We open the curtains to Finn Balor prepping himself for SummerSlam weekend, wanting to return to that moment he won the WWE Championship in 2016 and sadly had to relinquish it due to injury. Sami Zayn believed that he had his time, and now, it’s his turn. This is bigger than anyone, according to Zayn, it’s about justice.
Balor told Sami he didn’t get screwed or injured. It’s simply because he lost. Those words sounded like fighting ones, but Sami restrained himself from engaging. However, that didn’t stop Gunther from laying them both out. Wade Barrett suspected that he’s still pissed that he won’t be part of this Fatal 4-Way.
Given he’s sudden appearance, Adam Pearce had to attempt to stop him from taking his frustrations onto him, too. Both Zayn and Balor jumped Gunther. Since they’re irate towards each other, they threw fists at the other as well. Gunther made it look effortless when he ploughed through them. It’s only when Nick Aldis showed up that the Ring General understood what contortion meant.
Chelsea Green was desperately trying to reach Tiffany Stratton to allow herself some reprieve from B-Fab. She failed the first time, but she managed to deliver a step-up enzuguri to break the hold. The moment that Tiffy entered the fold, she exploded from the gate, taking out Michin and B-Fab at separate intervals.
Stratton hit a beautiful Swanton, yet it wasn’t enough to keep Michin down for the count. Green tagged back in without B-Fab’s knowledge, commentary believed. Stratton was yanked out by the ankle by B-Fab, who got snatched real quick. While the referee wasn’t looking, Jade Cargill shoved Stratton into the post. Although Tiffy and Chelsea were doing fine, it was the opposition’s team effort with the BTA that ended whatever momentum these girls had.
Charlotte Flair and Jade Cargill have been at odds more so than before due to what Cargill did to Alexa Bliss’ arm. After Tiffany and Chelsea dragged Michin and B-Fab away, that left two high profilers alone in the ring. Flair’s last hit sent Cargill walking backwards.
After a Title for Title match between Tag Team Champions Damian Priest and R-Truth versus AAA Champions The War Raider ended with no resolve, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga initiate an attack on both teams with the approval of Hall of Famer Haku. Talla threw Truth’s spine against the post, and Erik getting hit with that Cutthroat was brutal. According to commentators, they see this version of the MFTs as an improvement from how Solo Sikoa used to run the show. Haku brought back the levels of unapologetic harm to be demonstrated as it’s intended.
Since returning, Baron Corbin has set his sights on Trick Williams for that US Championship, but lest we forget, the man is indecisive as hell. He’ll probably show up tomorrow night on MLW Fusion. Ha! Anyway, Williams called Corbin out. People roar and applaud when unsanctioned brawls take place, but it’s nothing compared to what I actually want to see, which is the match itself. These bone-breaking headbutts are senseless. Some may be entertaining and others are just flat out annoying.
There was growth to what Corbin was saying about patience and setting the foundation to build yourself upon as time goes instead of being shot up to stardom as quickly as Williams got his.
The battle of JD McDonagh and Rey Fenix for the AAA Cruiserweight Championship was supposed to be the highlight, the attention-grabber, but no, instead we got Dirty Dominik fighting with his SummerSlam rival, Danhausen and a bunch of… Minihausens? What is happening?? The Mexican Muscle Buster was effective for Fenix to retain his title.
This is the last qualifying bout for the Ladder match for the interim WWE Women’s Championship. Giulia earned better than how she previously was when attached to Kiana James, so this was rejuvenating. I love the new hairstyle!
Giulia went into an Octopus hold early, but it was Lash’s attempt to free herself that was intriguing. She used the ropes to bump Giulia’s head against it numerous times, yet she wouldn’t let go. So, Legend drove her body onto the mat. Lash kept thwarting Giulia, however, it didn’t stop her from putting the Bougie Bully’s body under a torture machine. Alas, all that was for naught because Legend got Giulia with the Lash Extension. Fans were divided on who deserves this chance more.
“That’s where we’re at,” they said. As Cody Rhodes was making his entrance, Punk bulldozed him with his own. Rhodes didn’t appreciate when Punk showed up in Chicago when a title shot fell on his lap, so Punk retaliated by reminding Cody that this is who he’s always been. Someone who wasn’t the Boogeyman, but he sent shivers down men’s spines as if he were the terrifying myth.
Complaining about people highlighting who they’ve always been is a waste of energy. Instead, focus on why we’re actually here. The title. Verbal spats started, but it’s physicality that took charge towards the closing credits.
TOP PHOTO: Giulia. Courtesy of WWE
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