Still enraged after not being able to get his hands on Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes suddenly came face-to-face with his Saturday Night’s Main Event opponent, the new NXT Champion, Oba Femi. I loved listening to Femi’s accent as he formally introduced himself to Rhodes, knowing not too long ago, the American Nightmare asked for this.
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa – US Championship match
Right on the apron, Ciampa delivered an Air Raid Crash on Dragunov that was effective, however, he hoped the champ wouldn’t kick out of it. Although that didn’t work, Tommaso went straight back on the attack, to which Ilja blocked with multiple headbutts. From the top, Ilja strike Tommaso with a drop kick that also hurt him in the process. His right knee was screaming for help.
Ilja defended himself with so much strength, hence the bleeding of his nose, but he took a bit too much time when Ciampa targeted his knee, so he could send his opponent to sleep. Alas, that wasn’t enough. Good for us, bad for Ciampa. In the middle of the ring, both men exchange slaps and punches, before Tommaso concluded it with a dragon screw. In retaliation, Ilja hit Tommaso with a headbutt.
Ciampa, though, countered with a suplex. Blood continued to leak from his nostrils as Ilja stunned Tommaso with Torpedo Moscow. Just as Ilja was about to end his challenger, Johnny Gargano had the official distracted while Candice LeRae hung Dragunov on the top rope. Ciampa swooped in and nearly knocked him out with his knee. Luckily, we’re talking about Ilja here.
So, Tommaso was looking for the Fairytale Ending, Ilja slipped through with a back drop, then covered him for a retention. Following the match, DIY assaulted Dragunov. Since Carmelo Hayes had a score to settle with Tommaso for ruining his title match with Ilja, it was normal for him to be the one showing up to even the odds.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
To the complete bafflement of everyone, especially the Wyatt Sicks, Uncle Howdy believes that Solo Sikoa has lost his mind if he thinks the MFTs run SmackDown. He reminded them that Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis currently hold the WWE Tag Team Championships. If the Samoans desire gold, they’re challenged to come and get them.
As a response, Sikoa didn’t come down to the ring on Howdy’s terms. Instead, he remained at his table backstage. He issued a warning that the Wyatt Sicks better be ready next week because the MFTs are coming for those titles. I’m invested in this storyline. It’s like I’m watching two mafia groups fighting over turfs, but it’s carefully engineered given the tone Sikoa was speaking. This is war.
Lash Legend vs. Alexa Bliss
I commend Alexa for attempting to stand up to Lash Legend. Just because this woman gives off big boss energy doesn’t mean she can’t be beat… I just don’t think that person will be Bliss. Legend caught her just as she was performing a rolling cannonball on the outside, then Lash catapulted Bliss onto the barricade. Legend’s amazing power was one to behold as she hoisted Bliss up like it was nothing, then delivered a clothesline for a near fall.
The way Legend tossed Alexa on his ass numerous times now kind of makes me laugh because of how rude it looks, yet hilarious. I’m not trying to mean, though. Don’t get it twisted. Alexa fought back with a DDT to the surprise of Legend. Ha! I got a little distracted by what Charlotte Flair was wearing… What was that??
Anyway, Alexa did have Lash on her knees for a moment with those hammering jabs and a drop kick, but they were no match for Legend’s much stronger offense when she came to. She calls it the “Lash Minute”. Since Bliss managed to temporarily escape, Nia Jax tripped her up while the referee’s back was turned. Flair saw this and attacked Jax with a Super Kick on the main floor.
Legend gave herself a few seconds to take care of Charlotte Flair with a pump kick since I’m guessing she saw what happened earlier. Despite the time Bliss had to take Legend down as she slid back inside the ring, she only suffered at the hands of a Lash Extension that doesn’t extend this match in her favor.
Winner: Lash Legend
Je’Von Evans vs. The Miz
Evans did so well the last time I saw him on the blue brand, so naturally, he came back. He delivered a Hurricane Rana on Miz that resulted in the man being flinged to the outside. Je’Von intended to follow, but he suddenly ducked under the ropes, I’m not sure what he felt, but Miz used that to capitalize with a knee to the gut of his opponent.
Miz tried to shove Evans back inside, Je’Von leaped on the second rope and delivered a springboard Moonsault. Evans attacked The Miz with chops to the chest, then an abrupt forearm to the face, causing him to tumble backwards. Down goes Miz with whatever that move was from Evans that left the A-Lister glassy eyed. For me, it left me giggling.
What we were all afraid of, Miz imitating John Cena’s “You can’t see me” line and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Miz was going for the AA, Corey Graves called it the “A-Lister Adjustment”, but he failed since Evans spun out of the way in time. Later on, Evans was looking for the OG Cutter, Miz caught him into a double roll up attempt from both men, yet he still lost when Je’Von was successful the second go.
Winner: Je’Von Evans
Backstage, Michin was irate at how Jade Cargill has been taking out everyone she set her eyes on and doing it very efficiently. While smack talking Cargill, the WWE Women’s Champion came out of nowhere to answer when her name has been dropped. After seemingly disposing of Michin, Jade strutted her way to the ring. She encouraged anyone to stand up and get stepped on, which Michin did again with a Kendo stick in-hand this time around. Security were useless, as usual, in stopping her. Nevertheless, Cargill and Michin were fighting near the ring. Michin took way too long to get the table out, so Jade made her pay. She left Michin laid out real quick.
Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. Zelina Vega & Aleister Black – Mixed Tag Team match
During their entrance, the Terror Twins are attacked from behind by their opponents, who knock them off the ropes. Aleister was left battling Damian. It took a little bit, but Priest was able to send Black crashing on the floor for putting hands on him for months now. Damian knew Rhea wanted in, so he ventured to tag her. Zelina trying to intercept hardly did anything. She did slap Ripley, which only angered her more. The last time we saw these two women fighting was at Backlash in Puerto Rico.
Vega ran away from Ripley to create some distance, but to no avail since Rhea easily caught up to her. Zelina wasn’t able to outpower Rhea, obviously, but she tried nonetheless. She got a clothesline for her troubles. It was only a matter of time when Ripley collided with the post, and Zelina twisted her arm around that you can hear Ripley screaming from the pain. Vega, however, did well with that arm bar that could have dislocated Rhea’s shoulder. But we all know what Ripley does when that happens. Ha!
Despite not being physically overwhelming, Zelina did put Rhea in a world of agony with her arsenal of submission maneuvers. Wow, I’m so proud of her. She’s been placing a lot of focus on Ripley’s arm, so much so that Rhea didn’t have time to counter the Meteora. Whatever Zelina was planning on executing hit a slight snag, but she bounced back with a DDT. Another attempt, Vega was caught and dropped from up high.
The moment that Ripley tagged Priest, he immediately zoomed towards Black like a cannon. Zelina knew that Aleister was in trouble, so she came back in and jumped on Damian’s back like last time. Michael Cole called her a gnat. Ha! Priest slinged her off, not too harshly, yet he turned around to a vicious Black Mass and a bridge suplex. While Damian was busy with Aleister, Rhea tagged herself in, so that forced Zelina to deal with the Eradicator by shoving her into the post.
Aleister used Zelina as a weapon to take out Damian, then helped his wife get a hook around Rhea’s neck, then dropped her, too. Now on the apron, a double Moonsault from Vega and Black amazed Corey Graves. I’m not sure who got the worse out of that exchange that Zelina was pulling, but it seemed it was actually Rhea… I think. It looked nasty to the spine. Following that, a Code Red didn’t pin Ripley long enough. The way Rhea face planted Vega on the mat nearly took her out if Black hadn’t yanked on Ripley’s foot.
Rhea was so mad that she waited until Aleister was on the apron to headbutt him in the chest. From behind, Zelina attempted a roll up. A double Razor’s Edge sucked the air out of Vega and Black. Zelina was left inside as Rhea pinned her with Riptide.
Winners: Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest
TOP PHOTO: Femi and Rhodes talking. Courtesy of WWE
