You know what’s cool about this year in pro wrestling? We’re going right up to the last moment of 2023, just about, thanks to AEW holding Worlds End this Saturday on Long Island (almost said “in,” sorry Rob Wolkenbrod).
Before we get to that show, however, there’s one last hour of Rampage to sail through. Heck, maybe it will even add another match or two to the card, who knows?
Let’s enjoy these 60 minutes, starting right now.
AEW Rampage results:
Chris Jericho kicks off the show to “talk some stuff out” with Sammy Guevara ahead of Worlds End, mostly to ask him why he turned on Jericho and joined the Don Callis Family; Sammy gives his apology, Jericho asks him if they will reunite Le Sex Gods and they hug it out
Can Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara get on the same page before their HUGE 8-Man Tag Team Match TOMORROW at #AEWWorldsEnd?
Renee Paquette wants to talk to Daniel Garcia but mostly gets Matt Menard ranting, while Garcia promises they’ll get some payback against House of Black eventually
Daddy Magic and Daniel Garcia are calling their shot against #HouseOfBlack after their vicious attack last week on #AEWCollision!
Ruby Soho def. Marina Shafir by pinfall thanks to a timely distraction by Harley Cameron; Saraya and Nyla Rose also get into it and Rose ends up chasing Saraya out through the crowd
The Don Callis Family, Big Bill and Ricky Starks deliver a message to their opponents in the eight-man tag match at Worlds End, and Bill confirms his Uncle Joe will be in the house
Paquette gives Willow Nightingale the time to clear the air with Kris Statlander, and they agree to face each other on Zero Hour, though Stokely Hathaway is worming his way into things as well
Can Willow Nightingale put all of Stokely Hathaways accusations of her and Kris Statlander to rest at #AEWWorldsEnd?
Wheeler Yuta def. Matt Sydal by pinfall to retain the ROH Pure Championship; after the bell, Danhausen confronts Yuta after the match and jokingly (we think) disqualifies Wheeler, who lays Danhausen out with a right hand and lays on more of a beating until Hook comes to the ring and chases him away
Top Flight and Action Andretti def. Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta by pinfall
Several more parts of the Worlds End picture slid into place on AEW Dynamite in Orlando.
The AEW Continental Classic approaches what should be an explosive finish with the Gold League and Blue League finals tonight on AEW Dynamite in Orlando.
The Blue League final is a story of regret turned possible redemption, as Eddie Kingston tries to make it all the way back from losing his first two matches after including both of his championships in the tournament. Standing in his way? None other than Bryan Danielson, who has essentially wrestled his way through with one eye as AEW played up a real life injury.
In the Gold League final, it will be not two but three men vying for one spot in the overall final at Worlds End. Jay White, Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland would all be worthy representatives, but only one can prevail in their three-way bout to go for the Triple Crown Championship on Saturday night.
There are some other interesting things planned for tonight outside the tourney too. MJF and Samoa Joe will fight two of the Devil’s masked men — for real this time. We think. Lexy Nair will have a sitdown interview with Christian Cage and Adam Copeland, who can’t wait to tear each other apart at Worlds End.
So this should be anything but a calm go home show, or at least it doesn’t appear that way. Let’s find out, shall we?
AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash results from Orlando:
(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)
Jon Moxley def. Jay White and Swerve Strickland in the Continental Classic Gold League final
A video package shows us Continental Classic highlights from Collision and hypes up the meeting tonight between Bryan Danielson and Eddie Kingston
Strickland tells Tony Schiavone how badly he wanted this but says he proved he was one of the best, and he addresses how Keith Lee has been looking for him for a match at Worlds End
Renee Paquette asks Mariah May about her attack on Riho last week, which Mariah simply says was supporting Toni Storm; May also tells the world her in-ring debut will be on next week’s Dynamite and 2024 will be all about her, which leads to Riho and Toni Storm hitting the ring in quick succession and Riho diving off the top rope to hit Storm (and Luther) on the floor
Top Flight and Action Andretti are keeping their heads up despite their loss to The Acclaimed, and look surprised when they get challenged by Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero for a match on Rampage
Miro throws out a challenge to Andrade El Idolo for Worlds End which apparently is already official
The Don Callis Family has its Boxing Week celebration and says hello again to Sammy Guevara, but their reunion turns into chaos that draws in Chris Jericho, Big Bill, Ricky Starks, Darby Allin and Sting
Roderick Strong and The Kingdom try to show Paquette their evidence board that points to MJF as the Devil, and Strong insists he’ll prove it
Eddie Kingston def. Bryan Danielson by pinfall in the Continental Classic Blue League final; Moxley comes to the ring afterward to check on Danielson and also has a mic, pointing out how many people love Kingston but also setting into a passionate exchange between the two men
Christian Cage waits for Adam Copeland so their sitdown interview can start, but Copeland is only in the mood to throw hands, and their scrap leads all the way down a long hallway and requires damn near the entire locker room to break them up
Skye Blue def. Kris Statlander by pinfall thanks to interference by Julia Hart; Willow Nightingale saves Statlander from a post-match beating and Abadon also makes a brief appearance
Ruby Soho has a match with Marina Shafir on Rampage, while Saraya has a new friend
The Devil’s masked men def. MJF and Samoa Joe by pinfall to become the new ROH World Tag Team Champions, but a bigger bummer for MJF is that Joe is apparently working with the Devil
Jon Moxley overcomes the odds, beats Jay White and Swerve Strickland to win the Gold League
How often will two of the three combatants get to try to settle this among each other? That’s something to watch as Moxley and Swerve quickly pair off. Mox ends up throwing both of his foes into the crowd, then brawling with Swerve and dropping White crotch first on a barricade.
Strickland bites Moxley’s forehead and smashes him with a running knee shot while Mox is helpless seated on a steel chair. Those two battle up into the first section of seats off the floor, repelling White again when he tries to join in … but only momentarily as Switchblade comes roaring back as soon as the others are occupied with each other.
White suplexes Moxley into a steel chair along the ringside barricade, rolling Strickland back into the ring and covering for two. A suplex into the barricade gets another two count, but Swerve is able to battle back with a running knee shot from the apron.
Strickland picks up the pace against Moxley only to get rakes across the back. He bites Mox’s fingers in response and follows with a running lariat.
Swerve nails Mox in the back of the head with an elbow and hits the griddy. He kicks White in the head and backdrops Moxley out to the floor on top of him. Strickland hits a diving frog splash onto both foes that gets the crowd on its feet.
After some picture-in-picture action, Mox goes diving to the floor to take out Swerve. A flurry of right hands crash down on Strickland’s face, as well as Moxley’s teeth on his forehead. A piledriver leads to a cover, with Moxley switching to mat wrestling immediately after Strickland kicks at two.
Swerve’s jump from the top is greeted by a kick to the gut, then a DDT for another near fall. White has been out of the action completely for several minutes, but he arrives just in time to smash Swerve with a chair.
That leads to an extended flurry of kicks from Strickland, but his somersault splash can’t win it because Mox comes right behind him to hit a stomp, and all three men are down for more side-by-side commercials.
It’s a legit three-way battle when we return, with no one quite able to gain the upper hand. White brings a steel chair into play, setting it across the pads in one corner. Alas, it’s him who ends up getting shoved into it, and Strickland nearly rolls up Moxley to win it.
Swerve and Mox start smacking each other with open hand shots before Strickalnd opens up with two pump kicks and a discus lariat. He whips Moxley into the corner but gets shoved to the floor by White.
Mox takes advantage with a clothesline and a Death Rider to White, and Strickland can’t get back in the ring fast enough to break up the pin. Moxley is on to the Continental Classic final at Worlds End.
The Don Callis Family’s Boxing Week celebration devolves into chaos
To a chorus of boos, Don Callis says this has been a difficult two weeks that he would not have made it through without his family. To show his appreciation, he has some Boxing Week gifts to give out to his crew, which of course consists of paintings of a way too buff version of him with each member of his team.
Callis says his family feels complete, but one person who may object is Sammy Guevara, freshly back from paternity leave. Guevara appears upset that Callis hasn’t spoken to him for a while, but Don has a painting for him too, showing Sammy holding his baby with the rest of the faction behind him.
Guevara says the Family members are big time stars but Callis makes all of their victories about him. Don turns it around and talks about his disappointment with Sammy for being gone so long, and he tells Guevara to choose between his real family and the Don Callis Family.
As he is wont to do, Don goes too far and says Sammy is about to be remembered as a big failure as a wrestler and a parent. That gets him shoved down, and when the rest of the Family attacks Guevara, Chris Jericho comes flying to the rescue with his bat, Floyd. They clear the ring and destroy the paintings, and with the fans urging them on, they hug before they get attacked by Big Bill and Ricky Starks.
The lights go out as they scrap, then come back on to reveal Darby Allin and Sting, who finally help drive off the tag team champs.
Eddie Kingston completes his comeback, defeats Bryan Danielson to head to the Continental Classic final
The winner here faces Mox for all the marbles on Saturday. Danielson hears some boos as he stays elusive in the early moments. He’s certainly living rent free in Eddie’s head for now.
A suplex and a tope suicida make for a great response by Kingston, who stays on his opponent on the outside. Hard chops crash into Danielson’s chest, and he’s thrown into the barricade before taking more of them.
Danielson finally gets an opening to unleash his own chops but is met by a bigger one that knocks him down. He bounces back to deliver a DDT on the apron and a flying knee to the floor. Picture-in-picture is next.
It’s Danielson who has taken control during the break, verbally berating Kingston while he kicks him. An exploder suplex make Bryan stop, and he hits a DDT when his spinning back fist is countered.
Kingston batters Danielson into the corner as the fans urge him on. He wants another exploder but is dragged to the mat for the LeBell Lock. Eddie is a long way from the ropes, but he’s moving forward and grabs the bottom rope for a break.
Danielson’s kicks lead to a snap suplex, but his attempt to come off the top rope is foiled by more chops. But Kingston ends up in the Tree of Woe, eating more kicks. What does Danielson have in mind next? It’s a superplex, but Kingston rolls over top of him and lands on his face, so both men are down or more side-by-side ads.
Kingston is landing chops at will as the full picture resumes, only to be hit by a shoulder capture suplex that forces him to kick out at two. Danielson’s upper chest is bright red, but Kingston can’t be feeling too good either as he takes a huge series of kicks to the chest.
Danielson’s running knee in the corner misses, giving Kingston an opening for a Northern Lights Bomb that comes close to ending it. Both men score some near falls before Bryan nails a Busaiku Knee, only to see Eddie kick out again.
Pulling up his eyepatch, Danielson appears bemused by the continuing chants for his opponent. He rains down hammer and anvil elbows that cause Kingston to fade. The ref checks on him, but he ends up getting stomped in the face and has to convince the ref again … with a middle finger to Danielson.
Kingston gets his second wind, firing through a flurry of offense that includes the spinning back fist. He follows with a powerbomb and a high stack, and against all odds, Eddie is through to the final.
Kris Statlander falls to Skye Blue, but Willow Nightingale still has her back
Stokely Hathaway joins the announce team to take in this one, though he scoffs at the idea that he’s been trying to recruit Statlander. Kris definitely isn’t taking it easy on Skye just because they used to be friends, bossing the early action.
Blue fights back by stomping Statlander into the corner but is quickly picked up for a delayed vertical suplex. They fight out to the apron, where Blue smashes Stat’s face down before picture-in-picture.
The full picture is back just in time for a Statlander near fall. Blue responds with a thrust kick and Code Blue, good for a two count.
Blue tries for a top rope hurricanrana but gets caught and eventually powerbombed, though she’s able to kick out at two. Shortly after, referee Aubrey Edwards is checking on Blue, totally unaware as Julia Hart gets in a cheap shot while Statlander is on the top rope. Blue delivers an Avalanche Code Blue, and Stat isn’t kicking out from that.
After the bell, Blue attacks Statlander again, and Hart joins in with a sliding lariat. Who’s coming to the rescue? It’s Willow Nightingale, who runs over both heels and sends them fleeing.
MJF loses his tag team titles, and Joe is in league with the Devil
Two of the Devil’s masked men take the ring for this tag team match, and MJF makes his way down too, but he sees Samoa Joe laid out backstage on the big screen and angrily says he’ll defend the titles alone (even with a brace on his left shoulder).
When the bell rings, MJF goes right after one of the masked men trying to unmask him. It doesn’t work, but he flips the other man out to the floor and hurls him into the steel steps. MJF goes for this guy’s mask but is hit from behind by a third man wielding a metal pipe.
A tag is made and the masked man hits the Heatseeker, and with his partner holding MJF’s feet, they make the pin and win the titles. All three goons stomp away on MJF, but even hobbling, Joe makes his way down with a steel chair.
Suddenly, the Devil appears on the big screen with the message “pleasure doing business with you” … which apparently is for Joe since he nails MJF in the back with the chair. Joe stands over MJF holding the world championship aloft as Dynamite goes off the air.
Also on AEW Collision, Thunder Rosa made a triumphant return from a long injury absence.
A quick confession: Pro wrestling isn’t part of my holiday traditions. But there’s no reason it couldn’t be, especially since tonight’s AEW Collision is coming to us so close to Christmas.
This is no throwaway show, either, thanks in large part to its status as the final night of Blue League competition in the AEW Continental Classic. Andrade El Idolo and Bryan Danielson are in the best positions to advance, since they enter the night with nine points each. But everyone else except Daniel Garcia is still mathematically alive, so these three matches should be dynamite. No pun intended.
We’re also only a week away from Worlds End, so there should be more parts of that card falling into place as well. Let’s see what this night brings, and if we don’t speak again before then, Merry Christmas!
AEW Collision results from San Antonio:
Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli go to a time limit draw in their Continental Classic Blue League match; Danielson advances to the Blue League final thanks to getting to 10 points
A highlight package of Gold League matches from this week is aired, interspersed with some of the post-match promos cut by Jay White, Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland
The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass def. Top Flight and Action Andretti by pinfall to retain the AEW World Trios Championship, though it appeared Max Caster may have pulled the tights to help secure the victory, which is something to file away
Hook accepts the challenge from Wheeler Yuta for his FTW Championship on his turf at Worlds End next Saturday
#AEW FTW Champion HOOK responds to Wheeler Yuta’s challenge for #AEWWorldsEnd!
Keith Lee def. Brian Cage by pinfall; after the match, Lee says he was taken out for almost two months by someone a year ago and that person hasn’t
Renee Paquette finds out Toni Storm doesn’t remember Mariah May, who says she will be making her in-ring debut soon, and Storm also sends a message to Riho
“Timeless” Toni Storm has a message for Riho ahead of their match at #AEWWorldsEnd!
Christian Cage and Nick Wayne (but mostly just Christian) invite Shayna Wayne to the ring to explain why she helped Cage defeat Adam Copeland; she says that after seeing Copeland hit Nick with a steel chair, she did what any loving mother would do and protected her son, and that the only person who loves Nick as much as she does is the Patriarch; Cage says he will face Copeland at Worlds End in a No DQ match so he can put Adam down for the last time
"I'll address your challenge, Adam" – TNT Champion Christian Cage.
Lexy Nair catches up with the tag team champions, who immediately suggest Kenny Omega is too scared to face them; Chris Jericho stops by and promises to take their titles, regardless of who his partner will be and when the match might take place
Ricky Starks and Big Bill address the status of the #AEW World Tag Team Championship match at #AEWWorldsEnd.
Daniel Garcia def. Brody King by pinfall in a Continental Classic Blue League match, eliminating King from advancing to the group final, but …
… after the match, the lights go out and return to reveal Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews in the ring, which brings Matt Menard and FTR to the rescue; Dax Harwood makes it clear FTR wants House of Black in the ring
Abadon and Thunder Rosa def. Skye Blue and Julia Hart by pinfall
Eddie Kingston def. Andrade El Idolo by pinfall in a Continental Classic Blue League match, advancing to the group final against Danielson next week on Dynamite
Orange Cassidy also defended his title against Rocky Romero on this week’s AEW Rampage.
There might not be anything that can best display how the past, present and future intertwine in AEW like tonight’s lineup on Rampage.
Want someone who’s on top of their game? Orange Cassidy is in action. How about the future of the business? El Hijo del Vikingo and Skye Blue fit that description.
Yet The Hardys are also on tonight’s card, still getting it done in the ring even though they are much closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. That’s definitely one of the best parts of pro wrestling today and AEW in particular.
That’s all a somewhat long winded way of saying that tonight’s hour of Rampage should have a little bit of something for everyone. Let’s get into it.
AEW Rampage results:
Orange Cassidy def. Rocky Romero by pinfall to retain the AEW International Championship
Kris Statlander talks to Tony Schiavone about coming together when needed with Willow Nightingale, but Stokely Hathaway arrives to stir the drink by suggesting that Willow has been talking about Stat behind her back; it also sounds like Stoke is trying to recruit her
Brian Cage cuts a promo on Keith Lee ahead of their match on Collision this Saturday
The Kingdom def. The Hardys by pinfall on a rollup after Matt Hardy was prevented from using a steel chair
Renee Paquette talks to Ruby Soho, and is soon joined by Angelo Parker asking her out and Saraya apologizing … at least to everyone’s face, because Saraya immediately tells Parker to leave Soho alone as soon as the others depart
Skye Blue def. Queen Aminata by submission
El Hijo del Vikingo def. Black Taurus by pinfall to retain the AAA Mega Championship
AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton found themselves at odds despite a common cause on WWE SmackDown.
We’ve arrived at the final WWE SmackDown of 2023, as next week is set to be a “Best of 2023” recap show. So even though this edition was taped last Friday, it’s still promising to be of some interest before we turn the page into 2024.
For starters, the semifinals of the United States Championship Tournament are both tonight. Kevin Owens probably thought when he started this thing that he’d get the chance to punch both Austin Theory and Grayson Waller in the face, something we already know he enjoys doing. But Carmelo Hayes upset those plans by defeating Waller, and now something has to give when he goes up against KO tonight.
The other side of the bracket sees Bobby Lashley collide with Santos Escobar, and of the two of them, Escobar probably has the better story going with this particular title. We’ll see if that plays into the thinking behind the outcome.
Also in store for us tonight are a Holiday Havoc eight-woman tag team match pitting a collection of faces led by Bianca Belair against Damage CTRL, and what we presume will be the main event between AJ Styles and Solo Sikoa. Styles, in particular, might also have some explaining to do after his dramatic and perplexing return last week.
So we might be going out with a bang. Let’s find out, shall we?
WWE SmackDown results:
(scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)
A lengthy replay of everything from last week involving Randy Orton, The Bloodline, LA Knight and the returning AJ Styles is shown to open the show (which of course happened right before this episode was taped, heh)
Will AJ Styles, LA Knight or Randy Orton get to face Roman Reigns first?
Bianca Belair, Michin, Shotzi and Zelina Vega def. Damage CTRL by pinfall in a Holiday Havoc match, with an unexpected assist when Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn attack the Kabuki Warriors during the match
Roman Reigns looks annoyed by Jimmy Uso’s continued football analogies and asks Paul Heyman to bring Aldis to him
Dragon Lee def. Butch by pinfall to retain the NXT North American Championship
Aldis arrives to speak with Reigns, who tells Heyman to leave before telling the GM that everything goes through him; Aldis says he’s an executive, not a “middle management” type like Adam Pearce, and he’s definitely not backing down from the matches he’s booked
Kevin Owens def. Carmelo Hayes by pinfall in a United States Championship Tournament semifinal
Michin is happy to see Styles back, but he doesn’t seem as pleased to see her or The O.C., answering Karl Anderson’s question about whether they’re good by saying, “I don’t know, are we?”
A spooky Karrion Kross and Scarlett video suggests WWE still isn’t giving up on them, and hints that he’s getting some reinforcements soon
Santos Escobar def. Bobby Lashley by pinfall in aUnited States Championship Tournament semifinal, getting some help from two masked men who then reveal themselves to be Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza (the former Los Lotharios)
Butch is in no mood for Pretty Deadly’s carols, so Aldis tells him to find a tag team partner to battle the duo (presumably in two weeks)
Logan Paul cuts a short promo video mocking both Escobar and Owens
AJ Styles def. Solo Sikoa by DQ, as an attack by Roman Reigns leads to a huge brawl involving Jimmy Uso, Orton and Knight; the show ends with Styles, Knight and Orton brawling among each other as the Bloodline watches from the ramp
AJ Styles wants Roman Reigns, but so do LA Knight and Randy Orton … and they’ll all have a chance for a shot at the Tribal Chief
Still clad in black, Styles notes how Randy Orton and LA Knight want a piece of Roman Reigns. And while he doesn’t blame either of them, he also doesn’t give a damn about either one of them. He should be first in line, he reckons, to go up against Reigns at Royal Rumble.
Knight isn’t going to let that go without a word of his own, or most likely, more than one word. He says he doesn’t want to argue with Styles, because AJ can have Roman after he gets him first. But after last week, maybe AJ can get some first.
Styles says Knight “stepped over my dead body” to get a match with John Cena and then face Reigns at Crown Jewel. It looks like they may come to blows, but they pause as Orton also makes his way down the ramp.
The Viper appreciates the issues the other two men have, but Knight says both Orton and Styles have been taken out by The Bloodline while he never has. General manager Nick Aldis makes his way out to interject, admitting that each of the three men have a claim to face Reigns, so he’ll give them all a shot. In two weeks at SmackDown New Year’s Revolution, Styles, Knight and Orton will have a Triple Threat match, with the winner getting Roman at Royal Rumble.
Styles says it’s fine, because he’s willing to do whatever it takes. But if either of them gets close to the ring when he fights Solo Sikoa, he’ll take them out.
Bianca Belair, Michin, Shotzi and Zelina Vega get the better of Damage CTRL in Holiday Havoc
Both teams go right after each other as soon as the bell rings, and while it’s just one pinfall or submission to win, other than that, anything goes. IYO SKY and Bianca Belair have a chance to go one-on-one early on, but Bayley soon puts an end to that.
Shotzi looks happy to unwrap a steel chair from a big present, but neither she nor Bayley are able to use it on each other right away. Shotzi finally is able to launch herself off the chair onto Bayley’s back, and she dives between Michin’s legs to land on SKY and Bayley on the floor.
The Kabuki Warriors bring kendo sticks decorated like candy canes into play, but Belair and Shotzi find some of their own. They also have their eyes on a table, yet it’s Bayley and SKY who are able to utilize it as a weapon.
The broadcast breaks for commercials and returns to find people getting suplexed onto presents. Michin powerbombs Asuka but gets dropkicked by SKY, requiring a save by Belair.
That sets off a series of pinfall attempts and offense, with a pumpkin pie and Asuka’s mist all entering the fray. Bayley directs traffic for her side, helping Asuka and Kairi Sane stomp on Belair outside the ring.
To make things even crazier Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre emerge from two of the large present boxes by the end of the ramp, attacking the Kabuki Warriors. That leaves Bayley and SKY in trouble, and Michin nails a top rope legdrop on IYO that sends the champ through a table and keeps her down for three.
Carmelo Hayes brings his ‘A’ game, still falls a bit short against KO
The announcers ponder early on whether Carmelo will target KO’s injured hand. Some nice mat wrestling kicks things off, with Hayes more than willing to trade holds.
Both men evade each other’s offense until Hayes can connect on a dropkick. Owens rallies with strikes as he is wont to do. A big chop gets Melo’s attention, but Owens grabs his right hand after delivering it.
A springboard clothesline from Hayes swings the momentum quickly, but only until KO can drive him into the steel steps. Commercials are next.
Hayes is in control when we return, scoring a near fall with a nice axe kick. A tilt-a-whirl facebuster earns him another two count in short order.
KO responds by spiking Hayes with a DDT out of the corner, surprising the announcers when Carmelo kicks out. They trade superkicks before Owens lays in more strikes, but the popup powerbomb is countered by a Codebreaker. Hayes wants Nothing But Net but gets caught by a popup powerbomb, yet he’s (barely) able to kick out.
An undeterred Owens his a Swanton Bomb, then the Stunner to win it, sending himself to the tournament final.
Santos Escobar gets help to advance to tourney final past Bobby Lashley
Lashley looks like he wants to end this early if he can, taking it right to his opponent and hurling Escobar across the ring several times. He also catches Santos coming off the top rope and sends him directly out to the floor.
Escobar flies to the floor right after a commercial break, and the Street Profits are urging Lashley to get back into it. He’s at least able to kick out at two and pull himself back to his feet, but he takes double knees to the face in the corner.
Santos hits the double knees again, sending Bobby to his knees. A third knee strike allows Escobar to open up with punches and kicks, and he grins until the All Mighty frees himself from trouble and hits a flatliner.
Lashley stalks his prey but is distracted by security dealing with two masked men attacking the Profits. Escobar capitalizes on the chaos, rolling up Lashley with a handful of tights to get the three count.
The men unmask to reveal themselves as Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza, showing that Santos has a new familia.
AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa devolves into six-man chaos
This should be fun, especially since Styles is going right at Sikoa as soon as the bell rings. Can he simply chop Solo down to size? Well, no, at least not this quickly since the first return shot from Sikoa sends him to the mat.
Styles finally puts a stop to Sikoa’s offense, driving his foe to the floor with an enzuigiri and following with a sliding knee. A springboard forearm is on target as well before commercials.
As is often the case, things have changed during the break, with Sikoa whipping Styles into the corner and hammering him as the fans boo. A big headbutt is next, leading to a cover that never looks close to winning it.
Styles hammers some chops but is Irish whipped into the turnbuckles even harder this time. Sikoa adds more misery with a hip attack, reveling in this slower pace.
AJ rallies to at least roll away from a top rope headbutt, then hits a sliding forearm and springboard moonsault for a near fall. Styles’ strikes are answers by a popup Samoan Drop, forcing him to kick out at two to continue.
Wriggling out of a fireman’s carry, Styles hits a Pele kick. The fans come to life as they see him hit another forearm, then dodge a Samoan Spike to roll Sikoa up for two.
Can AJ really hit the Styles Clash on Solo? Not now, though he does deliver the Phenomenal Forearm … only to see Sikoa roll out of the ring. Roman Reigns picks that opportunity to attack Styles, causing a DQ and lots of thumbs down from the fans.
Styles fights off Reigns but gets ambushed from behind by Sikoa. Randy Orton’s music hits to bring the Viper to the ring … then Jimmy Uso, and finally LA Knight. Working together, Knight and Orton are able to clear the Bloodline from the ring, though an angry Styles ends up starting a fight with both of them.
With the faces throwing hands at each other, Reigns holds his men back and just watches things continue to devolve as the show goes off the air.
See how AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash set up a three-way dance in the Continental Classic for next week.
Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside … inside the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, that is, for an important night in the Continental Classic on AEW Dynamite.
The Gold League is down to its final matches for each man, and there’s plenty at stake (well, except for Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal). It appears Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland will advance to the semifinals, but Rush and Jay White can still throw a monkey wrench in things.
There’s big stuff going on in the women’s division too, as Riho and Saraya battle to see who gets a shot at Toni Storm’s AEW Women’s World Championship, and we’ll hear from MJF and Samoa Joe as well.
Let’s not waste any time. OKC, let’s start the show!
AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash results from Oklahoma City:
Swerve Strickland def. Rush by pinfall in a Continental Classic Gold League match ensuring he will be part of
The Continental Classic Blue League participants are shown doing short promos in advance of their final group matches
Chris Jericho discusses the news that Kenny Omega being out of action indefinitely, saying the most important thing is Kenny’s health but he’ll be ready to resume The Golden Jets when Omega is back
Mark Briscoe def. Jay Lethal by pinfall (with a Jay-Driller) in a Continental Classic Gold League match
Footage is shown of MJF’s induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
A short Wardlow hype video is shown, as he’s still hunting MJF himself
Samoa Joe has more questions about the Devil, including some he’d like to ask to MJF, who in turn points out that the black-clad goons also didn’t lay a finger on Joe; their argument is interrupted by an attack from said goons, and the Devil appears on the big screen to challenge them for the ROH World Tag Team Championship next week … and they accept
Renee Paquette talks to Orange Cassidy and friends, and Rocky Romero ends up with a title shot against Orange Cassidy, surprising even himself
Riho def. Saraya by pinfall to earn a shot at “Timeless” Toni Storm and the AEW Women’s World Championship at Worlds End, with Storm doing some very entertaining guest commentary during the match; Ruby Soho is also shown watching closely on a backstage monitor, and Riho gets the best of Storm in a brief in-ring melee only to be hit by Mariah May wielding Toni’s title belt
Tony Schiavone reads a prepared statement from Christian Cage, who says he took Nick Wayne on a vacation and is returning on Collision to answer Adam Copeland’s Worlds End challenge
MJF and Joe bicker for a bit in the back before the champ finds a black mask outside the Mogul Embassy locker room, leading to a testy but awesome exchange between MJF and Swerve
Roderick Strong def. Komander by pinfall; afterward, Strong makes his latest plea to Joe that MJF is the Devil
A replay is shown of Thunder Rosa coming to Abadon’s aid on Collision, rolling into a preview of what’s in store for Collision this Saturday
Jay White def. Jon Moxley by pinfall in a Continental Classic Gold League match, meaning the Gold League semifinal will be a three-way match one week from tonight on Dynamite; after the match, Swerve came to the ramp to stare down the other two men
See which set of tag team title challengers broke through on WWE Raw from Des Moines.
We’re nearly out of days in 2023, and tonight’s WWE Raw from Des Moines, Iowa very well could be the last live televised show of the year. And with that being the case, why not finish strong?
It looks like we might have exactly that kind of card tonight, with three championships on the line. One is a rematch between Gunther and The Miz for the Ring General’s Intercontinental Championship. Miz has shown the drive and form to work himself back for a second shot, but as many have found out, standing up to Gunther and defeating him are two very different propositions.
Both the men’s and women’s tag team titles are also at stake in Des Moines. In both cases, there are up and coming teams looking to prove they’ve truly arrived — The Creed Brothers and Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. Can one or both duos succeed and claim their first main roster gold?
Warm up your singing muscles, as we’ll see Seth Rollins get some microphone time tonight. The World Heavyweight Champion did some verbal jousting with CM Punk last week, but he’s got a (literally) bigger foe to worry about first in the form of a very focused Drew McIntyre. Rollins might not even make it past Jan. 1 with his title if he doesn’t keep his eye on the Scottish Warrior.
Last but not least, R-Truth has been an unexpectedly delightful monkey wrench thrown into The Judgment Day’s machine as of late. We’ll see if he can avoid taking a big ‘L’ in Iowa as he faces JD McDonagh in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.
We’re looking forward to taking in all the action and recapping it right here for you, so let’s get to it.
WWE Raw results from Des Moines:
(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)
The Judgment Day is in the building … and so is R-Truth
R-Truth def. JD McDonagh by pinfall in a Miracle on 24th Street Fight
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are feeling good ahead of their tag team title shot tonight
Becky Lynch can’t quite get Nia Jax to fight tonight but does get a taste of her power
Kofi Claus drops off a YEET shirt for #DIY, who give some props to The Miz before he gets a backstage interview to suggest he’s ready to finish what he started the first time he rattled Gunther
Gunther def. The Miz by pinfall to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship; according to the stipulation, Miz can’t challenge for this title again as long as Gunther holds it
The other members of Imperium congratulate Gunther, but he berates the whole year as a complete write-off for them, and says he expects them to grind and impress him for a few weeks while he takes a much deserved break; Kofi Claus also stops by to give Ludwig Kaiser some coal
Shinsuke Nakamura treats everyone to an atmospheric reading of “The American Nightmare Before Christmas,” but Cody Rhodes is unamused by the personal attacks it contains and attacks him, with their battle heading all the way from backstage to the ring before WWE officials can finally separate them
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven try to convince Adam Pearce to cancel their title match but fail; Bronson Reed stops by afterward to discuss Gunther’s next challenger
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven by pinfall to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
Akira Tozawa surprises his Alpha Academy teammates by informing them he has a match with Ivar, and Chad Gable can only cringe at the thought
The new tag team champs get some props backstage before heading out to party, while some other tag teams (Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, and Natalya and Tegan Nox, specifically) discuss how Carter and Chance
Ivar def. Akira Tozawa by pinfall
CM Punk’s decision to sign with Raw and subsequent showdown with Seth Rollins is replayed
Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre speak their minds, but one person takes it to a physical level
The Creed Brothers geek out a bit after Cody Rhodes wishes them good luck and says he hopes they win tonight
Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci beat up Kofi Claus, but Jey Uso hands out some “season’s yeetings” as payback, and Uso makes it clear he wants Kaiser in the ring
Jey Uso def. Ludwig Kaiser by pinfall
The Judgment Day tries to console McDonagh, and he’s not kicked out of the group, and Ripley tells Priest and Balor to take care of business tonight
Damian Priest and Finn Balor def. The Creed Brothers by pinfall to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Image credit: WWE.com
The Judgment Day still can’t quite convince R-Truth he’s not in the group
After Damian Priest tells us to all rise, Finn Balor congratulates The Creed Brothers on getting to the No. 1 contenders spot. But where it’s the biggest night of their life, it’s just another night at the office for the tag team champs.
Rhea Ripley delivers a warning to Ivy Nile and promises The Judgment Day will continue to run things in 2024, but Dominik Mysterio is interrupted by R-Truth. He didn’t know they were opening the show and thinks the beatdown he got last week was his initiation into the group, even though it hurt him physically and emotionally.
Since everyone is looking for a fight, Truth needs someone to beat up on, and the fans suggest JD McDonagh. He suggests a Miracle on 34th Street Fight, to which JD tells him it’s already been booked and it’s happening right now. Truth says there’s an added stipulation: It’s a Loser Leaves Judgment Day match.
Priest likes that idea, and even though Ripley does not, McDonagh seems like he’s fine with it.
Image credit: WWE.com
JD McDonagh has a Blue Christmas at the hands of R-Truth
The announcers debate whether there really is a stipulation in effect saying McDonagh has to leave The Judgment Day if he loses. He has some assistance from Dirty Dom to try to avoid finding out.
Truth delights the crowd by getting out a table, but McDonagh plays Scrooge by dropkicking him in short order. Dom trips Truth but ends up driving Truth’s head into his teammate’s groin, and Christmas trees and a fire extinguisher also come into play.
A flurry of offense by R-Truth has JD down, and a Five Knuckle Shuffle pays homage to John Cena. McDonagh ends up atop a table, and even when he escapes, Truth ends up almost accidentally driving him through it for the pinfall. Michael Cole is excited that JD is out, but we’ll see if he really is.
Image credit: WWE.com
Becky Lynch and Nia Jax are going to fight … but not tonight
Becky Lynch interrupts Nia Jax before she can even say a word, unimpressed that she’s out to announce she’s entering the Royal Rumble.
In response, Jax suggests that the reason they’ve never had a singles match is because everyone is scared Nia would destroy the “moneymaker of the company.” The Man disagrees, saying that Jax is the one who is scared and that she’s the one whose existence is owed to others.
To prove her wrong, why not fight right there? Jax calls for a ref and Michael Cole is excited, as are the fans. But you know what’s coming — Jax backs off, saying this will happen on her terms, and in her hometown of San Diego in two weeks on the Day 1 episode of Raw.
Jax is laughing as she turns to leave, but not for long as Lynch goes firing up the ramp to attack her. That goes poorly for The Man, though, as one right hand sends Becky to the ground.
Image credit: WWE.com
No shame in defeat as The Miz pushes Gunther to the limit
If Miz loses this, he can’t challenge again for this title as long as Gunther holds it. Those are high stakes.
The champ tries to bully Miz early on, smiling after he chops the challenger down. But Miz briefly grabs an ankle lock, suggesting he’s very much up for this, and Gunther has to wiggle over for a couple of rope breaks.
After Miz misses a swinging kick to the floor, Gunther greets him with a chop and powerbombs him on the apron. It’s still the champ in control after a commercial break as the fans try to rally The Miz.
Gunther is playing to the crowd as he continues his methodical attack, and Miz’s chest is showing numerous welts. The challenger finally connects on a running clothesline, but Gunther kicks him out of midair and tortures him on the top turnbuckle.
Finally a potential break as Miz ducks a chop and Gunther’s hand smacks the post before we go for more ads. Miz breaks out of a sleeperhold when we return, trying to continue working Gunther’s hand.
The champ can’t get a Boston Crab applied but switches to a reverse crossface; Miz breaks free and hits a DDT. Miz looks confident now, executing a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count.
A missile dropkick leads to a powerbomb, and the champ has his own near fall. Gunther flips Miz right over into a Boston Crab, and the crowd comes alive again as Miz makes it to the ropes for a break.
As Gunther tries to hammer Miz on his knees, the challenger smiles and waves him in. Miz comes close to stealing a win, then switches to a Skull Crushing Finale and getting very close to the three.
Will that be as close as Miz gets? Gunther hits a big punch and heads up top, fighting off the challenger for a second. Miz kicks Gunther in the hand and nails the Skull Crushing Finale off the second rope. But they don’t call him the Ring General for nothing, and Gunther uses Miz’s brief delay to roll out of the ring.
When they return to the ring, it’s powerbomb/clothesline/powerbomb for Gunther, and he stacks up his foe to finally bring it to a close.
Image credit: WWE.com
Let the party commence: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are tag team champs
Niven has a serious power advantage against both of the challengers, so we’ll see if they can use their speed and teamwork to neutralize that. Piper manages to squash both of them with a corner bomb, but it’s only good for a near fall prior to commercials.
It’s Green taking the brunt of the punishment when the broadcast returns, especially when Niven accidentally lands on her. Carter nearly pins her and looks frazzled when it’s only two.
Carter and Green go to the top rope, but nothing huge ends up connecting and Chelsea ends up hitting a Famouser of sorts for two. Niven tags back in for a running senton on Carter, who is saved by Chance.
The challengers have Niven in some trouble with the Keg Stand, but Green saves her partner at the absolute last moment. Chelsea isn’t out of the woods, though, and she takes the Afterparty and can’t kick out. We’ve got new tag team champs, folks.
Image credit: WWE.com
Drew McIntyre doesn’t want any pity from Seth Rollins
Iowa’s own gets a warm welcome from the fans in Des Moines. Rollins says things are heating up around here, and that the little “confrontation” he had last week (with CM Punk) has him more motivated than ever. Seth says he’s planning for a big 2024, and that stars on Day 1 when he faces Drew McIntyre.
Speak of the devil … er, the Scottish Warrior. McIntyre joins Rollins in the ring but is warned to “tread lightly.” McIntyre says he isn’t there to fight but instead to say he’s proud of Rollins for standing up to Punk and telling him the truth. “And that, my friend, is a real leader.”
McIntyre says the last time he went home he wondered if the sacrifices he’s made were worth it, and that Rollins might understand it because his wife, Becky Lynch, is on the same journey far from home. Drew says he doesn’t want Seth’s title, he needs it so he can find out if all the sacrifices he’s made were worth it — and he’s willing to hurt Seth to get it.
Rollins says he wants to believe McIntyre but his actions and words haven’t lined up. He does respect Drew, however, because of the way he worked his way back into title contention after Crown Jewel. But what makes McIntyre think the outcome will be any different this time? Is it just the willingness to take shortcuts? Either way, Seth muses, Drew isn’t taking responsibility for his actions.
The champs says he pities McIntyre as a result, and that finally gets the Scottish Warrior to snap. A brief scuffle leads to Drew giving Seth an Alabama Slam on the steps, leaving Rollins grasping his left arm in pain.
Image credit: WWE.com
Damian Priest, Finn Balor squeak by The Creed Brothers to retain
The Creeds look bright to start, with Brutus in command after a quick commercial break. Balor is getting double teamed and not enjoying it, but Priest low bridges Julius and treats him to a clothesline.
Rhea Ripley is doing some distracting as well, but she gets dangerously close to getting taken out. The champs stay in control through another commercial break, so the question now is whether the Creeds have another rally in them.
Brutus makes it look like he does, showing off some impressive strength by suplexing Priest. Both sides make tags, but it’s Julius hurling Balor all over the place and following with a standing Shooting Star Press for two on Finn.
Is it Brutus Ball time? Priest says no as he intercepts. Julius and Balor both clothesline each other at once, and Ripley gets into it with Ivy Nile on the outside, paying for it by getting bounced off the apron.
Balor is in trouble again, taking the Brutus Ball, but Priest hustles to make the save. A dropkick prevents a South of Heaven, but Julius responds by flying to the floor to take out Priest.
All four men might figure into this finish; Priest takes the Brutus Ball, but Balor hits Julius with a Coup de Grace to the back as he covers. Amidst the commotion, Priest is able to hit Julius with a South of Heaven, covering to secure the win.
Also on AEW Collision, Thunder Rosa made her return to form a surprising alliance.
We’re getting down to the nitty gritty in the Continental Classic tonight on AEW Collision. For the Blue League, especially, several competitors are in must-win situations, particularly Eddie Kingston.
Maybe he wouldn’t be under so much pressure if he wouldn’t have put both of his titles up for grabs in this tournament, but he did and there’s no going back now. To get them back and become the first ever AEW Continental Champion too, he’s got to go on and win it all.
Kingston made that more difficult for himself by losing his first two round robin matches, but a victory over his archrival Claudio Castagnoli kept him alive. Kingston will need to win against Brody King tonight to still have a chance, and as luck would have it, Castagnoli is in the very same boat against group leader Andrade El Idolo.
All of which is to say that this is an important night in the Continental Classic, and there’s also a title defense by Orange Cassidy, always a good time. Let’s do this.
AEW Collision Winter is Coming results from Garland, Texas:
Claudio Castagnoli def. Andrade El Idolo by pinfall in a Continental Classic Blue League match, utilizing a low blow while the ref is distracted to set up the finish, and Claudio stays alive to advance from the Blue League
A highlight/promo video combo takes us back through the Continental Classic Gold
Abadon def. Jazmin Allure by pinfall in a quick squash match, but …
After the match, Julia Hart appears to taunt Abadon with the TBS Championship again, and when Abadon decides to just attack Hart, Skye Blue comes to the ring and helps Hart; in turn, Abadon gets some unexpected assistance from a returning Thunder Rosa, and Abadon shakes Rosa’s hand after they clear the ring
Renee Paquette gets a word with The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass, who are pretty mad about getting attacked by the Devil and his goons a few weeks ago; Top Flight and Action Andretti stop by to issue a title challenge, and since the champs are in a fighting week, they accept for next week
Orange Cassidy def. Bryan Keith by pinfall to retain the AEW International Champion
Miro says he’s done avoiding people to please his wife and is ready to kill everyone
Roderick Strong says he thinks he’s found his next “victim” in Komander
FTR dares the House of Black to come out and face them, accusing the House of jealousy of their extended run of tag team success; Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews appear on the big screen to repeat the claim that no one in the back will save them and only the House loves Cash Wheeler, and they punctuate their point by burning a picture of Dax Harwood, his wife and his daughter
A hype video promotes the recent run of Keith Lee, including his assertion that Shane Taylor was not “him”
Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale def. Diamante and Mercedes Martinez in a wild Texas Street Fight that is the wildest AEW women’s division match in some time
Paquette talks to “Timeless” Toni Storm and Mariah May, with the latter ending up disappointed that the former says she’s too busy to watch her debut match
Brian Cage def. Kari Wright by pinfall in a quick squash match
Cage and the Mogul Embassy (sans Swerve Strickland) are in a celebratory mood, but Keith Lee tells them they they can tell “him” that his patience is running out; hmm …
Eddie Kingston def. Daniel Garcia by pinfall in a Continental Classic Blue League match
Bryan Danielson def. Brody King by pinfall in a Continental Classic Blue League match
The Von Erichs were along the highlights of this week’s AEW Rampage.
Man, it’s been a bummer of a day for AEW with the news that Kenny Omega will be out indefinitely. Somewhere, Tony Khan is cursing his luck, or the fact that he appears to have jinxed himself after talking earlier in the year about how the company’s injury luck was better in 2023.
You know what might cheer him, and also us, up? Some AEW Rampage, that’s what. With the show taped in Texas, it’s only right that some Von Erichs are part of it, teaming with Orange Cassidy. There are also several tag team matches on tap, as well as Anna Jay in singles action.
Yeah, this should help us feel better. On to the results and such.
AEW Rampage results:
Orange Cassidy and The Von Erichs def. Angelo Parker, Matt Menard and Jake Hager by pinfall, and Kevin Von Erich and Danhausen help prevent a post-match beating, with Kevin giving Hager a lengthy Iron Claw; Cassidy puts his sunglasses on the eldest Von Erich during their celebration
Mark Briscoe says “fighting’s what I do, dammit” when asked what he still has to fight for in the Continental Classic and says this is like his rookie season as a singles wrestler; he and Jay Lethal say they’ll battle each other for honor next week and shake hands
The Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher and Powerhouse Hobbs) def. Hunter Grey and Paul Titan by pinfall in a squash match; afterward, Callis gets some mic time and threatens The Golden Jets, saying that under The Don Callis Rules, any two members of the Family can take on Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega at any time
Ruby Soho reflects on taking another loss while being pulled in so many directions, and she doesn’t take kindly to Saraya trying to give her some tough love
Anna Jay def. Red Velvet by submission, due in part to, or perhaps in spite of, a distraction by Menard
A replay of the Devil’s latest attack from Dynamite is shown, this time targeting Hangman Adam Page
Top Flight and Action Andretti def. El Hijo del Vikingo, Komander and Penta El Zero Miedo by pinfall
Also on WWE SmackDown, Carmelo Hayes got a big win.
The Tribal Chief. The Head of the Table. Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Roman Reigns has many other names, but no matter how you refer to him, he is “The Man” on Friday nights. Or at least he is when he’s around, which he will be tonight on WWE SmackDown in Green Bay.
He’s supposed to be back to handle “Tribal Business,” which likely means he feels the need to ensure The Bloodline is the dominant force in WWE. There are some definite signs that is no longer the case, particularly with Jimmy Uso (who’s been a bit on the periphery of the group anyway) and Solo Sikoa taking a big ‘L’ last week against LA Knight and Randy Orton.
Reigns has already faced Knight at Crown Jewel and beat him, with some help, but circumstances have unfolded in such a way that Orton has never had his shot at the Tribal Chief. The Viper will face Jimmy Uso tonight, but you can’t help but get the feeling that Orton and Reigns are on a collision course that leads to Royal Rumble. Maybe.
It’s also a big night for Carmelo Hayes. Supposedly hand-picked by Shawn Michaels to participate in the United States Title Tournament (which is only for a shot at the title), he’ll face Grayson Waller, someone he’s run into before in NXT.
All this and much more await us tonight in Green Bay. Let’s see what’s what.
WWE SmackDown results from Green Bay:
(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)
Roman Reigns praises Solo Sikoa and dismisses a challenge from Randy Orton
A hype video tells viewers more about Carmelo Hayes ahead of his match tonight
Carmelo Hayes def. Grayson Waller by pinfall in a United States Championship Tournament first round match
LA Knight runs into Orton backstage, reminding him “how those numbers work” with The Bloodline, and they bicker just a bit about who’s going to be the one to take down Reigns
Kevin Owens def. Austin Theory by pinfall in a United States Championship Tournament first round match
Reigns sits with The Bloodline and stews about Orton ruining their night, and Jimmy Uso sort of reluctantly accepts his role before saying “yeet” … and then taking it back as Roman slowly turns and glares at him
A video promo has Karrion Kross promising that “everything is about to crumble”
Cameron Grimes congratulates KO on laying out Theory, and he also gets a bit of a warning from Hayes before they meet in the next round
Bayley brags about Damage CTRL getting closer to her original vision of becoming the most powerful faction in WWE, and the rest of the members back her assertion that they’ll win all the titles
Kanuki Warriors def. Michin and Zelina Vega by pinfall, getting a little help from both Bayley and Dakota Kai
Jimmy Uso muses that he feels like he’s being set up and asks Solo Sikoa if he’d give him a heads up if that was the case; Sikoa responds “I’m your brother”
A video promo is shown for Santos Escobar, as he promises to defeat Bobby Lashley before going on to become the new United States Champion
Lashley delivers his response in a live promo, flanked by the Street Profits, all dressed to the nines
Randy Orton def. Jimmy Uso by pinfall, thanks in part to LA Knight neutralizing Solo Sikoa, but …
… Reigns lays out Knight on the ramp and heads in to trade shots with Orton; Uso, Knight and Sikoa all get involved as well, and so does AJ Styles, who sneaks in from the back and connects with a Phenomenal Forearm on Reigns, quickly clearing the ring
We’re not quite done, though, as Styles attacks Knight from behind and walks right by The Bloodline on his way back up the ramp
Roman Reigns is in the sights of Randy Orton
Back for the first time in a while, Reigns asks the fans to acknowledge him and then shit their mouths citing too many boos. It’s the holiday season, though, and Roman says he’s in the mood to celebrate. He’s a fair boss and in the mood to hand out a promotion.
The Tribal Chief says one man has done all he could for The Bloodline over the past year and is next in line if something happens to him. Jimmy Uso clearly is acting like he thinks it’s him, but it’s actually Solo Sikoa he means, and Reigns gives Solo a hug.
That’s when Randy Orton’s music hits, bringing the Viper out as the show goes to commercials. After the people in the arena apparently listened to Randy’s theme for two-plus minutes, Orton climbs in the ring as the crowd chants his name.
The Viper says he’s been thinking about what he wants to do and say in this moment for 18 months, but all he needs to say is “I’m coming for you.” Orton plans on taking everything away from Reigns, starting tonight and ending at Royal Rumble, as he lays out a challenge for that very event.
Dismissively, Roman says he hasn’t though about Randy for 18 months, and since he hasn’t done anything to earn a title shot, he can get in the back of the line. It’s not 2007, and Roman says he’s levels above him and everybody else. If they would meet, Reigns says, it will be “retirement” for Orton.
Maybe Reigns is right, Orton says. He admits that the Tribal Chief has evolved for the better, into a legend. But even though Orton has evolved as well, one thing he will always be … is a Legend Killer. Orton fakes an RKO and Reigns bids a hasty retreat, and Randy jokes that the voices in his head say Roman might have just crapped his pants.
And one more thing: Daddy’s back.
Carmelo Hayes makes a successful debut, catches Nothing But Net against Grayson Waller
A video is shown of Logan Paul dismissing Hayes by calling him “random guy,” so you have to figure he’s going to win here and at least tease heading toward a match with Paul. Even Corey Graves, the heel announcer, is vouching for Carmelo, so you know WWE is trying to push him as a legit talent (which he definitely is).
The opening minutes are all Grayson, but Hayes finally gets in some offense that includes his Fadeaway and a springboard torpedo. But Waller reclaims the momentum during an ad break, with Hayes selling damage to his left knee and Waller scoring a near fall with a Flatliner.
A pump kick and tilt-a-whirl facebuster get Hayes right back into it with a two count. Waller responds with a move I don’t even know the name of out of the corner (a flipping, inverted legdrop, sort of?) and gets another near fall.
Hayes’ springboard DDT leads to some frustration on his face when it isn’t enough to finish the match. He perseveres, however, delivering the First 48 and Nothing But Net to win and advance.
Kevin Owens turns his weakness to a strength to beat Austin Theory
The narrative here is that KO has a broken right hand and is wrestling with a special cast as a result. Theory surely won’t take try to take advantage of that. Surely not.
Even with two good hands, Theory isn’t off to the greatest start, so he regroups before heading for the apron. That only gets him a cannonball, though he’s able to roll away when Owens heads to the top rope.
Theory hits a rolling dropkick and suplexes Owens on the apron as commercials arrive. We return to find Theory getting his knees up on KO’s Swanton Bomb, then stomping away.
KO chops away with his left hand and stomps Theory right back near the ropes. A flurry of offense ends with a DDT, but Theory kicks out at two. Another near fall has Owens in “what is it going to take?” territory, but it’s his foe that gets the next two count with a seated springboard Spanish fly. That’s fun stuff.
Owens responds with a superplex, selling the pain to his right hand as he sees Theory crawl to the floor. He gets crotched on the barricade and takes a rolling Blockbuster back in the ring, but Owens fights on.
Theory ends up in the Tree of Woe to take a cannonball, and KO follows with a Swanton Bomb .,. and that still doesn’t end it. Theory finally does the sensible thing and starts stomping on his foe’s injured arm, but Owens says screw it and lays him out with a big right hand (possibly aided by the cast), finally finishing this one.
Randy Orton has someone watching his back while defeating Jimmy Uso
Jimmy smiles as he takes an early timeout on the outside, the perfect excuse to go to a commercial break right after the bell. That timeout didn’t do much for him, as he’s bounced off the announce table and slowly worked over back in the ring.
Uso finally is able to get his offense untracked, hammering Orton down in a corner and delivering a hip attack to earn a near fall. He also avoids vintage Orton and elevates the Viper out to the floor, where he lands hard on his knee.
The fans are urging on Orton after more commercials, and he doesn’t miss this time with the elevated DDT. He hears the voices now, but there are still nine minutes left so the end can’t be coming just yet. Sure enough, Solo Sikoa’s music hits and the Enforcer comes partway down the ramp before he’s attacked by LA Knight. Orton hits an RKO and somewhat surprisingly, it’s over.
