klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Takeover: Chicago II
Date: June 16, 2018
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Its time for a sequel and that means things might not be quite as good as it was before. However, the card looks very strong here with all five matches having the potential to steal the show. The main event will likely be Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano II in a street fight, which is completely different than an unsanctioned match. Lets get to it.
The opening video focuses on pain, which every match on tonights card has felt in one way or another. As you might have guessed, the video shifts into focusing on Gargano vs. Ciampa, which is pretty easily the biggest thing on the card.
The announcers welcome Joseph for the night as Mauro Ranallo is off covering Showtime Boxing.
Tag Team Titles: Undisputed Era vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan
Roderick Strong and Kyle OReilly are defending and have Adam Cole in their corner. The fans are behind the champs here (well duh) as Strong headlocks Lorcan to start. Its off to OReilly for a headlock takeover and some right hands to Burchs head but Burch easily wins a slugout. Everything breaks down and Kyle gets suplexed onto Strong before the champs are sent to the floor.
That just leaves Burch and Lorcan to get booed out of the building as the heels are going to be over all night long. Back in and its Kyle taking a hard beating with Burch unloading on him in the corner. A distraction lets Strong dropkick Burch down though and the champs take over for the first time. Strong's backbreaker gets two and a running kick to the face drops him again. We hit the armbar for a bit until Burch fights up for a heck of a headbutt to take OReilly down.
Thats enough for the hot tag off to Lorcan and its time for the running uppercuts. Lorcan nails a big running dive over the top and alternates chops to both champs. The double elevated DDT gets two on Strong but a Doomsday Device is broken up with Lorcan being shoved hard onto the apron. OReilly scores with an enziguri on Burch and the cross armbreaker goes on. Somehow thats rolled over so Burch can grab a rope and the fans are NOT happy that he survived. Geez guys give the bald guys a chance.
The High/Low is broken up and Lorcan is back up with a double Blockbuster off the apron. Now the Doomsday Uppercut gets two as Cole pulls Strong out at the last second. That means an ejection and the fans now hate the referee too. Strong saves another elevated DDT but Lorcan suplexes his way out of a guillotine choke.
A blind tag brings Strong back in so Lorcan powerbombs him down as the referee tells them they have one minute left. The champs get caught in a double submission with OReilly having to kick Lorcan off a half crab to break up Burchs Crossface. A slugout actually goes to the champs and the High/Low ends Lorcan at 15:59.
With the champs gone, Lorcan and Burch get the standing ovation.
Kairi Sane is here.
We recap the Velveteen Dream vs. Ricochet. The idea here is Ricochet gets a lot of attention due to being an athletic freak and its not cool with Dream that someone else is getting this kind of attention. Dream has said that anything Ricochet can do, he can do better. This caused Ricochet to hit a big flip dive the top to the ramp, leaving Dream speechless.
Velveteen Dream vs. Ricochet
Dream is in full Hogan gear, with bandanna and a DREAM STILL OVER shirt, plus all the mannerisms, including the posing and swinging his arms back and forth. I saw Dream at a house show earlier this week and he was doing some Hogan offense so suddenly this makes a lot more sense. He also has some tights on that look a lot like Ricochets Prince Puma gear from Lucha Underground. Ricochet on the other hand now has full on superhero gear, complete with a cape designed to look like wings. The fans are behind Dream here and seem rather pleased when he strikes his pose.
They hit the mat with Ricochet grabbing a headscissors, making Dream lose his bandanna in the process. Dreams running headscissors doesnt work as Ricochet lands on his feet, meaning its time to start the flips. Ricochet flips off the ropes and moonsaults into his pose, frustrating Dream all over again. A springboard is broken up though and Ricochet lands throat first on the top rope to really cut him off. Back in and Dream drops him throat first across the ropes again, followed by a slow motion slingshot flip splash. A hip swivel neckbreaker gives Dream two and he wants the Bingo hall guy to get up.
Ricochet gets sent to the floor and a running springboard flip dive drops him again. Back in again and a chinlock doesnt get Dream very far as the chant switches to BOTH THESE GUYS. Ricochet fights up and scores with a suicide dive, followed by a spinning flip dive over the top to really wake the fans up. The springboard back elbow and standing shooting star gives Ricochet two but he gets crotched on top. That means a super Death Valley Bomb for a very near fall as Dream was banged up off the landing.
Ricochet heads up again but this time its Dream suplexing him off the top and out to the floor in a very painful looking crash. The fans are VERY pleased and its even better when both guys dive back in at nine. Another Death Valley Bomb gives Dream a close two but his snap DDT is broken up. Ricochets back gives out on a suplex attempt so they trade kicks to the face instead. Now the DDT gives Dream two and the fans give both downed guys a standing ovation.
Dream says that hes homegrown and Ricochet belongs in a Bingo hall so Ricochet comes back with a Death Valley Bomb of his own. Ricochet goes up, strikes Dreams pose, and hits the Purple Rainmaker for a very close two. With Dream still rocked, Ricochet goes up for one of the longest shooting stars Ive ever seen but it only hits knees. Ricochet is down in the other corner so Dream tries a Coast to Coast Purple Rainmaker but only hits mat (though he more than had the distance). The 630 gives Ricochet the pin at 22:18.
We recap Shayna Baszler vs. Nikki Cross. Baszler took over the division by being a bully who broke all the rules. She bullies Dakota Kai so the insane Cross came to Kais defense and showed Baszler what it really meant to break the rules. Cross is just so out there that Baszler might not be able to handle her.
Womens Title: Nikki Cross vs. Shayna Baszler
Baszler is defending. Shayna has her fists up to start but Cross stands there with her arms at her side. Cross tells Baszler to do it, motioning for the Kirifuda Clutch. Then she gets down on all fours to chase Baszler around and the champ is confused. Cross turns her back and offers a free chance, only to cut Baszler off with a growl. The first choke has Baszler in trouble and Cross ties her up in the ring skirt for some forearms to the back.
They fight on the ramp and this time Baszler drops her back first to slow Cross down for the first time. Back in and Baszler tries to smother Cross so Nikki comes up smiling. Well of course she does. The crowd is distracted by something as Baszler knees her in the face, only to have Cross block the second one.
The Clutch is reversed with a belly to back suplex and Cross kicks away in the corner. A layout reverse DDT (not the Slop Drop Nigel) on the apron gives Cross two and a handing swinging suplex gets the same. Shayna reverses another suplex into the Clutch and Cross is in trouble in the middle of the ring. Cross fights a lot but starts smiling before passing out at 9:26.
EC3 is here.
Keith Lee (making his debut) is here.
We recap the NXT Title match. This is a pretty basic idea as champion Aleister Black has been able to take care of anyone with Black Mass but Lars Sullivan is too strong for it to have much effect. Sullivan has dominated him for the most part and Black has to find a way to survive.
NXT Title: Aleister Black vs. Lars Sullivan
Black is defending and gets to do his rising up entrance. They stare each other down for a good while to start until Black starts in with the strikes. Both finishers are blocked early on so Black knocks him to the floor for a running forearm. Black comes off the apron with a Meteora but gets his head knocked off back inside. A running knee to the head gives Black one and its off to a Fujiwara armbar as they slow things down a bit. Blacks right hand is twisted around and a clothesline only hurts Blacks arm.
They head outside again and Sullivan catches Blacks middle rope moonsault (egads) and drops him face first onto the apron. Back in and we hit the chinlock to give them their first actual break. Black escapes a pop up powerslam but his rollup is countered into a Worlds Strongest Slam for two. Now the pop up powerslam gets two more so Sullivan goes up, which cant end well. Black kicks him in the head so Sullivan just smacks him in the face to put Black back down.
The top rope headbutt hits a raised knee, which thankfully hurts Blacks knee. Ive never gotten why raising your knees doesnt cause you damage right back so its nice to see for a change. Blacks knee is fine enough to speed up the strikes and the standing Lionsault gives the champ a near fall of his own. Black Mass is blocked again so Sullivan goes after the knee again. We hit a Brock Lock for a good while until the Freak Accident is countered into a DDT for a double knockdown.
Sullivan is up first and gets two more off the top rope headbutt. Black avoids a charge and stomps on the back but misses Black Mass by a good six inches. That gets two anyway, but no reaction as they couldnt hide how off that was. Another jumping knee to the face sets up Black Mass (to the arm) but Sullivan gets up anyway. With Sullivan on his knees, Black Mass catches him on the top of the head to retain Blacks title at 14:29.
We recap Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano. They used to be best friends but last year, in this building, Ciampa stabbed him in the back out of jealousy. Gargano defeated Ciampa in an incredible unsanctioned match in New Orleans but Ciampa couldnt let it die. Therefore, more attacks ensued and its time for a street fight rematch. The other important note is Johnnys wife Candice LeRae, who got caught in the cross hairs and doesnt approve of Johnny being in the fight again.
Gargano is walking through the back when Candice comes up to him and gives Johnny the broken crutch from New Orleans. Candice: Kick his a**!
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano
Street fight. Ciampa has his own crutch and theyre both in street clothes. They swing the crutches at each other to start before just going with the punches. Theyre on the floor in a hurry with Gargano throwing him over the announcers table and then fighting into the crowd. Gargano finds a USE THIS SIGN JOHNNY and bashes Ciampa in the head with it, revealing a stop sign inside. A high crossbody off a platform crushes Ciampa again and its time to go back to ringside with Gargano throwing some weapons inside.
Ciampa shrugs off the left hands for some rolling German suplexes to work on Garganos bad neck. Gargano knocks him to the floor again and scores with a suicide dive. A whip into the barricade gets Ciampa out of trouble and its time for a chair and a trashcan lid. The chair gets wrapped around Garganos head and Ciampa sends it straight into the steps. Ciampa pelts the trashcan at his head and Johnny is bleeding from the hand. Its handcuffs time and you can tell the fans are nervous about where this is going.
Ciampa cant get them on so Gargano goes with the slingshot spear instead. Gargano takes his belt off and gives Ciampa the whipping that he deserves. The trashcan goes over Ciampas head for the low superkick but of course its too early for a cover. Instead Gargano puts the trashcan in the corner, allowing Ciampa to hit Project Ciampa. The knee to the face gets two and a running knee into a trashcan lid into Garganos head knocks him even sillier. They head to the apron and White Noise onto the steps gives Ciampa another close two.
We need more weapons so Ciampa pulls out .bolt cutters? He starts cutting the ropes that hold the mat to the bottom of the ring and pulls the canvas and mat away, revealing the plywood. Ciampa puts him on the top and tells Gargano that he deserves this, but a super White Noise is countered. Gargano cant get a sunset bomb, even as he pulls Ciampas pants half down. Instead he settles for a superkick to bring Ciampa back down and its time for a slugout.
Ciampa hits a crutch shot while Gargano gets in a trashcan lid shot, knocking them both down at the same time with Gargano falling on top for two. Gargano tries a slingshot dive but goes straight into a trashcan lid shot to the head. The running knee (the bad one mind you) hits the steps and Ciampa is in trouble again. He takes the brace off so Gargano hammers away at the knee, even beating on it with a chair. Ciampa is fine enough to kick Gargano into the chair in the corner and the Gargano Escape has Gargano in big trouble.
Thats let go as Ciampa wants the STF with a crutch like Gargano used in New Orleans. With that not working either, Ciampa fixes his knee brace as Gargano is getting to his feet. A crutch shot to the back of the neck only gets two and Ciampa is getting even madder. Gargano is almost out on his feet so Ciampa takes him up the ramp while shouting about how they used to be friends. Its time for Gargano to say goodbye to everything and Ciampa sends him into the set, just like he did last year.
Ciampa says its never enough and takes him on top of some equipment, above a pair of tables. He even takes off Garganos wedding ring, spits on it, and throws it away. That fires Gargano up enough to hit his own White Noise through the tables and theyre both done. Fans: MAMA MIA! Medics come out to put a neck brace on Ciampa as Gargano sits from above and watches the stretcher come out. The fans tell Gargano to DO IT but he just watches as Ciampa is put on a table.
Gargano looks at his ring finger and thats enough to send him after Ciampa again. He wheels Ciampa back down to ringside and slaps on the Gargano Escape for the tap but theres no referee. Instead Gargano beats up some guys in suits for trying to make a save and cuffs Ciampas hands behind his back. Six straight superkicks set up another Gargano Escape so here are a bunch of guys to break it up. The referee is finally back as Gargano beats up the suits, but Ciampa catches him with a hanging DDT onto the exposed boards for the pin at 35:22.
The fans are STUNNED at the ending and you can feel the air go out of the place. Ciampa can barely move but gives an evil smile as he pulls himself up the aisle using the stretcher. He waves goodbye to Gargano as the fans swear at him a lot to end the show.
Results
Undisputed Era b. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch High/Low to Lorcan
Ricochet b. Velveteen Dream 630 Splash
Shayna Baszler b. Nikki Cross Kirifuda Clutch
Aleister Black b. Lars Sullivan Black Mass
Tommaso Ciampa b. Johnny Gargano Hanging DDT
Sunday
Money in the Bank 2018
Date: June 17, 2018
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Tom Phillips, Jonathan Coachman, Byron Saxton
Its finally time to get to what WWE seems to think is the most important show of the year, at least based on how much they promote it. Tonight we find out who might be cashing in to get a cheap World Title reign at any point in the next year. Other than that we have AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura V in a Last Man Standing match. Lets get to it.
Kickoff Show: Smackdown Tag Team Titles: Bludgeon Brothers vs. Anderson and Gallows
Anderson and Gallows are challenging. Gallows slugs away at Rowan in the corner to start and everything breaks down in a hurry. That means some HI YAH kicks from Anderson with Harper and Rowan falling to the floor with Harpers leg getting caught in the ropes. Hes fine enough for half of a double dropkick to put Gallows down as we take a break.
Back with Anderson being catapulted throat first into the middle rope for two. Harpers splash gets two as Gallows is still down on the floor. We hit the chinlock for a bit before Rowan goes shoulder first into the post. A spinebuster plants Rowan again and the hot tag brings in Gallows. Everything breaks down with a pumphandle slam planting Harper, followed by Anderson diving onto Rowan. The Magic Killer is broken up and the assisted sitout powerbomb ends Gallows at 7:35.
The opening video looks at a cash-in montage and promises to only explain this once. Thats so laughable that Im just going to move on to the other big matches being discussed. After that, we go back to Money in the Bank, meaning theyve already reneged on their promise after two minutes.
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Its smart to get Bryan out there early and get the crowd away from CM PUNK/ALL IN chants. Cass takes him into the corner and shouts a lot so Bryan throws some right hands. Its too early for the heel hook so Bryan kicks away at the knee instead. Cass knocks him hard into the barricade in a crash and then gorilla presses Bryan face first onto the apron.
Back in and some elbows give Cass two, followed by the bearhug to keep Bryan slow. A swinging Boss Man Slam gets two more but Bryan goes after the knee. Said knee is wrapped around the post a few times and its already YES Lock time. Thats broken up with a simple grab of the rope and Cass heads outside, meaning a big dive from the top to take him out again. Back in and Cass crotches him on top for a super fall away slam.
The big crash is only good for two so its off to a torture rack. Something like a running reverse FU gets two and its Bryan going after the knee all over again. A few chop blocks set up the YES Kicks but the running knee is countered. The big boot gives Cass two and its back to the torture rack. This time the reverse FU is escaped and Bryan nails the running knee. The heel hook makes Cass tap at 15:25.
New Day is going over strategy to pick who is going to be in the Money in the Bank match when Kevin Owens comes in, carrying a bag. That would be a bunch of pancakes AND syrup (Big E.: THIS FOOL CAN STAY!) but Owens is just trying to find out who is in the match. Its also a ploy to take out Braun Strowman but New Day doesnt cheat. Owens doesnt care for pancakes or BootyOs and Big E. screams a lot. After things calm down, Owens insults everything about Chicago so they steal his syrup and tell him to get out.
Sami Zayn vs. Bobby Lashley
Sami has taunted Lashley over Lashleys claims about his family and life so Lashley is here to kill him. The stalling is on for more than two minutes to start until Lashley catches up to him and shoves Sami to the apron. That allows Sami to get in a poke to the eye and a good posting as Graves thinks Lashleys dad will want to adopt Sami. Lashley shrugs it off and scores with a fall away slam, followed by a running shoulder in the corner. Theres the delayed vertical suplex followed by a second one. An over the shoulder backbreaker sets up a third delayed vertical suplex for the pin on Zayn at 6:35.
Heres Elias to sing about how much he hates Chicago, because its full of scumbags. After the fans chant that they are scumbags, Elias says theyre not worth it and were ready to go.
Intercontinental Title: Seth Rollins vs. Elias
Rollins is defending. Feeling out process to start with Elias not being able to get very far early on. They head outside with Elias being dropped on his face and theres a flying clothesline back inside. Rollins heads to the apron but gets clotheslined down to reaggrivate his previously injured neck. A hard DDT gets two and its off to a cobra clutch, which Rollins cant shrug off.
Rollins avoids a knee drop though and theres the Sling Blade to really give him a breather. Theres the suicide dive but Elias gets in another shot to the neck to cut Rollins off again. The springboard knee misses and Rollins comes up favoring his knee, allowing Elias to hit a jumping knee to the face for a fast two. A slugout goes to Rollins and theres a superkick for two on Elias. Even with the banged up knee, Rollins heads up top and the frog splash hits raised knees.
Now its Elias heading up top, only to get caught with the superplex into the Falcon Arrow for a very near fall. Back up and Elias avoids a charge to send him into the post, followed by a whip into the steps. The top rope elbow gets a VERY close two and the fans find this awesome. Rollins is placed up top but shoves him away. They trade small packages for two each, followed by a rollup with tights for two on Elias. Rollins can do the same thing and grabs the tights to retain at 17:01.
We recap the Womens Money in the Bank ladder match with Paige talking about what an opportunity this is. Fair enough. You too can far exceed your career ceiling by stealing titles.
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch vs. Lana vs. Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Ember Moon vs. Naomi vs. Natalya
Banks trips over something on the way in. Its a big brawl to start (as is custom) with Charlotte being crushed. The first ladder is brought in and its Ember vs. Sasha with Moons springboard crossbody driving Banks into the ladder. Lana comes in with an X Factor onto the ladder before throwing the smaller version to the floor. That means its time for the big ladder but Natalya makes a save.
Naomi does the splits onto a ladder and gets dropkicked down for her efforts. Charlotte comes back in and that means a staredown with Becky that goes nowhere, leaving Naomi to hit a Blockbuster off the apron to drop Sasha. Everyone is down on the floor until its Moon and Naomi going for the same ladder inside. Ember takes over without much effort but its Banks coming in and sending her face first into a ladder in the corner.
Lana is put on top of Moon on said ladder and Banks drops the double knees onto both of them. Charlotte and Sasha go up the same side of a ladder at the same time until Natalya comes in to pull Charlotte off. Becky pushes the ladder over with Sasha coming down with knees to both Charlotte and Banks. Bliss remembers that shes in the match and comes in for a save but its time for the big ladder. Six of them go up at once but Banks and Charlotte make the saves.
Charlotte powerbombs Moon onto a ladder in the corner and Lana gets pulled off as well. Bliss reverses a powerbomb attempt into Code Red on Charlotte but gets shoved down by Lana. For some reason Lana grabs the Accolade on Bliss but its Naomi springboarding in to take Lana off the ladder. Naomi cant get the briefcase down due to reasons of shes not winning and Lynch makes the save.
Charlotte and Becky slug it out on top but Bliss shoves the ladder down. That just earns her a spear from Charlotte but Sasha makes a save of her own. Natalya electric chairs Lana, only to get sent outside. Charlotte spears Moon onto the ladder again but Becky is back in with an exploder suplex. Becky goes up but cant get it down either, allowing Bliss to shove the ladder, sending Becky face first into the ladder in the corner. Bliss pulls down the briefcase at 18:27.
Kurt Angle and Paige chat about Money in the Bank when Baron Corbin comes in and demands that we take things seriously. Paige brings up him losing his cash-in last year but Corbin tells Angle to get it done in the mens match.
We recap Jinder Mahal vs. Roman Reigns. Mahal was mad about not being in the Money in the Bank match and cost Reigns his qualifying match. A feud started with Reigns beating the heck out of him as well as Sunil Singh, setting up this match.
Roman Reigns vs. Jinder Mahal
Singh is in a wheelchair and the booing of Reigns is at a near Wrestlemania level. However, oddly enough it goes very quiet in a hurry, almost like it was turned down. Im sure Im just imagining things. They punch it out and there are the CM PUNK chants. A sloppy Samoan drop gives Reigns one to start and Mahal bails to the floor.
The distraction lets Singh get out of the wheelchair to get in a cheap shot so Mahal can take over. Back in and we hit the chinlock, followed by a reverse chinlock to mix things up a bit. Mahal beats on him a bit more and we hit another chinlock, because this is how you do a Mahal vs. Reigns match IN FREAKING CHICAGO.
Reigns makes his comeback as the Wave breaks out around the arena. Mahal cuts him off with a jumping knee to the face and the Wave continues. A gutbuster looks to set up the Khallas but Reigns rolls away and hits the Superman Punch for two. Mahal is busted open off something but still manages to avoid the spear and send Reigns into the post.
Now its a VELVETEEN chant until Reigns stops him with a kneelift. A Fameasser from the apron over the middle rope but Singh gets up and tries to send Reigns into the post. Superman Punches abound and theres a spear to Singh, followed by one to Mahal for the pin at 15:40.
Special Olympics video.
Recap of the rest of the night, likely to get the ladders set up again.
Actually never mind as we recap Carmella vs. Asuka (because this show is running long already but of course we have time for a recap). Carmella cashed in her briefcase in April and now its time for Asuka to get her one on one shot at the title.
Smackdown Womens Title: Asuka vs. Carmella
Asuka is challenging and has Carmella bailing to the floor in a hurry. Back in and Carmella slaps her in the face, earning herself a hip to the face. More strikes rock Carmella and theres a sliding knee to send Carmella outside. Back up and Carmella pulls her face first into the post for two. Followed by just rubbing Asukas face into the mat. Carmella kicks the knee out and we hit the chinlock.
Its off to a front facelock for a bit until Asuka goes up, only to miss a middle rope dropkick. A kick to the head is countered into a kneebar but Carmella is quickly to the ropes. Its back to the striking with a knee to the face and a running dropkick, followed by a German suplex to rock the champ. Another running charge misses though and Asuka falls out to the floor in a heap.
Carmella actually hits a suicide dive for two but gets hit in the face a few times. Cue someone in Asukas robe and mask for a distraction though and the ELLSWORTH chants begin. The distraction lets Carmella get two off a rollup and its James Ellsworth under the mask. Carmellas superkick retains the title at 11:04.
We recap the Last Man Standing match. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura have had four matches so far but Nakamura won the most recent, earning the right to pick the stipulation for this match. He picked a match where he could beat on Styles as much as he wanted so here we go.
Smackdown World Title: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Styles is defending and this is Last Man Standing. They lock up to start before realizing what a waste of time that is and fighting to the floor. A suplex into the steps has the champ in more trouble and a running shot to the head gets eight. Back in and Nakamura kicks him down without much effort and Styles has to pull himself up using the ropes. Nakamura adds in more kicks to put Styles on the floor again, this time choking with a boot against the steps.
They fight into the crowd with Styles punching away but trying a springboard off the barricade (which wouldnt provide much spring) proves badly as Nakamura kicks his leg out from underneath him. Thats not enough either so they head back inside with Nakamura throwing some soft kicks to really mess with Styles. The reverse exploder is broken up and Styles kicks him in the head. Nakamura doesnt even go down but misses a low blow, which ticks Styles off even more.
The Pele .might have connected but Nakamura is right back up with the reverse exploder. Styles knocks him down for an eight, only to have Nakamura break up the Phenomenal Forearm. They head back outside with Nakamura loading up the announcers table. Kinshasa on the table is good for nine and its table time. As opposed to the two tables at ringside of course. The table is set up inside but Styles slips out of a superplex, only to have his powerbomb attempt broken up.
Nakamura rams the table into Styles ribs and puts the table up in the corner. Styles actually goes through the table but the ropes get him up at nine. The turnbuckle pad comes off and Nakamura puts him ribs first onto the buckle for the knee in the corner. Of course the running knee hits the buckle (that was really stupid) and, after a random crowd shot, AJ starts kicking at the leg. The Calf Crusher goes on and Nakamura taps so Styles hangs on a little while longer.
They head outside again with AJ blasting the knee with the chair. For some reason he begs off though and walks into a low blow. Thats not enough but a Kinshasa gives Nakamura ..nine. Nakamura loads up something on the table but his knee gives out, allowing Styles to hit the Phenomenal Forearm off the announcers table, followed by a Styles Clash on the floor .for nine again. Nakamura says COME ON so Styles kicks him VERY hard low. Thats not enough either as its a springboard Phenomenal Forearm through the announcers table to retain the title at 31:04.
We recap Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Womens Title. Jax is unstoppable and Rousey is having her first singles match for the title. A few weeks back, Jax challenged Rousey and then turned heel out of annoyance over the attention Rousey has been receiving as of late.
Raw Womens Title: Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey
Rousey is challenging and smiles all the way to the ring. Jax drives her into the corner for shoulders to the ribs to start and tosses Rousey across the ring for another splash. Another splash misses and Rousey punches her in the chest, only to get headbutted down. The Samoan drop is countered into an armbar and then a triangle, which is countered into a sitout powerbomb.
Rousey falls to the floor so Jax takes her outside for a swing into the barricade. Jax rams her head into the mat for two and its off to the bearhug, which Coach says allows Rousey to rest. Another Samoan drop gets two more but the legdrop misses. Rousey gets the armbar over the ropes and holds it until four, followed by a high crossbody (with Rousey looking like shes not sure how she got up there) for two. A HARD knee to the face sets up a judo throw (nearly dropping Jax on her head) for another near fall. The armbar is loaded up .and heres Bliss to hit Rousey with the briefcase for the DQ at 10:48.
Bliss hits Jax with the briefcase, posts Rousey and hits her with the briefcase as well. More briefcase shots to Jaxs bad arm have the champ in trouble and we have a cash-in!
Raw Womens Title: Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss
Jax is defending. Theres the DDT and Twisted Bliss gives Bliss the title back at 18 seconds. Ill take getting rid of a briefcase any way I can.
We recap the Mens Money in the Bank ladder match, which is just everyone saying theyll climb to win because its so important.
Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Roode vs. Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe vs. Rusev vs. The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston
Woods teases getting the spot but rips open his shirt to reveal KOFI written on his chest. Everyone goes after Strowman, which goes as well as you would expect it to. Strowman is left alone in the ring early on but everyone goes after him with ladders and then throw said ladders on him, which never really works but it looks good. Miz tries to use the distraction to go up but gets taken down by Joe.
Kofi comes back in with Trouble in Paradise until Owens makes a save. A superkick puts Kofi down and heres Balor for a save of his own. Balor and Owens fight to the floor with Owens superkicking him onto the announcers table and loading up the big ladder. The frog splash will have to wait though as Owens has to stop Rusev, who gives him a fall away slam onto a ladder bridged against the ropes. Kofi comes back in with a springboard shot to the head but Balor dives onto everyone.
Strowman is back up and starts to wreck things until Joe grabs the Koquina Clutch. Owens superkicks him and loads up a big splash off a really high ladder. Strowman just gets up though and grabs Owens (Owens: IM SORRY! IM SORRY!) for a huge toss through the table below. With Miz loading up a ladder in the ring, Strowman runs through a ladder (which was being held up and got broken in an awesome visual) and Roode/Balor at the same time to make the save.
Strowman goes up so Joe harpoons him with the ladder but Balor is back up this time around. Roode makes another save but heres Kofi for another save. Rusev comes back in for a double stack Accolade, followed by an attempt at a triple stack with Miz included. Thankfully Joe is back in for a Koquina Clutch, which Rusev breaks in short order. Miz goes up and gets his hands on the ladder but its Kofis turn for a save.
Balor is back in with a Sling Blade on Roode and a Coup de Grace from the ladder on the floor crushes Roode back inside. Strowman is back in as well for the powerslams but Kofi springboards onto his back. Balor is climbing up the other side as Strowman climbs with Kofi going along for the ride. Strowman knocks them both off and wins at 19:45.
Results
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass Heel hook
Bobby Lashley b. Sami Zayn Delayed vertical suplex
Seth Rollins b. Elias Rollup with a handful of tights
Alexa Bliss won Money in the Bank
Roman Reigns b. Jinder Mahal Spear
Carmella b. Asuka Superkick
AJ Styles b. Shinsuke Nakamura Phenomenal Forearm through a table
Ronda Rousey b. Nia Jax via DQ when Alexa Bliss interfered
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax Twisted Bliss
Braun Strowman won Money in the Bank
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Natalya b. Alexa Bliss, Ember Moon and Sasha Banks Sharpshooter to Bliss
Dolph Ziggler/Drew McIntyre b. Breezango Zig Zag/Claymore combination to Fandango
B Team b. Heath Slater/Rhyno Belly to back suplex/neckbreaker to Slater
Ruby Riott b. Bayley Riott Kick
No Way Jose b. Curt Hawkins Pop up right hand
Braun Strowman b. Finn Balor, Kevin Owens and Bobby Roode Powerslam onto a ladder to Owens
Smackdown
Daniel Bryan b. Shelton Benjamin Heel hook
Rusev b. Samoa Joe Machka Kick
Jeff Hardy b. Shinsuke Nakamura via DQ when Nakamura hit him low
Charlotte/Naomi/Lana/Becky Lynch/Asuka vs. Iconics/Mandy Rose/Sonya Deville/Carmella Asuka Lock to Carmella
NXT
War Raiders b. Ricky Martinez/Justin Storm Fallout to Martinez
EC3 b. Kassius Ohno 1%er
Bianca Belair b. Aliyah Torture rack into a facebuster
Pete Dunne b. Kyle OReilly Bitter End
Impact Wrestling
Taya Valkyrie b. Rebel Road To Valhalla
Cult of Lee b. KM/Fallah Bahh Rollup to KM
Moose b. Eli Drake Spear
Tessa Blanchard b. Kiera Hogan Spinning faceplant into a chair
El Hijo Del Fantasma b. Jake Crist Rollup
Matt Sydal b. Brian Cage via countout
Takeover: Chicago II
Undisputed Era b. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch High/Low to Lorcan
Ricochet b. Velveteen Dream 630 Splash
Shayna Baszler b. Nikki Cross Kirifuda Clutch
Aleister Black b. Lars Sullivan Black Mass
Tommaso Ciampa b. Johnny Gargano Hanging DDT
Money in the Bank 2018
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass Heel hook
Bobby Lashley b. Sami Zayn Delayed vertical suplex
Seth Rollins b. Elias Rollup with a handful of tights
Alexa Bliss won Money in the Bank
Roman Reigns b. Jinder Mahal Spear
Carmella b. Asuka Superkick
AJ Styles b. Shinsuke Nakamura Phenomenal Forearm through a table
Ronda Rousey b. Nia Jax via DQ when Alexa Bliss interfered
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax Twisted Bliss
Braun Strowman won Money in the Bank
Nothing.
Saturday
Takeover: Chicago II
Date: June 16, 2018
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Its time for a sequel and that means things might not be quite as good as it was before. However, the card looks very strong here with all five matches having the potential to steal the show. The main event will likely be Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano II in a street fight, which is completely different than an unsanctioned match. Lets get to it.
The opening video focuses on pain, which every match on tonights card has felt in one way or another. As you might have guessed, the video shifts into focusing on Gargano vs. Ciampa, which is pretty easily the biggest thing on the card.
The announcers welcome Joseph for the night as Mauro Ranallo is off covering Showtime Boxing.
Tag Team Titles: Undisputed Era vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan
Roderick Strong and Kyle OReilly are defending and have Adam Cole in their corner. The fans are behind the champs here (well duh) as Strong headlocks Lorcan to start. Its off to OReilly for a headlock takeover and some right hands to Burchs head but Burch easily wins a slugout. Everything breaks down and Kyle gets suplexed onto Strong before the champs are sent to the floor.
That just leaves Burch and Lorcan to get booed out of the building as the heels are going to be over all night long. Back in and its Kyle taking a hard beating with Burch unloading on him in the corner. A distraction lets Strong dropkick Burch down though and the champs take over for the first time. Strong's backbreaker gets two and a running kick to the face drops him again. We hit the armbar for a bit until Burch fights up for a heck of a headbutt to take OReilly down.
Thats enough for the hot tag off to Lorcan and its time for the running uppercuts. Lorcan nails a big running dive over the top and alternates chops to both champs. The double elevated DDT gets two on Strong but a Doomsday Device is broken up with Lorcan being shoved hard onto the apron. OReilly scores with an enziguri on Burch and the cross armbreaker goes on. Somehow thats rolled over so Burch can grab a rope and the fans are NOT happy that he survived. Geez guys give the bald guys a chance.
The High/Low is broken up and Lorcan is back up with a double Blockbuster off the apron. Now the Doomsday Uppercut gets two as Cole pulls Strong out at the last second. That means an ejection and the fans now hate the referee too. Strong saves another elevated DDT but Lorcan suplexes his way out of a guillotine choke.
A blind tag brings Strong back in so Lorcan powerbombs him down as the referee tells them they have one minute left. The champs get caught in a double submission with OReilly having to kick Lorcan off a half crab to break up Burchs Crossface. A slugout actually goes to the champs and the High/Low ends Lorcan at 15:59.
With the champs gone, Lorcan and Burch get the standing ovation.
Kairi Sane is here.
We recap the Velveteen Dream vs. Ricochet. The idea here is Ricochet gets a lot of attention due to being an athletic freak and its not cool with Dream that someone else is getting this kind of attention. Dream has said that anything Ricochet can do, he can do better. This caused Ricochet to hit a big flip dive the top to the ramp, leaving Dream speechless.
Velveteen Dream vs. Ricochet
Dream is in full Hogan gear, with bandanna and a DREAM STILL OVER shirt, plus all the mannerisms, including the posing and swinging his arms back and forth. I saw Dream at a house show earlier this week and he was doing some Hogan offense so suddenly this makes a lot more sense. He also has some tights on that look a lot like Ricochets Prince Puma gear from Lucha Underground. Ricochet on the other hand now has full on superhero gear, complete with a cape designed to look like wings. The fans are behind Dream here and seem rather pleased when he strikes his pose.
They hit the mat with Ricochet grabbing a headscissors, making Dream lose his bandanna in the process. Dreams running headscissors doesnt work as Ricochet lands on his feet, meaning its time to start the flips. Ricochet flips off the ropes and moonsaults into his pose, frustrating Dream all over again. A springboard is broken up though and Ricochet lands throat first on the top rope to really cut him off. Back in and Dream drops him throat first across the ropes again, followed by a slow motion slingshot flip splash. A hip swivel neckbreaker gives Dream two and he wants the Bingo hall guy to get up.
Ricochet gets sent to the floor and a running springboard flip dive drops him again. Back in again and a chinlock doesnt get Dream very far as the chant switches to BOTH THESE GUYS. Ricochet fights up and scores with a suicide dive, followed by a spinning flip dive over the top to really wake the fans up. The springboard back elbow and standing shooting star gives Ricochet two but he gets crotched on top. That means a super Death Valley Bomb for a very near fall as Dream was banged up off the landing.
Ricochet heads up again but this time its Dream suplexing him off the top and out to the floor in a very painful looking crash. The fans are VERY pleased and its even better when both guys dive back in at nine. Another Death Valley Bomb gives Dream a close two but his snap DDT is broken up. Ricochets back gives out on a suplex attempt so they trade kicks to the face instead. Now the DDT gives Dream two and the fans give both downed guys a standing ovation.
Dream says that hes homegrown and Ricochet belongs in a Bingo hall so Ricochet comes back with a Death Valley Bomb of his own. Ricochet goes up, strikes Dreams pose, and hits the Purple Rainmaker for a very close two. With Dream still rocked, Ricochet goes up for one of the longest shooting stars Ive ever seen but it only hits knees. Ricochet is down in the other corner so Dream tries a Coast to Coast Purple Rainmaker but only hits mat (though he more than had the distance). The 630 gives Ricochet the pin at 22:18.
We recap Shayna Baszler vs. Nikki Cross. Baszler took over the division by being a bully who broke all the rules. She bullies Dakota Kai so the insane Cross came to Kais defense and showed Baszler what it really meant to break the rules. Cross is just so out there that Baszler might not be able to handle her.
Womens Title: Nikki Cross vs. Shayna Baszler
Baszler is defending. Shayna has her fists up to start but Cross stands there with her arms at her side. Cross tells Baszler to do it, motioning for the Kirifuda Clutch. Then she gets down on all fours to chase Baszler around and the champ is confused. Cross turns her back and offers a free chance, only to cut Baszler off with a growl. The first choke has Baszler in trouble and Cross ties her up in the ring skirt for some forearms to the back.
They fight on the ramp and this time Baszler drops her back first to slow Cross down for the first time. Back in and Baszler tries to smother Cross so Nikki comes up smiling. Well of course she does. The crowd is distracted by something as Baszler knees her in the face, only to have Cross block the second one.
The Clutch is reversed with a belly to back suplex and Cross kicks away in the corner. A layout reverse DDT (not the Slop Drop Nigel) on the apron gives Cross two and a handing swinging suplex gets the same. Shayna reverses another suplex into the Clutch and Cross is in trouble in the middle of the ring. Cross fights a lot but starts smiling before passing out at 9:26.
EC3 is here.
Keith Lee (making his debut) is here.
We recap the NXT Title match. This is a pretty basic idea as champion Aleister Black has been able to take care of anyone with Black Mass but Lars Sullivan is too strong for it to have much effect. Sullivan has dominated him for the most part and Black has to find a way to survive.
NXT Title: Aleister Black vs. Lars Sullivan
Black is defending and gets to do his rising up entrance. They stare each other down for a good while to start until Black starts in with the strikes. Both finishers are blocked early on so Black knocks him to the floor for a running forearm. Black comes off the apron with a Meteora but gets his head knocked off back inside. A running knee to the head gives Black one and its off to a Fujiwara armbar as they slow things down a bit. Blacks right hand is twisted around and a clothesline only hurts Blacks arm.
They head outside again and Sullivan catches Blacks middle rope moonsault (egads) and drops him face first onto the apron. Back in and we hit the chinlock to give them their first actual break. Black escapes a pop up powerslam but his rollup is countered into a Worlds Strongest Slam for two. Now the pop up powerslam gets two more so Sullivan goes up, which cant end well. Black kicks him in the head so Sullivan just smacks him in the face to put Black back down.
The top rope headbutt hits a raised knee, which thankfully hurts Blacks knee. Ive never gotten why raising your knees doesnt cause you damage right back so its nice to see for a change. Blacks knee is fine enough to speed up the strikes and the standing Lionsault gives the champ a near fall of his own. Black Mass is blocked again so Sullivan goes after the knee again. We hit a Brock Lock for a good while until the Freak Accident is countered into a DDT for a double knockdown.
Sullivan is up first and gets two more off the top rope headbutt. Black avoids a charge and stomps on the back but misses Black Mass by a good six inches. That gets two anyway, but no reaction as they couldnt hide how off that was. Another jumping knee to the face sets up Black Mass (to the arm) but Sullivan gets up anyway. With Sullivan on his knees, Black Mass catches him on the top of the head to retain Blacks title at 14:29.
We recap Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano. They used to be best friends but last year, in this building, Ciampa stabbed him in the back out of jealousy. Gargano defeated Ciampa in an incredible unsanctioned match in New Orleans but Ciampa couldnt let it die. Therefore, more attacks ensued and its time for a street fight rematch. The other important note is Johnnys wife Candice LeRae, who got caught in the cross hairs and doesnt approve of Johnny being in the fight again.
Gargano is walking through the back when Candice comes up to him and gives Johnny the broken crutch from New Orleans. Candice: Kick his a**!
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano
Street fight. Ciampa has his own crutch and theyre both in street clothes. They swing the crutches at each other to start before just going with the punches. Theyre on the floor in a hurry with Gargano throwing him over the announcers table and then fighting into the crowd. Gargano finds a USE THIS SIGN JOHNNY and bashes Ciampa in the head with it, revealing a stop sign inside. A high crossbody off a platform crushes Ciampa again and its time to go back to ringside with Gargano throwing some weapons inside.
Ciampa shrugs off the left hands for some rolling German suplexes to work on Garganos bad neck. Gargano knocks him to the floor again and scores with a suicide dive. A whip into the barricade gets Ciampa out of trouble and its time for a chair and a trashcan lid. The chair gets wrapped around Garganos head and Ciampa sends it straight into the steps. Ciampa pelts the trashcan at his head and Johnny is bleeding from the hand. Its handcuffs time and you can tell the fans are nervous about where this is going.
Ciampa cant get them on so Gargano goes with the slingshot spear instead. Gargano takes his belt off and gives Ciampa the whipping that he deserves. The trashcan goes over Ciampas head for the low superkick but of course its too early for a cover. Instead Gargano puts the trashcan in the corner, allowing Ciampa to hit Project Ciampa. The knee to the face gets two and a running knee into a trashcan lid into Garganos head knocks him even sillier. They head to the apron and White Noise onto the steps gives Ciampa another close two.
We need more weapons so Ciampa pulls out .bolt cutters? He starts cutting the ropes that hold the mat to the bottom of the ring and pulls the canvas and mat away, revealing the plywood. Ciampa puts him on the top and tells Gargano that he deserves this, but a super White Noise is countered. Gargano cant get a sunset bomb, even as he pulls Ciampas pants half down. Instead he settles for a superkick to bring Ciampa back down and its time for a slugout.
Ciampa hits a crutch shot while Gargano gets in a trashcan lid shot, knocking them both down at the same time with Gargano falling on top for two. Gargano tries a slingshot dive but goes straight into a trashcan lid shot to the head. The running knee (the bad one mind you) hits the steps and Ciampa is in trouble again. He takes the brace off so Gargano hammers away at the knee, even beating on it with a chair. Ciampa is fine enough to kick Gargano into the chair in the corner and the Gargano Escape has Gargano in big trouble.
Thats let go as Ciampa wants the STF with a crutch like Gargano used in New Orleans. With that not working either, Ciampa fixes his knee brace as Gargano is getting to his feet. A crutch shot to the back of the neck only gets two and Ciampa is getting even madder. Gargano is almost out on his feet so Ciampa takes him up the ramp while shouting about how they used to be friends. Its time for Gargano to say goodbye to everything and Ciampa sends him into the set, just like he did last year.
Ciampa says its never enough and takes him on top of some equipment, above a pair of tables. He even takes off Garganos wedding ring, spits on it, and throws it away. That fires Gargano up enough to hit his own White Noise through the tables and theyre both done. Fans: MAMA MIA! Medics come out to put a neck brace on Ciampa as Gargano sits from above and watches the stretcher come out. The fans tell Gargano to DO IT but he just watches as Ciampa is put on a table.
Gargano looks at his ring finger and thats enough to send him after Ciampa again. He wheels Ciampa back down to ringside and slaps on the Gargano Escape for the tap but theres no referee. Instead Gargano beats up some guys in suits for trying to make a save and cuffs Ciampas hands behind his back. Six straight superkicks set up another Gargano Escape so here are a bunch of guys to break it up. The referee is finally back as Gargano beats up the suits, but Ciampa catches him with a hanging DDT onto the exposed boards for the pin at 35:22.
The fans are STUNNED at the ending and you can feel the air go out of the place. Ciampa can barely move but gives an evil smile as he pulls himself up the aisle using the stretcher. He waves goodbye to Gargano as the fans swear at him a lot to end the show.
Results
Undisputed Era b. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch High/Low to Lorcan
Ricochet b. Velveteen Dream 630 Splash
Shayna Baszler b. Nikki Cross Kirifuda Clutch
Aleister Black b. Lars Sullivan Black Mass
Tommaso Ciampa b. Johnny Gargano Hanging DDT
Sunday
Money in the Bank 2018
Date: June 17, 2018
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Tom Phillips, Jonathan Coachman, Byron Saxton
Its finally time to get to what WWE seems to think is the most important show of the year, at least based on how much they promote it. Tonight we find out who might be cashing in to get a cheap World Title reign at any point in the next year. Other than that we have AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura V in a Last Man Standing match. Lets get to it.
Kickoff Show: Smackdown Tag Team Titles: Bludgeon Brothers vs. Anderson and Gallows
Anderson and Gallows are challenging. Gallows slugs away at Rowan in the corner to start and everything breaks down in a hurry. That means some HI YAH kicks from Anderson with Harper and Rowan falling to the floor with Harpers leg getting caught in the ropes. Hes fine enough for half of a double dropkick to put Gallows down as we take a break.
Back with Anderson being catapulted throat first into the middle rope for two. Harpers splash gets two as Gallows is still down on the floor. We hit the chinlock for a bit before Rowan goes shoulder first into the post. A spinebuster plants Rowan again and the hot tag brings in Gallows. Everything breaks down with a pumphandle slam planting Harper, followed by Anderson diving onto Rowan. The Magic Killer is broken up and the assisted sitout powerbomb ends Gallows at 7:35.
The opening video looks at a cash-in montage and promises to only explain this once. Thats so laughable that Im just going to move on to the other big matches being discussed. After that, we go back to Money in the Bank, meaning theyve already reneged on their promise after two minutes.
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Its smart to get Bryan out there early and get the crowd away from CM PUNK/ALL IN chants. Cass takes him into the corner and shouts a lot so Bryan throws some right hands. Its too early for the heel hook so Bryan kicks away at the knee instead. Cass knocks him hard into the barricade in a crash and then gorilla presses Bryan face first onto the apron.
Back in and some elbows give Cass two, followed by the bearhug to keep Bryan slow. A swinging Boss Man Slam gets two more but Bryan goes after the knee. Said knee is wrapped around the post a few times and its already YES Lock time. Thats broken up with a simple grab of the rope and Cass heads outside, meaning a big dive from the top to take him out again. Back in and Cass crotches him on top for a super fall away slam.
The big crash is only good for two so its off to a torture rack. Something like a running reverse FU gets two and its Bryan going after the knee all over again. A few chop blocks set up the YES Kicks but the running knee is countered. The big boot gives Cass two and its back to the torture rack. This time the reverse FU is escaped and Bryan nails the running knee. The heel hook makes Cass tap at 15:25.
New Day is going over strategy to pick who is going to be in the Money in the Bank match when Kevin Owens comes in, carrying a bag. That would be a bunch of pancakes AND syrup (Big E.: THIS FOOL CAN STAY!) but Owens is just trying to find out who is in the match. Its also a ploy to take out Braun Strowman but New Day doesnt cheat. Owens doesnt care for pancakes or BootyOs and Big E. screams a lot. After things calm down, Owens insults everything about Chicago so they steal his syrup and tell him to get out.
Sami Zayn vs. Bobby Lashley
Sami has taunted Lashley over Lashleys claims about his family and life so Lashley is here to kill him. The stalling is on for more than two minutes to start until Lashley catches up to him and shoves Sami to the apron. That allows Sami to get in a poke to the eye and a good posting as Graves thinks Lashleys dad will want to adopt Sami. Lashley shrugs it off and scores with a fall away slam, followed by a running shoulder in the corner. Theres the delayed vertical suplex followed by a second one. An over the shoulder backbreaker sets up a third delayed vertical suplex for the pin on Zayn at 6:35.
Heres Elias to sing about how much he hates Chicago, because its full of scumbags. After the fans chant that they are scumbags, Elias says theyre not worth it and were ready to go.
Intercontinental Title: Seth Rollins vs. Elias
Rollins is defending. Feeling out process to start with Elias not being able to get very far early on. They head outside with Elias being dropped on his face and theres a flying clothesline back inside. Rollins heads to the apron but gets clotheslined down to reaggrivate his previously injured neck. A hard DDT gets two and its off to a cobra clutch, which Rollins cant shrug off.
Rollins avoids a knee drop though and theres the Sling Blade to really give him a breather. Theres the suicide dive but Elias gets in another shot to the neck to cut Rollins off again. The springboard knee misses and Rollins comes up favoring his knee, allowing Elias to hit a jumping knee to the face for a fast two. A slugout goes to Rollins and theres a superkick for two on Elias. Even with the banged up knee, Rollins heads up top and the frog splash hits raised knees.
Now its Elias heading up top, only to get caught with the superplex into the Falcon Arrow for a very near fall. Back up and Elias avoids a charge to send him into the post, followed by a whip into the steps. The top rope elbow gets a VERY close two and the fans find this awesome. Rollins is placed up top but shoves him away. They trade small packages for two each, followed by a rollup with tights for two on Elias. Rollins can do the same thing and grabs the tights to retain at 17:01.
We recap the Womens Money in the Bank ladder match with Paige talking about what an opportunity this is. Fair enough. You too can far exceed your career ceiling by stealing titles.
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch vs. Lana vs. Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Ember Moon vs. Naomi vs. Natalya
Banks trips over something on the way in. Its a big brawl to start (as is custom) with Charlotte being crushed. The first ladder is brought in and its Ember vs. Sasha with Moons springboard crossbody driving Banks into the ladder. Lana comes in with an X Factor onto the ladder before throwing the smaller version to the floor. That means its time for the big ladder but Natalya makes a save.
Naomi does the splits onto a ladder and gets dropkicked down for her efforts. Charlotte comes back in and that means a staredown with Becky that goes nowhere, leaving Naomi to hit a Blockbuster off the apron to drop Sasha. Everyone is down on the floor until its Moon and Naomi going for the same ladder inside. Ember takes over without much effort but its Banks coming in and sending her face first into a ladder in the corner.
Lana is put on top of Moon on said ladder and Banks drops the double knees onto both of them. Charlotte and Sasha go up the same side of a ladder at the same time until Natalya comes in to pull Charlotte off. Becky pushes the ladder over with Sasha coming down with knees to both Charlotte and Banks. Bliss remembers that shes in the match and comes in for a save but its time for the big ladder. Six of them go up at once but Banks and Charlotte make the saves.
Charlotte powerbombs Moon onto a ladder in the corner and Lana gets pulled off as well. Bliss reverses a powerbomb attempt into Code Red on Charlotte but gets shoved down by Lana. For some reason Lana grabs the Accolade on Bliss but its Naomi springboarding in to take Lana off the ladder. Naomi cant get the briefcase down due to reasons of shes not winning and Lynch makes the save.
Charlotte and Becky slug it out on top but Bliss shoves the ladder down. That just earns her a spear from Charlotte but Sasha makes a save of her own. Natalya electric chairs Lana, only to get sent outside. Charlotte spears Moon onto the ladder again but Becky is back in with an exploder suplex. Becky goes up but cant get it down either, allowing Bliss to shove the ladder, sending Becky face first into the ladder in the corner. Bliss pulls down the briefcase at 18:27.
Kurt Angle and Paige chat about Money in the Bank when Baron Corbin comes in and demands that we take things seriously. Paige brings up him losing his cash-in last year but Corbin tells Angle to get it done in the mens match.
We recap Jinder Mahal vs. Roman Reigns. Mahal was mad about not being in the Money in the Bank match and cost Reigns his qualifying match. A feud started with Reigns beating the heck out of him as well as Sunil Singh, setting up this match.
Roman Reigns vs. Jinder Mahal
Singh is in a wheelchair and the booing of Reigns is at a near Wrestlemania level. However, oddly enough it goes very quiet in a hurry, almost like it was turned down. Im sure Im just imagining things. They punch it out and there are the CM PUNK chants. A sloppy Samoan drop gives Reigns one to start and Mahal bails to the floor.
The distraction lets Singh get out of the wheelchair to get in a cheap shot so Mahal can take over. Back in and we hit the chinlock, followed by a reverse chinlock to mix things up a bit. Mahal beats on him a bit more and we hit another chinlock, because this is how you do a Mahal vs. Reigns match IN FREAKING CHICAGO.
Reigns makes his comeback as the Wave breaks out around the arena. Mahal cuts him off with a jumping knee to the face and the Wave continues. A gutbuster looks to set up the Khallas but Reigns rolls away and hits the Superman Punch for two. Mahal is busted open off something but still manages to avoid the spear and send Reigns into the post.
Now its a VELVETEEN chant until Reigns stops him with a kneelift. A Fameasser from the apron over the middle rope but Singh gets up and tries to send Reigns into the post. Superman Punches abound and theres a spear to Singh, followed by one to Mahal for the pin at 15:40.
Special Olympics video.
Recap of the rest of the night, likely to get the ladders set up again.
Actually never mind as we recap Carmella vs. Asuka (because this show is running long already but of course we have time for a recap). Carmella cashed in her briefcase in April and now its time for Asuka to get her one on one shot at the title.
Smackdown Womens Title: Asuka vs. Carmella
Asuka is challenging and has Carmella bailing to the floor in a hurry. Back in and Carmella slaps her in the face, earning herself a hip to the face. More strikes rock Carmella and theres a sliding knee to send Carmella outside. Back up and Carmella pulls her face first into the post for two. Followed by just rubbing Asukas face into the mat. Carmella kicks the knee out and we hit the chinlock.
Its off to a front facelock for a bit until Asuka goes up, only to miss a middle rope dropkick. A kick to the head is countered into a kneebar but Carmella is quickly to the ropes. Its back to the striking with a knee to the face and a running dropkick, followed by a German suplex to rock the champ. Another running charge misses though and Asuka falls out to the floor in a heap.
Carmella actually hits a suicide dive for two but gets hit in the face a few times. Cue someone in Asukas robe and mask for a distraction though and the ELLSWORTH chants begin. The distraction lets Carmella get two off a rollup and its James Ellsworth under the mask. Carmellas superkick retains the title at 11:04.
We recap the Last Man Standing match. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura have had four matches so far but Nakamura won the most recent, earning the right to pick the stipulation for this match. He picked a match where he could beat on Styles as much as he wanted so here we go.
Smackdown World Title: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Styles is defending and this is Last Man Standing. They lock up to start before realizing what a waste of time that is and fighting to the floor. A suplex into the steps has the champ in more trouble and a running shot to the head gets eight. Back in and Nakamura kicks him down without much effort and Styles has to pull himself up using the ropes. Nakamura adds in more kicks to put Styles on the floor again, this time choking with a boot against the steps.
They fight into the crowd with Styles punching away but trying a springboard off the barricade (which wouldnt provide much spring) proves badly as Nakamura kicks his leg out from underneath him. Thats not enough either so they head back inside with Nakamura throwing some soft kicks to really mess with Styles. The reverse exploder is broken up and Styles kicks him in the head. Nakamura doesnt even go down but misses a low blow, which ticks Styles off even more.
The Pele .might have connected but Nakamura is right back up with the reverse exploder. Styles knocks him down for an eight, only to have Nakamura break up the Phenomenal Forearm. They head back outside with Nakamura loading up the announcers table. Kinshasa on the table is good for nine and its table time. As opposed to the two tables at ringside of course. The table is set up inside but Styles slips out of a superplex, only to have his powerbomb attempt broken up.
Nakamura rams the table into Styles ribs and puts the table up in the corner. Styles actually goes through the table but the ropes get him up at nine. The turnbuckle pad comes off and Nakamura puts him ribs first onto the buckle for the knee in the corner. Of course the running knee hits the buckle (that was really stupid) and, after a random crowd shot, AJ starts kicking at the leg. The Calf Crusher goes on and Nakamura taps so Styles hangs on a little while longer.
They head outside again with AJ blasting the knee with the chair. For some reason he begs off though and walks into a low blow. Thats not enough but a Kinshasa gives Nakamura ..nine. Nakamura loads up something on the table but his knee gives out, allowing Styles to hit the Phenomenal Forearm off the announcers table, followed by a Styles Clash on the floor .for nine again. Nakamura says COME ON so Styles kicks him VERY hard low. Thats not enough either as its a springboard Phenomenal Forearm through the announcers table to retain the title at 31:04.
We recap Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Womens Title. Jax is unstoppable and Rousey is having her first singles match for the title. A few weeks back, Jax challenged Rousey and then turned heel out of annoyance over the attention Rousey has been receiving as of late.
Raw Womens Title: Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey
Rousey is challenging and smiles all the way to the ring. Jax drives her into the corner for shoulders to the ribs to start and tosses Rousey across the ring for another splash. Another splash misses and Rousey punches her in the chest, only to get headbutted down. The Samoan drop is countered into an armbar and then a triangle, which is countered into a sitout powerbomb.
Rousey falls to the floor so Jax takes her outside for a swing into the barricade. Jax rams her head into the mat for two and its off to the bearhug, which Coach says allows Rousey to rest. Another Samoan drop gets two more but the legdrop misses. Rousey gets the armbar over the ropes and holds it until four, followed by a high crossbody (with Rousey looking like shes not sure how she got up there) for two. A HARD knee to the face sets up a judo throw (nearly dropping Jax on her head) for another near fall. The armbar is loaded up .and heres Bliss to hit Rousey with the briefcase for the DQ at 10:48.
Bliss hits Jax with the briefcase, posts Rousey and hits her with the briefcase as well. More briefcase shots to Jaxs bad arm have the champ in trouble and we have a cash-in!
Raw Womens Title: Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss
Jax is defending. Theres the DDT and Twisted Bliss gives Bliss the title back at 18 seconds. Ill take getting rid of a briefcase any way I can.
We recap the Mens Money in the Bank ladder match, which is just everyone saying theyll climb to win because its so important.
Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Roode vs. Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe vs. Rusev vs. The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston
Woods teases getting the spot but rips open his shirt to reveal KOFI written on his chest. Everyone goes after Strowman, which goes as well as you would expect it to. Strowman is left alone in the ring early on but everyone goes after him with ladders and then throw said ladders on him, which never really works but it looks good. Miz tries to use the distraction to go up but gets taken down by Joe.
Kofi comes back in with Trouble in Paradise until Owens makes a save. A superkick puts Kofi down and heres Balor for a save of his own. Balor and Owens fight to the floor with Owens superkicking him onto the announcers table and loading up the big ladder. The frog splash will have to wait though as Owens has to stop Rusev, who gives him a fall away slam onto a ladder bridged against the ropes. Kofi comes back in with a springboard shot to the head but Balor dives onto everyone.
Strowman is back up and starts to wreck things until Joe grabs the Koquina Clutch. Owens superkicks him and loads up a big splash off a really high ladder. Strowman just gets up though and grabs Owens (Owens: IM SORRY! IM SORRY!) for a huge toss through the table below. With Miz loading up a ladder in the ring, Strowman runs through a ladder (which was being held up and got broken in an awesome visual) and Roode/Balor at the same time to make the save.
Strowman goes up so Joe harpoons him with the ladder but Balor is back up this time around. Roode makes another save but heres Kofi for another save. Rusev comes back in for a double stack Accolade, followed by an attempt at a triple stack with Miz included. Thankfully Joe is back in for a Koquina Clutch, which Rusev breaks in short order. Miz goes up and gets his hands on the ladder but its Kofis turn for a save.
Balor is back in with a Sling Blade on Roode and a Coup de Grace from the ladder on the floor crushes Roode back inside. Strowman is back in as well for the powerslams but Kofi springboards onto his back. Balor is climbing up the other side as Strowman climbs with Kofi going along for the ride. Strowman knocks them both off and wins at 19:45.
Results
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass Heel hook
Bobby Lashley b. Sami Zayn Delayed vertical suplex
Seth Rollins b. Elias Rollup with a handful of tights
Alexa Bliss won Money in the Bank
Roman Reigns b. Jinder Mahal Spear
Carmella b. Asuka Superkick
AJ Styles b. Shinsuke Nakamura Phenomenal Forearm through a table
Ronda Rousey b. Nia Jax via DQ when Alexa Bliss interfered
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax Twisted Bliss
Braun Strowman won Money in the Bank
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Natalya b. Alexa Bliss, Ember Moon and Sasha Banks Sharpshooter to Bliss
Dolph Ziggler/Drew McIntyre b. Breezango Zig Zag/Claymore combination to Fandango
B Team b. Heath Slater/Rhyno Belly to back suplex/neckbreaker to Slater
Ruby Riott b. Bayley Riott Kick
No Way Jose b. Curt Hawkins Pop up right hand
Braun Strowman b. Finn Balor, Kevin Owens and Bobby Roode Powerslam onto a ladder to Owens
Smackdown
Daniel Bryan b. Shelton Benjamin Heel hook
Rusev b. Samoa Joe Machka Kick
Jeff Hardy b. Shinsuke Nakamura via DQ when Nakamura hit him low
Charlotte/Naomi/Lana/Becky Lynch/Asuka vs. Iconics/Mandy Rose/Sonya Deville/Carmella Asuka Lock to Carmella
NXT
War Raiders b. Ricky Martinez/Justin Storm Fallout to Martinez
EC3 b. Kassius Ohno 1%er
Bianca Belair b. Aliyah Torture rack into a facebuster
Pete Dunne b. Kyle OReilly Bitter End
Impact Wrestling
Taya Valkyrie b. Rebel Road To Valhalla
Cult of Lee b. KM/Fallah Bahh Rollup to KM
Moose b. Eli Drake Spear
Tessa Blanchard b. Kiera Hogan Spinning faceplant into a chair
El Hijo Del Fantasma b. Jake Crist Rollup
Matt Sydal b. Brian Cage via countout
Takeover: Chicago II
Undisputed Era b. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch High/Low to Lorcan
Ricochet b. Velveteen Dream 630 Splash
Shayna Baszler b. Nikki Cross Kirifuda Clutch
Aleister Black b. Lars Sullivan Black Mass
Tommaso Ciampa b. Johnny Gargano Hanging DDT
Money in the Bank 2018
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass Heel hook
Bobby Lashley b. Sami Zayn Delayed vertical suplex
Seth Rollins b. Elias Rollup with a handful of tights
Alexa Bliss won Money in the Bank
Roman Reigns b. Jinder Mahal Spear
Carmella b. Asuka Superkick
AJ Styles b. Shinsuke Nakamura Phenomenal Forearm through a table
Ronda Rousey b. Nia Jax via DQ when Alexa Bliss interfered
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax Twisted Bliss
Braun Strowman won Money in the Bank