klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: July 9, 2018
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman
Its the go home show for the mostly non-extreme Extreme Rules. Instead were currently focused on Kevin Owens being locked in a portable toilet and being covered in blue liquid, because thats what the end of last weeks show spent ten minutes setting up. I wonder what thrills we have on tap this week. Lets get to it.
We open with a recap of Bobby Lashleys original WWE career, leading into his return and feud with Roman Reigns.
Lashley and Reigns are in the back, arguing about Reigns going to the ring. Lashley wants Reigns to call him out as a DANIEL BRYAN chant drowns out some of whatever theyre saying. Lashley steps to the side and tells Reigns to carry on.
Heres Reigns in the ring for a chat and he wastes no time in calling Lashley out. Before anything can happen though, heres Kurt Angle, flanked by Baron Corbin, to interrupt. Angle wants them to save it for Sunday but the brawl is on anyway. A bunch of midcarders cant break it up and the fight breaks out over and over again. Reigns is finally taken to the floor as Finn Balor gets in a shot on Corbin for a nice bit of continuity.
The fight keeps breaking out with even more people coming out and failing to separate them. Lashley keeps punching and throws Reigns inside but is finally pushed to the back. Reigns isnt done though and hits the BIG dive over the top to take out about twenty people at the same time. Reigns music plays but he comes back AGAIN and dives at Lashley. Really, really solid segment here but its going to be annoying when this headlines again over the World Title. Also, they need to bring this intensity to the match instead of the boring match Reigns and Samoa Joe had at Backlash.
Nia Jax/Natalya vs. Mickie James/Alexa Bliss
Natalya wastes no time in trying a Sharpshooter on James but gets kicked away, allowing the tag to Bliss. The same Sharpshooter attempt sends Bliss bailing to the floor so Natalya baseball slides both villains down. Back from an early break with Natalya being sent into the corner so Bliss can hit her running slap. We hit the chinlock so ITS TIME FOR AN INSET PROMO FOR SUNDAY! Sweet, I was worried that we wouldnt get these stupid things again. Back to full screen with Natalya getting over for the hot tag to Nia, who starts wrecking Mickie. The splash in the corner sets up the big leg to give Nia the pin at 8:09.
Immediately after the pin, Bliss hits Jax in the back with a kendo stick. The stick is quickly taken away and broken as Bliss runs away in a hurry.
Post break, Nia promises to use the extreme rules to get back at Bliss for everything shes done to her in the last few months because anything goes.
We recap Braun Strowman tormenting Kevin Owens last week.
Owens comes in to Angles office and complains about Angle allowing all of this to happen. He threatens Angle with various legal issues over last week but has a doctors note banning him from competing tonight. Therefore, hell be hanging out in Angles office to hide from Strowman. And he even brought his own chair. Im still not sure why Owens is supposed to be the heel in this whole thing.
No Way Jose vs. Mojo Rawley
The long awaited rematch. Mojo shrugs off some early forearms and runs Jose over with a shoulder. We hit the chinlock and thankfully dont go to an inset ad for Sunday. A running splash in the corner sets up another chinlock as this is already dragging. Jose fights up with some right hands but gets caught with a wicked Alabama Slam for the pin at 4:14.
Earlier today, Bayley and Sasha Banks had more therapy in the same office with a different therapist. Bayley blames Banks for everything and thats it for now.
Jinder Mahal tells Seth Rollins to search for inner peace. Rollins seems to get it and breathing ensues but Rollins sneaks out.
Heres Rollins for a chat. He loves the nicknames hes built up over the years but right now the most important is FORMER Intercontinental Champion. This Sunday is all about becoming the Iron Man and the Intercontinental Champion again, but Dolph Ziggler is going to bring the Scottish Wookie Drew McIntyre with him. Rollins is SETH FREAKING ROLLINS though and cue Ziggler and McIntyre for a rebuttal. Ziggler says hell bring his skills, the psycho McIntyre and the title, where hell walk out as still champion.
Sure, Rollins is great but hes not Ziggler. Maybe Dolph can win 100-0 on Sunday to really hammer the point home. He botches a line about Rollins having no dignity left and then talks about his victories as a college wrestler. Rollins thinks Drew helped him win there too but then asks why McIntyre sticks with Ziggler. Maybe Ziggler has pictures of McIntyre getting friendly with sheep in Scotland? Thats enough for a challenge from McIntyre so Rollins accepts, saying hes a baaaaad man.
The B Team impersonates Matt Hardy/Bray Wyatt. Again.
Heres the B Team for a match and another impersonation, this time with Bo Dallas wondering what he can eat alongside the world on Sunday. Matt and Bray pop up on screen to say the time for fun and games is over. Laughter and fear are contagious so lets do this right now.
Bo Dallas vs. Matt Hardy
An angry Matt starts hammering away in the corner to start as the Revival is watching in the back. That would be a rather nice development indeed. A suplex on the floor keeps Axel in trouble and we take a break. Back with Matt holding a cravate and an inset promo for Asuka vs. Carmella on Sunday. Matt takes him to the floor for a Side Effect onto the steps and some posing back inside. A neckbreaker across the ropes is broken up by a Curtis Axel distraction though and Dallas gets the pin at 8:39.
Post match Matt and Bray clean house.
We look back at the opening segment.
Lashley wants Reigns to fight on Sunday because Reigns isnt walking out. Believe that.
Tyler Breeze offers the Riott Squad some fashion advice but they rip up the Breezango shirts.
Bliss cant wait to hurt Nia again, this time in front of Ronda Rousey.
Ember Moon vs. Liv Morgan
Ember shouts a lot and runs Liv over a lot, knocking her outside as we take an early break. Back with Morgan keeping Moon in trouble with a cross arm choke and doing some screaming of her own with the blue tongue on full display. Cole asked Morgan why she had the blue tongue. Morgan: I like blue. Back up and Liv busts out a Matrix move to avoid a clothesline but gets sent face first into the middle buckle off a headscissors from the mat. Moon hits a springboard right in the corner and grabs a quick Jackknife rollup for the pin at 7:52.
Finn Balor isnt worried about tonights tag match but heres partner Bobby Roode to say the two of them are similar. Theyll be partners tonight and it will be GLORIOUS. Balor doesnt like Corbin and hell take it out on him in the ring.
Owens complains about Angles office when McIntyre and Ziggler come in. Angle cuts them off and says if McIntyre loses tonight, hes banned from ringside on Sunday.
Heres Elias to say he hasnt performed in two weeks but its been for a reason. Hes been in the studio recording his debut album, which is happening because WWE stands for WALK WITH ELIAS. As you might expect, the song mocks Boston and the Boston accent, with Elias saying Tom Brady told him to just pretend to like the Boston fans like hes done for so many years. Cue Corbin, to say hed like to sing a bit as well, which means we get a version of Itsy Bitsy Spider mocking Balors size. In other words, its the warmed over Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass feud all over again.
Finn Balor/Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin/Elias
Joined in progress with Roode taking Elias down into a headlock but making the mistake of going after Corbin on the apron. The distraction lets Elias knee Roode in the face and its Roode in early trouble. We hit the chinlock and this time its an ad for Reigns vs. Lashley. Back to full screen with Roode fighting up for the hot tag to Balor, who gets distracted by Corbin so Elias can send him into the corner as we take a break.
Back with Elias grabbing another chinlock because we havent seen one of those in five minutes. Balor fights up and Sling Blades Corbin, allowing the hot tag off to Roode. House is cleaned for a bit until Roode dives into a chokebreaker with Balor breaking up the count. The Blockbuster gives Roode two as Elias makes a save of his own but the Coup de Grace is broken up. Instead its the End of Days to put Roode away at 13:07.
Owens is having a sandwich when Strowman comes in. Angle is tired of Owens running so on Sunday, its a cage match. Strowman sprays Owens with air freshener.
Sasha and Bayley are still in counseling and theyll have to report to Angle next week. Dang it this could have been good.
Reigns says Lashleys physical gifts dont matter in a fight. When your gifts are in wrestling and fighting, yeah they kind of do. After Sunday, Lashley can be the guy somewhere else.
Extreme rules rundown. Still needs a lot more gimmicky stuff to live up to the name.
Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
If Rollins wins, Drew is banned from ringside on Sunday. McIntyre powers him into the corner with ease to start, allowing McIntyre to do his kneeling pose. A dropkick has almost no effect and McIntyre runs him over with a shoulder. Its off to an armbar with McIntyre in full control so far. A chinlock keeps Rollins in trouble and McIntyre chops him back down to set up another armbar.
McIntyre drives him back first into the apron and we take a break. Back with Rollins flying off an overhead belly to belly and some stomps to the arm setting up yet another armbar. Rollins fights up and finally gets a breather by sending McIntyre face first into the middle buckle. McIntyre heads to the floor for back to back suicide dives, followed by the middle rope Blockbuster for a near fall of his own.
A charge in the corner goes badly for Rollins though as McIntyre grabs a reverse Alabama Slam, sending Rollins face first into the mat on a nasty looking landing. A sitout powerbomb gets two more but McIntyre gets caught up top, allowing Rollins to kick him into the Tree of Woe. Thats fine with Drew, who sits up and superplexes Rollins right back down.
The Claymore is blocked with a superkick into the Falcon Arrow to rock McIntyre. It doesnt rock him enough though as McIntyre scores with a headbutt, which seems to fire McIntyre up all over again. Rollins is fine enough to hit a Buckle Bomb and low superkick, followed by a curb stomp to an invading Ziggler. The distraction is enough for McIntyre to hit the Claymore for the pin at 21:06.
Results
Nia Jax/Natalya b. Alexa Bliss/Mickie James Legdrop to James
Mojo Rawley b. No Way Jose Alabama Slam
Bo Dallas b. Matt Hardy Hanging swinging neckbreaker
Ember Moon b. Liv Morgan Jackknife rollup
Baron Corbin/Elias b. Bobby Roode/Finn Balor End of Days to Roode
Drew McIntyre b. Seth Rollins Claymore
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: July 10, 2018
Location: SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Its the other go home show for Extreme Rules and the big match tonight is AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura VI, though in a rare non-title version. You could probably pencil in Rusev for some interference to slow Styles down and give Nakamura some momentum heading into the US Title match. Other than that, normally I would expect a few more gimmicks being added to Sundays card but that doesnt seem to interest them with this years Extreme Rules. Lets get to it.
Heres Miz to open things up with MizTV. After promising to win an Emmy for Miz and Mrs. in two weeks, he brings out Kane and Daniel Bryan as his guests. Before we can get to that though, Miz needs some assurance that Bryan wont punch him in the face. Bryan agrees to be professional so Miz says this is like Justin Timberlake reuniting with NSync. Kane: NSYNC WILL NEVER REUNITE! J.T. is just too big of a star now. Miz gives us a highlight package on the teams history, interspersed with their fights and issues. Actually thats not the footage Miz meant to show but well address it anyway.
Bryan doesnt buy it and says Miz is terrible at everything, especially wrestling. Miz finally snaps, saying he knows Bryan is going to fall for this all over again. Ever since Bryan came back, Miz has been hoping he gets to end his career for good. Kane plays peacemaker but Miz goes one step too far, accusing him of hiding behind his broken down demon. The chokeslam is loaded up but the Bludgeon Brothers arrive to break it up. Cue Sanity for the same but New Day runs out and its a huge brawl. The bad guys get the better of it and you can book the ten man tag for later.
Post break, ten man tag, booked.
AJ Style vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Non-title. Hang on though as here are Rusev and Aiden English with the former promising to tear down the house that AJ Styles built on Rusev Day. A dropkick puts Nakamura on the floor and we take a break. Back with Rusev on commentary, saying that hes already told his mother he won the title. AJ is sent to the apron but the Phenomenal Forearm is broken up. A kick to the back of the head and a gordbuster look to set up Kinshasa.
Thats reversed into a rollup for two and an enziguri rocks Nakamura. Hes fine enough to hit the running knee in the corner as Rusev promises four different counters for the Calf Crusher. We take a second break and come back again with Nakamura telling him to COME ON. That earns him a firemans carry backbreaker but the Styles Clash attempt is countered into a triangle choke.
Thats reversed as well and Styles tells him to COME ON. Nakamura misses a charge to the floor so AJ hits the slingshot forearm to the floor. AJ goes after English (Rusev: WAS THIS REALLY NECESSARY???), who takes Kinshasa by mistake. Thats enough for Rusev, who pulls AJ off the apron for the DQ at 15:55.
Post match Jeff Hardy makes the save so heres Paige to make the tag match. That would be the second tag match made after a brawl in the first 45 minutes.
AJ Styles/Jeff Hardy vs. Rusev/Shinsuke Nakamura
Rusev throws AJ down to start and we hit a bearhug, meaning its a split screen promo about Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax. Back to full screen with AJ grabbing a sleeper before diving over for the tag to Hardy. Jeff speeds things up in a hurry and a basement dropkick gets two on Rusev. Everything breaks down and the Twisting Stunner looks to st up the Swanton, only to have Jeff get crotched by Nakamura. The Machka Kick ends Hardy at 5:18.
James Ellsworth is warming up when Carmella comes in to tell him he better win. Ellsworth says hes ready and winks at her, which isnt the right move.
Asuka vs. James Ellsworth
Lumberjack match with the womens division around the ring. I still say Ellsworth should be Curt Hawkins in an attempt to save his job. If you want to really make Carmella seem more impressive, have her get a second, more successful person under her thumb. Plus you dont bring in another name when there are so many people with nothing to do. Before the match, Ellsworth says hes ready for Asuka, but does ask that no one try to kiss him.
The threat of an early spinning backfist puts Ellsworth on the floor where Becky Lynch and Naomi toss him back inside. Ellsworth gets knocked outside again but the lumberjacks get in a fight. Thats enough for Ellsworth who tries to run but Becky and Naomi catch him again. Everyone else goes after them so Asuka dives onto the pile. In the melee, Carmella hands Ellsworth mace but Asuka kicks it out of his hand. Ellsworth gets kicked into Carmella so the Asuka Lock can finish him at 3:20.
Post match Carmella goes after Asuka so Ellsworth can mace him, setting up Carmellas superkick.
We look back at the opening brawl.
New Day and HELL NO talk strategy for tonight. New Day wants to gang up on them. Bryan suggests taking out their knees. Kane wants to set them on fire and send them to hell. Bryan: Do you think we can just summon Satan and send open a portal? Kane: Technically its a gateway but YES! THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT!
Kane and Bryan get into a YES/NO argument but Big E. takes charge and tells Woods to come up with a plan, Kofi to be like the Flash, Bryan to become the Goat Faced Killer, and for Kane to get with them. Kane quotes NSyncs This I Promise You. Bryan: Was that NSync? Kane: IT STILL APPLIES! Why does Daniel Bryan know NSync lyrics? As usual, Kane and Bryan have great chemistry and timing together.
Post break Ellsworth and Carmella are in the back when Paige comes up. On Sunday, Ellsworth is going to be suspended above the ring in a shark cage.
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Sin Cara
Its about time. Almas speeds things up to start and sends him outside for a suicide dive. Back in and Almas takes him down to send us to a break. We come back with Almas slamming him down but hitting knees on a top rope splash attempt. An Alberto Del Rio top rope double stomp puts Cara on the apron and the running knees in the corner are good for the pin at 5:57. Too much took place during the break but this wasnt quite worth the wait.
Pay per view rundown.
Sanity promises to bring the chaos. The Bludgeon Brothers come in and seem pleased with that mindset.
New Day/HELL NO vs. Bludgeon Brothers/Sanity
Bryan goes after Young to start and we take a break less than a minute in. Just ring the bell when we get back then. Back with New Day rapid firing the elbows to set up Big E.s Warrior Splash for two on Wolfe. Woods gets caught in the wrong corner though and Harper kicks him in the face a few times, setting up the Gator Roll...and an inset ad for Lashley vs. Reigns.
In kayfabe, thats some pretty awesome timing for the production staff to know when the match is going to grind to a halt so these videos can air. Back to full screen with Dain hitting a backsplash, just in time to go to a commercial. Were not even nine minutes into this match and weve had two commercials and an inset promo. I know this is crazy for a fan to say, but Id actually like to watch the match instead of an ad every three minutes.
Back with Woods still in trouble and Harpers Michinoku Driver getting two. New Day makes the save, allowing Woods to hit his springboard tornado DDT on Harper. The hot tag brings in Bryan to hammer on Young as everything breaks down. We hit a parade of secondary finishers until Big E. spears Dain off the apron. Back in and Bryan knees Young down for the pin at 16:41.
Post match Kane does a YES chant but Bryan tries to do the Kane fire deal. It three attempts but the fire comes out, sending Bryan into a cheer to end the show.
Results
AJ Styles b. Shinsuke Nakamura via DQ when Rusev interfered
Rusev/Shinsuke Nakamura b. AJ Styles/Jeff Hardy Machka Kick to Hardy
Asuka b. James Ellsworth Asuka Lock
Andrade Cien Almas b. Sin Cara Running knees in the corner
HELL NO/New Day b. Sanity/Bludgeon Brothers Running knee to Young
Wednesday
NXT
Date: July 11, 2018
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Its rematch night and in this case we have a title on the line. This time around its about the Tag Team Titles as new champions Moustache Mountain defends against former champions the Undisputed Era. Other than that were still in the early stages of the build towards Takeover: Brooklyn so lets get to it.
We open with a very quick look at Moustache Mountain winning the titles in England.
Opening sequence.
Adam Cole vs. Danny Burch
Non-title. Danny goes technical to start with a takedown but Cole grabs a headlock to slow things back down. A shot to the face puts Cole on the floor so he gets in a neckbreaker to take Danny down again and keep the pace slow. Back in and Cole grabs a suplex and drives some knees to the back, allowing him to be as smirky and cocky as you would ever expect him to be.
We hit the chinlock (you knew that was coming) for a few moments until Danny powers out. A German suplex gets two and Danny slaps on a quickly broken Crossface. The Tower of London out of the corner is good for two more but Cole kicks him in the knee. The firemans carry neckbreaker and original Last Shot set up the new Last Shot to put Burch away at 8:50.
Earlier this week, Candice LeRae was happy with her win but ran into Shayna Baszler. The champs advice was just to be a happy sidekick so the fight was on.
Dakota Kai is ready to rise back up the rankings when Lacey Evans comes in. Lacey doesnt like the idea of Kai as champion because it would sully the title. The challenge is made for next week and Evans seems to accept.
Kairi Sane vs. Vanessa Borne
Borne takes her into the corner to start so Sane goes away from the power, opting for a dragon screw legwhip instead. A leg lock doesnt get Sane anywhere as Borne rolls her over into a bodyscissors and a spinning suplex. Borne stops to pose though and its Sane coming back with a neckbreaker, only to bang up her back even more. Back up and a spear cuts Borne in half and theres the sliding forearm in the corner. Sane gets slammed off the top but pops back up with a spinning backfist. The Anchor, a rather hard half crab, makes Borne tap at 5:58.
Post match, Sane says shes beaten Baszler before and shell do it again.
Johnny Gargano tells Aleister Black that Tommaso Ciampa cannot become NXT Champion no matter what. Black says hes got this and leaves, only to get jumped by Ciampa. A hanging DDT from a table to the floor knocks Black cold.
Tag Team Titles: Moustache Mountain vs. Undisputed Era
The Era is challenging. We get the Big Match Intros and the fight is on in a hurry. The champs whip them into each other and take turns flipping each other onto both challengers. They head outside with the Era getting beaten up even more as this is one sided so far. Seven knees the steps though and the Era has a very sudden target. Back in and its time to go after the knee in a variety of painful ways as the fans are still dueling with the chants. OReilly slaps on the leg lock to keep Trent in trouble before cannonballing down onto the knee.
A rollup gives Seven a desperate two but its off to Strong to keep him in trouble. We hit the leg lock again but Seven fights up, only to have OReilly run over and pull Bate off the apron. The leg lock goes on yet again and again Strong is there to cut Bate off from the save. One more kick to the face is finally enough for Seven to get over to Bate and the hot tag finally brings him in.
Bate speeds things way up and uppercuts OReilly down, setting up a running shooting star press. We get the crazy airplane spin/giant swing combination on the Era as the trainer is checking on Sevens knee. The Tyler Driver gets two on Strong with OReilly making a save to put all four down. OReilly kicks Bate in the head and the brainbuster gets two more. Seven is back up and tags himself in to slug away, including a weakened Seven Stars Lariat for two on Strong.
The knee gives out again though and a chop block sets up a kind of inverted Texas Cloverleaf (cool) until Bate dives in for a save. A middle rope knee to Sevens knee sets up another heel hook but Seven kicks him in the head to finally make the break. OReilly grabs an even stronger version and Bate finally throws in the towel to save his friend, giving the Era the titles back at 17:17.
The rest of the Era comes out to celebrate as Bate and trainers tend to Seven to end the show.
Results
Adam Cole b. Danny Burch Last Shot
Kairi Sane b. Vanessa Borne Anchor
Undisputed Era b. Moustache Mountain via referee stoppage when Bate threw in the towel
Bobby Lashley b. Roman Reigns Spear
AJ Styles b. Rusev Phenomenal Forearm
Dolph Ziggler b. Seth Rollins 5-4
Monday Night Raw
Date: July 9, 2018
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman
Its the go home show for the mostly non-extreme Extreme Rules. Instead were currently focused on Kevin Owens being locked in a portable toilet and being covered in blue liquid, because thats what the end of last weeks show spent ten minutes setting up. I wonder what thrills we have on tap this week. Lets get to it.
We open with a recap of Bobby Lashleys original WWE career, leading into his return and feud with Roman Reigns.
Lashley and Reigns are in the back, arguing about Reigns going to the ring. Lashley wants Reigns to call him out as a DANIEL BRYAN chant drowns out some of whatever theyre saying. Lashley steps to the side and tells Reigns to carry on.
Heres Reigns in the ring for a chat and he wastes no time in calling Lashley out. Before anything can happen though, heres Kurt Angle, flanked by Baron Corbin, to interrupt. Angle wants them to save it for Sunday but the brawl is on anyway. A bunch of midcarders cant break it up and the fight breaks out over and over again. Reigns is finally taken to the floor as Finn Balor gets in a shot on Corbin for a nice bit of continuity.
The fight keeps breaking out with even more people coming out and failing to separate them. Lashley keeps punching and throws Reigns inside but is finally pushed to the back. Reigns isnt done though and hits the BIG dive over the top to take out about twenty people at the same time. Reigns music plays but he comes back AGAIN and dives at Lashley. Really, really solid segment here but its going to be annoying when this headlines again over the World Title. Also, they need to bring this intensity to the match instead of the boring match Reigns and Samoa Joe had at Backlash.
Nia Jax/Natalya vs. Mickie James/Alexa Bliss
Natalya wastes no time in trying a Sharpshooter on James but gets kicked away, allowing the tag to Bliss. The same Sharpshooter attempt sends Bliss bailing to the floor so Natalya baseball slides both villains down. Back from an early break with Natalya being sent into the corner so Bliss can hit her running slap. We hit the chinlock so ITS TIME FOR AN INSET PROMO FOR SUNDAY! Sweet, I was worried that we wouldnt get these stupid things again. Back to full screen with Natalya getting over for the hot tag to Nia, who starts wrecking Mickie. The splash in the corner sets up the big leg to give Nia the pin at 8:09.
Immediately after the pin, Bliss hits Jax in the back with a kendo stick. The stick is quickly taken away and broken as Bliss runs away in a hurry.
Post break, Nia promises to use the extreme rules to get back at Bliss for everything shes done to her in the last few months because anything goes.
We recap Braun Strowman tormenting Kevin Owens last week.
Owens comes in to Angles office and complains about Angle allowing all of this to happen. He threatens Angle with various legal issues over last week but has a doctors note banning him from competing tonight. Therefore, hell be hanging out in Angles office to hide from Strowman. And he even brought his own chair. Im still not sure why Owens is supposed to be the heel in this whole thing.
No Way Jose vs. Mojo Rawley
The long awaited rematch. Mojo shrugs off some early forearms and runs Jose over with a shoulder. We hit the chinlock and thankfully dont go to an inset ad for Sunday. A running splash in the corner sets up another chinlock as this is already dragging. Jose fights up with some right hands but gets caught with a wicked Alabama Slam for the pin at 4:14.
Earlier today, Bayley and Sasha Banks had more therapy in the same office with a different therapist. Bayley blames Banks for everything and thats it for now.
Jinder Mahal tells Seth Rollins to search for inner peace. Rollins seems to get it and breathing ensues but Rollins sneaks out.
Heres Rollins for a chat. He loves the nicknames hes built up over the years but right now the most important is FORMER Intercontinental Champion. This Sunday is all about becoming the Iron Man and the Intercontinental Champion again, but Dolph Ziggler is going to bring the Scottish Wookie Drew McIntyre with him. Rollins is SETH FREAKING ROLLINS though and cue Ziggler and McIntyre for a rebuttal. Ziggler says hell bring his skills, the psycho McIntyre and the title, where hell walk out as still champion.
Sure, Rollins is great but hes not Ziggler. Maybe Dolph can win 100-0 on Sunday to really hammer the point home. He botches a line about Rollins having no dignity left and then talks about his victories as a college wrestler. Rollins thinks Drew helped him win there too but then asks why McIntyre sticks with Ziggler. Maybe Ziggler has pictures of McIntyre getting friendly with sheep in Scotland? Thats enough for a challenge from McIntyre so Rollins accepts, saying hes a baaaaad man.
The B Team impersonates Matt Hardy/Bray Wyatt. Again.
Heres the B Team for a match and another impersonation, this time with Bo Dallas wondering what he can eat alongside the world on Sunday. Matt and Bray pop up on screen to say the time for fun and games is over. Laughter and fear are contagious so lets do this right now.
Bo Dallas vs. Matt Hardy
An angry Matt starts hammering away in the corner to start as the Revival is watching in the back. That would be a rather nice development indeed. A suplex on the floor keeps Axel in trouble and we take a break. Back with Matt holding a cravate and an inset promo for Asuka vs. Carmella on Sunday. Matt takes him to the floor for a Side Effect onto the steps and some posing back inside. A neckbreaker across the ropes is broken up by a Curtis Axel distraction though and Dallas gets the pin at 8:39.
Post match Matt and Bray clean house.
We look back at the opening segment.
Lashley wants Reigns to fight on Sunday because Reigns isnt walking out. Believe that.
Tyler Breeze offers the Riott Squad some fashion advice but they rip up the Breezango shirts.
Bliss cant wait to hurt Nia again, this time in front of Ronda Rousey.
Ember Moon vs. Liv Morgan
Ember shouts a lot and runs Liv over a lot, knocking her outside as we take an early break. Back with Morgan keeping Moon in trouble with a cross arm choke and doing some screaming of her own with the blue tongue on full display. Cole asked Morgan why she had the blue tongue. Morgan: I like blue. Back up and Liv busts out a Matrix move to avoid a clothesline but gets sent face first into the middle buckle off a headscissors from the mat. Moon hits a springboard right in the corner and grabs a quick Jackknife rollup for the pin at 7:52.
Finn Balor isnt worried about tonights tag match but heres partner Bobby Roode to say the two of them are similar. Theyll be partners tonight and it will be GLORIOUS. Balor doesnt like Corbin and hell take it out on him in the ring.
Owens complains about Angles office when McIntyre and Ziggler come in. Angle cuts them off and says if McIntyre loses tonight, hes banned from ringside on Sunday.
Heres Elias to say he hasnt performed in two weeks but its been for a reason. Hes been in the studio recording his debut album, which is happening because WWE stands for WALK WITH ELIAS. As you might expect, the song mocks Boston and the Boston accent, with Elias saying Tom Brady told him to just pretend to like the Boston fans like hes done for so many years. Cue Corbin, to say hed like to sing a bit as well, which means we get a version of Itsy Bitsy Spider mocking Balors size. In other words, its the warmed over Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass feud all over again.
Finn Balor/Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin/Elias
Joined in progress with Roode taking Elias down into a headlock but making the mistake of going after Corbin on the apron. The distraction lets Elias knee Roode in the face and its Roode in early trouble. We hit the chinlock and this time its an ad for Reigns vs. Lashley. Back to full screen with Roode fighting up for the hot tag to Balor, who gets distracted by Corbin so Elias can send him into the corner as we take a break.
Back with Elias grabbing another chinlock because we havent seen one of those in five minutes. Balor fights up and Sling Blades Corbin, allowing the hot tag off to Roode. House is cleaned for a bit until Roode dives into a chokebreaker with Balor breaking up the count. The Blockbuster gives Roode two as Elias makes a save of his own but the Coup de Grace is broken up. Instead its the End of Days to put Roode away at 13:07.
Owens is having a sandwich when Strowman comes in. Angle is tired of Owens running so on Sunday, its a cage match. Strowman sprays Owens with air freshener.
Sasha and Bayley are still in counseling and theyll have to report to Angle next week. Dang it this could have been good.
Reigns says Lashleys physical gifts dont matter in a fight. When your gifts are in wrestling and fighting, yeah they kind of do. After Sunday, Lashley can be the guy somewhere else.
Extreme rules rundown. Still needs a lot more gimmicky stuff to live up to the name.
Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
If Rollins wins, Drew is banned from ringside on Sunday. McIntyre powers him into the corner with ease to start, allowing McIntyre to do his kneeling pose. A dropkick has almost no effect and McIntyre runs him over with a shoulder. Its off to an armbar with McIntyre in full control so far. A chinlock keeps Rollins in trouble and McIntyre chops him back down to set up another armbar.
McIntyre drives him back first into the apron and we take a break. Back with Rollins flying off an overhead belly to belly and some stomps to the arm setting up yet another armbar. Rollins fights up and finally gets a breather by sending McIntyre face first into the middle buckle. McIntyre heads to the floor for back to back suicide dives, followed by the middle rope Blockbuster for a near fall of his own.
A charge in the corner goes badly for Rollins though as McIntyre grabs a reverse Alabama Slam, sending Rollins face first into the mat on a nasty looking landing. A sitout powerbomb gets two more but McIntyre gets caught up top, allowing Rollins to kick him into the Tree of Woe. Thats fine with Drew, who sits up and superplexes Rollins right back down.
The Claymore is blocked with a superkick into the Falcon Arrow to rock McIntyre. It doesnt rock him enough though as McIntyre scores with a headbutt, which seems to fire McIntyre up all over again. Rollins is fine enough to hit a Buckle Bomb and low superkick, followed by a curb stomp to an invading Ziggler. The distraction is enough for McIntyre to hit the Claymore for the pin at 21:06.
Results
Nia Jax/Natalya b. Alexa Bliss/Mickie James Legdrop to James
Mojo Rawley b. No Way Jose Alabama Slam
Bo Dallas b. Matt Hardy Hanging swinging neckbreaker
Ember Moon b. Liv Morgan Jackknife rollup
Baron Corbin/Elias b. Bobby Roode/Finn Balor End of Days to Roode
Drew McIntyre b. Seth Rollins Claymore
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: July 10, 2018
Location: SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Its the other go home show for Extreme Rules and the big match tonight is AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura VI, though in a rare non-title version. You could probably pencil in Rusev for some interference to slow Styles down and give Nakamura some momentum heading into the US Title match. Other than that, normally I would expect a few more gimmicks being added to Sundays card but that doesnt seem to interest them with this years Extreme Rules. Lets get to it.
Heres Miz to open things up with MizTV. After promising to win an Emmy for Miz and Mrs. in two weeks, he brings out Kane and Daniel Bryan as his guests. Before we can get to that though, Miz needs some assurance that Bryan wont punch him in the face. Bryan agrees to be professional so Miz says this is like Justin Timberlake reuniting with NSync. Kane: NSYNC WILL NEVER REUNITE! J.T. is just too big of a star now. Miz gives us a highlight package on the teams history, interspersed with their fights and issues. Actually thats not the footage Miz meant to show but well address it anyway.
Bryan doesnt buy it and says Miz is terrible at everything, especially wrestling. Miz finally snaps, saying he knows Bryan is going to fall for this all over again. Ever since Bryan came back, Miz has been hoping he gets to end his career for good. Kane plays peacemaker but Miz goes one step too far, accusing him of hiding behind his broken down demon. The chokeslam is loaded up but the Bludgeon Brothers arrive to break it up. Cue Sanity for the same but New Day runs out and its a huge brawl. The bad guys get the better of it and you can book the ten man tag for later.
Post break, ten man tag, booked.
AJ Style vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Non-title. Hang on though as here are Rusev and Aiden English with the former promising to tear down the house that AJ Styles built on Rusev Day. A dropkick puts Nakamura on the floor and we take a break. Back with Rusev on commentary, saying that hes already told his mother he won the title. AJ is sent to the apron but the Phenomenal Forearm is broken up. A kick to the back of the head and a gordbuster look to set up Kinshasa.
Thats reversed into a rollup for two and an enziguri rocks Nakamura. Hes fine enough to hit the running knee in the corner as Rusev promises four different counters for the Calf Crusher. We take a second break and come back again with Nakamura telling him to COME ON. That earns him a firemans carry backbreaker but the Styles Clash attempt is countered into a triangle choke.
Thats reversed as well and Styles tells him to COME ON. Nakamura misses a charge to the floor so AJ hits the slingshot forearm to the floor. AJ goes after English (Rusev: WAS THIS REALLY NECESSARY???), who takes Kinshasa by mistake. Thats enough for Rusev, who pulls AJ off the apron for the DQ at 15:55.
Post match Jeff Hardy makes the save so heres Paige to make the tag match. That would be the second tag match made after a brawl in the first 45 minutes.
AJ Styles/Jeff Hardy vs. Rusev/Shinsuke Nakamura
Rusev throws AJ down to start and we hit a bearhug, meaning its a split screen promo about Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax. Back to full screen with AJ grabbing a sleeper before diving over for the tag to Hardy. Jeff speeds things up in a hurry and a basement dropkick gets two on Rusev. Everything breaks down and the Twisting Stunner looks to st up the Swanton, only to have Jeff get crotched by Nakamura. The Machka Kick ends Hardy at 5:18.
James Ellsworth is warming up when Carmella comes in to tell him he better win. Ellsworth says hes ready and winks at her, which isnt the right move.
Asuka vs. James Ellsworth
Lumberjack match with the womens division around the ring. I still say Ellsworth should be Curt Hawkins in an attempt to save his job. If you want to really make Carmella seem more impressive, have her get a second, more successful person under her thumb. Plus you dont bring in another name when there are so many people with nothing to do. Before the match, Ellsworth says hes ready for Asuka, but does ask that no one try to kiss him.
The threat of an early spinning backfist puts Ellsworth on the floor where Becky Lynch and Naomi toss him back inside. Ellsworth gets knocked outside again but the lumberjacks get in a fight. Thats enough for Ellsworth who tries to run but Becky and Naomi catch him again. Everyone else goes after them so Asuka dives onto the pile. In the melee, Carmella hands Ellsworth mace but Asuka kicks it out of his hand. Ellsworth gets kicked into Carmella so the Asuka Lock can finish him at 3:20.
Post match Carmella goes after Asuka so Ellsworth can mace him, setting up Carmellas superkick.
We look back at the opening brawl.
New Day and HELL NO talk strategy for tonight. New Day wants to gang up on them. Bryan suggests taking out their knees. Kane wants to set them on fire and send them to hell. Bryan: Do you think we can just summon Satan and send open a portal? Kane: Technically its a gateway but YES! THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT!
Kane and Bryan get into a YES/NO argument but Big E. takes charge and tells Woods to come up with a plan, Kofi to be like the Flash, Bryan to become the Goat Faced Killer, and for Kane to get with them. Kane quotes NSyncs This I Promise You. Bryan: Was that NSync? Kane: IT STILL APPLIES! Why does Daniel Bryan know NSync lyrics? As usual, Kane and Bryan have great chemistry and timing together.
Post break Ellsworth and Carmella are in the back when Paige comes up. On Sunday, Ellsworth is going to be suspended above the ring in a shark cage.
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Sin Cara
Its about time. Almas speeds things up to start and sends him outside for a suicide dive. Back in and Almas takes him down to send us to a break. We come back with Almas slamming him down but hitting knees on a top rope splash attempt. An Alberto Del Rio top rope double stomp puts Cara on the apron and the running knees in the corner are good for the pin at 5:57. Too much took place during the break but this wasnt quite worth the wait.
Pay per view rundown.
Sanity promises to bring the chaos. The Bludgeon Brothers come in and seem pleased with that mindset.
New Day/HELL NO vs. Bludgeon Brothers/Sanity
Bryan goes after Young to start and we take a break less than a minute in. Just ring the bell when we get back then. Back with New Day rapid firing the elbows to set up Big E.s Warrior Splash for two on Wolfe. Woods gets caught in the wrong corner though and Harper kicks him in the face a few times, setting up the Gator Roll...and an inset ad for Lashley vs. Reigns.
In kayfabe, thats some pretty awesome timing for the production staff to know when the match is going to grind to a halt so these videos can air. Back to full screen with Dain hitting a backsplash, just in time to go to a commercial. Were not even nine minutes into this match and weve had two commercials and an inset promo. I know this is crazy for a fan to say, but Id actually like to watch the match instead of an ad every three minutes.
Back with Woods still in trouble and Harpers Michinoku Driver getting two. New Day makes the save, allowing Woods to hit his springboard tornado DDT on Harper. The hot tag brings in Bryan to hammer on Young as everything breaks down. We hit a parade of secondary finishers until Big E. spears Dain off the apron. Back in and Bryan knees Young down for the pin at 16:41.
Post match Kane does a YES chant but Bryan tries to do the Kane fire deal. It three attempts but the fire comes out, sending Bryan into a cheer to end the show.
Results
AJ Styles b. Shinsuke Nakamura via DQ when Rusev interfered
Rusev/Shinsuke Nakamura b. AJ Styles/Jeff Hardy Machka Kick to Hardy
Asuka b. James Ellsworth Asuka Lock
Andrade Cien Almas b. Sin Cara Running knees in the corner
HELL NO/New Day b. Sanity/Bludgeon Brothers Running knee to Young
Wednesday
NXT
Date: July 11, 2018
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Its rematch night and in this case we have a title on the line. This time around its about the Tag Team Titles as new champions Moustache Mountain defends against former champions the Undisputed Era. Other than that were still in the early stages of the build towards Takeover: Brooklyn so lets get to it.
We open with a very quick look at Moustache Mountain winning the titles in England.
Opening sequence.
Adam Cole vs. Danny Burch
Non-title. Danny goes technical to start with a takedown but Cole grabs a headlock to slow things back down. A shot to the face puts Cole on the floor so he gets in a neckbreaker to take Danny down again and keep the pace slow. Back in and Cole grabs a suplex and drives some knees to the back, allowing him to be as smirky and cocky as you would ever expect him to be.
We hit the chinlock (you knew that was coming) for a few moments until Danny powers out. A German suplex gets two and Danny slaps on a quickly broken Crossface. The Tower of London out of the corner is good for two more but Cole kicks him in the knee. The firemans carry neckbreaker and original Last Shot set up the new Last Shot to put Burch away at 8:50.
Earlier this week, Candice LeRae was happy with her win but ran into Shayna Baszler. The champs advice was just to be a happy sidekick so the fight was on.
Dakota Kai is ready to rise back up the rankings when Lacey Evans comes in. Lacey doesnt like the idea of Kai as champion because it would sully the title. The challenge is made for next week and Evans seems to accept.
Kairi Sane vs. Vanessa Borne
Borne takes her into the corner to start so Sane goes away from the power, opting for a dragon screw legwhip instead. A leg lock doesnt get Sane anywhere as Borne rolls her over into a bodyscissors and a spinning suplex. Borne stops to pose though and its Sane coming back with a neckbreaker, only to bang up her back even more. Back up and a spear cuts Borne in half and theres the sliding forearm in the corner. Sane gets slammed off the top but pops back up with a spinning backfist. The Anchor, a rather hard half crab, makes Borne tap at 5:58.
Post match, Sane says shes beaten Baszler before and shell do it again.
Johnny Gargano tells Aleister Black that Tommaso Ciampa cannot become NXT Champion no matter what. Black says hes got this and leaves, only to get jumped by Ciampa. A hanging DDT from a table to the floor knocks Black cold.
Tag Team Titles: Moustache Mountain vs. Undisputed Era
The Era is challenging. We get the Big Match Intros and the fight is on in a hurry. The champs whip them into each other and take turns flipping each other onto both challengers. They head outside with the Era getting beaten up even more as this is one sided so far. Seven knees the steps though and the Era has a very sudden target. Back in and its time to go after the knee in a variety of painful ways as the fans are still dueling with the chants. OReilly slaps on the leg lock to keep Trent in trouble before cannonballing down onto the knee.
A rollup gives Seven a desperate two but its off to Strong to keep him in trouble. We hit the leg lock again but Seven fights up, only to have OReilly run over and pull Bate off the apron. The leg lock goes on yet again and again Strong is there to cut Bate off from the save. One more kick to the face is finally enough for Seven to get over to Bate and the hot tag finally brings him in.
Bate speeds things way up and uppercuts OReilly down, setting up a running shooting star press. We get the crazy airplane spin/giant swing combination on the Era as the trainer is checking on Sevens knee. The Tyler Driver gets two on Strong with OReilly making a save to put all four down. OReilly kicks Bate in the head and the brainbuster gets two more. Seven is back up and tags himself in to slug away, including a weakened Seven Stars Lariat for two on Strong.
The knee gives out again though and a chop block sets up a kind of inverted Texas Cloverleaf (cool) until Bate dives in for a save. A middle rope knee to Sevens knee sets up another heel hook but Seven kicks him in the head to finally make the break. OReilly grabs an even stronger version and Bate finally throws in the towel to save his friend, giving the Era the titles back at 17:17.
The rest of the Era comes out to celebrate as Bate and trainers tend to Seven to end the show.
Results
Adam Cole b. Danny Burch Last Shot
Kairi Sane b. Vanessa Borne Anchor
Undisputed Era b. Moustache Mountain via referee stoppage when Bate threw in the towel
Bobby Lashley b. Roman Reigns Spear
AJ Styles b. Rusev Phenomenal Forearm
Dolph Ziggler b. Seth Rollins 5-4