Ooh, we’re kicking off the night with the wise man, Paul Heyman boasting in the victory of Roman Reigns over Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat during the season premier of RAW on Netflix. What came after that, Reigns has authorized Heyman to deliver a message to Cody Rhodes wanting to inform him face-to-face. Reigns came to admit that he respects Rhodes despite the WrestleMania 40 loss.
Now that Roman has restored the Ula Fala around his neck, he wants his title back. It hasn’t even been a full year since he lost in the first place, for him, it was far too long. For me, it was bliss. Roman’s intentions are to enter the men’s Royal Rumble to face the current Champion at WrestleMania 41. Before Rhodes could offer a response, Kevin Owens intervened. Just when Owens couldn’t be any more disgusted with Cody, the fact that the American Nightmare shook hands with The Rock this past Monday plunged him even further in the trash can according to Kevin.
The second KO said that if Cody loses the title to Roman, he’ll be hurting the entire company, Rhodes chased after him in the crowd, regardless of Heyman attempting to calm him down. Ha! Rhodes was pulling the weirdest, cartoonish faces I’ve ever seen. The fight was on. And that’s not all, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu get right in the face of Heyman, who’s left alone in the ring. Strangely, Jimmy Uso saved him for as long as he could. Fatu turned the ties real quick… Things are even more odd when Cody returned to assist Jimmy by disposing of Fatu.
Backstage, security were trying their best to force Fatu and Tama out, but it took LA Knight’s sudden presence to take them out.
Michin vs. Chelsea Green (c) – Women’s US Championship match
Michin came in hot attempting to perform the Eat the Feet early, yet Chelsea was able to duck out for the moment. Once she came back, Michin continued with her assault as Green is seen reeling the majority of the time. It only took Chelsea dodging a body splash to gain control over her opponent by tossing her into the barricade. She was looking for a count out win, how sad. Green was pissed when Michin made it back.
At some point, Michin wiggled out of Chelsea’s grip to perform a back suplex on her unsuspecting challenger. Chelsea landed high on her neck. Oof. I think that twerking was unnecessary, yet the cannonball was effective just not conclusive. That face plant from Green wasn’t enough to end Michin. She came back twice as hard by moving out of a missile drop kick from Green and a distraction from Piper Niven on the outside.
What annoyed me was the obvious inclusion of Piper, but also when Michin delivered a crossbody, Chelsea rolled through, grabbed the tights and retained. Just as Michin wanted revenge, Niven squashed her down.
Winner: Chelsea Green
Pretty Deadly vs. Los Garza
Los Garza came in flying early against Pretty Deadly. This match could be one of the many to determine more contenders for the Tag Team Championships in the future. Humberto has been amazing during his assault of Kit Wilson. The Pretty Deadly member was seen begging for mercy as Los Garza surround him. Humberto and Angel were doing very well, but we all know how easily that falters.
A secret tag between Pretty Deadly resulted in Humberto getting slugged out of the ring and collided with the apron. Regardless of the foolishness and tactful approach from Wilson and Prince, they were also at the verge of losing. Elektra Lopez distracted the referee as Santos Escobar tripped Wilson from the top rope. The NTY finishing move from Los Garza awarded them the victory.
Winners: Los Garza
LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (c) – US Championship rematch
In the beginning of the fight, both men have been evenly matched, mostly attempting to surprise to the other with newfound knowledge since their last meeting. LA Knight’s neck breaker caught Shinsuke off guard. With that slight upper hand, Nakamura came back with a striking running knee to the chest of the Megastar.
Knight nearly banged Nakamura’s head against the commentary desk, but the champ prevented that from happening. I’m not sure if it’s because he had enough strength to do that, or was it because Joe Tessitore said that the table has been reinforced. Ha!
Later on, LA Knight has been moving in his favor with a near fall over the Champion. Frustration was noticeable on his face, yet that didn’t stop Nakamura from removing the protection on the turnbuckle as he’s forced into a roll up. Knight almost crashed into it and didn’t see the champ’s vintage suplex coming. However, incredible recharging abilities does LA Knight have with that massive superplex from the top.
The Megastar’s inverted Boston crap was effectively placed, unfortunately for him, Nakamura reached the bottom rope in time. I think that could have ended this if more pressure was applied and remained in the middle of the ring. Nakamura made him pay with a spinning elbow to the jaw after numerous counters being inflicted. Shinsuke could have retained after that Kinshasa if only he moved LA Knight’s body away from the ropes.
Shin had Knight’s face on the exposed turnbuckle. Knight ducked out of the way. BFT applied, yet he couldn’t capitalize. But someone else did. Since LA Knight loved to play temporary security guard, Tama and Jacob retuned to spoil his match. These men would not forget as they dismantle the Megastar. As if security would bother, so Cody and Jimmy swooped in eventually, which resulted in a Tag Team match later tonight.
Winner: Shinsukue Nakamura by disqualification
Motor City Machine Guns vs. A-Town Down Under – Tag Team match
Alex Shelley and Grayson Waller start this match first. Oof, that right hand from Waller actually stunned me… and Shelley, of course. Theory is tagged in and pounded his fists into Shelley’s jaw like a madman. Austin had a handle on Alex for a moment, he didn’t notice the tag made by his opponents, so he was on the receiving end of a double team maneuver.
Sabin was looking to take down Waller, yet he didn’t expect to fall victim to that whiplash of a right hand. Luckily, another hidden tag brought the Machine Guns some leverage on their side. Just as Shelley was helping Sabin by lining him up for a suicide dive on Grayson, Theory pulled on Chris’ leg, fortunately he made him pay in return. Back inside the ring, Waller shocked Shelley with the flatliner.
Once Shelley finally tagged Sabin, he cleared house of both A-Town Down Under members. The Machine Guns perform a two-for-one suicide dive, followed by a near fall in-ring. Later on, Theory came in off the secret tag to bulldoze his challengers. A double strike to Sabin’s jaw rattled him good. All of these men were giving it everything they’re got, which laid them out for a bit.
In the end, the Machine Guns land a triumphant Skull and Bone.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Up next, we have the WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton making her way to the ring in great succession. Her plan was to befriend Nia and let her believe that she’s just another dumb, naive blonde. It worked well in her favor, didn’t it? Alas, Jax’s presence made itself known with no flowers, but malice on her face. “You ungrateful little sh*t,” is what Jax called Stratton. It was actually shocking…
Well, time is up. It’s either Tiffy gives Nia her title back, or she’ll take it by force. Ding dong, it’s Bayley’s turn to speak. It’s only fitting for Bayley to take that title from Stratton because she didn’t forget that she helped Jax retain at SummerSlam, and also kept Tiffany around to prevent from being cashed-in upon. Hold up though, we’re not done. Since Naomi had Nia beat as well if it weren’t for Stratton, she wanted another opportunity. Jax got in Naomi’s face saying no one cares and went straight into Bianca’s, but Naomi wasn’t going to let that slide.
Regrettably, she and Belair were shoved aside, so Bayley got involved, too. Everyone pounced on Nia, dear God. To the surprise of absolutely no one except for those inside the ring, Stratton flattened all of them with the Prettiest Moonsault. Nick Aldis decided that Bayley, Nia, Naomi and Bianca will participate in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine Tiffy’s first title defense opponent.
Naomi vs. Bianca Belair vs. Bayley vs. Nia Jax – Fatal 4-Way Number One Contender’s match
It was going to be evident that everyone was going to gang up on Jax since she’s the physically speaking bigger threat, but also it left me wondering if Naomi and Bianca will engage in battle knowing what’s happening here. They are the Women’s Tag Team Champions, after all. They’re seen working together to suplex Nia, but fail since Jax got them instead.
Nia has been holding her own very well, but she left the ring since she could see that was too much. While something was brewing inside, Nia was plotting outside as she grabbed hold of Belair’s leg and tossed her into the barricade. I saw this coming. Anyway, Bayley and Naomi have squared off before, so it felt fine to do it again without the interference.
The energy switched once Naomi and Bayley were sent outside leaving Bianca and Nia inside. A near fall with the powerbomb from Nia encouraged Bayley to cut things there with a knee to the face of the irresistible force. Jax made a comeback by thwarting Bayley’s attempts at gaining the upper hand. But wow-oh-wow, the Tag Champions were back in the game to dismember Nia, who also took down Bayley.
All women are laid out.
Naomi, then Bayley, and finally Belair each tried to pin Nia. Each failing due to Jax kicking out, or someone pulling them off the cover. Candice LeRae’s abrupt appearance at ringside had the Tag champs teaming on Bayley. They did the Uso double elbow drop, it was nice to see.
For the time being it looked like Naomi and Bianca were going to throw hands, yet Belair warned Naomi to look behind her instead as she took care of Bayley. But big oof, Naomi was rammed into the apron by Nia. Belair speared Jax, yet Bayley rushed back. Now, Naomi saved Belair and got a near fall due to Jax.
A wave of messy turn of events took hold of the match as Bianca inadvertently whipped Naomi with her braid because Candice was tugged at it. Belair punched LeRae, then forced Nia over the announcement desk along with her. Meanwhile, Bayley won with the Rose Plant.
Winner: Bayley
Next Friday, Stratton defends her title against Bayley. Solo Sikoa returns to the blue brand. Motor City Machine Guns square off versus Los Garza in an unofficial Tag Team Championship Contender’s tournament. Just keep going out and prove it.
Jimmy Uso & Cody Rhodes vs. Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu – Tag Team match
Cody was doing fine when he started the match, yet the instant that Jimmy was tagged in, the momentum died. Ha! Jimmy was at the mercy of Jacob. Oh, before I forget, I love Jimmy’s new ring gear. It’s beautiful. That momentary leverage Jim had was thwarted. Tama and Fatu kept Jimmy in their corner knowing he’s in desperate need of a tag. He absorbed the grunt of most of the attacks.
Rhodes came in and cleared house. He almost got Tama pinned to the point that he’s practically doing most of the actual work. Tonga shocked Cody with a powerful DDT by applying all his weight to force him down head first. Jimmy tried to distract Tama, and he got kicked for it. He didn’t give up, Jimmy tagged himself in for the Uso splash. Since Fatu intercepted, Jimmy had to meet him there.
The crowd noticed someone marching to the ring, it was Kevin Owens, so Rhodes left Jimmy to engage in a brawl with the Prize Fighter. On-site Cody said. Anyway, Jimmy speared and body splashed Tama for a near fall since Jacob yanked him by the ankle. Things have turned bleak as Jacob banged Jim’s head against the commentary table. A Moonsault by Fatu ended this.
Jacob was right about one thing, though. People, family, did leave Jimmy on the front lines by himself. Backstage, Kevin and Cody are still at it. It lead them to crash through a table somewhere in the crowd area.
Winners: Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu
TOP PHOTO: Bayley reigning victorious. Courtesy of WWE