Oop, I’m so sorry, but so many tings have been happening that I forgot that Rhea Ripley is WWE Women’s Champion…. Oh, how strange. But that’s what’s happens when crap continues to rain down on you from someone’s buttcrack for no reason. Anyway, last week, Bliss and Flair were attacked by Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab, hoping that Ripley would come out to even the odds, but… she didn’t. Rhea did argue that she deserves a day off to see family, so case closed.
Charlotte made the point before that she didn’t need Rhea’s help, but according to the queen, that was against Fatal Influence, not the current, bigger problem that’s labelled as Ripley’s battles that Bliss and Flair just so happen to be engulfed into. Rhea mentioned that Charlotte didn’t assist Alexa when she took most of the beating, so how can she trust Flair with her back? I think Ripley saw what I’ve been seeing… Let’s put a pin on that and welcome Fatal Influence to the stage, which led to an impromptu match later tonight.
Because Shinsuke Nakamura was put through a table by Talla Tonga recently, this match would obviously be seen as revenge, in such basic wording. I have yet to see someone gain triumph over Talla, so Shin attempting to do that is commandable. Shinsuke kept aiming his strikes at Talla’s legs to chop the big man easier.
A Scorpio Rising nearly took out Talla… however, Solo Sikoa could see the growing threat and tried to intervene. He got kicked in the face for his troubles. It was kind of funny. What wasn’t hilarious was the power slam Nakamura endured. Talla secured a victory following a choke slam. Tama Tonga came in front instead to initiate the Cutthroat. Just as Solo was about to deliver the Samoan Spike, Damian Priest intercepted with a steal chair in hand.
During a match between Lash Legend and Tiffany Stratton, the Buff Barbie doll did her best to keep Lash wheezing. She may have slightly caught her foot on the top rope, yet she managed to land on Legend nonetheless, who failed to catch Tiffany on the way down. Tiffy was looking for the Alabama Slam, got caught and collided with the mat due to a powerslam. Lash came close to wining the Women’s US Championship. Just as Stratton was about to perform her Moonsault, Nia Jax momentarily made her presense known and was quickly kicked away by Tiffy. Chelsea Green, of all people, saw this and shoved Nia into the post. That angered Legend to literally hoist Chelsea off her feet in a menacing hold, that allowed Stratton to roll Lash up for a successful retention. Ha! Green looked like a gorilla during grooming time when she kept patting Tiffany’s hair.
Carmelo Hayes came out here to convince Trick Williams to defend his title because he hasn’t demonstrated that there’s a difference between holding a title and being Champion. For eight weeks, Hayes proved that he was more by pouring his soul into every single Championship match, despite the loss in the end. Eventually, with a faw jabs, of course, Williams agreed to a fight that could grant Hayes an opportunity later on. That Trick Slap was extremely harsh that it stunned commentary. Carmelo delivered a step-up enzuguri, but Williams countered with a jumping neckbreaker. Things weren’t looking good for Melo since Ricky Saints materialized at rignside to break Hayes’ concentration. So much so, that during a otherwise successful roll from Carmelo, Saints had the referee’s attention. Hayes blew him off the apron, and Williams won with Trick Shot. Backstage, Melo made sure Ricky regretted it.
I believe the most important part of the match between Rhea and Charlotte versus Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley was the show of arrogance. Flair took a kick to the face from Lainey as Rhea ducked out of the way. At some point as Ripley managed to deliver a Riptide to Reid, Charlotte tagged herself in to finish the job with Natural Selection. It’s kind of weird seeing Alexa playing peacekeeper. Nevertheless, the celebrations were cut short due to the arrival of Michin, B-Fab, and Jade hours before their Saturday Night’s Main Event battle.
Tonight’s proceedings have highlighted the MFTs’ constant use of interception tactics like crazy hell. None of their matches were dealt the way they should, and it’s even further proven with how Sikoa won. When the bell rang, the dogs were let loose. Royce Keys nearly got choke slammed by Damian for helping him. The man was dazed, he didn’t know what he was doing.
Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes
Prior to the bell, Zayn and Rhodes shock hands as a sign of respect as they begin to engage with each other. Sami repelled Cody by dragging his opponent across the ring in the early goings. As retaliation, Rhodes slammed Zayn on his face. Rhodes has been playing ahead for a good part of the fight, yet Sami tripped him off the ropes as Cody climbed upwards. That collapse tweaked Cody’s knee, so Zayn took the opening by ramming his shoulder into the injured limb from behind.
The crowd was so self-righteous to make Sami feel like a monster for focusing on the weakest part of Cody’s body as if others who are more liked haven’t done the same. Outrageous. Sami had the upper hand for a few seconds, but he wasted it by showboating, so Rhodes tripped him in turn. As time went on, Sami delivered two clotheslines and a slam to his challenger, but the fans kept booing. Regardless of that nonsense, Sami continued to soldier on the torture on Cody’s left knee.
Despite the agony in his limb, Cody triumphantly performed a Cutter, just with no three count win because Sami is also resilient. That toughnest was shown on display as Sami blasted Cody off the apron and into the commentary table. All the way across the desk. It took to the count of nine before Rhodes could return to the ring, yet Sami seemed beside himself. Onwards, Rhodes believed his Cutter would have done the trick, however, Sami dug deep with a Blue Thunderbomb. Since that fell through, Zayn inflicted the Figure 4. As payback, Cody flipped the submission on Sami, who dragged himself to safety by grabbing the bottom rope.
A Disaster Kick may turn things around for Cody, but no one saw Gunther coming from the rear as he sufficated Rhodes with the Sleeper. Unfortunately, Zayn bulldozed Gunther, got caught and beaten by Crossroads. When the match ended, Gunther was finally able to put his hands on Cody without interference. I didn’t fault Sami for not stepping in, he looked on, which made the one-sided audience throw a fit, but I didn’t care.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
TOP PHOTO: Zayn trapped in Crossroads. Courtesy of WWE
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