Damian Priest asked Rhea Ripley to aid him in taking down Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, but he didn’t think beyond that, Black wasn’t finished with him. Prior to Aleister’s entrance, Zelina verbally desecrated Priest by reminding him that he didn’t even get the pin, so he shouldn’t feel so high and mighty. For those paying attention, they witnessed that Black broke Priest more than he’s willing to admit. Aleister came from behind and attacked Damian.
Yeah, the Punisher did his best to protect himself, but Black used a chair to hurt Damian, then sent him through the table with a Meteora, to which Zelina was elated by. And just when he thought the assault was over, Aleister delivered a Black Mass backstage.
The Kabuki Warriors vs. Lash Legend & Nia Jax – Tag Team match
Just as Kairi was about to suffer a double suplex from her opponents, she managed to outmaneuver them with a DDT as she wobbled her way towards Asuka for a tag, who dropped in with a double missile drop kick. The Empress of Tomorrow allowed Legend to collide with Jax before knocking her out of the ring. The Asuka Lock wasn’t completely cinched in on Nia since she was able to power through and prepared for a Samoan Drop, that Asuka denied with a baseball slide.
Asuka was at the top. Whatever she was planning, Lash momentarily thwarted it despite being pulled from the apron by Sane. Nia was hoping to drop Asuka on her ass from a height, but Kairi tagged herself in and kicked Jax in the stomach, so Asuka could powerbomb her much easily.
Lash yanked Asuka by her ankle, then launched her into the stairs. Kairi saw this and leaped after her. When she returned to the ring, she was venturing for the Insane Elbow, only to be caught mid-air and planted on the mat. Nia dragged her to the corner and Annihilated her. Following the match, the former Tag Team Champions, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, rushed to the stage to fight Legend and Jax.
Winners: Nia Jax & Lash Legend
Giulia vs. Alba Fyre
Fyre dropped Giulia with a DDT for a near fall as both women engage in some hair pulling before Giulia started to toss Alba around the ring. Fyre may have been able to avoid that forearm, but she suffered at the end of a body stretch that no one would want. Temporary tussling resulted in Alba delivering a massive Super Kick to the jaw of Giulia, who fell backwards.
The former Women’s US Champion fought back with a backslide that didn’t work, yet it slowed Alba down a little, then she delivered that painful knee strike, followed by a conclusive powerslam as she stared into Chelsea Green’s eyes.
Winner: Giulia
I was shocked to hear that Cody Rhodes started a brawl with Drew McIntyre at HIS house that it reminded me of when Kevin Owens stalked Sami Zayn at his home either this year, or the last. Ha! McIntyre pled that the blue brand was “an unsafe work environment,” since Cody thought himself to be above the law. So, Nick Aldis made the decision that when Drew pays his fine and makes a public apology to that poor referee, Dan Engler, Rhodes can’t touch him, or he’ll be stripped of his title.
I bet Drew heard that and laughed. Cody couldn’t stand there and blindly agree, so he felt like reintroducing himself with his acolytes. And speaking of blindness, no one heard how entitled that sounded that McIntyre was right in saying Cody thinks he’s allowed everything. “You, my friend, you work for me.” said Rhodes.
Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes vs. DIY – Tag Team match
Hayes had Ciampa in a whirlwind right before tagging Dragunov as he applied further pressure. Clearly, Ilja had things moving in his favor, so Candice LeRae had the official’s attention as Johnny Gargano shoved Dragunov off the top. Tommaso came swooping in with a skull crashing knee as Ilja went flying into the commentary table.
Once Carmelo was tagged in, he bulldozed Ciampa off the apron, then went seeking for Gargano with those heavy rights to the jaw and a clothesline. His quickness was brilliant to watch as he flew and landed on Tommaso on the outside, allowing Dragunov to deal with Johnny. It was close, but not enough. DIY double team on Hayes with the Fairytale Ending. Melo stayed in the game.
Right as DIY were preparing for Meet Me in the Middle, Ilja came charging at Gargano with Torpedo Moscow out of nowhere as Hayes put Ciampa through the First 48. The Mad Dragon came back in with an H-Bomb to Tommaso, then Carmelo finished the job with Nothing but Net. I really liked this mashup.
Winners: Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes
Backstage, Jade Cargill was asked how she felt about attacking Michin last week. Hilariously, she was shocked that Michin got back up after she knocked her out. Tis the season to be petty, Cargill granted Michin the spotlight for now, then she’ll put her down again. As a response, Michin came swinging with a Kendo stick. She was restrained by B-Fab and other officials before she could initiate a second hit.
The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. The MFTs – WWE Tag Team Championship match
Dexter Lumis and Tonga Loa started this fight with a firm establishment of each other’s skills. Dexter actually scared Loa when he stalked him on his hands and knees like he usually does. Everyone here looks frightening as both Uncle Howdy and Solo Sikoa sit at their seats. Joe Gacy came in and got stomped on near JC Mateo. At some point, Mateo was blindsided by Gacy and Lumis when they came at him twice as hard.
Later on, JC brought in the big guns when he forced a crash using Lumis’ body against the post right in front of Sikoa, Tama, and Talla. Back inside the ring, Loa was seen punishing Dexter, keeping him in the corner of the MFTs. I’m trying to pay attention to the match and suddenly hear the audience chanting: “OTC.” That still sounds like some unknown disease yet to be discovered.
Anyway, Mateo slammed Lumis on his back for three failed pins. Dexter nearly tagged Joe if JC hadn’t caught Loa’s hand first and grabbed Lumis by the jeans. As retaliation, Dex delivered a Super Kick. Gacy came back in the match and put Mateo through hell as Sikoa looked concerned. He rushed towards Loa and pushed him off the apron.
Gacy did well with that side suplex, somewhat, but he missed with that springboard attempt since JC moved out of the way, then performed the Tour of the Islands. It was good, but Gacy surprised him with a clothesline. Take two to Loa as well. A suplex powerbomb combination from the Champions left Mateo reeling on his back. When Lumis frog splashed JC, he went for a cover that was interrupted by Loa. He tossed Dex outside, and Talla floored the man. Because of that, Erik Rowan pounced on Talla, and amazingly, Sikoa, Tama and Loa overwhelmed him like flies on a farting goat’s ass.
It didn’t take long until Uncle Howdy boxed his way into the fray. Anarchy erupted on the main floor that the match had no definitive ending… except whatever this was. Ha! I enjoyed the unsanctioned fumbling rather than the actual match itself.
Winners: No one
TOP PHOTO: Aldis and Rhodes talking in the ring. Courtesy of WWE
