WWE 2021 - The Blackfox Era

[Mootinie]

<p>RAW: WWE Women's Championship: <strong>Rhea Ripley</strong> vs Asuka</p><p> </p><p>

RAW: <strong>Finn Bálor</strong> vs Jey Uso</p><p> </p><p>

RAW: AJ Styles vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p> </p><p>

UG3: Akira Tozawa vs <strong>Cedric Alexander</strong></p><p> </p><p>

UG4: <strong>Chad Gable</strong> vs Dio Maddin</p>

[The Pitbull]

RAW: WWE Women's Championship: Rhea Ripley vs Asuka - Rhea by DQ . Charlotte intereferes. 3 way at the next PPV

 

RAW: Finn Bálor vs Jey Uso - Finn challenges for the World Title. Jey Uso is a JTTS.

 

RAW: AJ Styles vs Kevin Owens

 

Oh my god! Styles vs Owens on free TV??? Styles. Helix interferes. I like this generation vs generation feud.

 

UG3: Akira Tozawa vs Cedric Alexander

 

I like Alexander a lot. A lot. So he wins. Clean. Tozawa gets a good run in this, i assume, but Cedric is an amazing babyface.

 

UG4: Chad Gable vs Dio Maddin - Gable. Underground should be about legit guys. Gable is the most legit guy in WWE.

[BennyBXB]

Thanks for all your kindness, guys. Owens vs Styles is looking to be a banger of a main event, indeed. I've been away from the keyboard because my mother has been in and out of the hospital, but RAW is shaping up to be a fun card and I'm excited to bring it to you very soon.

[BennyBXB]

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Pre-Show: Ilja Dragunov def Apollo Crews (13:14, </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>37</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">)</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:36px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><strong>MONDAY NIGHT RAW</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Monday, Week 2, May 2021</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;">The evening starts with a cold open, and some breaking news from Tom Phillips: Shinsuke Nakamura will not be competing in his scheduled match against Andrade "Cien" Almas tonight. Security footage from the Greensboro Coliseum shows Angel Garza assaulting Nakamura with what appears to be a 2x4. With that in mind, we do still have a stacked card, featuring a WWE Women's Championship match between Rhea Ripley and Asuka, as well as non-title matches from Ricochet and the Street Profits. Plus, in our main event, Kevin Owens will look to get revenge on AJ Styles after their brawl on Friday. But first...</span></span></em></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Finn Bálor</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> vs </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Jey Uso</strong></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">The result of this one was never in doubt, but Jey Uso did give the Prince plenty of trouble in the early going. Bálor was a class above, but Uso did enough to make for an exciting opening bout.</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (10:03, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>69</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:#8B0000;">After the bell, Roman Reigns emerges from behind the barricade, assaulting Bálor from behind, while Paul Heyman cackles at ringside. Reigns helps Jey to his feet, and they stand over Bálor to start the show.</span></em></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:#8B0000;">Keith Lee is seated next to Drew McIntyre on a bench in the locker room of Greensboro Coliseum.</span></em></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>McINTYRE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> I don't say this to a lot of people. But you've got a lot of courage. There were five legends of the sport in that ring, every single one of them looking for a fight. And you went out there on your own to defend yourself. I don't think I could have done that.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>LEE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> I had to. I wasn't gonna let my brothers and sisters from NXT get torn down like that. Those HELIX guys, they say the only way to get to the top is to be handpicked and planted there. But you were supposed to be one of those guys, right? Mr. McMahon said you were the chosen one.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>McINTYRE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> And I learned a lot. I learned that you don't get handed a damn thing in this world. I learned that you have to fight for everything you have. And those guys, they're incredibly talented. But we're just as strong as them. And it may have taken us longer to get here, but we're here now.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>LEE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Drew, I think we need to stick together. You, me, Kevin, Sami. The guys who grinded for years and years to get our shot. I think we need to show the old guard what we're made of.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>McINTYRE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> I think you were born to be a leader. I don't know what you're planning, but whatever it is, I'm in.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Nia Jax</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> vs </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Ruby Riott</strong></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Mickie James accompanies Riott to the ring, and we see footage from the preshow of SmackDown this past Friday. James and Riott worked effectively as a duo against Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro. In the ring, Jax and Riott don't get too much time, but with the encouragement of Mickie, Riott outworks Jax and puts her away easily.</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (5:49, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>50</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>Jeremy Borash is standing by with Sheamus, John Morrison and The Miz, the latter two having already been announced face the Street Profits in a non-title match tonight. The Miz is using crutches and wearing a brace on his left knee, and he reveals that he was severely injured in the duo's match with War Raiders on Friday. Fear not, however, as Sheamus has enthusiastically agreed to take his place. Sheamus shows no enthusiasm.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Dolph Ziggler</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> vs </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Ricochet</strong></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Ricochet ventures into the Heavyweight division for the first time in the Blackfox Era, and the Cruiserweight Champion electrifies the North Carolina crowd. Even with Robert Roode's antics, Ziggler is no match for the speedy Ricochet, and the losing streak continues for the Dirty Dawgs.</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (8:09, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>69</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>Roman Reigns has been given a moment to address the crowd from backstage. He reiterates that Finn Bálor will get his championship opportunity at Judgment Day, and until then, he can keep his mouth shut.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Drew Gulak</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> vs </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Gran Metalik</strong></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">This match suffers from a lack of heat, as neither Gulak nor Metalik have seen much in the way of TV time recently. Nonetheless, the duo do their best, and put in solid performances. Metalik get the pin and the win, and Gulak leaves the ring furious, shouting at nobody in particular.</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (10:17, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>40</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:#8B0000;">Ricochet is toweling off in the locker room after his victory. He's approached by Mustafa Ali, one of the top contenders for his Cruiserweight Championship.</span></em></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ALI:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Cocky, cocky Ricochet. Getting all the TV time, getting all the press. Getting ahead of himself too, no? Leaving the division to show how tough he is?</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>Ricochet scowls.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ALI:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> This is your warning, Rico. Pride goes before a fall. And your attitude will only lead you down the darkest of paths. Make your choices, but one day, very soon, justice will be done.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>After the break, Rhea Ripley will fight Asuka for the WWE Women's Championship. But before then, Jeremy Borash is backstage with Shayna Baszler.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>BORASH:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> On Friday night, you and Rhea Ripley got into a fistfight, and neither of you has explained what started the altercation.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>BASZLER:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Because it's none of your business, Jeremy. We don't like each other. I don't respect her and she doesn't respect me. And I don't have much respect for Asuka, either. So I'm gonna sit back and let the two of them beat each other down. And whoever the champion is by the end of the night, she'd better watch her back.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">WWE Women's Championship Match, 60 Minute Time Limit:</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Rhea Ripley ©</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> vs </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Asuka</strong></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Ripley and Asuka take their time getting into the match, and the slow pace does take some of the heat out of the bout. Still, Asuka pushes Ripley to the limit, and Ripley has to escape the Asuka Lock twice before hitting the Riptide and earning her first title defense. After the match, Shayna Baszler walks to the stage and considers storming the ring, but Rhea helps Asuka to her feet, and Baszler thinks better of it. Asuka raises the champion's hand, gracious in defeat.</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (16:52, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>62</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>Backstage, Roode and Ziggler are coping with another loss.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ZIGGLER:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Something has to change. We cannot keep losing!</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>Ziggler slaps the wall, and immediately yelps, pulling his hand back in pain.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ROODE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Relax, Dolph! Anger isn't going to get us anywhere. We need to reevaluate. Let's spend the night going over some tape, and analyzing what we've been doing wrong. Maybe then, things will start to crystalize in our minds, and we'll have a solid idea of how to get back on track. You understand?</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>Ziggler shifts his gaze, as if he's just had a sudden realization.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ZIGGLER:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Robert, I have an idea. Do you trust me?</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ROODE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> No.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ZIGGLER:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Perfect. I need to put some stuff together. So leave me alone. But by Friday, I promise you, we are going to turn this thing around.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>Ziggler bolts. Robert Roode is left alone, talking to himself.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ROODE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> ...I said 'no', didn't I?</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Tag Team Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>The Street Profits</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> vs </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>John Morrison and Sheamus</strong></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Without a title on the line, Morrison and Sheamus are fighting for pride, but they struggle working as a unit and the Tag Team Champions get a relatively quick victory. After the bell, Sheamus attacks Montez Ford, and The Miz joins in, putting a suspicious amount of weight on his 'injured' knee.</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (7:21, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>68</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>After a commercial break, Tom Phillips announces that Angel Garza, accompanied by his friend Andrade "Cien" Almas and cousin Humberto Carrillo, has a statement to make regarding his assault of Shinsuke Nakamura.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>GARZA:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Humberto Carrillo is one of the great young talents of this company. And Humberto Carrillo knows that family is more important than anything. For you to harass him backstage, to say that he would be better without us? You should be ashamed of yourself.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ALMAS:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Shinsuke, this is not over. You have disrespected my friends. You have disrespected my wife. You have disrespected the championship you hold so proudly. If you want to be a clown, go ahead. See where it gets you.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;"><em>This Friday on SmackDown, we will see Shinsuke Nakamura fight Angel Garza in a non-title match. Also, Seth Rollins will face Roderick Strong, Shayna Baszler will return to action, and in our main event, Drew McIntyre will take on Jeff Hardy.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>AJ Styles</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> vs </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Kevin Owens</strong></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Sami Zayn is at ringside to prevent any interference from HELIX, and Owens and Styles put in a great showing together. Jeff Hardy comes down to ringside in an attempt to get Owens off his game, but Zayn holds him off and Owens gets the Pop-Up Powerbomb and the clean win, dealing a big blow to HELIX.</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (14:36, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>74</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em><span style="color:#8B0000;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Jeff Hardy didn't just come here to watch. He came to fight. He blindsides Owens, and Bobby Lashley comes from backstage to join the action. But he's followed behind by Drew McIntyre and Keith Lee, who help Owens and Zayn clean house. They stand tall in the ring, until Hardy says something unkind to McIntyre, who slides out of the ring to confront him. The crews fight again, and have to be separated to end the show.</span></span></em></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

SHOW RATING: </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>70</strong></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:36px;"><span style="color:#2F4F4F;"><strong>WWE Underground</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Monday, Week 2, May 2021</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Episodes Three and Four</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="color:#2F4F4F;"><em><span style="font-size:12px;">Shane McMahon and Bronson Reed corner Akira Tozawa. Bronson stares directly into Akira's eyes. Shane leans against the wall casually.</span></em></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>SHANE:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Akira, I have a good feeling about you. You have a techincal... Jennie-say-quah. Or however you say it. That Cedric is a tough opponent. But I expect you to put him away tonight. Don't disappoint me.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Bo Dallas</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"> def. </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Shane Thorne</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (11:39, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>28</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Wesley Blake</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"> def. </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Riddick Moss</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (11:56, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>25</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cedric Alexander</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"> def. </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Akira Tozawa</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (15:25, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>50</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#2F4F4F;"><em>Dio Maddin and Cedric Alexander are comparing notes on the tournament so far.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>MADDIN:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> That Jinder, man. He's onto something.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ALEXANDER:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Maybe he's on something. But I'm not afraid of him. It's always the guys who talk toughest who have the most to lose. Hell, Otis could crush him tonight.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>MADDIN:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> I've got his partner, speaking of.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ALEXANDER:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Tucker?</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>MADDIN:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> No, Chad Gable. But I don't know why Otis and Tucker ever split up. They had everything, it seemed. Maybe Gable just gave him a better deal.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ALEXANDER:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Well, I'm ready for you to give him a 'better deal' out there.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>MADDIN:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> I'll do my best.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Mojo Rawley</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"> def. </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tucker Knight</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (10:36, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>31</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dio Maddin</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"> def. </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Chad Gable</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (13:51, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>39</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Jinder Mahal</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"> def. </span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Otis Dozovic</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> (12:21, </div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>53</strong></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">)</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#2F4F4F;"><em>Mojo Rawley is getting his hand checked out by the doctor after having it stomped on by Tucker Knight. Tucker walks by to see if he's alright, and stumbles into Otis, who was also concerned for Rawley. He waves them both off, but thanks them for checking in. Otis and Tucker make eye contact. In the distance, Chad Gable squints, watching them very closely.</em></span></span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div>

[BennyBXB]

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">NEWS N NOTES</span></strong></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;">Thursday, Week Two, May 2021</span></em></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Welcome to News N Notes, your source for news n notes from around the wrestling world.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

The big news of the week so far has been the release of Nia Jax by WWE. We've learned that Jax quit the company after storming out of RAW on Monday night. A source in the locker room has told us that Jax has had conflicts with producers since the death of Vince McMahon. The Blackfox ownership group reportedly demanded that Jax be taken off television so she can be trained to work more safely. After being booked to lose to Ruby Riott on Monday, Jax put minimal effort into the match and left the locker room without speaking to anyone. A top-level WWE official told us that Jax is not bound by a no-compete clause, and is "free to work with any company who wants their women to get paralyzed." Yikes.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

On the other end of the employment spectrum, we have more information about Bryant Richard and Julia Alessio, who were announced as the newest graduates of the WWE UK Performance Center a few days ago.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Bryant Richard, 21, is a heavyweight who eschewed a promising rugby career to join the Performance Center. He's been described by his coaches as "brilliant," quickly picking up the basics of in-ring psychology and promo work. A proud member of the London grime scene, Richard is reportedly developing a character based on bouncers and guards at events he's attended.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

The Sicily-born and England-raised Julia Alessio, 18, was discovered at a youth boxing tournament after she fought and beat the daughter of a Performance Center employee. Her purple hair and "angelic" look are as striking as her fists, and insiders say she has displayed a natural showmanship. Assuming the ring name "Julissia," with the J sounding like a Y, Alessio is said to be preparing some sort of fairy-alien gimmick, perhaps with superhuman strength belying her diminutive stature. It's a bold direction for a young wrestler to take, but one that has given WWE brass enough confidence to put pen to paper.</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

...</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">PREDICTIONS</span></strong></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;">SmackDown/Main Event, Week Two, May 2021</span></em></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">A clean loss from HELIX has them on the back foot going into SmackDown. Will Jeff Hardy be able to turn things around? Will Shinsuke Nakamura get revenge on Angel Garza? And what do you think of Bryant Richard and Julissia, the new talents signed by WWE?</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>SD:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Angel Garza vs Shinsuke Nakamura</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>SD:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Dirty Dawgs vs Los Mysterios</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>SD:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Asuka vs Shayna Baszler</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>SD:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Drew McIntyre vs Jeff Hardy</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ME:</strong></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Bianca Belair vs Peyton Royce</span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div>

[dukka]

<p>SD: Angel Garza vs <strong>Shinsuke Nakamura</strong></p><p> </p><p>

SD: <strong>Dirty Dawgs</strong> vs Los Mysterios</p><p> </p><p>

SD: Asuka vs <strong>Shayna Baszler</strong></p><p> </p><p>

SD: <strong>Drew McIntyre</strong> vs Jeff Hardy</p><p> </p><p>

ME: <strong>Bianca Belair</strong> vs Peyton Royce</p><p> </p><p>

Being a massive Rugby fan from UK, I'm going to be looking forward to what this Bryant Richard will be like in your save. The Pounce would be my choice of finisher for him because of the story background.</p>

[JaCeLo3]

<p>SD: Angel Garza vs <strong>Shinsuke Nakamura</strong></p><p>

SD: Dirty Dawgs vs <strong>Los Mysterios</strong></p><p>

SD: <strong>Asuka</strong> vs Shayna Baszler</p><p>

SD: Drew McIntyre vs <strong>Jeff Hardy</strong></p><p>

ME: <strong>Bianca Belair</strong> vs Peyton Royce</p>

[Mootinie]

SD: Angel Garza vs Shinsuke Nakamura

 

SD: Dirty Dawgs vs Los Mysterios

 

SD: Asuka vs Shayna Baszler

 

SD: Drew McIntyre vs Jeff Hardy

 

ME: Bianca Belair vs Peyton Royce

[Rampaaage]

SD: Angel Garza vs Shinsuke Nakamura

 

SD: Dirty Dawgs vs Los Mysterios

 

SD: Asuka vs Shayna Baszler

 

SD: Drew McIntyre vs Jeff Hardy

 

ME: Bianca Belair vs Peyton Royce

[BennyBXB]

Being a massive Rugby fan from UK, I'm going to be looking forward to what this Bryant Richard will be like in your save. The Pounce would be my choice of finisher for him because of the story background.

 

I don't know all that much about rugby, but I've seen it on cable enough times to know that I wouldn't be very good at it. Those guys are Very Strong and I am Very Not Strong. Richard has a bit of an aura around him right now. Time will tell if it's justified.

[BennyBXB]

SmackDown should be ready by tomorrow; had a neck issue earlier this week, and Mario Golf has delayed me significantly, but I shall push through. Thank you for understanding.

[BennyBXB]

Pre-Show: Team WhiteWolf def. The Bollywood Boyz (10:22,

36

)

 

...

 

FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

Friday, Week 2, May 2021

Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

 

...

 

A Seth Rollins highlight package plays to start the show, being spoken over by a soft-voiced female narrator accompanied by lofty violin music.

 

NARRATOR:

For more than ten years, Seth Rollins has been the face of WWE. Now, he’s calling on his millions of fans to follow him in his next journey.

 

The footage cuts to a political ad-style montage of Rollins smiling, shaking hands with Triple H, and boasting cheerfully next to booing spectators.

 

NARRATOR:

It’s a new era, and Seth Rollins needs your support to change WWE forever. Imagine a world of opportunity, of equality, of peace, love, and happiness. That is The Vision. And Seth Rollins is asking you to pledge your loyalty today.

 

We cut to a few more of Seth's in-ring highlights, including winning the WWE Championship at the end of WrestleMania 31, and then a clip of Seth Rollins standing on a hill, looking directly at the sunrise. Rollins speaks in a voiceover.

 

ROLLINS:

I’m Seth Rollins, and I approve this message because I believe not only in what WWE is, but what WWE can be. Follow me, my children, and Embrace The Vision.

 

Fade to a backstage shot of Rollins and Roderick Strong on either side of a television screen.

 

ROLLINS:

So what do you say, Roderick? Are you ready to create the future?

 

Strong stares at Rollins for a long time.

 

STRONG:

...no.

 

ROLLINS:

...are you

sure

?

 

STRONG:

...yes.

 

An awkward silence follows. Rollins and Strong stand, motionless, until Strong slowly backs away. The camera zooms in on Rollins, who shakes his head, confused as to how his pitch has failed.

 

...

 

So you think you can shoot your mouth off?

Well, you'd better watch your aim

Try to hide, but there's no way out

You're goin' down, you're goin' down!

 

(Bang bang!) Someone said you're feelin' brave tonight

(Step up!) Do you really wanna cross the line?

(Right now!) Go ahead and try to take what's mine

 

Let it roll, let it roll, I'm unstoppable

Let it roll, let it roll, I'm unstoppable

Let it roll, let it roll!

 

...

 

Singles Non-Title Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Angel Garza

vs

Shinsuke Nakamura

 

Nakamura is fighting for revenge from the assault from Garza's group on Monday, and he gets it with a crushing Kinshasa that knocks Garza out cold to finish a high-energy opening match.

(9:14,

63

)

 

As soon as Nakamura is handed his Intercontinental Championship belt, he's confronted by Humberto Carrillo and Andrade "Cien" Almas, who have been at ringside. Nakamura looks at Andrade, before pointing at Andrade's face and turning to Carrillo. Nakamura puts his other pointer finger on Humberto's chest and says a few words to him. Humberto responds by ripping the Intercontinental Championship off on Nakamura's shoulder, staring at the belt for a few seconds, and then dropping it on the canvas. Almas and Carrillo carry Garza to the back, staring at Shinsuke all the way.

 

...

 

Michael Cole announces that over the next two weeks, we're going to see qualifying matches for a Cruiserweight Fatal Four-Way to be held on the Judgment Day go-home show. The winner of that Four-Way will get a shot at Cruiserweight Champion Ricochet two nights later in Philadelphia. Drew Gulak and Kalisto will have their qualifying match in just a few moments. Plus, later tonight, we'll find out what Dolph Ziggler's plan to break the Dirty Dawgs' losing streak is when they face Los Mysterios. Shayna Baszler, the #1 Contender to the Women's Championship, will also be in action against the Queen Of Harts, Natalya. And in our main event, Jeff Hardy will represent HELIX against Drew McIntyre, who pledged his loyalty to Keith Lee and his burgeoning counter-alliance a few nights ago.

 

...

 

Keith Lee is leaning against a wall in the back, talking to Drew McIntyre. Lee is in a hoodie and jeans, while McIntyre is wearing his ring gear and loosening up for the main event.

 

LEE:

Honestly? I think Hardy's the most dangerous one out of that whole group.

 

McINTYRE:

Why's that?

 

LEE:

Because he's fearless. He'll throw himself off the freakin' roof just to prove a point. You look at Lashley, Orton, Edge. They've got their money. They'll fight when they have to fight. They'll do what suits them. And Styles and MVP, they're just tagging along because they're too stubborn to call it quits. But Hardy doesn't have anything besides this. All he knows how to do is put himself through hell. You're gonna have to hurt him worse than he can hurt himself.

 

McINTYRE:

If he thinks he can stop the two of us, he's hurt his brain. I know exactly what Jeff Hardy can do. But he doesn't know what we can do.

 

LEE:

I like that attitude. I trust you. But if you need me, I'll be here.

 

McINTYRE:

I know.

 

After Keith Lee leaves the frame, MVP enters from the other side.

 

MVP:

I trust you too, Drew. I trust that you understand your role in this company. You remember how Vince McMahon handpicked you to be his superstar, right? Just like Randy Orton and Edge and Bobby Lashley before you. And I'm sure you're not going to listen to this kid from the minor leagues. Listen to someone who's been around the block a few times, who's made a lot of mistakes and lived to tell about them. If you turn your back on the rightful leaders of this sport, you will regret it for the rest of your career. Do the right thing.

 

...

 

Qualifying Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Drew Gulak

vs

Kalisto

 

Gulak gets a rematch with Kalisto, hoping to snap his losing streak. It looks like Kalisto has the upper hand, but as he sets up for a top-rope maneuver, Gulak grabs the referee's leg in an attempt to distract him. A man comes out from under the ring and pushes Kalisto off the ropes, and Gulak rolls Kalisto up with a handful of tights to secure the shocking victory. Video replays show that the pushing hand belonged to... Noam Dar, of all people, who slinks away out of the referee's sight.

(7:47,

48

)

 

...

 

Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode sit on a bench in the locker room. Ziggler removes two bracelets from a small satchel. He hands the purple one to Robert Roode, and puts the pink one on himself.

 

ROODE:

Can you explain this to me one more time?

 

ZIGGLER:

Fine. Your bracelet is amethyst. It allows you to manifest your desires through meditation. And my bracelet is rose quartz. It's the stone of love, and will provide us with the emotional strength needed to win tonight.

 

ROODE:

And you believe this will work because...

 

ZIGGLER:

Because it says so on the Internet. Come on, let's meditate. Just close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths.

 

Just as Ziggler and Roode begin to concentrate their energy, Kyle O'Reilly of the Undisputed ERA interrupts them.

 

O'REILLY:

Hey, what are you guys doing?

 

Ziggler jumps. He rips the bracelets off himself and Roode, clumsily stuffs them in the satchel, and hides the satchel behind his back.

 

ZIGGLER:

NOTHING, THANKS!

 

O'REILLY:

Oh, okay. Just making sure you're alright.

 

O'Reilly walks away. Ziggler exhales, thankful that O'Reilly didn't see his secret. Robert Roode is not convinced of that.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Roderick Strong

vs

Seth Rollins

 

Rollins makes a plea for peace at the bell, but Strong rejects him. Rollins slaps Strong in the face, and the fight is on. Strong gets a majority of the offense in a long match, but Rollins is able to turn the tables and prevent the upset.

(14:45,

67

)

 

Rollins attacks Strong after the bell. He stomps on his chest, pulls him by the hair, and tells him that there will be vengeance for this. Just then, Braun Strowman makes his return, getting two good punches in before Rollins escapes. Strowman helps Strong to his feet, and Rollins scurries away.

 

...

 

Tag Team Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Dirty Dawgz

vs

Los Mysterios

 

Ziggler and Roode struggle to keep up with the father-son duo in the early going, but turn things around as Ziggler shakes his satchel of bracelets in the air. When Ziggler is tagged in and is set up on the ropes for a 619, Roode takes one of the bracelets out of the satchel and uses it as a sort of brass-knuckles to punch Rey in the spine. When Rey gets up to complain to the referee, Ziggler hits the Zig Zag and picks up the pinfall victory. He sees Roode holding the amethyst bracelet, and jumps for joy, throwing himself onto Roode, who stumbles to the ground.

(13:07,

60

)

 

...

 

Paul Heyman, advocate of the Roman Empire, and Shawn Michaels, WWE General Manager, are chatting backstage, when they're interrupted by Finn Bálor, who muscles himself between them.

 

BÁLOR:

Let me remind you guys of something. One month ago, Roman Reigns cheated me out of the WWE Championship tournament. I would have beaten him, and Paul, you know that. I am the number one contender for that championship. And I don't want to wait around for my opportunity. I am going to get what I deserve.

 

HEYMAN:

Mr. Bálor. You are going to get you rightfully-earned rematch with Roman Reigns at Judgment Day in two weeks. And you can trust me when I say that I know a lot about the city of Philadelphia. And I am sure they will be supporting you on that night.

 

BÁLOR:

And they would support Roman Reigns getting his ass kicked tonight, like he deserves.

 

HEYMAN:

Roman Reigns is not here tonight, and you know that, Mr. Bálor.

 

BÁLOR:

Because he's afraid of a fair fight.

 

HEYMAN:

Because he has important business to attend to.

 

MICHAELS:

That's enough. Finn, your rematch is scheduled for Judgment Day. I can't force Roman to defend his championship before then. What I can do is demand that Roman attend RAW on Monday. The two of you can negotiate then. If Roman wants to move the fight up, I can authorize that. And if Roman no-shows Raw...

 

Michaels glares at Heyman.

 

MICHAELS:

..then I can negotiate for him.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Natalya

vs

Shayna Baszler

 

Baszler finds little trouble in disposing of Natalya, choking her out inside three minutes.

(2:38,

40

)

 

As Shayna's hand is raised in victory, Asuka emerges from the back in ring gear. She walks up the steps and into the ring, gesturing for the referee to come back. Neither fighter has a microphone, but Shayna nods her head and says a few seemingly unkind words to Asuka. Just as the referee is about to call an impromptu match, Shayna slips out of the ring and walks away to a shower of boos from the Lexington fans. Baszler's music plays, and she turns her back on the ring, completely unprepared for Asuka to follow her out and attack her on the ramp. Asuka kicks Shayna in the back, throws her into the ring, and demands the timekeeper ring the bell.

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Asuka

vs

Shayna Baszler

 

Asuka and Baszler put on the match of the night, thrilling the crowd with an unadvertised banger. Both fighters get to show off their unique styles, and they trade momentum right up until the end. It is Baszler who comes out ahead, though, and she plants Asuka with a Kirifuda Driver before putting her to sleep.

(14:30,

67

)

 

...

 

Sheamus approaches Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford backstage.

 

SHEAMUS:

I need to apologize.

 

FORD:

For what, beating us up last week? Or for covering for The Miz and his "injured" knee?

 

SHEAMUS:

Montez, listen. It's not about that.

 

DAWKINS:

Well, what is it about? What do you have to gain by attacking us after you got your ass kicked?

 

SHEAMUS:

Money. Miz paid me off. He said he'd throw some cash my way if I beat you down.

 

FORD:

...really.

 

SHEAMUS:

Fellas, I want to make it up to you. I bet I can convince Miz to give me some more money to... "attack" you again. And I have no problem splitting it with you, if you can pretend to be hurt.

 

Angelo and Montez look at each other, and Angelo nods.

 

FORD:

Well, The Miz pretended to be hurt because he was scared to fight us. I guess it's only right that we return the favor.

 

...

 

On Monday night, RAW rolls through Evansville, Indiana. Michael Cole confirms that Roman Reigns will be in attendance to address the future of the WWE Championship. We'll see Braun Strowman return to the ring, Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair will square off, and in the main event, Randy Orton and Edge will team up for the first time in 14 years to face Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Drew McIntyre

vs

Jeff Hardy

 

Cornered by MVP, Hardy gets to work quickly, outpacing McIntyre in the early going. McIntyre is able to gain control through brute force, but MVP distracts the ref to allow Hardy an opportunity to catch McIntyre low. Hardy hits a Swanton, but McIntyre kicks out at two. Hardy has an opportunity for another, but can't get it off in time, tweaking his back on the canvas as Drew rolls away. McIntyre paces backward to the corner, glancing at MVP as Hardy staggers to his feet, and sets up for the Claymore. He counts with the fans: three... two...

 

BANG! Bobby Lashley rushes from the back and blindsides McIntyre for the disqualification. He and MVP storm the ring and beat McIntyre down.

(14:14,

73

)

 

Hardy, still nursing his back, gets to his feet and stomps on McIntyre's face. He and MVP hold McIntyre up on his feet. Bobby Lashley paces back to prepare a Spear...

 

...until Keith Lee runs down the ramp to defend McIntyre. He slides under the bottom rope and cleans house, punching Hardy's injured back and flinging MVP out of the ring before engaging in a wild fistfight with Lashley. Hardy, still in the ring, trips Lee. Lashley lands a few punches on Lee, only to turn around into a nasty Claymore from McIntyre. Lee picks up Hardy and drops him with a Spirit Bomb to get his revenge.

 

SHOW RATING:

68

 

...

 

WWE Main Event

Friday, Week 2, May 2021

Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

 

...

 

Humberto Carrillo

def.

R-Truth

(8:22,

49

)

 

Lince Dorado

def.

Jak Tayler

(8:58,

24

)

 

Bianca Belair

def.

Peyton Royce

(10:36,

54

)

 

Sasha Banks

def.

Lana

(7:58,

58

)

[BennyBXB]

 

NEWS N NOTES

 

Sunday, Week Two, May 2021

 

Welcome to News N Notes, your source for news n notes from around the wrestling world.

 

Our top story of the weekend came early this morning. In the aftermath of NXT TakeOver: Vancouver, nearly 40 members of NXT and NXT UK have been released by WWE. On the list of cuts includes Jaxson Ryker and Tamina, who had both been sent to NXT for what was believed to be gimmick repackaging. Also leaving the company are Arturo Ruas, Zoey Stark, Dave Mastiff, Desmond Troy, Mansoor, and producers David Otunga and Jason Jordan, among many others. This batch of cuts blindsided the industry, being called a "bloodbath" by a top official at a rival promotion. We're told that the Blackfox ownership group has been carefully planning this move since taking over the company in February, looking to turn over a large percentage of what they consider to be a stale developmental roster.

 

This news has overshadowed the success of NXT TakeOver: Vancouver, which concluded with Tommaso Ciampa becoming the inaugural NXT Champion of the Blackfox Era by defeating his former tag team partner Timothy Thatcher. The Tag Team Championship match between The Midnight Riders and Burch and Lorcan was also a massive hit, with Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and KUSHIDA retaining. The Riders are seemingly being prepared for a move to the main roster, along with Ilja Dragunov, who has attended multiple house shows over the last few weeks. We don't know who else may be coming up, but we know that the NXT roster will have many holes to fill in the coming weeks.

 

(predictions to come)

[BennyBXB]

PREDICTIONS

 

RAW/Underground, Week 3, May 2021

 

RAW promises a tag team dream match, and a visit from WWE Champion Roman Reigns. Under the surface, NXT's roster has been gutted, and KUSHIDA, Ilja Dragunov, and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott are expected to be called up. Is there anyone you'd like to see the Blackfox group target to fill the gaps? And after avoiding another attempted attack, do you think Keith Lee's group of former indie darlings will keep their momentum going against HELIX?

 

RAW:

Bianca Belair vs Charlotte Flair

 

RAW:

Braun Strowman vs Murphy

 

RAW:

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs Rated-RKO

 

RAW:

Finn plans to lobby to get his championship match before Judgment Day. Will he succeed in changing Roman's mind?

 

UG5:

Cedric Alexander vs Riddick Moss

 

UG6:

Akira Tozawa vs Chad Gable

[Mootinie]

RAW: Bianca Belair vs Charlotte Flair

I just don't rate Charlotte to be honest, I find her robotic and plain. Belair has more upside for me.

 

RAW: Braun Strowman vs Murphy

BRAUNNNNNN SMASH.

 

RAW: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs Rated-RKO

I imagine that Edge & Orton are wayyyyy more over than Owens & Zayn, so I'm not sure they're losing here. Will it be three defeats in a row for Helix if Owens & Zayn win here? I believe so. I'm gonna roll with Helix getting the W and clawing back some momentum.

 

RAW: Finn plans to lobby to get his championship match before Judgment Day. Will he succeed in changing Roman's mind? No way, he's not getting a shot that easy.

 

UG5: Cedric Alexander vs Riddick Mos

Riddick Moss is garbage, surprised that Blackfox didn't fire him immediately TBH.

 

UG6: Akira Tozawa vs Chad Gable

Hard call, I loved Tozawa in DG but he was DOA in WWE.

[BennyBXB]

I imagine that Edge & Orton are wayyyyy more over than Owens & Zayn, so I'm not sure they're losing here. Will it be three defeats in a row for Helix if Owens & Zayn win here? I believe so. I'm gonna roll with Helix getting the W and clawing back some momentum.

It would indeed be three defeats in a row. Orton and Edge cooled off a bit in April due to their poor performances in the WWE Championship tournament, both getting bounced in the second round by, respectively, Drew McIntyre and Daniel Bryan. Without a doubt, all four competitors are fighting for their biggest win of the Blackfox Era so far. I think Rated-RKO can shift the entire feud back in HELIX's favor with a victory, but it won't be easy.

[BennyBXB]

Decided I'm not gonna do full dialogue for most promo segments, because it's just a lot. I will do partial or full dialogue for important moments as I see fit, but scripting a whole show does not cooperate with my job, as much as I'd like it to. RAW will be out soon.

[BennyBXB]

Pre-Show:

The Midnight Riders

def.

The Bollywood Boyz

(7:49,

47

)

...

 

MONDAY NIGHT RAW

Monday, Week 3, May 2021

Ford Center, Evansville, IN

 

...

 

Lights flashing when we step in the place

And you can feel the raw excitement from the look on their face

It's like the prize is right in front of my eyes to take

And the sky's the limit, got no time to waste

 

You can find us climbing, setting the bar

Or you can find us red carpet when we hitting it hard

But the truth is, you can find us wherever you are

Just look up, we're flying high with the stars, 'cause

 

Tonight is the night!

Bright lights, hype crowd

Yeah, we came to throw down

Everybody get loud

Tonight is the night!

 

...

 

HEYMAN:

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman...

 

Heyman stands at the top of the entrance ramp. The Indiana fans make their displeasure heard at the top of the hour.

 

HEYMAN:

...and it is my privilege and honor to introduce to you the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Champion, your Tribal Chief, the Head Of The Table... Rooooooman... Reeeeeigns!

 

Heyman kneels as Roman appears on stage, and Roman gently places the WWE Championship onto Heyman's outstretched arms. As the Tribal Chief and his special counsel approach the ring, Tom Phillips runs down the card for the evening. Braun Strowman will return to in-ring action against Murphy. Lince Dorado and Mustafa Ali will face off in a qualifying match for the Cruiserweight Championship #1 Contender Fatal Four Way. Bianca Belair will face Charlotte Flair in a highly anticipated exhibition matchup, and Jeremy Borash will speak to the WWE Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley, who prepares to face Shayna Baszler at Judgment Day. And in our main event this evening, Edge and Randy Orton will team up for the first time in fourteen years to face Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

 

HEYMAN:

We are aware that there have been requests for Roman Reigns to defend his WWE Championship tonight. And here in the Roman Empire, we listen to what the people want. And for that reason, we are going to give you what you want. Roman Reigns is going to defend the WWE Championship right here, and right now. His opponent is a man who has wanted an opportunity like this for a long time. A man who has faced his share of unfairness in this industry. A man beloved by professional wrestling fans all around the world. A man who truly deserves this championship match, more than anyone else.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome... fighting out of Ireland... the challenger!

 

At the mention of Ireland, the crowd buzzes. Finn Bálor has lobbied for his rightful championship opportunity for weeks, and maybe, just maybe, Roman Reigns has decided to grant him the match tonight.

 

After a long pause, the lights go dark. The fans cheer. This is the moment.

 

A bagpipe anthem plays. Hornswoggle rushes down to the ring. Hornswoggle. Roman can't help but giggle.

 

Singles Match, 60 Minute Time Limit, for the WWE Championship:

Roman Reigns

© vs

Hornswoggle

 

At the sound of the bell, the champion Spears the lucky leprechaun out of his shoes. He wraps his bicep around Hornswoggle's neck, and in seconds, the match is over. Roman drops Hornswoggle's lifeless body to the mat and pushes him out of the ring and onto the floor with one foot.

(0:22,

65

)

 

HEYMAN:

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen!

 

Heyman is booed mercilessly, as a doctor rushes from the back to check on Hornswoggle. Heyman hands the microphone to Roman Reigns.

 

REIGNS:

How many times do I have to tell you that I am God's chosen champion? I was not put on this planet to be pushed around. I'm not going to do what people tell me. And that's why Finn Bálor has gotten under my skin. Like a gnat. Buzzing and buzzing, doing nothing. The man who lost, clean as a whistle, who was humbled by my greatness, who never deserved a second chance. Useless. Absolutely... useless.

 

So, what do you want me to do? Should I stand here like a chump and let some nerd tell me that I'm not a good enough champion? That I should do things on his terms? Absolutely not.

 

When I say that I'm the Head Of The Table, I mean it. This division, this company, this entire business, starts and stops

exactly

when I tell it to. And I understand that Finn Bálor comes from a dreamland where anyone can get an opportunity if the fans cheer loud enough and if they sell enough t-shirts.

 

That's not how things work in the Roman Empire. In the Roman Empire, there is one person who decides who gets an opportunity. There is one Tribal Chief. And you must... acknowledge me.

 

Finn Bálor has heard enough. He storms to the ring, scowling. He steps through the ropes and stares down Roman. Just as he does, Jimmy and Jey Uso jump the barricade and wait behind Finn. Roman points behind Finn trying to get him to turn around. Finn peeks over his shoulder, and takes stereo Superkicks to the back of the head. Roman's music plays as he holds the championship high.

 

...

 

Coming up next, Bianca Belair will face Charlotte Flair in an exhibition that started with a social media confrontation. Charlotte posted about the dominance of herself and her husband, Andrade "Cien" Almas. Belair replied with a GIF of Flair being submitted by Asuka in their #1 Contender match earlier this month. Tonight, they'll settle it in the ring. But first, Randy Orton and Edge of HELIX have something they want to say to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, their opponents in tonight's main event. The camera finds Orton and Edge together backstage.

 

ORTON:

When a man gains power, he must be careful not to abuse it. Because power corrupts, and it reveals the corruptible. This past Friday, Keith Lee crossed a line that he should not have crossed. He brutally, savagely attacked Jeff Hardy, one of the great icons of our sport. And he believes, just because he's got a couple friends surrounding him to fight his battles for him, that he's invincible, untouchable. And he may be. But his friends... aren't.

 

The camera pans to the side to show AJ Styles holding up a bloodied, gasping Sami Zayn. Styles punches Zayn in the ribs multiple times, seemingly softening him up, as Zayn grimaces.

 

EDGE:

Let this be a lesson, Keith. If you take one of ours...

 

From off-screen, Bobby Lashley sprints at Zayn and crushes him with a devastating Spear. Zayn yelps in agony.

 

EDGE:

...we take one of yours.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Bianca Belair

vs

Charlotte Flair

 

After a very rough start to the evening for the babyfaces, Belair is tasked with getting the crowd back, and she does so with a high-energy performance. Charlotte doesn't put Belair in real peril until the second half of the match, but as she turns the tide back in her favor, Belair rolls her up with a schoolgirl and gets a flash victory. Charlotte is stunned, and she pushes referee Ryan Tran while scolding him for counting too fast. At the commentary table, Samoa Joe says he thought Tran's count was fine, and a slow-motion replay confirms that Flair's shoulders were down at three.

(12:04,

54

)

 

...

 

Backstage, a distraught Kevin Owens is met by Drew McIntyre and Keith Lee. Owens is covering his face, shaken by the attack on his best friend. Keith Lee says he's going to go look for Lashley to try and exact some revenge. Owens asks him not to be his vigilante, but Lee insists that it wouldn't be right for him to let HELIX get away with this. McIntyre, meanwhile, tells Kevin Owens that he has a friend who may be able to help out with the main event tonight.

 

...

 

As Murphy prepares to take on Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins meets him backstage to discuss with him the virtues of embracing The Vision. Murphy isn't entirely sure what The Vision entails, but tells Seth he'll get back to him.

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Braun Strowman

vs

Murphy

 

Murphy does all he can to evade the monster, but Strowman finds little difficulty getting him in the ring and throwing him around in the early part of the match. It's not an elementary victory for Braun, as Murphy does attack the recently-injured knee of Strowman to keep him grounded for a while. Strowman is clearly a class above, but Murphy holds back the tide with methodical aerial assaults and an eye rake missed by the referee. An attempted springboard goes haywire, however, as Strowman gets to his feet and grabs Murphy out of the air before planting him to the canvas with a skull-rattling Powerslam. After the match, Seth Rollins comes out to comfort Murphy.

(9:16,

65

)

 

...

 

Backstage, Kevin Owens hangs up his cell phone. He's still devastated at the attack on Zayn, but Drew McIntyre comforts him. Those HELIX guys will get what they deserve, McIntyre says, as long as we keep fighting. That starts with Owens in the main event, especially now that they've found another ally to even the numbers.

 

...

 

Jeremy Borash interviews Noam Dar and Drew Gulak, asking why Dar interfered on behalf of Gulak this past Friday in the Cruiserweight Fatal Four-Way qualifier. Before he can finish the question, Dar grabs the microphone and shoves Borash out of frame.

 

DAR:

Step aside, twerp.

(to camera)

America, we are facing a crisis. Our noble Cruiserweights are facing a crisis. WWE's new ownership promised a new light for this division, but what we have seen in the last month and a half can only be called darkness. Something has to change. Thankfully, me and my friend Drew are here to make that change.

 

GULAK:

Think about the great days of wrestling's past. Bruno Sammartino, Buddy Rogers, Lou Thesz, Jack Brisco. What do they all have in common? They played by the rules. They fought fair. They respected tradition. Take a look at our Cruiserweight Champion, Ricochet. What does he do? Flips? Dives? Jumps? Gymnastics? Is that what wrestling is all about? Are we here to watch the circus? Or are we here to respect this great sport?

 

DAR:

And do you know what the worst thing is? WWE promotes this. WWE puts the Cruiserweights on commercials and social media. "Oh, did you see this? Did you see that? Can you believe it?" No, I can't believe it, WWE. I can't believe your endorsement of the sullying of our craft. What would Frank Gotch say? What would Farmer Burns say? Hell, what would Abraham Lincoln say? They would be disgusted.

 

GULAK:

So this is a message to WWE, to Ricochet, and to all of you people who clap for these clowns. Noam and I are going to take back the Cruiserweight division — nay, the entire sport — on behalf of our forefathers. And, decades from now, you'll be able to tell your grandchildren the tales of Drew Gulak and Noam Dar, the men who saved wrestling.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Montez Ford

vs

Sheamus

 

A fair and competitive match here, as Angelo Dawkins keeps the crowd hot on the outside and Sheamus trades momentum with Ford. Sheamus don't indulge his heelish tendencies, playing clean and honest before succumbing to a Frog Splash from Ford.

(8:15,

59

)

 

Miz and Morrison come out to instruct Sheamus to beat down Ford after the match. Sheamus complies, but the close camera angle shows that Sheamus isn't anywhere close to making contact with Ford, and Ford is comically overselling the fictitious damage. Miz and Morrison pat Sheamus on the back.

 

...

 

Zelina Vega is backstage with two of her clients, Andrade "Cien" Almas and Humberto Carrillo. As she attempts to cover for Angel Garza's loss to Shinsuke Nakamura, the King Of Strong Style casually strolls into view. He asks Vega if there's anything else she'd like to say. With that, Humberto Carrillo snatches the Intercontinental Championship from Nakamura's arm. Nakamura and Carrillo have a staredown, before Nakamura rips it back. They nod at each other, and Nakamura walks off.

 

...

 

Qualifying Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Lince Dorado

vs

Mustafa Ali

 

Lince comes into the match looking to capitalize on his recent run of good form in the tag team division with Gran Metalik. Ali, Cruiserweight Championship Tournament finalist, is out for revenge on Ricochet, the man who ended his title hopes. Lince outpaces Ali in the early going, but it's Ali who picks up the clean victory after Lince tires. Lince, still on his knees from the 054, offers to shake hands after the match, but Ali pushes Lince's head back, because he's a big ol' meanie.

(11:23,

56

)

 

...

 

Jeremy Borash interviews Rhea Ripley in a pre-taped segment. Ripley reveals why she and Baszler brawled backstage last week: Baszler called her weak for calling herself a champion without having faced the best, and Ripley said that Baszler talks too much for a woman who got pinned clean in the second round. Unkind words, and similarly-intentioned fists, were exchanged. Ripley feels like Baszler is the one who really ought to prove herself, and she can start by taking the WWE Women's Championship at Judgment Day... unless she's too weak to do it.

 

...

 

As Rated-RKO prepare for their first match together in 14 years against Kevin Owens and his mystery partner, Samoa Joe and Corey Graves run down the card for Friday Night SmackDown. Shinsuke Nakamura will officially defend his Intercontinental Championship against Humberto Carrillo, and news has just gotten out that Seth Rollins will face WWE Championship #1 Contender Finn Bálor in an exhibition match. In the purple division, Aleister Black will attempt to qualify for the Cruiserweight Four-Way against young gun Dominik Mysterio, and in a non-title match, champion Ricochet will face Noam Dar after Dar and Drew Gulak called him out earlier tonight. Plus, Shayna Baszler will attempt to get revenge on Mickie James in preparation for her match against WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley at Judgment Day.

 

Tag Team Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Kevin Owens and ???

vs

Rated-RKO

 

Kevin Owens comes out alone, still shaken from the attack on his best friend, Sami Zayn. It seems like the match will start as a handicap, but just before referee Mike Chioda can ring the bell, Flight Of The Valkyries plays over the speakers. Daniel Bryan returns to the ring for the first time since the Backlash go-home show, and his freshness is obvious. He starts the match quickly, peppering Randy Orton with strikes, and forcing a quick tag. Despite Bryan and Owens being inexperienced as a team, they seem to work well together, keeping Orton and Edge off-guard with their differing styles. At the finish, Daniel Bryan traps Edge in the Yes Lock, but Bobby Lashley storms the ring from backstage, and assaults Daniel Bryan for the disqualification.

(15:56,

80

)

 

 

Keith Lee, Drew McIntyre, and AJ Styles hit the stage to join a massive brawl. Owens bloodies Styles. Orton chokes Bryan. Lee pounces Lashley. Edge Spears McIntyre. Styles takes a steel chair from ringside and cracks Owens and Lee with it several times. Owens is immobile, and Orton paces back for a Punt Kick, but Bryan pulls Owens out of the ring to save him from disaster. Lee stumbles to his feet to try and fight back, but Lashley Spears him through the ropes and onto the floor. Battered but unbroken, Orton, Edge, Styles, and Lashley recuperate together in the ring, as Bryan attends to his injured allies on the outside. Orton stares Bryan and company up the ramp. HELIX may have lost the match, but they've earned plenty of compensation in the aftermath as RAW goes off the air.

 

...

 

SHOW RATING:

75

 

...

 

WWE UNDERGROUND

Monday, Week 3, May 2021

Rounds 5 and 6

 

Jinder Mahal

def.

Wesley Blake

(7:31,

45

)

 

Otis

def.

Mojo Rawley

(12:19,

50

)

 

Cedric Alexander

def.

Riddick Moss

(12:40,

44

)

 

Shane McMahon calls Akira Tozawa and Chad Gable over. He had high hopes for both of them, but they've disappointed so far. McMahon demands to see the best in them tonight.

 

Tucker Knight

def.

Shane Thorne

(10:30,

28

)

 

Dio Maddin

def.

Bo Dallas

(8:50,

39

)

 

Chad Gable

def.

Akira Tozawa

(14:11,

51

)

 

Chad Gable slithers out of the ring after a dirty victory over Akira Tozawa. After a few moments, Tozawa picks himself up, and looks up at Bronson Reed, Shane McMahon's bodyguard. Tozawa asks what the deal is. Reed responds by throwing Akira into the ring post, then into the steel steps outside, before battering him with stiff forearms. Shane McMahon smirks in the distance as Reed stomps Tozawa's chest, and the rest of the Underground competitors look on in shock.

[BennyBXB]

 

NEWS N NOTES

 

Thursday, Week Three, May 2021

 

Welcome to News N Notes, your source for news n notes from around the wrestling world.

 

We have an update on contract negotiations for two established names that may be looking for new opportunities. Moose of IMPACT has informed competing companies that his contract is running out, and he'll be available for bookings by the end of June. Sources tell us that creative differences are the likely reason; Moose believed that his tag team with Sami Callahan would be pushed to the top of the division, but a clean loss to FinJuice at Rebellion led to the breakup of the partnership. No word yet on where he may be headed, but MLW and ROH seem like potential landing spots.

 

The rumor mill is churning about AEW's Max Caster as well. We're told that WWE has promised Caster an upper-card spot on NXT and a healthy pay raise if he defects. This is the first specific name that's been linked to WWE since the Blackfox group took over the company, but ever since their "Black Monday" NXT cuts earlier this week, it's been rumored that WWE is moving toward hiring top indie talents to fill the gaps at the yellow brand. We can't know how many offers will be given out in the coming weeks, but the fact that an established AEW name is already being discussed certainly makes clear the fact that the Blackfox group is out for blood.

 

In other WWE news, tickets for Judgment Day at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia are sold out on the primary market. Attendance has been sluggish for RAW and SmackDown for the company recently, but higher-ups tell us that WWE is expecting those numbers to improve as fans get used to the new storylines and characters.

 

...

 

PREDICTIONS

 

SmackDown/Main Event, Week 3, May 2021

 

HELIX got their big win, but it came at a huge price. On Friday, the Intercontinental Championship will be on the line. Will Humberto Carrillo go from being a promising upstart to a WWE title holder, or will Shinsuke Nakamura hold him off? On the business side of things, it seems like the Blackfox plan to dominate the world has gotten off to a quick start, already looking to poach a solid player from AEW. Do you want Caster in NXT? And what "top indie talents" do you think could be getting some paperwork in the mail in the near future?

 

SD:

Intercontinental Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura © vs Humberto Carrillo

 

SD:

Qualifying Match: Aleister Black vs Dominik Mysterio

 

SD:

Non-Title Match: Ricochet © vs Noam Dar

 

SD:

Finn Bálor vs Seth Rollins

 

ME:

Billie Kay vs Liv Morgan

 

ME:

Roderick Strong vs Santos Escobar

[BennyBXB]

Fixed a critical typo in the predictions post. This is what I get for writing while I’m sleepy. Thank you for your patience.

[Blodyxe]

SD: Intercontinental Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura © vs Humberto Carrillo

 

SD: Qualifying Match: Aleister Black vs Dominik Mysterio

 

SD: Non-Title Match: Ricochet © vs Noam Dar

 

SD: Finn Bálor vs Seth Rollins

 

ME: Billie Kay vs Liv Morgan

 

ME: Roderick Strong vs Santos Escobar

 

 

Also wanted to add that I like your promo writing, feels very authentic and sometimes makes me giggle. The image of Roman spearing Swoggle is something

[BennyBXB]

Also wanted to add that I like your promo writing, feels very authentic and sometimes makes me giggle. The image of Roman spearing Swoggle is something

I appreciate it! It's impossible not to love Hornswoggle, he deserved better than to be treated as a joke. The man really ought to get a shot at the WWE Championship, even if he's somewhat overmatched.

[Mootinie]

<p>I like Max, he's a good talker but a bit average in the ring I feel. Could be a major player in the future though.</p><p> </p><p>

SD: Intercontinental Championship: <strong>Shinsuke Nakamura ©</strong> vs Humberto Carrillo</p><p>

<em>Don't see a change here.</em></p><p> </p><p>

SD: Qualifying Match: <strong>Aleister Black</strong> vs Dominik Mysterio</p><p> </p><p>

SD: Non-Title Match: Ricochet © vs <strong>Noam Dar</strong></p><p> </p><p>

SD: <strong>Finn Bálor</strong> vs Seth Rollins</p><p> </p><p>

ME: Billie Kay vs <strong>Liv Morgan</strong></p><p> </p><p>

ME: <strong>Roderick Strong</strong> vs Santos Escobar</p>

[BennyBXB]

Pre-Show: Sonya Deville def. Mia Yim (6:43,

47

)

 

...

 

FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

Friday, Week 3, May 2021

Chesapeake Bay Arena, Oklahoma City, OK

 

...

 

The show cold-opens with a hype package for Shinsuke Nakamura's Intercontinental Championship match with Humberto Carrillo. Nakamura puts over Carrillo as a rising star, but Carrillo, through Zelina Vega, doesn't offer the same respect to his elder. Rey Mysterio and Samoa Joe both provide analysis of the matchup, discussing lucha libre, strong style, and how they could intersect in the matchup.

 

...

 

So you think you can shoot your mouth off?

Well, you'd better watch your aim

Try to hide, but there's no way out

You're goin' down, you're goin' down!

 

(Bang bang!) Someone said you're feelin' brave tonight

(Step up!) Do you really wanna cross the line?

(Right now!) Go ahead and try to take what's mine

 

Let it roll, let it roll, I'm unstoppable

Let it roll, let it roll, I'm unstoppable

Let it roll, let it roll!

 

...

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match, 60 Minute Time Limit:

Shinsuke Nakamura

© vs

Humberto Carrillo

 

Nobody expected a highly competitive match, but the fans in Oklahoma get a thriller. Shinsuke's early superiority gives way as Carrillo brings a frenetic pace to the bout. With speed, youth, and a little bit of arrogance, the youngster outlasts Nakamura in a long bout and hits a top-rope moonsault to take the Intercontinental Championship in a stunning upset.

(17:14,

62

)

 

...

 

As Pat McAfee loses his mind over the shocking result, Michael Cole moves on to a huge announcement: HELIX, Randy Orton's gang of veterans, will be put to the test at Judgment Day with three matches against the men they've made enemies. We will see the promised Rated-RKO match vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, the one that was promised for RAW earlier in the week. Drew McIntyre will team with Daniel Bryan to take on Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles. And in a match the fans have demanded, Keith Lee will fight Bobby Lashley one on one. The two brawlers had a confrontation before the show, and a clip plays of that interaction, with MVP looking to prevent Lashley from charging Lee and potentially injuring himself.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Mickie James

(w/Ruby Riott)

vs

Shayna Baszler

 

In a rematch from the Women's Championship tournament, Baszler fights viciously as she looks to get revenge for the upset that took her title hopes away. She gets it by choking out James, and keeping the hold applied long after the bell, until Ruby Riott hits the ring to break it up.

(10:45,

59

)

 

...

 

Backstage, Sheamus and Montez Ford analyze a video of their match on RAW, while Angelo Dawkins looks on. They go over the "beatdown" that Sheamus applied to Ford, and brainstorm ways to make it look more realistic when he does the same to Dawkins later. Ford reveals that Sheamus did get and split the bribe money from The Miz, and Dawkins says he spent part of his share on a large turkey, because he "had a turkey feeling" after the show.

 

...

 

Qualifier Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Aleister Black

vs

Dominik Mysterio

 

After the successful qualification of Drew Gulak and Mustafa Ali, Aleister Black and Dominik Mysterio fight it out for the third spot in the Cruiserweight Four-Way in one week's time. Black's experience advantage is the story of the match, and a well-placed Black Mass to the neck gives Aleister the W. After the bell, Black bows his head to the young Mysterio in respect, and offers a handshake. Dominik is slightly creeped out by Black's brooding presence, but returns the gesture tentatively.

(11:41,

56

)

 

...

 

Finn Bálor gets some microphone time after being blindsided by The Usos on Monday. He calls Reigns cowardly for refusing to face him alone. Bálor admits that he's failed in his mission to secure a title match on television, but he vows that he'll paint Paul Heyman's spiritual hometown red when he takes the title from Heyman's client. As he speaks, Bálor's main event opponent Seth Rollins approaches him, asking if he's like to learn about an exciting new opportunity. Bálor shows no interest.

 

When we cut back to the announce table, we learn that Roman Reigns will face Braun Strowman in a non-title match on Monday. Elsewhere on the card, Keith Lee will fight MVP, and AJ Styles will take on Rey Mysterio in a dream match to start the show.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Angelo Dawkins

vs

Sheamus

 

Dawkins and Sheamus only get eight minutes, but they have a fun big boy battle. Dawkins impresses in his short outing and gets the victory.

(8:01,

57

)

 

Sheamus and Angelo Dawkins mime an even cornier fake beatdown than Monday's against Montez Ford. The Miz and John Morrison come out to join the beatdown, but turn on Sheamus when they realize he's not actually hitting Dawkins, tripping and stomping on him.

 

...

 

Seth Rollins has brought Murphy out from the back to accompany him to the ring. Murphy is still unsure of how trustworthy Rollins is an an ally, but he figures he's not doing anything else tonight.

 

...

 

Non-Title Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Ricochet

vs

Noam Dar

 

Drew Gulak attempts to get involved in the match multiple times, but despite his interference, the Cruiserweight Champion earns his paycheck with a crushing 630 Senton to Dar's ribs. Gulak immediately complains to the official about something, but it's not clear what.

(8:40,

56

)

 

...

 

Backstage, Sami Zayn finds Keith Lee and Kevin Owens backstage. He's still banged up, but he's ready to go for his tag match next Sunday. Lee promises Zayn he'll take care of Lashley, and urges him to focus on Orton and Edge. Owens theorizes that a clean sweep next Sunday could be enough to get the HELIX crew off their backs, at least for a little while.

 

...

 

Singles Match, 20 Minute Time Limit:

Finn Bálor

vs

Seth Rollins

 

Rollins seems to have some added aggression in the main event, perhaps as a response to him being shown up by Finn Bálor earlier in the evening. His haste costs him, as Finn Bálor outsmarts Rollins for much of the match. Despite getting pulled off the ropes by Murphy on his first Coup De Grâce attempt, Bálor nails the second to end the match with a bang.

(15:19,

68

)

 

SHOW RATING:

67

 

...

 

WWE MAIN EVENT

Friday, Week 3, May 2021

Chesapeake Bay Arena, Oklahoma City, OK

 

...

 

Liv Morgan

def.

Billie Kay

(8:55,

39

)

 

The Usos

def.

The Cross Brothers

(8:33,

44

)

 

Damian Priest

def.

Mike Knox

(8:52,

46

)

 

Roderick Strong

def.

Raul Mendoza

(10:24,

48

)

[BennyBXB]

 

NEWS N NOTES

 

Sunday, Week Three, May 2021

 

Welcome to News N Notes, your source for news n notes from around the wrestling world.

 

The youth movement promised by the Blackfox ownership group got off to a hot start on Friday as Humberto Carrillo shocked the world to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Shinsuke Nakamura. Sources close to the situation tell us that it was always the plan for the belt to be handed off to a young talent, and Nakamura himself was given the opportunity to choose who he felt deserved the rub. The choice of Carrillo was an unexpected but welcome one; the “Los Capitanes” stable had reportedly been in the works since March, and giving Carrillo the Intercontinental Championship is certainly a dramatic way to bring legitimacy to the fivesome.

 

The rumors about the Blackfox groups moves in the free agent market continue to swirl. There is a strong feeling through the industry that WWE will be making a major play for uncontracted indie prospects. Since many of the “Black Monday” victims were over the age of 30, insiders suspect that the plan is to invest heavily in the future, taking flyers on talent with room to grow. It’s difficult to separate the signal from the noise, but MLW is one company that believes they’re going to be affected by this. A representative from the WWE Performance Center attended a taping of MLW earlier this week, so their roster is definitely being examined closely.

 

The major unknown seems to be in the scope of this undertaking. Some in the business believe that WWE will attempt to condense their NXT roster and focus on less than ten potential targets, while others believe that we could see a near-full restock of the 40-plus roster positions that were vacated earlier this week. Either way, we expect that the first chess pieces will be moving any day now.

 

In other news, an advertised WWE Main Event match between Roderick Strong and Santos Escobar didn’t happen on Friday, as Strong instead faced off against Escobar’s Legado Del Fantasmo stablemate Raul Mendoza. We’re told that there was an issue with Escobar’s contract that saw him temporarily removed from all TV and house show appearances. This morning on social media, Escobar apologized to the people who were excited to see him on the main roster again, and promised his match with Strong was good to go for next week.

 

...

 

PREDICTIONS

 

RAW/Underground, Week 4, May 2021

 

A stunner to start SmackDown finds the Intercontinental Division on its head. With just a week to go until Judgment Day, how will the roster react? And do you think the Blackfox group will be cautious with their signings, or will they be picking up big names in big numbers?

 

RAW:

AJ Styles vs Rey Mysterio

 

RAW:

Qualifier Match: Angel Garza vs Xavier Woods

 

RAW:

Bianca Belair vs Zelina Vega

 

RAW:

Non-Title Match: Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman

 

UG7:

Akira Tozawa vs Otis

 

UG8:

Riddick Moss vs Tucker Knight