klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: July 17, 2017
Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T.
For the first time in a good while we have a major announcement to look forward to. This week will see the reveal of whatever Kurt Angles big secret has been and theres going to be someone here with him to reveal it. There are multiple rumors floating around about what it could be and it should be interesting to see which, if any, is accurate. Lets get to it.
Recap of the Angle situation.
Opening sequence.
Heres Dean Ambrose with a chair to open things up. He goes off about his issues with Miz but heres Seth Rollins to interrupt. Seth talks about everything hes done with Miz as of late but Dean says he doesnt want anyones help. Rollins question is if Ambrose will be in his way or by his side.
Dean talks about Rollins breaking up the Shield and how they were brothers. Seth actually apologizes for what he did, which he never did before. While its true that he turned on Ambrose and Roman Reigns, Seth remembers tearing into Ambrose inside the Cell. He still wants to have Dean with him but Ambrose isnt convinced.
Seth has an idea though and turns his back on Dean, saying take as many shots with the chair as you need. Ambrose cant do it so here are Miz and the Miztourage to interrupt. Miz laughs this off because neither of them have what it takes to do this on their own. The fight is on and the numbers get the better of Rollins and Ambrose. A series of chair shots leaves our heroes laying.
Miz and company leave in a hurry.
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss
Non-title. Bliss slaps her in the face to start and gets driven into the corner for some aggressive stomping to send Bliss to the apron. Cue Nia Jax though and we take a break. Back with Bliss stomping away but missing a charge to send her outside. A Stunner over the ropes slows Bliss down (those Steve Austin show appearances paid off) and the top rope elbow makes things even worse. Bayley chases her to the floor but Jax cuts her off, allowing Bliss to take over. Cue Sasha to take out Jax though and its the Bayley to Belly to pin Bliss at 8:13.
Graves gets a text and bails.
Clip from the Espys with a wrestling fan winning an award for courage. Stephanie also received an award at the Sports Humanitarian Awards.
Video on Roman Reigns.
Angle is panicking and isnt sure if he should do this. Graves says do it because its going to get out somehow anyway. That seems to convince Kurt.
We recap Akira Tozawa vs. Neville.
Titus ONeil gives Titus Worldwide a pep talk. Ariya Daivari, who was in a match with Tozawa last week, comes in and challenges him for a rematch later tonight.
Brian Kendrick/Drew Gulak vs. Jack Gallagher/Mustafa Ali
Kendrick bails away from Gallagher to start so well go with Drew instead. Jack works on the knees but Drew pops up and knocks Ali off the apron. One heck of a chop drops Gallagher for two but the headbutt puts Kendrick down. Its off to Ali for the inverted 450 and the pin at 2:35.
Heres Enzo Amore for a chat. He knows he lost at Great Balls of Fire but he knows you have to keep getting up if you believe in what youre fighting for. Hes not done with Big Cass, who may be much bigger and stronger but Enzo has the heart. Cass threw him fourteen feet to the floor but Enzo got back up and kept going. They were friends for years with Enzo making sure Cass stuck with it because Cass is S-A-W-F-T like a big comfy couch.
Cue Cass to chase Enzo off because Enzo says hes smarter than the average bear. Enzo grabs a seat in the crowd with an Enzo fan to watch this. Cue Big Show for a brawl but Cass kicks him in the face. The fight is on with Show getting the better of it via a hard chop to the chest. Cass sends him into the post twice in a row though and Shows ribs are hurt. Kicks to the ribs make them even worse and Show is down. Enzo tries to come in and eats a big boot for his efforts.
Reigns says tonight is all that matters because he wants Lesnar at Summerslam.
Ambrose and Rollins are banged up but still want Miz and company. Angle comes in and offers them a tag match with any two of the three next week. Dean says lets just make it all three in a handicap match so Angle agrees.
Elias Samson is ready to sing about Nashville but Finn Balor cuts him off.
Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson
Elias slams Balor into the corner to start and takes over early on. Balor fights up without too much effort but gets caught in a sitout powerbomb for two. Finn comes back again and takes it outside for the running dropkick into the barricade, only to have Samson BLAST him with the guitar for the DQ at 5:05.
Bray Wyatt pops up on screen to say Balor didnt see that coming. Wyatt feels the need to hurt Balor and brings up the Irish mythology. Bray isnt just a myth though and promises to bring his full powers against Finn. Hell even enjoy it.
Video on Samoa Joe.
Angle is on the phone when Bayley and Sasha come in, both wanting to fight Bliss at Summerslam. Kurt makes a #1 contenders match between the two of them for next week.
The announcers preview Battleground.
We look back at the Revival attacking the Hardys last week.
Revival attacked the Hardys just because theyre the Hardys. No one has flipped around more than the Hardys so its time to use some fists on them.
Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari
Daivari dedicates this match to an Iranian gold medalist from the 2016 Olympics. Tozawa starts fast but bangs up his shoulder to give Daivari a target. The shoulder is sent hard into the corner and Daivari talks a lot of trash, only to get caught in a hurricanrana. A Codebreaker to the arm gives Daivari two and the shoulder goes into the corner again. Thats enough for Titus who tells the referee to stop it at 2:56.
Tozawa is livid and says Titus never cared about him.
Heres Angle for the announcement. Everyone is supporting him in this decision and hes glad to get this off his chest. When he was in college he was dating a woman but then they broke up. Then nine months later, she had a child, which Kurt didnt find out until recently. It turns out that the kid was a very talented athlete who had several offers to play various sports.
Instead he went to college and earned a degree, followed by pursuing a career in professional wrestling. That son is now a WWE superstar and the newest member of the Raw roster. His name is ...Jason Jordan! Jason comes out and hugs Kurt several times but nothing is said.
Revival vs. Hardy Boyz
Its a brawl to start with Revival bailing to the floor before the bell. We officially get going with Matt headlocking Dawson down, only to get pummeled by Wilder. Matt does his ten rams into each buckle and everything breaks down with the Hardys cleaning house again. They even bust out the Spin Cycle (picking up someone by the arms and legs from the mat and flipping them from their face onto their back), which Booker calls new, though its really just brought out of mothballs.
Back from a break with Matt in trouble and Dawson putting on a standing leglock. Wilder gets in some leg work of his own but Dawson is kicked outside, allowing the hot tag to Jeff. A quick splash gets two but Matt has to save his brother from the Shatter Machine. The Twisting Stunner gives Jeff two more, only to have Wilder crotch him to break up the Swanton. Dawson grabs a rollup and jeans for the pin at 13:21.
Samoa Joe gives a very intense interview about being ready to beat Roman Reigns again because it gives him another shot at Brock.
Video on a Special Olympian who is in the front row.
Tozawa is in Titus locker room and repeats that he didnt quit. Titus can accept Tozawa being mad at him but Tozawa needs to understand that Titus was looking out for his future. Tozawa seems to accept it but wants a match with Daivari tomorrow night on 205 Live.
Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns
Winner gets Lesnar at Summerslam. They trade shoulders to start and its Joe being knocked outside as we take an early break. Back with Joe hitting his enziguri in the corner and were off to the neck crank. That eats up a long time until Reigns fights up and hits a running clothesline for two.
They head outside with Joe clotheslining him so hard that Reigns lands on the apron. Reigns hits a clothesline of his own to put both guys down as we take another break. Back with Joe talking trash until Reigns comes back with a Samoan drop. One heck of a boot to the face drops Joe again but hes right back up and blocking a belly to back suplex.
The Rock Bottom is broken up and theres the Superman Punch for two. With both guys down, cue the returning Braun Strowman to pull Joe out and beat up Reigns for the no contest at about 19:00.
Reigns and Joe beat on Strowman but both eventually fall victim to powerslams.
Results
Bayley b. Alexa Bliss Bayley to Belly
Jack Gallagher/Mustafa Ali b. Brian Kendrick/Drew Gulak Inverted 450 to Kendrick
Finn Balor b. Elias Samson via DQ when Samson hit him with a guitar
Ariya Daivari b. Akira Tozawa via referee stoppage
Revival b. Hardy Boyz Rollup with a handful of jeans
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe went to a no contest when Braun Strowman interfered
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: July 18, 2017
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Tom Phillips, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
Its the go home show for Battleground and Jinder Mahal has brought the Punjabi Prison with him to Smackdown. My guess would be to get people interested in what the match is going to look like if they havent been around for more than ten years, which is about as good of an idea as they could have for this. Lets get to it.
We open with a video on the Punjabi Prison, even though it doesnt have a ton of history.
Heres Mahal to enter the Punjabi Prison, which is still fairly ridiculous looking. Mahal promises to bring Orton inside here and destroy his legacy. Oh come on that stable was destroyed years ago. The Singh Brothers explain the rules: theres a regular cage (made of bamboo that is) with four trap doors. A wrestler can ask to open the door for sixty seconds but once it closes, it cant be opened again. Then theres another bamboo cage around the ring which has to be climbed over. The first person out of both structures wins.
Mahal speaks some Punjab but heres Orton to interrupt. Orton talks about how crazy Mahal is to want to lock himself inside a cage with him and starts to climb the cage. He stops though and just promises to destroy Mahal to wrap things up without going in to fight all three at once.
Kofi Kingston vs. Jimmy Uso
Kofi starts fast and takes Jimmy down before annoying him with some dancing. A good looking flip dive to the floor drops Jimmy again and we take a break. Back with Kofi making a comeback with chops and kicks, only to have Trouble in Paradise countered into a Death Valley Driver into the corner for a close two. Kofi shoves him off the top but has to yell at Jey, allowing Jimmy to roll through a high crossbody for the pin at 8:38.
The womens division wants to beat Lana up but Tamina cuts them off. Natalya suggests Becky vs. Charlotte, the latter of whom says that wouldnt be competitive. Shane McMahon makes the match.
We recap last nights announcement that Jason Jordan is Kurt Angles son. I dont mind it as much as some people do but they need to walk a very thin line on this one.
Chad Gable sits down with Renee Young for an interview and still looks stunned. He didnt have any heads up on this but Jordan did call him to talk about things later. Gable has some ideas for his future but hes keeping them to himself for now.
Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn
This is Mikes in-ring debut. Sami hammers away to start and sends Mike outside for a running clothesline. Mike is sent into the barricade as this is one sided so far. The exploder looks to set up the Helluva Kick but Maria comes in for the distraction. Mike blasts him in the face and hits a Samoan driver for the pin at 2:59.
Heres John Cena to talk about the flag match with both the American and Bulgarian flags hanging over the corners. Cena runs down Sundays card before moving on to the flag match, where you have to get your flag from a pole and plant it at the finish line. He promises were going to remember the flag match more than anything else.
Cena gets all fired up and promises that hes ready because the USA is a nation of fighters. He lists off some important moments in American history, including the Civil War, World War II and 9/11 before waving the flag. Cue Rusev to beat Cena down and knock him out with the Accolade before waving the Bulgarian flag. This was WAY too serious and way too well done of a promo to waste it on a flag match against Rusev.
Shinsuke Nakamura comes up to AJ Styles but doesnt want to talk strategy for tonights main event. Instead hed rather point at the US Title and say one day, hes answering the Open Challenge. Id really hope thats at a major pay per view.
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
Natalya is on commentary. Feeling out process to start with Charlotte powering her down and grabbing a headlock. Becky comes back with a one footed dropkick but Charlotte backflips away twice. The threat of the Disarm-Her sends Charlotte outside and we take an early break.
Back with Becky throwing her back inside but Charlotte forearms her down to take over. A knee to the back of the head gets two on Becky, who escapes the Figure Four. Becky springboards into a forearm to Charlottes chest and theres the Bexploder. The Disarm-Her is countered with a big boot for two but the moonsault misses, allowing the Disarm-Her to make Charlotte tap at 9:00.
Post match Lana and Tamina come out to clean house. Tamina stares at Lana for a bit (Who can blame her?).
WWE Network shill.
Naomi is ready to face anyone but Carmella comes up with the briefcase and says shell see Naomi on Sunday.
Its time for the Fashion X-Files with Breeze as Skully, complete with a red wig. Breeze doesnt buy the idea of the paranormal but theres a ghostly moaning. Never mind though as its just Aiden English warming up. A white light comes down from the ceiling with Breeze saying he wants to meet Alf, Max Moon and Chewbacca. It turns out to be a delivery guy who turned the lights on so they could sign for a package. Breeze wont answer whats in the box because its Tullys (Fandangos stick horse) head. Theres a note saying Battleground, where things will be concluded.
Shinsuke Nakamura/AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens/Baron Corbin
Corbin jumps Nakamura in the aisle and Owens joins in until AJ FINALLY comes up to help. We hit the break before a bell and are joined in progress with AJ in trouble thanks to a hard forearm from Corbin. AJ gets over for the hot tag to Nakamura, who immediately goes to Good Vibrations on Owens.
Corbin low bridges Nakamura to the floor though and Owens stomps away in the corner to take over. Baron grabs a bearhug for a bit before sliding under the bottom rope, only to have Nakamura waiting on him for a change. The double knockdown isnt enough for the hot tag to AJ as Corbin is up first (makes sense for a change) to knocks Styles off the apron. Nakamura comes back with the rapid strikes, including a kick to Owens before he can interfere.
Deep Six gives Corbin two but the enziguri is enough to make the hot tag off to Styles. More rapid strikes have Owens in trouble but he takes AJs head off with a clothesline. Corbin comes in and is caught in a fast Calf Crusher, sending him scurrying to the ropes. Nakamura is sent into the timekeepers area, leaving AJ to have to escape End of Days. Owens makes a blind tag though and its a superkick into the Pop Up Powerbomb for the pin at 9:53.
Results
Jimmy Uso b. Kofi Kingston Reversed high crossbody
Mike Kanellis b. Sami Zayn Samoa driver
Becky Lynch b. Charlotte Disarm-Her
Kevin Owens/Baron Corbin b. AJ Styles/Shinsuke Nakamura Pop Up Powerbomb to Styles
Wednesday
NXT
Date: July 19, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Its all about the NXT Title tonight as Drew McIntyre faces Killian Dane for the title shot at Takeover: Brooklyn. Bobby Roode suggested the match for the shot at his title, which would suggest than shenanigans are afoot. Other than that were getting ready for the rest of the show, which is just a month away. Lets get to it.
Opening sequence.
Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riot
The fans sound split here. Mauro asks Percy to give us the keys to victory for both of them. As you might expect, Watson has no idea and just says they both want to win. Thankfully Nigel is there to say its all about the Eclipse as they trade some early rollups. Riot monkey flips her but Moon lands on her feet but takes her down again and grabs a chinlock. Ember reverses into a bow and arrow for a bit (which Percy manages to identify as a hold working on the back) but Riot is right back up to hit Ember in the face. A Flatliner drops Riot for two and we take a break.
Back with Riot hitting a top rope backsplash for two but getting sent hard into the corner to change control again. Riot catches her on top with a hurricanrana though and the fans are WAY into this one. Ember goes with a roaring elbow and a modified backbreaker, setting up the Eclipse to put Riot away at 11:35.
Earlier today Kassius Ohno was giving an interview when Hideo Itami came in to ask about their match next week, which Ohno requested. No violence ensues.
The Street Profits are coming.
Oney Lorcan vs. Danny Burch
Feeling out process to start with both guys getting an early two, only to have Burch punch him in the face to take over. Burch hits a dropkick and head kick in the corner, followed by the Tower of London (a hanging Diamond Cutter, Nigels old finisher) for two. Lorcan gets in a shot to the face of his own and its time to exchange some hard uppercuts. Danny turns him inside out with a clothesline and a rather sloppy powerbomb gets two. Back up and Danny misses a dive out of the corner and Lorcan rolls him into a half crab for the tap at 4:38.
Danny shakes his hand post match and asks for one more match. Oney is game.
No Way Jose vs. Cezar Bononi
The fans sing about Jose and he scores with an early armdrag. Bononi takes him into the corner and gets in a good looking dropkick before throwing Jose around. That goes nowhere though as Jose gets in a clothesline and some dancing, followed by the pop up uppercut for the pin at 2:09.
Post match Andrade Cien Almas comes in to go after Bononi (who upset him a few weeks back) but Jose chases him off.
Drew McIntyre vs. Killian Dain
The winner gets the title shot against Roode at Takeover: Brooklyn. Its odd to see Drew fighting someone bigger than he already is, which shows how small a lot of the NXT roster really is. Dain cant intimidate him to start and gets taken down by a top rope shot to the head. Killian is right back with a basement crossbody to send Drew outside though and we take a break.
Back with Drew still in trouble and getting tossed hard into the corner. Dain stomps on the chest and drops a running elbow for two. Some hard crossface shots to the jaw have Drew in trouble. We hit the neck crank for a bit before Dain hammers away in the corner, only to get caught in a running powerbomb to give Drew a near fall of his own.
White Noise gets two more, only to have Dain hit a quick Wasteland into a backsplash into a Vader Bomb (collectively named the Belfast Blitz). The Ulster Plantation is broken up and the referee tells them they have two minutes left. Dain takes him up again and grabs a fishermans superplex for a delayed two but walks into Future Shock for one. Drews shocked face is great and its even worse when the Claymore (running boot to the face) isnt even enough for a cover. A second Claymore sends Drew to Brooklyn at 13:35.
Drew says hes coming for the title to end the show.
Results
Ember Moon b. Ruby Riot Eclipse
Oney Lorcan b. Danny Burch Half crab
No Way Jose b. Cezar Bononi Pop up uppercut
Drew McIntyre b. Killian Dain Claymore
Monday Night Raw
Date: July 17, 2017
Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T.
For the first time in a good while we have a major announcement to look forward to. This week will see the reveal of whatever Kurt Angles big secret has been and theres going to be someone here with him to reveal it. There are multiple rumors floating around about what it could be and it should be interesting to see which, if any, is accurate. Lets get to it.
Recap of the Angle situation.
Opening sequence.
Heres Dean Ambrose with a chair to open things up. He goes off about his issues with Miz but heres Seth Rollins to interrupt. Seth talks about everything hes done with Miz as of late but Dean says he doesnt want anyones help. Rollins question is if Ambrose will be in his way or by his side.
Dean talks about Rollins breaking up the Shield and how they were brothers. Seth actually apologizes for what he did, which he never did before. While its true that he turned on Ambrose and Roman Reigns, Seth remembers tearing into Ambrose inside the Cell. He still wants to have Dean with him but Ambrose isnt convinced.
Seth has an idea though and turns his back on Dean, saying take as many shots with the chair as you need. Ambrose cant do it so here are Miz and the Miztourage to interrupt. Miz laughs this off because neither of them have what it takes to do this on their own. The fight is on and the numbers get the better of Rollins and Ambrose. A series of chair shots leaves our heroes laying.
Miz and company leave in a hurry.
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss
Non-title. Bliss slaps her in the face to start and gets driven into the corner for some aggressive stomping to send Bliss to the apron. Cue Nia Jax though and we take a break. Back with Bliss stomping away but missing a charge to send her outside. A Stunner over the ropes slows Bliss down (those Steve Austin show appearances paid off) and the top rope elbow makes things even worse. Bayley chases her to the floor but Jax cuts her off, allowing Bliss to take over. Cue Sasha to take out Jax though and its the Bayley to Belly to pin Bliss at 8:13.
Graves gets a text and bails.
Clip from the Espys with a wrestling fan winning an award for courage. Stephanie also received an award at the Sports Humanitarian Awards.
Video on Roman Reigns.
Angle is panicking and isnt sure if he should do this. Graves says do it because its going to get out somehow anyway. That seems to convince Kurt.
We recap Akira Tozawa vs. Neville.
Titus ONeil gives Titus Worldwide a pep talk. Ariya Daivari, who was in a match with Tozawa last week, comes in and challenges him for a rematch later tonight.
Brian Kendrick/Drew Gulak vs. Jack Gallagher/Mustafa Ali
Kendrick bails away from Gallagher to start so well go with Drew instead. Jack works on the knees but Drew pops up and knocks Ali off the apron. One heck of a chop drops Gallagher for two but the headbutt puts Kendrick down. Its off to Ali for the inverted 450 and the pin at 2:35.
Heres Enzo Amore for a chat. He knows he lost at Great Balls of Fire but he knows you have to keep getting up if you believe in what youre fighting for. Hes not done with Big Cass, who may be much bigger and stronger but Enzo has the heart. Cass threw him fourteen feet to the floor but Enzo got back up and kept going. They were friends for years with Enzo making sure Cass stuck with it because Cass is S-A-W-F-T like a big comfy couch.
Cue Cass to chase Enzo off because Enzo says hes smarter than the average bear. Enzo grabs a seat in the crowd with an Enzo fan to watch this. Cue Big Show for a brawl but Cass kicks him in the face. The fight is on with Show getting the better of it via a hard chop to the chest. Cass sends him into the post twice in a row though and Shows ribs are hurt. Kicks to the ribs make them even worse and Show is down. Enzo tries to come in and eats a big boot for his efforts.
Reigns says tonight is all that matters because he wants Lesnar at Summerslam.
Ambrose and Rollins are banged up but still want Miz and company. Angle comes in and offers them a tag match with any two of the three next week. Dean says lets just make it all three in a handicap match so Angle agrees.
Elias Samson is ready to sing about Nashville but Finn Balor cuts him off.
Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson
Elias slams Balor into the corner to start and takes over early on. Balor fights up without too much effort but gets caught in a sitout powerbomb for two. Finn comes back again and takes it outside for the running dropkick into the barricade, only to have Samson BLAST him with the guitar for the DQ at 5:05.
Bray Wyatt pops up on screen to say Balor didnt see that coming. Wyatt feels the need to hurt Balor and brings up the Irish mythology. Bray isnt just a myth though and promises to bring his full powers against Finn. Hell even enjoy it.
Video on Samoa Joe.
Angle is on the phone when Bayley and Sasha come in, both wanting to fight Bliss at Summerslam. Kurt makes a #1 contenders match between the two of them for next week.
The announcers preview Battleground.
We look back at the Revival attacking the Hardys last week.
Revival attacked the Hardys just because theyre the Hardys. No one has flipped around more than the Hardys so its time to use some fists on them.
Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari
Daivari dedicates this match to an Iranian gold medalist from the 2016 Olympics. Tozawa starts fast but bangs up his shoulder to give Daivari a target. The shoulder is sent hard into the corner and Daivari talks a lot of trash, only to get caught in a hurricanrana. A Codebreaker to the arm gives Daivari two and the shoulder goes into the corner again. Thats enough for Titus who tells the referee to stop it at 2:56.
Tozawa is livid and says Titus never cared about him.
Heres Angle for the announcement. Everyone is supporting him in this decision and hes glad to get this off his chest. When he was in college he was dating a woman but then they broke up. Then nine months later, she had a child, which Kurt didnt find out until recently. It turns out that the kid was a very talented athlete who had several offers to play various sports.
Instead he went to college and earned a degree, followed by pursuing a career in professional wrestling. That son is now a WWE superstar and the newest member of the Raw roster. His name is ...Jason Jordan! Jason comes out and hugs Kurt several times but nothing is said.
Revival vs. Hardy Boyz
Its a brawl to start with Revival bailing to the floor before the bell. We officially get going with Matt headlocking Dawson down, only to get pummeled by Wilder. Matt does his ten rams into each buckle and everything breaks down with the Hardys cleaning house again. They even bust out the Spin Cycle (picking up someone by the arms and legs from the mat and flipping them from their face onto their back), which Booker calls new, though its really just brought out of mothballs.
Back from a break with Matt in trouble and Dawson putting on a standing leglock. Wilder gets in some leg work of his own but Dawson is kicked outside, allowing the hot tag to Jeff. A quick splash gets two but Matt has to save his brother from the Shatter Machine. The Twisting Stunner gives Jeff two more, only to have Wilder crotch him to break up the Swanton. Dawson grabs a rollup and jeans for the pin at 13:21.
Samoa Joe gives a very intense interview about being ready to beat Roman Reigns again because it gives him another shot at Brock.
Video on a Special Olympian who is in the front row.
Tozawa is in Titus locker room and repeats that he didnt quit. Titus can accept Tozawa being mad at him but Tozawa needs to understand that Titus was looking out for his future. Tozawa seems to accept it but wants a match with Daivari tomorrow night on 205 Live.
Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns
Winner gets Lesnar at Summerslam. They trade shoulders to start and its Joe being knocked outside as we take an early break. Back with Joe hitting his enziguri in the corner and were off to the neck crank. That eats up a long time until Reigns fights up and hits a running clothesline for two.
They head outside with Joe clotheslining him so hard that Reigns lands on the apron. Reigns hits a clothesline of his own to put both guys down as we take another break. Back with Joe talking trash until Reigns comes back with a Samoan drop. One heck of a boot to the face drops Joe again but hes right back up and blocking a belly to back suplex.
The Rock Bottom is broken up and theres the Superman Punch for two. With both guys down, cue the returning Braun Strowman to pull Joe out and beat up Reigns for the no contest at about 19:00.
Reigns and Joe beat on Strowman but both eventually fall victim to powerslams.
Results
Bayley b. Alexa Bliss Bayley to Belly
Jack Gallagher/Mustafa Ali b. Brian Kendrick/Drew Gulak Inverted 450 to Kendrick
Finn Balor b. Elias Samson via DQ when Samson hit him with a guitar
Ariya Daivari b. Akira Tozawa via referee stoppage
Revival b. Hardy Boyz Rollup with a handful of jeans
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe went to a no contest when Braun Strowman interfered
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: July 18, 2017
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Tom Phillips, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
Its the go home show for Battleground and Jinder Mahal has brought the Punjabi Prison with him to Smackdown. My guess would be to get people interested in what the match is going to look like if they havent been around for more than ten years, which is about as good of an idea as they could have for this. Lets get to it.
We open with a video on the Punjabi Prison, even though it doesnt have a ton of history.
Heres Mahal to enter the Punjabi Prison, which is still fairly ridiculous looking. Mahal promises to bring Orton inside here and destroy his legacy. Oh come on that stable was destroyed years ago. The Singh Brothers explain the rules: theres a regular cage (made of bamboo that is) with four trap doors. A wrestler can ask to open the door for sixty seconds but once it closes, it cant be opened again. Then theres another bamboo cage around the ring which has to be climbed over. The first person out of both structures wins.
Mahal speaks some Punjab but heres Orton to interrupt. Orton talks about how crazy Mahal is to want to lock himself inside a cage with him and starts to climb the cage. He stops though and just promises to destroy Mahal to wrap things up without going in to fight all three at once.
Kofi Kingston vs. Jimmy Uso
Kofi starts fast and takes Jimmy down before annoying him with some dancing. A good looking flip dive to the floor drops Jimmy again and we take a break. Back with Kofi making a comeback with chops and kicks, only to have Trouble in Paradise countered into a Death Valley Driver into the corner for a close two. Kofi shoves him off the top but has to yell at Jey, allowing Jimmy to roll through a high crossbody for the pin at 8:38.
The womens division wants to beat Lana up but Tamina cuts them off. Natalya suggests Becky vs. Charlotte, the latter of whom says that wouldnt be competitive. Shane McMahon makes the match.
We recap last nights announcement that Jason Jordan is Kurt Angles son. I dont mind it as much as some people do but they need to walk a very thin line on this one.
Chad Gable sits down with Renee Young for an interview and still looks stunned. He didnt have any heads up on this but Jordan did call him to talk about things later. Gable has some ideas for his future but hes keeping them to himself for now.
Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn
This is Mikes in-ring debut. Sami hammers away to start and sends Mike outside for a running clothesline. Mike is sent into the barricade as this is one sided so far. The exploder looks to set up the Helluva Kick but Maria comes in for the distraction. Mike blasts him in the face and hits a Samoan driver for the pin at 2:59.
Heres John Cena to talk about the flag match with both the American and Bulgarian flags hanging over the corners. Cena runs down Sundays card before moving on to the flag match, where you have to get your flag from a pole and plant it at the finish line. He promises were going to remember the flag match more than anything else.
Cena gets all fired up and promises that hes ready because the USA is a nation of fighters. He lists off some important moments in American history, including the Civil War, World War II and 9/11 before waving the flag. Cue Rusev to beat Cena down and knock him out with the Accolade before waving the Bulgarian flag. This was WAY too serious and way too well done of a promo to waste it on a flag match against Rusev.
Shinsuke Nakamura comes up to AJ Styles but doesnt want to talk strategy for tonights main event. Instead hed rather point at the US Title and say one day, hes answering the Open Challenge. Id really hope thats at a major pay per view.
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
Natalya is on commentary. Feeling out process to start with Charlotte powering her down and grabbing a headlock. Becky comes back with a one footed dropkick but Charlotte backflips away twice. The threat of the Disarm-Her sends Charlotte outside and we take an early break.
Back with Becky throwing her back inside but Charlotte forearms her down to take over. A knee to the back of the head gets two on Becky, who escapes the Figure Four. Becky springboards into a forearm to Charlottes chest and theres the Bexploder. The Disarm-Her is countered with a big boot for two but the moonsault misses, allowing the Disarm-Her to make Charlotte tap at 9:00.
Post match Lana and Tamina come out to clean house. Tamina stares at Lana for a bit (Who can blame her?).
WWE Network shill.
Naomi is ready to face anyone but Carmella comes up with the briefcase and says shell see Naomi on Sunday.
Its time for the Fashion X-Files with Breeze as Skully, complete with a red wig. Breeze doesnt buy the idea of the paranormal but theres a ghostly moaning. Never mind though as its just Aiden English warming up. A white light comes down from the ceiling with Breeze saying he wants to meet Alf, Max Moon and Chewbacca. It turns out to be a delivery guy who turned the lights on so they could sign for a package. Breeze wont answer whats in the box because its Tullys (Fandangos stick horse) head. Theres a note saying Battleground, where things will be concluded.
Shinsuke Nakamura/AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens/Baron Corbin
Corbin jumps Nakamura in the aisle and Owens joins in until AJ FINALLY comes up to help. We hit the break before a bell and are joined in progress with AJ in trouble thanks to a hard forearm from Corbin. AJ gets over for the hot tag to Nakamura, who immediately goes to Good Vibrations on Owens.
Corbin low bridges Nakamura to the floor though and Owens stomps away in the corner to take over. Baron grabs a bearhug for a bit before sliding under the bottom rope, only to have Nakamura waiting on him for a change. The double knockdown isnt enough for the hot tag to AJ as Corbin is up first (makes sense for a change) to knocks Styles off the apron. Nakamura comes back with the rapid strikes, including a kick to Owens before he can interfere.
Deep Six gives Corbin two but the enziguri is enough to make the hot tag off to Styles. More rapid strikes have Owens in trouble but he takes AJs head off with a clothesline. Corbin comes in and is caught in a fast Calf Crusher, sending him scurrying to the ropes. Nakamura is sent into the timekeepers area, leaving AJ to have to escape End of Days. Owens makes a blind tag though and its a superkick into the Pop Up Powerbomb for the pin at 9:53.
Results
Jimmy Uso b. Kofi Kingston Reversed high crossbody
Mike Kanellis b. Sami Zayn Samoa driver
Becky Lynch b. Charlotte Disarm-Her
Kevin Owens/Baron Corbin b. AJ Styles/Shinsuke Nakamura Pop Up Powerbomb to Styles
Wednesday
NXT
Date: July 19, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Its all about the NXT Title tonight as Drew McIntyre faces Killian Dane for the title shot at Takeover: Brooklyn. Bobby Roode suggested the match for the shot at his title, which would suggest than shenanigans are afoot. Other than that were getting ready for the rest of the show, which is just a month away. Lets get to it.
Opening sequence.
Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riot
The fans sound split here. Mauro asks Percy to give us the keys to victory for both of them. As you might expect, Watson has no idea and just says they both want to win. Thankfully Nigel is there to say its all about the Eclipse as they trade some early rollups. Riot monkey flips her but Moon lands on her feet but takes her down again and grabs a chinlock. Ember reverses into a bow and arrow for a bit (which Percy manages to identify as a hold working on the back) but Riot is right back up to hit Ember in the face. A Flatliner drops Riot for two and we take a break.
Back with Riot hitting a top rope backsplash for two but getting sent hard into the corner to change control again. Riot catches her on top with a hurricanrana though and the fans are WAY into this one. Ember goes with a roaring elbow and a modified backbreaker, setting up the Eclipse to put Riot away at 11:35.
Earlier today Kassius Ohno was giving an interview when Hideo Itami came in to ask about their match next week, which Ohno requested. No violence ensues.
The Street Profits are coming.
Oney Lorcan vs. Danny Burch
Feeling out process to start with both guys getting an early two, only to have Burch punch him in the face to take over. Burch hits a dropkick and head kick in the corner, followed by the Tower of London (a hanging Diamond Cutter, Nigels old finisher) for two. Lorcan gets in a shot to the face of his own and its time to exchange some hard uppercuts. Danny turns him inside out with a clothesline and a rather sloppy powerbomb gets two. Back up and Danny misses a dive out of the corner and Lorcan rolls him into a half crab for the tap at 4:38.
Danny shakes his hand post match and asks for one more match. Oney is game.
No Way Jose vs. Cezar Bononi
The fans sing about Jose and he scores with an early armdrag. Bononi takes him into the corner and gets in a good looking dropkick before throwing Jose around. That goes nowhere though as Jose gets in a clothesline and some dancing, followed by the pop up uppercut for the pin at 2:09.
Post match Andrade Cien Almas comes in to go after Bononi (who upset him a few weeks back) but Jose chases him off.
Drew McIntyre vs. Killian Dain
The winner gets the title shot against Roode at Takeover: Brooklyn. Its odd to see Drew fighting someone bigger than he already is, which shows how small a lot of the NXT roster really is. Dain cant intimidate him to start and gets taken down by a top rope shot to the head. Killian is right back with a basement crossbody to send Drew outside though and we take a break.
Back with Drew still in trouble and getting tossed hard into the corner. Dain stomps on the chest and drops a running elbow for two. Some hard crossface shots to the jaw have Drew in trouble. We hit the neck crank for a bit before Dain hammers away in the corner, only to get caught in a running powerbomb to give Drew a near fall of his own.
White Noise gets two more, only to have Dain hit a quick Wasteland into a backsplash into a Vader Bomb (collectively named the Belfast Blitz). The Ulster Plantation is broken up and the referee tells them they have two minutes left. Dain takes him up again and grabs a fishermans superplex for a delayed two but walks into Future Shock for one. Drews shocked face is great and its even worse when the Claymore (running boot to the face) isnt even enough for a cover. A second Claymore sends Drew to Brooklyn at 13:35.
Drew says hes coming for the title to end the show.
Results
Ember Moon b. Ruby Riot Eclipse
Oney Lorcan b. Danny Burch Half crab
No Way Jose b. Cezar Bononi Pop up uppercut
Drew McIntyre b. Killian Dain Claymore