A video recapping last week’s Bloodline developments opened the show.
The Women’s War Games Promo
This was pretty basic. Nothing wrong with that, of course. I’m just not all that sure there’s much they could do to heat the women’s War Games match up. As I keep saying, it’s a War Games that needs some wrestlers, and not some wrestlers that need a War Games. Ripley and Liv have their blood feud, but everything else here seems secondary. My hope is that the payoff to the Cargill angle will eventually make Saturday’s match mean more than it looks like it will, but seeing is believing. For now, I’m more interested in what comes next for everyone involved after this weekend.
In the arena, the babyfaces in the women’s War Games match made their entrance. Inside the ring, Rhea Ripley spoke first and said friendship doesn’t matter because tomorrow, they’ll all step into War Games. Ripley said they all have someone they want to get their hands on. Ripley said nobody will be able to stop her team from brutalizing their opponents. Ripley listed their opponents by name and Naomi chimed in.
Naomi said Nia Jax and “her lapdogs” will get what they deserve. Belair took her turn and said all five of their opponents can “get it.” Ripley said Liv Morgan will wish she never met Ripley. IYO SKY they would destroy them and Morgan’s music hit. The women’s War Games participants made their entrance. Morgan said it’s funny how confident the babyfaces are. Jax mentioned how Bayley and SKY tortured Bianca for years and SKY turned her back on Bayley earlier this year. Jax said they’re going to implode before they get to the ring.
Naomi told Jax to shut up. Bayley noted how Jax is manipulating Stratton and Jax might not have any friends coming out of War Games. Morgan said they are a united front. Morgan followed that up by pointing out how Cargill got attacked and it is suspicious that Bayley is not on the War Games team. Ripley said Morgan will soon not be able to hide behind anyone because there is nowhere to run inside the cage.
Morgan responded by saying she’s going to break Ripley’s face on the steel cage. Ripley laughed and said she’s cave Morgan’s face in so bad that Dirty Dom won’t even want to look at Morgan. The heels teased rushing the ring, but Morgan held everyone back. The babyfaces then ran after the heels and the two teams brawled in the entranceway. Eventually, officials broke it all up and Ripley’s music hit to end the segment.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Andrade [10:32]
Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Up
For whatever reason, I couldn’t get the end of the Carmelo Hayes/Andrade series out of my mind while watching this. So, they have this series of matches that over-performs on every level, get it to 3 wins apiece, and … that Game 7 LA Knight nonsense is really going to be all we get by way of resolution? Did nobody want to do a job? Is there a bigger story being told? If it’s the latter, then I don’t know what that story could be because now Andrade is back to taking losses to the type of wrestler who was out for seven months, just returned and now randomly gets a U.S. title shot. Not a fan. The match itself was fine. Andrade was given a lot of it and his offense looked good, which was encouraging, but there was no way Nakamura was losing this, heading into his (rushed) showdown with Knight tomorrow. It all adds up to a bad taste in my mouth, and I’m not even the one with black goo inside of it.
Nakamura made his entrance to a slowed-down, more ominous rendition of his signature song. Nakamura had control early, until Andrade came off the top with a cross-body. Nakamura came back with a series of shoulder-blocks and strikes. Nakamura ran at Andrade, but Andrade rolled Nakamura up. With Nakamura on the outside, Andrade ran into a boot from Nakamura. Back inside the ring, Andrade dropkicked Nakamura over the top, back to the outside. Andrade then went to the top and hit a moonsault onto Nakamura on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.
Back from the break, Nakamura had control briefly, but Andrade fought back, complete with a dragon screw leg whip. Andrade ran at Nakamura, but Nakamura countered and the two ended up on the second rope, where Andrade elbowed Nakamura to the mat. Andrade went to the top and hit his second-try moonsault for a good near-fall. Andrade set up for The Message, but Nakamura worked out of it and went for a knee, but Andrade countered with a back elbow for a two-count.
Andrade executed the first two of the Three Amigos and for the third go-around, Andrade suplexed Nakamura into the corner turnbuckles. Andrade went for the double-knees, but Nakamura moved and took a turnbuckle with him, so Andrade ran into an exposed turnbuckle. Nakamura finished Andrade off with the Kinshasa.
After the match, LA Knight ran to the ring, but Nakamura spit black mist in Knight’s face. Knight sold the hell out of it.
Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline were backstage and Nick Aldis walked in. Aldis said everybody is banned from ringside for Jacob Fatu’s match against Jey Uso later. Sikoa said they understood.
Ciampa was shown yelling at Gargano backstage. Ciampa brought up how Gargano’s family thinks they’re losers and Ciampa’s family thinks they’re losers. Ciampa called out Alex Shelley and said his friendship with Gargano means more to Gargano than getting their titles back. Ciampa said Gargano has one week to figure it out, and if Gargano doesn’t, it’s all going to happen Ciampa’s way.
Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline were backstage and Nick Aldis walked in. Aldis said everybody is banned from ringside for Jacob Fatu’s match against Jey Uso later. Sikoa said they understood.
Ciampa was shown yelling at Gargano backstage. Ciampa brought up how Gargano’s family thinks they’re losers and Ciampa’s family thinks they’re losers. Ciampa called out Alex Shelley and said his friendship with Gargano means more to Gargano than getting their titles back. Ciampa said Gargano has one week to figure it out, and if Gargano doesn’t, it’s all going to happen Ciampa’s way.
A Kevin Owens video aired. Owens explained why he’s right. January 1, 2021, Roman Reigns threw Owens off a 15-foot-high scaffolding. From there, at the Royal Rumble, Reigns ran Owens over with a golf cart. Owens went to the 2023 Royal Rumble, where Reigns ordered for Owens to get super-kicked over and over again. Cody was at the arena that night, Owens said, but he didn’t help. Those are just three examples of what Reigns has done to Owens and those are among the reasons Owens says he’s right about everything. Owens said he will turn the American Nightmare into the Canadian Dream.
Cody Rhodes defeated Carmelo Hayes [11:14]
Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Up
A typical television match for the world champion – though I would argue that perhaps it went a little too long. Melo hasn’t proved much on the main roster, story-wise, so I don’t know why it would take the company’s top guy almost 12 minutes to get through him, but the other side of that conversation says that Melo gained something in defeat here and that’s probably not wrong. I couldn’t have been the only one waiting for Owens to attack Cody after the match, right?
Melo made his entrance with a microphone in his hand. Halfway down the aisle, Melo said Owens was right – Cody did turn his back on Owens. Melo said, “Who needs enemies when you got friends like Cody Rhodes.” This must have been thrown in solely to explain to the live crowd why the match was booked in the first place. The two traded strikes and reversals to start things. Melo then slapped Cody and worked a side head-lock. Cody clotheslined Melo over the top rope and hit a suicide dive on the outside.
Back inside the ring, Cody stepped into the ring and Melo kicked Cody’s knee. Cody came right back with a Disaster Kick and the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Cody cut Melo off as Melo went to the top. Cody lifted Melo and held him there for a while before suplexing Melo from the second rope. Melo came back and landed a tilt-a-whirl facebuster before attempting to lift Cody, but Cody countered with a running powerslam. Cody then worked a figure-four. Melo got to the ropes for a break.
The two got to their feet and traded blows. Cody went to the second, rope, but Melo cut Cody off and kicked Cody in the neck. Melo suplexed Cody and that was good enough for a two-count. Melo went to the top rope, but Cody ducked a splash attempt. After a few failed attempts at moves, Cody landed a Cody Cutter. Cody then hit the Cross-Rhodes for the win.
The CM Punk-Roman Reigns sit down
Ahhh, the cinema-ification of WWE continues. This was pretty good. Punk, Reigns (outside of his weird forced scowl he went to one too many times) and Heyman all played their parts very well. I’m intrigued by the idea that Heyman now owes Punk a favor … because wasn’t it Punk who owed Heyman a favor at one point? Is this just a never-ending trading of favors? Is Heyman the one who gives Seth to Punk to finally set that program up? Whatever it is, they have my attention.
Paul Heyman sat between Reigns and Punk. Punk was late and Reigns was annoyed. As Reigns was about to get up and leave, Punk walked in and said he didn’t have a lot of time. Reigns called Punk out for being late and Punk said he didn’t show up for Reigns; he showed up for Heyman. Reigns told Punk he didn’t need his help. Punk said he figured Roman would feel that way. Punk reiterated that he wasn’t there for Roman; he was there for Heyman. Roman said he didn’t like Punk’s tone or attitude or him. Reigns said he doesn’t want to team with Punk at War Games.
Heyman chimed in and said Sikoa has had them at check mate since the Friday after WrestleMania. Heyman said if they don’t take the help, it’s over. Heyman told Punk that if they don’t win War Games, Solo’s Bloodline will come after Punk because he knows Punk is a threat. Heyman said “divided, we all fall to Solo; united, at best, we survive.” Punk said he didn’t care if Roman doesn’t like his attitude and asked Roman if he wanted his Ula Fala back. Punk said if they survive War Games, they can revisit the conversation. Roman said one time. Punk said, “one time, one favor.” Punk called Heyman “our wise man” and said Heyman will now owe Punk a favor after War Games.
Reigns asked Heyman what the favor is that Punk will want. Heyman told Roman they need to get through War Games and after that, they will have all the time in the world to talk about it. Roman looked pissed; Heyman looked intimidated. The scene faded to black.
Michin defeated Piper Niven and Lash Legend to advance in the Women’s U.S. Title Tournament [10:16]
This turned out better than I expected it to turn out as the requisite throwaway first-round match, considering how its initial star, Jade Cargill, wasn’t in it anymore. Michin getting the win is a nice development, though, and when you consider how both her and Chelsea Green advanced to the second round, you have to be at least a little excited to see how this tournament ends up. Legend continues to hold up her end of the bargain each time she’s called upon to perform on the main roster, so I can’t see how they justify keeping her in NXT for very long, but there’s never any real rhyme or reason to the things pro wrestling bookers do. Still, this was another good showing for her, and that deserves to be noted.
Michin hit Legend to start things and then Niven planted Michin. Niven hit a splash on Michin, but Legend broke up the pin attempt. Legend caught Niven, but Michin dropkicked Legend to complete the splash attempt. Michin and Legend battled and the action spilled outside, where Michin kicked Niven. Michin hit a moonsault on Niven and Legend on the outside and then Michin rolled Niven back into the ring. Michin tried to get back into the ring, but Chelsea Green cut Michin off. B-Fab ran out and fought Green to the back. Niven ran into a pump kick from Legend inside the ring as Green disappeared to the back. The show then took a break.
The show returned and Niven hit her finisher on Michin inside the ring, but Legend broke up the pin attempt. Legend lifted Niven – or at least tried to – because Niven worked out of it and tackled Legend. Niven landed a Vader Bomb on Legend, but Michin broke up that pin attempt. Legend caught Michin and hit a back-breaker on her before Niven returned to the mix. Legend choke-slammed Niven for a nice near-fall. Legend was arguing with the referee and Michin kicked Legend, but Legend then powerbombed Michin for a two-count. All three women were down.
Niven was the first to her feet and landed a running Senton on both women. Niven ran into a boot from Michin, but Niven then cut Michin off when Michin went to the top. Niven set up for a Piper Driver from the top, but Legend broke the spot up. Niven headbutted Legend and went for a splash on Legend, but Legend moved and Legend hit her Lash Extension finisher on Niven, but Michin came out of nowhere to land a Senton on Legend to get Legend off Niven. As a result, Michin stole the win.
LA Knight was shown backstage being tended to after Nakamura’s mist. Byron Saxton walked in and interviewed Knight. Knight said he could barely see. Knight noted how Nakamura has been gone for a little bit, but now, Nakamura has a big problem. Knight said he’s going to thrive and continue to be the U.S. Champion. Knight said he’ll drop Nakamura on his head and did his catchphrase the end the segment.
Jacob Fatu defeated Jey Uso to gain the advantage for War Games [13:48]
Hey, that’s a big win for Jacob Fatu. Jey Uso is a former multi-time champion in WWE and this was clean (if we count slamming someone on a commentary table clean, but Randy Orton does it weekly and nobody seems to blink an eye). I love it. Keep building Fatu. Keep throwing obstacles in the original Bloodline’s way. War Games makes the most sense, historically, when the heels had the advantage, so this made all the sense in the world; Jacob going over in that fashion, though, took things to a higher level. Good stuff from both guys.
The two circled each other to start things and then locked up. Fatu pushed Jey and Jey came right back and worked a head-lock until Fatu shot Jey off and hit a shoulder-block. Fatu choked Jey and yelled, “I love you Solo!” Jey clotheslined Fatu over the top before long and went for a suicide dive, but Fatu caught him and threw Jey into the ring post and over the commentary table. The show then went to its final commercial break.
The show returned and Fatu had control. Fatu stomped on Jey and worked Jey’s neck. Jey eventually ran Fatu into the ring post and Fatu ran at Jey, but Jey moved and Fatu ran into the ring post. The two got to their feet and Jey punched Fatu a handful of times. Jey kicked Fatu, which finally put Fatu to the mat. Jey followed that up with a hip attack and that got Jey a two-count. Jey came off the second rope, but Fatu caught him and slammed Jey before hitting the springboard moonsault for a two-count.
Fatu hit Jey with a hip attack in a corner. Fatu yelled “I love you, Solo!” again. Jey landed a super-kick out of nowhere, but Fatu answered that with a pop-up Samoan Drop for a near-fall. Fatu went for a moonsault off the top, but Jey got his knees up and hit a spear before heading to the top and landing an Uso Splash, but Fatu kicked out at two. “This is awesome!” chants began. Fatu went to the outside and Jey landed a suicide dive on Fatu, to crashed into the commentary table.
Jey ran towards Fatu, but Fatu super-kicked Jey. From there, Fatu Samoan Dropped Jey on the commentary table, which did not break. Fatu rolled Jey back into the ring and hit a DDT, followed by his step-up moonsault. That was good enough to get the pinfall victory. After the match, Solo’s Bloodline showed up and Solo hugged Fatu. The show ended with Solo and his faction holding up their acknowledging fingers.
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