Ha!
As if I can come here and not say how spectacular Money in the Bank was on Saturday [Here’s the full report]. I didn’t care who would win in the men’s Ladder match, but I certainly didn’t want Logan Paul to grab the briefcase. I kid you not, I held my breath multiple times when he would get close enough to snatching it. I’m sure someone somewhere was thinking how happy I was when Logan not only lost, but he got jumped from the start once he entered the ring.
Clearly, the other participants were fumed as I was that Logan was there, too. Completely horrendous. To me, he’s only there to pick up more desperate followers to add to his collection in an industry that’s exploding the world with its amazing sense of entertainment. Senior Money in the Bank winner, Damian Priest, deserves it. However, given the… disagreements between him and Finn Balor as to who should be the new World Heavyweight Champion remains undecided.
I’m glad that Iyo Sky also won, even though, my vote was going towards Becky Lynch or Zelina Vega. Break away from Bayley, girl. You need it. It was extra funny when she handcuffed Lynch and Bayley together to the ladder, so she could get the briefcase. Ha! Priceless and smart.
Ooh. Another big surprise was John Cena. The effort he’s putting into having WrestleMania go to London is nice even to Grayson Waller’s neigh vote. He prefers Australia where the big snakes are. Why not Russia? Just a thought.
And how can I not mention the huge win the Usos picked up after they defeated Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa during The Bloodline Civil War? These are my boys!! Reigns hasn’t been pinned in over three years, and for Jey Jey to be the one to put him down was momentous and poetic.
By the way, am I the only one who thinks it’s funny when Jey pushed Roman into the referee resulting in him landing on the apron wailing in agony? I’m sorry. The man was hurt, and I still laughed.
You remember when I said that since coming back to wrestling I’ve noticed that Jimmy has been lacking a little bit? Well, I was pleased towards the end at how he stood his ground when Reigns placed him in the Guillotine. I thought this was it for the twins until Jimmy powered through that very well. I wish he powerbombed him, but we can’t have everything. Besides, Roman may have smashed ’em, stacked ’em, covered ’em, but he didn’t win. The Usos don’t need Roman to feel significant because they are better and free without him.
You feel that? No chains around the throat.
And speaking of chains, Shayna Baszler beating Ronda Rousey during their Women’s Tag Team title match, costing them the fight… oof. I can’t say I wasn’t waiting for that. Shayna is much more ruthless without the overshadowing presence of someone else. It was time for a breakup that, mind you, imploded very early.
Now onto tonight, let’s start off with a banger. The Usos are taking Roman to Tribal Court to discuss he’s fate as the Tribal Chief. Maybe former Tribal Chief… Ha! I got super excited, but while the twins were reveling in their success on Saturday, it isn’t Reigns who interrupts, it’s Sikoa and Heyman.
Heyman says he’ll serve as Roman’s defense speaker as he attempts to present he’s first proof, but the Usos tell him to shut his mouth. Something I should hear more often. Alas, the only person who can tell him to stop talking isn’t here, yet Solo makes a great substitute by throwing Heyman’s mic away.
What I didn’t understand is that Sikoa did that because in a matter of seconds, Roman made his entrance. The music made me jump a little. Ha! I realized that there aren’t any chairs to sit on, so I guess we’re standing then…
Apparently, if the Tribal Chief didn’t call this Court meeting then it isn’t official. So, he questions as to who organized this. The way Jimmy kept grinning means he knows something that Reigns doesn’t. Don’t you just love that feeling?
Jimmy and Jey Uso meet with Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa with Paul Heyman to start off Smackdown at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com. MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Exhibit A, when Jimmy got shoved for the first time by Roman for misrepresenting him and the family. Firing Heyman as the Wise Man then Superman Punching him. Mistaking Jey for Jimmy. Threatening to whip Jimmy again. Scaring Heyman to the point where he probably crapped himself. It isn’t about “we”, it’s about “me” as in Roman.
There’s no such thing as lovingly lifting people up in Reigns’ world. Dares to call himself “wings”. Ha! The crowd chants: “You f*cked up!”, unfortunately, Roman selfishly says he didn’t. He was forced to behave like a dickhead. That he did it for The Bloodline. And that’s when everything goes to craps for me. Who says you have to act like an asshole and claim you have good intentions? Why can’t you have good intentions and act accordingly? No one response to aggression, manipulation and deceit the way you expect them to, especially if it’s a family member who wants you to believe such nonsense.
“Bullsh*t!”
Roman mentioning that he doesn’t need any of this negativity in his life as if he didn’t put some of it there to begin with. He doesn’t need power. Shockingly, he gifts the ceremonial flowers to Jey then kneels down. His hesitation to kneel as he cries was both sad and hilarious.
Jimmy and Jey Uso meet with Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa with Paul Heyman to start off Smackdown at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com. MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Because I didn’t believe him. He knocked Jey’s dick out. This was minor payback for Saturday. Following that, a brawl ensues as Jimmy goes after Roman than Sikoa takes out Jimmy. There was a moment of reluctancy when Solo held the ceremonial flowers in hand, he didn’t immediately give them to Roman. Not even when Jey intervenes.
Sikoa finally body splashes Jimmy on the announce table since he failed to do so at Money in the Bank plus the assault with the stairs and Championship belt to the face Roman inflicted while forcing Jey to watch. Later on, Jimmy was seen being rolled out by the paramedics with his brother by his side.
US Championship match: Sheamus vs. Austin Theory (c) at WWE Smackdown at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Sheamus vs. Austin Theory (c) – US Championship match
Sheamus starts strong by hoisting Austin up then ramming him into the turnbuckles as he follows that up with punches to the gut. Theory creates some separation with a boot to Sheamus’ face, but he quickly loses it when he’s on the receiving end of an Irish Curse back breaker.
Austin foolishly tries to inflict Sheamus’ Ten Beats of the Bodhran, yet only makes it to two before getting intercepted by the Celtic warrior. Theory surprises Sheamus with a brutal elbow drop for a failed cover.
Sheamus has Theory on his shoulders from the second rope to attempt the White Noise, yet Austin escapes and drives the Celtic warrior against the mat.
Austin’s rolling drop kick is turned into a powerbomb in Sheamus’ favor. The Celtic warrior had Theory in the Cloverleaf submission, and I believe he could have had him beat if it weren’t for Pretty Deadly’s unwanted appearance. Great…
Elton Prince pays for it with the Ten Beats of the Bodhran. Theory is back to his feet with a drop kick to Sheamus, he goes for A-Town Down, Sheamus escapes and delivers a harsh knee to the jaw for a near win.
The Brawling Brutes arrive to even the numbers by taking Pretty Deadly out. It’s a shame though that Kit Wilson got rid of Holland and distracted Sheamus from delivering the Bro Kick to Theory instead of him. Austin seeks the opening, rolls Sheamus up and retains.
Damn it…
Winner: Austin Theory
The Grayson Waller Effect with Edge at WWE Smackdown at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
The Grayson Waller Effect welcomes Hall of Famer Edge to the stage. Apparently, Waller claims that Edge has an announcement, but the Rated R Superstar is simply celebrating his 25th anniversary of his career.
Although, Edge has had a historical run, his resume can speak for itself, yet Waller wonders why he’s back. Sweetly, it’s because of the fans as he remanences the best moments.
Grayson quickly takes us out of memory lane to rudely tell us that Edge is retiring. That’s the big news. I may have already guessed, so I’m not surprised and neither are the fans as they prefer to boo Grayson rather than whine.
The perfect setup. Edge informs Grayson that he isn’t retiring. He’s going to have a match later tonight against Waller. Ooh!
AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross at WWE Smackdown at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross
Right out of the gate, Karrion delivers a clothesline to AJ, sending him backwards. Kross had the majority of this match in his favor as he rocks Styles down with a thunderous Kross Hammer.
Styles bounces back with a Step-Up Enzugiri to Karrion’s jaw as he regroups. He catches Kross with a Phenomenal Forearm off the apron, then he looks to leaps in after him, but Scarlett has Styles’ leg. Michin rushes in and delivers a massive boot to her face then throws Scarlett against the barricade.
Now that Scarlett has been taken out, AJ can deliver another Phenomenal Forearm to obtain a victory.
Winner: AJ Styles
Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Bayley and Iyo Sky all interrupt an Asuka interview at WWE Smackdown at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Asuka barely finished her sentence until Bianca showed up then Charlotte came out as well. It became a brawl between these three women. Asuka goes to the top, but get intercepted by Iyo Sky and Bayley.
Iyo was looking to cash in her contract, she was so close to doing so as Bayley attempts to hand her friend’s briefcase to the official. Swiftly, Belair viciously drags her out by the ankles then continues to beat her. Charlotte even delivers a big boot to Iyo. Asuka, however, avoids the rest of the unfiltered mugging.
Edge vs. Grayson Waller at WWE Smackdown at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Edge vs. Grayson Waller
Waller’s bombastic nature gets him in the receiving end of Edge’s shoulder tackles followed by knees to the mid-section.
Cole says that Edge is focusing his attacks on Waller’s mid-section, so he could end him with his finishing move, the spear. That will cut him in half. Ha!
Waller may have dodged minor hits from Edge, but he didn’t see that fall away slam coming at all. Ha! His face when the camera zoomed in. Priceless.
Just as Edge was going for that spear, Waller has him scouted with a knee to the jaw, rocking him backwards. Some credit. He does gain some momentum after that flying DDT.
Grayson’s need to show off and be arrogant punishes him when he leaps from the second rope and collides with Edge’s knees to his ribs.
Edge delivers a boot and plants Grayson on his face. “He’s as gritty as they come.” Oh, let’s not forget that powerbomb on the main floor. Ouchy.
Waller almost got Edge with a move that he and Christian, another wrestling Superstar, used to defeat their opponents. That would have been insulting if Edge lost that way.
Both men are down after Edge delivers the Execution move against Waller. Later on, Grayson ducks out from an incoming spear as Edge collides with the post. Waller attempts to finish the Hall of Famer with his signature move, the Summersault Stunner, but Edge ploughs through him with a show-stopping spear for a victory.
Regardless of the rude insinuations Waller was smacking on the table earlier, Edge notices that he just fought someone with talented aspects.
Winner: Edge
It was confirmed during Edge and Grayson’s match that Jey Uso is back at the arena from the hospital where Jimmy is under supervision. He’s looking for Roman.
But before we get to Bloodline and Uso business, next week Bianca Belair finally gets to challenge Asuka for the WWE Women’s Championship.
Now onto Roman’s potential demise. Jey didn’t make a regular entrance through the original ramp, no, he came in through the crowd. Such flair. Solo stalks him up until the point that Jey jumps him from over the barricade then tosses his brother against the post.
Jey Uso fights with Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on Friday, July 7, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Jey grabs a chair then begins to unload on Roman inside the ring. He was about to whack Reigns with a second hit, but Sikoa intervenes, but not for long. Jey Super Kicks him then takes out all his rage against Solo. It was brutal to watch. I don’t think I’ve seen Jey Jey this angry.
During Reigns and Heyman’s retreat, Roman looks over at Jey with, I believe, worry in his eyes. “You’re looking at the Judge, Jury and Executioner right now!” shouts Jey.
He called it Tribal Combat, where he’ll fight Reigns one-on-one without the interruption of anyone. I thought he was challenging Reigns for the title, but maybe I still misunderstood. Ha! What say you, champ?
TOP PHOTO: Jey Uso holding Roman Reigns’ Championship. Courtesy of WWE
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