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Meet Our Reviewers
Sean Sedor: After having fun with an excellent entertaining NASCAR XFINITY Collection race on the Chicago Road Course, Sean determined to hop on the Cash In The Financial institution evaluate to provide Swimsuit a serving to hand (that man works tremendous exhausting). You could find Sean on Twitter @SASedor2994 (he refuses to name it X) AND on Bluesky (@sasedor2994.bsky.social). For those who’re concerned with a few of his different escapades, you possibly can watch him play the Method 1 video games on YouTube (simply search his identify), and you may as well go to the Be The Booker boards when you’d like to take a look at his EWR Diary, the place he performs as WCW (began in 1998, only recently completed up 2002).
Swimsuit Williams: You’ll be able to learn Swimsuit’s long-form previews and opinions of wrestling from around the globe right here at Voices of Wrestling. You can too discover his weekly opinions of AEW Collision over at F4WOnline. Take a look at his brand-new wrestling weblog Williams Watches Wrestling, the place he’ll interact in watch tasks and evaluate requests. Comply with Swimsuit on all social media platforms @SuitWilliams.
Warren Hayes: Warren is at the moment driving the excessive of lastly hitting Infinity rank in Marvel Snap for the primary time since he began enjoying months in the past. That stated, you possibly can take heed to his podcast, The Mr. Warren Hayes Present on YouTube or podcast apps in every single place and browse his stuff on Voices of Wrestling. He’s additionally on BlueSky when you’d prefer to see screenshots of his Silver Surfer deck kicking ass.
Males’s Cash In The Financial institution Ladder Match
Drew McIntyre def. Andrade, Carmelo Hayes, Chad Gable, Jey Uso, & LA Knight
Sean: To at the present time, I nonetheless don’t perceive how the Jey Uso “Yeet” factor has gotten over with so many grown adults (in contrast to the LA Knight “Yeah” chant, which I completely perceive why that bought over). I used to be positively curious to see how this match was going to do vs. the TNT Title Ladder Match that I noticed on the Forbidden Present final weekend.
This kicked off with some generic brawling earlier than the primary notable spot that noticed Gable lock McIntyre in an armbar whereas hanging off a ladder. That was damaged up by a springboard leg drop by Andrade (a really cool spot), who was concerned in one other wild spot a couple of moments later as he gave Hayes a reverse Spanish Fly onto a ladder. The subsequent a number of minutes noticed extra generic WWE ladder match brawling earlier than Andrade gave Carmelo a sundown flip powerbomb onto a ladder bridge, which is all the time tremendous spectacular, however he’s achieved it in virtually each single ladder match he’s been in. Within the closing moments of the bout, LA Knight, Chad Gable (I’m truthfully slightly shocked that we bought no involvement from the Wyatt Sicks right here when Gable was near grabbing the briefcase), and Jey Uso all got here near profitable, nevertheless it was in the end Drew McIntyre who scored the victory after taking down the briefcase.
A fairly good opening contest that featured some cool spots right here and there (primarily from Andrade), nevertheless it was nowhere near being nice. The TNT Title Ladder Match from Forbidden Door EASILY cleared this one. Actually, when you take out the entire wild spots that Andrade was concerned in (which positively took the match up a notch for me….he was the very best a part of this bout for certain), there wasn’t a ton to this Cash In The Financial institution Ladder Match. Gable and Knight had been each stable, Jey Uso continues to point out that he has completely nothing as a singles man as soon as the bell rings, and Carmelo was….there (the one factor I keep in mind him doing was a leg drop off the highest that regarded prefer it BARELY made contact with Jey Uso). Drew McIntyre profitable didn’t shock me all. They’ve already been teasing him doing one thing with the briefcase later tonight, so we’ll see what occurs there. ***1/2
Swimsuit: Ten minutes had handed in the beginning of the present, and the one factor that had occurred was Major Occasion Jey’s entrance. We heard you, It’s Simply You Uce.
The three most over folks on this match had been LA Knight, Jey Uso, & CM Punk – who was not within the match and hasn’t wrestled since January. The WWE Velocity Champion Andrade lived as much as his billing as he had essentially the most spectacular spots within the match, together with a sundown flip powerbomb to Hayes onto a ladder. Everybody bought their spots to shine, with Gable impressing as effectively. There was no interference, which felt like a given with the problems McIntyre has with CM Punk and the looming Wyatt Sicks risk over Chad Gable’s head – the top wherein he was SHOT by them a few weeks in the past. In the end, this was an excellent ladder match that bought McIntyre one other World Title shot. ***1/2
Warren: As a fan of The Boys on Amazon, I smirked seeing the Vought brand on the MITB briefcases. Vought, within the present, is a big company whose major product is larger-than-life figureheads who occur to be skilled liars, and whose major company concern is controlling the general public opinion area. I assume you possibly can afford to be clueless in regards to the irony if the promoting bucks are there, I assume.
Apart from Andrade who could be a nice employee when motivated and Drew McIntyre, who’s a bonafide star, the opposite males concerned within the opener put the “mid” again in midcard. And had it not been for The Actual Latino Man (TM), this match would have been tremendously worse. He was bumping and taking the highspots, whereas LA Knight and Jey Uso interacted to get the viewers to say their neat-o little one-word catchphrases. His sundown bomb off the ladder with Carmelo Hayes bought a response out of me, as a result of it was objectively spectacular. Talking of him (pun meant, I’m such a wordsmith), for a man who each WWE fan tells me goes to be the subsequent massive star for the corporate, all the things he did bought crickets from the viewers. This was significantly noticeable in his one fast-paced hope sequence the place he’s taking folks out, diving and kicking, solely to climb up the ladder to lifeless silence. Perhaps no one purchased he’d win? Once more, I nonetheless don’t see what makes Carmelo the stand-out that the majority make him out to be.
Fact be advised, they bought me to consider that YEET was profitable due to how he positioned the ladder to the exhausting cam for his closing climb. However Drew launched a ladder at him and made it to the highest. A far superior selection. However “Fail Upward” Jey Uso will certainly be slotted into one other massive angle quickly. ***1/4
WWE Intercontinental Title
Sami Zayn (c) def. Bron Breakker
Sean: So Michael Cole talked about on their pre-PPV presser deal final night time that they needed everybody within the crowd to put on white so they may do a “White Out” (achieved by many sports activities groups over time, however in all probability most famously achieved by Penn State). Whereas there have been positively an excellent quantity of individuals within the crowd sporting white tonight, it positively wasn’t everybody….possibly fifty-fifty at greatest. Guess that didn’t work out for them.
Bron Breakker used his energy to take management early on, however Sami Zayn managed to fireside his first massive shot of the bout within the type of a moonsault to the ground. Breakker was in management for the subsequent couple of minutes after connecting with an enormous clothesline, although that modified after Zayn linked with a Twister DDT. After some brawling on the ground, the 2 exchanged some massive nearfalls within the ring (with a spot on the announce desk blended in between) earlier than Bron hit the Gorilla Press Slam. He then went for the spear, however Zayn blocked it with a kick, hit the Helluva Kick, and bought the pin.
To begin with, I didn’t count on that end in any respect. I used to be absolutely anticipating Breakker to win the title right here, however that didn’t occur. Although the babyface gained right here, it wouldn’t shock me if this feud continued? I don’t know….only a feeling (although in that case, it’s bizarre that the babyface gained the primary match). As for the match itself, it was good, nevertheless it was additionally kinda sluggish at factors. It was removed from a foul match. All the strikes had been stable, nothing appeared too misplaced….although it was positively lacking one thing that might’ve taken it up one other notch. Perhaps I used to be anticipating Bron Breakker to be extra dominant on this match than he was (and he did management a good chunk of the match)? I don’t know. Once more, it was good whereas additionally being….simply kinda there. ***1/4
Swimsuit: Bron Breakker goes to get each probability to be a prime man on this promotion. He’s bought the look, he’s bought the pedigree, he’s very athletic. He’s a proverbial pet with massive paws, as his potential to be a top-line wrestler is clear. However the additional we get alongside in his profession, the extra we have now to marvel how for much longer it’ll take for him to hit that gear. Breakker has been offered as this hyper-intense athletic freak since he bought despatched to Uncooked, however aside from his quick rope working, he’s simply one other man doing a spear. And he’s not precisely Masato Yoshino working the ropes both – Google it, children. He jogs my memory of Wardlow, in that he’s a man who appears the half however doesn’t have it in him to be a top-level singles star. Fortunately for Breakker, he’s within the promotion the place that doesn’t matter as a lot.
Breakker is an ideal wrestler for Twitter spotlight movies. He has these bursts of cool offense, however nothing in between. There’s no connective tissue there but, and whereas that may be discovered, he’s quickly going to be in spots the place he’ll have to have the ability to put all of it collectively to succeed in his full potential. He’s not in that place in the present day, as Zayn retained the title with a Helluva Kick.
So far as Zayn goes, I’m nonetheless undecided what we’re carrying out with him on this spot. I like Sami Zayn, however I nonetheless don’t perceive why WWE reduce the knees off of Chad Gable to slip Zayn into the identical spot. Was it to provide him an enormous WrestleMania Second™? He had one final yr with Kevin Owens in the principle occasion. Was it to provide him an enormous highlight singles win? That they had the proper spot to provide him one in Montreal final yr towards Roman Reigns, however I gained’t argue that time once more. It simply seems like treading floor with Zayn. He’s been on the WWE major roster for eight years, and this feels prefer it’s a gold watch run that bought in the way in which of another person’s rise. **1/2
Warren: There was no movement to Zayn versus Breakker. It appeared like several time they had been beginning to string stuff collectively, it stopped, they reset, and went into one other sequence sure to clog up the movement. In some unspecified time in the future, I used to be shaking my TV distant in my palms like a British nanny, desperately pleading with them to have some fluidity. It’s unquestionably my least favourite match of the present.
Can WWE inform one other story with Sami Zayn that isn’t “he’s the underdog.” Positive, the underdog label labored completely for his match with Roman as a result of, effectively, he was by no means imagined to get as scorching as he did, Roman was invincible, so it hit completely. And the underdog label additionally made sense with the way in which they constructed Gunther on the way in which to WM 40. However a champion going right into a match because the underdog? That’s simply lazy. How will you be an underdog towards a man who remains to be a current addition to the principle present roster? I need to say “Do higher,” nevertheless it’s WWE.
Not in contrast to Carmelo, Breakker is one other man that WWE followers preserve telling me goes to be the subsequent massive factor. However then once more, about 18 months in the past these similar followers had been telling me Austin Idea was going to be the man, so I’d tread calmly with a fanbase who merely parrots no matter narratives are going round concerning the upward trajectory of expertise. That being stated, I really feel Major Roster Bron feels rather more full and well-rounded than NXT Bron. I can see him being en route for an enormous spot moreso than others which can be being championed to guide the long run. **3/4
John Cena Pronounces His Retirement
Sean: After the primary two matches, we bought a section the place Trish Stratus launched John Cena, who introduced to the world that he intends to formally retire from wrestling at WrestleMania subsequent yr at Las Vegas, whereas additionally noting that he’ll be on the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber PPVs subsequent yr. Cena was already just about retired (solely wrestling/making appearances a couple of occasions a yr during the last a number of years), however this final run developing will formally be the tip. A fairly huge announcement to say the least. John Cena is among the greatest wrestling stars in WWE historical past (simply the most important star the promotion ever produced publish Monday Night time Wars), and though WWE is already doing extremely effectively proper now, Cena’s retirement will definitely increase ticket gross sales for these three WWE PPVs in early 2024 (I assume technically 4 when you think about that WrestleMania is 2 nights now), together with no matter different reveals he seems on between at times. It additionally ought to be very fascinating to see what he does and who he’s booked towards (hopefully not towards complete nothings like Austin Idea).
Swimsuit: Final yr, John Cena got here to Cash within the Financial institution to attempt to persuade London to rally for a WrestleMania. This yr, John Cena introduced that 2025 shall be his final yr competing within the WWE. I’ll save the big-picture ideas for Cena as soon as the tour wraps up. Cena has been implausible at factors in his profession, however his final couple of years have been largely as a reputation. This tour will do huge enterprise, as Cena is a Celebrity within the truest sense of the phrase. So far as the in-ring goes, the times of Workrate Cena are previous us. Perhaps we will get some enjoyable novelty matchups within the meantime. Cena vs. Gunther was a dream match for me for some time, and whereas it wouldn’t be what it might’ve been in 2016, it might nonetheless be cool to see.
Warren: John Cena is the man that eroded a whole lot of goodwill I had for WWE due to, effectively, all the things that has to do with John Cena. From the one-note in-ring work to his invincible Hoganesque demeanor, he’s a man whom I don’t maintain any reverence for, so his announcement didn’t have me “shook” or “has me like [crying face emoji].” That being stated, I can respect the contributions he made, the cash he’s drawn, and the way he carried the corporate on his again throughout some fairly uneven years. A respectable corridor of famer. I additionally perceive how particular he’s for WWE followers, particularly those that grew up with him throughout his tenure on the prime. It’s an awesome money-making prospect to have him announce a goodbye tour (even when I feel the corporate doesn’t want it to promote out tickets), nevertheless it’s largely an awesome gesture from WWE to permit followers to have fun the profession of a person who’s meant a lot for therefore many.
I’m calling it now: his closing WM match shall be towards HHH. For those who suppose Paul doesn’t need the highlight, you should be new to professional wrestling. And when you’re new to professional wrestling, run. Run distant when you nonetheless can.
WWE World Heavyweight Title – Triple Menace Match
Damian Priest (c) def. Drew McIntyre & Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Sean: I’m anticipating this to be a very good match, although there’s positively some exterior components that might affect how good it will get (the potential involvement of Judgment Day and probably Drew McIntyre). After the preliminary opening trade, Damian Priest took management after connecting with a Falcon Arrow. Rollins responded with a flurry of offense that included a slingblade, a trio of dives to the ground (Jay Deadly fashion), and a springboard Swanton/Moonsault combo. The 2 continued to go back-and-forth with a collection of kicks and an assortment of different massive strikes. We then bought to a spot the place Rollins hit Priest with a Falcon Arrow, and Priest clearly didn’t kick out, however the referee held up and handled it like a two depend. Drew McIntyre then got here out and cashed in his Cash In The Financial institution, turning the bout right into a Triple Menace Match.
McIntyre and Rollins had a short interplay earlier than he bought into it with Damian Priest. CM Punk then flew in from out of nowhere and attacked McIntyre. He beat McIntyre mindless with a chair earlier than smacking him with the World Title belt. Priest then hit the South Of Heaven Chokeslam to attain the victory. I do discover it hilarious that Punk bought cheered like loopy right here, but he’s the one who’s actually performing just like the heel right here. Not solely does the McIntyre/Punk feud proceed after Punk screwed McIntyre once more (you gotta really feel unhealthy for Drew at this level), however now Rollins can’t get one other title shot due to Punk, with out even getting pinned. As for the match itself, it was simply the match of the night time earlier than McIntyre bought concerned. All-action proper from the opening bell. That’s precisely the sort of match I take pleasure in. I didn’t essentially thoughts all the things that occurred after McIntyre cashed in, nevertheless it positively saved the bout from being pocket book materials. ***3/4
Swimsuit: Rollins and Priest labored the beginning of this match like they had been WCW crowd members in 1999, as they had been simply ready for the run-in. Drew McIntyre stated on Uncooked that he would money in the identical night time that he gained the briefcase, and each males always regarded towards the entryway as they’d their tremendous little match right here. It was WWE Subtlety Hammer at its peak, main me to not care about this match till McIntyre confirmed up like he was positively going to.
And after Priest utterly forgot to kick out of a Falcon Arrow, possibly assuming that McIntyre was going to interrupt the duvet, McIntyre confirmed as much as money in and make the match a three-way. And virtually instantly, CM Punk confirmed as much as beat up McIntyre and screw him out of the title once more. Punk wore out McIntyre with a chair and hit him with the World Title, resulting in Priest hitting McIntyre with a chokeslam to retain.
I don’t even know the way to fee this, because it felt like a gussied-up Uncooked section. As a section, this furthered Punk’s feuds with each McIntyre and Rollins, since Rollins can’t problem Priest for the title once more. The logic is there, and it’s sound in constructing two big-time feuds. That’s the nice half.
The unhealthy half is that this was an entire waste of time to observe. The match meant nothing as they advised you the cash-in was coming, then it got here and burned off the Cash within the Financial institution match I simply watched to maintain constructing the Punk/McIntyre match. I don’t know what number of extra methods Punk can screw McIntyre out of a title, let’s get this man cleared and do some enterprise.
It additionally does completely nothing for Damian Priest. Priest continues to be a backburner champion, as his title reign continues to play second-fiddle to Soiled Dom’s sexcapades on Uncooked. He’s not within the league of Punk, Rollins, or McIntyre, and always will get bailed out of shedding the belt due to different folks. A minimum of they’ve made it the story that Priest is bored with the interference. This hopefully ends at SummerSlam with Gunther profitable the title. *1/2
Warren: Rollins and Priest had been rocking and rolling till the nonsense kicked in. Legitimately, I used to be into this match, excited at the potential of sitting down to jot down this evaluate and write that Damian Priest had the very best match of his WWE major roster run. As a substitute, I’m reminded I gotta cease standing on rugs whereas watching WWE reveals, that means they gained’t have any to drag out from below me.
Exterior of the silly staring up on the ramp stuff, each guys had their working boots on, particularly Seth. I don’t know if he was advised to go on the market and make Priest seem like a champion, as a result of it certain regarded like that. At one level, Seth buckle bombs Priest, who instantly bounces again to clobber Seth. I’m certain WWE followers will condemn the dearth of promoting right here, demanding that Priest go watch a Randy Orton match! Proper?
This match wasn’t good, thoughts you. Priest omits to kick out of a falcon arrow, which then makes the ref do the two.9 name, regardless of Priest not even twitching. Was McIntyre imagined to run-in and break it up? Ought to the ref have referred to as it like a shoot? Sloppy store? In any occasion, this kicked off the nonsense parade of McIntyre cashing in throughout the match to “make this a triple risk” after which CM Punk working in to take out Drew, which then permits Priest to land the South of Heaven and win. Drew comes throughout like such a dork now on this CM Punk feud, regardless of beginning off as immensely cooler than ol’ Phil when it started. Coincidence? ***1/2
Girls’s Cash In The Financial institution Ladder Match
Tiffany Stratton def. Chelsea Inexperienced, Iyo Sky, Lyra Valkyria, Naomi, & Zoey Stark
Sean: I’m nonetheless attempting to course of the truth that Marko Stunt confirmed up on AEW Collision to wrestle Jack Perry for the TNT Title. Completely surprising, however a enjoyable shock that was a pleasant callback to the times of Jurassic Specific (the match was fairly enjoyable too!).
Anyway, the match kicks off together with your generic WWE ladder match brawling on the ground whereas everybody bought to see Chelsea Inexperienced’s concern of heights. The primary actual highlights of the bout noticed Lyra Valkyria hit a pair of out-of-control slams on Iyo Sky onto some ladders. Zoey Stark then tried for some springboard transfer with Valkyria on a ladder, however she utterly missed and smacked the again of her head on the ladder. The subsequent minute or two was fairly messy till Tiffany Stratton nailed a swanton from the highest rope to the ground onto everybody else. Valkyria nailed Iyo with a spider german whereas hanging the other way up from a ladder, whereas Naomi did a cut up between two ladders earlier than nailing a DDT.
Some extra sloppy spots adopted, however then we bought two of the most important spots saved for the very finish. First, Iyo Sky gave Zoey Stark a Michinoku Driver off the highest of a ladder onto a ladder bridge, which was completely insane. Then we bought a spot the place Chelsea Inexperienced got here VERY near profitable, earlier than she went crashing by way of two tables on the ground after getting shoved off a ladder by Tiffany Stratton. This left issues vast open for Stratton, who unhooked the briefcase to attain the victory. Positively a well-liked win, as Stratton has been getting enormous reactions for months on these massive WWE reveals (together with tonight). As for the match itself, Michael Cole and Corey Graves referred to as in a trainwreck a number of occasions, and that’s a reasonably correct description. There have been occasions the place this match was extremely sloppy (in all of the unsuitable methods), however then at different factors, these ladies had been completely killing themselves on the market. I’m somebody who all the time appreciates effort, they usually positively put forth the hassle. This was nowhere near being nice (though I believe it will get some over-the-top reward), however I might say it was fairly good, all issues thought-about. ***1/2
Swimsuit: This match began off as an absolute trainwreck that finally bought on the rails. There was a sequence that began with Valkyria screwing up a twister DDT so badly that Graves needed to earnestly declare that Iyo Sky was sandbagging her, adopted by them instantly doing the DDT. That was adopted by Stark dropping Valkyria arm-first onto a ladder with a Samoan Drop earlier than doing a little springboard flippy-doo that just about brought about her to concuss herself.
At this level, I’m frightened that I’m going to finish up seeing a Dante Martin state of affairs in some unspecified time in the future on this match. However they bought all the things again on observe and hit all the things they had been going for. The largest spot was Sky dropping Stark with a Michinoku Driver-ish transfer from the highest of a ladder to a ladder bridge. Chelsea Inexperienced, who was one of many two most over folks within the match, had been doing a comedy gimmick the place she was afraid of heights the entire match. She was left alone in the long run however bought shoved by way of a pair of tables by eventual winner Stratton. The announcers had been speaking about this prefer it was some traditional match and gave it a standing ovation after one other set of adverts, nevertheless it didn’t hit me in that means in any respect. It was simply one other stable ladder match. ***1/2
Warren: As somebody who doesn’t partake in week-to-week WWE programming, I used to be screaming at my tv as Chelsea Inexperienced was climbing down from ladders as a substitute with out attempting to seize the briefcase. I used to be then knowledgeable that her gimmick was that she was afraid of heights. However as a substitute of constructing me nod in approval, uttering a heat “effectively performed” to myself as I sipped from my chilly beverage, I as a substitute bellowed: “Then why is she within the match?” However, as Papa Paul not too long ago stated, WWE is just not a sport, it’s a film a few sport, so possibly I ought to as a substitute evaluate it as such? As a substitute of specializing in match logic, I ought to break down the standard of the performing, the performances, the scriptwriting, the cinematography… uh, ho boy, that’s not likely to their benefit both.
As beforehand recounted by my fellow reviewers, this match began off sloppy and on the verge of catastrophe, however everybody pulled it collectively and delivered a pleasant spotfest. I, like many, am affected by ladder match fatigue, however this one managed to entertain me if solely due to the quantity of spots and harm these ladies put themselves by way of. I believed Lyra Valkyria was a specific standout in that spot, and so was Zoey Stark, who was on the receiving finish of an incredible Iyo Sky driver off the ladder.
Stratton, who bought the most important reactions of the match, lastly gained a “massive one” in WWE as she pushed the ladder atop which acrophobe Chelsea Inexperienced was standing, who then tumbled off by way of tables on the ground. Great place. The proper lady gained.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves, who had been subtly burying the match due to its uneven begin, ended up giving this match a standing ovation, calling it one of many biggest matches they’ve ever referred to as. Let’s pump the brakes, right here. For those who thought this was nice and all, that’s cool, however calling this match “nice” is like saying EMF is a superb Madchester band when Completely satisfied Mondays is true there. ***1/2
The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, & Tama Tonga) (w/ Tonga Loa) def. WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, & Randy Orton
Sean: Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga make up The Bloodline crew right here as Adam Web page is getting WAAAY up there on the Muta Scale on Collision. “We Need Roman” and “Fuck You Solo” chants rang out by way of the Scotiabank Area as this one bought began. The primary couple of minutes of this major occasion noticed Tama Tonga getting beat up by the babyface aspect earlier than Jacob Fatu tagged in for the primary time. He no-sold Randy Orton’s rope-drape DDT earlier than taking management of the match for his aspect. Kevin Owens would tag in and get a spurt of offense in, however he additionally bought reduce off by The Bloodline. Finally, Cody made the new tag and ran wild on everybody till the referee bought knocked down.
The three babyfaces all took turns hitting strikes on Solo, and had been going to place him by way of the announce desk till Jacob Fatu attacked them. He then deliberately bumped into the referee, and bought right into a spat with Kevin Owens that led to Owens placing Fatu by way of a desk. Owens went for the Bundle Piledriver on (I feel) Tama earlier than he was stopped by Tonga Loa, who someway botched a low blow a lot that he needed to hit it once more. Cody then tried for the Cross Rhodes, however Fatu returned to hit Whisper In The Wind. That led to Solo pinning Cody after the Samoan Spike, presumably establishing Cody vs. Solo for SummerSlam.
By way of the match itself, it felt similar to the Sami Zayn/Bron Breakker match from earlier within the night time. A wonderfully stable match that by no means appeared to get into that subsequent gear. The wrestling was completely competent, nevertheless it was simply not tremendous participating in any means. On the subject of Jacob Fatu, whereas he did do a couple of spectacular issues right here and there, this felt like a watered-down model of the man. I completely perceive that he’s a heel, nevertheless it appeared as if they actively went out of their method to inform him to do much less. Are they afraid of him outshining Solo, as a result of he completely would if he bought to showcase what he might actually do. The end made complete sense from a reserving standpoint, as Cody takes a uncommon pinfall loss to arrange an enormous title bout for SummerSlam. Can’t actually knock the match in that regard, because it completed what it got down to do. This was an excellent match that capped off a present that felt like an excellent episode of RAW.
I used to be going to finish it there, however I’ve to speak about Tonga Loa once more. How the fuck do you botch a low blow? A LOW BLOW?! This man fucking stinks. ***1/4
Swimsuit: It looks like they’re going all the way in which with Solo Sikoa, as his Suge Knight-esque takeover of the Bloodline appears to have gotten him into the SummerSlam major occasion towards Cody Rhodes with the win right here.
In my preview for this present, I believed this match had an opportunity to be the WWE Match of the Yr. Six professionals, throughout with the group, in an brisk and frenetic PPV major occasion. I stated that if all six guys had their working sneakers on, this may very well be a genuinely nice match. Sadly, the working sneakers weren’t on tonight, as this was nearer to a home present major occasion than it was a PPV major occasion.
This was only a nothing-happening six-man tag. Babyfaces began scorching, Bloodline reduce them off. Looooooong warmth section on Owens earlier than Cody made a scorching tag, after which the ref bought bumped. They made certain to place Fatu over like a monster, having him no-sell Orton’s draping DDT. It’s humorous that Fatu needed to do a brand new end – an Impaler DDT – as a result of Tiffany Stratton does his previous one and he or she ain’t sharing, uce.
Quite a bit occurred whereas the ref was bumped, together with 16-year veteran Tonga Loa discovering a method to fuck up giving a low blow. The end got here when Sikoa bought hit with two Cross Rhodes earlier than getting saved by Fatu hitting a Whisper within the Wind. Fatu hit his DDT earlier than feeding Cody to Solo for the Spike to get the win. The cash match of Sikoa vs. Rhodes is ready up for SummerSlam, however I got here into this match with genuinely excessive hopes, and I used to be completely let down. **1/4
Warren: Between this match major eventing and twitter folks saying that sources within the constructing had gone “hush hush,” I absolutely anticipated Roman to point out up and begin his feud with the Temu Bloodline. However no, as a substitute we bought a really succesful and tremendous Friday Night time SmackDown match to wrap up the present with as shut as a clear end you’ll discover with Solo Sikoa, essentially the most unconvincing mob boss since John Travolta in Gotti, pinning Cody Rhodes. Solo simply screams “protecting this heat till Roman comes again.”
Kevin Owens was the MVP of this match, working with hearth and keenness that’s possibly solely matched by Tama Tonga, who places his trademark explosiveness to good use right here. However Owens is so good at this, as he struggles to battle off the three Bloodline guys throughout their lengthy, very lengthy warmth section, even getting the Toronto crowd to chant “Combat Owens Combat.” There’s a timeline on the market the place Kevin Owens is the highest man in WWE.
This match additionally served to introduce the WWE Universe to Jacob Fatu, who they’re putting as a brute. He even no-sold the Randy Orton draping DDT early within the match. I’m certain WWE followers will condemn the dearth of promoting right here, demanding that Fatu go watch a Randy Orton ma– oh.
In any extent, this had your typical Bloodline match construction, proper all the way down to the ref bump and combating on the ground. This, after all, led to the hilarious second of Tonga Loa punching Kevin Owens within the asshole, botching a low blow. I nonetheless chuckle on the considered it. It takes a particular sort of particular to mess up a low blow. However hey, we NJPW followers warned you, WWE Universe, that Loa stunk! We warned you, emphatically, out of affection and concern! I can’t inform you how blissful I’m that he’s far, distant from the G1 Climax this yr.
As somebody who has no vested curiosity on this angle or feud, I sit right here pondering in dismay on the prospect of Cody Rhodes vs Solo Sikoa headlining SummerSlam. ***
