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