Logan Paul lost! Ha! Ha! He lost. I’m so happy he did, and if anyone were to remove that belt from his undeserving waist, it had to be LA Knight. A beautiful ending to an annoying reign. Absolutely perfect. I slept very well that night.
I don’t want to send even more negativity towards Bayley, but given Nia Jax’s determination to win the gold, I guessed she would walk away with the title on her shoulder. I’m waiting to see what will definitely happen between Nia and Tiffany Stratton since they’re… friends?
As for my highlight of the evening, Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan living as the couple I knew they were going to be. The moment I saw Dom’s smirking face when Rhea Ripley lost, I knew he wanted that to happen. What I didn’t expect was the kiss he and Morgan shared towards the end. Ooh! I’m not going to lie, I rewatched that more than four times. Everybody did. Ha!
However, I remain skeptical to this newfound union. Mysterio made it VERY clear that he wasn’t interesting in Liv a few weeks prior to SummerSlam, but last Saturday, he demonstrated the complete opposite. He could be playing both girls, and the rest of us are blindly following, sort of. This does bring me to my original assessment of Rhea and Dom’s relationship. It has a similar base to Stockholm Syndrome, falling in love with your captor, if anyone noticed. In this case, submit to physical abuse, then delude yourself by turning it into love. She turned Dom from a boy to a man, she claimed at the time. This could be the angle that ignited last weekend’s shock. I like theorizing, don’t clock me.
I’m not even sure if I’m mad at Finn Balor for doing what he did to Damian Priest, resulting in the loss of his title to Gunther. Balor was fading into the background, but not as much as JD McDonagh and Carlito. Ha! Especially Carlito. I still don’t know why he’s in Judgment Day. Priest declared himself leader during War Games last year and that was before he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to become World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania 40. The way Balor narrates Damian’s change as if he’s been self-appointed leader for much longer than I realized disrupts the timeline.
Priest was behaving a little more controlling, true, but I didn’t see it as leadership. If anything, it was more of an outburst. Feeling the need to vent, constantly. Anyway, I can talk about this elsewhere.
And of course, I didn’t forget Roman Reigns’ surprise return that erupted the entire floor we were standing on. What made me laugh, though, was the look on Solo Sikoa’s face when he lost because of Reigns. He cried like a petulant baby, who’s PS4 controller got accidently stepped on by ignorant parents. Ha! I couldn’t stop laughing until I didn’t see his face anymore. That’s what it took.
It is a shame that the uproar of Roman’s return was so loud, yet the cheers were even louder when he lost and everyone seemed happy. The quickness in switching sides and perspectives is staggering, people, especially when they have yet to prove themselves to be better than their former persona. I didn’t cheer when Roman came out. I smiled for four seconds until I remembered why I’m not jumping around like everyone else. I need more than him punching his cousin.
The SummerSlam afterparty begins with Cody Rhodes opening the show after retaining his Championship. Rhodes was about to introduce who he wants to defend his title against at Bash in Berlin, yet the Bloodline intercept… well, Sikoa does. He demands a rematch in Berlin, yet Cody hilariously denies him by calling Solo delusional. Because of that insult, the Bloodline surrounded Rhodes for an assault, yet they were scared off by Kevin Owens.
Sikoa decides to go and find Roman before dealing with Rhodes for round two. Meanwhile, Cody calls Kevin back inside the ring to talk to him about wanting to face him for the Championship. Owens appreciates the offer, yet he recognizes that he doesn’t deserve it given the recent loses in matches. Rhodes begs to differ.
A-Town Down Under vs. The Street Profits – Tag Team Championship Number One Contender’s Qualifying match
Dawkins and Theory start this match off, yet Angelo gets distracted by Grayson, who tries to run interference as Austin capitalizes on that. A-Town Down Under have cut the ring in half as they corner Dawkins. After Waller trips Ford off the apron, that wakes Angelo up as he hammers away at Theory… until Dawkins crashed into the post.
After some shenanigans on both sides, Dawkins is found once again at the mercy of his opponents. Theory and Waller attempt a double team, however, Angelo makes a comeback by jabbing Grayson harshly in the jaw. Dawkins has some breathing room after he suplexed Austin. Ford is tagged in as he takes his challengers down in more ways than one. He nearly got the win.
Unfortunately, A-Town Down Under play an unsuccessful double team against Montez. Outside the ring, Dawkins bulldozes Waller into the timekeeper’s area. Ha! The Profits advance with a victorious super blockbuster.
Winners: The Street Profits
Backstage, Nick Aldis made the mistake to consider a rematch between Roman and Cody soon, which pissed Kevin off. He still isn’t convinced he deserves a title opportunity because there are many others in that locker room who need this more. Due to his heartwarming determination, Aldis officiates the Rhodes vs. Owens Championship match at Bash in Berlin. Owens finally agrees, reluctantly so.
Jade Cargill vs. Alba Fyre
Alba tries to apply a waist lock, but to the surprise of absolutely no one, Jade twists Fyre’s wrist away from her, dominating with her incredible strength. Things turn around when Alba was able to apply a submission hold that contorts her body around Jade like a snake. Isla Dawn was stretching her hand towards her partner to help her reenforce the hold, but Bianca catches wind of that.
Back inside the ring, Cargill power slams Alba to the mat, then follows that up with a Super Kick that initially ends with a winning Jaded. But who cares about the celebrations? Blair Davenport didn’t. Once she showed up, her and Isla were brawling Belair and Cargill. Fyre soon joined in… and so did my girl, Naomi!
Winner: Jade Cargill
Next up, we have LA Knight fresh off his much deserved win at SummerSlam with some new beats. Special shoutout to Letdown for Knight’s modified entrance music. Lou Ferrigno, better known as the Incredible Hulk, is seen congratulation the new Champion in the crowd area.
LA Knight was enjoying his win and the undeniable pleasure he got stomping Logan Paul for all of us, specifically me. Thank you! Alas, he’s interrupted by Legado del Fantasma and Andrade. They both seek the title. The only thing I paid attention to is that Escobar called LA Knight “sir”. Ha! Ha! I was left in shock.
Andrade vs. Santos Escobar – US Championship Number One Contender’s match
The match was already underway once the commercials ended, one of them featured Giovanni Vinci announcing that he’ll bring his drive and style back to SmackDown when he’s ready.
Andrade has Santos laid out on his backside. given how many moments Andrade was on top, that left Legado del Fantasma a little green eyed. So, while Escobar has the official distracted with whatever foolery he can conjure, Humberto and Angel rough up Andrade. Santos tries to take advantage, yet he fails.
Angel and Humberto fail as well to keep themselves guarded when they’re ambushed by Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews. Ha! This evens things up as Andrade delivers a kick to the side of Escobar’s head. Santos makes a comeback with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker.
The brutal and stronger Andrade manages to muscle through with a massive super powerbomb from the top of the ring, much to Elektra Lopez’s dismay. Andrade continues with his onslaught knowing the winds of chance are moving in his direction. More so with that Moonsault and paying homage to Eddie Guerrero with the Three Amigos.
Santos surprises Andrade with the Poisonrana that nearly pinned him. Just as Andrade almost picks up the win, Carmelo Hayes attempts to play spoiler. He’s quickly swatted away.
Or so I thought. Andrade had Santos lined for a finishing move, unfortunately, Elektra had the official’s attention just as Carmelo drags Escobar out of an incoming assault, so Santos could stack Andrade up and win his opportunity. Annoying. Everyone knew he was going to lose, so Carmelo came out of nowhere to amplify nonsense.
Winner: Santos Escobar
Today we morn, but also rejoice the life of Kevin Sullivan, one the greatest “bad guys” this company has helped produce. He was a major rival for Superstars such as Sting, the American Dream Dusty Rhodes, the Rogue Warriors and Hulk Hogan. Sullivan debuted in the 1970s. Kevin will be remembered as a creative mastermind behind the scenes, a dedicated individual and his profound love for professional wrestling. Rest in peace, Kevin Sullivan. 1949 – 2024.
Next Friday, the new WWE Women’s Champion queen Nia Jax will celebrate her victory organized by Miss Money in the Back Tiffany Stratton. Also, after so many sneak attacks, Naomi and Blair Davenport run it back again properly. Because of some idiocy from… too… many… people, Grayson Waller got a match against Kevin Owens.
DIY vs. Pretty Deadly – Tag Team Championship Number One Contender’s Qualifying match
Pretty Deadly have been extremely messy these past couple of months. They’re way too focused on their musical that will NOT happen, rather then winning the matches they’re in. They’re already getting their asses tossed out.
During the break, Gargano was getting his ass handed to him several times until he was finally able to tag Tommaso as he bulldozes through Pretty Deadly. DIY double team on Elton Prince, yet he kicks out of the cover. Johnny looks to deliver his slingshot spear, regrettably, he receives a knee to the gut from Prince. Elton nearly pinned Tommaso if it weren’t for Gargano’s interference.
DIY end this match in their favor with Shatter Machine, followed by Meet Me in the Middle. They face the Street Profits next week as the contender’s match continues.
Winners: DIY
Apparently, Solo has been waiting for Roman all night, yet Tama Tonga informs him that he isn’t here. Despite that piece of information, Sikoa is convinced Reigns will show up. I know so, too. Jacob Fatu isn’t here tonight because he got injured last Saturday during the Undisputed Championship Bloodline Rules match aiding Solo do poorly. Tonga Loa is holding half of it since he was initially suppose to before he also got hurt. That damn eyepatch.
Can we have a match between Solo and Roman in Tribal Combat like they did with Jey Jey and Reigns at last year’s SummerSlam? I would be all for this! Anyway, Sikoa calls Roman out, and he doesn’t hesitate to make his entrance very much known. The music… My God! A loveable exaggeration. Reigns almost effortlessly takes out the Tongas. The one time they SHOULD be useful, they aren’t.
Following that, Solo and Roman brawl it out for a while. That Superman Punch rocked Sikao’s jaw to the sky. But in typical Bloodline fashion, Tama and Loa jump him from behind when they’re able to get their bearings. At some point, Reigns fights back and spears the Tongas. For some reason, the crowd chants Cody Rhodes’ name…
I think the audience is delusional…
TOP PHOTO: Roman uses a chair to mull Tonga Loa. Courtesy of WWE