People are booing much louder now with the inclusion of Bronson Reed as part of the new Bloodline faction for War Games. Despite how united Sikoa’s team looked, my gut feeling told me that they’re still lopsided because of Tonga Loa. He kind of feels like the underwhelming one in the group. Am I wrong?

Anyway, the reason for this abruptness is because Solo wanted Roman to accept surrender the moment he arrives, given his ass ain’t even here yet. The terms are set, Reigns simply has to abide by them. However, we all know he won’t and neither will Jey, Sami and Jimmy.

Blair Davenport vs. Chelsea Green vs. Bianca Belair – Round One Triple Treat Women’s US Championship Tournament 

In the early goings of the match, each women were executing multiple pin fall attempts with no success. Davenport kicked Bianca from pinning Chelsea. As a thank you, Green sent Blair tumbling outside. Now that she’s left with Belair, the EST has proven to be the more dominant one.

Chelsea surprised everyone with a sudden sunset flip from the top rope and nearly ended this if it weren’t for Davenport’s quick interception. She continued with her momentum by binding Belair’s braid to the middle rope, then stomped on her back. Later on, Bianca regained control by pounding into Davenport’s skull before getting interrupted by Chelsea.

She knocked Bianca with the Riprider prior to focusing her attention back on Davenport. Blair laid out Green with a stomp to the spine, then found herself on the receiving end of a powerbomb by Bianca. The EST missed with that Moonsault given Davenport’s knees were up, but Green drop kicked Bianca and delivered a Senton to Blair at the same time.

Just as Chelsea ventured to suplex Davenport, Belair came in suplexing them both. A near fall for Belair almost, almost granted her the win. Amazingly so, Chelsea performed a superplex on Blair after sending Bianca shoulder first into the post. This is the longest Green has lasted. Good, some efficiency.

And to capitalize on that comment, after Bianca’s 450 on Davenport, she and Chelsea have been shoving each other just so one of them could triumphantly cover her. It hasn’t concluded the match, but something else did, at least for Bianca.

Cameras caught Jade Cargill banged up so badly that I referred to the location as a crime scene from my Mystery tv shows. Bianca was rightly conflicted, but she decided to check on Jade.

Back inside the ring, Chelsea advanced by performing the I’m Prettier on Davenport. I can’t say she doesn’t deserve it. She joins Bayley in the brackets.

Winner: Chelsea Green

LA Knight (c) vs. Santos Escobar – US Championship match

Ha! The silence from the audience when Legado del Fantasma came out was priceless. No hoorays! No loud booing, too. Nothing. Hilarious. But what wasn’t funny was for LA Knight to be put on notice by Shinsuke Nakamura after his shocking return last week. Nakamura detailed the fact that Knight is afraid that without the constant cheering of the fans, he won’t amount to anything. That he’s simply insecure. Shin has been watching him closely for a while.

Due to that distraction on screen, Santos took advantage of the situation to pounce on LA Knight while he wasn’t looking. The bell has officially rung as Escobar remained on the attack. Santos has been dominating this fight, truly disorienting Knight. Luckily, the champ made a comeback with a big clothesline and a neck breaker.

Just as Knight was about to deliver his signature elbow drop, his eyes saw a figure in the distance. It was Shinsuke Nakamura. That delay allowed Escobar to perform a Huricarana. He did his best, but Knight was too fast with his retaining BFT. Following the match, Nakamura slipped into the ring and assaulted the Megastar. Laying and waiting. Laying and waiting.

Winner: LA Knight

Last week’s foolishness when Ciampa forced a disqualification during a Tag Team Championship match between Motor City and the Profits, Shelley and Sabin believe that Ford and Dawkins are deserving of another chance given Tommaso’s behavior. That surprised Gargano a little because they have a friendship. The Profits don’t care about that, they have next. That’s all that matters.

As the evening progressed, Nick Aldis investigated what happened to Jade by asking Nia Jax if she had a hand in this. Jax informed him that she was busy helping Stratton and LeRae prepare for their upcoming match against Naomi and Bayley.

Also, due to the lack of communication from Kevin Owens, Aldis came to the conclusion that he wasn’t here. Cody Rhodes begged to differ. He literally pleaded him to show up, and he did, with a bit more decorum I might add. He won’t jump just because Rhodes said so. The security guys made sure of that by blocking Cody’s way.

I must say, this was the most emotional and explosive segment of the night with yelling from both sides on the core root of the problem. Owens blames Rhodes for teaming with Roman Reigns as a means to take out Solo and Jacob. The man who tried to end his livelihood for the past four years.

As a counterattack to that note, Cody enlightened Kevin that the only person who’s putting him down is himself. That he’s been obsessed with wanting to become the face of WWE without truly understanding the hardships that come along with it, or something close to that. Self-sabotage is the word used here to describe Owens’ slight fall from grace. This issue won’t be resolved with a mere microphone, instead Rhodes preferred to beat it into Owens.

To go back to the point that Kevin won’t accept Rhodes on his terms, he decided to challenge the Champion when he saw fit. He recognized that with Randy Orton, it was a mistake because he loved the man. Albeit with Rhodes, he hates him. So when the fight happens, it’ll hurt something bad and horrific. Wait a minute, it didn’t end there. Rhodes reckoned that Owens actually hates himself, hence the projection tactics. Kevin nearly went back to ringside, but he refrained from pulling the trigger.

In the Bloodline locker room, the original members, they still haven’t been able to acquire a fifth teammate. Jey suggested Cody. Ha! After what just happened. Anyway, Roman called him “old news” meaning no. Everyone else looked exasperated at this point. Reigns is so lucky to have such comforting people, but he underappreciates them in ways that I cannot fathom. Jey, Sami and Jimmy have been trying to get someone to join, practically doing all the work that I think Roman should have done.

He’s the one people have a problem with, hence they’re hesitation, yet he does nothing to rectify the sour connection. He believed that they don’t need anyone else. I think it’s because there’s no one else to manipulate, or at least try to like with Jey and Sami.

Naomi & Bayley vs. Candice LeRae & Tiffany Stratton – Tag Team match

Given how both Stratton and LeRae are vining as to who can kiss Nia’s ass harder, there was a small miscommunication at the starting bell causing Naomi to pull the rug from beneath Tiffany’s feet. She was doing great, which was a problem for others concerned. Stratton hide behind Nia as she and Candice struck Naomi and Bayley.

Stratton and LeRae were seemingly working together, but it took Naomi dodging their attempt to, once again, fall flat. We’re back inside the ring with Bayley and Tiffany brawling. The Role Model has been doing very well, despite a few hiccups. But no one has more nonsense going one than Candice and Tiffy. Always arguing as to who comes in and who stays out. The need to one-up each other regardless of being on the same team is staggering.

Naomi stopped Tiffy from fully covering Bayley. Just as Candice thought she got rid of her, Naomi snatched her by the ankle and drove the Poison Pixie into the barricade. Later on, Bayley was able to ward off Stratton, so she could reach Naomi. Alas, that was evidence of losing that Nia didn’t like, so she caused a disqualification.

Iyo Sky came out to assist the best she could, but the presence of Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez thwarted that venture. Fortunately, Rhea Ripley ended their violence.

Winners: Disqualification

Montez Ford vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Ciampa exploded out of the gate, yet Montez quickly dodged his incoming boot. Ford demonstrated a more aggressive nature with his strikes, which were very effective. You can ask Tommaso’s face expressions. Ha!

A sudden running knee drove Montez’ ribcage into the commentary desk. Ford made a comeback with a powerbomb from the corner. All well and good, but at a certain stage of the match, Ciampa delivered a shocking twisting neck breaker. And dear Lord, that massive knee to Ford’s jaw. That was something.

Not more than Montez’ resolve to remain in the match by somehow stacking Ciampa down for a win. In disbelief, Tommaso attacked Montez. I’m glad to say that Angelo Dawkins was here to help. Completely unloading on the man.

That came to an end when Johnny Gargano removed Dawkins, only for Tommaso to resume his beating. Gargano felt like he had to pull his friend off, which resulted in Tommaso shoving him again and looming over him. Johnny almost looked… scared. Motor City also came on the scene. This prompted Ciampa to ask a legitimate question. “Whose team are you on?”

Winner: Montez Ford

After Carmelo Hayes voiced his agreement with Kevin Owens’ argument of earlier, that struck a nerve in Cody, so he and Hayes brawl it out next week. Jade Cargill has been withdrawn from the bracket due to her injuries. We’re left with an empty spot next to Michin and Piper Niven.

I think Tama Tonga is losing it. More than usual. Ha! Ha! He’s over here shouting louder than Roman’s entrance music. Moving around like an erratic puppy. None of this matters because the wise man is back. Paul Heyman is lot of things, many of them I’ve said already, but he is indeed smart. He looked good, refreshed.

Although, I wasn’t entirely sure about his decision to bring CM Punk of all people to enter the fray. If anything, I was more baffled than I’ve ever been these past couple of weeks. Punk motioned the possibility of a previous collaboration with Heyman.

 

TOP PHOTO: Roman and CM Punk stand face-to-face. Courtesy of WWE