[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

FEBRUARY 2024 ROSTER

 

MANAGING DIRECTOR

 

UNDISPUTED UNIVERSAL WWE CHAMPION

         

 

WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPION

         

 

UNITED STATES CHAMPION

         

 

WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

         

 

 

 

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

FEBRUARY 2024 ROSTER

 

MANAGING DIRECTOR

 

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

         

 

WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION

         

 

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION

                  

 

WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS

         

 

MONEY IN THE BANK HOLDER

         

 

 

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

Following Gunther, Bianca Belair, and Roman Reigns fielding questions, Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque sat down to address the assembled media.

 

 

“Hell of a night, right? Big thank you to St. Petersburg and the folks at Tropicana who are always great to work with and to our partners at FOX. The Road to WrestleManai is now underway even with the couple of speed bumps we hit as far as distribution. Can’t say enough about the performances tonight. I think we told top notch stories and delivered incredible action so you’re not going to hear any complaints from me. I’m also happy to report no injuries for anyone tonight. 

 

Business wise, we had over 40,000 in attendance with a gate about 1.4 million, give or take. Was talking to FOX a few minutes ago and they think we had over 3 million viewers which is not bad considering the late notice. With that I’ll turn it over to you all for questions.”

 

(48 HOURS FOR ANY OF YOU TO ASK THE CCO WHATEVER YOU WANT!)

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

A commercial is shown hyping next month’s Elimination Chamber, airing live on FOX, at 5 AM eastern time.

 

 

 

 

Cole and Graves hype the Elimination Chamber then turn their attention to tonight’s main event. The Women’s Royal Rumble. Let’s go to the ring.

 

 

#1

#2

 

Zoey and Iyo begin the match and it goes back and forth with neither getting a clear advantage. Zoey gets a slight upper hand as the clock begins counting down.

 

 

#3

 

Zoey gives a big smile as her ally Piper Niven is out third. They work together and Iyo is in a lot of trouble. The duo work her over but Iyo makes a little bit of a comeback, staggering both Zoey and Piper with a flurry of kicks, before she goes to the top and hits a double dropkick on them as the clock begins to sound.

 

 

#4

 

Lacey Evans is out four and she cuts the Iyo comeback by knocking her back into the corner and putting the boots to her. Lacey however shows she doesn’t play well with others as we all knew and tries to eliminate Zoey out of the blue from behind. This doesn’t sit well with Piper who saves Zoey, then grabs Lacey by the hair. Lacey spins around and hits a Woman’s Right on Piper. Niven rocks back a few steps but doesn’t go down. Lacey realizes she’s made a mistake and starts backing up right into Zoey. Stark shoves Evans right into Niven who scoops her up and bodyslams her over the top for the first elimination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5

 

We see our first surprise of the match. Ember Moon is back and along with the rested Iyo Sky they pair up and the next few minutes are like a tornado tag. Ember takes the fight to Piper, running literal circles around her and eventually hitting an Eclipse off the top which sends Piper crashing to the mat.

 

#6

Shayna Baszler is next and she tilts the balance back to the heels, going right for Ember. In the other corner Zoey is peppering Iyo with body shots. She backs off and charges with a running knee but Iyo dodges it. When Zoey hobbles back and turns, Iyo dropkicks her and sends her over the top to the floor.

 

#7

 

Naomi is our next entrant and she targets Iyo as soon as she hits the ring. Piper is watching the two pairs fighting and picks her spot, double Avalanching Shayna and Ember in the corner, then doing it to Naomi and Iyo. Niven stands tall as the clock begins again.

 

#8

 

Gigi Dolin runs to the ring and attacks Niven with reckless abandon. She’s continually swatted away but the annoying distraction allows all of the women to regain their footing and they all attack Piper. She tries to fend off everyone but they’re hitting her from all angles. They back Niven up to the ropes and all begin to work together to eliminate her. She’s hanging on for dear life as the timer begins.

 

#9

It’s the Empress of Darkness and as soon as she gets in the ring she helps tip Piper over the top to the floor. She then begins striking everyone in her sight until it’s her and Iyo face to face. The crowd is into the moment as the clock ticks down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#10

 

It’s Kairi Sane!!! After years away, the Pirate Princess has sailed back to the WWE. Both Iyo and Asuka watch Kairi Sane enter the ring and she approaches them. Cole and Graves put over the trio’s long history in Japan. Suddenly they all begin striking one another back and forth. Meanwhile, Naomi has her foot on Dolin’s throat and Ember Moon is brawling with Baszler.

 

#11

 

Sonya DeVille is #11 and she interrupts the strike-athon going on, but unfortunately for her, they all turn on her and she becomes the practice dummy for Iyo, Asuka, and Kairi. Naomi continues to pick on Gigi, but in the other corner, Ember has Shayna teetering on the brink of elimination.

 

#12

 

What’s there to say about Nikki Cross that the DSM 5 hasn’t already diagnosed her as? She hits the ring as a ball of frantic psychotic energy. She yanks Naomi out of the way, picks up Dolin and chucks her over the ropes. She then runs across the ring and hits a double axe handle across Ember’s back. Asuka has settled into fighting Kairi while Iyo and Sonya trade strikes.

 

#13

 

The EST has arrived and she wastes no time in going right for Asuka, spearing her off her feet and beginning a ground and pound. Shayna and Nikki are pounding on Ember and Naomi has joined Sonya in attacking Iyo, until Kairi joins in and makes it a fair fight.

 

#14

Candice Larae is next and she helps Ember avoid elimination, going toe to toe with Nikki. Bianca picks up Asuka for the KOD, but Asuka slips out and sprays black mist, but Bianca ducked and it hits Sonya who was standing directly behind her. Sonya freaks out, grabbing her eyes, and Kairi slings her over the top. Ember slams Shayna and goes to the top for another Eclipse but Naomi runs over and shoves her off the turnbuckles, all the way to the floor below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#15

The Princess of Staten Island has returned!  Carmella enters the ring and sees Bianca as the biggest threat, attacking her from behind and in the process, stopping Asuka’s elimination. Nikki hits a double arm DDT on Candice and Shayna quickly picks the bones, flinging Larae over the top. Naomi, Shayna and Nikki turn their attention jointly to Iyo and Kairi.

 

 

#16

 

It’s time for the Rumble to get extreme! Lita runs down to the ring and immediately establishes her Hall of Fame credentials. She evens the odds for Iyo and Kairi while Carmella and Asuka are trying to eliminate Bianca but she saves herself with two big elbows to their heads.

 

#17

Lita gets instant help from her BFF and fellow Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. Together, they pry Shayna and Naomi away from the fighting. With their first advantage in a long time, Iyo and Kairi work together and eliminate Nikki Cross by flipping her over the top.

 

 

#18

 

Making her in-ring debut, the devilish Scarlett enters the ring and sees Iyo as the weak link for having been in since the beginning. Kairi has moved on to Asuka, while Lita and Trish are brawling with Shayna and Naomi.

 

#19

 

Emma is next and as soon as she’s in, she also targets Iyo. She and Scarlett seem to form a quick alliance and after Scarlett hits a Sunset Driver, which Graves calls the Siren’s Song, Iyo is finally eliminated by Emma. The duo then turn their attention to Lita and Trish and now the Hall of Famers are fighting for their lives. With ten women in the ring, it’s getting cramped and that’s when Bianca shifts into a new gear.

 

Bianca floors Carmella with a big right hand and then heads to the other corner. Grabbing Scarlett and Emma by the hair Bianca slams their heads together, then throws Scarlett out. Bianca then turns to Shayna, peeling her off Lita, scooping her up in a KOD and delivering it over the top rope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#20

Another legend joins the party as Mickie James makes her return to the WWE. She pairs with Lita and Trish, who Mickie gives a wink to, as the celebrated trio zeroes in on Asuka. But the Empress of Darkness digs deep into her dark soul and begins striking all three, knocking Trish and Lita to the apron outside but they save themselves from elimination….until Mickie dropkicks Asuka and she falls back into Lita and Trish knocking them both to the floor at the same time. Meanwhile, Bianca and Naomi and battling in the corner and Kairi and Carmella are trying to get each other out.

 

#21

 

Katana Chance sprints down to the ring, and immediately gets tangled with Emma. Mickie and Asuka are paired as well as Naomi/Bianca. Kairi takes a moment to get a breather before she begins to help out Mickie.

 

#22

 

Michin is the next entrant and at this point the match finally begins to turn into less babyface vs heel. Michin goes for Bianca and the after effect is faces fighting faces and heels turning on one another.

 

#23

Chelsea Green comes in and pairs up with Emma and they’re very effective. Together they eliminate Katana Chance and a few moments later they form an alliance with Carmella and eliminate Mickie James. The trio then immediately go after Bianca. In the opposite corner, Asuka takes a run at Michin with a jumping hip attack but Michin catches her and dumps her over the top. Asuka looks stunned as she looks up from the floor.

 

#24

 

Liv sprints to the ring and begins tangling with Naomi. Free of Asuka, Michin goes for Emma as Carmella and Chelsea work over Bianca. Unseen, Kairi has climbed to the top and when all the women in the ring are near the middle she soars with a cross body block, wiping out everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#25

 

It’s the NXT Women’s Champion making her main roster return! Indi uses her size to her advantage from the moment she enters the ring by eliminating Michin, then going after Naomi. Bianca fights back against Chelsea and Carmella. While she’s against the ropes they attempt a double clothesline but she backdrops them both out of the ring. Emma charges Bianca who picks her up in a military press and throws her onto Chelsea and Carmella.

 

#26

Cora Jade slides into the ring, grabs Kairi from behind and throws her out, then begins double teaming Liv with Naomi. Bianca and Indi have a showdown exchanging heavy punches.

 

#27

 

Zelina brings us back to six women in the ring and begins tussling with Naomi, leaving Liv and Cora one on one. Indi shows off her power, almost having Bianca over the top but Bianca has herself around the ropes and hangs on, scooting back under the bottom.

#28

Tamina enters the ring, grabbing Zelina by her hair and together with Naomi, eliminates her just minutes after she entered. The Bloodline Girls then move to Liv, dismissing Cora and taking over the beatdown. Cora is not one to be disrespected and she spins Tamina around and slaps her. Tamina grabs her by the throat and delivers a chokeslam. Liv fires back at Naomi.

 

#29

 

Bayley slides in, blasting Liv with a forearm and motions to Naomi and Tamina. The three of them team up to eliminate Liv. Bayley turns to the crowd, throwing up her index finger. Tamina has had enough and grabs Bayley and throws her over. On the other side of the ring, Bianca is trying to eliminate Indi, but Naomi and Tamina break it up. 

 

And the clock ticks down. Who is #30?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#30

 

Cole and Graves lose their minds as well as the crowd as Jade Cargill makes her WWE debut. She takes in the size of the crowd and their energy as she walks down to the ring. All eyes are on her, including the five women in the ring with her.

 

Tamina decides to be the first to challenge her but Jade stands her ground following a shoulder block. Tamina looks surprised as Jade buries a knee in her stomach, then chucks Tamina over the top with ease. Next is Naomi who tries a Rear View, but Jade catches her in mid air, adjusts her into a Glam Slam and drives her into the mat. Indi steps up and whips Jade into the ropes but Cargill reverses it and delivers a spinebuster to the NXT Women’s Champion. Cora tries a cross body block but Jade catches her and turns it into a sidewalk slam. 

 

Bianca and Jade approach each other, stepping over the bodies. Before they can tangle, Naomi is up and Bianca tosses her out.  They come together again but now Indi is up and Jade throws her over. Their third meeting is broken up by Cora and both Jade and Bianca throw her out together.

 

WE ARE DOWN TO 2! Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are all alone and meet in the middle of the ring. One of these women will head to Wrestlemania! They go at one another for a good five minutes, showing off their power, agility, and athleticism to a virtual stalemate. Finally Cargill gains an advantage with a boot to the gut and a powerbomb.  Dusting off her hands she signals it’s time and picks up Bianca before scooping her up onto her shoulder. She walks her to the ropes but before she can slam her over the top, Belair slides off behind her and picks Cargill delivering a KOD. Cargill bounces up out of instinct, but she’s rocked, and Bianca hits a running clothesline to eliminate her.

 

Bianca Belair is the winner of the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match and is headed back to WrestleMania!!!

 

 

 

As Bianca celebrates, whipping her braid around, Charlotte Flair sits stone faced, staring up at her. Michael Cole and Corey Graves thank us for tuning in here on FOX and remind us that this is just the beginning on the Road…to WrestleMania!

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

A video is shown recapping the recent history between John Cena and Seth Rollins

 

The match starts off even with both men trying to top the other. Rollins gains the momentum and uses a quick paced offense to try and wear Cena down. At his age, Cena is more plodding and relies on his still impressive power. Cena sends Rollins to the outside, then goes to the apron and hits a running shoulder block to the floor.

 

Cena presses the advantage, whipping Rollins into the barrier but when he charges, Rollins backdrops him over onto the floor. The referee is very lenient in his count, urging them to get back in the ring instead of counting. They brawl amongst the fans before coming back to the ring but now Rollins is in charge.

 

Cena seems to be faltering, and Rollins moves in for the kill. He hits a Falcon Arrow but Cena kicks out. Rollins doesn’t quit, picking up Cena who’s very sluggish, and hits a Pedigree, again Cena kicks out. Now Rollins is frustrated and he moves to the corner, sizing up Cena for a stomp but when he charges and jumps, Cena pops up and catches him in mid air, hitting an Attitude Adjustment.

 

1

 

2

 

Rollins kicks out and Cena is stunned. Cena goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but when he bounds off the ropes, Rollins is up, kicks Cena in the gut and goes for another Pedigree but Cena backdrops him, but Rollins hangs on and turns it into a sunset flip.

 

1

 

2

 

Cena rocks them in the opposite direction and now he’s on top and he hooks Rollins’ legs.

 

1

 

2

 

3!

 

RESULT:  JOHN CENA RETAINS THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BY PINFALL

 

 

 

After the match, Cena and Rollins approach one another and Cena sticks out his hand. Rollins hesitates but shakes it, and raises Cena’s arm in a sign of respect.

 

 

 

The Bloodline are in their Lounge and Roman seems more focused than usual. He reminds them that no matter what happens, no one is to interfere. He will not lose his Championship because someone gets it in their head to go rogue. They all say they understand and he dismissed them saying he wants to be alone, but he calls Heyman back and asks if the plan is ready. Heyman grins and says yes.

 

 

 

A video is shown recapping the recent history between Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley

 

 

The women meet in the middle, talking private trash before the fight breaks out. Neither of them holds anything back. Rhea brings the brutality and Becky brings the resilience. Rhea hits a sit down powerbomb for a two count and then continues her assault, but she also takes time to be vengeful, clawing at Becky’s eyes. She bodyslams Becky and goes to the top for a frog splash, with a little Eddie shimmy but Becky leaps up and meets her with a flurry of punches, before hooking her and delivering a huge superplex.

 

Both women are down, but it’s Becky who gets to her feet first. Rhea is quickly up to match her and they stagger towards each other in the middle of the ring. They begin exchanging punches, slowly one at a time. Rhea begins firing them quickly and headbutts Becky, flooring her. Rhea sneers with disdain as she picks Becky up and goes for Riptide but when she lifts Becky, the champion goes right over her shoulder and nails a german suplex. 

 

The crowd stirs when a figure jumps the barrier in sweats and a hoodie with the hood drawn up. She pulls it back to reveal herself.

 

 

Becky gets up but hasn’t seen Ronda and is waiting for Rhea to get to her feet for a Manhandle Slam. Ronda slips into the ring and locks a choke hold on Becky from behind, dropping down and wrapping her legs around the champ. The referee calls for the bell.

 

RESULT:  BECKY LYNCH RETAINS THE WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BY DISQUALIFICATION.

 

 

 

Rhea stands, and sees what’s happened. Her title opportunity is gone and she rips Ronda off of Becky, who is in a heap. Rhea and Ronda begin arguing, before Rhea throws a punch but Ronda ducks it and scoops Rhea up, delivering Piper’s Pit. 

 

With both champion and challenger down in the ring, Ronda hops out of the ring but half way up the aisle Raw Managing Director Stephanie McMahon meets her.

 

 

Stephanie is screaming that Ronda has ruined the match and that she’s still suspended.

 

Rousey’s flippant remark as she walks past shows her mindset.

 

“Fine me, bitch.”

 

 

 

Byron Saxton catches up to Gunther and congratulates him for his victory. He asks if Gunther is ready to announce who he will challenge at WrestleMania. Gunther says he is absolutely sure of one thing. When he is ready to tell the world, Byron is the last man on Earth he would tell. Byron looks crestfallen as Gunther smirks and walks off.

 

 

 

A video is shown recapping the recent history between Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio

 

 

 

As promised, there is noone at ringside except Heyman and to begin the match Roman dominates with his power. He reminds Rey that he asked for this. Everything he’s going to do to Rey, is because he wanted it. Roman drives him into the corner and hits a release belly to belly. Roman makes a cover, but pulls Rey’s head up at the one count, telling the ref that he’s not done yet to Heyman’s delight.

 

Roman grows cockier the longer the match goes on but Rey keeps getting to his feet, even if he has to use the ropes to pull himself up. At first this is comical to Roman but there reaches a point where he’s annoyed, telling Mysterio to stay down. When it happens again, Roman slings Rey into the corner and charges but Rey moves and Roman smashes into the corner. Rey has an opening!

 

Mysterio, as worn down as he is, begins teeing off on Reigns, with kicks to his legs to take out his base, right hands to stun him and several aerial moves to keep him off balance. When Roman swings, Rey ducks and stings him back for every punch thrown. Roman isn’t sure where he is and Rey goes to the top but when he flies off with a back elbow, Roman pulls the referee in front of him and Rey takes them both out.

 

Rey sees what’s happened and he checks on the ref and in the process he doesn’t see we have a new face at ringside.

 

Dominik picks up the Universal title and slides into the ring. When Rey turns around, his son blasts him in the face with the belt. Rey is out cold as Dominik rolls out of the ring and hands the title back to Heyman, who looks shocked and clutches it to his chest. Roman gets up, sees Rey down, then picks him up and locks in an unnecessary guillotine. He’s essentially holding Rey up as the referee comes to and sees Rey is defenseless and calls for the bell.

 

RESULT:  ROMAN REIGNS RETAINS THE UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY SUBMISSION

 

 

 

Roman and Heyman celebrate the win as Dominik Mysterio smirks on his way back up the aisle. He has screwed his father out of the championship!

 

 

 

John Cena is walking backstage, accepting some congratulations from passing people but then he comes face to face with Gunther. The Ring General congratulates him as well and says that as the winner of the Royal Rumble, he has a hard decision to make for which belt he will choose to win at WrestleMania.

 

Cena congratulates Gunther on his win as well and says no matter what, the Champ will be in Philly. They pass by one another, never breaking eye contact.

 

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

We want to thank everyone for their patience. This show was not an easy one to write. Given its size, we're going to break it up into 3 posts, followed by HHH's presser. In a couple of days, new monthly rosters and news will drop.

 

 

 

JANUARY WEEK 4

TROPICANA FIELD

ST PETERSBURG, FL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triple H comes down to the ring. He says this is where it all starts. This is the starting point for the Road to WrestleMania and that means one thing. It’s time to Rumble! St. Petersburg…are you ready?  I said, ARE YOU READY? Then let’s get the show on the road.

 

Welcome to the Royal Rumble!

 

# 1

 

Drew McIntyre is the first man out and soon we find out who he’s starting against….

 

# 2

 

The two old friends and foes examine one another but before the bell rings, we have our first surprise of the night when we hear McIntyre’s music a second time.

 

 

Maria Kanellis, wearing a McIntyre t shirt and fashionable kilt walks down, takes a seat at ringside and blows him a kiss. Maria has apparently chosen her man! McIntyre is surprised to say the least and Sheamus takes advantage by attacking him before the bell rings. 

 

They brawl around and exchange hard hitting strikes as we’d expect but Sheamus has reinforcement on the way…..

 

 

# 3

 

Ridge Holland runs down and now it's clearly two on one. The Brawling Brutes dominate McIntyre because even if he makes a small comeback he’s quickly undone by the numbers. They begin to try and work together to put Drew over the top…..

 

 

# 4

 

Carlito enters and stops the elimination, knowing if Drew is done, he’d suffer the same fate. The match settles down with Carlito paired off with Holland and McIntyre and Sheamus in the opposite corner.

 

 

 

# 5  

 

The next entrant is no friend of Sheamus or Holland and he immediately goes from one corner to the other, getting in some hits and then going to attack the other one. Carlito and Dunne get Holland up and it’s looking grim as the clock ticks down.

 

 

# 6

 

Bronson Reed is next and makes an immediate impact, splashing McIntyre and Sheamus in the corner. He then does the same to the other corner, crushing Carlito, Dunne, and Holland. Reed is the only man left standing as the clock ticks down.

 

 

 

# 7

It’s Sami Zayn and he shows no fear, going right for Reed. Slowly, all of the others get to their feet and join in. Reed goes down to a knee before exploding up and knocking them all back. Reed is incensed and eliminates Carlito and Holland in short order.

 

 

# 8

 

Santos Escobar is the next entrant and unlike Zayn, he focuses on Sheamus. Mcintyre and Reed begin to square off and Dunne tangles with Zayn in the corner.

 

 

 

# 9

Dunne’s tag partner is next out and he helps his friend with Zayn as they double team him in the corner. McIntyre goes for a Claymore but Reed swats him down like Godzilla. In the other corner, Sheamus gets the upper hand on Escobar and gives him an early exit by backdropping him over the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 10

 

Our first surprise of the night is the NXT Champion Baron Corbin. He spreads his offense around, striking Sheamus, McIntyre, Dunne, and Dragunov. He gestures to Reed to work together, and they pair up, hammering everyone else in the ring. Corbin pays special attention to Sami Zayn.

 

# 11

Rex Steiner sprints down to the ring, dropping Sheamus and Corbin with Steinerlines. He then locks eyes with Reed. They approach one another, as everyone watches. They begin trading right hands and Reed is getting the better of it, pushing Steiner back to the ropes. Reed steps back and charges, but Steiner ducks, and then turns, clotheslining Reed over the top. Reed pops up, furious but there’s nothing he can do. McIntyre congratulates his friend and then they begin squaring off with Dunne and Dragunov as Zayn and Sheamus go at it. Corbin watches this happening and just lets them hurt one another, waiting for the next entrant.

 

 

 

# 12

 

It’s Dirty Dom! He begins to climb onto the apron when he suddenly drops down. The referees tell him to enter but he says he will when he wants to. Graves says this is brilliant. You can’t be eliminated if you never get in the ring. Meanwhile Corbin keeps watching and resting, until the opening shows itself and he strikes, blasting Zayn with a forearm to the back of the head and together with Sheamus they try and eliminate Zayn. Dominik on the outside cheers them on but his attitude changes when we hear who’s next…..

 

 

# 13

The Nigerian Giant slowly makes his way down to the ring and Dominik rolls in to get out of his way. Unfortunately for Mysterio he backs up right into Drew McIntyre who picks him up in a military press and throws him over…right into Omos, who catches Dom and throws him back over the top rope from the floor!  Omos climbs in and immediately begins trading shots with McIntyre. McIntyre has Omos backing up with big right hands until Sheamus hits a running knee in his back. Omos turns and begins laying waste to everyone in sight. Soon, all of the wrestlers are down except him. Omos picks up Zayn, throwing him over the top, followed by Dunne then Dragunov. He looks over Sheamus, McIntyre, Steiner, Corbin, and Mysterio, trying to decide his next victim when the clock begins to run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 14

The Monster Among Men has returned! Strowman wastes no time getting into the ring and standing face to face with Omos. While he’s distracted, all of the others attack Omos, backing him up to the ropes and trying to get him over. Strowman watches for a moment, then helps and Omos is sent to the floor. Dominik Mysterio makes an idiotic decision and dropkicks Strowman in the back which does exactly nothing. Strowman turns with a wild look and Mysterio is looking for a place to run but there is none. He turns and runs right into Steiner who scoop powerslams him. Meanwhile Sheamus and Corbin are trading right hands in the corner. McIntyre tries to regain some stamina as we see a camera shot of Maria cheering him on.

 

# 15

The next man out is an instant help for Mysterio as Damian Priest enters and goes right for Steiner. Together with Dom, they work him over until McIntyre comes over and now it’s a fair fight. What isn’t fair is Strowman who chokeslams Corbin, then picks him up and throws him over. Sheamus is next after catching a monster boot to the face. Strowman sizes up the two pairings, then charges them, hitting a quadruple clothesline! Strowman roars as the clock ticks down.

 

 

# 16

 

It’s Karrion Kross who takes his time coming down to the ring and when he gets in, he immediately targets McIntyre. The Judgment Day decides to fight Strowman two on one to limited success. Steiner comes over to help McIntyre stay in the match and now it’s Kross getting the worst of it from both of them. 

 

 

# 17

The Almighty has arrived and makes an immediate impact, grabbing both Priest and Mysterio and throwing them aside as he begins trading shots with Strowman. Taking in the sights, the Judgment Day aids Kross and they begin beating down McIntyre and Steiner as a trio. Steiner, Priest and Dom split off as Kross continues trying to eliminate McIntyre. He’s almost there, when Steiner breaks loose and charges Kross who sidesteps and throws him him into Drew, sending McIntyre over the top. McIntyre looks frustrated, as Steiner shows regret for the mistake before Kross blasts him from behind. When McIntyre turns, he comes face to face with Maria who tells him how proud she is of him. He offers her a hand and she accepts it, leaving with him. Does WWE have a new power couple?

 

# 18

 

The Judgment Day is at full strength as Finn Balor runs past McIntyre and Maria and slides into the ring. They go for Steiner as Kross turns his attention to Strowman, forming a momentary unlikely alliance with Lashley. They try to do a double suplex to Strowman but he reverses it.

 

 

# 19

 

Keith Lee arrives and goes at the entire Judgment Day, throwing them around. Strowman is up, and slings Kross into a corner but misses a running boot and gets his leg caught up over the rope. Kross and Lashley almost have him over but he’s hanging onto the rope. Lee moves over to them, trying to get Strowman out.

 

# 20

 

The Viper arrives and goes for Steiner off the bat, grinding him down. The Judgment Day follow Lee and together they eliminate Strowman, before they set their sights on Lee. Lashley turns his attention to Kross, hitting a series of heavy elbows in the corner. Lashley’s attention is drawn to a ringside distraction.

 

 

Grayson Waller is taunting Lashley to come get him. The distraction pays off when someone else shows up.

 

Austin Theory slides into the ring and flips Lashley over the top. The duo thinks it’s hilarious until a furious Lashley gives chase up the aisle. Kross helps Orton with Steiner.

 

 

# 21

 

Kevin Owens is here and his dislike of the Judgment Day is obvious as he helps Lee fight them off, brawling around the ring. Orton and Kross try their best to get Steiner out, but he’s hanging onto the ropes for dear life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 22

GOLDBERG IS HERE!!!!!! The crowd pops as the Hall of Famer comes down the aisle and he begins dishing out spears. First to Dom, then Kross, Orton. He and Priest begin to brawl. Orton diverts his attention allowing Steiner to hit a belly to belly. As Dom begins to get up. Keith Lee hits a running shoulder tackle, sending him over the top.

 

 

# 23

The moment Lee has been waiting for arrives and when Solo hits the ring they go to war. Balor helps Priest with Goldberg. Steiner hits a few right hands on Orton then picks him up to throw him over by the back of the head, but Orton reverses it and sends Steiner out. Owens immediately is on Orton, brawling into another corner. Kross slithers to the outside for a breather but he can’t rest long.

 

# 24

 

LA Knight is here and runs around the ring, brawling with Kross all around ringside, not worrying about the match. In the ring Solo is getting the better of Lee but can’t get him over the top. Goldberg is whipped into the ropes but ducks a double clothesline and rebounds off the ropes with a double spear into Priest and Balor. Knight and Kross get into the ring and continue their fight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 25   

 

Matt Riddle has returned! Orton’s eyes go wide as the Original Bro sprints down to the ring. Graves reminds us we haven’t seen Riddle in months after Orton’s attack. Riddle goes right for Orton and lays everything he has into his former friend, freeing up Owens to hit a stunner on Goldberg. Goldberg keeps his feet but falls back onto the ropes, and KO clotheslines him over. Judgment Day now seizes upon Owens, double teaming him.

 

# 26

Carmelo Hayes makes his Royal Rumble debut helping KO and going toe to toe with Balor. Across the ring, Solo winds up for a Samoan Spike but Lee catches the arm and dumps Solo out with a handful of blonde hair. Lee turns but he doesn’t see Solo get back on the apron and hit the Spike. Lee is stunned and Kross runs across the ring hitting a boot to the head and sending Lee over, with the aid of Solo holding down the rope. But just as quickly, Knight is behind Kross and hits Blunt Force Trauma.

 

# 27

 

The Ring General arrives and lays a heavy chop to Riddle, giving Orton needed moments to regroup. Knight tries to get the dead weight of Kross over the top. Having floored Hayes, Balor goes to the top for the Coup d’grace but Hayes pops up and jumps up onto the turnbuckles, surprising Balor and hitting a super HIMplex, exhausting both men. Owens and Priest trade right hands.

 

# 28

Shinsuke Nakamura is next and the first thing he does is dump out LA Knight and Karrion Kross at the same time. Shinsuke gives a smile around his mouthpiece, waving goodbye to them both. He then begins kicking both Hayes and Balor. With Gunther still working over Riddle, Orton moves back to KO, stopping his beatdown of Priest, who takes the opportunity to hit a South of Heaven chokeslam on Owens. Priest offers a hand to Orton who shakes it…and then pulls him in for an RKO. Orton picks Priest up and tosses him out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 29

Michael Cole can’t believe Nick Aldis is here, who he reminds us is a former NWA Champion. Aldis takes out Nakamura’s knee from behind as his first action. Riddle begins firing back on Gunther, taking immense punishment but absorbing it. Orton is kneeling next to KO, raining down targeted right hands. Hayes gets to his feet, picking up Balor and whipping him into the ropes. Balor grabs the ropes and Hayes is dropped over the top but he lands on the apron. Balor goes for a right hand but Hayes dodges and when Balor’s back is turned, Hayes hooks him around the throat for a reverse suplex, sending Balor up and over him to the floor below! And now it’s time for #30…….

 

# 30

 

The United States Champion hits the ring and joins in attacking any babyface he can find. Gunther takes exception to this after telling Paul repeatedly to leave Riddle to him. He sends a more direct message by chopping Paul heavily across the chest. Paul staggers into a right hand from KO, then a jumping knee from Nakamura. Paul is seeing stars but he’s smart enough to stop, drop, and roll to the outside. 

 

The match continues without him. Orton and Gunther switch and Orton goes to work on Riddle, bad mouthing him as he does. Aldis is whipped into the ropes by Nakamura but he reverses it and hits a running high knee ala Harley Race. Nakamura is stunned and Aldis hits an STO before picking up Shinsuke and tossing him over the top. He doesn’t have long to celebrate because Paul slides back in and grabs Aldis, throwing him over with a handful of trunks.

 

Hayes and Owens begin to fight Gunther together and it’s working. Gunther is knocked flat by an enziguri from Hayes and Owens goes to the top for a frog splash but Paul kicks the rope and crotches KO, before shoving him off the turnbuckle to the floor below. Paul and Hayes begin to trade strikes as Gunther gets a second wind.

 

Orton hits the mat, pounding it as he waits for Riddle to get to his feet and when the Bro does, Orton launches for the RKO, but Riddle catches him and flings him up over his shoulder over the ropes. Orton hits the floor and is stunned. Riddle gives Randy the middle finger. We’re down to four: Matt Riddle, Gunther, Carmelo Hayes, and Logan Paul and the crowd is already chanting this is awesome. One of these four men are going to Wrestlemania!

 

Gunther goes back to Riddle where they just hit stiff strike after stiff strike. Hayes and Paul tangle again and Paul hits a knockout punch with this ‘titanian-laced fist’ as Cole reminds us. Paul is taunting the nearly unconscious Hayes when the crowd begins to stir. Paul turns around to see……

 

 

Bobby Lashley has returned to the ring and he breaks Paul in half with a spear!  Lashley picks up Paul and launches him over the top rope. Now we’re down to three as Lashley leaves the ring. Gunther and Riddle are chopping the hell out of one another and Riddle is really laying them in. Both of their chests are red. Riddle goes for one too many, and Gunther catches his arm and immediately launches a headbutt. Riddle is stunned and Gunther clotheslines him over the top. We are down to two!

 

Gunther immediately jumps on Hayes, using ground and pound to launch heavy forearms into Hayes’ head. He drags Hayes to the ropes by his arm, picks him up and starts to put him over the top but Hayes uses an arm scissors on Gunther’s arm and uses his leverage to pull Gunther over the top. Gunther barely avoids elimination by staying on the apron.

 

Both on the apron, Gunther misses a chop and Hayes hits a series of kicks to Gunther’s knee. Gunther goes for another chop but it was a fake and when Hayes goes to duck again, Gunther kicks him straight in the head. Hayes flies back into the post and drops to the floor.

 

Gunther is the winner of the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble and will now head to Wrestlemania!!!!

 

 

 

Gunther climbs the ropes and poses with his arms behind his back. The Ring General has conquered the Royal Rumble!

 

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

 

 

 

In a video labeled ‘earlier today’ we see the LWO arriving at the arena. Mysterio looks serious as he gets mentally ready for his confrontation with Roman Reigns tonight to sign the contract for the Royal Rumble.

 

 

 

 

 

January Week 4

State Farm Arena

Atlanta, GA

 

 

 

 

 

 

The show begins with the WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair coming down to the ring. She says tomorrow night thirty women will be in this ring and they will fight for an opportunity to face THE Opportunity at WrestleMania. And when it’s over, whichever of them is lucky enough to win, will also be unlucky enough to realize that their dream will end in Philadelphia. Because ladies and gentlemen, the Queen isn’t abdicating for a long long time.

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte only smirks when Bianca’s music plays and she comes down to the ring. Bianca makes it clear that the only unlucky one in Philadelphia will be whichever Champion she chooses, after she wins the Royal Rumble, because she’s walking out with a title.

 

To that, Charlotte raises her title, but before they say more…..

 

 

 

Naomi and Tamina walk down to the ring, Naomi says they’re both wrong. First, it will be one of them who wins the Royal Rumble and then it doesn’t matter whoever they face at WrestleMania, because yet another title is coming to the Bloodline.

 

Bianca says if Naomi is that confidant, get in the ring and let’s have a little preview. Naomi agrees and a referee runs down to the ring…we have our opening match!

 

 

BIANCA BELAIR VS NAOMI W/TAMINA

 

An even match which could go either way as Charlotte watches from the announcer’s table. Naomi has control but Bianca feeds off the crowd and makes a comeback based on her power. When Bianca scoops up Naomi into the KOD, Tamina gets on the apron, but gets knocked off with Naomi’s legs when Bianca swings her around before nailing the KOD for the win.

 

RESULT:  BIANCA BELAIR WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Bianca gets her hand raised and Charlotte who’s stayed at ringside gives her slow, but mocking, applause.

 

 

 

We go to the Bloodline Lounge where they’re watching Cody Rhodes’ loss to Gunther, spurred by the Bloodline tron interrupting the match. Roman says it’s the funniest thing he’s seen in a long time. Heyman gives Roman all the credit, saying it wasn’t as hard to pull off as Heyman had feared. 

 

 

 

Backstage, Carmello Hayes and the Street Profits are in a face to face confrontation with the OC. Before it gets physical, Adam Pearce comes in and separates them, telling them they can settle this in the ring and that fight is…..next!

 

 

CARMELO HAYES AND THE STREET PROFITS VS THE OC

 

The OC keeps Dawkins in their corner early on but when Ford gets the tag, he turns the match around and they keep it going with Hayes. The OC looks to regroup on the outside but Ford takes a running leap over the corner and wipes them all out. 

 

Dawkins tags back in and is working over Anderson in a neutral corner when AJ distracts the ref. Meanwhile Gallows begins fighting both Hayes and Ford on the outside. When the referee turns to address that, Styles hits a Phenomenal Forearm on Dawkins and puts Anderson on top. The ref turns and sees the pinfall and counts to three.

 

RESULT:  THE OC WIN BY PINFALL

 

 

 

The cameras find Bobby Lashley on a rampage backstage, looking for the Brand. He’s smashing anything in his path until he comes to Adam Pearce. He tells Lashley that he knows he wantd to break the Brand in half and he’ll have a chance tomorrow night in the Royal Rumble but he can’t allow him to keep doing this so he ordered Lashley to leave the building tonight. Lashley says tomorrow night if he gets his hands on any of them, Pearce won’t be able to save them before storming off.

 

 

 

Naomi is backstage talking to Tamina, still upset about her earlier loss when Bayley comes by and consoles her by saying she’ll get one back for the Bloodline Girls tonight. When Bayley leaves, the two women exchange an annoyed glance.

 

 

KEITH LEE VS RIDGE HOLLAND

 

Holland is strong, but Lee is stronger. That tells the tale of the match as Lee uses both his strength and his surprising agility to gain control of the match and then put it away with a pop up sit down powerbomb.

 

RESULT: KEITH LEE WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

After the match Lee gets on the mic, saying he knows Solo Sikoa is in the house and he doesn’t want to have to wait until tomorrow night for a fight!

 

 

A few moments later, here comes Solo down the aisle, but right behind him is Paul Heyman who all but orders him to stop, by authority of the Tribal Chief. Solo looks like he doesn’t want to listen but Heyman focuses him, telling him the Bloodline chooses where and when, not outsiders. This seems to resonate a little and Solo and Heyman retreat up the aisle to Lee’s frustration.

 

 

 

Kayla Braxton is backstage with MVP and the Nigerian Giant Omos. MVP does all the talking saying he wants everyone to take a good look at his client because tomorrow night you’re going to see him win the Royal Rumble, and then some world champion is going to have a GIANT problem.

 

 

BAYLEY VS MICHIN

 

A solid, but not exciting match. There are a few moments where the timing is off, but they carry through and deliver the match. Michin has things looking her way until Bayley hits a stun gun. Michin backs off and bends over, holding her throat which hit the rope and Bayley seizes the moment, hitting the Rose Plant.

 

RESULT: BAYLEY WINS BY PINFALL 

 

 

 

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett hype tomorrow’s Royal Rumble, LIVE on FOX, commercial free. They spend most of their time talking up Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio for the Undisputed Universal WWE Championship.

 

 

ILJA DRAGUNOV AND PETE DUNNE VS PRETTY DEADLY

 

A good tag match that sees both sides control large portions of the match. Pretty Deadly have the better flow and their opponents deal out more damage in more unique ways, which includes a double finger breaker. The finish comes when Dunne hits Wilson with a german suplex but hangs on and brings him back to his feet for another.Dragunov tags in and after shogun drop kicking Prince off the apron he hits Torpedo Moscow to Wilson for the win.

 

RESULT:  ILJA DRAGUNOV AND PETE DUNNE WIN BY PINFALL

 

 

 

The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns and his Wiseman Paul Heyman, with the championship over his shoulder, are walking backstage. The contract signing is next!

 

 

 

Smackdown Managing Director Adam Pearce is in the ring.

 

 

 

 

Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman come to the ring and a moment later…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rey Mysterio comes to the ring looking all business. Adam Pearce goes through the formalities of the contract, and notes, it is in writing there will be no LWO and no Bloodline, Mr. Heyman aside, allowed at ringside. If Roman is disqualified for that reason, he WILL lose the title.

 

Both men sign and Roman tells Heyman to collect a mic. Roman asks Rey if Roman had kept his word. He motions around the ring. No Bloodline, just two men in the ring, just like it will be tomorrow night. 

 

Roman says Rey doesn’t have to worry about the Bloodline tomorrow night, just like Roman doesn’t have to worry about the LWO……

 

 

The tron comes to life and we see the members of the LWO, including Zelina Vega are hurt backstage, all of them sprawled out on the floor. The camera pans out…..

 

 

The Bloodline stand there, looking at their handiwork, before they launch into another attack on their fallen foes.

 

Rey’s eyes have been glued to the tron and he didn’t see Roman moving the table. When he turns, Roman launches a Superman Punch. Rey goes down in a heap and Roman scoops him up on his shoulders, delivering a Samoan Drop through the table. 

 

As the show ends, Roman sits up with a smile as Heyman lauds him. Michael Cole wonders aloud what kind of shape Rey Mysterio will be in tomorrow night.

 

See you at the Royal Rumble!

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

Making It Official

Two weeks ago Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio challenged Roman Reigns for a match at the Royal Rumble, with both the LWO and Bloodline removed from ringside. This week Champion and Challenger will sign their names on the dotted line just twenty-four hours before their big match. The Wiseman Paul Heyman has promised that Mysterio will regret his lack of vision in challenging the Tribal Chief. We’ll see what happens when the two meet in the same ring.

In other action:

Keith Lee vs Ridge Holland

Naomi vs Bianca Belair

Ilja Dragunov and Pete Dunne vs Pretty Deadly

 

All this and more, this Friday night, LIVE on FOX!

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

 

 

A video recap of last week in which Rey Mysterio challenged Roman Reigns for the Royal Rumble and the Tribal Chief accepted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January Week 3

Spectrum Center

Charlotte, NC

 

We go live backstage where Karrion Kross is perched over a bloody LA Knight. Kross wipes his hand over Knight’s bloody forehead and then smears it on his own chest. He and Scarlett walk away as medical staff attend to Knight.

 

 

 

In his office, Adam Pearce is with Paul Heyman. Pearce tells Heyman that next week we’ll have the official contract signing between Mysterio and Reigns and there will be no Bloodline or LWO present.

 

Heyman agrees but tells Pearce the devil is always in the details.

 

 

ROUGH RIDERS VS AOP W/WILLIAM REGAL

 

The Rough Riders start hot and surprise AOP with a fast flurry but once Akam and Rezar gain the upper hand it’s all but over. They pummel their opponents, and end it with the Last Chapter on Storm. 

 

RESULT: AOP WIN BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Cora Jade is backstage. She turns to the camera and says she always thought Iyo Sky was smarter than to stick her nose in the business of Cora Jade. But apparently she thought wrong. Last week Iyo proved that she should be called the dummy of the sky because no genius would do what she did. But that’s okay. Because we have the Royal Rumble coming up and if their paths cross, Iyo is going to fly…right over that top rope.

 

 

 

Kayla Braxton is with Keith Lee. She asks him about last week and he says that Solo Sikoa thought he’d get away with costing Lee the Undisputed Championship. But Lee says he has a long memory and he will not rest until he gets his hands on Solo again. A count out victory doesn’t give him satisfaction. Now if Solo will stop running, he’ll learn why they call Lee Limitless.

 

 

BAYLEY VS GIGI DOLIN

 

Gigi fights like a woman possessed, taking several high risks which pay off….until they don’t and she misses a springboard moonsault. Bayley recovers and uses her veteran skills to take Gigi apart, focusing on her neck and back. Dolin starts to make a comeback, but Bayley shuts it down with a knee to the guy and a Roseplant.

 

RESULT: BAYLEY WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

We see the Brand in their locker room through an open door. They appear to be strategizing about Logan Paul’s steel cage match tonight. Grayson Waller notices the camera and slams the door shut.

 

 

 

We’re taken to the Snake Pit. Jake Roberts casually strokes the water in a bubbling well as Asuka appears to be picking spiders off a web.

 

Roberts says that people mistakenly think Asuka’s darkness is ebbing because of the match with Bianca Belair. Far from it, the darkness grows. Asuka changed Bianca, changed her soul, and that’s all one can really ask for, isn’t it? The Royal Rumble draws near, dozens of souls yearned to be changed by the evil which runs through her veins. The Empress of Darkness accepts the challenge.

 

 

JUDE LONDON VS OMOS W/MVP

 

Omos just stares down at his opponent who is throwing everything he has into strikes and attacks. Finally, Omos brings a clubbing right forearm down on his, knocking him flat. From there the Nigerian Giant plays with his food while showing off his amazing strength before he ends the match with a huge chokeslam.

 

RESULT: OMOS WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Kayla is standing by with WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. Charlotte says she’s looking forward to the Royal Rumble and hopes that whoever wins, is smart enough to choose her for the REAL main event of WrestleMania.

 

Kayla asks about Bianca Belair winning it, and Charlotte scoffs, saying twenty-nine other women beg to differ before walking off.

 

 

 

The LWO is backstage and Rey reiterates to his friends that he will go out there next week alone and look Roman Reigns in the eyes when they sign that contract. None of them trust the Bloodline to stay out of it, but they say they will abide by his wishes.

 

 

NAOMI VS IYO SKY

 

This is a very good match between evenly matched opponents. Iyo likes to fly and Naomi tries to ground her. Iyo is getting the better of it, until the action spills to the outside. Iyo rolls Naomi back in but as she’s about to climb onto the apron, we see a fire extinguisher swipe out from under the ring right into Iyo’s ankle. The referee is busy with Naomi and doesn’t see who emerges.

 

 

Cora Jade crawls out from the ring and grabs Iyo, who’s down holding her ankle and rolls her back in the ring before ducking down again. Naomi sizes up Iyo and hits the Rear View for the win.

 

RESULT: NAOMI WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Kross and Scarlett are walking backstage, headed to their car when LA Knight, his head heavily bangaed, flies into the scene, blasting Kross from behind. Kross, caught off guard, gets his head slammed into the hood of his car, once….twice….the crowd counts along as if Knight is using the car like a turnbuckle. 

 

Scarlett is screaming and when he drops Kross, Knight turns to her and tells her when her old man wakes up, tell’em who put him to sleep….YEAH!. 

 

 

 

 

STEEL CAGE MATCH

BOBBY LASHLEY VS LOGAN PAUL © W/PAT MCAFEE

 

Lashley throws Paul around in the early going and there is nothing that McAfee at ringside can do about it. Paul gets a small opening when he stuns Lashley with a kick to the head and tries to climb out of the cage, but Lashley catches him and delivers a german suplex from the second rope.McAfee is panicking and begins waving to the back.

 

 

Austin Theory and Grayson Waller rum down and begin climbing the cage. Lashley knocks them down but the distraction allows Paul to regroup and he chop blocks Lashley’s right knee. With Lashley down, Theory and Waller climb in and now all three of them are beating down the challenger, something Barrett reminds us is completely legal.

 

Lashley fights back, knocking everyone down and puts Paul in the Hurt Lock. McAfee looks under the ring and pulls out a kendo stick, slipping it into the cage through the fencing. Waller whacks Lashley across the back and he releases Paul. Lashley turns around and is scooped up by Theory who delivers A-Town Down. Waller and Theory pick up Lashley and allow Waller to hit his Down Under DDT. With Lashley on his back, Paul goes to the top and hits an impressive frog splash. He covers Lashley as Theory and Waller dogpile for the three count.

 

RESULT: LOGAN PAUL RETAINS THE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP BY PINFALL]

 

 

 

The OC continue their attack on Lashley as Waller and Theory use zip ties to bind Lashley’s wrists to the cage over the ropes. Paul wields the kendo stick, taking his time in striking Lashley’s back over and over as McAfee taunts him. When Paul isn’t hitting Lashley, Theory or Waller are punching to kicking him in the ribs. 

 

Lashley drops to his knees, and the Brand celebrates to the crowd’s boos, but then the boos turn to cheers as Lashley begins to force himself back to his feet, inviting another group beatdown. It’s taken four men to handle the Almighty but Wade Barrett warns, when those ties are broken and Lashley is free, the Brand will have a lot of trouble on their hands.

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

Nowhere to Run

After being given a one week reprieve, United States Champion Logan Paul will have to step into the confines of a steel cage and defend his title versus Bobby Lashley. The Brand is still protesting but we have been told by Smackdown Managing Director Adam Pearce that the match will be this week’s main event whether Paul likes it or not. Will the Influencer be able to outflank the Almighty?

In other action:

The Nigerian Giant Omos

AOP vs The Rough Riders

Iyo Sky vs Naomi

 

All this and more, this Friday night, LIVE on FOX!

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

 

 

 

In a video labeled ‘earlier today’ we see the Brawling Brutes running into Ilja Dragunov and Pete Dunne in the parking lot area and it doesn’t take long before they’re at each other and it takes a horde of officials to pull them apart and off of the cars. They’ll meet in action again tonight!

 

 

 

 

January Week 2

Smoothie King Arena

New Orleans, LA

 

 

 

 

The full Bloodline comes to the ring and Roman is all smiles. Following Heyman’s introduction he takes the mic demanding to be acknowledged.  He says being in New Orleans is fitting because he’s in a party mood. Last week Adam Pearce threw a challenge in his way and he did what he always does. He put them down and he continued his record setting title reign. 

 

So now comes the big announcement. The next thing on the horizon is WrestleMania. He doesn’t care about the Royal Rumble so he’s not even going to show up. As a matter of fact you won’t see the Tribal Chief until Wrest…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rey Mysterio comes out to the crowd’s delight. He says he has not forgotten what the Bloodline tried to do, trying to take his mark…his honor. But he knows Roman has no honor. He holds a belt that Rey himself held. That Eddie Guerrerro held. That the greatest champions in the world have held…and none of them would skip the Royal Rumble. None would run and hide to extend a title reign that has more days missed than matches fought.

 

Roman is incensed but Rey says he has a way for Roman to redeem himself in the eyes of the WWE Universe. Put that title on the line at the Royal Rumble and leave his Bloodline in the back and defend that title like a real champion and a real man.

 

Now Roman is ready to explode. He tells Rey that he’ll see him at the Royal Rumble and he’ll do it on his own but Rey better be ready for the last match of his career because Roman’s not coming to defend his title, he’s coming to make the great Rey Mysterio….acknowledge him.”

 

As the segment ends, Rey is nodding with a grin as Heyman and the Bloodline behind Roman look concerned.

 

 

A replay is shown of Rey Mysterio interrupting Roman Reigns and challenging him for the Royal Rumble.

 

 

THE BRAWLING BRUTES VS ILJA DRAGUNOV AND PETE DUNNE

 

These four men don’t like each other as seen earlier. Their parking lot war continues in the ring and they do not hold back. By the time the match reaches the halfway point, the chests of all four are beet red.

 

As the match goes on, Dunne and Dragunov begin pulling away, especially against Holland who can’t withstand their combined attacks.  Dunne takes out Sheamus with a suicide dive and Ilja hits Torpedo Moscow for a hard fought win.

 

RESULT:  ILJA DRAGUNOV AND PETE DUNNE WIN BY PINFALL

 

 

 

We go to Adam Pearce in his office with Pat McAfee and United States Champion Logan Paul berating him about Bobby Lashley’s challenge and their appear. He finally stands and shouts them down to shut them up. Collecting himself, he says the Board has agreed with them and says Bobby Lashley will not get a title shot this week.

 

McAfee and Paul celebrate but they slowly stop and look back at Pearce. He says he’s not done. Logan Paul will defend that United States Championship against Bobby Lashley next week….inside a steel cage.

 

Paul is shocked into silence and McAfee can barely find the words before they both quickly leave.  Cole and Barrett put over what a huge match that is for Smackdown next week.

 

 

Backstage, Bayley is on cloud nine saying with the three “Bloodline” girls in the Royal Rumble it’s almost a guarantee that one of them will win it. Naomi and Tamina just watch her until she tells them she’ll see them later and hurries off.

 

Tamina looks exasperated. “When are you gonna tell her?”

 

Naomi shakes her head. “I will….I will.”

 

 

ZELINA VEGA VS CORA JADE

 

A good match which sees both get equal offense. Cora is fighting with a chip on her shoulder following her loss to Charlotte Flair and continuously flirts with breaking the referee’s five count until she just doesn’t care anymore and keeps choking Zelina on the rope causing a disqualification.

 

RESULT: ZELINA VEGA WINS BY DISQUALIFICATION

 

 

But Cora’s not done. She collects a chair from ringside and jabs it into Zelina’s head.  Zelina is dazed and Cora follows up with a russian leg sweep back onto the chair. Finally she wraps it around Zelina’s right foot and goes to the second rope, intent on jumping off and breaking her ankle……

 

 

Iyo Sky runs down to the ring and Cora ditches to the outside. She yells at Iyo to mind her own business but the Genius of the Sky isn’t going anywhere and helps her friend.

 

 

 

Backstage, the Street Profits are sitting in silence, both looking very troubled. Finally Montez says he doesn’t have the answer. They were champs, they were top of the mountain and now….now they’ve lost their way.

 

Dawkins nods in agreement but says the one thing he knows, is that the only path back up that mountain is together. Montex and he share a very complicated handshake and seem to be back on the same page.

 

 

CEDRIC ALEXANDER VS LA KNIGHT

 

Cedric and Knight have an open match and there are moments where Knight looks to be in trouble, but he recovers and brawls his way back into control of the match. Cedric attempts a desperate enziguri but Knight ducks, and when Cedric gets up quick he’s met with some Blunt Force Trauma.

 

RESULT: LA KNIGHT WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

As Knight celebrates with his fans, Karrion Kross and Scarlett appear on the tron. Kross informs Knight that his time is running out and the clock strikes zero at the Royal Rumble. One way or another, Kross will ensure that Knight has a very bad night….Yeah.

 

 

 

In the Bloodline Lounge, Reigns is furious, saying Mysterio tried to upstage him and put him on the spot. He’s angrily pacing as everyone watches when he stops and calls Solo over. He tells his enforcer that he has a match next and he wants EVERYONE to see what happens when the Tribal Chief is angry. And he wants Solo to do it on his own…no Bloodline allowed.

 

Solo tells Roman his will shall be done and leaves.

 

 

IKEMEN JIRO VS SOLO SIKOA

 

Solo was given a mission by the Tribal Chief and he delivers in spades. Sikoa dominates the match, showing off both his power and his viciousness. He ends it with a devastating Samoan Spike.

 

RESULT:  SOLO SIKOA WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Solo no sooner gets up off Jiro, then the crowd pops and Keith Lee comes running down the aisle and gets in the ring.  They collide and begin beating the hell out of each other.  Lee absorbs a tremendous amount of damage before slinging Solo into the corner and giving it as good as he got before clotheslining Solo over the top. With no Bloodline to get involved, Solo wildly stares at Lee as we go to break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MICHIN VS LACEY EVANS VS BIANCA BELAIR

 

Lacey is nobody’s friend in this one and she pays the price early as Bianca and Michin double team her in the first few minutes before they dump her out and turn their attention on one another. Lacey, to her credit, hangs out at ringside allowing them to wear each other out and choosing her time to reenter the ring.

 

Lacey waits until Michin has her back turned and then attacks, focusing on her neck and then knocking Bianca to the outside. Lacey continues to focus on Michin, hitting a neckbreaker but Michin kicks out. Lacey backs up, sizing Michin up for the Cobra Clutch when Bianca slides back in and scoops her up for the KOD. Michin gets up and charges but Bianca kicks her in the chest, knocking her back into the corner and then drops Lacey with the KOD for the win.

 

RESULT: BIANCA BELAIR WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

After the match Bianca gets a mic and invites Charlotte to come into the ring which the Champion does, with a smirk. Bianca says that she’s made it clear for months that she wants a shot at that title, she’s wanted one since Charlotte tricked her into giving up her shot at Asuka. And what did Charlotte tell her?  Earn a shot. Well she will earn it because she WILL win the Royal Rumble and then at WrestleMania, Charlotte won’t be able to duck her anymore.

 

They’re face to face as Charlotte raises her title in the air and as the show ends any sort of friendliness between them is clearly gone.

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

And Still…..

Last week at New Years Revolution, the Tribal Chief defended his Undisputed Universal WWE Championship against Keith Lee before the entire Bloodline put him through the announcer’s table. The Bloodline will open this week’s show and it’s being said Roman Reigns has an important announcement. What’s on the mind of the Head of the Table?

Last week we saw the Brawling Brutes cost Pete Dunne and Ilja Dragunov the WWE Tag Team Championship. After months of tension, it explodes this week when the four meet in tag action. Given how hard each of these men hit, will there be anything, or anyone, left?

Bianca Belair, Solo Sikoa, and LA Knight will all be in action as well!

All this and more, this Friday night, LIVE on FOX!

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

 

 

 

The Bloodline is shown arriving ‘earlier today’. Everyone looks tense as they enter the building.

 

 

 

 

January Week 1

Ball Arena

Denver, CO

 

ILJA DRAGUNOV AND PETE DUNNE VS THE USOS

 

The show begins with the WWE Tag Team Championship match already under way and the Usos are getting the better of it as they seamlessly move in and out of the ring, isolating Dunne in their corner.

 

Dunn fights back, hitting a series of forearm smashes on both Jimmy and Jey before making the tag to Dragunov. Ilja is a ball of non stop energy, attacking both Usos before focusing in Jey who is legal. When Jimmy tries to get involved, Dunne returns to the ring and clotheslines him over the top, before following with a springboard catapult leap. As this is happening, Dragunov is setting up for Torpedo Moscow but at the last second, Jey pulls the referee in front. With an opening presented, two more men join the action.

 

 

Sheamus and Ridge Holland come down to ringside and immediately attack Dunne, running him fast first into the post. This allows Jimmy to help his brother. Together they overwhelm Dragunov, knocking him flat with a double superkick then hitting a double splash off the top. Jimmy wakes the ref who makes the count.

 

RESULT:  THE USOS WIN THE WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP BY PINFALL

 

 

 

The Usos grab their titles and embrace as more than a few people in the crowd hold up their fingers in celebration. The Usos have brought more gold to the Bloodline!

 

 

 

Iyo Sky is backstage. She says when she wins the Royal Rumble and goes to WrestleMania she will show everyone why they call her the Genius of the Sky.

 

 

 

The WWE Women’s Champion walks out and slowly spins to show off her robe. She gives the crowd a big WOOOOOOOOO when….

 

Cora Jade flies out from the back with a chair and smashes it across Charlotte’s back. Cora begins wearing out the chair, slamming it down on Charlotte again and again. Barrett mentions this is completely legal and on top of that the match hasn’t even begun yet.

 

Officials force Cora away and she goes to the ring, taunting Charlotte and waiting for her to get up.

 

 

SUBMISSION MATCH

CORA JADE VS CHARLOTTE FLAIR ©

 

Charlotte is already hurt and Cora wastes no time in continuing her attacks. She reaches under the ring and pulls out a kendo stick.  Rolling back in, she uses it across Charlotte’s back until it frays and cracks.

 

Cora puts Charlotte in a STF but Charlotte reaches the ropes. Cora berates her, continuing to focus on attacks on the champion’s back. She turns her attention to the crowd and that opening is a disaster for her.  When she turns back to Charlotte she’s met with a heavy chop across the chest, then several more. 

 

Charlotte is up and with anger in her eyes. She begins to show her younger challenger why they call her the Queen. Cora is overwhelmed by Flair, and Charlotte then begins to focus on Jade’s left knee. Charlotte puts Jade in the Figure eight but Cora reaches the rope. When the referee tells Charlotte to break it, she screams at him that it’s anything goes. He can’t argue that, and Cora realizes that not only did she not have to break the STF earlier but she’s dead to rights. She tries to hang on, but has to submit.

 

RESULT:  CHARLOTTE FLAIR RETAINS THE WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP BY SUBMISSION

 

 

 

The camera sees Rey Mysterio walking backstage. He stops in front of Adam Pearce’s office before knocking and walking in.

 

 

 

We go to the Bloodline Lounge where the victorious Usos walk in with their new WWE Tag Team Championship titles. Roman stands, and motions for them to approach. They do and he hugs them both. Some of the earlier tension is gone and he tells them how proud he is of them. Heyman stands in the back, beaming next to a stoic Solo.

 

 

AJ STYLES VS CARMELO HAYES

 

Before the match we see a quick pre-recorded video where Styles tells Gallows and Anderson to stay in the back, he wants to deal with Hayes himself. AJ cheap shots Carmelo just before the bell rings and holds the advantage for several minutes. 

 

Carmelo stuns Styles with a standing enziguri and then begins to show off his own skills, hitting AJ with a flurry of offense from several angles. With AJ stunned, Carmelo goes to the top and hits Nothing but Net, but Styles rolls out of the ring. 

 

Hayes goes to the outside to throw him back in but AJ reverses it into the stairs. He pushes Carmelo back in, but only gets a two count.  AJ goes to the apron and readies for the Phenomenal Forearm. When he soars, Carmelo ducks and rolls. AJ lands on his feet and runs at his opponent but Hayes stops him with a side kick to the stomach. He then grabs AJ and hits the HIMplex for the win. 

 

RESULT:  CARMELO HAYES WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Bobby Lashley is pacing backstage when he turns to the camera. He says that 2024 will be the year the Almighty gets back on track and it starts with Logan Paul. He’s been waltzing around with the United States Championship….Lashley’s United States Championship. That ends next week and Lashley says he can’t wait to hear Paul begging for mercy when he puts him in the Hurt Lock!

 

 

 

A video recap of all the attacks and mind games that Asuka has perpetrated on Bianca Belair over the last months. Bianca finally gets her chance at ending this nightmare….next!

 

 

ASUKA W/ JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS VS BIANCA BELAIR

 

Asuka tries to ambush Bianca before the bell but the EST is ready and blocks it. She begins taking the fight to Asuka, showing off her power advantage. Roberts on the outside, watches carefully as his Empress of Darkness is thrown around the ring.

 

But Asuka has been playing possum and when Bianca lets her guard down for a moment, Asuka jabs her in the throat. Bianca is sidelined whole Asukla begins to pick her apart with strikes and kicks, at one point ripping at her eyes.

 

Asuka tries to apply the Asuka Lock but Bianca fights her off, swinging around behind her and nailing a big german suplex. Asuka and Bianca are both somewhat dazed, and at this point, Roberts reaches under the ring and pulls out a writhing green sack, shoving it into the ring.  Bianca crawls forward, her vision finally clearing as she nears it. She recoils in fear, right into the Asuka Lock.  

 

Bianca is fading but the crowd wakes her up and she rolls, slowly standing with Asuka on her back.  She runs backwards, smashing Asuka into the corner three times before Asuka releases her. Bianca swirls around and clotheslines her into the corner before turning Asuka around and delivering the KOD for the win.  

 

RESULT:  BIANCA BELAIR WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Bianca climbs the corner and swings her ponytail around as the crowd cheers. She has vanquished Asuka after months of torment!

 

 

 

Kayla Braxton catches Paul Heyman outside the Bloodline Lounge. She asks him how Roman Reigns is preparing for Keith Lee tonight and Heyman plays it off, saying that the Tribal Chief doesn’t prepare for anyone, everyone prepares for him and thus far they’ve all failed. Frankly, Keith Lee should be furious at the incompetent Managing Director Adam Pearce for forcing him into a guaranteed loss with millions of eyes on him.

 

Heyman begins to walk away but stops, turning back to Kayla before telling her that tonight the Bloodline will leave no doubt.

 

 

 

 

KEITH LEE VS ROMAN REIGNS © W/ PAUL HEYMAN

 

Lee and Reigns approach each other face to face before they begin trading punches. Lee gets the better and whips Reigns over the ropes to the outside. Heyman looks concerned as Roman gets up partly shocked and partly angry. 

 

Roman reenters the ring and suckers Lee into a kick to the stomach, another drops him to a knee, and then Reigns begins to hammer down right hand. The champion is in control as he measures Keith for several elbows to the back of the head. Now the Tribal Chief begins to talk down to Lee but he gets cut off when Lee grabs him by the throat and delivers a choke slam.

 

1

 

2

 

Roman kicks out.  

 

 

Jey and Jimmy come down to ringside and begin distracting Lee. He finally has enough of this and rolls to the outside. They try a double superkick but he catches each of their feet in his hands.before lifting their legs onto his shoulders and delivering a double power bomb. The crowd pops big for it, but when he turns around right into a Superman Punch. 

 

Roman gets Lee back into the ring and goes for a pin but Lee kicks out.  Roman readies for a spear but when he hits Lee, Keith catches him in a front facelock which is turned into a standing sleeper.  Roman is flailing and accidentally strikes the ref who’s kneeling to check on him.  

 

Roman slowly begins to stop fighting as Heyman screams encouragement.

 

Solo Sikoa jumps the barrier and slides into the ring behind Lee, jabbing him with three straight Samoan Spikes to get him to release the hold on Reigns, who drops like a rock. Lee turns and begins trading right hands with Solo who is eventually clotheslined over the top. Lee shakes his head several times, clearing his mind from the spikes. Roman is up and Lee turns right into a Superman Punch, then another, then another, and finally a spear which puts him down for the three count.

RESULT:  ROMAN REIGNS RETAINS THE UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY PINFALL

 

 

 

The Bloodline isn’t done yet. As the Usos and Solo hit the ring and continue their attacks on Lee, with Roman directing traffic. They roll Lee to the outside and clear the announcer’s table. Jimmy, Jey, and Solo help lift him onto Roman’s Shoulders as they deliver a Shield bomb through the table. 

 

As the show ends, the Bloodline stands tall and more united than ever.

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

NEW YEAR--SAME ACTION

 

To kickoff 2024, Smackdown is proud to present New Years Revolution, LIVE on Fox!

 

In action:

Bianca Belair vs Asuka

 

AJ Styles vs Carmelo Hayes

 

WWE Women’s Championship [Submission Match]

Cora Jade vs Charlotte Flair ©

 

WWE Tag Team Championship

Pete Dunne and Ilja Dragunov vs The Usos

 

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Keith Lee vs Roman Reigns ©

 

All this and more, this Friday Night*

 

*Show will be posted on Wednesday!

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

 

 

 

 

 

January Week 1

Desert Diamond Arena

Glendale, AZ

 

 

 

The show begins with Zelina Vega, Iyo Sky, and Michin in the midst of a loud argument with Bayley, Naomi, and Tamina. Just as it looks like it will turn physical Sonya DeVille shows up and stands between them. She says she will not allow them to waste a fight backstage because they can do it in the ring tonight!  

 

 

THEA HAIL VS SHAYNA BASZLER

 

Thea Hail is a ball of energy and it takes Baszler a few minutes to counter her attacks. When Shayna does figure it out, Thea’s in trouble and it shows as Baszler stretches and grinds her down, before slapping on the Kirifuda Clutch for the win.

 

RESULT: SHAYNA BASZLER WINS BY SUBMISSION

 

  

 

Kelly Kinkaid is standing by with Piper Niven. Niven says that she is entering the Royal Rumble and make no mistake, she will win it. Kinkaid asks about what happens if she runs into one of her friends during the match and Niven responds with a scoff, ‘what friends?’

 

 

 

 

LIV MORGAN VS VALHALLA

 

Valhalla beats the hell out of Liv for several minutes, taking great pride in the punishment, but Liv keeps kicking out of pinfalls. Valhalla goes to the top but Liv intercepts her and launches her down to the mat.  Valhalla begins to get up and is met with Liv who nails ObLIVion for the win.

 

RESULT:  LIV MORGAN WINS BY PINFALL

 

 

 

A vignette is shown to hype Smackdown’s New Years Revolution and the Submission Match we’ll see between Charlotte Flair and Cora Jade for the WWE Women’s Championship.

 

 

BAYLEY, NAOMI AND TAMINA VS MICHIN, IYO SKY AND ZELINA VEGA

 

Quick pacing in this match that sees all six women get in by the end. The Tribal Trio, as Bayley tells Michael Cole to call them, dominate the beginning but the faces make a comeback and Naomi looks to be in trouble as Iyo goes to the top for her moonsault but Bayley had made a blind tag and when Iyo soars, Bayley pulls Naomi out of the way. Bayley quickly hits the Rose Plant for the win.

 

RESULT:  BAYLEY, NAOMI AND TAMINA WIN BY PINFALL

 

 

 

Mami is alone backstage as she smiles into the camera. She says that at long last we know who she will beat for the Women’s World Championship at the Royal Rumble and she could not be happier that it’s Becky Lynch. Becky took something from her, she stole a part of Rhea’s soul and she will take it back at the Royal Rumble by any means necessary.

 

The show ends with Ripley’s smile fading and her intense stare.

[WWE 2k23: Playing the Game]

Thanks for catching that, should have been Matt Bailey.  Graphic is fixed.