As we open the night, the new Bloodline made their way towards the stage. The fight to obtain the seat at the head of the table continues between Solo and Roman. Sikoa is still looking for the audience to acknowledge him with a few… reluctant replies. Regardless of how this Bloodline functions, Solo isn’t lying when he said this faction has grown stronger since he’s taken over. Y’all can’t be blind about that.
According to Solo, these beatdowns will continue until Roman comes to the realization that he should acknowledge Sikoa as the true Tribal Chief. And if things couldn’t get any more exciting, Main Event Jey Uso arrived on the blue brand. When Jimmy went to RAW this past Monday, he asked for his brother’s help, and he said “No.” I personally didn’t want him to follow Reigns again when it took this long for him to cleave himself in the first place. It wouldn’t be right to rope Jey back like that. He’s doing great. Let him be.
Jey made some very interesting and valid points as he advised Solo on his quest to becoming the head of the table. Jey was completely fine with his little brother wanting to take Roman’s power knowing how it felt being under it himself, but he suggested that Sikoa not assume that fighting over the Ula Fala and dividing the family to be the best course of action. The Ula Fala should be earned and not taken.
What Jey thought was helpful ended up being a hindrance to Sikoa, it was a waste of time to him. Solo didn’t appreciate being called “little brother” when he saw himself as Jey’s Tribal Chief. Ha! Nah, nah. I believe that Jey is his own Chief. Nevertheless, Solo informed Jey that there will always be a place for him and Roman in “his” Bloodline if they acknowledge him. Forget Jimmy since Sikoa doesn’t want Jey Jey to follow in his footsteps.
Okay, Jey understood that Solo’s objective was to unite the Bloodline, however, it confused him as to why did Sikoa have to bring Fatu and the Tongas into the mix. There’s a reason why they stayed away from those people. I’m curious to know what that is, but that’ll have to wait for another time, I guess. The way that Jacob kept staring at Jey pissed him off. Ha! Aside from that, I don’t know what Jey meant when he told Solo that the next time he sees him, it’ll be different.
The Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly vs. DIY – Triple Threat Tag Team Championship Qualifying match
Unsurprisingly, Pretty Deadly scurried out of there as Montez Ford and Tommaso Ciampa engaged in combat. Ford dropped Ciampa for a one count fall. Tommaso fired back with a knee to his face, then annoyingly had to turn his attention towards a foolish Elton Prince, who slapped him. So, he naturally ran away, which forced Ciampa to pursuit him only to collide with Kit Wilson.
It was all fun and games for Pretty Deadly until Angelo Dawkins bulldozed Prince down like a Mack truck. Things broke down very quickly between Gargano, Dawkins and Wilson on the main floor. Back inside the ring, Ciampa nearly secured the victory with that thunderous knee to Ford’s jaw. Life may as well as left.
It was a bit messy, but Pretty Deadly did provide some… interesting offensive maneuvers against their advisories. They kept hammering down on Tommaso in their corner.
My God, this match was berserk as Ford delivered an amazing 450 on Ciampa, but it didn’t end the match due to Gargano’s intervention at the last minute. B-Fab was seen pacing around somewhat irate. So much chaos ensued that it became slightly difficult to follow. Anyway, the Profits’ upper hand was taken by Pretty Deadly for a near fall. Wilson was pissed. Ha!
Ford rushed back inside to thwart Pretty Deadly’s efforts with a few Super Kicks. Elton became desperate when he caused Montez to fall off balance. Luckily, Dawkins came to even the odds. Just as the Profits had Pretty Deadly on the run, DIY swoop in and go after Kit.
The same thing happened with the Profits and DIY as it did with Bayley and Naomi, both teams covered each of Pretty Deadly’s members at the same time. It was only after the match, that we find out that DIY were the actual winners because they pinned the legal competitor in Pretty Deadly being Wilson. The Street Profits were sadly confused.
Winners: DIY
It came as a shock to me, but Jey was still around long enough to bump into Jimmy and Roman backstage. He appeared to be smiling towards his twin, but the moment he locked eyes with Reigns, that delight disappeared. Just as Jey was about to walk away, Roman stops and tells him they’re all proud of him. Jey’s reply to that was “No yeet.” Mine was, I don’t need your validation on my worth, but close enough.
Elsewhere, Nia Jax is having a collection of dilemmas when she found out that Tiffany Stratton is at home with the “sniffles”, Liv Morgan and her “greasy boyfriend” are trying to prevent her from becoming the first Women’s Crown Jewel Champion and Naomi is on her back after last week’s win. I laughed my ass off when Jax said “sniffles” and called Dominik Mysterio a “greasy boyfriend.”
Jax thought that because Stratton wasn’t here that the upcoming Tag Team match versus Naomi and Bayley could get cancelled. There are plenty of other people on the roster, and one of them stepped up, the first ever Women’s WWE Speed Champion Candice LeRae. I found that kind of odd… If LeRae doesn’t keep her end of the bargain, it’ll take less than three minutes for Nia to destroy her.
Piper Niven vs. Lash Legend
The need to shove their faces into the other is fascinating and all, but massively unnecessary. Niven broke that with a shoulder tackle, yet Lash reinforced her tactics twice as hard with a pump kick to Piper’s chest followed by a standing body splash.
Niven made a comeback by slamming Legend on her back and continued with that momentum utilizing a Senton to her disposal. Unfortunately, Piper missed with a cannonball in the corner since Lash rolled out of the way. It looked impressive for about three seconds when Lash tried to carry Niven on her back but failed, hilariously so. The second time, Legend succeed. Because of that, Chelsea Green momentarily got involved and disposed of by Jakara Jackson.
Legend wasn’t looking where she should have been since she got pummeled by an incoming Piper in the corner. Regardless of that, Lash was able to baffle Niven with a victory. Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were also just as impressed.
Winner: Lash Legend
We’ve been wondering most of the night how will Roman fix any of the destruction that’s been taking place with him at the center, and his solution is to acknowledge Solo before the end of the show. I can’t tell if this is a joke, but all I can do is wait.
Now, let’s welcome the Undisputed Champion the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes up next as we shift focus to his looming first ever Crown Jewel Championship match versus Gunther in Saudi Arabia. Am I the only one who believes that belt to be too big? I can’t even imagine how heavy that damn thing is… Next Friday, Rhodes invited Gunther to further their talk about the meaning of the road to the Crown Jewel Championship.
Our next topic is lot more complexing. Fans who still wonder why Kevin Owens attacked Rhodes at Bad Blood haven’t been paying attention, I wager, hence the collective amnesia I’m sensing. Owens’ suspension was seen as ridiculous from the man himself. When you compare this to how many other more brutal sneak attacks and manipulative ambushes from other Superstars in the past and present, it pales hard.
Nevertheless, he can live with that. Maybe. What Kevin cannot tolerate is what Randy Orton did. Owens may have a history of turning on his friends, yet he never would have done that to Randy since their friendship is much stronger than the rest of them. Randy’s actions generate the possibility of picking sides, and he chose Rhodes. That didn’t sit right with Owens. With that in mind, Kevin wasn’t sure when or if he’ll come back.
As a reply to that, Randy requested a match with Kevin at Crown Jewel. Aldis, however, says he can’t because the orders come from up above. So, Orton knew who to see to get what he wants.
A-Town Down Under vs. Los Garza vs. Motor City Machine Guns – Triple Threat Tag Team Championship Qualifying match
Motor City Machine Guns are the debuting team Nick was talking about not too long ago comprised of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. At the start of the bell, Angel and Grayson double team on Chris. Fortunately, Sabin ventured to fight back with a crossbody and an assist from his partner Shelley.
Shelley and Waller are now brawling in-ring without the presence of Angel. Grayson struck Alex right in the throat at a fast pace he didn’t see coming. Later on, Los Garza have gained the upper hand on Motor City Machine Guns and A-Town Down Under. Waller magically turned things around in his team’s favor.
Loa Garza demonstrated incredible power when Humberto had both Shelley and Waller on his person as Angel leaped into the air and drop kicked Grayson. A mess of overwhelmed people was to be expected. Theory rocked Humberto with a back elbow plus a neck breaker.
Machine Guns came in and applied confusion as their best fighting tactic on Theory, then they turn their attention towards Humberto with a body splash that granted them the win. Bravo! And welcome, boys, as they advance to face DIY next week.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Need I even mention another brawl between Carmelo Hayes and Andrade backstage because of their rising egos? No. Y’all know it happened anyway without my narration. I can see this going to Crown Jewel.
Naomi & Bayley vs. Tiffany Stratton & Candice LaRae – Tag Team match
Nia was looking to end this night early, yet Bayley was far too strong-willed to give up. As soon as Candice is tagged in, Naomi and Bayley waste no time dragging her ass across the ring as easily as you would put a pair of pants on. LaRae managed to shove Naomi into the second rope, yet she was to wiped to finish the job, so she tagged Nia back in.
Naomi was having a bit too much fun that I think is what nearly cost her and Bayley when Nia tossed her into the air. Nia continued with her attack with a spine buster and a Senton.
Once Candice got tagged in, she was hoping to catch Naomi before she made the tag to Bayley, yet she was far too late. Once Bayley came back into the fold, LaRae wasn’t completely there, not enough to counter the Role Model. The Poison Pixie ate a face full of turnbuckle in the front and the back. Naomi and Bayley were in sync with their approach on both Jax and Candice.
Naomi may have been successful when she suicide dived after Nia, but Bayley collided with LaRae’s fist. Bayley made sure to return the favor for a short while because the official was distracted by Candice, so Indi Hartwell could harm her friend’s opponent. This was seen as an upset when LaRae delivered a victorious Moonsault following that.
Winners: Nia Jax & Candice LaRae
Next week, the Motor City Machine Guns face DIY in the finals of the Tag Team Championship Qualifying match to determine the Bloodline’s next victims… oh, I mean challengers. My bad. Andrade and Carmelo Hayes run it back a seventh time in the series where they’re tied 3-3 apiece where LA Knight will be the special guest referee with no inclusions of a title shot.
To close off the evening, Roman and Solo face each other in the ring to know whether or not the original Tribal Chief acknowledges the Tribal heir. Roman mentioned that he told his father that he was going to fix this, and he’s asking Sikoa what he needs to do since he doesn’t see the unification that Solo is talking about. He sees what I see, division.
Solo tells Roman the only way to fix this is to acknowledge him. It’s that simple. Reigns actually acknowledged Sikoa but saying that isn’t good enough. He needed Roman to recognize him as the new Tribal Chief. “Or what?!” said Reigns. And there he is, the hypocrite ex-Champion. Sikoa saw that Roman hasn’t changed. I knew that. Where were the rest of your asses??
Given Reigns’ incapability to change, Solo won’t either as he snapped his finger for the rest of the Bloodline to drag Jimmy’s beaten carcass to the ramp. Solo ventured to strike Roman, but his cousin nailed him first. Reigns had to defend himself alone, however, we all know it never ends well for him.
“Tonight, the hyenas feast on Roman Reigns.”
TOP PHOTO: Motor City Machine Guns making their entrance. Courtesy of WWE
