What’s good, everyone? I’m back!
To say that I’m not too fond of how Raquel Rodriguez’ return at Bad Blood was handled is the least of their problems. I distinctively remember the last time I saw her, she wasn’t wearing makeup this past February at Elimination Chamber. She vanished after that… Now that she’s back, Raquel feels too much like Liv Morgan’s personal driver, or bodyguard than a Superstar.
If she doesn’t get out there soon, she might fade into the background like Carlito and JD McDonagh. And I don’t want that for her. A thunderous comeback only to be sidelined as someone else’s voiceless muscle piece.
My favorite matches would have to be Punk vs. McIntyre in Hell in a Cell, plus Morgan vs. Ripley. Despite the fact that Rhea didn’t win, I still enjoyed seeing Dominik Mysterio hanging from a shark cage, dangling like a human pinata. Ha! If Ripley hadn’t taken her eyes off the objective, she might be Champion today.
Where there are matches I liked, there’s going to be some I didn’t. For example, and the only example, is when Cody paired up with Roman for reasons that Solo Sikoa might prove to be correct. Randy and Kevin weren’t able to successfully help Rhodes defeat the Bloodline, so naturally, one has to align themselves with the enemy to finish the job. It wasn’t about trust.
But that’s not where this collision ends. Owens never had the chance to fully explain his take on Rhodes teaming up with Reigns, he kept getting interrupted. If I hadn’t been curious by the video of a fan filming the interaction between Kevin and Cody backstage after the show, I wouldn’t have known this new information. Owens is seen having an upsetting conversation with the American Nightmare before he flew into a fit of physical rage. It took a little while before security could deescalate the issue.
Ha! What made me laugh was that I heard that same fan shout along the lines of: “Get him, Kevin!”, encouraging the altercation. And if I’m being honest, I encouraged it as well. Orton wasn’t present to stand in-between them like last time. I knew that Kevin’s frustrations were going to implode sooner rather than later. I would be angry, too.
I’m just not sure if I would throw fisticuffs… yet.
I nearly forget something important… Jimmy Uso’s return. I’m glad he’s back, but why is he still brainwashed by Roman’s manipulative tactics? I hoped that time away would snap him out of it, realize what Sami and Jey have, but no. Nothing changed just like Reigns said he wouldn’t. It’s sad to say the least. The same applies with The Rock. Why the hell was he there? Sikoa insinuated that was part of the plan. In what way did he mean??
As we move on to tonight, Jimmy Uso opened the curtains. He’s welcomed back by the audience as he narrated his contemplation over the fact that his little brother jumped him from behind instead of doing it face-to-face. So, he planned to kick Sikoa’s ass later. Annoyingly so, Roman showed up.
I hope to God that no one will refer to Jimmy as “Big Jim”. It sounds like a truck driver, and he’s anything but. Ha! Roman rarely decides to have the city that they’re in acknowledge anyone other than him, so wow wow. Some leniency.
It’s quite clear that Roman doesn’t like where they’re at right now compared to before. The respect, the power, the money that came with them running the blue brand. Jimmy informed Reigns that he came back because Roman needed him, he needed help. Unfortunately, Jimmy alluded to the notion that there’s someone else who could assist them. Jey.
No, no, no, no, no, no. No! Even Roman said “No yeet.” Something we can agree on. But Jimmy Jim made the point that he was the only one in the family that still acknowledges Reigns. He no longer has a tribe to lead. Something to ponder about.
LA Knight (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes – US Championship match
Wow. Barely 30 seconds into the match, and LA Knight is seen ploughing through Hayes with ease. Melo momentarily stunned Knight until the Champion got to his feet and knocked his challenger to the outside. Because of Andrade’s sudden appearance, Hayes found himself distracted as Knight kicked him down again.
At some point after the commercials, Hayes miraculously gained control of the champ’s neck by applying pressure around it, forcing him to his knees as Andrade looked on. LA Knight was able to escape the hold with a clothesline and a powerslam for a close retention.
Carmelo exploded out of the corner after getting stumped on with a Super Kick to the face by the champ, who didn’t see it coming. Ha! He lollygagged for too long that Knight managed to reserve his attempt at a pinning combination. The Champion delivered an effective neck breaker followed by a big elbow. It wasn’t enough to end this, though.
Melo amazingly countered the BFT, then went to deliver a scissor kick to the back of Knight’s neck. That cutter nearly took out the Champion. Elsewhere, Andrade was staring daggers into Carmelo’s eyes just as he was preparing himself for Nothing but Net. He missed, of course. Counter after counter, Hayes fell victim to a victorious BFT by the Champion.
Winner: LA Knight
Backstage, Jimmy and Cody exchange words. Didn’t I say that no one should refer to Jimmy as “Big Jim”? And here it is, biting me in the ass because of Rhodes. Anyway, he simply wanted to thank Jimmy for helping them on Saturday and warn him about how Solo isn’t the same since he was taken out. With that in mind, Jimmy has family business to tend to no matter the words of caution. He respects Cody for handling his business knowing that he’ll be facing Gunther for the first ever WWE Crown Jewel Championship this Nov 2.
Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair (c) vs. Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match
Welcome, Lash and Jakara to the blue brand. Hope you like it here and not get mad if y’all lose this matchup on your debut night. Not to be rude. However, what came as a surprise was Kevin Owens crashing their entrance. He’s sorry about that, though, despite being told not to show up. Owens was able to say, while using Corey Graves’ headphones speakers, that Rhodes turned on him, not the other way around like people are too quick to imply. Security and Randy were able to get in-between them before anything drastic took place. It shocked both Orton and Kevin that Randy had to strike his own friend after being struck first.
Eventually, we got back to the planned match. NXT Champion Trick Williams is here, too, as well as Piper Niven and Chelsea Green. Michael Cole was confused by Niven’s outfit, and now, so am I.
As soon as the bell rang, Jakara and Lash went after the champs at high speed, not giving them any time to catch their breaths in the early goings of the match. Miss Jackson started things off with Bianca by bulldozing her challenger. Legend came in and took the reigns. The Meta girls were doing a great job disorienting the opposing team. Jade had to swoop in to preserve their titles, so Lash slapped her for her troubles.
I don’t know what Chelsea was doing, but she somehow got kicked by Lash onto the announcement desk right into Michael Cole, who’s violently coughing because Green still stinks from her Dumpster match with Michin. Ha! Ha! He sounded like a cartoon character.
Anyway, Bianca managed to tag Jade and deliver a big boot to Jakara, then one to Lash on the apron. Belair and Cargill retain their Championships after a fantastic display of teamwork.
Winners: Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair
I just found out that Kevin was fined after his attack on Cody at Bad Blood, hence why he said he wasn’t aloud here. Randy tried to dissipate the flames by suggesting that Rhodes leave while he talks to Owens. Nick Aldis reminded Cody that he has to focus on winning the Crown Jewel Championship.
What irritates me is how easily people forget why anything happens to begin with. Kevin attacked Cody because he felt betrayed by his friend for aligning himself with the very person that’s been a torment in his career for the past four years. Is everyone suffering from convenient amnesia??
But, we can’t be talking about this for too long since queen Nia Jax had something to address the fans with. Despite how tough Bayley was, she still fell to the Annihilator. This message was a warning for Liv Morgan as well as they face each other for the women’s Crown Jewel Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Naomi came out challenging Nia to a match because she’s certain that Jax can’t win without her little “broke down Barbie doll.” Miss Glow wasn’t the only one who had an impromptu arrival, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio were here, too. Morgan was looking to make an example out of Nia, but she saw that Jax was busy, so they’ll wait at ringside.
Naomi vs. Nia Jax
This match ended up not being for the WWE Women’s Championship given how Naomi has to earn that title shot. She delivered a great slap to Nia’s face while she was at it. Naomi was looking for the Sunset Flip, instead she dodged a stomp attempt from Nia. Unfortunately, she got squashed in the corner.
Nia had control over Naomi as she sent her shoulder into the post. Jax took it a step further by crashing her body against Naomi’s head as it collided with the post. That could have taken her out, but she managed to stay in the game. She stunned Jax with her incredible balance, then driving Jax’s head against the mat for a near fall if only the champ hadn’t rolled under the ropes.
Naomi continued to soldier on as she delivered the leg drop and a kick against the post as payback for earlier. However, just like that, Nia changed the whole momentum of this match with a Samoan Drop to Naomi on the floor. Naomi fired back by avoiding Nia’s Senton. She nearly pinned Jax with a flying crossbody. Naomi was ready for a fight as she launched herself after Nia on the main floor.
Tiffany knew that Naomi was on a roll, so she got involved while the official wasn’t looking. Weirdly enough, Raquel grabbed Stratton’s briefcase before she could whack Naomi with it. Due to the distraction, Naomi was able to kick Stratton’s head prior to returning to the match.
Naomi was left a little lopsided at some point and nearly got flattened, but Rodriguez distracted the referee, so Liv could use Stratton’s briefcase to hit Nia with, which allowed Naomi to powerbomb the queen for a win.
All this was both good and bad, but not as bad as it was for Morgan, Rodriguez and Mysterio when Rhea Ripley eradicated them. SURPRISE! She wasn’t able to issue the full extent of her rampage, Nia got ploughed too, but she did inflict some damage.
Winner: Naomi
Carmelo Hayes wasn’t pleased that he beat AJ Styles for this title opportunity only to have Andrade out there playing mind games. Aldis recognized that both men are tied 3-3 apiece, so he decided to break the tie with a seventh match and the winner will get a US Championship match.
Santos Escobar found this odd that Aldis seemed focus on Andrade and Hayes getting opportunities and ignoring any other candidates. So, he suggested that the lights be shown on Elektra Lopez, or Los Garza. It’s only fair to. Nick gave Los Garza a shot at gold if they can get past a team he hand-selected. The Street Profits and DIY are also left on the side to make room for this new Tag Team.
Aldis caught sight of a disturbance in the parking lot and found Kevin beating up Randy. Earlier, it appeared that Orton was picking sides, so Owens lost it on him.
Jimmy Uso vs. Solo Sikoa
If Jimmy fighting his own twin wasn’t emotional enough, here he is brawling against his little brother that’s shown time and time again how reluctant and unyielding he is and has been since taking further command. Jimmy found himself surrounded by very bad men, who acknowledge Sikoa. The fight was underway the moment Jimmy landed a couple of hits.
Later on, Solo caught Jimmy mid-air, resulting in an awkward landing for big brother. Oof. Oof. It looked awful. Due to the name-calling being little brother, Sikoa is heard berating Jimmy as he used the bottom rope to choke him. He even signaled Jacob to deliver a cheap shot while he kept the referee occupied.
Sikoa took Jimmy down even further with a clothesline on the apron. Jimmy tried numerous times to get back on track, but Solo thwarted his every move as methodical as possible. And again, Fatu bulldozed Jimmy.
The numbers game was always apparent. It’s almost too easy for Sikoa to perform the spinning heel kick. He wanted big brother to acknowledge him. Even Reigns doesn’t berate people as much as Sikoa has, or maybe it’s the same amount.
Jimmy was looking to rally with a DDT. Sikoa thought he had this won with the Spinning Solo, yet Jimmy kicked out. Solo didn’t think his opponent would still be alive, luckily, Jimmy exploded out of the corner at an electrical pace. He was doing fine work for the most part, which the rest of the Bloodline took note of as they try to interfere. Regardless of all that, it didn’t stop Jimmy from putting Solo through the Samoan Drop.
As Jimmy climbed to the top, Tama Tonga made his presence known to the referee as Jacob forced Jimmy off balance, so Solo could finish him with the Samoan Spike. It could have ended there, but we all know how the Bloodline operates. Roman sure as hell took his time coming out while Jimmy was being assaulted. It didn’t matter because Reigns and Jimmy were easily overwhelmed.
Winner: Solo Sikoa
TOP PHOTO: Jimmy and Roman are left defeated by the Bloodline. Courtesy of WWE