Bliss)

WINNER: Alexa Bliss (23:10) | 53

A CONFRONTATION

As Alexa is celebrating in the ring, Rhea Ripley comes out and the two women have a confrontation in the ring. Rhea turns to walk around and then turns back and lays Alexa out with a clothesline. Rhea grabs Alexa and goes for the Riptide but Alexa slides out of it, kicks Rhea in the midsection, and then hits an implant ddt. Alexa grabs Rhea's belt and holds it high over her head until Rhea lays her out with a forearm shot to the back of the head and takes her belt back. | 72

A CHALLENGE IS MADE

Seth Freakin' Rollins comes out to the ring and calls out Kota Ibushi. Ibushi comes out and stands in the ring across from Rollins. Rollins calls Kota names and tells him that his win over Rollins was a fluke. Ibushi tells Rollins it wasn't and that he'll beat him again anytime and anywhere. Rollins challenges him to a rematch at Backlash this Saturday night and Kota accepts. Rollins goes to suckerpunch Ibushi, but Kota dodges it and hits an enziguiri and knocks Seth down before heading to the back. | 62

US CHAMPION AUSTIN THEORY & DABBA-KATO |VS| BRAUN STROWMAN & RICOCHET

This one goes 12 minutes and not a whole lot happens. Theory works most of the match, tagging out to Dabba-Kato every time Strowman gets in the ring. The two big men exchange chops and slaps every time they're in there. The finish sees Ricochet go to the top rope but Dabba-Kato grabs him by the throat and chokeslams him to the mat. Strowman and Kato begin to brawl on the floor and Theory gets up and hits A-Town Down on Ricochet for the pinfall victory.

WINNERS by pinfall: Austin Theory & Dabba-Kato (12:04) | 61

FOLEY MAKES A MATCH

Back in Mick Foley's office he's sitting at his desk as AJ Styles and Finn Balor enter. Foley says he called them here so that they'd be present for this next announcement. Foley then announces that AJ and Finn will battle one-on-one at Backlash. But that's not all -- Foley says someone came to him with a pretty good idea. Foley says that there will be a special guest enforcer for this match to assure a good clean match and that enforcer will be JAY WHITE! | 68

CHAD GABLE |VS| NICK ALDIS

An excellent tv match that allows both men to get some offense in and look good. Gable puts on a really good performance and makes Aldis look great. They wrestle around the ring to start but eventually Gable gets hip tossed and gets angry. He hits a dropkick that sends Aldis into the corner and then goes for a monkeyflip but Aldis blocks it and stomps on Gable's stomach. Aldis takes control until Gable ducks a clothesline and gets a German suplex for a near fall. They go back and forth for a bit and Otis gets involved by tripping Aldis. Aldis is distracted and Gable rolls him up for a two count. When they get to their feet Aldis turns Gable inside out with a clothesline and then they go to the finish. Otis hops up onto the apron and Aldis knocks him off with a kick to the head. Aldis turns around and Gable kicks him and hits a fisherman suplex for a two count. Both men get to their feet at the same time and Gable charges and leaps up for a Thesz Press but Aldis hits a spinebuster instead and then hits the Tormentum and covers Gable for the win.

WINNER by pinfall: Nick Aldis (11:08) | 78

POST-MATCH ATTACK

After the match is over, as soon as Aldis' arm is raised in victory, he's jumped from behind by The Miz. Miz lays him out with a shot to the back of the head. Miz then picks him up and hits the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz stands over Aldis and then bends down and tells him that he should have just agreed to join them. | 66

BECKY ISSUES A CHALLENGE

After a commercial break, Becky Lynch storms down to the ring. She gets in and immediately calls out Chelsea Green. Becky says that Chelsea was the one who attacked her backstage and now it's time to pay. Chelsea Green walks out onto the stage and tells Becky that it wasn't her who attacked Becky but if Becky wants a match, Chelsea will be happy to make her look stupid for demanding the match. | 85

RANDY ORTON VIDEO

A video airs hyping up Randy Orton and when it ends the announcers mention that Orton is going to be here next week to make some kind of announcement. | 69

OMOS w/MVP |VS| R-TRUTH & ASHANTE THEE ADONIS

Omos wins a squash match to get him over one last time before Backlash.

WINNER by pinfall: Omos (5:02) | 40

POST-MATCH PROMO

After the match MVP gets on the microphone and cuts a promo on Cody Rhodes. MVP says Omos is preparing to become the first African born WWE Champion. MVP says that Cody's dream for a long run as champion will be over on Saturday night. Just look at Omos...how can Cody compete with him? Cody comes down to the ring and tells Omos and MVP that he plans to compete with Omos by knocking him down to Cody's size. Cody can't compete with Omos' height -- but he can compete with stamina, and speed, and heart. Cody says he's going to test Omos' desire and see if he really really wants it. Cody will do anything and everything to remain champion...would Omos do whatever it takes to be the champion? What if he has to sacrifice his body to a level he's never had to before? Cody says that he's never ever faced an opponent like Omos before, but Omos has never faced someone like Cody either. MVP cuts Cody off and tells him that he talks too much. MVP says he decided to be totally honest tonight. MVP is shocked that he actually kinda likes Cody. MVP says Cody's dad was overrated. MVP says Dusty Rhodes was wrong about MVP when he told him he didn't have what it takes to get to the main roster. MVP says Dusty didn't respect him, and he didn't respect Dusty. And MVP figured Cody would be just like his dad. But he thinks that Cody is much more genuine than the Dream ever was. Cody tells MVP that he knows he's just trying to get under his skin by ripping on Dusty but it isn't going to work. MVP assures Cody that this isn't mind games -- this is just MVP being honest. Dusty was a fat moron with a lisp who only got over because the fans were even fatter than him. Cody has heard enough and he punches MVP. Omos grabs Cody's arm and whips him into the corner. Omos chokes Cody in the corner and MVP tells him to stop. MVP hits a running kick to Cody's head and Cody collapses to his knees. Omos bends down and grabs Cody under the arms and picks him up. He rag dolls Cody to the middle of the ring. Cody hits hard and rolls toward the opposite corner. Omos walks over to Cody and bends down and picks him up. He chops Cody in the chest and then sets him up on the top rope. MVP climbs up and hits a superplex on Cody and then Omos kneels down next to him and chokes him for a few seconds. Omos lets go and stands up. MVP grabs Cody's title belt and hands it to Omos. Omos holds the title up over his head and MVP says on the microphone that we are looking at the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion! | 70

KOFI KINGSTON |VS| MONTEZ FORD |VS| DAX DAWSON

A really good triple threat match. These guys worked really hard and went all out to have a good match here. Unlike most triple threats where one guy lays out to let the other two battle, most of this match featured all three guys in the ring at the same time for most of the match. Kofi looked great early and the commentary focused on his losing streak and wondered if this was where he would turn things around. Kofi went for Trouble In Paradise early but Dax avoided it and hit a ddt on Kofi. Montez came off the top rope for a big splash but Dax saw it coming and got his knees up. Dax got a near fall but Ford kicked out. Kofi took back over and was once again on fire as he dropped both men and then went to the top rope. Before he could hit anything, Montez got to his feet and ran to the corner. He ran up the turnbuckles and quickly hit a hurracanrana on Kofi. Dax covered Kofi but Ford broke it up at two. The match slowed down a bit after that with Dax working over Kofi and Montez with holds. Things ramped back up with some action outside of the ring. Dax and Kofi get back in the ring and Dax hits a brainbuster. He covers Kofi but Montez pulls Dax off the pin. Ford gets back in the ring and goes for a springboard clothesline on Kofi but Kofi hits Trouble In Paradise and covers him but Dax breaks up that pin. Dax whips Kofi shoulder-first into the nearest turnbuckle. Kofi staggers backward holding his shoulder. Dax spins him around, kicks him in the midsection and hits an implant ddt. Dax covers Kofi but Montez yanks him off the pin. Montez throws Dax out of the ring and then climbs to the top rope quickly. He leaps off the top and hits a big splash on Kofi. Ford covers Kofi for the win.

WINNER by pinfall: Montez Ford (14:24) | 74

GENERAL MANAGER MEETING RE: DRAFT

After a commercial break there's a segment recapping a meeting held between Raw GM Mick Foley and SmackDown GM William Regal earlier today. The two men met to discuss this year's WWE Draft. We learn that they've agreed to a match on SmackDown this week to determine which brand gets the first pick in the draft next Monday on Raw. Foley has selected Bobby Lashley to be his representative and Regal has chosen Karrion Kross. We then learn that this year's draft will feature a pool of 12 men and 10 women from the WWE developmental program who will be eligible to be selected. Any number from 0 to 22 of these developmental superstars can be selected. NXT will also be getting at least one draft pick per night depending on how many of their roster members are drafted. NXT will be able to select members of the main roster to move down to NXT to replace the wrestlers they've lost. Each night of the draft will feature exclusive pools of eligible superstars that can be drafted and there will be supplemental draft picks to fill out the rosters taking place on social media immediately following both Raw and SmackDown. Any members of the roster not selected will become free agents and will be free to sign with Raw, SmackDown, NXT, NXT Evolved, or NXT Europe. | 55

THEORY HAS A REQUEST

Before the recap is over we see that WWE United States Champion Austin Theory interrupting the meeting. Theory complains to Foley that he doesn't have a match on Backlash and that as United States Champion he's the #2 guy on Raw. It's disrespectful to him to not have a match. Foley apologizes and says that things just didn't work out that way. Foley then asks Regal if there's a spot on the card on Friday night for a US title match. Regal says he'll make room and so Foley tells Theory that he can go on SmackDown Friday night and issue an open challenge for the US Title. Theory likes the idea and walks out. | 60

NON-TITLE MATCH: WWE WOMEN'S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS IYO SKY & DAKOTA KAI |VS| CANDICE LERAE & MYSTERY PARTNER

Candice's mystery partner ends up being INDI HARTWELL from NXT. The crowd is happy to see her and she looks decent in her appearance. Candice and Indi get the win after Candice ducks a kick from Dakota and she takes out Iyo instead. Indi grabs Dakota and hits a short-arm uranage on her for the pinfall.

WINNERS by pinfall: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell (11:05) | 56

BACKSTAGE ATTACK

Byron Saxton is backstage getting ready to interview someone when something happens off camera and the camera man turns around to see Apollo Crews in the midst of an attack on Baron Corbin. Crews lays Corbin out and then tells him to stay away from him or it'll happen again. | 52

MATT CARDONA |VS| CAMERON GRIMES

Cardona and Grimes have a good match for about 10 minutes or so but they eventually begin brawling with one another on the outside of the ring. Eventually the referee calls for the bell and declares the match a double countout. The two men brawl all the way through the crowd.

DOUBLE COUNTOUT (11:47) | 52

MAIN EVENT -- BECKY LYNCH |VS| CHELSEA GREEN

Becky came to the ring first and got on the mic and called Chelsea out again. Chelsea came out with a mic and she insisted that she didn't attack Becky. Becky didn't believe her and told her to get her ass in the ring. Chelsea promised to make Becky pay for this and got in the ring. The match began with Becky getting to shine until she missed a clothesline and Chelsea kicked her in the knee. Becky's knee gives out and she collapses to one knee and Chelsea takes over. Becky fights back and clotheslines Chelsea to the outside. They brawl outside for a bit with Chelsea reversing an Irish whip and sending Becky into the steel steps. Chelsea rolls Becky back in and stays on the attack but Becky lifts her up and drops Chelsea throat-first down onto the top rope. Chelsea bounces off the top rope and Becky goes for the Manhandle Slam but Chelsea grabs the top rope to block it. Becky fires some elbows to the side of Chelsea's head and then finally gets her up and slams her down with the Manhandle Slam. Becky covers Chelsea for the pinfall.

WINNER by pinfall: Becky Lynch (9:32) | 68

SURPRISE ATTACK

After the match is over Becky celebrates in the ring until she's suddenly attacked from behind. A taller woman with long black hair lays her out with a forearm shot to the back of the head. The woman picks Becky up and hits a Hammerlock DDT. She stands up and we realize that it's TESSA BLANCHARD! Tessa straddles Becky and grabs her by the hair and yells that she was the one who attacked Becky earlier and now she's done it again. The show goes off the air with Tessa screaming "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?!?!?" to Becky. | 75

OVERALL RATING: 73

=====

WWE Backlash
Saturday -- Week 4 -- April 2023
LIVE! from Miami, FL

[MAIN EVENT]
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Cody Rhodes (C) |VS| Omos w/MVP

WWE Universal Championship Match
Sami Zayn (C) |VS| Jey Uso

Lucha de Apuesta | Mask versus Hair
Rey Mysterio |VS| Dominik Mysterio

WWE Universal Women's Championship Match
Sasha Banks (C) |VS| Lacey Evans

WWE World Women's Championship Match
Rhea Ripley (C) |VS| Alexa Bliss

Triple Threat #1 Contenders Match
Shinsuke Nakamura |VS| Drew McIntyre |VS| ???

Special Guest Enforcer: Jay White
AJ Styles |VS| Finn Balor

Seth Freakin' Rollins |VS| Kota Ibushi

Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez |VS| Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir

[WWE 2023] Ragnarok And Revolutionize

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